Chapter 10
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Chapter 10
"...You might have to wash next to me." Ian managed to compose his expression as he spoke.
"It doesn't matter as long as you don’t look," Mev averted her gaze and replied.
To use that line again, thought Ian.
"I don’t know if I can do that," said Ian.
Mev, thinking it a joke, let out a short laugh. It was the first smile Ian had seen from her. After the battle and their verbal exchange, she seemed more at ease with him.
"I’m tired too. We need to save time. We have a long way to go tomorrow," Mev added as she calmly began to remove the armor from her other elbow.
"That’s... understandable." Ian, swallowing his words, finally finished unfastening his greaves.
No further conversation followed. Only the sound of armor being methodically removed continued.
"Ah, my lord, are you also going to bathe?" Philip returned after a while.
Philip had washed his hands and arms thoroughly and brought a wet cloth. Quickly approaching, he took the breastplate Mev had removed.
"Always grateful, Philip," said Mev.
"It's my duty, my lord," Philip replied.
Philip carefully placed the breastplate down. Then, with eager eyes, he looked at Ian. Ian nodded. The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
Approaching the leather armor, Philip looked intently at the bundle next to it and added, "Should I apply oil after cleaning it?"
"Yes, do that." Ian chuckled inwardly at his loyalty. He stood up.
Mev, now in her red quilted outfit, also stood up. Without her armor, she was about half a head shorter than Ian.
“The stream seemed wider upstream. It’ll be more convenient for bathing, my lord,” Philip said while picking up the armor. His expression was as nonchalant as Mev's.
"Understood. I’ll be back. Let’s go, Ian." Mev nodded and strode away.
“...,” Ian replied in silence.
It seems everyone here is like this. I thought I had adapted to this world. Feeling a modern-style embarrassment, he moved his feet. As Philip had said, the stream widened a bit further upstream.
The moonlight, peeking through the clouds, scattered finely over the surface of the water. A rare, quiet, yet peaceful scene in this world.
"It seems better for you to go in first here." Mev suddenly spoke as they walked silently.
"Alright." Ian scratched the bridge of his nose and stopped.
"I’ll go further upstream." Mev walked away.
...I feel like a streaker. Ian licked his lips and undressed. Then, he boldly stepped into the middle of the stream. The water was shockingly cold, but it brought a refreshing clarity. The deepest part reached his thighs, so Ian knelt down, immersing himself. The stickiness and discomfort of his body slowly washed away.
Splash.
Soon, another sound of water followed.
It must be Mev entering. She was closer than he had thought. ...What am I supposed to do being conscious of this? Ian doused his face with cold water and continued washing silently. Only the sound of water continued.
"There’s something I didn’t get to ask you earlier." Suddenly, Mev spoke.
It was around the time Ian was cleaning the bloodstains from his waist.
"Go ahead," Ian replied.
"Don’t you have any injuries?" Mev asked.
"You ask rather quickly," Ian chuckled as he replied. He continued, "No injuries here. What about you?"
"None for me either. It's remarkable. To fight a werewolf and come out unscathed," Mev replied.
"Just lucky," said Ian.
"That can't be it. I saw you fight. How should I say it...." Mev hesitated for a moment before adding, "Your style is unique. It lacks a set form. More practical than even a knight like me."
It would be tougher without the specter. Ian clicked his tongue quietly. He didn't particularly like choices where selecting one meant forgoing another.
...I’ll have to watch a bit longer. Perhaps there was a way not to sacrifice anything. As he concluded...
"Which God do you serve?" Mev suddenly added.
"None," Ian said and stood up abruptly.
"You mean you don’t have a God?" Mev asked.
"Exactly. And I don’t intend to have one in the future," replied Ian.
Perhaps, or rather likely, those beings were the ones who dragged me into this world. He didn’t know how data fragments had become real entities. But as they were most likely the cause of all this misfortune, he had no intention of serving them as his superiors.
"...That seems to have its own story too," said Mev.
Ian left the water without responding.
"Even now, a God must be watching over you, Ian. Maybe even coveting you." Mev's calm voice followed him as he dried off.
Ian looked up at the night sky. The moon and stars twinkled between the dispersing clouds as if watching over him.
"I’m hungry. Let’s go eat." Ian said, raising his middle finger toward the sky.
