Chapter 88: The Mercenary Meeting (4)

 

My first lesson with Arwin had begun.

 

I sat down in front of a small table in the master bedroom, and Arwin sat next to me.

 

The candle flickered and wavered on the table.

 

A cool breeze and moonlight poured in through the open window.

 

“It’s the perfect weather for learning,”

 

Arwin said before we started.

 

I nodded in agreement.

 

Soon after, Arwin took out a book she had procured from somewhere and placed it in front of me.

 

She then pulled out a small stick, a quill, and an inkwell.

 

While she did that, I flipped through the book Arwin had prepared.

 

“...”

 

Even though I couldn’t recognize the characters, the handwriting inside looked beautiful.

 

“...Did you write this?”

 

Upon my question, Arwin, who had momentarily stiffened, nodded.

 

“I did.”

 

“I see. Thank you.”

 

“...There’s no need to thank me. This is merely a repayment.”

 

It seemed she had personally prepared this book for me.

 

Contrary to what I expected – a brief explanation using a few documents Adam Hyung might have had – it was rather thorough and seemed meticulously prepared.

 

“What’s this?”

 

I asked, pointing at the small stick Arwin had prepared.

 

“...Ah. It’s to point out the places in the book.”

 

“...”

 

For such a purpose, the stick quite resembled a cane.

 

As I steadily looked at Arwin, she belatedly added an explanation.

 

“...It’s also a cane.”

 

I figured as much.

 

“Are you going to hit me?”

 

“...I wasn’t thinking of that, but... this is the only way I learned. A little pain when you make a mistake helps maintain focus.”

 

“...”

 

I was the one who wanted to learn. If this was Arwin’s method, I felt I should follow.

 

One way or another, I wasn’t too bothered by it.

 

However, sensing the mood, Arwin, perhaps feeling embarrassed about the method, soon put the cane away.

 

And then, she proposed an alternative.

 

“...On second thought, even I think the cane might be a bit much.”

 

“You said a little pain was necessary.”

 

“How about a light pinch instead? What do you think?”

 

Considering it, that did seem like a better option.

 

“Let’s go with that, then.”

 

****

 

Learning characters was not easy.

 

Arwin knew this too.

 

It required persistence, focus, and time.

 

There were many confusing characters, and the time each person needed to learn them varied.

 

Berg was no exception.

 

“...P?”

 

As he voiced a question while reading a character, Arwin gave his arm a light pinch.

 

“It’s ‘ge,’ Berg. But it’s understandable to get confused.”

 

Arwin explained the correct answer, gently rubbing the spot on Berg’s arm where she just pinched.

 

For some reason, she felt both sorry and amused.

 

Perhaps it was the peculiar feeling that the touch itself provided.

 

“...”

 

“Don’t just read with your head.”

 

After being pinched, Berg’s silent, rolling eyes seemed rather cute to her.

 

Arwin watched him with a smile.

 

“It’s not that, Arwin. I just don’t understand.”

 

“Then let’s start from the beginning.”

 

She had thought that teaching someone would only be tedious, but it was bringing its own kind of joy to her.

 

With that in mind, she calmly taught Berg.

 

At this quiet moment, which was far more intriguing and fun than any major deviation in the Celebrien territory.

 

“...Si.”

 

“Si, correct.”

 

As the lesson progressed, Berg’s accuracy rate increased.

 

And each time he got an answer right, Arwin felt a peculiar sense of regret.

 

The playful pinching was quite fun, after all.

 

“...”

 

Suddenly, Arwin realized she had been only giving punishments.

 

She should also give rewards too.

 

“Ah.”

 

“Ah, correct.”

 

So this time, Arwin gently stroked Berg’s arm.

 

“...?”

 

“It’s a praise for doing well.”

 

Berg chuckled, not taking much notice.

 

Seeing him laugh, Arwin too wore a smile.

 

It wasn’t as if he was particularly slow in learning.

