Chapter 47: Stay Healthy
Robin couldn’t take his eyes off the scene unfolding before him.
Calimacos’s sword charged straight toward Brandok’s helt.
What was astonishing was that Brandok avoided every strike.
After several more attacks, Calimacos finally stopped.
“Were you hiding your skill?”
“I wouldn’t say I was hiding it. I just had no reason to show it.”
“But you must know this. I’m not using my full strength either. What do you think will happen if I draw one more sword right here?”
“I’ll die.”
Brandok admitted it without hesitation.
Though he spoke of his own death, his calm deanor made Calimacos’s temper flare.
“So you’re saying you don’t care if you die?”
“Of course not. I don’t want to die. But I also don’t want to go against you, Captain. I’ve been thinking of a way to persuade you, and I just found my answer.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“First, I should apologize in advance, Robin.”
Robin’s eyes widened in shock as his na ca from Brandok’s mouth.
‘Did he notice I was here?’
Just like a guilty conscience pricking at itself, Robin felt a pang of guilt.
Before he could reveal himself, Brandok continued speaking.
“The sword you’re holding right now, Captain—it’s the one you received from the owner of the Stonegoth General Store, isn’t it?”
“How do you know that?”
“Because the reason you were asked to escort Robin was at that shopkeeper’s request. In return, you received silver and the sword. Aren’t you curious why the shopkeeper asked such a favor of you?”
‘Boss Burt asked him to protect ? Why would he do that?’
Robin felt confused by Brandok’s words.
He had thought the reason he was being escorted to Regiville was because of Baron Tefir.
“So you’re saying I was assigned to guard Robin because of your influence?”
“Do I really look like a mber of the Demon Tribe to you?”
It was a question filled with aning despite its brevity.
The layered nuance in those few words made Calimacos lower his sword.
“Brandok, do you think you can prove that you’re not one of the Demon Tribe?”
“It might sound like a weak excuse, but there’s one thing that’s certain.”
“What’s that?”
“Altruism.”
“You don’t feel any sha saying that about yourself?”
“It’s true, after all.”
“You’re secretive, but it’s true that you don’t do evil things.”
Calimacos sheathed his sword, then removed the weapon hanging from his waist and set it on the ground.
Paang!
It happened in an instant.
Calimacos darted forward like an arrow and grabbed Brandok by the collar.
Brandok caught Calimacos’s arm with both hands, but it wasn’t enough to break free.
The helt lifted slightly.
Robin couldn’t see the face beneath it.
“You’d have felt better if I’d done this from the start, huh?”
“……”
“I’ll believe what you said, Brandok. And don’t worry. I won’t go around blabbing.”
When Calimacos released him, Brandok adjusted his helt back into place.
Robin couldn’t follow the flow of their conversation at all.
‘Boss Burt asked Brandok to speak to the Captain and have him guard . In return, the Captain got a sword and silver. But Brandok isn’t actually part of the Demon Tribe?’
So many unexpected revelations poured in that he needed ti to think.
“But still, I can sll the Demon Tribe on you. What the hell are you?”
“That’s just your imagination, Captain. There’s no such thing as a ‘Demon Tribe scent’ in this world.”
“I’m not talking about sll. I can see it. I can feel the demonic energy leaking out of your body.”
“That’s remarkable.”
Brandok replied calmly and said nothing more.
Calimacos, apparently not intending to pry further, turned his back.
Step, step.
The sound of his approaching footsteps grew near.
Robin tried to slip away quickly, but soone grabbed the back of his head.
“Kid, you heard it all, didn’t you? Well, that’s that. Sorry to that shopkeeper, but looks like we got caught.”
“You knew I was here from the start?”
“Of course. You couldn’t stop staring at this sword back at the inn.”
“Then you weren’t trying to hide your conversation just now, were you?”
“Oh, sharp one.”
Calimacos feigned exaggerated surprise and raised the dark-hued sword.
Robin hadn’t noticed before because of the plain black scabbard.
Up close, it was unmistakably Burt’s sword.
