Chapter 87

1.

I found myself lost in my own world, mumbling to myself, so I left the young master be for now.

“Those bastards. Even the stupid ones know how to avoid getting killed. They should just stay out of trouble.”

I asked Elshimer, who came with big news, about what happened, but…

“I don’t know. When I was heading somewhere to thank them for the medicine you gave me, I saw the guards rushing in. They were all fussing over preserving the scene.”

“Huh…”

With a calm voice, Elshimer’s words made me sigh lightly and run my hands through my face.

My mind was a mess.

This guy and I had been bitter enemies, fighting each other tooth and nail.

I despised the way he would bully those struggling to survive and take everything they had, and we argued frequently about it. But I never thought he deserved to die.

Even though he showed off his power and took things repeatedly, he never took lives. And that realization only made these thoughts grow stronger.

“These bastards never took lives, but now their own lives have been taken.”

To prevent unwanted sympathy from growing, I briefly wished for the deceased Duff and his gang’s peace.

“I didn’t think you’d pray for that bastard. But even if it’s a twisted fate, I can at least do this much for someone I see every day.”

Elshimer showed surprise and amusement on his face, and I shrugged before replying.

“But, with such a large-scale killing, the guards must be everywhere in this Blood Haven, right?”

“They’re making everyone sit tight. It’s impossible to beg anymore.”

“Damn, I guess I’ll have to give up begging. It’s hard enough to make ends meet for a day, let alone several.”

I sighed, lamenting the fact that proper economic activities couldn’t be carried out due to the guards’ presence because of the aftermath of the incident.

Though I mourned the dead, my current situation—starving and desperate—was an urgent reality I had to face.

No matter the reason, the living must survive.

“Did you hear what the guards said?”

To understand the situation and find a way out, I asked Elshimer, who was there when it happened.

“The guards? What could they know? They were busy preserving the scene until the medical examiner arrived. Some of the weaker ones were vomiting in corners.”

When Elshimer’s answer wasn’t satisfactory, I decided to figure it out myself.

“But, they’re taking this seriously. The guards preserving the scene might mean the royal family will send an investigation team to handle it.”

“…Ugh!”

As soon as Elshimer mentioned the possibility of a royal investigation team, a scream-like groan caught my attention.

“Kr… Claudia is already taking action. I need to solve this before she does if I want to go home…”

The young master’s anxious expression, far more solemn than when Elshimer informed me of the incident, caught my eye.

“What? Who is this person here?”

Only then did Elshimer realize the young master’s presence and asked who he was.

“Finally noticing me? You seem smart, yet you’re so oblivious sometimes.”

I answered despite the mockery in his tone.

“My guest. I don’t know where he’s from, but he’s from a noble family. He was given buttered fresh bread as a bedspread.”

“His name is…”

Before I could introduce him, the young master offered his name to Elshimer.

“Wha… What?! Buttered fresh bread?!”

Elshimer screamed at the mention of buttered bread, interrupting the young master’s introduction.

Ah, I needed to hear his name.

Well, I’ll have to ask later.

Ignoring my disappointment, I tried to stop Elshimer from causing a commotion over the bread.

“Phut!”

The young master couldn’t hold back his laughter at Elshimer’s reaction.

Most people would be scared by his antics, but he genuinely laughed, which was surprising.

But, considering he could stay calm after staying here for one night, it made sense.

“Could you ask him to wait for a moment?”

He left suddenly, promising to return, which made me wonder where he was going.

“Didn’t you eat the bread yourself?!”

Before I could ask, he charged at me in anger.

Fortunately, Elshimer calmed down in five minutes.

The young master returned quickly with another loaf of bread identical to mine, handing it to him in five minutes.

Though I almost died trying to stop him, it was important that he calmed down so quickly.

—

2.

“I enjoyed the meal. Whether you’re a noble’s child or not, I won’t forget your kindness towards a stranger.”

Elshimer, regaining his composure, bowed respectfully to the young master.

Seeing him bow so formally, unlike his usual rough behavior, surprised me.

A bow for a piece of bread? This kid, who never flinched under threats, was showing a side I never expected.

But his words made me even more surprised.

“Nothing. If I heard valuable information, I couldn’t just ignore it.”

The young master dismissed my surprise, saying he’d help me in return for making him laugh and giving him a task to return home honorably.

“Oh, I see.”

If I were a homeless man, I might not care, but as a noble’s child, returning home was crucial.

Seeing this noble apologize for not being able to give more bread made me feel the world still had some good in it.

Meanwhile, the young master was on a journey to become a knight. His concern over the recent events made me uneasy.

“You’re here because of today’s incident?”

“Yes. We received intel about an unidentified group committing mass murders starting from a remote village. We’re here to confirm and eliminate them.”

Hearing this, I couldn’t help but shout.

“No!”

Without knowing the number of killers, it seemed dangerous for him to confront them alone.

Even if this Blood Haven allowed flamboyant outfits, I knew better than anyone that this place was unforgiving.

“Your skills are impressive, but facing an unknown number of killers alone is too risky!”

I tried to dissuade him from rushing into danger.

But seeing the young master calmly preparing himself, I felt helpless.

“Ha ha, you’re worried about me? It’s nice to see someone genuinely care.”

His calmness made me feel more anxious, but he reassured me.

“Don’t worry. I may look weak, but I’m strong.”

He revealed a magnificent sword, surprising me.

Even Elshimer, standing beside me, marveled at its brilliance.

It wasn’t the sword itself, but the mysterious aura surrounding it that captured my attention.

This was something I’d heard described in tales, a force wielded by only a select few knights.

The young master, barely my age, casually displayed this power, which explained his confidence.

“Why wouldn’t he be confident? Even if the guards teamed up to confront him, he could easily overpower them with this skill.”

“…Impressive. The blue aura of hostility.”

I muttered, feeling both impressed and embarrassed.

How foolish I looked, rushing into danger without knowing his abilities.

But the young master noticed I saw his aura, not just the sword.

“Can you see the hostility in my sword?”

He seemed surprised I could perceive it.

Elshimer, however, couldn’t see it at all, despite his focus on the sword.

“Only certain people can see it?”

I asked, and he nodded with a mix of amazement and curiosity.

“You can discern colors of hostility others can’t. With proper training, you could become one of the strongest.”

Hearing this, I realized I had a talent I never knew about.

Despite my humble background, it felt like an incredible gift.

“Ah, really?”