 

Maybe she hadn’t expected much, after all.

 

A mercenary from the slums.

 

Did she ever think he would follow along this well?

 

Each time she discovered this new side of him, Arwin felt a sense of wonder.

 

And at the same time, curiosity.

 

“Berg.”

 

She called out to Berg, who was focused on the characters and words she taught.

 

“...Hm?”

 

Berg answered without taking his eyes off the book.

 

“Why did you become a mercenary?”

 

“...”

 

“With a mind like yours, it seems you would have excelled at other things too.”

 

At that question, Berg’s movements froze.

 

But for Arwin, it was a question she very much wanted to ask.

 

From her perspective, there wasn’t a job she understood less than being a mercenary.

 

Not that she wanted to ask Berg why he was doing this now.

 

She just wanted to understand.

 

How he ended up as a mercenary.

 

It was not like he was consumed by lust for women. Nor was he excessively greedy for money.

 

He didn’t want to live as freely as an outlaw, nor did he seek honor.

 

In Arwin’s perception, mercenaries were those who risked their lives for fleeting pleasures.

 

Because that was her perception of mercenaries, breaking her prejudice against Berg was difficult.

 

“...Why?”

 

Berg asked in return.

 

“Just curious. Wondered, that’s all.”

 

Soon after, he snorted lightly.

 

“...What other choices does someone from the slums have?”

 

“Just because you’re from the slums, you have no other options?”

 

“It’s not that, but it’s hard. The perception is so negative. In fact, people from the slums do cause a lot of problems.”

 

“...It must have been unfair for you.”

 

Berg shrugged his shoulders.

 

“Not much? I did a lot of thieving when I was young.”

 

“Did you?”

 

“I didn’t want to starve to death.”

 

Berg spoke of his past in a matter-of-fact tone.

 

And Arwin was slightly taken aback by it.

 

She knew the slums were harsh, but hearing a direct example gave it a different sense of reality.

 

Much like reading about the sea in a book was different from seeing it.

 

She was also surprised by the emotions she felt.

 

Rather than being disappointed with the fact that he had stolen, she felt a sharp pain in her heart over his difficult past.

 

Perhaps she felt the same way when she first heard he was from the slums.

 

Instead of a negative perception, only empathy for him welled up.

 

Even though Berg wasn’t reading the letters correctly, Arwin placed her hand on his arm.

 

She didn’t know why she acted this way.

 

But a question flowed naturally from her lips.

 

“...Was it hard for you?”

 

Berg shook his head. He responded firmly.

 

“No.”

 

“...?”

 

“By my side...”

 

Following a brief silence, he spoke.

 

“...I had good friends, you know. Like Flint, whom you met before.”

 

Arwin nodded, then circled back to the topic of how he became a mercenary.

 

“Was Captain Adam one of those friends?”

 

“I met him later, after I had parted ways with those friends. He approached me when I felt helpless, suggesting I become a mercenary. I agreed.”

 

“...”

 

He chuckled again.

 

“I didn’t expect to come this far, though.”

 

Berg closed the book amidst their conversation.

 

“Arwin, shall we call it a day?”

 

“...Do you wish to?”

 

“Yes. Thanks for today. Teach me again next time.”

 

“Of course. Leave it to me.”

 

As Arwin organized the books and various tools, Berg smoothed out the bed and took off his top. He then sat down, waiting for Arwin to climb into bed. Once she settled in, he turned off the light.

 

Regretting the abrupt end to their conversation, Arwin asked another question.

 

“...Do you want to continue being a mercenary?”

 

“...Not sure.”

 

“Aren’t you afraid of risking your life?”

 

“I don’t head out thinking I’m going to die.”

 

“But you often face life-threatening situations, right?”

 

“...Naturally.”

 

Arwin shivered at his response.

 

A chill ran down her spine.

 

“...Let’s sleep now.”

