novelraw Chapter 42 : I’m a Man Too
Chapter 42 : I’m a Man Too
Chapter 42: I’m a Man Too
‘There’s no guarantee that a child will always take after their parents.’
Robin brushed off the unnecessary thought and stepped into the inn.
Perhaps because the sun hadn’t completely set yet, many tables on the first floor were still empty.
Fortunately, he found the person he was looking for.
“Cutie! Over here!”
Mirian waved brightly with a radiant smile.
As always, when Robin came closer, she threw her arms around him in a tight hug.
It seemed she had just taken a shower—the pleasant scent made him relax.
Leaning his head against the soft touch, Robin returned the embrace.
“It’s been a while, sis.”
Mirian stiffened for a brief moment as if surprised.
When Robin looked up at her with a faint smile, a broad grin spread across Mirian’s lips.
“Y-you cheeky thing! You’ve gotten sly since I last saw you.”
While lying in the infirmary, Robin had done a lot of thinking—and his relationship with Mirian had been one of the topics.
When he suddenly decided to leave the mercenary band, hadn’t he regretted not calling her noona?
If Mirian treated him like family, Robin was willing to do the same.
There was no reason to feel embarrassed.
To Robin, Mirian truly was like a sister.
“Where are the others?”
“They’ll be down soon. Oh, there they are.”
Felix, Brandok, Torgen, Phul, and Calimacos. The entire mercenary band had gathered.
After three days apart, they joyfully reunited and shared what had happened in the meantime.
‘Thank goodness nothing serious happened.’
Knight Greg could have easily harbored hostility toward the mercenaries, but since rescuing the merchants took priority, no conflicts arose.
He seemed stern, but he knew how to separate public duty from personal feelings.
It had seemed like the Elize Merchant Company would suffer major losses—but surprisingly, they hadn’t.
The plundered goods had been left untouched, and inside the bandits’ hideout were rare trade items, turning what could have been a loss into profit instead.
Even though Calimacos’s band could have claimed ownership, they yielded; if they hadn’t, the merchant company would have gone under.
“There’s nowhere to sell that much stolen loot anyway.”
In return, Palacio had promised to compensate the mercenaries that evening.
Calimacos had arranged to receive something other than monetary reward.
Robin didn’t know what that was.
“It’s about time they came.”
The moment Felix spoke, the inn door opened.
Leading the way was Palacio, followed by the merchants of the Elize Company.
They each carried bundles in both hands.
“We’d like to once again express our deepest gratitude for rescuing our company.”
At Palacio’s words, the merchants bowed deeply.
The mercenaries looked pleased, eagerly wondering what kind of reward awaited them.
When Palacio lifted his head, the merchants brought out seven heavy pouches of coins.
“We have prepared fifty silvers per person.”
Fifty silvers each, seven pouches—three hundred and fifty silvers in total.
It was an overly generous amount for a simple escort mission.
‘Wait a second. Why seven?’
A pouch was placed in front of Robin.
He looked at Palacio with a puzzled face.
“I heard you played a big part in locating the bandits’ hideout, Sir Robin. Please, take it without hesitation.”
He hadn’t expected to be rewarded himself, so he hesitated awkwardly—until Calimacos spoke up.
“The money’s fine. What about the other thing we discussed?”
“Of course. We’ve prepared them to fit each individual.”
The merchants laid down differently sized bundles before each mercenary.
Swords, throwing axes, potions, javelins, armor—varied items, all finely made.
“These are the best goods we can provide.”
The mercenaries seemed quite satisfied.
“I’ll deliver Lord Calimacos’s requested item later.”
“Good. This much reward makes all the effort worth it.”
“If there’s ever anything else you need, please come to us anytime. We’ll serve you with utmost sincerity.”
With those words, Palacio and the merchants left the inn.
Robin sat there dazed by the unexpected money.
That much was enough for him to live comfortably for six months without working.
“Congratulations on completing the mission! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves. Innkeeper! Bring out your best dishes till the table legs bend!”
