Chapter 83
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Receive the Guests
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In this massive sanctuary, what could just twenty-five thieves possibly accomplish?
We need people.
Farmers to till the fields, builders to repair structures, smiths to maintain weapons, vendors to sell food, brewers to make alcohol.
They will form a city and bring it to life.
Some will come from afar, but the natural order is for nearby residents struggling to make ends meet to hear the rumors first and seek us out.
Steron still couldn't shake his dissatisfied expression.
But he didn't press the issue further.
Okay, then. Provisional agreement for now.
"This is our sanctuary. I've already declared it as such."
Steron and Roginin flinched back.
What the hell was with these guys?
As I narrowed my eyes, the two Holy Knights straightened their postures.
Now, onto the main point.
"I don't want those who came seeking a path to survival under me to live like slaves, glancing nervously at us."
They must live voluntarily, with their own autonomy.
Because they're free people.
"You mean our presence could burden them."
"Not 'could'—it already does."
Steron furrowed his brow slightly and met my gaze.
As expected from a sharp guy—talking with him was enjoyable.
"You are Holy Knights. In Hellite, they say you could throw a rock and hit one—"
"No one throws stones at us. We are revered and trusted—"
Roginin suddenly bristled and jumped in.
"It's just a figure of speech. It means there are that many Holy Knights in Hellite."
"Ah……."
The hairless, good-natured bear Roginin lacked wit. Note to self.
"Outside Hellite, Holy Knights are rare, powerful, and uncommon. You need to consider how others perceive you. Even if you don't force them and swear not to burden them, they'll still watch your every move on their own."
"Isn't there another way?"
"Another way?"
I turned to Roginin and echoed his words.
Roginin looked regretful that I was asking him to leave.
Where had I seen that expression before?
Ah, Yuderg.
"Wouldn't it be more comfortable for you to stay in Hellite?"
"Our family has lived in Hellite for generations. Staying here reminds me of the adventures I took to become a Holy Knight."
Blah blah about the freedom and thrill of being alive.
He's similar to Yuderg.
'Both good-hearted but a bit dim. Their characters overlap, but one I just killed off…… Damn, why do I keep thinking like this?'
I pinched my cheek lightly to snap out of it.
Steron had the same wistful look as Roginin.
In that case, it might be best for me to compromise for now.
"This isn't something to decide right away. Let's take our time and think it over. I'll watch your efforts."
"Understood."
They weren't fully on my side yet, but they showed goodwill, and pushing them away entirely lacked justification.
"Since you've chosen to stay under my shadow, there are things you must uphold as well."
"Command us."
"Don't rush into dangerous situations recklessly."
"You don't have to handle everything yourself, Captain. Just give the orders, and we—"
"That's not it. I'm fine delegating anything within your capabilities."
"Then……."
"Anyway, stay out of danger."
I'm saying this because you might die, you idiots.
"Fuuuck— yaaawwwn—."
Ibu yawned so wide her jaw nearly unhinged.
"It's late. Let's head back."
As we left the warehouse, I couldn't help but smile.
'The world's gotten a whole lot better.'
My world, that is.
No more headaches, the cold is bearable after absorbing the mana orb.
It's spring now, so safe from the Queen.
I can relax with the dragonkin and hippo clinging to me.
'All stone around—no fire risks. No residents, no distress calls.'
I was planning to stay here until Silver Star awakens anyway.
Time should do the trick.
For the Holy Knights, and for me.
I didn't get exactly what I wanted, but the conversation with them was satisfying.
Understanding each other a bit more should suffice.
As we headed to the central tower, Roginin asked,
"Is the bedroom to your liking?"
"Uh……."
"Fuuuckin' great. Freakin' love it."
Ibu flapped her arms side to side.
Her heavy axe bobbed up and down like a feather.
'Like hell it is…….'
We're using the top floor of the central tower as our bedroom.
Our—because—
"Fuuuckin' great. The tub's so damn huge, hippo loves it."
Ibu and the hippo were sharing the same room as me.
"There's a toilet right next to the tub, and sitting there makes Ibu's ass feel freakin' cool. Last night, I had to pee at dawn, so I flung the door open! Like this! And—"
Ibu mimed throwing open a door.
"—Captain was bathing and dunked under the water with a splash! Ahahaha!"
Ah, right, that happened.
"Oh, what happened next?"
Roginin's eyes widened, intrigued by Ibu's animated explanation.
"Fuuuckin' what? I had to pee, so I peed. Can't hold it or I'd burst."
Perfectly logical.
"Even though Captain was bathing, you used the toilet attached to the tub?"
"Yeah? Ibu's super chill about that stuff. Right, Captain? Say yes."