***
The next morning, the clouds covered the sky as if the previous night's clear sky was a lie. Philip, who had fallen asleep immediately after eating, continued to rave about the werewolf the next day. With nothing else to do while walking through the forest, Ian eventually gave in and shared his story. It was a straightforward account of how he encountered the werewolf and slew it with his sword.
"You never exaggerate your exploits, sir. I’m now convinced." Philip seemed to have taken it differently.
"That means the rumors of you wiping out the kobold tribe were significantly understated," said Philip.
"It wasn’t a tribe but a stronghold. And it was a battle, not a conquest." Ian corrected him, but Philip, marching ahead, didn’t seem to listen.
"A werewolf, huh? It’s the first time I've seen such a creature. Well, only its head, though," Philip added.
It’s not a remarkable creature, Ian mused.
"There should be many monsters in the south," Ian responded indifferently.
"No. There are hardly any near the border. The southern fortress troops periodically eradicate them. With upstarts claiming to have founded a nation raiding us at every opportunity, we can’t afford to have our backs against monsters." Philip shrugged and added.
"I went to the south about six or seven years ago. It was quite peaceful then. That’s why I didn’t take it seriously when I heard about monsters ravaging the kingdom," said Philip.
"It must have hit you hard now," said Ian.
"Honestly, not yet. I've hardly encountered any on our journey," Philip replied.
"Hardly any...?" Ian's brow furrowed.
"Yes. Even after entering the Count’s territory, it was quite peaceful. People looked troubled, but that was more due to preparing for war, similar to the South. The real monster-like monster I saw was that werewolf."
That can't be. Ian’s frown deepened. Since he had set foot in Agel Lan, he had encountered at least hundreds of monsters. Even though it was a game setting, he had often been surprised that a country could sustain itself with so many monsters.
"It's true." Mev, who had been listening silently, spoke up. She continued, "That's why Philip didn't believe in the existence of a dark mage. Even after entering Count Lumon's territory, the only monsters we encountered were a few goblins and kobolds."
How lucky can you be? Ian blinked and then suddenly turned to Philip.
"Did you follow the main road from the south to the Count’s territory?" Ian asked.
"Yes. From Valk Castle, we passed through various small and large villages." Philip quickly nodded.
"Ah.” Ian chuckled to himself. It made sense now. The city he arrived at after leaving the swamp was Valk City. That's where he had started posing as a mercenary in earnest. Like other lords in this world, Count Lumon was only interested in money and power.
Due to that, despite the lord's presence, the city's security was a mess. Ian had taken care of the city's problems in exchange for money and then traveled to the next village along the main road. Since then, he had eliminated the monsters in the villages and on the main road he passed through, making Mev and Philip’s journey peaceful as well.
"I’ve set a bed of roses for them...." Ian muttered to himself, turning his gaze. In the distance, the edge of the forest was visible.
"Bed of roses?" Philip asked.
"Your good days are over, Philip," Ian replied without turning his gaze and continued walking ahead. He continued, "The kingdom is much more of a mess than you think."
"...?" It didn't take more than half a day for Philip to understand the meaning of those words.
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Chapter 10
"...You might have to wash next to me." Ian managed to compose his expression as he spoke.
"It doesn't matter as long as you don’t look," Mev averted her gaze and replied.
To use that line again, thought Ian.
"I don’t know if I can do that," said Ian.
Mev, thinking it a joke, let out a short laugh. It was the first smile Ian had seen from her. After the battle and their verbal exchange, she seemed more at ease with him.
"I’m tired too. We need to save time. We have a long way to go tomorrow," Mev added as she calmly began to remove the armor from her other elbow.
"That’s... understandable." Ian, swallowing his words, finally finished unfastening his greaves.
No further conversation followed. Only the sound of armor being methodically removed continued.
"Ah, my lord, are you also going to bathe?" Philip returned after a while.
Philip had washed his hands and arms thoroughly and brought a wet cloth. Quickly approaching, he took the breastplate Mev had removed.
"Always grateful, Philip," said Mev.
"It's my duty, my lord," Philip replied.
Philip carefully placed the breastplate down. Then, with eager eyes, he looked at Ian. Ian nodded. The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
Approaching the leather armor, Philip looked intently at the bundle next to it and added, "Should I apply oil after cleaning it?"
"Yes, do that." Ian chuckled inwardly at his loyalty. He stood up.
Mev, now in her red quilted outfit, also stood up. Without her armor, she was about half a head shorter than Ian.
“The stream seemed wider upstream. It’ll be more convenient for bathing, my lord,” Philip said while picking up the armor. His expression was as nonchalant as Mev's.
"Understood. I’ll be back. Let’s go, Ian." Mev nodded and strode away.
“...,” Ian replied in silence.
It seems everyone here is like this. I thought I had adapted to this world. Feeling a modern-style embarrassment, he moved his feet. As Philip had said, the stream widened a bit further upstream.
The moonlight, peeking through the clouds, scattered finely over the surface of the water. A rare, quiet, yet peaceful scene in this world.
"It seems better for you to go in first here." Mev suddenly spoke as they walked silently.
"Alright." Ian scratched the bridge of his nose and stopped.
"I’ll go further upstream." Mev walked away.
...I feel like a streaker. Ian licked his lips and undressed. Then, he boldly stepped into the middle of the stream. The water was shockingly cold, but it brought a refreshing clarity. The deepest part reached his thighs, so Ian knelt down, immersing himself. The stickiness and discomfort of his body slowly washed away.
Splash.
Soon, another sound of water followed.
It must be Mev entering. She was closer than he had thought. ...What am I supposed to do being conscious of this? Ian doused his face with cold water and continued washing silently. Only the sound of water continued.
"There’s something I didn’t get to ask you earlier." Suddenly, Mev spoke.
It was around the time Ian was cleaning the bloodstains from his waist.
"Go ahead," Ian replied.
"Don’t you have any injuries?" Mev asked.
"You ask rather quickly," Ian chuckled as he replied. He continued, "No injuries here. What about you?"
"None for me either. It's remarkable. To fight a werewolf and come out unscathed," Mev replied.
"Just lucky," said Ian.
"That can't be it. I saw you fight. How should I say it...." Mev hesitated for a moment before adding, "Your style is unique. It lacks a set form. More practical than even a knight like me."
It would be tougher without the specter. Ian clicked his tongue quietly. He didn't particularly like choices where selecting one meant forgoing another.
...I’ll have to watch a bit longer. Perhaps there was a way not to sacrifice anything. As he concluded...
"Which God do you serve?" Mev suddenly added.
"None," Ian said and stood up abruptly.
"You mean you don’t have a God?" Mev asked.
"Exactly. And I don’t intend to have one in the future," replied Ian.
Perhaps, or rather likely, those beings were the ones who dragged me into this world. He didn’t know how data fragments had become real entities. But as they were most likely the cause of all this misfortune, he had no intention of serving them as his superiors.
"...That seems to have its own story too," said Mev.
Ian left the water without responding.
"Even now, a God must be watching over you, Ian. Maybe even coveting you." Mev's calm voice followed him as he dried off.
Ian looked up at the night sky. The moon and stars twinkled between the dispersing clouds as if watching over him.
"I’m hungry. Let’s go eat." Ian said, raising his middle finger toward the sky.
***
The next morning, the clouds covered the sky as if the previous night's clear sky was a lie. Philip, who had fallen asleep immediately after eating, continued to rave about the werewolf the next day. With nothing else to do while walking through the forest, Ian eventually gave in and shared his story. It was a straightforward account of how he encountered the werewolf and slew it with his sword.
"You never exaggerate your exploits, sir. I’m now convinced." Philip seemed to have taken it differently.
"That means the rumors of you wiping out the kobold tribe were significantly understated," said Philip.
"It wasn’t a tribe but a stronghold. And it was a battle, not a conquest." Ian corrected him, but Philip, marching ahead, didn’t seem to listen.
"A werewolf, huh? It’s the first time I've seen such a creature. Well, only its head, though," Philip added.
It’s not a remarkable creature, Ian mused.
"There should be many monsters in the south," Ian responded indifferently.
"No. There are hardly any near the border. The southern fortress troops periodically eradicate them. With upstarts claiming to have founded a nation raiding us at every opportunity, we can’t afford to have our backs against monsters." Philip shrugged and added.
"I went to the south about six or seven years ago. It was quite peaceful then. That’s why I didn’t take it seriously when I heard about monsters ravaging the kingdom," said Philip.
"It must have hit you hard now," said Ian.
"Honestly, not yet. I've hardly encountered any on our journey," Philip replied.
"Hardly any...?" Ian's brow furrowed.