At Calimacos’s hearty order, the mercenaries cheered.
The innkeeper’s face lit up with joy as well.
Soon, the tables were filled with food and drink, and the mercenaries laughed and talked loudly as they clinked their mugs together.
Robin drank warm milk instead of alcohol.
He was happy.
From Stonegoth to Regiville, countless things had happened—and those experiences had all become nourishment for Robin’s growth.
Having spent his whole life in one city, the journey with the mercenary band had been especially meaningful.
“When will everyone be leaving?”
At Robin’s question, the mercenaries’ eyes turned toward him.
Completing the mission didn’t just mean escorting the Elize Company.
It also included escorting Robin.
That mission was now finished.
“We’re leaving in a week. There’s going to be a territorial war in the east. A mercenary’s place is on the battlefield.”
“I’m glad you’re not leaving right away. There’s still time, then.”
“Is it that sad to part with us?”
“Yes. But that’s not the only reason. I want to spar with you, Captain. I’m going to defeat you.”
At Robin’s next words, Calimacos spat out the beer he had been drinking.
Unfortunately, it sprayed all over Torgen’s face.
“Captain! What the hell!”
“Cough! Cough! Sorry, Torgen. Robin, did you just say you’re going to defeat me?”
“Yes. My current goal is you, Captain. Of everyone I’ve met, you’re the strongest.”
‘Even stronger than a knight.’
At Robin’s bold declaration, curiosity flickered in the mercenaries’ eyes.
Calimacos poured Robin another glass of milk and asked,
“So I’m your goal, huh? Then tell me—why do you want to become strong so badly?”
The promise with Jeremy.
Robin had sworn to become a knight, while Jeremy had promised to become an adventurer exploring uncharted lands.
Now that Jeremy could no longer fulfill that dream, Robin wanted to achieve it for him.
The reason he set his sights on becoming a knight was simple—he found swordsmanship fun.
He wanted to learn more.
After that, he would explore the unknown lands in Jeremy’s stead.
He had already confided these dreams to Mirian back in Vermilion.
Mirian had told him it was best not to mention wanting to become a knight to Calimacos.
He had asked her why, but never got an answer.
“Does a man need a reason to want to become stronger?”
Calimacos burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.
Neither Pool, Torgen, Felix, nor Mirian were exceptions.
Brandoff’s reaction was unknown since he wore his helmet, but it seemed he was stifling his laughter.
“Puhahat! Right, our Robin’s a man, after all!”
“Of course I am. I’m not a woman, am I?”
Calimacos now laughed so hard he nearly lost his breath.
Robin looked up at him, a white trace of milk left on his philtrum.
That sight sent the mercenaries into another fit of laughter.
The inn filled with their boisterous mirth.
“Hahaha. Thanks to you, my sides are splitting.”
“Anyway, please spar with me before you leave.”
“What a clever kid saying something so foolish.”
As Mirian wiped the milk from Robin’s philtrum, she bounced in place, saying she could die from how cute he was.
Torgen laughed, pounding on the table until it cracked. Felix stopped him.
Pool took a long, refreshing gulp of beer.
In the midst of the loud, merry atmosphere, Brandoff—who had been sitting quietly—opened his mouth.
“Why not spar with him? It might be good.”
“Do you really think that makes sense?”
“Once we leave, Robin will have to live on his own. The world isn’t easy. Learning even one thing could help him survive.”
His words forced everyone to face reality.
Robin had lost nearly fifty silver, and though Mirian offered to sponsor him, he was still just a boy.
Perhaps it was because his mood was good—Calimacos nodded.
“Fine. But if we’re doing it, we’ll do it properly.”
“Of course. Thank you, Captain.”
A satisfied smile spread across Robin’s face.
The lively night flowed on.
When the mercenaries, drunk from too much alcohol, began to pass out one by one, Robin stepped out of the inn.
After being in the stuffy warmth inside, the cool night air filled his nose and lungs.
