A week had passed.
Time flowed quietly, contrary to Jeong Yusin’s worries.
Jeong Yusin visited Edel’s house, bringing a get-well visit gift along with some inn food.
The quiet living room.
Jeong Yusin and Edel sat across from each other, with a worn wooden table between them. Luna was nowhere to be seen.
Jeong Yusin cautiously opened his mouth.
“Um… Are you feeling any better?”
“Yes, Master.”
Edel’s face turned slightly red. Her shaky body suggested she hadn’t fully regained her strength.
Still, as Mion had diagnosed, Edel’s condition had been improving.
Her thin frame had started to add some flesh.
Her warm, yellow fox ears and tail were gradually becoming more robust and radiant.
She looked like a delicate but recovering beauty.
“Here is today’s meal. Is there anything you need?”
“Thank you. I’m fine. Thank you for your care.”
Jeong Yusin looked around.
The house, though modest, had a homely feel due to Edel’s efforts to tidy it up.
…
An awkward silence settled between Edel and Jeong Yusin.
Steam rose from the warm tea on the table, whose name Jeong Yusin didn’t know, but it smelled pleasant.
Jeong Yusin took a sip, opening his eyes wide.
“Truly excellent tea.”
It tasted like a mix of lemon and ginger in black tea.
Edel smiled gently.
“I’m glad you like it.”
In fact, the tea was special, enriched by Edel’s years of experience as an herbalist.
Jeong Yusin cleared his throat.
“I… Actually, I came to check up on you after hearing that you were in great pain the other day.”
“Ah! Yes!”
Edel’s face turned beet red.
A few days before Jeong Yusin’s visit, Mion had come by.
“Are you feeling any better, Lady Edel?” Mion asked.
“Thanks to your care, I’m much improved, Holy Sister Mion. However, I have one question to ask.”
Mion smiled gently and nodded.
“Of course, feel free to ask.”
“Um…”
Edel hesitated, then carefully explained her experience.
“Near the end, I suddenly felt an electric shock throughout my body… a kind of pleasure, similar to a feeling of liberation. It’s hard to describe with words. What are your thoughts?”
Edel, her face burning red, sought Mion’s advice.
Mion, who had been listening carefully, paused for a moment before responding.
“This is just my speculation. Since magic petrification is a rare condition, there are not many precedents.”
Mion continued.
“Think of it as similar to the process people call Level Up. When leveling up, one’s magical power and physical abilities improve, giving a sensation reminiscent of euphoria. In your case, Lady Edel, as your body, which had been blocked by magic, returned to normal, I believe you experienced a euphoria dozens of times stronger than a normal level up. Although, I cannot be certain.”
Edel considered this.
“Why didn’t I feel this euphoria from the beginning?”
“Perhaps you only experience it at the end of the physical transformation?”
Mion’s answer satisfied Edel.
“Yes, that makes sense. I mistakenly thought that Scath had granted me a ‘special’ engraving. But no, I am grateful! Scath did save my life, after all. I was merely curious…”
Realizing her misunderstanding, Edel looked embarrassed by the end.
“…” Mion wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
True.
Scath’s magic was minimal in quantity but strangely pure in quality.
It was the first time Mion had come across magic from a Barbaroy. Still, Scath’s magic was markedly different in quality compared to the average human’s magic power.
It was like describing the magic as a newborn baby’s.
Mion stopped herself from further speculation.
She had come for a visit, not an investigation. Moreover, it was disrespectful to the seated Edel.
Mion smiled faintly and stood up.
“Lady Edel, I will take my leave now.”
“Yes, thank you for coming.”
Edel bowed deeply.
“Are you feeling alright?”
Jeong Yusin’s worried voice broke through.
Edel was brought back to the present.
“Yes.”
Jeong Yusin finished the remaining tea and stood up.
“Rest well, and if there’s anything you need, please let me know.”
“Thank you, Scath. If you need any advice on herbs, please don’t hesitate to consult me.”
“I will. Then, I’ll take my leave.”
Jeong Yusin nodded and left Edel’s house.
Walking through quiet, midday streets, he returned to Darmong’s inn.
The inn was bustling with people.
Most were merchants from Lionel Kingdom.
