Apostle of Gentleness - 1: The Inn Called Yuram
The inn called Yuram had prices that were a bit steep, but the food was decent enough. It wasn't as pricey as that place with the forest friends, and there wasn't a long wait either. It was the kind of quality spot where you could bring a guest for a nice dinner.
"Steak okay with you?"
"Ah... yeah, I like it."
"If there's anything else you want, just say the word. It's on me, so don't hold back."
Mihail waved his hands at me in refusal. He'd already given me the map— he couldn't possibly let me buy him dinner too.
"No! I'll treat you."
"Nonsense. What kind of person makes a student buy them food?"
Knowing Mihail's tight finances all too well, I shook my head and stopped in front of the Yuram Inn.
"Pretty crowded, huh."
It was getting close to dinnertime, so a bunch of people were waiting in line. Adventurers fresh from quests dragged their weary feet just to catch a glimpse of the beautiful innkeeper's face, while those who'd heard the rumors stood a polite distance back, patiently queuing up. Mihail and I took our place behind them.
What'll happen when they see each other?
Mihail still had no idea who owned Yuram. No clue that the woman was his mother. And Ella, peering through the glass window among the customers, had no idea one of them was the daughter she'd lost.
What I wanted wasn't anything grand. Not some tear-jerking mother-daughter reunion, not a dramatic fallout. Just for Mihail to realize his mother existed. That was why I'd come to this place called Yuram.
Honestly, even I thought letting Mihail meet her one-on-one would be too much. It'd be a huge shock. Everything has its order, after all. No need to rush.
All I wanted was one thing. For Mihail to learn how his mother was living. That she wasn't just happily getting by. And to remember that she was still searching for him.
As a transmigrator who knew the novel's ending, I wanted to avoid the worst outcome. A rare whim for someone like me, but watching them leave each other with deep regrets felt... off.
"..."
Hoping my whim would help a little, I patted Mihail's head.
"Why...?"
"Just praising you for all your hard work today. Don't like it?"
"Ah... no?"
I smiled at his flushing face and nodded.
"Good."
My choice might not be the most rational, but what can you do? When a transmigrator wants something...
I shrugged lightly and waited in the long line.
After a bit of boring time passed, I turned to the tense Mihail and asked carefully—a question that might hit a nerve.
"Hey, Misa."
"Yes?"
"This might be a sensitive one, but... what's your family like? With a pretty face like yours, I'm betting you've got a stunning older sister or something."
"Ah..."
"Could you... introduce me?"
Mihail shook his head awkwardly.
"Don't have one."
"..."
"No mom or dad either."
"Sorry."
"No, it's fine. I was the rude one last time."
He gave an awkward smile and shook his head.
"I'm used to questions like this, so no need to apologize. I've pretty much forgotten about it anyway."
I responded to his words with a bittersweet tone, treading carefully.
"Did they pass away?"
I knew everything, but I had to act like it was the first time hearing it.
Mihail shook his head, his expression turning bitter. He stared at the ground, his voice downcast like someone sharing an uncertain tale.
"My mom abandoned me when I was little. No idea who my dad is."
"..."
"It's okay. It really doesn't bother me anymore."
"Misa."
I glanced sidelong at the woman emerging from the kitchen with food, then spoke carefully to Mihail.
"What if."
"..."
"What if you ran into your lost family again? How would that feel?"
"Huh?"
"Just curious. I wouldn't even recognize my parents if I passed them on the street, but you're different. Even if she abandoned you, you'd remember her face. Don't you ever want to see her?"
"I..."
Mihail mumbled, then turned the question on me.
"What about you, Ricardo? If someone came up and said, 'I'm actually your mom,' what would you do?"
"Me? Uh..."
I'd never even considered it. Having lived without parents, I didn't know family love well, so I answered with the question that had always nagged at me. It was my biggest wonder.
"I'd probably ask why she abandoned me. Was there a reason? Or did she just dump me 'cause I was ugly? I mean, she didn't even look at my face."
