My Demons - Chapter 196



Only Krnovel

My Villains Episode 196

44. Dream (6)

“Are you okay? “Your complexion is not good.”

Ellen nodded, wiping her face with her white hands.

“… … yes. are you okay.”

Phoenix stared at her and then suddenly held out his hand.

«Uh n才、9

Ellen shrugged her shoulders unconsciously and blinked quietly when a large, rough hand touched her forehead.

Phoenix looked at Ellen’s forehead and her own forehead in turn, then narrowed her eyes.

“Hmm, I don’t have a fever. “Did you pretend?”

“no. “I just said, um, I’m fine.”

“••••••okay?”

Phoenics continued to look at Ellen’s complexion as if she were suspicious. The golden-haired girl moistened her dry lips and frowned.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“… … “You, by any chance.”

Phoenix widened his eyes as if he realized something.

Ellen’s eyelashes fluttered.

Is it because I saw that? The cold-faced handsome man pursed his lips.

“Um, do you want to take a break?”

“……uh?”

Although it did not suit his unique atmosphere, his eyes were filled with something warm.

“It’s because it reminds me of bad memories.”

going to be?”

“what’?”

After hesitating for a moment, Poynix leaned towards Ellen and whispered softly.

“So, Luke. “I kept talking about that bastard.”

“… … ah.”

My small chest swelled for a moment and then went down again. Phoenix, who was quietly looking at Ellen, covered the back of her trembling hand with her large hand.

Ellen, who read concern, trust, and affection in his touch and gaze, was seized with the feeling that she was about to drown. What was suffocating her was her overwhelming happiness and dark guilt… … .

Ellen bit her twitching lip and slowly nodded. With the back of her hand tightly wrapped, Poynix looked back at the middle-aged man sitting across from the gun.

“I heard the good news. “Thank you.”

“haha. “Nothing much to say, Nari.”

“Do you have any more news to share?” The merchant patted the table quietly and rolled his eyes.

“Let’s see.” “There were a few interesting things that happened while passing by ‘Setheniora’, a monastery on a cliff, but I don’t think it’s something you would be interested in.”

However, contrary to his expectations, Poy Nix looked surprised.

“… … You passed by Seteniora? “Then have you met the saint?”

“Oh, that’s not it. “Is it possible for you to meet the saint so easily?” The merchant chuckled and continued.

“All I saw was a prostitute who invaded the monastery looking for the father of her unborn child and corrupt monks pointing fingers at each other.”

“… … Pregnant prostitutes and depraved monks.”

“yes. “I wonder what kind of absurd thing is going on in the monastery where the saint lives.”

Poynix looked like he wanted to ask more, but he glanced around and closed his mouth.

“Well, thank you. “Thanks to you, I got some useful information.” “I’m glad you said that.”

“You can’t get this information for free… … . “How many gold coins should I give you?”

“Oh, thank you again.”

As Poynix reached around his waist and tried to take out the money bag, the middle-aged merchant quickly continued.

“But I don’t need the money, Na Lee.”

“… … Don’t you need money? “That is unbecoming of a merchant.”

The merchant smiled.

“It can’t be. “I am a businessman to my core.”

“Hmm.”

Poynix raised an eyebrow and asked, ‘What is this kid doing?’ When the merchant made an expression like this, he showed both his palms.

“I just need you to remember my name.”

“Your name?”

“yes. ‘Max’ from ‘Farlane’. “Please just remember that.”

At those words, Fritz, the ponytail-haired mercenary who was eating onion porridge with cinnamon and eggs, suddenly looked up.

“Was（What）? Bist du aus dem Imperium（Are you an Empire guy）?

Max, a middle-aged merchant, nodded and responded to Fritz’s unexpected use of Gelan.

“I lived in the empire until I was six years old. “I guess that person is also from the Empire?”

“OK. “Unlike you, the Farlane hillbilly, this body is from Aringen.”

As Fritz spoke proudly and spat, Utequai next to him frowned.

“Close your mouth and eat porridge.”

«Ugh n

Fritz suddenly frowned and muttered quietly to himself in Gelan.

“Nimi, how do you eat porridge with your mouth closed? “You ignorant barbarian.”

Utequai smiled.

“If you make a hole under the uvula, you can drink porridge even if the mouth is closed. “Do you want to do that?”

“•♦••••Eek?”

When Utekwai spoke fluent Ghelan, Fritz’s eyes widened in surprise.

“No, how- do you know Ghelan?”

“The steppe borders the Mitergeland across a corridor. “Gellan is a basic skill for a warrior.”

Fritz’s face turned pale at Utequai’s words. This is because memories of swearing in Ghelan in front of Daejeon Temple on this plain passed by.

