Chapter 281

Episode 281: Tell me (11)

‘Anyway, they’re blocking this again...’

Did I wake up with the feeling that someone was covering my eyes and ears?

I suddenly found myself having a hearty conversation with someone who was presumed to be in power. It wasn’t that I didn’t get anything, but it was quite embarrassing.

“...You will be treated well.”

“yes.”

Even by the end of the conversation, the situation had not changed much. A powerful person had left, but now I was left alone with the guard again. The atmosphere became oddly awkward as we both shared each other’s positions.

“Huh...”

But right now, there was a bigger problem left for me than the fact that I was left behind with someone I didn’t know.

Confinement and employment. Freedom and testing. I couldn’t have imagined it, but it was an ordeal that I had to figure out somehow to get through.

But how?

They claimed to be a wizard, but that was just a trick and a scam that took advantage of other people’s ignorance. I don’t really have that knowledge.

If a real wizard were to test the depth of knowledge, there was no way I would pass.

No, it would be better if you just don’t pass. If you are perceived as lacking in skills, you will simply not be able to get hired.

But what if that question and answer exposes the truth that he is a fake wizard? What if I get a wanted order for daring to deceive?

Then it is destruction. In a future I could easily imagine, I took off my glasses and washed my face dry for a moment.

Should I just give up and be locked up in a guard prison? But if that happens, I can’t investigate. Due to the camouflage skill time limit, there is a high probability that you will have to jump out midway.

On the other side of the choice that you can’t choose, only words of a similar type are waiting.

“....”

There is no answer either way.

I leaned against the head of the bed, looking back at the hopeless situation. I don’t know where the pillow was used as a cushion, but the cushioning wasn’t that bad. Even if it’s not cotton, it seems like a product with a lot of new straw thrown in.

It wasn’t much of a consolation because I felt out of breath just thinking about what was to come.

“Um...”

Now that I think about it, where is this really? I glanced at the guard, deciding to put aside the unanswered choices for a moment.

Munmund’s military discipline is very strict, so the soldier maintains an upright posture and a straight expression. The unique solemnity of a soldier and the dynamic look typical of an office worker were visible in his eyes.

“Soldier, can I get some water to drink?”

However, even with such a person, it would be a good idea to try to have a conversation.

I asked as quietly and politely as possible so as not to offend the soldier. It is not uncommon for someone who has just woken up to seek water, so the subject will not be considered suspicious.

I calmly waited for the soldier’s reaction.

“Currently, drinking water is treated as a strategic commodity and is controlled. “It is difficult for me to give it up under my authority.”

“Ah...”

However, the answer I received was quite unexpected.

I was a little embarrassed. I knew well that drinking water was important on the battlefield, but I had no idea that it was managed so tightly that it was impossible to provide a drink to a patient.

Or maybe I am in a position where I am not treated as well? Since I don’t know the castle’s situation well, I’m still not sure.

I blinked slowly.

“okay. Sorry, I didn’t know that was the case. “I asked you a useless favor.”

“it’s okay.”

“Well then, is it possible to drink the water I originally had?”

However, in addition to the goal of starting a conversation, I am actually a little thirsty. I asked cautiously to quench my thirst.

The soldier’s eyes rolled.

“...I think I can give you permission to do that if you agree to let me take it out of the bag for you.”

Maybe it’s because I’m disguising myself as a wizard. The soldier was wary of me touching the bag alone. It was a bit of a surprise.

The wizards I knew were more maniacal than threatening. I don’t think there’s any need to be this cautious.

“That’s okay.”

Of course, depending on your perspective, even crazy things can feel threatening. I nodded with a subtle feeling. Even if it was said that it was in the bag, it was possible to accept it because it was full of things that it was okay to lose.

Even the leg bag inventory was moved to the subspace of the bracelet when I left the village.

It’s okay whether you steal the rest or not. I quietly watched the soldier move.

“Is this it?”

“yes.”

Is it because of the poor content? The soldier quickly found water. Perhaps to prepare for an emergency, they were very thorough in pouring the contents into a glass and checking it until the end.

“Thank you for your cooperation. Please take it.”

gulp. The neck of the person handing over the water bag moved unusually loudly.

“....”

“...?”

It was similar when I tilted the mouth of the water bag and took two sips. An unnervingly clear gaze was focused on me.

Rather than focusing on the person called me, the gaze was directed towards the water bag and the water coming out of the bag.

“...Would you like some?”

“yes?”

