Chapter 18 – The Girl Looking for the Girl, the Guy Chasing the Guy (1)

A girl carefully closed her eyes under a gray sky with damp clouds. Maybe it was because I was nervous because it was my first time standing in front of so many people.

In her thin, quivering breath, the dust floating in the air dances, and the wind seeping through the wooden planks caresses her bangs lightly. I wish time would stop like this. A man approaches the girl who has an impossible wish.

“Let’s go.”

The girl did not move even at the words of the man who seemed calm but kind. Instead, he opens his trembling lips and asks a question he already knows the answer to.

“Has the time already run out?”

The man nodded his head instead of answering. The girl, noticing that he had nodded at her without even opening her eyes, lets out her sigh. In the breath that comes out with restrained emotions, even the age of an old man who seemed to have a prolific life was buried.

“Yes. Let’s go.”

But instead of admiring her maturity, her man urged her on by placing his hand on her shoulder. Eventually, she slowly opened her eyes and looked at the man.

“All right.”

The two met eyes just once, then turned their heads back to the front. They probably won’t see each other again until they climb the stairs in front of them.

With each step she took, the girl tightened her posture. The two hands that are neatly gathered are for oneself. Her finely combed hair is for her spectators. And, the unwavering eyes are for the God who is looking somewhere.

Soon, a huge platform appeared in front of them. The girl, who had made up her mind, hesitated and stopped her steps when she saw the scale of the gigantic stage. But the man did not allow her to stop now.

“You have to move.”

“I know.”

The answering voice clearly trembled. But the girl knew perfectly well that the more she did, the more she had to harden her heart.

The moment she took her last step and stepped onto the podium, the waves of the crowd filled her vision.

As with all crowds, some of them cheered, some booed, and very few wept. The girl didn’t know what the tears meant, but she didn’t wonder. She just stared straight ahead with uninspired eyes.

The man approached the girl. This time, he seemed to admire the girl’s courage as well, and raised her hand high as if to applaud her.

And he put a rope around her neck.

“Citizens of Erendel…”

The low, thick voice of the captain of the guard echoed throughout the plaza. He took a longer than usual time to clear his voice before opening his mouth slowly.

“Under the order of the goddess Ennesic, we humans have overcome countless adversities and achieved prosperity. His teachings are strict, and sometimes he gives harsh punishments, but thanks to the goddess’ protection, we can overcome even the great threat of the demon king’s resurrection. There was.”

The crowd doesn’t answer. They just listened to his speech because they were only the people, not the audience.

“It is obviously difficult to live by the teachings of God in a human body. Even so, we must try. Life without rules is corruption, and corruption is destruction.”

He paused for a moment and approached the girl. Then, waiting until the eyes of the crowd were focused on her, he opened her mouth again.

“That’s why we must not tolerate any evil act against the will of the Goddess.”

“…Black.”

A faint moan escaped the girl’s mouth for the first time. The captain of the guard ignored this and continued his speech.

“This girl here is called Diana Teilaire. At first glance, she looks like an innocent girl, but in reality it is different. She mercilessly plunders the great baron’s property, threatens the baroness’s life and keeps him safe. He committed a total of three thefts and one robbery, including threatening to, and committed a total of three thefts and one robbery. This is a serious crime against Article 23, Paragraph 2 of the Imperial Law and Goddess Ennessic’s precept, ‘Do not steal other people’s property’.”

“…Huh…Huh…”

This time, a clear cry broke out. The captain of the guard involuntarily turned his gaze to that direction, then looked straight ahead again.

“Therefore, I am going to send this villain who committed these crimes to the side of the Goddess. Following the baron’s order not to treat any criminal lightly, I sentence the girl to be hanged with a rope until she dies.”

“Hehe…Ah…Ah…”

“Then Executor, when you’re ready…”

“No… No… No!”

Eventually, the girl’s screams that could not be tolerated broke out. She twisted her body and screamed over and over again.

“I don’t want to die! I’m not doing anything wrong! Please save me!”

“Executioner, hurry and execute.”

“No! No! I want to live! Mom! Mom!”

The girl struggled to the end and rejected her brother. But her executioner’s hand was already on the lever.

Rattle.

“Ouch…”

With her brief throes, her floor sank and her girlish body dangled from the ropes. Most parts of her body were paralyzed the moment the rope tightened around her neck, but only her toes twitched and yearned for her life, still reminiscent of her life.

Soon, even that movement stopped, and the by-products of life flowed down the girl’s lower body. Lydia, who could not see it until the end, closed her eyes and turned away.

“What’s wrong with that little boy…”

“Still, it was a merciful punishment. The captain of the guard must have used some strength.”

She was furious, frowning at her husband’s careless remark.

“A merciful punishment. Are you saying that hanging that innocent girl is God’s mercy?”

“Originally, adultery is a skewer. It’s better to be hanged for theft.”

“What did he steal?”

“You stole the baron’s semen.”

Lydia was speechless as if she was stunned. Professor Hayd stared at the hanging girl’s corpse for a while, then wrapped his arms around his wife’s shoulder.

