Chapter 36: Spreading Reputation (2)

Chapter 36: Spreading Reputation (2)

Several days passed, and the houses renovation was approximately finished.

Ner felt a subtle sense of disappointment looking at Bergs house, which had no more parts to fix or clean.

She had started to find the cooperative work with Berg quite enjoyable.

Despite the aches that spread all over her body from just a little bit of cleaning, she found it more enjoyable than anything else.

During those days, she had become quite close with Berg.

She was not afraid of him anymore.

She couldnt even remember why she had been scared of him.

In the past, his aloof demeanor seemed cold, and the scars all over his body were terrifying.

But now, when silent, he appeared vulnerable, and the scars all over his body evoked feelings of empathy.

Many other aspects about him had changed to become not unpleasant.

During the time she spent with Berg, she realized that she had laughed far more than usual.

Likely, the times she laughed with Berg in the past few days exceeded the times she laughed in the past four years.

...Of course, considering that she didnt have many opportunities to laugh in the past four years.

Ner, Im going to go train.

When the house renovation was finished in the morning, by lunchtime, Berg was preparing to go out for training.

Its fine if you come and go without telling me.

Ner repeated the same phrase dozens of times.

Because for the werewolf tribe, individual freedom was the most important, so this kind of consideration was natural.

Trusting their partner to return at some point, regardless of where they go or what they do, without seeking another partner.

Of course, Ner was not considering Berg based on that belief. If he were to meet another woman, even Ner didnt know how she would feel.

It was just that since Berg had shown much consideration for her, she also wanted to reciprocate in the way of the werewolf tribe.

Nevertheless, Berg always informed her of his whereabouts, and Ner realized that their cultures were indeed different.

She wondered if she should also tell Berg whenever she was going somewhere.

...She didnt like that.

She felt uncomfortable with the feeling of being constrained.

Hadnt she also found the ring uncomfortable for that reason?

Despite her inner feelings, Ner saw Berg off to the door.

Anyway, Ill be back.

Yeah, see you later.

With that, Berg left for training.

After he departed, Ner let out a sigh and walked back into the house.

-Thump

...

The house was quiet.

Ner quietly stared at this empty space.

It was somewhat bearable when Berg was around, but once he left and the cold rationality began to take hold in her head, her chest tightened, and it became hard.

Perhaps the reason why the past few days of renovating the house were good was because she could be free from such thoughts.

Ner was at a loss for what to do all day.

In the Blackwood territory, she could take a walk or visit the forest, but... in this unfamiliar Stockpin, these actions were quite challenging.

...Haaa.

Thus, she let out a long sigh.

.

.

.

.

A considerable amount of time passed, and finally, Ner gathered the courage to take action.

She had grown weary of sitting all day.

She wanted to feel the sun on her skin, the tactile sensation of grass. She wanted to fragrance the flowers and hear the chirping of the birds.

Taking a deep breath, Ner opened the door and stepped outside.

It was her first time wandering around Stockpin without Berg, but she figured it would be fine since she wasnt going to the village.

Ner moved to the back of Bergs house.

Given Bergs house was on the outskirts of the village, it wasnt hard to find uncultivated land.

Taking a few steps, she discovered a small forest where tall trees stood.

She labeled it as a small forest because she could see its end.

If one turned their head just at a slight angle, they could see the end of the forest.

Beyond that were the wooden barriers surrounding Stockpin.

....

Blackwood was also surrounded by a forest, but this one felt more oppressive, probably because it was smaller.

Ner didnt know if it was even appropriate to call this place a forest.

I am-

-Its Ner, Sara!

However, Paul cut her off.

The girl looked up at Paul and asked again.

...Ner...?

Bergs wife!

Ner laughed as she watched Paul casually calling Bergs name.

Seeing how the children were so at ease, it seemed to show how Berg had treated them.

However, Saras expression gradually hardened at those words.

...wife?

Yes! The woman Berg likes most! So, you call her Ner-ner

-Thunk

Suddenly, Sara slumped down in her place.

Before Ner could even comprehend the situation, the sound of crying echoed.

Sniff... sob...

Huh? Whats up, Sara, why are you crying all of a sudden?

I hate it...! sob... I mean... I... sob... I was going to marry Berg...!

Ner cautiously observed the ensuing situation.

She seemed to understand why Sara had burst into tears.

There were often cases where children harbored admiration for adults.

Berg was a cool person among the humans, so it seemed Sara felt the same.

Ner could not just stand by and do nothing with a crying child.

For some reason, seeing her cry reminded Ner of her own childhood.

Feeling uncomfortable, Ner squatted next to Sara and tried to comfort her.

Oh, dont cry. If you cry... well... if you cry, you become ugly?

Ner was quite the crybaby herself, but at this moment she acted like an adult.

However, naturally, such clumsy consolation didnt stop Saras tears.

Sara began to throw a tantrum and spoke.

I hate it...! Berg is supposed to be with me... I hate you, Ner...!

-Thunk

Sara pushed Ner away lightly. Seeing Sara controlling her strength even in this situation, Ner felt the innocence of the girl.

Smiling secretly at that innocence, Ner took a deep breath.

...Perhaps she could be honest in front of these children.

Ner approached Sara again and whispered quietly.

...When Sara grows up, Ill give him back to you.

...Sniff...what...?

Holding her breath, Ner made a promise to the innocent girl.

If Sara grows into a pretty woman, Ill give Berg back to you. So stop the tears. Youll ruin your pretty face.

Indeed, this statement, which might seem like an excuse imbued with an adults leeway, clearly had a certain depth to it.

It was a truth that only Ner knew.

She would one day leave this Stockpin.

She was already missing the Blackwood forest.

That was why she could make a promise to Sara.

Gradually, Sara stopped her tears.

Sara, perhaps embarrassed by her tears, buried her face in her knees.

Paul, shaking Sara from the side, spoke.

Hey, Sara...you cant do this to Bergs wife...! I dont know about Berg, but if you throw a tantrum at Ner-

Sara momentarily stretched out one of her fingers.

Her pinky finger was pointed towards Ner.

...Promise.

Sara mumbled.

Not understanding a word, Ner looked at Paul for help.

Observing the situation, Paul interlocked his own two pinkies next to her, silently demonstrating what to do.

Following Pauls method, Ner linked her pinky with Saras.

It seemed that this was how humans made promises.

...Promise.

Feeling the touch of the fern-like hand, Ner also whispered.

End of Chapter

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