 

Berg spoke and let out a deep sigh.

 

It was a sigh that seemed to wrap up the day.

 

“...Ah.”

 

However, Arwin still had something she wanted to say.

 

A fact she had to mention before falling asleep.

 

“...Berg?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“You have to learn the letters only from me?”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“... I mean, don’t learn from Ner.”

 

Berg chuckled lightly.

 

“Why?”

 

“...I’ve set up a sequence for teaching, and it’d get messed up.”

 

Berg replied as if it wasn’t a big deal.

 

“...Alright, let’s do it that way.”

 

It felt less like Berg understood Arwin’s words and more like he was indulging her.

 

Regardless, Arwin was indifferent.

 

With the intention of not disturbing Berg any further, she closed her eyes.

 

...However, something from their earlier conversation lingered in her mind.

 

‘He approached me when I felt helpless, suggesting I become a mercenary, and I agreed.’

 

When he felt helpless.

 

There was a hint of despair in that sentiment.

 

Had there been a time when even Berg felt that way?

 

In the darkness, Arwin slowly opened her eyes and stared at Berg.

 

It was, to some extent, an unbelievable tale.

 

****

 

By morning, I was awakened by the sound of knocking at the main gate.

 

‘Vice-captain!’

 

Opening my eyes, I saw Arwin soundly asleep beside me.

 

-Knock knock knock.

 

Subsequently, someone knocked on the inner room door.

 

‘Berg? There’s a visitor.’

 

It was Ner.

 

It seemed she had also risen early today.

 

I hoped it wasn’t the ring that caused the early wake-up.

 

I attempted to cautiously get out of the bed.

 

“...”

 

I suddenly realized my hand was entwined with Arwin’s.

 

Had I grabbed it sometime during the night?

 

Whatever the case, I freed my hand and headed outside.

 

I started by opening the door to the room.

 

Ner looked up at me.

 

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled with a sigh.

 

“...Haa.”

 

“...You’re up early.”

 

“...Yeah. But there’s a guest.”

 

Scratching my head, I made my way to the main gate.

 

Ner stuck by my side as we went.

 

Upon opening the door, Baran stood outside.

 

Beside him, there was a young boy, almost on the verge of tears.

 

Seeing the scene, I immediately knew.

 

My suspicions were right.

 

Baran yelled at the boy in frustration.

 

“Stand up straight!”

 

Ner looked at me, puzzled by his outburst, as if asking why he was scolding such a pitiable child in front of our house so early in the morning.

 

“...”

 

I didn’t respond.

 

Instead, I waited for Baran.

 

I recognized the child. His name was Alex... a 7-year-old boy who had become an orphan two years ago.

 

Even knowing that he probably needed a stern word, my heart strangely ached.

 

While his father wasn’t exactly in my Head Hunter unit, if we had done better, maybe Alex wouldn’t have ended up on this path.

 

Upon hearing Baran’s scolding, Alex broke into tears and stepped forward.

 

“Stop those tears!”

 

But Baran’s reprimands continued. He even gave Alex a light smack on the back.

 

Ner grasped my arm upon seeing this.

 

She looked up at me, seemingly pleading for me to intervene.

 

However, before I could respond, Alex spoke up.

 

“...Ner-nim... sob... sniff...”

 

Ner bent down on one knee, gazing at the boy with warmth and compassion.

 

It was rare to see her treating a child so tenderly.

 

“Don’t cry... Yes, I’m listening, tell me.”

 

I knew it wasn’t a simple matter.

 

Would it be common for nobility to treat a ragged child with such caution?

 

After all, even I faced prejudice among commoners for being from the slums.

 

Alex hesitantly pulled something out of his pocket.

 

In his small, fern-like hand lay Ner’s ring.

 

“...”

 

Ner froze in place.

 

Her expression gradually hardened.

 

Alex apologized, “I’m... I’m sorry... I thought it would be fun... sniff... It was just a prank...”

