novelraw Chapter 47 : Stay Healthy
Chapter 47 : Stay Healthy
Chapter 47: Stay Healthy
Robin couldn’t take his eyes off the scene unfolding before him.
Calimacos’s sword charged straight toward Brandok’s helmet.
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 demeanor 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 name came 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 me? 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 member of the Demon Tribe to you?”
It was a question filled with meaning 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 shame 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 helmet 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 helmet 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 me. 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 time to think.
“But still, I can smell 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 smell. 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 someone 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 mean that Boss Burt told him to escort me to Regiville? And what was that about deciphering some unknown writing…?”
“Enough. You’re curious, I know. You want to know the truth. There’s a simple way—defeat me. Prove yourself through strength. Then I’ll tell you.”
“How could I possibly beat you right now?”
“If you can’t beat me, what about Brandok?”
Robin glanced at the man in the helmet.
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 mercenary 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 came.
In the end, all that listening to Calimacos and Brandok’s conversation left behind was an unpleasant feeling.
The mercenaries, whom Robin expected to be suffering from hangovers, looked perfectly fine.
For people heading into battle, they all seemed far too relaxed.
Seeing them off at the northern gate of Regiville, Robin felt strangely empty.
He had said goodbye countless times, 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 come find you, so wait for me, 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 mercenaries waved as they departed.
“They’re gone.”
Robin waited until the mounted mercenaries 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 me.”
Robin’s tasks weren’t difficult.
While Imelda was receiving lessons, he handled miscellaneous chores—cleaning, running errands, and so on.
During the rest of the time, he simply followed Imelda 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 home decoration.”
“Tch, I was going to tell you! How do you know so much, Robin?”
When Imelda 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 time working at Burt’s General Store, this was a far better environment, and Robin was grateful.
Playing under the pretext of attending to Imelda wasn’t so bad either.
After all, Robin didn’t have many friends his age.
As Imelda began spending more time with Robin in the afternoons, she stopped calling for him at night.
“Whew! We played well again today!”
“I had fun too.”
Sometimes, Baron Tefir, Imelda, and Robin all shared meals together.
When the baron faced Imelda, 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 memory.
Prove yourself through strength. Then I’ll tell you.
In Regiville, Robin was merely 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 Mercenary 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 mercenary bastard. Next time, 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 time.
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 mercenary 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 name on the envelope, tears welled in his eyes.
It was a letter from Mirian.
Written just before they entered the battlefield.
The mercenary 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 immediately wrote a reply.
He told her that he had settled in well, was doing fine, enjoyed his work as Imelda’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 Imelda 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 me today?”
“Let’s see… yes, there’s one addressed to you.”
“Thank you.”
A month later, another letter came from Mirian.
The mercenary band had all returned unharmed.
They had distinguished themselves in battle and received generous rewards.
Robin immediately 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 time he wrote to Mirian, he also sent one to Burt, updating him on his life, though no response ever came.
“Happy birthday, Lady Imelda!”
The entire household staff gathered to celebrate her birthday.
Four months had passed since Robin arrived in Regiville, and Imelda turned nine.
In the grandly decorated hall, before a table full of dishes, Imelda beamed brightly.
Next to Baron Tefir, who affectionately congratulated his daughter, stood a frail-looking woman—Imelda’s mother, who had long stayed out of sight due to chronic illness.
Seeing Imelda being celebrated in such a warm family atmosphere, Robin clapped in sincere joy.
As Imelda blew out the candles, the baron’s wife stroked her hair and spoke.
“Imelda, make a wish.”
“Okay! I want to marry Robin!”
At Imelda’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.
“Imelda, marriage is something for when you’re an adult. Isn’t there something 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 sometime 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 Imelda became an adult.