"Ah..."
"It's fine. The Young Lady hits me with fat jokes all the time, so I'm used to self-disses like this. Though I give as good as I get."
"Fat jokes?"
"Yeah, those exist."
I chuckled softly and pressed for his answer to my question. She'd be in Mihail's view soon. I needed to gauge his thoughts on a transmigrator's meddling before it was too late.
"Do you think the same, Misa?"
"I..."
"Yeah."
"I just want to call her 'Mom.'"
"You wouldn't resent her?"
Mihail nodded faintly.
"I would. I'd probably cuss her out big time. 'Why show up now? Did you have a great life after ditching me?' Something like that. But..."
He swallowed, then spoke in a trembling voice.
"I'd be really happy to see her."
I nodded slowly.
"I see. That'd be a relief, then."
And in that moment...
"...Huh?"
I felt their eyes meet.
-Crash! A plate shattered inside the inn. Mihail's gaze froze, locking onto me beside him. Noises erupted from within—an apron being flung off, frantic footsteps rushing out.
And then.
"Sorry, something urgent came up."
Mihail bolted in the opposite direction, not even glancing back.
I slipped our numbered ticket into my pocket and thought,
Handle the rest yourselves.
I'd done all I could. No idea what this meddling—risking hassle—would bring, but it felt pretty good. I'd given them a push. They'd figure it out.
I gave a bittersweet smile and nodded.
"Wonder what my mom and dad are up to."
For the first time, I envied Mihail. At least someone had named him.
Ricardo! That's your name.
'Ah... right, mine too.'
I chuckled softly and turned from the inn. Time to head back to the mansion. No point pushing further today— it'd snap the delicate thread for sure.
I walked lightly toward the Young Lady waiting for dinner.
"Ricardo."
The Young Lady looked in a foul mood.
"...Eek!"
She scowled at the veggie-packed plate, voicing her displeasure.
"What's wrong?"
"Hate grass."
"Try it—you'll say it's good."
"No."
She wasn't a fan of my first attempt at spring rolls. Pouting with her mouth clamped shut, she glared at me while rummaging in her treasure pouch.
"Choco."
"No."
"Candy then."
"That's a no too."
"Why!!!"
I shook my head and kindly explained.
"It's a 100-gold meal plan."
"Eek...! That's 100 chocos!"
"Exactly."
I shot a glance at her squeezing her eyes shut in resignation and started assembling a roll on my hand.
"Here's one with bell pepper."
"Eugh."
"Carrot."
"Euuugh."
"Radish sprouts."
"Ricardo's abusing nobility. We need more nobles, not less..."
"That's the butler job. Shrinking and expanding nobles as needed."
"Eeeeeek...!"
The Young Lady showed no signs of warming to veggies.
Scrape.
She shoved the plate of rolls toward Gomtang's spot at the table. Humans can't eat this, so you, beast, chow down.
Very pet-friendly of her. She snuck a peek at me, then muttered softly to Gomtang.
"Eat."
-Gom?
"Eat quick!"
-Gom.
Gomtang scarfed it down since she'd offered.
I chuckled softly at the picky Young Lady.
"A bit much, isn't it? Dumping my heartfelt butler rolls on the bear."
"Ricardo. What's wrong with spoiling a pet? A true owner shares the good stuff first..."
"Then I'll make yours with extra veggies. Gotta be pet-friendly to my owner too."
"Eeeeeek! Ricardo's trying to kill me! Gomtang, bite!"
-Gom?
"Yeah, bite!"
-Nyam.
"Eeeeeek! Not me! Bite Ricardo!"
-Gom! Gom!
Gomtang chomped down on the Young Lady's head and wouldn't let go.
Laughter bubbled up. The kind that made living in this mansion all worthwhile.
"Puhahaha!!"
And so time flowed on. The Young Lady grew skilled with black magic, and I adapted to Sword Master power in that short span.
And then.
The academy began summoning the student council.
Their target: the wild hills near the capital. The apostle's nest.