 

“...”

 

Ner didn’t respond to his words.

 

She remained rigid.

 

I understood. She must’ve been in shock.

 

“I, I won’t do it again... I’m so sorry...”

 

I let out a brief sigh.

 

Having stolen numerous times myself, I knew I had no right to chastise anyone. However, in this situation, I had to reprimand him.

 

For the sake of the comrades we had lost, it was the right thing to do.

 

“...Alex, do you know how long we searched for this ring yesterday?”

 

Alex continued to shed tears, trying to wipe them away with the back of his other hand.

 

“You can’t do this again.”

 

Alex nodded in agreement.

 

My part was done.

 

It was now Ner’s turn.

 

“...”

 

However, she remained frozen, still too shocked to utter a word.

 

Baran and I exchanged glances.

 

Amidst the silence, Ner finally murmured.

 

“...It was because of you...?”

 

I looked down at her. “Ner?”

 

She took a deep breath, and the stiff expression on her face softened.

 

“...Your name’s Alex, right?”

 

Alex nodded again.

 

With a small smile, Ner took the ring from Alex’s hand.

 

She slowly slid the ring onto her ring finger, saying, “...This is something precious to me. As Berg said... I was truly saddened thinking I had lost it yesterday.”

 

“I’m sorry...”

 

As Alex continued to shed tears, Ner slowly reached out with both hands.

 

She gently caressed Alex’s face.

 

Using her thumb, she then began to wipe away his tears for him.

 

“Stop crying now.”

 

“...”

 

“Halt those tears.”

 

“...Yes.”

 

“Crying over something like this-”

 

“-Ah!”

 

Suddenly, Alex jerked his head back in surprise.

 

Ner, startled, pulled her hand away.

 

Below Alex’s eyes, the red mark of Ner’s nail scratch was visible.

 

“Sorry, my nails are naturally sharp... I...”

 

Alex repeatedly shook his head.

 

“No, it’s okay...”

 

Ner, who had been glancing back and forth between Alex and me, spoke, trying to hide her perturbation.

 

“...Anyway, I understand what happened. Just tell us how you entered our house, and I’ll forgive this once.”

 

She then added,

 

“...But not a second time, okay?”

 

Alex nodded in agreement.

 

Soon after, Alex began to roughly explain the circumstances.

 

Once his story was over, Baran and I exchanged glances.

 

Simultaneously, we both nodded, as if to signal the conclusion of the matter.

 

I leaned towards Baran and whispered,

 

“...Baran, don’t scold Alex further. Just comfort him and send him on his way.”

 

“Yes, vice-captain. I apologize for the trouble this morning.”

 

“It’s okay. Thanks to you, it’s resolved.”

 

After exchanging greetings with Baran, we closed the door.

 

Ner let out a sigh.

 

Her expression twisted once again.

 

“...I thought I had lost it...”

 

“...”

 

Truthfully, that was a natural reaction.

 

How would one feel knowing that what they searched for all day yesterday was actually stolen?

 

No matter if it was a child, anger was inevitable.

 

She soon turned to face me and said,

 

“...Berg. I didn’t lose it.”

 

It felt like she was finally voicing her worries to me.

 

I responded,

 

“I never suspected you did.”

 

Even though she’d mentioned a few times that the ring felt constricting and uncomfortable, after all the effort she put into searching for it yesterday, how could I doubt?

 

In the midst of this, Arwin, rubbing her eyes, walked into the living room.

 

She looked at Ner.

 

“...Did you find the ring?”

 

“.............”

 

However, Ner didn’t reply, and instead stared intently at Arwin.

 

There seemed to be a hint of sharpness in her eyes.

 

Breaking the awkward silence, Arwin asked again,

 

“...Ner?”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

Ner responded as if she had just woken up from a trance.

 

She carefully covered her left hand with her opposite one.

 

“...I found it again.”

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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