Chapter 87: The Mercenary Meeting (3)

 

“...Excuse me for a moment.”

 

Having settled my wives in a corner of the restaurant, I caught a glimpse of Ner’s troubled face and momentarily excused myself.

 

The ring suddenly disappeared.

 

There were indeed some suspicious parts to it.

 

Leaving my wives for a bit, I headed towards Baran in the distance.

 

“..?”

 

But before I could take another step, a hand stopped me. Turning around, I found Ner lightly holding my pinkie finger, not letting go.

 

“Why?”

 

“…Ah.”

 

Only after pointing it out did she release my finger.

 

She shook her head from side to side and bowed her head once again without uttering a word.

 

“...”

 

I chuckled at her demeanor.

 

It felt like we had come a long way.

 

Just seeing her feel guilty over losing the ring was enough for me.

 

We might still be in the friendship stage, but I didn’t want to get angry over such a small matter with someone who might stand by my side in the future.

 

No matter its significance, it was just an object in the end.

 

The ring wasn’t so crucial that I’d let its loss ruin our relationship.

 

And... if my suspicions were right, it wasn’t Ner’s fault.

 

With that in mind, I resumed my walk towards Baran.

 

He was continuing his meal, laughing with his lover.

 

Seeing his happy expression, I smiled.

 

“Baran.”

 

“Ah, vice-captain.”

 

Wiping his mouth, he stood up and introduced his lover to me.

 

“...This is my sweetheart, Bess. Bess, this is the vice-captain of the Red Flames.”

 

“...”

 

Baran had another lover again.

 

I wondered where his last lover went.

 

I thought he had claimed that was a serious relationship.

 

Whatever it was, it wasn’t my place to meddle.

 

I courteously acknowledged Baran’s lover and pulled him aside for a moment.

 

Scanning our surroundings, I lowered my voice.

 

“...Baran, I need a favor. Could you check on something for me?”

 

“Of course, just let me know.”

 

“...”

 

Maybe I was overthinking things.

 

Maybe it was because I came from the slums.

 

Whenever something goes missing... I immediately think of theft.

 

“Ner’s wedding ring disappeared while she was washing up. Could you check if any village kids might have taken it?”

 

Children are innocent and pure, but sometimes, they can be incredibly mischievous.

 

Most of my suspicions stem from my own childhood experiences.

 

After all, I had stolen quite a bit when I was younger.

 

Even before my wives arrived, my home was often used like an exploration cave by village kids.

 

I was frequently not home, and with only empty liquor bottles lying around, it resembled an abandoned house, naturally becoming their playground.

 

Perhaps some kids might know our house better than my wives do.

 

Of course, my suspicions could be entirely misplaced.

 

The ring might have just rolled into some corner of the house.

 

That was why I couldn’t share my thoughts with Ner. I didn’t want her to get a bad impression of the children for no reason.

 

But if I had to guess, my primary suspicion would be the kids playing a mean trick.

 

“...The wedding ring has gone missing?”

 

Baran looked up at me, surprised.

 

He seemed to take the situation even more seriously than I did.

 

“...So that’s why Ner-nim looked so upset.”

 

I subtly turned my head to glance at Ner.

 

With even her perky ears drooping, she was quietly conversing with Arwin.

 

“...But it’s nice to see the two of you getting closer these days.”

 

Baran commented to me.

 

“She’s not the same Ner-nim from before. Feeling so down just because she lost a ring.”

 

“...”

 

While it was true we had grown closer, to some extent, Ner had been acting, which probably added to the perception. Like the time she got angry with the Catwoman in Dems village.

 

“So, how about you?”

 

Baran suddenly inquired.

 

“...?”

 

“Isn’t the vice-captain tied up with them for our sake, too? You, who used to keep women at a distance.”

 

“...”

 

He asked with a playful smile.

 

Every now and then, Baran seemed to be as thoughtful as Adam Hyung.

 

It might be my arrogance to think nobody would know anything.

 

“Head Hunter Unit traveling around is all because you want to get closer with your wives, right?”

 

“Yeah, something like that.”

 

I cut off Baran’s teasing and gave him the answer he wanted.

 

Baran grinned and looked at me.

 

“...So?”

 

He returned to his initial question.

 

I looked at my wives.

 

I answered him sincerely.

 

“...Things are getting better between us.”

 

Baran chuckled.

 

With his laughter, I decided to wrap up the matter.

 

“Anyway, I need another favor.”

 

“Yes, vice-captain.”

 

Before leaving, I asked about the upcoming event.

 

“Did you know that the mercenary meeting will be held soon?”

 

“...Don’t joke about that.”

 

The smile on Baran’s face instantly froze.

 

I clicked my tongue and shrugged.

 

With that, I took my leave.

 

I returned to my wives.

 

****

 

While Berg was momentarily away, doubt crept into Ner’s mind.

 

The ring was nowhere to be found in the house, so she expanded her search range.

 

Ner was looking at the person in front of her.

 

She knew she shouldn’t ask, but her desperation led her to.

 

“...Arwin-nim.”

 

“...Hmm?”

