Chapter 122: Bad things happen at the same time (1)

Smoke from a cigarette dissipated into the night sky.

‘It’s bitter.’

Joonbum frowned at the taste and began looking at the stars in the sky.

“One… two…”

He counted for a second, then stopped. There were just too many to count. He didn’t really mean to start counting, but there was nothing else to do.

‘Looking at this sky never gets boring.’

He never cared to look at the sky when he was on Earth. Maybe he did, but he did not remember any of that now. At that moment, the sounds of animals echoed throughout the forest. The sounds were terrifying at first, but it now gave him peace. He closed his eyes and began hearing more sounds. The forest was full of different sounds that he was now able to clearly distinguish.

‘War…’

*

-It’s a conscription order. Galia Kingdom invaded my father’s land again. Dammit! I should go now. I will see you again!-

Jasmine and her knights left at the message. Jasmine was not meant to join the war, but her knights were required to. Knights were there for war. These were the strongest soldiers who could deal with tens of common soldiers. When the battle began, a message from Baron Ferric arrived also.

But unlike the message Jasmine received, it was a long letter requesting to take care of Catherine at the village for a longer period of time.

‘I guess she cannot withstand the war.’

She still had nights where she would wake up from her nightmares and she was extremely prone to any intimidation or fear of mongering situations. It was natural for her father to keep her daughter hidden in the forest.

‘It’s a bit boring though.’

Joonbum grinned. He became bored after Jasmine went away.

‘My first friend in this world is a girl…’

He remembered Jasmine charging at him in a boxing match with a bloody nose after he punched her in the face. He grinned at the thought.

“What’s so funny?”

A soft voice was heard from behind. It was Mayze. She was wearing a hooded sweatshirt that Joonbum brought and was holding two cups filled with something warm.

“Hmm.”

It was coffee. Mayze smiled and handed one over to Joonbum and sat down next to him.

“How is it?”

“It’s good. Smells really nice.”

“Yeah? That’s good.”

Joonbum tasted the coffee. It was bitter and sour. The warmth made him calm down. They leaned against each other without much words. Soon, Joonbum put his hands on her shoulders and two began to kiss.

“How long are you going to make me wait?” Mayze whispered as their lips fell apart. Joonbum watched her eyes quietly and kissed her, more violently this time.

“Mmm…”

Mayze moaned quietly. She burrowed herself into Joonbum’s chest.

“I love you…” Mayze whispered. Joonbum began to move more boldly. Mayze hesitated as Joonbum moved his hands, but became more brazen as time passed. Soon, they were unclothed, becoming one under the night sky.

*

It was the middle of fall. Jasmine and the knights left first and the merchants also left at the chance of profit from the war. As they left, they made a huge profit from trading with the Ainos. Bran Town was now back to its regular self. It was still full of people, but there was a sense of calmness throughout the town. The kids from the town took turns to feed Galfus’ cubs.

“They are so cute! Am I doing okay?”

“Yeah, you’re good.”

“Yeah?”

“Hey! There’s poop under you!”

“Ugh! I stepped on it!”

Ettin, the youngest kid, shouted as he pinched his nose and Catherine popped up in surprise.

“Haha! Catherine stepped on the poop! Catherine… OH! RUN!”

“UGH! RUN!”

Catherine began to stamp the feet of the kids who were making fun of her and they began running.

“M-miss…”

“Aina.”

“Yes?”

Aina stopped in the middle of calling out to Catherine as Sunsook called to her. She smiled.

“Aina, let Catherine be. We should enjoy a cup of tea.”

“B-but…”

“You should let her stand on her own. She needs to overcome her fears. Protecting her will not do that. She can learn by playing with the other kids.”

“Okay.”

Aina let out a sigh and began to prepare some tea. Catherine was surely making a change as she spent her time in the town. She used to look down on people and was very stubborn until she was caught by the thieves. Her stubbornness and pride were destroyed at the mercy for life. She was only left with fear, but it began to change once she arrived in town. She was not going back to her old self. Instead, she was now finding the pure innocence that every kid should have.

-People are influenced by those around them.-

It was as Sunsook said some time ago. Catherine was changing.

“AHH!”

“OH! I’m sorry! Did I scare you?”

“I hate you!”

The kids were playing and quarreling with each other and Catherine was with them.

“Hey! Don’t be greedy!”

She was especially fond of taking care of the cubs. There was no more of the spoiled noble kid in her.

‘She has grown.’

It was not long since they arrived here, but Catherine had changed.

“Mom.”

Joonbum walked up to Sunsook.

“Are you leaving today?”

“Yes.”

Joonbum nodded as he sat down and began pouring coffee. Aina looked at them, intrigued.

‘They are really different.’

They were nothing like the nobles she knew. There were nobles who were okay with commoners, but it was because they had no wealth or significant power.

‘These people are different.’

They seemed to be more careless about their status. It made Aina feel more close to them. It was nice to stay with them. She watched Joonbum talk to his mother. He was a tall man with a well-built body. He was also a very powerful knight. All knights who served the baron and marquis often challenged him to a duel to test him out.

“Aina?”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Aina blushed as Sunsook called out to her. Joonbum was already off to his business.

“We will make sujebi today.”

“Su..jay bee?”

“Yeah, it’s a flour mixture, but it’s really good.”

“Oh.”

“You want to learn?”

“Sure. I will learn it if you let me.”

Aina always thought cooking was a skill for lowly commoners, but her visit to this village changed her views entirely. It was surprising to see a countess cooking by herself to say the least. But it was nothing like any sort of cooking she’d seen before. She put effort in every step and it looked like she was really happy to do it. The outcome of her cooking was also exceptional.

‘The cake and ice cream were really good.’

Those were her favorites. They were sweets and had their downsides to them as they were bad for her teeth and they’d make her fat, but Catherine seemed to love it also.

“Aina, help me out here.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Shall we start, then?”

Aina and Sunsook went to the kitchen. At the same time, Joonbum, Doral, and Gazlow gathered in front of Elder Hesgal and Howen.

“Done with preparations?” Howen asked. All three nodded.

There was a backpack full of stuff on their backs. Howen eyed it and nodded. Hesgal spoke up in concern.

“Gazlow, you must move carefully. The Guardians will protect you, but you must always be careful. You must return at once if you find any danger.”

“Yes, elder. We will return if we see any danger.”

Gazlow nodded as he answered. Doral and Joonbum also nodded.