Seeing them staring so intently, I guess they were thirsty too... Well, if the drinking water control wasn’t only applied to me, the soldier wouldn’t have been able to drink the water he wanted.

And humans are, by nature, strange creatures that the more something is forbidden, the more they crave it.

“You don’t do this in front of your old man. “Please take care of this.”

“...You shouldn’t use those words to your father.”

“under. father? Did I have a father? That’s really strange. “I think the person who acted like a father to me has already passed away.”

“Lord Xiaoseong...!”

“Lord Sapphire, I know that all your nagging is for my benefit. But please stop talking about this. “I really hate that damn old man.”

“....”

But around that time, he suddenly started missing Atya.

If she were here, she wouldn’t have scolded her like that, but she would have cursed at her parents with her.

“That man has never been a father to me.”

So does Alya. The second son, who was harsh but affectionate, would have lent his shoulder instead of responding to his master’s criticism.

Pasha, who was slightly older than me, and Rinya, who was too young to consult, must have comforted me just by their presence.

“...So next time, just tell this story from the beginning. “It’s a topic that upsets both of us.”

But they are not there. Those who helped him breathe are gone.

Günther touched his throbbing forehead alone. A hungry stomach and dry throat are not irritating, but are just frustrating. It was clear that my fasting had lasted too long.

“...I see Lord Emerald over there.”

“Why the fuck again?”

“Lord Xiaoseong....”

It’s even more unpleasant to see an unpleasant face in such a situation. Günther frowned as he watched Emerald and the knights, who had a knack for command and leadership, chatting loudly on the castle wall.

It’s just sad that we have no choice but to talk about it now that we’ve discovered it.

“...See you again. “I don’t think this is Lord Emerald’s patrol time.”

“I have no intention of resting in front of my enemies.”

“...I can only admire your dedication. However, I hope you remember that taking care of your own physical condition is also a virtue of a knight.”

“Don’t worry, Lord Soseong. “The problem you think about will not happen.”

He speaks very well. Gunther clenched his fists as he watched the Emerald Knight handing out his share of water to the knights.

He was a chief engineer who looked flawless and was passionate about city affairs, but I couldn’t understand why I hated him so much.

“...Then that’s it. Please don’t overdo it. Good luck to you too.”

“yes!”

Still, I just refrained from starting a fight. Günther walked forward with the intention of denying it if his guard heard it.

“We’ve inspected everything on the walls, so let’s go back to the castle.”

“...yes.”

He still had work left to do.

“What is left to do...”

Günther counted what he had done and what he had to do.

Checking the soldiers’ condition, monitoring whether food rations were being distributed normally, inspecting the safety of food warehouses and drinking water sources, checking public opinion and morale of citizens, etc... It seemed like all the big things were done. Well, if you go back to the castle, something will happen again.

For example, deciding on the punishment of those who cause trouble while receiving rations or calculating the length of time that can be endured based on the amount of food inspected.

“ah. “I had to go see the wizard too.”

That’s not all. Gunter let out a long sigh as he thought of the guest he had put in a lodging near the Magic Tower.

“...Let’s go find the wizard first.”

I’m working without even having dinner, but there’s no sign of an end in sight. Well, when was it not like that?

Günther mocked himself and led his escort to the guesthouse.

“You should at least eat while we talk.”

“I will escort you.”

“I want you to remember that before you are my bodyguard, you are one of my chief knights. “Come and eat.”

“...You can’t go first until I come.”

“Okay, so let’s go quickly.”

The wizard’s quarters, which he entered after even shaking off his guard, looked like he had seen it every time. Even though there is someone who cleans the room every day, crumpled paper rolls around in the hallway and you can occasionally hear the screams of wizards.

“Anyway, you crazy people.”

Why are you screaming when you’re just doing research? Günther shook his head at the magicians’ madness and headed toward one of the doors.

“Do you know who Atya is?”

However, he stopped when he heard a small sound coming from inside the hallway.

“The same applies to the soldier who came here with me, as well as that precious person from earlier. “You mistook me for someone named Atya.”

“Uh, uh...”

“If you don’t know, there’s nothing you can do.”

“I’m sorry, that’s a very common nickname...”

Then he strengthened his legs again. Suddenly. The hand that hadn’t even knocked opened the door roughly.

“Wow, I’m sorry—”

“Atya is my dead friend now.”

I saw calm green eyes that were not Atya’s, Alya’s, Pasha’s, or Linya’s.

“Do you want to hear a story?”

If I were to elaborate a little further, it would look like the eyes of a priest listening to a confession.

“Yes, please listen.”