 

Arwin, who had been watching Berg’s retreating figure, turned her head.

 

Holding onto hope, Ner inquired.

 

“...Have you seen my ring by any chance?”

 

Arwin stared at Ner for a moment before responding as if it were obvious.

 

“...I didn’t see it. I was in my room until Berg returned.”

 

“...”

 

Ner knew in her head that this was true.

 

However, unless the ring grew legs and walked off, it couldn’t just disappear in an instant.

 

Only she and Arwin were in the house.

 

How could she not harbor the slightest suspicion?

 

“...Isn’t this a good thing, though?”

 

“...Pardon?”

 

The two whispered, sharing a secret conversation.

 

“You were uncomfortable. Sharing something with someone you didn’t even like.”

 

“...”

 

Ner couldn’t find words to respond to Arwin’s statement.

 

She knew herself that she was right.

 

She used to be like that, and it showed quite evidently.

 

...But before she realized it, Ner was gently biting her lip.

 

There seemed to be no malice in Arwin’s words, and she couldn’t retort.

 

Ner’s eyes drifted to Arwin’s ring.

 

Arwin was connected to Berg through the ring.

 

She herself couldn’t make such a connection.

 

As she found herself unable to tear her gaze away, Arwin added,

 

“...Given the situation, you should leave the ring off.”

 

“What?”

 

“Feel guilty towards Berg? But there’s no need to force yourself to do something you don’t want to. Seize the opportunity when it comes.”

 

For a long while, Ner pondered her response.

 

Finally, she spoke.

 

“...I think I should find it first and then decide. I need the ring now.”

 

“...”

 

Arwin did not respond to her words.

 

Ner stared at the silent Arwin for a long time.

 

“...Berg is coming,”

 

She remarked.

 

Ner turned her gaze to the approaching Berg.

 

Each time she saw him, the determination to find the ring only grew stronger.

 

****

 

After the meal, everyone returned home together.

 

Ner spent a considerable amount of time searching the house.

 

Although Berg told her not to, Ner didn’t heed his words.

 

Her heart kept aching at the emptiness on her left ring finger.

 

Whether it was guilt towards Berg, remorse, or something else, she still couldn’t discern.

 

She didn’t even go for her usual night walk.

 

Instead, she foolishly scoured places where the ring obviously wouldn’t be.

 

As the ring continued to elude her, her frustration grew.

 

“...Where did it go... seriously...”

 

As she knelt on the bathroom floor, sweeping it, a soft voice echoed from the living room.

 

It was Arwin and Berg.

 

If she focused, Ner’s keen ears could pick up their hushed conversation.

 

‘...Berg.’

 

‘Yeah?’

 

‘...It seems Ner intends to keep searching like this.’

 

‘...Seems so.’

 

‘...Perhaps we need to ease her burden?’

 

‘Burden?’

 

‘You’re still wearing the ring from Ner. That might be why she’s so desperate to find it.’

 

‘...You’re suggesting I take mine off first?’

 

‘...It might give her some peace.’

 

“....Mm....”

 

Without realizing, Ner’s hand clenched into a fist, trembling.

 

She understood the notion of consideration, but why couldn’t she shake off the feeling that Arwin was meddling unnecessarily?

 

Her heart raced rapidly.

 

With an even sharper mood, she scanned the bathroom floor, a sight she had seen countless times.

 

“Ner.”

 

Suddenly, behind her, Berg appeared.

 

Ner turned to look at him.

 

With a somber expression, he tilted his head and spoke.

 

“Let’s stop for now and go to sleep. I’ll see what I can do.”

 

Ner’s eyes quickly darted to Berg’s left hand.

 

He still wore the ring symbolizing their bond.

 

“...Go sleep first, Berg. I...”

 

“-Let’s stop.”

 

Berg squatted down, placing a hand on Ner’s shoulder.

 

“...You seem really shaken up. Like I said, we can find it. Rest easy tonight, and we’ll think about it tomorrow.”

 

Gently, his hand slid down her arm, supporting her at the elbow.

 

Helping her up, Berg led Ner out of the bathroom.

 

With his guidance, she shuffled along.

 

Heading towards the master bedroom... they passed it.

 

Berg stopped in front of her room.

 

“...Go in and rest, Ner.”

 

From behind Berg, Ner saw Arwin entering the master bedroom.

 

She felt that lingering feeling again.

 

Ever since she lost the ring, her mood had hit rock bottom.

 

-Swish.

 

Berg gently stroked Ner’s head and turned to leave.

 

For a split second, Ner tried to grab his retreating hand.

 

But she couldn’t catch him, and Berg entered the master bedroom.

 

“....”

 

-Thunk.

 

As he closed the door and entered the room, Ner felt enveloped in emptiness.

 

What were they doing in that room?

 

...No, while Arwin might push Berg away... what if he valued Arwin more, still bearing his ring?

 

Even if he hadn’t said so, perhaps he was disappointed in her for losing the ring.

 

Considering she had often taken off the ring and complained about its discomfort several times, might he think she had intentionally thrown it away?

 

Could he be thinking that?

 

“...No.”

 

She murmured.