Moving from a noisy place to a quiet one felt like waking from a dream.
Stars sparkled across the clear night sky.
“My cuuute little brother! Where are youuu!”
Mirian, her face flushed red, called out for Robin.
When Robin raised his hand, she staggered over and sat beside him.
The smell of alcohol wafted heavily from her.
She leaned her head on his shoulder while he sat still.
Robin silently listened as she rambled on about everything that had happened until they came to Regiville.
‘Should I say it or not?’
He hesitated, not wanting to spoil the mood, but finally opened his mouth.
“I saw the Captain lose himself to madness. Does that happen to everyone who uses too much killing intent?”
“What the hell did that one-eyed Captain show a kid!”
Robin calmly waited for her answer.
After cursing Calimacos for a while, Mirian reluctantly nodded.
“Then you could end up like that too, couldn’t you?”
“I can’t say I wouldn’t.”
He had thought she would reassure him that she’d be fine, but her answer was unexpectedly honest.
“Don’t go crazy.”
“Are you worried about me? How sweeet.”
Mirian took out a portrait from her bosom.
It was the portrait Vermilion had painted of Robin and Mirian.
“You must’ve heard from Torgen what this means. There’s a big difference between having a suppressor and not having one. I’m still practicing how to control it, so don’t worry too much.”
Did that mean Calimacos didn’t have a suppressor?
If so, Robin wanted to make one for him.
The sight of him, engulfed in madness as he slaughtered the bandits, would likely never leave his mind.
“Oh, right. Close your eyes for a moment.”
Mirian wrapped her arm around Robin’s neck and covered his eyes.
He didn’t know what she was doing, but he listened to her.
“All right. Open them.”
When he slowly opened his eyes, there was a book and a potion placed before him.
Even the potion wouldn’t have been easy to obtain, and the book looked far from ordinary.
Robin’s eyes widened as he flipped open the first page.
“Imperial Knight Basic Swordsmanship? Don’t tell me—”
“That’s right, it’s a swordsmanship manual. The same kind the Knight Academy students study.”
“How did you get this? These manuals are expensive.”
“I asked Palacio for a favor. If it weren’t for you, the Elize Merchant Company would’ve taken a big hit, so don’t feel burdened.”
For Robin, who had thirsted for knowledge, the book was like rain in a drought.
With this, he could finally learn proper swordsmanship.
“The potion’s low-grade, but if you get hurt, don’t hesitate to use it.”
“Thank you. Really, thank you.”
Seeing Robin’s pure delight, Mirian giggled.
She hoped this upright, kind child would never change.
She wished he’d grow up and live a happy life just like this.
That he would wield a sword not for killing, but for protecting.
With that wish in mind, she gently patted Robin’s head.
“Robin, about Baron Tefir’s offer to work at his castle—you should take it.”
“I thought you were too drunk to remember that, but you heard everything, huh.”
“Who says I’m drunk? Anyway, Baron Tefir’s one of the few nobles with a good reputation and character. It won’t do you any harm.”
If Mirian said so, then it could be trusted.
He still felt a bit uneasy, but Regiville was part of Baron Tefir’s domain.
If he was to live here, he’d have to mind the Baron whether he liked it or not.
‘I’ll give the Baron my answer tomorrow.’
One worry off his mind.
“What about you, when your revenge… no, when everything’s over—what do you want to do?”
“When everything’s over? Hmm, I’ve never really thought about it.”
Mirian raised her gaze to the sky, pondered for a while, and then spoke.
“I want to meet someone good, get married, have children. Build a warm family and live a normal life.”
“You’ll be able to. You’re beautiful and capable, after all.”
“Ugh, saying things like that with that face is cheating. Robin, you just made my heart skip a beat.”
Robin and Mirian continued to chat idly after that.
About the greasy-looking man who had tried to talk to her on the way.
And how Torgen had told him to scram after seeing that.
Mirian’s playful touches, teasing him from time to time, felt warm.
If he’d ever had a family, it might have been just like this.