Chapter 200: The Old Man
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 200: The Old Man
"This place is..."
Following in Anna’s footsteps, Muen wound his way through a series of narrow, gloomy alleys before finally coming to a stop in front of a small shop.
It was a tiny, ancient-looking storefront nestled at the very end of an equally weathered street. Standing before the entrance was a massive tree, its trunk so thick a single person could hardly wrap their arms around it. Its leaves were withered and yellow, rustling as they drifted to the ground.
The shop had no name, nor did it have any customers. In fact, the location was so remote it was hard to imagine any pedestrians passing by at all, let alone a business operating here.
"It’s very secluded, so..."
Anna brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead and looked up at the faded, yellowing plaque above the door. She spoke softly.
"I suppose this is a place I can come back to, if only for a moment."
"Come back..."
Muen turned the words over in his mind.
Anna stepped into the shop, her gaze sweeping casually across the interior before landing on an old man behind the counter. He looked as though he had been sleeping there forever, never having moved an inch.
The man was incredibly old. His wrinkled skin was covered in age spots, and his eyes were closed as if he were dozing. He didn't seem to notice that anyone had entered.
"I’m back," Anna said quietly.
Ding-ling.
Muen accidentally brushed against a wind chime hanging overhead. He offered an apologetic smile, quickly steadying the chime to silence its ill-timed clamor.
Silence reclaimed the shop. It was a long while before the old man let out a single grunt from his nose. "Mm."
"Is my room still there?" Anna asked.
Another long pause, followed by a soft, "Mm."
"Good."
Anna turned back and flashed a smile at Muen.
"Wait here for a bit, Junior. I’m going to go change."
"Uh... okay."
Muen had almost reflexively grunted an "mm" in response, but feeling that something about it wasn't quite right, he quickly spoke up instead.
"Feel free to look around."
Anna expertly navigated the piles of clutter at the back of the shop and climbed a creaking set of stairs, vanishing from Muen’s sight.
Muen craned his neck, his eyes following Anna’s silhouette until she disappeared. He let out a helpless sigh.
It’s just changing clothes; does she really need to guard against a gentleman like me? What happened to basic human trust?
However, once his Senior disappeared, Muen suddenly realized the atmosphere in the shop had become... stagnant.
"Why does this feel so awkward?"
Muen lowered his head, stealing a cautious glance at the old man.
The elder seemed completely indifferent to the presence of a stranger. He continued his nap, his eyelids never so much as flickering.
Though Muen had many questions, he didn't feel right disturbing the man in this situation. He decided to distract himself by pretending to admire the shop's wares.
It appeared to be a general sundries shop.
The shop was small, but the items within were anything but. They were bizarre and cluttered; many were tools or instruments Muen had never seen before. There were even clay dolls and rag dolls crafted to look like beautiful young girls.
Muen could sense a faint trace of mana emanating from them.
"Are these... all magical instruments?"
Muen was surprised. These artifacts looked incredibly strange, nothing like the standardized products found on the market.
Which meant... were they all made by this old man?
Muen stole another cautious glance at the elder. Anyone capable of crafting so many magical instruments was surely no ordinary person.
However, given Muen’s status, he wasn't exactly lacking in magical gear. His interest soon waned, and his gaze drifted elsewhere.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Muen spotted something that made his eyes light up.
He reached up to a high shelf and pulled down a book that had been placed in a prominent position.
Calling it a book was a stretch; it was more like a photo album. Printed on the cover was a strikingly beautiful girl.
The girl’s hands were clasped tightly together, her expression pure and holy as if she were deep in prayer. However, she was wearing an incredibly revealing outfit—one that could vaguely be identified as a modified nun's habit.
"Holy crap..."
Muen looked at the text next to the cover image. His hand jerked, nearly sending the book flying.
"A... a Saintess Photo Book? Is it really this scandalous?"
As the son of Duke Campbell, the original host had seen portraits of several Saintesses. He could tell that the girl on the cover bore a striking resemblance to a certain Saintess from the Life Church.
While he knew it couldn't possibly be the real person, the sense of the forbidden brought about by the resemblance was enough to set his nerves on fire.
Muen swallowed hard. Subconsciously, he moved to flip it open...
"Sneaking a look at erotic books while waiting for your girlfriend to change? If she ever leaves you for a while, are you going to start two-timing her too?"
Muen’s hand froze on the page. He slowly turned his head to find that the old man had opened his clouded eyes at some point and was silently watching him.
For some reason, even though he didn't know this man, Muen felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, like a philandering cat caught in the act.
"No, no, I wasn't looking at erotic books. I was just... curious about the esteemed appearances of the past Saintesses."
Muen gave an awkward laugh and quietly put the Saintess Photo Book back.
"Besides, Senior and I aren't in that kind of relationship yet. You’re overthinking it."
"Is that so? She’s never brought a man back here before," the old man said expressionlessly.
"Before? Back here?"
Muen caught those two keywords. The theory forming in his mind felt more and more real. His heart began to race, and he swallowed nervously as he looked at the old man.
"Could it be that you are Senior’s..."
"I am merely a lonely old man."
The elder beckoned to Muen. "Come here."
Thinking of the old man’s potential identity, Muen couldn't bring himself to resist. He walked over obediently.
"Give me your hand."
"Oh, okay."
Muen extended his hand, allowing the old man to rest a palm as withered as a tree branch against his wrist.
The moment they touched, Muen felt a powerful sensation of being peered into, as if his entire being were laid bare before the old man’s eyes.
Muen’s heart skipped a beat. He realized now that this old man might be a powerhouse far beyond his imagination. If he allowed this scrutiny to continue, what if he ended up like Teacher Mela...
Fortunately, the old man didn't seem to peer too deeply. Or perhaps Teacher Mela’s case was the anomaly; either way, he didn't discover anything unusual about Muen.
"Only at the Late Second-Tier of the Martial Artist realm, and your magical attainment is pitifully low. Your foundation is decent, but you’re clearly no match for that girl."
The old man released his hand, his gaze sweeping over Muen’s face. He spoke with a sudden realization.
"You are quite handsome, though. Are you a pretty boy that girl is keeping on the side?"
"I am not!"
Muen was incensed.
He was the son of a Duke! He was the one who did the "keeping"; how could he be someone else's kept man?
Though, being "kept" by his Senior did sound rather nice...
Cough, cough. No, he had to stand tall. He was a man who aspired to be on top; he couldn't fall from grace so easily!
"Old man, what exactly are you trying to do?" Muen asked, forcing a smile.
"Nothing."
The old man lifted his eyelids, taking one more deep look at Muen.
"I just wanted to see what the pretty boy that girl is keeping looks like."
"I told you, I’m not a pretty—"
"But the fact that you can appear here shows you have commendable courage," the old man interrupted suddenly. "You haven't tarnished the Campbell name."
"Eh?"
Muen froze.
He knows who I am? And what does he mean by that...
But before he could voice his mounting confusion, he saw the old man close his eyes again, looking for all the world like he was ignoring everyone.
"In that case, try to struggle a bit..."
Only a voice as fleeting and ancient as the wind echoed faintly in Muen’s ears.
"I will buy you both some time... before the final moment arrives."