“What exactly is Brandok? And what does it an that Boss Burt told him to escort
to Regiville? And what was that about deciphering so unknown writing…?”
“Enough. You’re curious, I know. You want to know the truth. There’s a simple way—defeat . Prove yourself through strength. Then I’ll tell you.”
“How could I possibly beat you right now?”
“If you can’t beat , what about Brandok?”
Robin glanced at the man in the helt.
He always spoke righteously, yet it was impossible to read his thoughts.
‘After seeing him dodge the Captain’s attacks, I definitely can’t take him on.’
“With so many secrets like this, can the rcenary band even function properly?”
“Don’t worry. As long as you stay quiet, it’ll be fine.”
“I wouldn’t talk even if I wanted to. I barely understand any of it.”
“Good. Then nothing will happen.”
Brandok approached and spoke.
“It’s fine if you don’t understand right now. One day, you’ll face it yourself, Robin.”
“Face what? Your face, Brandok?”
“Well, that could happen too, I suppose.”
Leaving those cryptic words behind, Brandok went into the inn.
Calimacos gave Robin a light push on the back, urging him to sit down.
‘I didn’t even get to go to the toilet.’
As Robin tried to piece together the bewildering situation, he took a sip of milk.
Morning ca.
In the end, all that listening to Calimacos and Brandok’s conversation left behind was an unpleasant feeling.
The rcenaries, whom Robin expected to be suffering from hangovers, looked perfectly fine.
For people heading into battle, they all seed far too relaxed.
Seeing them off at the northern gate of Regiville, Robin felt strangely empty.
He had said goodbye countless tis, but Mirian dismounted her horse and walked up to him.
“I’ll write you letters. Don’t worry too much.”
“Yeah. I’ll grow up fast and co find you, so wait for , sis.”
“I’ll visit once a year.”
Mirian gave Robin one last, tight hug.
Robin stayed buried in her arms for a while before stepping back.
“Everyone, stay healthy! See you again!”
“Of course. You take care too.”
Calimacos gave a faint smile and turned his reins.
Clatter, clatter.
The six rcenaries waved as they departed.
“They’re gone.”
Robin waited until the mounted rcenaries disappeared from view, then turned to leave.
At Baron Tefir’s mansion, Jessie was waiting for him.
“Starting today, you’ll begin your main duties.”
“Leave it to .”
Robin’s tasks weren’t difficult.
While Ilda was receiving lessons, he handled miscellaneous chores—cleaning, running errands, and so on.
During the rest of the ti, he simply followed Ilda around and answered her whenever she called.
“Robin, do you know what this flower is called?”
“It’s a gazania. Its bright yellow petals make it a popular choice for ho decoration.”
“Tch, I was going to tell you! How do you know so much, Robin?”
When Ilda called for Robin, it wasn’t to make him work.
He was simply the only child around her age in the vast mansion, so she called for him whenever she got bored.
‘It’s not even hard work, and I’m earning 2 silver a week. This is more than fine.’
Compared to his ti working at Burt’s General Store, this was a far better environnt, and Robin was grateful.
Playing under the pretext of attending to Ilda wasn’t so bad either.
After all, Robin didn’t have many friends his age.
As Ilda began spending more ti with Robin in the afternoons, she stopped calling for him at night.
“Whew! We played well again today!”
“I had fun too.”
Sotis, Baron Tefir, Ilda, and Robin all shared als together.
When the baron faced Ilda, he looked like any gentle, loving father.
There were things Robin wanted to ask him, but he held his tongue.
Calimacos’s words still echoed in his mory.
Prove yourself through strength. Then I’ll tell you.
In Regiville, Robin was rely a common-born servant in the baron’s household with no real connections.
He decided it was best not to ask any questions that might offend the baron.
When his work hours ended, Robin went to the Knights’ Training Yard to build his stamina.
After carefully checking that no one was around, he also practiced swordsmanship.
However, he didn’t train in the rcenary King’s sword techniques.
Until his body fully grew, basic sword forms and physical conditioning were enough.
“Robin, you’ve grown a lot since I first saw you.”
“Have I? Sir Greg, you seem quicker than before.”