While Fritz was scared and swallowed dry saliva, Utequoi swallowed a boiled egg in one go and drank beer. It seemed as if he was satisfied that Fritz had become quiet and had paid his attention to him.

Poynix burst into laughter at the sight and nodded towards the middle-aged merchant.

“good. Max from Farlane, I’ll remember. “It’s not a difficult request.”

“Thank you, Nari.”

Merchant Max smiled and said hello to Phoenix and the others before returning to his group.

Fortunately for Ellen, the Oressa Tavern had quite a few rooms, even though it was a one-story building. It appeared to be mostly used as a warehouse or workroom, but there were a couple of rooms where people could stay.

When the owner’s eldest son introduced the room as being used by his wife and younger sisters, Poynix guessed the situation and made a solemn expression.

“hmm. “I’m telling you this in case you feel uncomfortable, but my wife and sisters are alive and well.”

“… … Oh yeah?”

“yes. One of my sisters had an older child, so I married her off to a village below. “My wife and children stay there.” Poynix quietly shook his head at the eldest son’s explanation.

“Well, it’s a bit dangerous for women and children to stay in the middle of a remote forest like this. “There will be frequent attacks by monsters.”

“There are some dangerous corners, but no monsters have invaded the bar in nearly three years.”

“For three years?”

” yes.”

Phoenix opened the wooden window and looked around.

The Oressa Tavern was located on a low hill in the middle of the forest. Since we were already in the forest and it was raining and spiders were falling, it was so dark that it was impossible to see an inch ahead.

Poinix, who confirmed this, burst into laughter as if he could not understand.

“It wouldn’t be an awkward sight even if four or five trolls came out right now. Besides, I noticed on the way there that there aren’t any monsters in the forest.”

“It’s full of goblins and red hounds.”

“Even if you say they are such small children, what about people like ogres?”

“You may encounter them at the foot of a mountain or on a forest path, but they will not invade this tavern.”

The eldest son continued talking as he shook off the blanket a couple of times and spread it on the bed.

“My father says it’s thanks to the Oressah tree.”

“The tree of Oressah? “I heard it was cut down by Count Martianver’s soldiers?”

“It’s an old tree with hundreds of spirits, so even though its form has been cut down, its substance will remain… … Well, it’s such a superstition.”

“hmm.”

“So it’s not the monsters that are scary, but the thieves. Even Oressa’s blessings couldn’t stop those wearing human masks.”

Phoenix scratched his eyebrows and then glanced around the room. Then he asked without much expectation.

“Is it possible to take a bath here?”

“Of course, Nari.”

“… … Yes? really?”

The eldest son shrugged his shoulders.

“I will provide you with the bathtub, but you must take care of the rest.”

“By-self?”

“yes. As for water, there is a stream a little way down there. No, since it is raining at the moment, we can just catch the rainwater. As for firewood to heat water, well, it may be a bit difficult, but you can pick it up, dry it, and then use it. Or, you can boil water little by little in the fireplace.”

As Poynix silently fumbled with his waist, the eldest son quickly waved his hand.

“Oh, you can’t give me money. “It’s a bar rule.” “From what I saw earlier, it seemed like they would show some flexibility if you gave them enough money.”

“This is really not possible. “Your father will be very angry.”

When the eldest son threw up his arms, Poynix had no choice but to nod and send him away.

Ellen, who was standing alone in the corner, slowly pulled off her cloak and took off her leather shoes.

“If you really want to take a bath, I’ll get some water for you. “You can just heat it up.”

“… … are you okay. “I just want to rest.”

“Yeah, well, it’s not like you’ll die if you don’t wash for a few days. right?”

Phoenics said that and walked up to Ellen, who was sitting on the bed, and wiped her feet with a cloth soaked in water. Ellen had a little blush on her cheeks, but she seemed quite used to it by now and sat quietly until Phoenix dried her with a cloth.

Poynix, perhaps impressed by his calm appearance, smiled and stood up.

“Okay, take a nap.”

“wait for a sec.”

” huh?”

As a small white hand grabbed the hem of the sleeve, Phoenix looked down at Ellen with a puzzled expression.

“why? Do you need anything? “Are you still hungry?”

“… … No, that’s not it.”

She licked her pink lips and lightly bit her lower lip.

“Give me a hug.”

“suddenly?”

At the words he barely had the courage to say, Poynix blinked and nodded willingly. He then took off his breastplate, placed it on the floor, and sat down on the bed. He lifted Ellen’s body up and made her sit on his lap.

” it.”

Ellen shrugged her shoulders for a moment. Even though she asked to be hugged, she seemed to feel embarrassed when Poynix hugged her without asking.

