Chapter 26: You have to take care of yourself

‘Did he notice something?’

Ruel suddenly got thirsty.

Well, things have been going so well so far, so I could feel something strange.

“What is it?”

Ruel asked back with proficiency.

“If it were me, I would have cut your neck right away. That person is a wizard, so the evidence could easily be destroyed if she wanted.”

‘That’s what he wants to say?’

Ruel breathed out lightly and quickly stepped into the conversation.

“Don’t tell me you’ve experienced it. Have you?”

“No way, but if that happened to me, I would’ve strangled them.”

Ganien fiddled with the handle of his sword.

Ruel said, “Don’t tell me,” but I knew Ganien would do that in the future.

The Cyronian Kingdom had quite a few aristocrats, unlike the Kingdom of Leponia.

Ruel brought up some advice and words.

“Be careful with those comments. Don’t forget that you’re a nobleman, too.”

“It’s okay if it’s in my family, I have an older brother. Thanks to you, I’m enjoying freedom to my heart’s content.”

Ruel snorted at the childish words of the Croft family’s youngest.

The world didn’t go its way.

‘Enjoy it to your heart’s content, Ganien.’

“Did work go well?”

Cassion welcomed the returning Ruel.

“Yes.”

“Are you planning to return to the mansion now?”

“No.”

Ruel said proudly, inhaling from Breath.

Cassion’s smile hardened for a moment.

Ruel had just been saved from getting poisoned, and he hadn’t even rested yet, only wandering around.

“Cough, cough.”

“It hasn’t been long since you were able to get up from your bed.”

He said while suppressing the growing irritation at the sound of Ruel’s frequent coughing.

“I’m always sick anyway.”

Hehe(Giggle), Ganien next to him laughed.

Cassion held back his anger again.

He couldn’t even swear out loud.

His sighs increased.

When they left the mansion, Cassion asked.

“Where are you going, Ruel-nim?”

“To the inn. Cassion, you’ll be investigating. Ganien, what about you?

“To the inn.”

“You don’t have to follow me.”

Ganien snorted at Ruel’s words.

“I’m not going because of you.”

“Then why?”

“Aris asked me to teach him the way of the sword.”

“Aris?”

My mind floated to the slow healing wound I saw on his body. It makes sense if it was a wound caused by training.

“Ruel, you have a very good eye. His body and muscles are better than he looks, he’ll grow tall.”

“Don’t you dare covet him.”

Ruel hurriedly drew the line. Because of his criminal record, Ganien could not express his dissatisfaction and changed the subject.

“It’s about teaching the sword.”

“No other teachers?”

“That’s what Aris wants.”

Ganien, who hinted, moved ahead as if he were running away.

‘I’m anxious.’

Ruel smoothed his cane.

***

Cassion saw the effects of the completed magic handkerchief when Ruel was poisoned.

When Ruel vomited black blood, the magic was activated. Adding the way he grabbed it so cleanly, blood did not splatter and simply disappeared like snow.

‘It works, definitely worth the money.’

It was easy to carry, and it wasn’t strange to use.

“… Cough.”

When Cassion saw the pouring blood, he couldn’t help but check the amazing effectiveness of the handkerchief again.

Ruel glared at him. It was not the time to admire the handkerchief, but Cassion’s heart did not move at all.

How much did I warn him to rest?

Cassion thought.

After coughing out blood a total of five times, Ruel, who had almost collapsed from exhaustion, laid right on the bed.

“What did I say?”

Cassion took out a magic item he had ordered together with the magic handkerchief.

It was an item that had the function to cool down the heat. It was just the right size for the forehead.

‘It’s like a heat patch.’

Ruel thought as he looked at the mysterious tool. He was so weak that he couldn’t even move his mouth.

Even when he was still, his surroundings were spinning.

‘Is it anemia?’

“It’s pretty.”

The poison made his body feel weaker. The amount he had coughed up was not small.

Cassion said, with a throbbing heart.

“Since you entrusted me with the investigation, I’ll stop nagging. Take a rest because you have a fever. Don’t even think about moving.”

When the heat patch touched his forehead, it quickly became cool.

Cassion went outside and familiarly brought a basin and two glasses of water.

One for rinsing the mouth and the other for drinking.

“You won’t have an appetite right now. I’ll serve the meal after the investigation.”

Ruel blinked his eyes instead of answering. Anyway, he had already left the investigation to Cassion, so he would now try to rest for himself. 

Find a failing merchant. That was the investigation left to Cassion.

‘Let’s get some rest.’

Ruel stopped thinking and closed his eyes before the fever swallowed him up.

Only after confirming that he was asleep did Cassion raise his little finger.

“Let me know when things get worse.”

“All right, there’s no news about 18 yet.”

18.

It was the temporary name given to the organization created by Matyros, who tried to devour Setiria and sell its people.

Cassion thought it was a perfect name.

“And one more request came from the chief.”

The guild member handed Cassion a piece of paper.

“This is the place, isn’t it?”

Cassion did not stop taking commissions even while serving Ruel.

The sword will rust when it stops being used, and the assassin will be culled if he doesn’t kill.

