Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: A Small Disturbance in Bachran (1)
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"Han Yuseong!"
Rian strode toward Yuseong.
"Mr. Yuseong! It's dangerous!"
Rian's anger flared even more at Seris's worried voice for Yuseong.
'Why this bastard of all people!!'
She hates me over some stupid prank from when we were kids, but this Han Yuseong guy gets that kind of treatment after barely a week?
I'll kill him. Once she sees Han Yuseong die, the way Seris treats me will change. With that thought, Rian swung the stone in his hand.
"Hey, you punk."
But Yuseong's fist moved first. It slammed into Rian's solar plexus. Rian couldn't breathe for a moment.
"Why the hell are you yelling?"
Yuseong hooked his foot behind Rian's leg and shoved. Rian tripped over Yuseong's leg and fell backward.
"Urk..."
"You've caused me enough trouble."
Rian tried to get up. Yuseong kicked him in the head. Rian collapsed halfway to his feet, and Yuseong stomped down on him.
"Seris, is Kara okay?"
"Yeah...? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just a little dizzy."
Kara, who had been dazedly watching, snapped out of it and answered. Seris sighed in relief seeing Kara respond normally.
"I'm okay too. But Mr. Yuseong, why do you have so many wounds?! Are you alright?!"
Only then did Kara notice Yuseong's condition at Seris's words. She'd been too shocked by the sight of him beating Rian to notice, but he looked awful.
His clothes were shredded worse than rags, and the wounded areas were soaked in blood.
"It's nothing. More importantly, why'd you two come out of the tree hollow?"
"Huh? Oh... We were worried because you weren't coming back, so we came looking..."
"I told you to wait in the tree hollow."
Yuseong's voice was sharp, his expression icy cold. Seris flinched a bit at seeing him angry.
"I'm sorry. We were worried about you..."
"Oppa, sorry..."
The sisters apologized to Yuseong. It stung a little that he was mad when they'd only come out of concern, but the blood dripping from his clothes chased those feelings away.
"Hoo... For now, head back to the tree hollow."
"What about you, Mr. Yuseong?"
"I'll be there soon."
"Gahk!"
As he spoke, Yuseong kicked Rian, who had been stealthily trying to get up. Seris and Kara headed back to the tree hollow as Yuseong said. Seris supported Kara, who was still a bit unsteady.
Once the sisters were out of sight, Yuseong drew his dagger.
"Wha...? D-Dagger?! You don't mean...!"
Rian freaked out at the sight of the dagger. Yuseong didn't answer. He just kicked Rian in the solar plexus again, doubling him over, then straddled him.
"S-Sorry! My bad... Mmph!!"
Yuseong clamped his hand over Rian's mouth.
"Shut up. You've put me through hell."
Yuseong gripped the dagger in reverse.
"Mmph!! Mmphmm!!!"
Rian screamed desperately. He couldn't speak with his mouth covered, but Yuseong knew what he wanted to say.
Probably begging for his life or admitting he was wrong. But Yuseong couldn't let him live.
The baron might learn of Seris's survival through Rian. That was a future Yuseong absolutely wanted to avoid.
Yuseong plunged the dagger into Rian's throat. Rian's body convulsed in agony. It didn't last long. Soon, it went limp.
"...Even people give it?"
Yuseong let out a hollow laugh as he pulled out the dagger. He wiped the dripping blade on Rian's clothes.
My whole body aches and stings.
It's because I fought the goblins that swarmed after hearing Seris and Rian's voices.
All ten of them together, right?
I ambushed them, and if the ambush failed, I'd fight head-on. If I didn't kill one quickly, the others would come to help.
'Lucky they were spread out.'
Otherwise, I might not have gotten off with just these wounds.
"Mr. Yuseong, are you really okay?"
"Ugh... That must hurt like hell."
Seris looked at me with worry, while Kara shook her head at my wounds.
I told them I'd just beaten Rian up a bit and chased him off. No way I'd tell them the truth—they might start watching me warily.
"I'm fine. Once we get to the city, I can go to the temple."
1 to 2 silvers in donation gets you healed by a priest. Pricey, but better than letting these get infected.
"I'm sorry. This is all because of us..."
"It's okay. You said you were worried about me, right? Just listen to me from now on."
"Yes, got it."
Seris nodded, her face full of guilt. Her eyes were fixed on my wounds. Only after I waved it off did her expression soften a bit.
"Anyway, Seris, cover your face before we get to the city."
"My face? Why?"
"'Cause you're too pretty."
"Huh...?"
Seris tilted her head for a moment, then her eyes went wide. Her cheeks flushed slightly.
"What do you mean all of a sudden..."
"You're too pretty. It's a problem."
"M-Mr. Yuseong?"
"...What does Unnie being pretty have to do with covering her face?"
Kara asked with a slightly sulky look.
"Why wouldn't it? There are tons of bad guys in the city. The second they see Seris, their eyes'll light up and come running."
"Aw, no way..."
"Why? You don't believe me?"
"It's not that I don't believe you... It just sounds a bit exaggerated."
Seris didn't seem convinced. Can't blame her—suddenly telling her to cover her face would feel weird. And it'd be uncomfortable.
But this was a problem we had to solve before entering. Back in the village, the baron's influence kept things quiet.
In the city, though? No such luck. More people means more crazies, and Seris's looks are way too striking.