“Then let’s go. I’ll be late for my appointment.”

“That much promise. What if it’s a little late?”

“Lydia.”

“…I get it. I get it.”

She flung her husband’s arm away and went toward her carriage. The professor looked at her back and slowly followed her.

“Will, then I’ll prepare it for you.”

The coachman, with a shaggy beard, nodded to her, and a dark-looking servant from inside her carriage opened the door. So, when all three of them got into the carriage, their fates started to run toward the end of the day.

“Cool. Cool.”

The sound of the driver’s cough echoed over the loud rumbling of the wheels. Lydia, who hadn’t said anything throughout her ride, finally spoke her first words.

“…I should give Will a vacation.”

“Then you’ve been driving the wagon in the meantime?”

“You can make this kid do it. He’s just started working, but he doesn’t know how to drive a wagon.”

“I didn’t hire you for that, Lydia.”

“You’re absolutely against my word. All right. Then I’ll just shut up. As always.”

The professor, embarrassed by his wife’s shrill voice, touched his fingers.

“Why do you keep doing this? Today is a good day. Let’s think of only good things.”

“Good day? Why?”

“It’s an opportunity to have dinner with the warrior who defeated the demon king. Of course it’s a good day. Don’t you think so too?”

“Yes. The professor is right.”

Lydia frowned and glared at her husband as her servant answered in her heavy voice.

“The hero who defeated the demon king? They didn’t teach that at the academy.”

“What are you talking about? I…”

“Do you think I spend my days at home sewing and stuffing my ears? I have eyes and ears. I know all the rumors about you. I hear you talk nonsense to the students at the academy. Potions Professor. If not, I can just teach you how to make magic potions. Why are you arguing with me!”

“Lydia!”

The professor eventually couldn’t stand it and raised her voice. However, as soon as he shouted, he opened his mouth, closing his eyes tightly as if he had regretted it.

“I’m just… Doing the right thing. Don’t tell you that either.”

He calmly rebuked her, but Lydia couldn’t contain her emotions and her hands trembled.

“Do you know how people call you? A vicious propagandist in the guise of a professor. A traitor who insults the imperial family and tarnishes the name of a hero. I heard that you recently went to a gathering of those traitors and gave a speech.”

“Rebels. They’re just young men trying to right a wrong.”

“Such innocent young men raid the guards? Stop talking nonsense.”

“Lydia.”

He eventually grabbed her wife’s hand. He kept forcibly grasping her wrist as she tried to free her hand.

“Please. I don’t want to fight with you for today. Let’s just go and have fun. Huh? The baron has prepared a very sumptuous meal for us. Enjoy the meal and listen to the baron’s story. And then you can come home. Al would you?”

“Hade.”

Lydia bit her lip. Suddenly, her hands were wet with sweat.

“You really think I don’t know what’s going on there?”

The professor met his eyes with his wife. Then a tear fell from her eye again. Looking at the clear drops of water flowing on the skin of his beloved wife, he could only say one word.

“Don’t cry, honey. Your makeup will come off.”

Lydia knew that she was not talking for herself. She wasn’t even talking about the professor herself. That was for the future baron she would meet.

Her husband, who was overly just, and her wife, who was so wise and so aware of her own future, bowed her head at the same time. As they said their lonely goodbyes to each other, the carriage came to a slow stop. The servant looked out the window and said to the professor and his wife.

“Im here.”

“Thank you, Luke. Let the guards know we’re here.”

“Yes.”

Luke solemnly bowed his head and opened the carriage door. But before he could get off, a guard with a spear over his shoulder approached.

“Who?”

Their manner of asking, yawning profusely, was quite bad to look at. However, the professor answered politely without showing any displeasure.

“Hello. I’m Heide, and I’m working as a potion professor at Erendel Academy. It’s an honor for the baron to invite us and his wife to dinner tonight. Haven’t you heard from us beforehand?”

“Ah…Is that the professor? You’re older than I thought.”

The guard, who was twitching his lips, suddenly saw Lydia sitting upright inside the carriage and added with a chuckle.

“Her wife is younger than I thought.”

“…Thank you.”

When the professor replied bitterly, the guard tapped the carriage with a spear and said,

“First of all, everyone should look down. We have to do a physical examination before entering.”

“Physical exam? But about that…”

“I told you to look down for now. It’s a ritual, so I won’t do anything special.”

“Okay, so please remove that window. My wife is afraid.”

“Okay, get off.”

His tone grew shorter and the professor slowly got off the carriage, deciding not to disturb him any longer. Then another man from behind came towards them.

“Okay…If you have any weapons, give them to me in advance.”

“Nothing like that. I was invited to dinner.”

“Let’s see.”

The guards first groped the professor and Luke for weapons. Of course, nothing was found, but they giggled as they scanned the professor’s lower body.

“As expected, Professor, you’re not strong because you’re only studying.”

“I see. Your wife must have accumulated a lot.”

“…If the inspection is over, let me in.”

In the end, when the impatient professor spoke sharply, the guard tapped him on the cheek and said playfully.

“What are you talking about? Your wife should also be tested.”

