Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Quarrel - 1
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"Y-You damned bastard, laying hands on the youngest!!"
With Wi Gyeon's shout, three men charged in. It was too crude to call a coordinated attack. They were just relying on momentum.
I raised my sword and unleashed Mount Tai Pressing Down.
"Ugh?!"
The charging men faltered, not knowing what to do as their momentum died down.
They looked completely cowed by the power infused in Mount Tai Pressing Down. I kept the sword moving from its lowered position, thrusting into the chest of the sword-wielder before slicing the throat of the saber-user.
-Splurt!!
Blood erupted in a fountain once more. Watching it, I turned my eyes to Wi Gyeon.
"Next."
"Y-You bastard!!"
For someone considered a cut above in the Evil Faction, his momentum was weak. Still, it seemed he'd properly trained in external arts—his muscles bulged, and he charged with some force, but...
-Slash!!
...he was slow.
"G-Guhk..."
The man clutched his throat, staggered, and collapsed in a heap.
I looked at the four corpses created in an instant, then turned to Yu Ye-ryeon.
"How do we handle the bodies?"
"Just leave them. The wild dogs will make a meal of them. By the way... you seem pretty used to killing."
"Not particularly. It's just..."
"Just?"
"...I'm prepared to kill."
When I decided to take the protagonist's place and save the world, I'd already sorted out my resolve.
Since I'd chosen to live in this world and fight here, killing was inevitable. So there was no need to tremble over taking down one or two people.
"Ho. That's some fine resolve. Mm, mm. I hear some of my friends' disciples can't handle their first kill and drop their weapons."
"They just weren't prepared."
"Exactly. That mindset is what matters. Come here."
Another head pat? She patted the spot next to the coachman's seat, and I approached right away. As always, Yu Ye-ryeon ruffled my hair vigorously.
"By the way, when you used your sword earlier, it looked like Sweeping Away Heavenly Armies. Right?"
"Yes."
"Sweeping Away Heavenly Armies is for horizontal slashes. You modified it? Impressive. And without any real training—how'd you do it?"
"I just visualized it in my head."
While bedridden with injuries, with nothing else to do, I'd always pondered it in my mind.
And it had worked.
"Already doing mental training? Isn't that a bit fast?"
"I'll do real training once I'm recovered, so don't worry. May I go back inside now?"
"Mm... sure."
Apparently satisfied with the petting, she took her hand off my head.
I slipped away from her impish grin and climbed back into the carriage. Hina was smirking as she held out a comb.
"Your hair's a mess."
Looking in the mirror she offered, it definitely was. Was that why she'd laughed earlier?
I sighed at Yu Ye-ryeon visible through the window, then fixed my hair.
The bandits had interrupted, but the outing wasn't over. Crossing their corpses, we arrived at a spot with a fine view.
Maybe because it was mild for winter? As soon as we reached the sun-warmed clearing, Yu Ye-ryeon pulled luggage from the carriage storage.
"Come on! Let's rest here!"
Being on a ridge, the scenery was indeed stunning. I helped Hina down from the carriage, then headed to where Yu Ye-ryeon sat.
Three small chairs had already been unpacked from the carriage.
"Hyah."
I gathered firewood with Empty Air Grasp, then lit it with Threefold True Fire.
She still looked like the playful beauty who'd messed up my hair, but her movements clearly marked her as one of the Eight Great Heavens of the Nine Provinces.
"What're you staring at? Come on, warm up by the fire and relax."
"Yes."
Whether from the bonfire or the sunlight, the air felt nice and toasty.
Couldn't just sit here doing nothing. I filled a tin pot from the luggage with water and set it over the fire. And what I'd prepared was cocoa.
I put cocoa in three large cups, added one marshmallow each from the ones I'd made days ago, and poured in the hot water.
"Ooh~! When'd you buy this?"
"Last time I bought ingredients for Western candies, they had it, so I stocked up."
"Wasn't it expensive? This is a Western import."
"Not really."
"Hehe. Back when I was in the Western Regions, I'd have it often in winter."
