Chapter 74
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: A Matriarch’s Game
‘Take Biwon, Bihu, and Birang as your guardians. That should be sufficient support, yes? For anything else you need, speak with the general manager in charge of supplies.’
I had planned to wait until my worth was proven, even if my uncle hadn't asked.
The road to Cheimic wasn't safe.
‘You can never have too many skilled warriors.’
Although the Empire’s security was said to be the best on the Western Continent, that was only true until you left the Heuk family's territory.
Beyond that, it was a warzone.
‘It can’t be helped. It’s like an instinct carved into the people of this land.’
I shook my head, recalling my time as a wandering physician in my third life.
It was life on hard mode, where I had to survive by running my mouth, to put it crudely.
“I won’t weave you behind, so make suwe you get youw checkup.”
The family head, who had requested a private meeting, said we would talk after I cured the epidemic.
In other words, if I failed to cure it, she wouldn't acknowledge that I had treated my eldest uncle and my other uncle, nor that my skills were worthy of a private audience.
‘Not exactly a scary thought.’
I knew all about the disease that had broken out in Cheimic.
It was a small village, but its strategic location as a commercial hub made it a neutral zone for the surrounding territories.
In my third life, the disease wiped out the village and was later named the ‘Cheimic Plague’ after it.
‘And the one who developed the cure for the Cheimic Plague as it spread across the empire, bringing it to an end, was…’
My eighteen-year-old self.
Epidemics have a high rate of mutation, so it might be different from what I remembered.
Still, it wouldn't be difficult.
“Hey, and… there’s something I want to say before you go.”
My uncle hesitated. It was unlike him to fall silent, so I waited patiently.
“About my daughter… She’s a bit far away right now, you see?”
A barrier of water had already formed around us, as if my uncle was using his power to prevent our voices from carrying.
“I, uh, couldn’t trust anyone… so I entrusted her to someone reliable and sent her far away.”
I knew.
The person Heuk Birang entrusted his daughter to was connected to the Heuk family.
He was also someone who had received great help from Heuk Birang and was repaying the favor by looking after his daughter.
‘And I also know that in a few years, that person will betray Heuk Birang and start tormenting the child.’
I planned to bring the heroine here before that happened.
“I… I want to see my daughter after my somnambulism is cured, at least. Even if a full recovery is difficult… at a stage where I can feel some peace of mind.”
So he felt he couldn't bring her back with confidence in his current state.
‘A patient showing a desire to get better is a good sign.’
It hadn't been long since he started taking the medicine, so I understood his anxiety.
There was no reason not to grant his wish.
“How long do you think it will take to completely get the somnambulism under control?”
“Hmm… That depends on you, Uncwe.”
“I’ll cooperate in any way I can.”
“Two years, then.”
I gave him a more generous timeframe than the minimum I had in mind.
‘If I cure the plague and get the eastern wing as my reward, it might be good to bring her here early.’
Originally, I planned to bring the heroine over next year, but it seemed my uncle wanted to be a more perfect father when he saw her.
Even if that wasn't the case, I had been planning to get news of her through Jeok Yunha soon anyway.
Our cute, overpowered heroine. I would even personally see to her early education.
“Alright.”
My uncle turned away, relieved.
We headed home. Even this much was a chore for my young body, and I felt a little drained.
“Heuk Biyu.”
A low voice called my name as we neared the house.
It was my brother Gyewon.
His small hand gently took hold of my foot as I was being carried by my father.
“…Thank you.”
He had been quiet the entire walk, and it seemed he had been holding back tears.
His nose was red.
‘The atmosphere back there was pretty intense.’
He was always so mature for his age, so I thought he would be fine.
Why did I think that?
‘He was threatened with a real sword. There’s no way he would have been fine.’
I soon found the answer.
For me, the image of Heuk Gyewon as the villain I’d seen in my third life was just too strong…
‘…Heuk Gyewon?’
One day in my third life, when I was almost an adult, I ran into my much taller cousin.
Heuk Gyewon had become an avatar of vengeance, a being forged from fury and resentment.
A handsome face, but one that didn't seem alive. I still remember that chilling, demonic visage.
‘Heuk Biyu. Go that way. After this, the family will vanish from the world.’
‘What will you do after that?’
‘Is that any of your concern?’
‘Why wouldn’t it be? It means you and I will be the only Heuks left in the world.’
‘…’
That was the last conversation I had with Heuk Gyewon in my third life.
After that, he truly did destroy the family, and I never heard any news of him again.
I was a little curious how he had lived.
I pushed the memory away and looked at my brother Gyewon.
In this life, I would never let this young boy become a man with such cold, empty eyes.
My attention was drawn to the wound on his neck.
‘First, I need to do something about that.’
It might leave a scar. Before I could say anything, a hand rested gently on my head.
It was my eldest uncle.
“I’m grateful, too.”
It was just one sentence, but his voice was filled with emotion.
His expression reminded me of the patients who had come to the Heuk Biyu Clinic in desperation and looked at me after being fully cured.
“Truly. So, I’ll do anything.”
His brief words carried a wealth of sincerity.
I smiled brightly.
“Why so sewious? We’re famiwy.”
Then I looked at my brother Gyewon.
“Big bwother, wet's tweat youw neck befowe you go!”
* * *
Heuk Moran, the head of the Heuk family, enjoyed Go and Janggi.
On the Western Continent, chess was all the rage, making this a board sport enjoyed only by a select few.
The events that unfolded on the small board were much like the affairs of the world.
There were winners and losers, and losers who wished to become winners once more.
*Clack.*
And right now, she was playing Janggi with someone in the family head’s chamber.
The only sound that echoed in the quiet room was the placing of the game pieces.
Though she was blind, playing her favorite game was not a difficult task.
“It seems Bihu has regained his memories.”
*Clack.*
Her opponent’s piece was captured. The family head spoke without taking her eyes off the board.
“Though it is yet unknown if he has recalled ‘that incident’.”
“…”
“What will you do?”
Her opponent’s hand paused for a moment.
The family head was aware of this, yet she merely gazed at the board. Her latest move had put her opponent in a perilous situation.
“That child you saw today, she is quite desirable, is she not?”
The opponent spoke, not letting on that they were cornered in the game of wits.
“The reward you offered was quite generous. Proposing such a major request right away was quite something. Besides, isn’t Cheimic related to the message that arrived a short while ago?”
“…”
“It is a matter related to the Imperial Family.”
The family head did not answer. She simply smiled faintly.
“Compared to what that child has accomplished, it is a paltry reward.”
Heuk Biyu. A child who had managed to improve her sons’ conditions, a feat no one else in the Empire had achieved. And she was only three years old.
If they were to raise her with intent… what would become of her? What benefits would she bring to the Heuk family?
However, there was one thing that bothered her.