 

For a fleeting moment, her determined yellow eyes glowed in the darkness.

 

She sat still on the room’s bed, killing time.

 

.

.

.

 

As she sat, a bright moon rose high in the sky.

 

Ner would always talk to the moon whenever it appeared, but not tonight.

 

She merely opened the window and waited for the breeze to turn cold.

 

“...”

 

Without realizing, Ner noticed a bluebird perched nearby.

 

It was an odd bird, watching her with pitch-black eyes even at this late hour.

 

An oppressive scent, fueled by her somber mood, emanated from her.

 

After a moment, with a chirp, the bird flew away.

 

Ner sighed, slowly rising from her seat.

 

It seemed to be time.

 

She had searched everywhere all day... but there was one place she hadn’t checked.

 

Had it been possible, she would’ve started there.

 

“...”

 

Before she knew it, Ner stood in front of Arwin’s room door.

 

Even this place was a space she and Berg had repaired.

 

With her empty left hand, she pushed open the wooden door, rich with memories of Berg... and looked inside.

 

It was a modest room with not much clutter.

 

Ner entered as if the space was her own room.

 

And then, she cautiously began to search around.

 

She knew there was no reason for Arwin to have stolen the ring.

 

But if she were to question motives and logic, Ner wouldn’t have been rummaging through places like the kitchen or the basement today.

 

After a long search, she finally stopped in front of Arwin’s luggage.

 

She opened it without hesitation.

 

If the ring was in here, what would be next?

 

If she told Berg that Arwin had stolen the ring... would Berg, disappointed in Arwin, only look towards her?

 

“...”

 

Deep into the night, heavier thoughts seemed to fill her head.

 

Ner suppressed her emotions, rummaging through Arwin’s belongings like a puppet.

 

Books, clothes, underwear, a few coins, a bookmark, and...

 

...Berg’s world tree leaf.

 

“...”

 

Ner stared at the world tree leaf for a moment.

 

She sniffed the leaf’s scent while gazing blankly at it.

 

She felt its cold texture with her lips.

 

Soon after, she shook her head and gently placed the leaf back into the box.

 

“...?”

 

Then, she felt something cold and hard.

 

Ner lifted the small bottle that had caught her attention.

 

Inside the transparent bottle... was a clear liquid.

 

“...”

 

She examined the unfamiliar liquid.

 

The viscous fluid dripped down the clear wall of the bottle, much like tears.

 

Like wine in a wine glass.

 

“...What...?”

 

Impure thoughts raced through her mind.

 

Under different circumstances, she might not have thought this way.

 

But when seeing a bottle carefully placed in a box in a hidden corner, what else could she think?

 

What other liquid would need to be hidden like this?

 

No matter how differently she tried to think, she always came to the same conclusion.

 

Suddenly, a few words that Arwin had said a while back came to her mind.

 

She couldn’t forget Arwin, who had coldly uttered words when Berg was risking his life in a fight.

 

‘If Berg dies here, what will happen to me? Am I free then?’

 

‘If I feel sorry for the death of a human I haven’t spoken to yet, that would be hypocrisy.’

 

‘Perhaps, that his death here might be for Ner’s benefit.’

 

Added to that, the words she had said to her,

 

‘…I hope this married life ends early for you too.’

 

“...........”

 

Doubt ignited, clinging like a spark to tinder, only after she saw the bottle.

 

But doubt was just doubt.

 

There was no evidence to conclude that it was poison.

 

Nor could she question it. She couldn’t justify secretly sneaking into Arwin’s room.

 

Still, her suspicion did not wane.

 

Only after seeing the bottle did Arwin’s previous words seem to align.

 

Arwin, who said she couldn’t love Berg.

 

Arwin, who desired freedom.

 

Arwin, who claimed Berg was the last barrier to her freedom.

 

Ner lowered her head and burst out laughing, bitterly.

 

No matter what, it was a preposterous idea.

 

“...”

 

Still, it wasn’t a thought she could entirely dismiss.

 

Perhaps the short-lived species didn’t hold any significance to the elves.

 

A weight of fear seemed to press on her heart.

 

Ner couldn’t discern the right choice to make here.

 

- Pop.

 

Ner cautiously opened the bottle to sniff its contents.

 

“...”

 

It was a liquid with no discernible scent.

 

One thing was clear; it wasn’t cosmetics.

 

At the same time, it didn’t match any known poison to her.

 

It was an unidentified liquid.

 

After much contemplation, Ner ultimately decided to take the bottle with her.

 

No matter what, it felt disconcerting.

 

There seemed to be no harm in putting it away.

 

Having rummaged through the room for a good while, Ner finally left Arwin’s room.

 

She couldn’t find the ring.

 

Instead, she found a bottle containing a strange liquid.

 

“...”

 

Ner stared at the bottle for a long time before heading to the basement.

 

Having searched the house all day, she had found hiding spots.

 

In one such spot, Ner hid the small bottle.

 

Just in case it was poison. Just in case Arwin had sinister intentions.

 

It was her first act of theft in life.

 

Ner hoped this wouldn’t spiral into a bigger problem.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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