Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Beggar Gritz (8) - Only You Know
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To Grace, the patriarch of House Kanilian was an absolute authority she could never dream of defying.
He was the king of this land called Bellaria.
If he declared someone a criminal, they became one; if he proclaimed them innocent, no sin could touch them.
No matter how bold Grace was or how unbound she seemed by worldly vanities, openly challenging the patriarch was simply impossible.
"...This is strange."
And so, the sight of the patriarch—usually so dignified and imposing—surreptitiously glancing at Gritz while softly recounting tales of their ancestors felt utterly surreal to her.
No, she wasn't the only one; most people in Bellaria would feel the same.
Who could believe that the man who always exuded such majesty was now groveling like a whipped dog before a mere beggar?
"So, how's it feel? Knowing that the 'duty' you were about to shoulder was all just the bullshit fallout from some idiots' fuckups?"
By contrast, Gritz—who had achieved this monumental feat—seemed utterly indifferent.
As if the patriarch's authority and social standing meant nothing to him.
Then again, if he'd ever cared about such things, he wouldn't be wandering around in that old oaken barrel of his.
"How it feels...?"
Grace felt at a loss.
It wasn't so much out of any particular compassion; more than anything, the situation just lacked any sense of reality.
If Gritz had been the one bringing it up, she probably would've dismissed half of it as fiction rather than taking it seriously.
Gritz must have anticipated that, which was why he'd made the patriarch explain it to her himself.
But to the patriarch, her bewilderment and discomfort appeared in a very different light, and he bowed his head desperately.
"I-I'm sorry. I apologize from the bottom of my heart. But I had no choice! By the time I became patriarch, the entire family had already been subjugated by that monster!"
"Tsk tsk. Spouting excuses before your apology's even done."
"......"
Gritz's sarcasm from the side made the patriarch shrink back oddly and shut his mouth.
His face was filled with injustice and desperation, and ironically, Grace saw the faces of the orphanage kids overlapping with it.
'...He really thinks of himself as the victim.'
A child scolded by someone, apologizing only because they couldn't fight back—but deep down, not believing they'd done anything wrong.
That child's face looked just like the patriarch's right now.
'It was our ancestors' mistake, so all I did was clean up after them.'
From his own perspective alone, it was a fairly plausible excuse.
Making that face in front of Grace, who had nearly been sacrificed on his orders, was pretty tone-deaf, though.
"Haa."
A fresh headache throbbed, and Grace let out a deep sigh.
"Mr. Gritz."
"Yeah?"
"Could you put him to sleep for a bit?"
There was no "what?" in response.
Instead, with a thwack!, the patriarch took a staff to the back of his head, lost consciousness, and toppled over.
"So, what do we do with him now?"
"Why ask me? This your problem, not mine."
"Wow, you wreck everything and then just leave the rest to me? Got any conscience at all?"
"If I didn't, you wouldn't even get a meal outta me. Don't get greedy, or you'll regret it."
It was the kind of snide remark you'd expect from a nasty old codger.
Any ordinary village girl would've blown up or burst into tears.
But Grace was no ordinary girl.
"Oh, really? Then just go."
With that, she flopped right down onto the floor.
Gritz eyed her and asked,
"What're you doing?"
"Some great beggar who's smart and strong can do whatever he wants, but a dumb, weak little girl like me? No chance. So what can I do? Sleep it off, I guess. Wonder if my head'll roll before I wake up."
"......"
"What're you waiting for? Not leaving? Oh, you wanna watch me get executed for blasphemy? Hey, that's your call."
Her boldness went beyond mere lip service—like she was literally offering her belly to the knife—and even Gritz was momentarily speechless.
"What a mouth on that girl."
He grumbled under his breath, then said flatly,
"Fine, get up."
"Can't we just keep talking like this? It's actually pretty comfy lying down."
"You've reached a true dog's realm I haven't even touched—impressive. But you know why beggars like dogs? Great protein source."
Grace didn't bother asking what "protein" meant.
She got the gist just from how he was twirling that staff.
Not keen on getting beaten like a dog and thrown in a pot, she meekly sat up properly, and Gritz spoke.
"Ultimately, the guardian god or whatever's still the problem. Until we deal with it, this land's issues won't be solved."
