Chapter 32: Human Village (5)

Ner gently rubbed her face against the comfortable and warm pillow.

How long had she been asleep? With a Half-awake mind, Ner felt refreshed.

The breeze blowing was also fragrant, and the sunlight on her face felt warm.

She wanted to continue to fall asleep like this.

Adjusting her position for more comfort, she turned her head to rest her face on the pillow.

“Ner, wake up.”

At that moment, the pillow spoke to her.

The absurdity of the situation made her mind clear up instantly.

As Ner opened her eyes in surprise, she saw Berg’s neck right in front of her.

Without realizing it, she had nestled close to his body, and she had entrusted her whole body to him.

The moment Ner was startled and tried to pull her body away, Berg firmly held onto her waist.

“Ah...! I-I’m going to fall-”

Simultaneously, her face grew warm, and her heart pounded.

However, Berg calmly explained, “-You won’t fall. Relax.”

Only then did Ner turn her eyes around to confirm her surroundings.

Her perception was still hazy and slow.

She realized they were now riding on a horse, with her legs on the right side and leaning against Berg.

Though it was stable now, she knew she might have fallen if Berg hadn’t supported her.

“…”

- Swish.

Soon, Berg gently released his grip on Ner’s waist.

Ner blinked, trying to process the awkward sensation of someone touching her waist.

“Thank you.”

She felt embarrassed but expressed her gratitude to him.

Unsure how long she had slept leaning on him, she had suppressed her urge to breathe, feeling like she wanted to disappear into a rat hole.

She wondered if she had drooled and stole a quick glance at her mouth

However, Berg seemed unfazed and simply kept on talking, paying no attention to anything else. As if it were the most natural thing.

Seeing him so composed, Ner felt foolish for being so embarrassed. She followed his lead, trying to calm her emotions while taking in her surroundings.

The scenery was vastly different from what she remembered, it was no longer the familiar forest of her hometown.

Instead of that, it was a vast plain that stretches endlessly.

The setting sun was sinking.

“...Wow...”

Unbeknownst to herself, she let out an exclamation of admiration.

As the sunset descended, dyeing the plain in golden hues, it was impossible not to feel its beauty.

Every time the wind blew, the grasses swayed as if greeting them, creating ripples in the landscape.

Ner had never seen such a landscape before.

In the first place, she had never left her hometown this far.

Only now did she begin to feel the realization that she had left her hometown.

Amidst the awe-inspiring scenery, her heart was strangely becoming melancholic.

And in the meantime, Berg spoke.

“We’re almost there. Just hold on a little longer.”

“...Yes.”

“How is your muscle pain?”

“As long as I’m like this, I can endure.”

Berg continuously showed concern for her body.

Every time he asked about her well-being, her heart warmed.

Knowing that someone cared for her well-being gave her a sense of security.

Soon, smoke rising from afar came into her view.

Berg pointed at the smoke and said.

“We’re here. See that?”

Ner followed his gesture and looked below to see a small village. Compared to Blackwood Territory, it seemed quite humble.

Looking at the village, Ner nodded.

“Yes, I can see it.”

Seeing that modest village, an inexplicable sense of worry arose within her.

****

“We’re back!”

I entered the village after a long time.

Stockpin; It was the hometown of the Red Flames.

The whole village came out to welcome us.

As the subjugation had been massive, the entire village was filled with joy.

Adam Hyung and I were at the forefront, leading the way.

Many of Stockpin’s residents looked at Ner, who was sitting beside me, with interest.

“So, the vice-captain got married, huh?”

“She’s pretty.”

“You’re saying everyone fought to bring her here?”

“You fool! It was for the future...!”

Ner shrank her body amid the cheers echoing around us.

Lowering her gaze, she looked at her chest.

“…Now, straighten your back.”

At the same time, I lightly pressed her waist.

Ner flinched and looked at me in surprise.

I also looked at her and asked her to act as we planned.

We had to show a good relationship with each other. If that wasn’t possible, she should at least avoid showing a sad expression.

“…”

Eventually, Ner, as if making a pledge, tightly closed her lips and straightened her back.

Raising her head, she met the gaze of the villagers facing her.

She introduces herself with more dignity, more like an aristocrat.

By doing so, the glances of the people also changed.

Their eyes were filled with admiration as they looked at her like a noble lady.

The cheers grew louder, and there were more voices blessing us.

“Vice-captain! Congratulations!”

“You must be happy!”

“At least have three children!”

Amidst the jubilant atmosphere, Ner swallowed a gulp of saliva and looked at me.

Her face seemed to be getting redder.

She blinked as if breaking away from a serious expression, then took a deep breath and resumed her performance.

****

As soon as we arrived, Hyung announced the casualties and offered sincere condolences to their families.

After discussing the schedule for the funeral, we dispersed.

The untold stories for the villagers would be conveyed by our members to their respective families.

More importantly, we prepared a feast so that sorrow would not descend upon the village.

We were tired of eating dried meat and hard bread to fill our stomachs after the arduous subjugation.