Since mornings and evenings were busy serving the explorers, lunchtime was the only time to eat properly.
Jeong Yusin watched Tarman and Delnaco busily rushing around before heading to the counter and sitting down.
Through the window, he could feel the sticky air.
Jeong Yusin closed his eyes and crossed his arms.
As he was lost in thought, he heard merchants’ conversations.
“Hey, have you heard the news?”
“What news?”
“Someone claims they saw the 5th Prince’s wet nurse in this city.”
“Isn’t it just a false rumor? How could the wet nurse of the 5th Prince have traveled such a great distance?”
“They say someone saw her in the Eastern Sector.”
“Unbelievable. Even if true, isn’t that dangerous area full of creatures transformed into demons? There’s no reason for the wet nurse to go there.”
“But, if the 5th Prince himself were there…?”
“Shh! Let’s not stir up trouble. The atmosphere in the city has been tense lately. We need to be careful with our words.”
“…Sorry. Let’s drink some alcohol instead.”
The merchants’ discussion moved on to other topics.
Jeong Yusin’s eyebrows twitched.
‘Damn.’
Was Oswald calling to him?
He leaned back in his chair and waited until evening fell.
How long had he waited?
As the sun set, explorers started gathering at the inn’s dining room.
The party had agreed to meet tonight.
They should be here by now.
Creak!
The door opened, and the party members entered the inn.
Jeong Yusin opened his eyes.
Soline, Galerheim, and Fiyaron.
“Did everyone have a peaceful rest?”
“We rested normally.”
“It’s been a while since we had such a good rest.”
Jeong Yusin stood up and led the party to a table near the counter.
“Tarman! Prepare some food!”
“Yes!”
Tarman rushed toward the kitchen.
“There’s something I need to discuss tonight, so we’ll skip the alcohol for now.”
Jeong Yusin spoke as he sat at the table.
The party members, sensing the unusual atmosphere, nodded in agreement.
Soon, Tarman returned carrying a tray with the evening meal: baguette bread, and a hearty tomato stew filled with chickpeas, chicken, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots.
The party members swallowed at the sight.
“That’s a fantastic smell.”
“We did well to skip dinner and come here.”
Everyone commented and started eating enthusiastically.
Jeong Yusin watched them and picked up his spoon.
Once the meal was over, fruit juice was served instead of alcohol for refreshment.
The party members exchanged light-hearted stories of what they did during their downtime.
Curiosity struck Jeong Yusin.
“Galerheim, what did you do during the past week?”
Galerheim shrugged.
“I read some books at the library, visited the blacksmith to check my weapons, and overall, self-development is the trend in Labyrinth City these days. I had a fulfilling time.”
Hmm.
Jeong Yusin carefully observed Galerheim’s masked face.
“What…?”
Galerheim nervously touched his mask.
“Let’s be honest with each other, party member to party member. No secrets.”
“Come on! Aren’t we partners who’ve saved each other’s lives? Trust me!”
“Take off your mask first, at least.”
As Jeong Yusin’s hand crept toward Galerheim, he recoiled, his voice strained.
“H-Hey, don’t!”
Soline laughed at this sight.
“Scath, aren’t you being too hard on Galerheim? What about you? How was your week?”
Jeong Yusin shrugged.
“I was busy in various ways.”
He would rise at dawn to practice swordsmanship.
He occasionally visited Edel on sick calls.
On Delnaco’s days off, Jeong Yusin himself took turns serving the guests.
In the evenings, he held meetings with Ann and Tarman to discuss the inn’s management.
It was a fulfilling week. But also one that couldn’t be summed up in mere words.
Soline smiled as she spoke.
“Very admirable. I wandered through the Western District’s forge street recommended by our senior Gilsian. Given that it’s Labyrinth City, there was a variety of weapons, and it was interesting just to look around.”
Jeong Yusin and the party exchanged similar stories while they enjoyed their time together.
They avoided mentioning the 5th Prince’s wet nurse.
As time passed and the night grew deeper, the guests began to leave.
Ann and Tarman were dismissed for the night.
Delnaco carried food to Edel’s house.
Only the party remained in the inn.
Jeong Yusin crossed his arms.
It was time for the serious meeting.
The future direction of the party needed to be clarified.
