Chapter 77: Old Friend (3)

 

“So you’re really the Berg from the rumors...”

 

Flint, after breaking our hug, whispered as if he couldn’t believe it.

 

His eyes scanned every inch of my body.

 

“...Even if you’re a mercenary, why do you have so many scars? And why such a large scar on your cheek?”

 

He couldn’t take his eyes off my scars.

 

Given all the changes, it was somewhat expected.

 

I might’ve felt the same if Flint had appeared covered in scars like me.

 

So instead of answering, I posed a question to him.

 

My curiosity wasn’t only limited to Flint.

 

“...How on earth did you know to come here?”

 

At that, Flint let out a soft chuckle.

 

“These days, there’s no one among the humans who doesn’t know your story.”

 

“What?”

 

“The human mercenary, commoner Berg, rumored to have taken two noble wives. How could such news remain quiet? Hearing that the Berg of the Red Flames visited Dems Village, it’s hard to ignore. I never imagined it’d really be you though...”

 

“You came all the way to Dems Village just to see me?”

 

Flint smiled.

 

“It was two birds with one stone.”

 

And then, with a bright grin, he added,

 

“I’ve become a merchant, Berg.”

 

He spread his arms wide.

 

One could sense the pride in his actions.

 

“I’ve always been traveling from village to village. It was during that time I heard rumors about you.”

 

He too seemed relieved that things had worked out.

 

I laughed and nodded at him.

 

“...A merchant.”

 

“Does it not suit me?”

 

I shook my head.

 

“...No, it’s just surprising.”

 

At that, Flint also laughed.

 

“I was surprised too, Berg. That you became a mercenary.”

 

“...”

 

“Didn’t you once say you’d quit getting involved in dangerous things? That’s why we parted ways, remember?”

 

“...”

 

I couldn’t immediately respond.

 

Too much had happened to simply explain.

 

“Why did your wives-”

 

“-Let’s go inside and talk.”

 

I interrupted him before he could ask about my wives.

 

He seemed to understand, nodding in agreement.

 

And with that, we entered the inn.

 

There was much to talk about.

 

.

.

.

 

I introduced Flint to my wives.

 

“Ner, Arwin. This is Flint. My... childhood friend.”

 

“Childhood...”

 

Ner murmured at that word.

 

And then, with grace, she offered her greetings.

 

“I’m Ner Blackwood.”

 

Arwin, similarly, touched her forehead slightly as she greeted.

 

“...I’m Arwin Celebrien.”

 

“They are my wives.”

 

Flint just blinked, as if the scene before him was hard to believe.

 

After a moment of silence, he spoke with a broad smile.

 

“Both of you are incredibly beautiful.”

 

Then, he leaned in and whispered to me.

 

“...So the rumors were all true?”

 

“...”

 

He then gave a deep bow.

 

“It’s an honor to meet Lady Blackwood and Lady Celebrien.”

 

Both of my wives graciously received his greetings.

 

“My name is Flint. Berg and I have been friends since we were 5.”

 

“Since you were 5?”

 

Ner asked in surprise.

 

“Ah, please, have a seat.”

 

She then motioned for us to take our seats.

 

My wives, recognizing Flint as my friend, spoke with elevated language and seemed to treat him with consideration.

 

I appreciated their mannerism towards him.

 

Following Ner’s words, Flint and I took our seats.

 

Seated, Flint responded to Ner.

 

“Yes, since we were 5. We parted ways as we grew up... I never imagined I’d meet Berg in a place like this. And I certainly didn’t expect him to have two such beautiful wives.”

 

“...Where did the two of you originally come from?”

 

Flint looked at me with a puzzled expression.

 

“Didn’t you tell them?”

 

“...I haven’t had the chance.”

 

He cautiously inquired.

 

“...Is it a secret or something?”

 

“It’s not a secret. It’s okay to talk about it.”

 

Hearing that, Flint nodded.

 

Then, he spoke to Ner and Arwin.

 

“We’re from Barta. Have you heard of it?”

 

Arwin nodded.

 

“...Isn’t it a wealthy city?”

 

Flint laughed.

 

“Yes, it is.”

 

“So, did you grow up in wealth?”

 

“...”

 

Flint closed his mouth, looking at me.

 

It seemed he was deferring the opportunity to answer to me.

 

The truth was, there was no advantage in revealing that we were from the slums.

 

The term ‘slum-born’ carries a negative connotation.

 

As if to embody this atmosphere, we were often referred to by several derogatory names.

 

Cockroaches, eating whatever they found...

 

Rats, living day by day through theft.

 

Bats, attaching to the advantageous side whenever the opportunity arose.

 

Fighting dogs, brawling over a single bone.

 

Naturally, no one would welcome someone with such a past.

 

It seemed Flint was aware of this fact as well.

 

Especially considering that both of my wives were of noble birth, the social gap was enormous.

 

Being a commoner was already a distance away, but adding the fact of being from the slums further widened the gap.

 

But I didn’t want to hide this truth.

 

It wasn’t that I wasn’t concerned they might feel repulsed by me... but I didn’t want to build our relationship on a lie.

 

“...We are from the slums there.”

 

I told my wives.

 

Upon hearing that, Ner and Arwin slowly hardened their expressions.

 

Arwin asked,

 

“...Slum?”

