CH 110

Chapter 110: A battle of Sincerity [unedited]

if you read this on other websites, it means it was stolen. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.wordpress.com.

There was no need to dwell on Arrendt for long. Because another thing has happened.

“An official letter of cooperation?”

A document requesting cooperation came from the imperial family. The content was simple. It was about the dead land. Recently, a dead land was found, and this time was quite large. In addition to that, it extended over an estate, so a casualty happened. 

Darkness appeared irregularly. However, since all of them have been in the forest so far, the large-scale casualty was rare. This casualty was even said that because a lot of berserk monsters appeared, the nearby estates were also having a hard time.

Thus, it was understandable that the imperial family asked for help. It was worth swallowing their pride. Especially when no families knew monsters better than Heilon. If Abel were here, the emperor would have made him do it right away without sending this kind of letter.

Celined, who was beside me, asked, “My lady, are you really going to go?”

“I have to.”

The imperial family requested it, so I couldn’t refuse it unless something worse than that happened.

“I’m going to investigate it anway.”

Besides, the Heilon family was not the only family that was asked for cooperation. It was said that Eunice, the saintess, was also asked because of how great the damage to the estates was. 

I wish I could talk to her.

Anyway, this also was not bad. 

Then someone knocked on my door. 

“Miss, are you inside?”

Celine opened the door at my wink. It was Isaac.

“Sir. Isaac. What’s the matter?”

Isaac looked a little restless. “I apologize that I disturbed your work miss, But .. there is a person, I don’t know whether I should identify him as a guest or a scoundrel… I’m afraid that only Miss who could sort it out.”

Celine and I looked puzzled. Couldn’t tell if it was a guess or a scoundrel?

“If Miss determined that that person is a scoundrel, we would expel him immediately.”

Heilon people were merciless to intruders, seeing this, it was clear that that person was not an ordinary guest.

“Where’s the guest?”

“First, we drag him into the drawing room… No, I brought him there.”

Who the hell is it? Rather than asking more, I chose to just go there. 

Anyway, if it was someone that could be easily dealt with, the Heilon Knights would have done it earlier.

***

if you read this on other websites, it means it was stolen. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.wordpress.com.

The butler showed me a crumpled piece of paper before I was entering the drawing room. It has Abel’s seal on it. The content was simple.

[if you’re not sure, ask Sigren.]

What the hell was he talking about? Anyway, let’s trust Abel. Usually, there was nothing wrong with listening to what he said. Therefore, I told the butler to report this to the imperial palace before I went to the drawing room.

“…”

Sitting in the drawing room was a man who looked to be in his mid-twenties. His light armor was covered with monster skin and his feet were covered by worn and sturdy boots. A black waterproof coat draped over his body. Seeing this person in front of me, I realized why Isaac had said he couldn’t tell if this guy was a guest or a ruffian. Because this person did not look like a nobleman. He looked like a traveler, I might say. He is a traveler who brought a paper with Abel’s seal on it. 

First thing first, I kept my manners.

“Who are you, Sir?[1]”

The man turned his head slowly. He looked a bit wild, but he had a very handsome face. He has slightly brown skin, and his eyes and hair were gold. It was definitely the first face I’ve ever seen, yet somehow I got the impression that I was familiar with that face. Who the hell is he?

The men stood up slowly. When he got up, he was taller and bigger than I thought, so I had to look up at him. 

Let’s cancel my definition of him as a ‘traveller’. That body seemed to be harder than a rock. Judging by his body size, I could tell he had fought many battles. A mercenary?

The man looked straight at me. 

This was not a very favorable position to be looked at. 

“Are you Fiona Heilon?[2]” 

Was he just speaking informally in our first meeting? Alright, I think I could use honorific just two more times, for honoring Abel.

“Yes, who are you, Sir?[3]”

“You don’t know me?[4]”

“Tell me your name.[5]”

“You really dont know?[5]”

How the hell did I know his name when I didn’t even know him? I grinned. 

“Name, say it.[7]”

The man crossed his arms, looking at me with a disapproving look.

“I guest you’ve heard nothing from that Heilon.”

And ‘that Heilon’ is a Duke, at least he should say ‘Duke Heilon’.

Anyway, did Abel ever tell me something about this man? I pondered if there was a mention of this man in my head. 

[I’ll send you a dog that can help you out for that matter.]

Ah.

“Ah, dog?” Those words came out of my mouth subconsciously.

“What?”

The man frowned. His face was fierce while looking at me.

Isaac flinched as if he was ready to do anything if something went south. 

But of course, I was not scared at all. I’ve dealt so many dirty mad mercenaries in my whole life. This was nothing.

“His Highness Duke Heilon said in his letter, he would send a dog.”

“That punk…” The man gnashed his teeth. 

‘That punk’ he said?!

I asked curtly. “That’s all I’ve heard. Are you that dog?”

The man looked like he had chewed his shit when I asked him. “Are you really expecting me answering that question to affirm my identity?”

Oh. it was then I realized the meaning behind my question. If he said yes, he would become the dog. Well, it was not intentional. But I would not change my question. I couldn’t help but I’ve already dissatisfied with his manner. 

I shrugged my shoulders and muttered, “..I’d rather have a real dog, at least real dog is cute.”

What was the use of this ugly man anyway?

The man smirked hearing my murmuring. “A little girl speaks fearlessly.”

As I sat down, my brain sarcastically replied, ‘yeah, this little girl was much more stronger than you.’

“So who the hell are you? I’ve asked, but there was no answer. If you don’t tell me your name, I’ve no choice but to call you, doggie.”

“That person.. dog, a dog?!…” That man ruffled his hair impatiently. 

Usually, a normal mercenary would have gone crazy at this point of conversation, so for him only ruffling his hair in frustration, it was actually surprising. Not bad. 

He looked at me for a moment and spat out. “Kwonter.”

“Kwonter?” I asked back with my eyes widened. 

“Yes, you’ve probably heard it before.”

1] Korean has honorific language/respectable language. This is polite language. This stylistic language is almost used everywhere. It is used when people talk to strangers, to someone older, to elders, and to people with who they are not close. Here Fiona tried to be polite. But I don’t know how to make these phrases sound polite in English. 

[2] Here, this guy did not use honorific language, despite Fiona having tried to be polite. In the Korean language, it is impolite to not use honorific language to strangers. it’s too casual. Casual stylistic language is only used when people feel close to others, like same-age friends.

[3] Fiona here still tried to use honorific language.

[4] the guy kept talking casually.

[5] Fiona tried to be polite here.

[6] Again, the guy kept talking casually.

[7] Fiona finally no longer used honorific language. She used casual language.