To convince her, I mouthed the word at Seris.
'Baron.'
Seris flinched. She must've remembered eavesdropping on the village meeting.
"Okay. How should I cover it?"
"Wrap some cloth around your face for now, and we'll find something better once we're in the city."
Seris rummaged through her bundle for a suitable cloth. As I moved to help, Kara tugged my sleeve.
"Oppa, what about me? Do I not have to cover up?"
"Hm... If you want to, go ahead."
"...What kind of answer is that?"
Kara quickened her pace, looking a bit miffed. I chuckled softly at her back.
Honestly, Kara is pretty. Her features are well-defined, and her healthy figure turns heads—enough that passing guys glance back.
But not to the point of needing to cover up. Just stick to main roads and stay cautious, and it's fine.
Seris is the exceptional one who really needs it.
"Kara, wait up."
"Hurry up, slowpokes."
"Seris, go calm her down a bit."
"Okay."
Seris approached Kara and spoke to her. Kara ignored her. The effect was immediate.
"Ka... Kara..."
Seris deflated completely.
We walked on in silence for hours like that.
"Wow... Unnie, look at this! It's so tall!"
"Yeah. Amazing..."
The sisters marveled at the city walls. First time seeing a 7-meter stone wall stretching out like that, anyone would.
"You can gawk after we get inside."
I led them to the gate. Two guards stood watch.
"Got citizen papers?"
The guard asked.
"No. Don't have any."
"No papers, huh? Then what's your business in the city? Here to cause trouble?"
The guard scowled. Seris and Kara, who had been eyeing the guards' gear curiously, shrank back.
"M-Mr. Yuseong, is something wrong?"
Seris whispered, tugging my sleeve nervously. I smirked.
"Can't you see I'm hurt? Cut the crap."
"C-Cut the...?"
Seris glanced warily at the guard. He burst out laughing.
"Pfft, hahaha! Here I am messing with someone who's injured. Sorry, the girls behind you are just too cute."
"Oh, it was a joke."
Kara giggled once she got it.
"You three scream 'fresh off the farm.' That's why."
"Urgh... Still, glad it was just a joke. You scared us."
"Kehahaha, sorry about that. Three of you? Entry fee's 6 coppers total."
"...This isn't another joke, is it?"
"Nah, this one's real."
I pulled 2 coppers from my pouch. Seris took out 4. Her hands were shaking.
Once inside the city, Seris and I headed straight for the temple to treat my wounds. I suggested they rest at an inn, but they refused and followed.
"Whoa, I've never seen anything like this! So sparkly and pretty!"
"Ka, Kara, don't touch... What if you break it..."
The sisters enjoyed sightseeing as they trailed me.
Mostly Kara oohing and aahing while Seris fretted over potential mishaps.
Seris had been eagerly looking around like Kara at first, but after hearing the price of some glassware...
"Kara! I said don't touch it?!"
"Heh heh, touch it and you buy it."
"S-Sorry! Please just this once. Kara! Don't touch! Won't you listen to Unnie?!"
That's been the vibe nonstop.
I chuckled wryly at Seris overreacting to the merchant's teasing. Aren't they tired after walking all night?
"Oppa, is that the temple?"
Kara pointed at the stately white building. I'd walked slowly to let them sightsee, but we'd arrived already.
"Yeah. Let's go in."
A nun in pristine white robes greeted us at the monastery door.
"Welcome to the Temple of Yurmia. How may we assist you?"
"We're here to make a donation."
"A donation, I see. Please follow me."
Seris and I followed the nun.
"Oppa, aren't we here for treatment? What's with the donation talk?"
Kara poked my arm and whispered. I glanced at the nun ahead and murmured back.
"Saying they charge for healing sounds tacky. So they frame it as donations."
"Oh, I get it. A loophole, huh?"
"Pretty much."
"Ahem...!"
The nun cleared her throat. She heard that? I spoke softly from a distance, but sharp ears, I guess.
"Please enter here."
It was a small room like a confessional. As Seris and I tried to enter together, the nun stopped the sisters.
"Sorry, but could the two of you wait here? It won't take long."
"Huh? Why can't we come in?"
Kara asked. The nun tried to brush it off, but Kara persisted. Finally, she mumbled reluctantly.
"Well... Treatment requires the gentleman to disrobe..."
"Ah..."
"Mm..."
Seris and Kara glanced at me, then looked away. I awkwardly stepped inside.
The nun followed, closing the door behind her.
"..."
"..."
An awkward silence hung in the air. I broke it.
"Do I really have to take my clothes off?"
"Oh, no need to strip completely. Just enough to expose the wounds."
In other words, everything but underwear.
"Uh, isn't there a priest available?"
"They're all out on assignments..."
No way out, then. I reluctantly started with my top.
Gulp...
I heard someone swallow. I looked at the nun. She had her head down. Did I imagine it?
I took off my shirt, then my pants. Now just underwear left.
'Hey, keeping this on is something.'
I tried to stay positive.
"Sister? Could you treat me now...?"
"Y-Yes? Oh, yes."
The nun sat beside me. But instead of treating, she stared holes through my body. Maybe my imagination, but her face had a faint blush.
"...Sister?"
"I'll begin the treatment."
As I narrowed my eyes at her, she finally started.
"...You have a really nice body."
While spouting nonsense.