“That’s right.”

“I’ll be right back, so keep an eye on him.”

Cassion went out the door, and the guild member quietly retreated into the walls.

***

Aris moved his heavy legs, the veins on his neck popping. 

‘A little more.’

He could see Ganien in front of him. He would reach his goal by running just a few more steps.

Aris ran with his eyes closed.

“Pass.”

Aris lay on the floor with the sound of that confirmation and took a rough breath.

“You’re more persistent than I thought.”

Ganien sat down next to Aris.

In swordsmanship, physical training was the top priority.

To learn how to handle frustration. That was what Ganien’s teacher had done to him. The teacher gave him conditions that he couldn’t meet.

So, Ganien did the same.

He pointed out a condition to Aris that he definitely couldn’t do because he had learned that way.

But Aris did it.

Don’t covet him.

The determined voice of Ruel echoed in his head, making Ganien smirk.

What can I do if I want it?

Ruel had a very good eye.

Cassion, Aris, and Ganien. Cassion didn’t know who else Ruel would scout next to him.

When Aris’ breathing calmed down, Ganien handed over some water.

“Thank you.”

Aris was shyer than Ganien thought.

Nevertheless, Aris asked Ganien to teach him how to use a sword.

His strong will reminded Ganien of his childhood self, so he gave him permission without realizing it.

“Why do you want me to teach you the sword?”

Ganien brought up a question that he should have asked back then.

“To be Ruel’s sword.”

He answered without hesitation.

Ganien suppressed his surprise.

‘Do you mean for him to take you as an escort instead of a servant?’

Ganien looked at Aris with admiration.

“All right, you have to be strong to protect Ruel. I’ll keep teaching you while I’m in this country.”

“Thank you.”

Ganien smacked his lips because there were no more words left to be said.

If you call me a teacher, I’ll act like I can’t beat you.

‘Ruel didn’t say anything about being with Aris in the meantime, did he?’

Ganien stroked his chin.

***

“Ugh.”

Ruel opened his eyes, holding onto his fragile head.

He blinked as the sun shone on him.

‘Did I sleep all day?’

“Are you up?”

Cassion came inside, pushing something.

“I figured it was about time for you to wake up, so I’ve prepared breakfast.”

“… You didn’t put me to sleep, did you?”

How do you know when I’d get up and prepare the meal?

Cassion answered, putting food on the table one by one.

“That’s right. The pain in my heart was killing me.”

“Now you’re doing all sorts of things.”

“I couldn’t help it because you were so sick. Are you feeling better?”

Instead of answering, Ruel touched his chest.

It was natural to vomit black blood after being sick.

‘I’m fine today.’

“You’ve already vomited. Exactly around 2 A.M. and 4 A.M.”

“… Aren’t you tired?”

“I’m not as tired as you are, but I can manage using aura, so I can sleep for a while.”

“It sounds like I’m being too fussy.”

Ha. Cassion laughed in amazement.

“Did you only realize that now?”

“What about the data?”

“Can I rest now? Please give me a month off.”

“Take a rest after I die. Or add one more servant and then you can rest.”

“Didn’t you just say that you’ll give me a break?”

Cassion grumbled and handed over the data.

“You said you were less tired if you’re using your aura. Oh, I’ll let you take a day off when we return to Setiria.”

After receiving the data, Ruel rose from his seat using his cane.

He felt good because his forehead was now cool. He sat at the table and ate the meat pie first.

While examining the documents, Ruel hinted.

“Cassion, do you still work at night?”

“I walk around every now and then.”

Cassion admired Ruel’s intelligence. What did he notice?

He confessed honestly because he knew that lying would only put his heart in pain.

Ruel paused for a moment.

I didn’t expect him to continue working as an assassin.

‘From his butler job, to the jobs I order him to do, to his job as an assassin? What a monster.’

Tell me you’re not a monster even though you’re doing something that’s barely possible even with three bodies.

Ruel kept looking at the documents and asked questions.

“Why do you keep going?”

“It’s up to me.”

“You don’t have enough money?”

“I have more than you, Ruel-nim.”

“What is the standard for killing people?”

“I judge by my own standards.”

“Do you intend to continue?”

“That’s right, don’t worry, I won’t have any trouble serving you as I do now.”

Crunch.

Ruel bit the second slice of meat pie in his mouth.

“That’s enough, just make sure to rest your body.”

“… Huh.”

Not knowing who needed to tell who to rest, Cassion wanted to hit Ruel.

But his throbbing heart had him calm him down quickly.

‘I’m screwed.’  

As he ate meat and salad one after the other, Ruel smiled. His gaze turned to the place marked as the Beto Merchants.

“Find out how much you can buy this place for.”

Ruel threw three jewels from the pocket at his waist.

Cassion’s eyes got bigger as he caught the scattered jewels with a single stroke of his hand.

“Aren’t these Sertia’s tears?”

A single Sertia tear was worth more than 500 gold coins, because it’s processing process was difficult.

Ruel chuckled. He felt like he was finally out of the stalemate he had with his lack of money. 