 

“...”

 

I nodded.

 

“...I see.”

 

After a lengthy silence, she murmured softly.

 

Flint seemed to be aware of the rumors about us.

 

If so, he likely knew that my wives had been sold to me.

 

Perhaps because of this knowledge, Flint tried to lighten the mood.

 

“It was really tough back then, right Berg?”

 

“...”

 

“It’s not like we chose to be abandoned by our parents on the streets, haha. Constantly ignored, beaten... Ah.”

 

Realizing his attempts weren’t working, Flint changed tack.

 

Watching his clumsy attempt, old memories resurfaced.

 

“Well... even then, Berg was always a reliable friend. Thinking back, you were pretty incredible too.”

 

Ner, whose thoughts were unreadable, asked Flint,

 

“...What was Berg like back then?”

 

“He was solid support when he was on your side. If Berg felt you were one of his people, he’d take great care of you. He might not always express it, but he’s very compassionate...”

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

Ner and Arwin quietly listened to his words.

 

In the face of their non-reactive stance, Flint continued his efforts.

 

“But, if he felt you weren’t one of his people, he could be quite cold, leading to many misunderstandings.”

 

“Cold, you say?”

 

Arwin asked.

 

Flint hurriedly clarified, “Well, if you’re not on his side, I mean. If you are, he takes great care. That’s how he was back then. Now, he might have... changed, perhaps. But still, he was a really dependable friend...”

 

As Flint continued, Arwin let out a light laugh.

 

“...I think I understand what you mean.”

 

Seeing her reaction, Flint exhaled a sigh of relief.

 

Unintentionally, due to their noble status, he seemed to be on edge.

 

“But both of you are completely ‘Berg’s people’, aren’t you? There’s no need for concern. Berg takes good care of you, right?”

 

Ner and Arwin exchanged glances, then gave a brief nod.

 

“He takes good care of us,” Ner responded.

 

And so, the first topic wrapped up, leaving a brief moment of awkward silence.

 

Then, Arwin spoke up, “Berg, I’ll head back first. You can join me after you’re done chatting with your friend.”

 

She seemed to be giving me time out of consideration.

 

Ner, noticing the gesture, also rose from her seat, “Yeah, I’ll head back too, Berg. We’ve finished eating anyway. And I’m tired today.”

 

I didn’t resist their considerate gesture.

 

I also wanted to converse with Flint.

 

I spoke to the rising Ner, “Ner, your foot...”

 

“I can walk back on my own. If I walk on my heel, it doesn’t hurt as much.”

 

“...Alright, then...”

 

I turned to look for the members.

 

“Shawn, Jackson.”

 

While drinking, they obediently stood up.

 

“Escort Ner and Arwin back to the lodgings, please.”

 

They nodded at my words.

 

Flint and my wives exchanged brief farewells.

 

“It was an honor to meet you.”

 

“Enjoy your chat.”

 

And then, they left the inn.

 

****

 

Arwin was still taken aback by the new information she learned about Berg.

 

‘From the slums.’

 

Now, the image of Berg, who had saved her, seemed to make sense.

 

Berg, who had defeated Gallias, the strongest elf swordsman.

 

There was an undeniable ruthlessness in his movements.

 

The image of him punching down Gallias remained unforgettable.

 

“...”

 

Until a year ago, Arwin held negative biases about those from the slums.

 

She had often heard they were a dirty and brutal group.

 

She had heard that those from the slums only learned to take from others to survive.

 

But upon hearing that Berg was from the slums, the first emotion she felt wasn’t repulsion.

 

Instead, she felt compassion.

 

Perhaps it was because Berg was the subject of this revelation.

 

How much suffering must he have endured for such movements to become ingrained in him?

 

How hard must he have fought just to survive?

 

He mentioned living in the slums since he was five.

 

An age when one wouldn’t have even received a parent’s love.

 

Realizing the hardships of his upbringing, a heavy sigh weighed on her heart.

 

“...Haa.”

 

Beside her, Ner too let out a sigh.

 

Their eyes met for a moment.

 

Yet, without a word, they continued walking.

 

Arwin suddenly wondered about their sleeping arrangements.

 

Tonight was her turn to share a bed with Berg.

 

However, when Flint, Berg’s old friend, entered the inn, she had heard the innkeeper mention a lack of rooms.

 

Perhaps Flint needed a place to stay?

 

Maybe Arwin would have to share a room with Ner tonight.

 

“....”

 

She felt the need to confirm this.

 

Taking the opportunity, she spoke to Ner.

 

“Ner, I need to ask Berg something. I’ll be heading back.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“You go ahead. Your foot hurts, doesn’t it?”

 

And without hesitation, Arwin turned away.

 

Berg’s subordinate, Shawn, followed her.

 

She soon entered the inn and sought out Berg.

 

For some reason, Berg and Flint were conversing in a seemingly tense atmosphere.

 

Berg was the first to spot Arwin.

 

However, with his back turned to Arwin, Flint did not notice her.

 

“...So.”

 

Suddenly, Berg, acknowledging her presence, quickly called out to his friend.

 

“...Flint.”

 

Almost as if trying to silence Flint.

 

But it was all too swift, and Flint opened his mouth.

 

Approaching, Arwin was immediately met with Flint’s question.

 

“...Where is She*?”

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –