After the funeral, I returned ho.
- Creak.
As I open the familiar door, a voice reached my ears.
Youve... co?
...
I was montarily surprised by Ners voice.
Although I knew she would be at ho, the fact that soone was there to welco felt warr than I had imagined.
The lancholy I felt while seeing off the mbers lted away, replaced by a feeling of comfort.
Perhaps it was the specialness of our relationship as a married couple.
Though she wasnt entirely on my side yet, it felt like she was becoming an essential part of .
Of course, Adam Hyung was there too. However, there were definitely things I couldnt talk to him about.
Since Hyung was the captain, I had to hide the pain in order to lighten his burden.
Though I wasnt sure if I could share those painful stories with Ner, I feel hopeful that soday we would be able to share them.
But even if we never talk about them, it was alright. Just having one more person on my side made content.
With a cloth covering her mouth, Ner opened the windows of the house and swept away the dust with a broom.
The rolling bottles also disappeared.
It seed she had been diligently cleaning while I was away.
Yeah, Im back.
I gave a belated response.
Ners eyes briefly ford a crescent shape, and she continued cleaning.
I took a look around my ho after a long ti. There were many things that beca visible only after Ner pointed them out. It was definitely a ss, with more than one or two things needing fixing.
I decided to put my effort into repairing while Ner cleaned and organized.
Ner, wait for . Ill go get so tools and materials.
Yes, and you dont need to tell everything, its okay.
Alright, Ill be back.
.
.
.
-Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
After that, our house went through a renovation process for a while.
The broken furniture was thrown out without hesitation.
The cracked floor was repaired.
Decaying wood was torn out and replaced with new pieces.
At the sa ti, Ner cleaned up various trash.
She brushed away the accumulated dust, wiping away the dirt with a wet cloth.
She also caught and cleared out the bugs that were wandering around the house.
Our space was gradually finding a new light.
As I got absorbed in renovating the house, hunger began to kick in
I wiped off the sweat and set aside the wooden hamr I was holding.
Looking around, the overall work seed to be nearing completion.
Perhaps it was ti to take a short break and have lunch.
Just as I was about to call for Ner, a voice reached my ears.
Huh!! Ahhhh! Berg!!
A voice called with a scream.
I imdiately jumped up and headed toward Ner.
What happened!
I asked as I hurried down to the basent where she was.
There, Ner was jumping around, trying to escape from sothing.
No, no...! Dont co here!! Berg, help !! Ahhhh!!
A huge rat with a worm-like tail was wandering around the basent with Ner, and she was desperately trying to get it to leave the house.
I hurriedly went down the basent stairs and approached Ner.
In her panic, as soon as I got close, she rushed toward and clung to .
Ahhhh! Kyaa!!
I supported her body with both hands as she hugged my neck and continued to scream.
That huge rat was charging toward Ner.
I kicked the running rat in the sa position.
-Thud!
-Squeak!
The rat that was hit by my foot flew and hit the wall, imdiately stopping its movent.
I dont like it! Berg! Ahh!
Its over! Its over, Ner. Calm down. Its over.
I said to Ner, who was still unable to regain her senses.
Haa... Haa... What?
The strength that had entered Ners arms loosened, and she turned her head cautiously.
At that mont, she looked just like a genuine noble lady.
I had forgotten about it for a while because she had been working harder than any maid, cleaning throughout the day.
Goosebumps appeared on Ners body when she saw that dead mouse. Her tail fur stood on end and then settled down. She quickly averted her eyes and let out a long sigh.
...
...
Then, our eyes t.
-Tap!
Ner instantly pushed away and stepped back from .
Her lost pupils wandered here and there.
When the situation cald down, I rembered how frightened she looked, and laughter burst out of .
....Hahaha...
...
Chuckling, I shook my shoulders. Ner frowned, seeming even more annoyed as if my laughter was mocking.
...Stop laughing.
She said.
But I couldnt stop the laughter that had erupted. I kept laughing for a while.
Ner, who seed to be getting fed up, tried to pass and go upstairs.
I held her wrist to prevent her from leaving.
...
The mont I held her, her movent stopped.
I composed myself, wiped away my tears, and said, Lets go eat. Arent you hungry?
...
Ner nodded her head. I already knew she wasnt really angry. She was just embarrassed and pretending to be mad.
Since she willingly hugged , the embarrassnt would have doubled.
We can cook for ourselves, but there are restaurants in the village, so lets go there. At the sa ti, Ill show you around the village.
Ner looked at again and nodded her head.
I let go of her wrist and picked up the dead rat.
I could hear her taking a deep breath.
To make sure she didnt get scared, I kept so distance from her, holding the rat, and left the basent.
After throwing the rats carcass outside the house, I washed my hands with the water I had brought.
Only then did Ner, who had widened her distance, approach slowly.
-Tap.
...?
She lightly touched my back.
She said, Thank you.
I smiled again and nodded my head.
****
We strolled around the village.
The mbers who saw our faces greeted us one by one.
Nevertheless, everyone seed to sense the change in atmosphere, so there were no mischievous jokes or awkward banter.
As a result, Ner followed more comfortably.
Theres the stable over there, I pointed to a large wooden building and said.
Ner listened to my words carefully.
Thats the orphanage. If fallen mbers had children, we take care of them.
Ah...
Thats the restaurant, and if you follow this road, youll find the warehouse.
A warehouse?
The food warehouse.
...
Ner froze for a mont.
I turned to face her.
Is sothing wrong?
Oh, no its nothing.
Then, she quickly followed .
Weve looked around enough. Shall we go eat?
Whats that over there?
Ner pointed to the tallest building in our village.
I remained silent for a mont before answering quietly.
...Its a place where they worship the gods. The werewolves... dont believe in the Five Gods, right?
It was a fact I learned when I was part of the previous rcenary group.
Unlike other races, the werewolves didnt believe in the Five Gods.
Ner replied, Yes. We have our own native gods. The power of witchcraft is also received from them
As soone who wasnt particularly fond of gods, I didnt really feel like introducing her to that place.
I thought there would be no point in introducing her to a god she didnt believe in.
Co on. Lets go.
I turned back toward the restaurant.
Can you show that place just once?
But Ner made a request to .
...
Surprised by her unexpected request, I kept my mouth shut.
I thought for a mont.
I didnt feel like it, but it wasnt really a difficult request.
Nodding my head, I changed my direction.
Upon entering that tall building, Ner raised her voice as if she found it fascinating.
Inside the building, four different symbols were embroidered on a piece of cloth hanging from the ceiling.
Ner said, The hero party was chosen by these gods, right?
I nodded my head. Seven years ago, four pillars of light had descended from the sky, passing by my head.
...Thats right. Im not sure if its a believable story.
Ners eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Actually, I was quite interested in this, but I never had a chance to ask anyone. Since we only believe in our native gods... it was hard to bring up such stories. I had no close friends either.
...
After wandering inside for a while, Ner spoke.
Could you tell about the Five Gods...?
It was a cautious request.
I took a deep breath inwardly, steadying my mind.
Then I began explaining.
...The round symbol on the far left is Nikal, the God of Harmony.
Who is the chosen one?
I recalled the information I had buried in my mory, one by one.
I heard it was an elf. I cant rember the na. Anyway, that person is said to be very skilled in magic.
...Magic... I want to see it once.
Ner said with a curious glimr in her eyes.
Theres not much to see. It plays a supportive role in battles.
Have you seen magic before?
A couple of tis.
Ners tail started to wag gently. Though it was an awkward topic, I was relieved that it made her happy.
Whats next?
Ner pointed to the symbol next to Nikal.
A symbol depicting a sword, shield, and spear.
Its Dian, the God of War. The god our rcenary group believes in the most.
Ah. I think Ive seen a few people with tattoos of that symbol on their bodies.
Its quite common.
Do you believe in Dian too?
I dont believe in gods.
Ner glanced at for a mont, then turned her head.
I see. So who was chosen by Dian?
I heard it was a centaur. I cant rember the na.
Ner gazed at Dians symbol for a long ti.
Just like the male werewolf mbers revered battles, Ner might also be showing respect for it.
Whats the symbol next to that one, Berg?
Its Mand, the God of Courage. The dragonian was chosen, the one people call a Hero.
Ners eyes widened.
Oh! I think Ive heard of that. So the chosen one was selected by that god. Do you know the na of the Hero?
I dont know. Baran probably does. If youre curious, you can ask him.
Since the title of Hero was more widely known, I didnt know the na.
Ner nodded and looked ahead.
She pointed to the last of the four symbols hanging.
What about that one?
A symbol resembling a flower.
I was silent. The mouth did not open easily.
I also looked at that symbol for a long ti, just like Ner.
...Berg?
Only after Ner called did I break the long silence.
...Its the God of Purity, Hea.
Ner waited for my continued explanation.
...
But this ti, too, I couldnt open my mouth properly.
I took a deep breath and said, ...Shall we go back?
What? Berg, I was just getting interested...
Ner looked noticeably disappointed. Eventually, my gaze returned to the symbol.
A few years ago, it was a symbol that appeared countless tis in my nightmares.
...Tell who the chosen one is.
At Ners urging, I forced myself to open my mouth and spit out the words.
...The chosen one is a human. The na is...
...
...Sien.
A bitter aftertaste lingered in the na.
...Huh? You know the na this ti?
After struggling for a while, I replied.
Because we are the sa race.
Ner looked back at the symbols with interest.
Then she expressed her confusion.
Berg, but there are five gods, right?
...Yes.
But why are there only four symbols?
The last god doesnt have a symbol. They are not well served by others.
Who is it?
The God of Solitude, Lynn.
God of Solitude?
A god for those who dont believe in the five gods. They say Lynn looks after those who dont believe in gods... Its essentially a policy of persuasion. If you say you dont believe in the five gods, theyll tell you that Lynn will look after you and nag you about it.
...I see.
You might hear about it more often too. Since you believe in the native gods, not the five gods.
Is there also Lynn worshipper among the hero party?
I heard of a lizardman who worships Lynn. I dont know the na.
Ner nodded her head.
She took a deep breath and looked at .
Now lets go back, Berg. Im getting hungry. Its better to eat and tidy up the house quickly.
Sure, lets do that.
I accepted her suggestion.
Ner moved her feet first and left the place.
I followed Ner slowly and looked back.
The symbol of Hea, the God of Purity, caught my eye.
...
...Eventually, I turned my body around again.
End of Chapter
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