Hina cradled her cup in both hands, blew on the steaming cocoa, and sipped with a bright smile, reminiscing about the past.
Her beauty made me smile too. Yu Ye-ryeon, watching us alternate glances, raised her hand.
"What's up?"
"Add one more to mine."
"Won't it be too sweet?"
"I like it sweet."
Fair enough. I added an extra marshmallow to her cup, sat in my chair, and sipped my cocoa.
With the warm weather, bonfire, and hot cocoa inside, my body felt like it was melting.
"What're you making for lunch?"
"Hmm. Lady Hina, anything you'd like?"
"Anything's fine for me. Whatever my sister wants."
Fair enough. I looked at Yu Ye-ryeon, and her eyes sparkled right away.
The joy in those ruby eyes brought a smile to my face.
"Soufflé pancakes!!"
"You really love those."
"Yeah. I love 'em. Right, Hina?"
"Hehe. Yes, sister."
Listening to them, Hina somehow sounded more like the older sister.
Anyway, soufflé pancakes.
I'd brought all the ingredients, so no problem.
They're not hard to make, so I whipped them up quickly. Topped generously with strawberry jam I'd made last spring, and both devoured them happily.
Especially Yu Ye-ryeon, who asked for seconds—and thirds.
She seemed satisfied, leaning back in her chair and closing her eyes. Soon, she was nodding off.
"Sis has been really happy lately."
"Has she?"
"Yes. She wasn't like this before."
Hina gently took her hand as she spoke softly.
"She was always busy because of my condition. So instead of relaxing, she was too aware of everyone around her and couldn't unwind."
"I see."
"But... since you came along, she's changed a lot. She smiles more and expresses her feelings better."
Really? She seemed pretty expressive when we first met.
"Teaching someone is like opening your heart to them. Teaching you seems to give her peace of mind."
"Then I'm glad."
I'm the student, after all. If the teacher feels comfortable, that's good for me.
Hina nodded at my response, squeezed Yu Ye-ryeon's hand, and said politely,
"Please... take good care of my sister."
"Mm. I should be the one asking that."
I'd need her help plenty.
It was a warm, enjoyable time.
We spent such a relaxing interlude that my impatience eased somewhat, then returned to Jinhyu Castle.
"It's about time—shall we head straight to Jinhyu Pavilion?"
The last item on today's agenda was dinner at Jinhyu Pavilion.
How long had we been riding quietly in the carriage after hearing she'd reserved a spot? When it stopped, Yu Ye-ryeon said leisurely,
"Alright! Let's go! Reserved a table on the third floor!"
Third floor? Jinhyu Pavilion was the best tavern and restaurant in Jinhyu.
Prices varied by floor, so reserving the priciest top floor was shocking.
"Is it a special occasion?"
"Hm? Nope."
She casually led us up to the third floor and ordered dishes without even glancing at the menu. How much time passed?
Just from a short wait, a ton of food piled up on the table.
"Think you could make any of this?"
"Hmm..."
Did she bring me here to test what I could replicate? I sampled a few dishes, sorting which I could make and which I couldn't.
"Good. That's impressive. Then..."
That was when a shadow fell over us.
"Hahaha! To think I'd find such beautiful ladies here! Mind if this Gilmo shares a drink?!"
He was a handsome young man. But not polite. What kind of nonsense was this, barging in like that?
Never mind that—didn't he know one of us was among the Eight Great Heavens of the Nine Provinces?
...Come to think of it, he might not. It was a world with stockings and cheongsams but no TV.
But he looked like a martial artist. Not recognizing a top expert and acting so boldly?
That alone was an unforgivable sin.
Yu Ye-ryeon looked annoyed too, her smile vanishing as she said coldly,
"Thanks for the compliment on our looks, but we have private matters to discuss..."
"No, not you. I meant the golden-haired Western beauty..."
"......."
Yu Ye-ryeon, who'd been speaking confidently, shut her mouth. This felt ominous.
"...Jin Hyun."
"Yes."
"Crush this rude punk."
Just as I expected.
"No hard feelings, but..."
"Feelings allowed!"
Then I would.
"Now I do have hard feelings, so let's fight."