“There are rumors about the 5th Prince in the city.”
With Jeong Yusin’s words, the previously silent Fiyaron finally spoke.
“Right. To be precise, it’s a rumor about the 5th Prince’s wet nurse.”
“Regardless, we don’t want to get involved in anything related to the 5th Prince. It’s too dangerous for our party. That’s my honest opinion.”
Jeong Yusin’s statement met with a unanimous nod from the party.
Soline solemnly joined the conversation next.
“As much as we’d rather not admit it, the initiative lies with Oswald right now.”
“The crucial issue is that we don’t know what Oswald is thinking.”
Jeong Yusin added.
“Correct.”
Soline affirmed.
“Scath, are you going to search for the 5th Prince’s wet nurse?”
Fiyaron asked.
Jeong Yusin crossed his arms and pondered deeply.
What should he do?
Oswald had said he’d take the 5th Prince’s wet nurse as a ‘hostage.’
But to Jeong Yusin, the wet nurse was a worthless ‘bomb.’
Oswald isn’t a fool; the word ‘hostage’ wasn’t used lightly. There’s undoubtedly a plan.
Currently.
The 5th Prince hasn’t been seen.
There are assassins of unknown origin targeting the 5th Prince’s wet nurse.
Moreover, an unusual influx of merchants from Lionel Kingdom had arrived at the city.
Clues were present, but connecting them was difficult.
More information was necessary.
Concrete and practical information, not baseless rumors.
‘Am I really left with no choice but to go to the tiger’s lair to catch the tiger?’
Jeong Yusin made his decision.
He had to meet Oswald.
Turning to his party members, he began speaking.
“It’s too soon to reach a conclusion. I should go to Oswald’s clan in the Eastern Sector.”
Soline’s expression stiffened.
“Are you suggesting we go alone? Let us come with you.”
“Right. We don’t know what could happen, after all.”
Jeong Yusin shook his head.
“No, I need to go alone.”
“Why? Don’t we have your trust?”
A hint of self-loathing flickered across Soline’s stiff face.
“No, it’s not that. Even if we all went, if it’s a trap, then all of us would be in danger. It’s inefficient.”
“Why burden yourself alone?”
Jeong Yusin smirked.
“Because I’m the party leader. And I won’t carry this burden alone. If necessary, I’ll ask for help. Besides…”
He added, looking at his party.
“Don’t be too gloomy. I don’t want to die either. If Oswald had intended harm, they would’ve done so by now. So, I believe it’s safe.”
Though their expressions didn’t fully relax, there was a trace of acceptance.
Galerheim in particular was vigorously nodding.
“Alright! Let’s wrap this up, then see each other tomorrow. Galerheim, let’s have a little talk.”
“Me? Why me?”
Galerheim stared blankly at Jeong Yusin.
“It’s no big deal; I just have something to ask.”
Soline and Fiyaron stood up.
“Understood. If it gets dangerous, contact us. We’ll be there.”
“Got it. Rest well.”
Jeong Yusin bid farewell to the party and returned to his seat.
“So, what do you really want to ask?”
Galerheim questioned.
Jeong Yusin tapped the table a few times and got to the point.
“Galerheim, with what I’ve heard, it seems like you know more about the Eastern Sector. Let’s have the truth now. Where did you really go? No more library or self-development talk. Be honest, come on.”
“Th-that’s true! I went to the library!”
As Galerheim passionately defended himself…
Creeeeak!
The inn door opened, and Delnaco entered.
“Scath.”
“How’s Edel?”
“She’s much better.”
“Good to know. Let Aldein know I’m heading to the Eastern Sector.”
“I’ll join you.”
“Even though it could be dangerous?”
Delnaco smiled faintly.
“I don’t think we’ll die.”
“Understood.”
“Who is this gentleman?”
Delnaco asked, looking at Galerheim.
“Our companion.”
Jeong Yusin grinned and put an arm around Galerheim’s shoulder.
Jeong Yusin’s strong arm tightly held Galerheim’s shoulder.
All color drained from Galerheim’s face.
“Whu… what?! You said you’d go alone!”
Jeong Yusin whispered, still smiling.
“I’ve changed my mind. Let’s go together—to the Eastern Sector.”