"Yes. Even after entering the Count’s territory, it was quite peaceful. People looked troubled, but that was more due to preparing for war, similar to the South. The real monster-like monster I saw was that werewolf."
That can't be. Ian’s frown deepened. Since he had set foot in Agel Lan, he had encountered at least hundreds of monsters. Even though it was a game setting, he had often been surprised that a country could sustain itself with so many monsters.
"It's true." Mev, who had been listening silently, spoke up. She continued, "That's why Philip didn't believe in the existence of a dark mage. Even after entering Count Lumon's territory, the only monsters we encountered were a few goblins and kobolds."
How lucky can you be? Ian blinked and then suddenly turned to Philip.
"Did you follow the main road from the south to the Count’s territory?" Ian asked.
"Yes. From Valk Castle, we passed through various small and large villages." Philip quickly nodded.
"Ah.” Ian chuckled to himself. It made sense now. The city he arrived at after leaving the swamp was Valk City. That's where he had started posing as a mercenary in earnest. Like other lords in this world, Count Lumon was only interested in money and power.
Due to that, despite the lord's presence, the city's security was a mess. Ian had taken care of the city's problems in exchange for money and then traveled to the next village along the main road. Since then, he had eliminated the monsters in the villages and on the main road he passed through, making Mev and Philip’s journey peaceful as well.
"I’ve set a bed of roses for them...." Ian muttered to himself, turning his gaze. In the distance, the edge of the forest was visible.
"Bed of roses?" Philip asked.
"Your good days are over, Philip," Ian replied without turning his gaze and continued walking ahead. He continued, "The kingdom is much more of a mess than you think."
"...?" It didn't take more than half a day for Philip to understand the meaning of those words.
Chapter 10 "...You might have to wash next to me." Ian managed to compose his expression as he spoke. "It doesn't matter as long as you don't look," Mev averted her gaze and replied. To use that line again, thought Ian. "I don't know if I can do that," said Ian. Mev, thinking it a joke, let out a short laugh. It was the first smile Ian had seen from her. After the battle and their verbal exchange, she seemed more at ease with him. "I'm tired too. We need to save time. We have a long way to go tomorrow," Mev added as she calmly began to remove the armor from her other elbow. "That's... understandable." Ian, swallowing his words, finally finished unfastening his greaves. No further conversation followed. Only the sound of armor being methodically removed continued. "Ah, my lord, are you also going to bathe?" Philip returned after a while. Philip had washed his hands and arms thoroughly and brought a wet cloth. Quickly approaching, he took the breastplate Mev had removed. "Always grateful, Philip," said Mev. "It's my duty, my lord," Philip replied. Philip carefully placed the breastplate down. Then, with eager eyes, he looked at Ian. Ian nodded. The source of this content novelbinApproaching the leather armor, Philip looked intently at the bundle next to it and added, "Should I apply oil after cleaning it?" "Yes, do that." Ian chuckled inwardly at his loyalty. He stood up. Mev, now in her red quilted outfit, also stood up. Without her armor, she was about half a head shorter than Ian. The stream seemed wider upstream. It'll be more convenient for bathing, my lord, Philip said while picking up the armor. His expression was as nonchalant as Mev's. "Understood. I'll be back. Let's go, Ian." Mev nodded and strode away. ..., Ian replied in silence. It seems everyone here is like this. I thought I had adapted to this world. Feeling a modern-style embarrassment, he moved his feet. As Philip had said, the stream widened a bit further upstream. The moonlight, peeking through the clouds, scattered finely over the surface of the water. A rare, quiet, yet peaceful scene in this world. "It seems better for you to go in first here." Mev suddenly spoke as they walked silently. "Alright." Ian scratched the bridge of his nose and stopped. "I'll go further upstream." Mev walked away. ...I feel like a streaker. Ian licked his lips and undressed. Then, he boldly stepped into the middle of the stream. The water was shockingly cold, but it brought a refreshing clarity. The deepest part reached his thighs, so Ian knelt down, immersing himself. The stickiness and discomfort of his body slowly washed away. Splash. Soon, another sound of water followed. It must be Mev entering. She was closer than he had thought. ...What am I supposed to do being conscious of this? Ian doused his face with cold water and continued washing silently. Only the sound of water continued. "There's something I didn't get to ask you earlier." Suddenly, Mev spoke. It was around the time Ian was cleaning the bloodstains from his waist. "Go ahead," Ian replied. "Don't you have any injuries?" Mev asked. "You ask rather