“Yes? But…”

“Get down quickly. Before I forcefully pull you down.”

“No hey…!”

“All right.”

The professor tried to protest to the end, but Lydia answered calmly and got off the carriage. Then they whistled and flirted at the same time, as if they had promised.

“As expected…You’re beautiful as rumored.”

“That’s right. Living as an academy professor’s wife is a bit wasteful.”

“Let’s check it quickly. We’ll be late for our appointment like this.”

She deliberately raised her chin and fired a haughty shot at her. However, the guard answered with a smirk without a hint of embarrassment.

“No, I can’t do that. How could I touch someone else’s body?”

At their words, the professor briefly had hope. However, contrary to his expectations, they were humans who did not know what was right.

“Then take it off.”

“Yes?”

“I told you to take it off. From top to bottom, you’re adored.”

Lydia’s expression, which had been trying hard to keep calm at their request, slowly collapsed. The professor protested wildly and approached the guards.

“Hey! This is too much…!”

A sharp spear was pointed at his neck. As the professor froze in terror, another sneer broke out.

“Calm down, Professor. No, it can’t be helped, right? You don’t like us groping.”

“But…!”

“If it’s hard to take off, we’ll tear it up. The baron would rather prefer it that way.”

The professor finally shut his mouth and turned to his wife. She had her head down, her face already red. But the fact that this was only the first stage of her disgrace that she would go through today weighed heavily on his chest.

“…I’m going to take it off, so put that window away.”

Hearing the trembling voice, the professor closed his eyes. Then the spear pointed at his neck was slowly withdrawn.

“Yes. You should come out like that.”

Lydia approached the guards with careful steps. She took one look at their salivating faces and loosened her shoulder straps a little. A vulgar whistle sounded as her sheer fabric slid and her smooth shoulders glowed red in the sunlight.

“Good, good. Take it off as it is.”

A voice that urges you. The pouring gaze and the face of the husband who tries to turn away. Lydia barely held back her tears and slowly pulled her clothes down.

Cheers erupted as soon as her coveted breasts popped out of her clothes. At the gaze that seemed to lick her whole body, Lydia lowered her head, turning her face red.

“Oops. I never thought you were hiding something like this. You should have told me earlier.”

One of the guards with a sinister grin approached Lydia with her spear held upside down. He tapped her pale pink nipples with the tip of her spear.

“Ah… Ah…”

He twirled her nipples nonstop as a moan of pain erupted. She couldn’t figure out why herself, but Lydia felt contempt for herself as she continued to moan. Of course, to her husband, who can do nothing but watch.

“Hey hey. Are you being mean and having fun alone? Join me too.”

“You check your luggage and come. Then I’ll put you in.”

“You mean child. I get it.”

The one who was waiting grumbled and approached the back of the carriage. He asked the professor as he grabbed the door of the large luggage compartment.

“What’s inside?”

“I’ll give you the baron… Alcohol and potions.”

In a trembling voice, the professor recited the list of items inside. However, he was overcome with despair and left one of the items inside the rest.

“Potion? It looks like you’re going to use some strength today.”

I know. Looking to the right, the box containing the potion was not enough, but the four boxes were piled up. It looks like it’s going to be pretty smashed today. I smiled and fixed the hat I was wearing.

“Where can I see you…”

The wooden door rattled and light filtered in little by little. I roughly took care of the flowing bright red hair and raised both hands high.

Soon, the door swung open and the ugly guard’s face came into view. As soon as our eyes met, I savored his astonished expression, and I spat out slowly.

“Hi.”

“Aww fuck! What a surprise!”

“What is it? What is it?”

While Hanom was astonished, the rest of the others who had been teasing Lydia hurriedly ran. The guy who approached me clutching a spear as if he was going to do something also screamed as soon as he faced me.

“No what the fuck!”

“It’s a grandiose welcome ceremony. How does this house greet guests?”

“Professor! How dare you play such a joke!”

“Ah, don’t touch that man. I came in hiding on my own.”

I shrugged and jumped off the wagon. As I relaxed my frowning body and looked away, the professor’s wife, whose face was red with shame, hurriedly pulled up her clothes.

“Hey. You’ve been cheating on me. Last night, you were ready to confess that you fell in love at first sight, right?”

“That… That’s drunk…!”

The guy who opened the door hurriedly waved his hand and blurted out his words. Cute guy. If such idiots get hold of a small amount of power, they will do bad things needlessly.

“Hey, detective girl.”

In the midst of teasing him, the other one approached with a voice. I sighed and turned my head angrily.

“Because you’re not a detective.”

“It doesn’t matter. It looks like you crawled all the way here to ask about something else, but there’s no one you’re looking for here.”

“How do you know that? Without knowing exactly who I’m looking for.”

“You know what the fuck. Whoever it is, there’s no one like that, so just get off.”

“You seem to have forgotten. Then I’ll ask you again.”

I playfully pushed my hat up with my finger. But the smile on his lips had faded before he knew it. With an expression darker than the gray sky, I asked a question I had asked many times before.

“I’m looking for a dark-haired girl who smells like mint. Have you seen one?”