Like other mercenary groups, our members needed a window to relieve the mental burden accumulated during this time.

As I heard, prostitutes from the neighboring village were also coming over.

Members would probably relieve their s*xual desires with the money they earned.

While preparing for the feast, Ner and I headed to my house.

“…”

Ner continued to look up at me, as if she was uneasy about entering a house without any servants, just the two of us.

“...How far are we going?”

She asked.

It was a natural question considering my house was located in a remote corner of the village.

In this small village, I was living in a house with no neighbors around.

“Over there.”

I pointed to the emerging house and tried to ease Ner’s uneasiness.

Like Adam Hyung’s house, my house was spacious enough for commoners to live in, but... for a mercenary group’s vice-captain, it was a small house.

It was a two-story house with six rooms.

Ner looked at the house she would be living in from now on and let out a shallow, long breath.

It seemed like she was making a firm determination in her heart.

Indeed, living in such a magnificent place, she needed to be mentally prepared to enter a place like this.

.

.

.

.

- Creak...

Like the scream of a ghost, the creaking wooden door opened with a screech.

The vacant house greeted me after a long time.

The lightly scattered dust rose.

“...Come in.”

I brought Ner into the house.

“…”

Ner slowly set down her belongings while looking around the house.

Then, she stood there for a while, gazing at the interior, frozen and silent.

I could understand her reaction.

Just from looking at it, Ner didn’t seem to fit in with the atmosphere of this house.

She had an undeniable noble aura about her, and while my house might be slightly bigger than others... it was still an ordinary commoner’s house.

Did she ever imagine as noble being brought into a place like this?

“...What’s with all these bottles?”

However, Ner pointed out something different from what I expected.

“…”

I looked around the inside of the house.

I hadn’t cared much when I lived alone.

But now that she mentioned it, there were indeed many rolling bottles of liquor.

“...Do you drink this much?”

“It’s not like that... it piled up like this over the time.”

She didn’t just stop there.

“Why is it so dusty here?”

“Why bother cleaning it.”

“Why are there so many spider webs on the ceiling?”

“…That’s right.”

“The floor is broken. Why didn’t you fix it?”

“Well... you can just avoid stepping on it, can’t you?”

I found myself making excuses while catching her eye.

If I knew it would be like this, I should have cleaned up and gone on an subjugation.

But I couldn’t find the right words to say.

“…”

In the end, all I could do was scratch my nose and look at Ner.

If I introduce the house she would live with in this way, I think it would only create a sense of rejection.

However, Ner stared back at me and burst out laughing.

I didn’t understand why she was laughing, so I just stood still.

She spoke.

“...I feel like I’m seeing a totally different side of you for the first time. You seemed like you knew how to handle everything.”

Unexpectedly, she didn’t show any displeasure.

Seizing the opportunity, I said.

“I’ll fix and clean everything tomorrow.”

Ner replied.

“…Let me help you.”

I was surprised by her unexpected answer.

As an aristocratic young lady, I thought she wouldn’t want to do things like this.

Ner turned her head and said softly, as if murmuring.

“We’re friends, after all.”

“…”

Upon hearing that, a slow smile formed on my face.

I felt closer to her during our journey back home.

Saving Shawn, the embrace we shared back then, sleeping together in a narrow bed, and riding together on the same horse, to the point where she leaned on me and fell asleep.

I truly felt that we were getting closer step by step.

That alone was enough for me.

Just a few days ago, she rejected me and was afraid of me.

Perhaps she had already thought it would turn out like this.

I said to her, “Let’s wash up and go to the square. The feast will be enjoyable.”

****

After washing up, we changed into comfortable clothes.

We put down our belongings and organized the instruments.

Ner had safely stored her medical equipment in our bedroom.

Although there were many rooms in the house, ultimately, we only needed one.

Using multiple rooms unnecessarily would only attract the attention of the villagers, and rumors would quickly spread.

Honestly, there was a bit of coercion on my part as well.

To become closer in heart, we needed to be close in proximity.

If I had used separate rooms to be considerate of Ner, it wouldn’t have been difficult to imagine spending our lives in an awkward and distant manner.

Fortunately, Ner seemed to have anticipated sharing a room and didn’t show any particular complaints.

Maybe she was relieved to see that nothing happened even though she slept close to me the night before.

Soon we headed to the town square.

The noisy sounds were already resounding.

I couldn’t hear cries of mourning. At least on this day, it was a day to enjoy.

It was also part of the mourning process.

Laughing, playing, and eating until we were full would make it easier for us to let go of our departed comrades.

Adam Hyung and I had learned this from our previous mercenary group.

In the town square, a large bonfire was burning.

As we appeared, the crowd erupted into cheers.

Ner stuck closely behind me, and I could tell she was nervous from her tail curling up.

It was natural.

She was a stranger in this place.

If even I would feel nervous entering a village full of werewolves, then it was only natural for her to be tense.

I raised my hand in response to everyone’s cheers and led Ner.

I searched for a place to sit.