“Couldn’t just sit still after losing to that rcenary bastard. Next ti, I won’t lose.”
About once or twice a week, the knight Greg would stop by the yard in the evening.
After finishing his city patrols, Greg never neglected his training whenever he had spare ti.
On such days, Robin only did endurance exercises—running, push-ups—and returned to his quarters early.
It was to avoid secretly watching Greg’s swordsmanship.
Greg, seemingly pleased with Robin’s discretion, would occasionally tell him about swordsmanship without being asked.
Robin, who planned to take the knight’s exam at seventeen, had no reason to refuse.
A month passed since the rcenary band’s departure.
“Robin, you’ve got a letter. Shall I bring it to you?”
“It’s fine, I’ll go get it myself!”
At Jessie’s words, Robin ran to the front gate. Seeing the na on the envelope, tears welled in his eyes.
It was a letter from Mirian.
Written just before they entered the battlefield.
The rcenary band had safely arrived at their destination.
It was filled with small stories and well-wishes—so familiar and heartwarming that Robin couldn’t stop smiling.
He imdiately wrote a reply.
He told her that he had settled in well, was doing fine, enjoyed his work as Ilda’s personal servant, and had grown taller.
Sending mail cost 1 silver.
He spent his weekly wage of 2 silver to send two letters—one to Mirian, and one to Burt at Stonegoth.
“Robin, what shall we play today?”
“Since you’ve recently learned to read, how about word chain?”
“Great! I’ll start. Friend.”
“Market.”
“Race.”
“Needle.”
“Love.”
“Love… I lost, my lady.”
“Yay! I won!”
Baron Tefir smiled warmly as he watched Ilda playing with Robin.
He knew his daughter often felt lonely without any friends her age.
That was why he had hired Robin.
Despite being a commoner, Robin was clever and never complained about trivial work, which made the baron favor him.
He hoped the boy Calimacos had brought would continue just as he was.
“Draman, is there any mail for
today?”
“Let’s see… yes, there’s one addressed to you.”
“Thank you.”
A month later, another letter ca from Mirian.
The rcenary band had all returned unhard.
They had distinguished themselves in battle and received generous rewards.
Robin imdiately wrote back to tell her about everything that had happened.
Though there was still no reply from Burt, he continued sending letters to Burt’s General Store in Stonegoth.
About once a month, Robin and Mirian exchanged letters.
Each ti he wrote to Mirian, he also sent one to Burt, updating him on his life, though no response ever ca.
“Happy birthday, Lady Ilda!”
The entire household staff gathered to celebrate her birthday.
Four months had passed since Robin arrived in Regiville, and Ilda turned nine.
In the grandly decorated hall, before a table full of dishes, Ilda bead brightly.
Next to Baron Tefir, who affectionately congratulated his daughter, stood a frail-looking woman—Ilda’s mother, who had long stayed out of sight due to chronic illness.
Seeing Ilda being celebrated in such a warm family atmosphere, Robin clapped in sincere joy.
As Ilda blew out the candles, the baron’s wife stroked her hair and spoke.
“Ilda, make a wish.”
“Okay! I want to marry Robin!”
At Ilda’s innocent declaration, every eye in the hall turned to Robin.
It was the greatest crisis since Robin entered the baron’s mansion.
If he refused, they might say, ‘Who do you think you are, refusing her?’
If he agreed, they might scold him, ‘How dare a common servant speak of marrying a noble!’
As cold sweat trickled down his back, Baron Tefir finally spoke.
“Ilda, marriage is sothing for when you’re an adult. Isn’t there sothing else you want for now?”
“I want to go outside the mansion!”
“Do you? Well, I suppose you can’t stay cooped up here forever. We’ll go out soti soon.”
“You’re the best, Daddy!”
Thankfully, the attention didn’t turn back to Robin.
Still, the baron and his wife’s gazes fixed on him—he wasn’t imagining it.
Though Baron Tefir was known as a man of virtue, he couldn’t exactly feel fondly toward the boy who had stolen his daughter’s heart.
Robin made up his mind.
He would leave before Ilda beca an adult.
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