Why are you bragging about it!
The embarrassment is all mine!
'That damn arm pillow…….'
I thought multiple beds would be fine.
But Ibu treats me less like a cuddle toy and more like an obsession doll.
I swear, it was just arm-pillow stuff.
Still, with all the eyes and ears around, it bothers me.
"Best not report this to the Saintess, Steron."
"Already did."
What?
I was so shocked my brow furrowed.
Steron shook his head innocently.
"Roginin did."
"My apologies. It seemed necessary……."
"Well…… fine."
No wonder that yellow bird was fluttering around so busily.
Yellow birds perched on the bedroom windowsill too.
So the Saintess has been monitoring my every move.
'My body, but not mine to control. What a pain.'
This must be what they mean by your mind going blank.
I wish those birds would report my innocence too.
The fifth morning since we took over the fortress dawned white.
"Spring's here, and it's snowing?"
"Is winter trying to come back?"
The thieves clearing stones from the plaza murmured.
'Weird weather.'
A cold wind blew all night, dumping snow.
The sun melted it all, no real damage.
Ding-ding-ding—.
The bell rang from the south watchtower.
Roginin, scanning toward Brad, pounded the hammer hard.
As people gathered in the plaza, Roginin leaped from the tower.
About six stories up? Fatal for a normal person.
Yet Roginin bounced off the wall a few times, dropped vertically, and landed lightly without a sound.
A circular light rippled from his feet on impact. A bit of dust.
'Using Divine Power like that. Like mana. Holy Knights and their Divine Power obsession.'
The thieves gave Iron Man-style applause to the landing Roginin.
'Hmph. I could do that too.'
Roginin hurried over and reported.
"Riders approaching. Yellow flag with a black ring in the center, black swords from four directions meeting at the tips."
So, yellow background, black circle, diagonal black cross. Got it?
"Recognize the flag?"
"We only know the Hellite seal."
Ignorance isn't a flex, dude.
"Anyway, first customers since opening shop."
"Pardon? Opening?"
"Move on."
Slipped out. For real.
Fred approached, swinging a full pig leg bone like a club for exercise.
"Brad royal crest."
"Royal?"
Steron asked, and Fred nodded.
I asked Roginin,
"How many?"
"Too far for exact count, but roughly……."
Roginin folded his thick fingers one by one. His brow creased.
Another Holy Knight weak with numbers.
Fred casually said, pig bone over his shoulder,
"Seven, probably."
"Oh, yes. Looked that way."
Roginin nodded happily, and Fred elaborated.
"One envoy, two attendants, four guards. Standard pre-negotiation team…… but."
"But?"
I pressed when he trailed off.
Fred grimaced.
"Usually for issuing warnings or notices."
"Warnings or notices……."
Steron murmured, pondering.
The clever Steron would figure it out soon.
"They're treating us as weaklings."
Dim-but-sharp Yuderg beat him to a plausible analysis.
Expecting merchants, Yuderg looked disappointed.
His childlike expression drew a chuckle.
I patted Yuderg's shoulder and called Crook.
"Captain, you called?"
Brad royals sending an envoy? Obvious reason.
Claiming ownership, demanding we leave.
What else?
"Crook, guests incoming. Receive them."
"Yes!"
I hesitated briefly.
Originally Fred's job—leave it to him? Or since they came while I'm here, greet them myself?
Crook turned back mid-run.
"Um…… what should we serve them?"
"Nothing."
Serving those trying to take our nest? Hell no.
I am Holy Knight Luke Seid Kim Jang-gun.
Any who defy me are heretics.
Heretics get death.
Amen.
Since our band took over, the gates stayed open.
We're open-minded thieves—no gatekeeping.
Except at night.
Once, leaving them open disturbed the brothers' sleep. A four-legged giant barged in making noise.
Roginin smashed it with his shield, and it fled.
Nevarip or something? Weird how you can guess its shape from a non-Korean name.
Anyway!
Daytime, anyone could come and go freely.
Though it was just our band.
For the first official guests, we blocked the gate even daytime. With people.
I perched on the wall above the gate, watching Fred's back.
'Close yet distant uncle.'
Fred and I had some rapport, but not chit-chat buddies.
Business relationship—keeping polite distance.
That's us.
Men bond over gossip if minds align, but I have a fatal flaw.
Can't grasp this world's values or humor.
'I'm the outsider, so it's my issue.'
Fred's straight shoulders felt tense today.
Why was the usually sly uncle like this?
'Scared? Frozen stiff?'
Disappointing sentry vibe for guarding our sanctuary.
Should I smack that uncle upside the head?