"Can you take it down? And even if you do, is that okay? What if the crops fail without it?"
"Who knows. According to this guy's story, the land was fertile even before the god showed up, so probably nothing happens. But who can say? Just like the god's nature changed over time, the land it affected might've too. But does it matter? When your neck's on the line?"
"Of course it does. If something big goes wrong with the farming, tons of people starve or scrape by as skin-and-bones. Where d'you think all that resentment goes?"
"We could dump it all on that patriarch over there."
"Still no."
"...What, you gonna whine it's the ancestors' sin so he's not responsible?"
"My brain's not that flowery. I just thought about who'd get abandoned first if shit hit the fan."
The orphanage where Grace grew up—where her family was—existed only because of this land's abundance.
When times got tough and people could barely fend for themselves, kids too young to stand on their own would be the first tossed out.
"You're consistent, I'll give you that."
Gritz's tone was mocking, but the sentiment was closer to admiration.
In his eyes, Grace wasn't the type to meekly accept becoming a sacrifice.
She'd sooner risk it all on a desperate escape.
She had the guts and the boldness for it.
Yet she'd endured the frustration and gloom day after day, accepting her role.
Because otherwise, her family would suffer. And so would countless others.
And since Gritz had pushed her to roll the dice, he couldn't exactly shirk the responsibility.
"Well, there is a way to wipe out the guardian god clean without messing with the farming."
"Ooh, what's that?"
To Grace, eyes sparkling, Gritz smirked and replied,
"Wanna try being a god?"
Grace slowly, very slowly, tilted her head to the side.
And said,
"What kinda bullshit is that?"
Hey, you hear the rumors?
About this festival—turns out it's not really to celebrate the shrine maiden going to the guardian god's side!
What d'you mean?
Come on, didn't it seem fishy from the start?
They've always sent off the maidens quietly, no fuss. But this time, suddenly festivals and banquets all loud and rowdy? That's weird, right?
I heard from a buddy who works at the Kanilian estate—the guardian god's health ain't been great lately.
Its lifespan's just about up.
Gods have lifespans? Why not?
This land's been under its protection since my great-great-grandpa's great-grandpa's time.
After that many years, even a god running out of steam makes sense.
Yeah, big problem, like you said.
Land'll turn barren and dry again once it goes.
But you think the god didn't see that coming? Nah.
It's got a plan.
What plan?
Eh, throat's a bit dry...
No no, wasn't asking for a drink, but can't refuse the gesture.
Slurp, ahh! Hits the spot.
The god came down in human form, had a kid with some woman.
Didn't raise it itself—instead, let it grow up among normal folk.
Said it'd learn the world's pains and worries that way.
The kid was super lively and curious, always eavesdropping on villagers' chit-chat.
Ring any bells?
Right, you're not clueless!
This shrine maiden? She's the god's own daughter!
Get it? This festival ain't celebrating her going to the old god.
It's a rite to send off the old guardian god and welcome the new one!
Then why hide it from everyone? Come on now.
Your reaction right there? That's exactly why.
If word got out the god's dying and the new one's one of us raised normal, chaos everywhere.
House Kanilian's keeping it hush to avoid the panic.
Once she officially takes over, then they'll announce it.
So keep your mouth shut about this. Don't go blabbing.
Telling you special-like. Got it?
Yeah, yeah, as long as you know.
...Hmm. What changes with a new god?
Dunno, just a guess... But no more shrine maidens, right?
Why? Grandpa told me—way back, there weren't even shrine maidens.
Land was plenty fertile without 'em.
Then suddenly, they pop up outta nowhere.
Why? God getting old, power fading.
Used to handle everything solo fine, but later needed maidens and sacrifices for extra juice.
Flip side: a fresh new god's like a green sprout—no need for tricks.
Haha! Yeah! Great news!
Not just for her and her fam—we all felt uneasy about it.
No more of that crap. Total blessing.
What do we do?
What else? Party hard!
Send off the old god not lonely, welcome the new one—eat, drink, make merry!
Long live the new guardian god! Long live Lady Grace!
Whoops, got too excited—voice carried.
Shit, hope no one heard.
Anyway, buddy.
This is just between us—keep it zipped. No spilling to others. Got it?
Haha! You got it, man! I trust ya!