“I took the emergency money from my safe. It should be enough to buy a ruined merchant’s store. Buy some ice cream with the rest of the money.”

I brought it up on purpose because I knew Cassion liked sweet things.

“… When did you know?”

“Buy it while I’m finishing eating, we’ll be leaving right away.” 

“If it’s a merchant of Beto, it means it’s a serious problem. It’s a place where if one lost trust, they would lose their status as a merchant.”

“That’s why we need to fix it. Depart.”

“Alright.”

Cassion bowed his head and went out of the room.

The most important thing for a merchant was trust. A merchant without trust could no longer be called a merchant.

In the novel, after Ganien solved the problem of the Beto merchants, within a year, it grew into the largest group of Leponia.

In other words, it was a merchant group that would grow greatly if the problem was solved.

If support was added, how much more would it grow?

The credibility issue that Beto was facing was due to the framing of another merchant, who had been eyeing it for a long time.

‘The proof. It’s bound to come out if you rob it.’

The question was, could they buy it faster than the other merchant, who was aiming at Beto?

Ruel put the meat pie in his mouth and put on a serious look.

Knock. Knock.

“This is Aris.”

“Come in.”

“Have you been eating?”

“Did you eat?”

“Yes, I ate early and finished my morning training.”

Aris smiled innocently. His hair was wet because he had just washed it.

‘I think you’ve grown again…’

Aris’s clothes seemed to have shrunk slightly.

Ruel looked at his own loose clothes and put the steak in his mouth.

‘Damn it.’

“If you don’t mind, can I stay here until Cassion comes?”

“Do as you please.”

Ruel felt like he was being watched and stopped his eating. It was because of Aris standing behind him.

“Sit in front of me.”

“Can I?”

He was as happy as a child with a cookie in his hand. Ruel somehow thought he looked like a golden retriever.

“You must be working hard.”

“Yes! I’m working hard. Because I want to be Ruel-nim’s sword!”

Ruel munched on the salad and corrected one fact.

“I think you’re more talented in wizardry, so don’t learn aura, just train your stamina.”

“… Pardon?”

Aris was embarrassed by Ruel’s remarks. He thought he would be a knight.

“A Wizard…”

“I don’t know what Ganien says, but I can see Mana. There is so much mana around you. You’re better off being a wizard.”

“Ha, but isn’t escorting the job of a knight?”

Ruel giggled as he stopped eating.

He must have seen a fairy tale somewhere.

Then, a good idea suddenly came to mind.

“The wizard can escort me. If you don’t want to throw away the sword, pretend to be a knight.”

“So you want me to be a wizard pretending to be a knight?”

“Right, it’s a wizard hiding his power.”

Ruel excitedly talked about the title of the web novel he once saw.

Aris, who had been embarrassed, also listened with glistening eyes as he gradually sympathized with the story.

“… That’s cool! Whenever a crisis hits, he goes back to his job as a wizard and defeats the enemy! I feel like something’s opening up.”

“So no matter what Ganien says, you shouldn’t learn Aura.”

“Okay! I’ll follow since Ruel-nim says so!”

“That’s enough.”

Ruel sighed inside. If Aris hadn’t visited him today, the genius wizard would have disappeared.

“Oh, if Ganien asks you why you don’t want to learn Aura, you answer like this.”

I inhaled the Breath and told him how to do it.

“For a knight, stamina is not fundamental. Aura is too much of a luxury for me who didn’t even learn the basics.”

“I see!”

I tried to make up similar things that had Ganien said to his teacher.

It was going to be very easy. Because that was just how Ganien was.

The corner of Ruel’s mouth curved up.

***

Cassion appeared exactly in time for Ruel to finish his meal.

“I bought it.”

Despite the purchase, Ruel waited for the letter.

This was because the guy who was aiming for the Beto Merchant wouldn’t just sit and watch.

“Before that, He’d like to see you at the Beto Merchants.”

Ruel coughed out and thought about the reason for the conditions.

To deal with a tiger, one must also call a tiger.

Just in time, someone appeared to buy his merchant.

It was strange to stay still when he had the chance to relax himself after becoming a rabbit.

‘I’m going to pass it on.’

Ruel wasn’t offended by the slyness.

The merchant had to be. Rather than being a tiger, you have to be a fox to survive.

“Call the Blue Knight. If you say he’ll have a chance to fight, he’ll jump in.”

“I’ll call him.”

As Cassion went outside, Aris asked quietly.

“May I come, too?”

“It’s not going to be a good thing.”

People might die…

“That’s all right.”

How can I say no when you are so determined?

Ruel nodded his head.

“I’ll wait outside the inn!”

Ganien, who came to the room, left only those words before quickly running out together with Aris in excitement.

With the help of Cassion, Ruel set out to go out.

“Isn’t this a little too thick?”

“It’s cold outside, and you get colds easily.”

Ruel looked quite satisfied because he looked like he had a healthy build thanks to the clothes he was wearing.

Winter hadn’t come yet, but he wore mufflers and earplugs. It was going to be noisy.

Tak. Tak.

Ruel moved with his cane.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, I will.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read