quickly," Ian chuckled as he replied. He continued, "No injuries here. What about you?" "None for me either. It's remarkable. To fight a werewolf and come out unscathed," Mev replied. "Just lucky," said Ian. "That can't be it. I saw you fight. How should I say it...." Mev hesitated for a moment before adding, "Your style is unique. It lacks a set form. More practical than even a knight like me." It would be tougher without the specter. Ian clicked his tongue quietly. He didn't particularly like choices where selecting one meant forgoing another. ...I'll have to watch a bit longer. Perhaps there was a way not to sacrifice anything. As he concluded... "Which God do you serve?" Mev suddenly added. "None," Ian said and stood up abruptly. "You mean you don't have a God?" Mev asked. "Exactly. And I don't intend to have one in the future," replied Ian. Perhaps, or rather likely, those beings were the ones who dragged me into this world. He didn't know how data fragments had become real entities. But as they were most likely the cause of all this misfortune, he had no intention of serving them as his superiors. "...That seems to have its own story too," said Mev. Ian left the water without responding. "Even now, a God must be watching over you, Ian. Maybe even coveting you." Mev's calm voice followed him as he dried off. Ian looked up at the night sky. The moon and stars twinkled between the dispersing clouds as if watching over him. "I'm hungry. Let's go eat." Ian said, raising his middle finger toward the sky. *** The next morning, the clouds covered the sky as if the previous night's clear sky was a lie. Philip, who had fallen asleep immediately after eating, continued to rave about the werewolf the next day. With nothing else to do while walking through the forest, Ian eventually gave in and shared his story. It was a straightforward account of how he encountered the werewolf and slew it with his sword. "You never exaggerate your exploits, sir. I'm now convinced." Philip seemed to have taken it differently. "That means the rumors of you wiping out the kobold tribe were significantly understated," said Philip. "It wasn't a tribe but a stronghold. And it was a battle, not a conquest." Ian corrected him, but Philip, marching ahead, didn't seem to listen. "A werewolf, huh? It's the first time I've seen such a creature. Well, only its head, though," Philip added. It's not a remarkable creature, Ian mused. "There should be many monsters in the south," Ian responded indifferently. "No. There are hardly any near the border. The southern fortress troops periodically eradicate them. With upstarts claiming to have founded a nation raiding us at every opportunity, we can't afford to have our backs against monsters." Philip shrugged and added. "I went to the south about six or seven years ago. It was quite peaceful then. That's why I didn't take it seriously when I heard about monsters ravaging the kingdom," said Philip. "It must have hit you hard now," said Ian. "Honestly, not yet. I've hardly encountered any on our journey," Philip replied. "Hardly any...?" Ian's brow furrowed. "Yes. Even after entering the Count's territory, it was quite peaceful. People looked troubled, but that was more due to preparing for war, similar to the South. The real monster-like monster I saw was that werewolf." That can't be. Ian's frown deepened. Since he had set foot in Agel Lan, he had encountered at least hundreds of monsters. Even though it was a game setting, he had often been surprised that a country could sustain itself with so many monsters. "It's true." Mev, who had been listening silently, spoke up. She continued, "That's why Philip didn't believe in the existence of a dark mage. Even after entering Count Lumon's territory, the only monsters we encountered were a few goblins and kobolds." How lucky can you be? Ian blinked and then suddenly turned to Philip. "Did you follow the main road from the south to the Count's territory?" Ian asked. "Yes. From Valk Castle, we passed through various small and large villages." Philip quickly nodded. "Ah. Ian chuckled to himself. It made sense now. The city he arrived at after leaving the swamp was Valk City. That's where he had started posing as a mercenary in earnest. Like other lords in this world, Count Lumon was only interested in money and power. Due to that, despite the lord's presence, the city's security was a mess. Ian had taken care of the city's problems in exchange for money and then traveled to the next village along the main road. Since then, he had eliminated the monsters in the villages and on the main road he passed through, making Mev and Philip's journey peaceful as well. "I've set a bed of roses for them...." Ian muttered to himself, turning his gaze. In the distance, the edge of the forest was visible. "Bed of roses?" Philip asked. "Your good days are over, Philip," Ian replied without turning his gaze and continued walking ahead. He continued, "The kingdom is much more of a mess than you think." "...?" It didn't take more than half a day for Philip to understand the meaning of those words.