From afar, Shawn waved at us.

“Shawn...!”

Seeing Shawn looking well, I approached him.

He slowly stood up and bowed to Ner with his waist bent.

“Thank you, Ner-nim.”

Ner looked at Shawn, surprised by his gratitude.

“Thanks to you, I’m alive. I won’t forget this favor.”

Ner looked up at me, gently holding onto my sleeve.

Then she replied in a raised voice.

“...Yes.”

We eventually sat next to Shawn.

The atmosphere of the feast was getting livelier.

Some skilled members played instruments, and some started singing along with the music.

Baran brought some drinks for the members, and Theodore appeared with roasted meat.

Ner’s eyes were fixed on the meat.

Her tail was also cautiously swaying.

I could tell she wanted to eat it.

Looking at that, I said to her.

“I’ll bring it. Wait here.”

“Ah. Thank... Thank you.”

****

Ner was amazed by the feast, it was her first time attending such an event.

Her only similar experience was attending a noble ball.

But this feast before her was quite different.

It was more primitive, yet the people seemed happier.

They were bursting with laughter, and everyone showed their true selves.

This unpretentious celebration somehow appealed to her more.

From afar, Berg was surrounded by members, laughing and enjoying the celebration due to his marriage.

Even without getting close, it was apparent that he was receiving jokes from the others.

Seeing Berg in such a state, Ner smiled and eagerly waited for his return.

At the same time, she noticed a strange sight in the village.

Some women were looking at her with displeasure.

Feeling the animosity, Ner cautiously asked Shawn next to her.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Why... does it seem like those people don’t like me? Do the werewolves are hated by humans?”

Shawn looked around as Ner questioned him.

And just as Ner described, he burst into laughter while looking at the people giving her strange looks.

Watching Shawn laugh for a while, Ner was puzzled.

Finally, after calming his laughter, Shawn spoke.

“Those people?”

“Yes.”

“…They are all people who liked the vice-captain.”

“......Really?”

Ner blinked at his surprising words.

The women giving her looks of animosity were not just one or two.

“All of them? Aren’t there too many? Rather hating werewolves is-”

“No, all of them. Ner-nim, the vice-captain is extremely popular.”

Ner fell silent as Shawn spoke.

“The werewolf’s standard of beauty may be different, but from the human perspective, the vice-captain is handsome, wealthy, fit, and although gruff, he is kind and gentle. It’s strange if you don’t fall for him after just hearing him speak.”

Ner looked at her husband, Berg.

She realized that she had married someone like that.

Shawn giggled next to her and announced one more fact.

“By the way, among those people, no one has dared to make a move on the vice-captain.”

“....Really?”

“Ner-nim is the first one. It’s the first time I have seen a woman touch the vice-captain. Today, when you were lying on the hoarse and leaning on the vice-captain’s chest, I thought it was a dream.”

Ner felt her temperature rising.

For some reason, she felt hot. When she turned her eyes to Berg, he was coming towards them with a plate in one hand and a drink in the other.

In the meantime, a woman approached him. She had heavy makeup and revealing clothes, giving off an air of promiscuity.

With a raised voice, Shawn said to Ner.

“Look, she’s going over there. Uh-oh...”

Ner felt tense for some reason.

Soon, the woman stood in front of Berg.

Since the distance was close, her voice could be heard.

“Brother, you look handsome today. How about being with me...”

The woman naturally tried to touch Berg’s chest.

Upon that, Berg’s expression turned colder than ever as he said.

“Don’t touch me.”

The woman shut her mouth like a bee stung.

Berg passed by her.

Shawn burst into laughter next to Ner.

However, Ner’s heart sank as she looked at Berg’s cold expression.

She realized that he was someone who could have such a chilly expression.

She had a feeling that she knew why people said he hated women.

But as Berg approached Ner, his expression softened.

By the time he was right in front of her, he even had a smile on his face.

“Here.”

He handed Ner a plate with meat on it.

Ner accepted the plate and felt a warm emotion for some reason.

The fact that he treated her like this again made her feel special.

“Thank you.”

Ner said.

Berg nodded his head.

Shawn teased from the side.

“He’s only warm to his woman.”

“…”

Afterward, Ner mustered up the courage.

He asked her to act as a friendly couple.

He might even dislike her touching him.

He might be holding back his emotions for the sake of other members.

...Of course, on the other hand, her acting didn’t seem very convincing so far.

Regardless, now that she knew the significance of this feast as a mourning event, she understood that she needed to continue the act more than ever.

Ner cautiously picked up a piece of meat and handed it to Berg.

Berg smiled and tried to take the meat with his hand.

But Ner closed her eyes tightly and pushed the meat towards his mouth.

Berg’s approaching hand stopped.

Soon after, he smiled and took the meat she handed to his mouth and ate it.

Afterward, Ner quickly withdrew her hand.

“Thank you.” Berg said.

His words carried a complex meaning of gratitude.

Ner nodded her head with a smile.

– – – End of Chapter – – –

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