Poynix, whether aware of these feelings or not, wrapped his arms around her back and shoulders and hugged her warmly.

My stiff body softened under the gentle touch and moderate pressure. Ellen buried her face in his firm, wide embrace.

Phoenix suddenly opened his mouth with a playful expression on his face.

“ruler. “If you do what I want, I’ll thank you.”

“huh? hurry.”

Despite Phoenix’s encouragement, Ellen didn’t say anything except to tap his chest a couple of times. Then Poynix patted her on the back, holding her complaint.

The affectionate patting continued even after the sun had completely set.

Quadadang!

Poynix narrowed his eyes slightly at the loud noise coming from outside. And he listened to Ellen while holding his own breath.

Colorful breathing sounds. It was clear that he was deeply asleep.

Poynix carefully picked Ellen up and laid her on the bed, then left the room without making any sound.

The Oressa tavern was engulfed in a minor disturbance.

“Hey sir. “What was that just now?”

“I’m surprised, I’m sorry.”

Poynix guessed that either Stedman the hothead or Fritz the ponytail had caused the accident, but the two of them just sat quietly in their seats, muttering low curses.

The place where the loud sound came from was none other than the entrance to the bar.

“Ahh, damn it.”

The bar owner’s second son blocked the door with his shoulder and shouted into the bar.

“Rugon, Chigon! “Bring me anything you can use as a bolt!”

He was holding two pieces of wooden planks at his sides. Poynix thought that the rain and wind must have broken the latch and opened the door.

At that time, someone sitting in the corner of the bar suddenly stood up.

“Blackwood!”

The person who shouted that in a cheerful voice was none other than Alena, the daughter of a charcoal maker and her husband.

“You came looking for me!”

The child, who was usually unnaturally expressionless, smiled brightly and ran towards the entrance of the bar.

“Alena… …

When the child’s father, a charcoal maker, stood up with a small sigh, Conwyr, who was sitting next to him, wrinkled his forehead.

“Why is that child acting like that all of a sudden? What is ‘Blackwood’?”

“My daughter daydreams.”

“fancy?”

” yes.”

The charcoal maker spoke with his lips quivering.

“He says that sometimes, a man named Blackwood comes to visit him. “He’s talking to an imaginary man.”

“… … “That means it was possessed by the devil.”

Maybe it was because Conwyer’s voice of reluctance was quite loud. The atmosphere in the bar suddenly calmed down.

“oh.” Did he think that heavy atmosphere would harm his daughter? The charcoal maker’s wife woke up in surprise.

“No, nothing like that. “Yes, Alena is kind of playing house.”

Around that time, Alena dragged two empty chairs and placed them facing each other in the middle of the bar. Then she smiled brightly as if waiting for something and then sat down on a chair on one side of her.

“I thought you wouldn’t be able to follow me because you came through a deep forest.”

Alena has a lively voice as if she were talking to a close relative or a powerful neighbor.

paid a fee.

“It was my first time leaving Tvas, so I had high expectations, but *sigh* Dwarf men, ugly monsters, and cold rain. “I’m sick of it already.”

As Alena continued chatting, Gidon, the crossbowman who was tying the rosary around his neck, came out with a stern expression.

“The devil came in here. “Something has to be done.”

He muttered that, then reached into the leather pocket on his belt and took out a small, transparent glass bottle.

Freckled Mira frowned at that sight.

“Are you sure you’re going to sprinkle holy water on a little girl just because she’s playing house? Do you know how much it costs?”

“I’ve told you many times, but it’s not the money that’s important, you stupid bitch.”

As Gidon said this and opened the cap of the holy water, the archer Kol came up and grabbed his wrist.

“okay. “The important thing is the order.”

“… … what?”

“Your employer hasn’t said anything yet. “Is he going to waste his wealth carelessly?”

As Cole glared coldly and growled, Gidon gritted his teeth and glanced towards Phoenix, looking down at his temper. Phoenics frowned and shook his head, and Gidon pursed his lips and then stepped back.

Alena, who had already finished chatting, blinked as if she was listening to something being said. All her attention was focused on the empty chair across from her.

The people gathered at the Oressa Tavern thought it would be better to just shut up like that than to talk to themselves like crazy, but that wasn’t necessarily true.

Alena kept attracting the attention of those around her because of her strange atmosphere.

If you look at the child unconsciously like that, you have to see the smiling face turn into a fake cry, the body stiffen as if struck by lightning, the lower lip drop, or the child burst into laughter again… … .

“… … “This isn’t going to work.”

The owner of the Oressa Tavern continued to stroke his bushy beard and looked back at Phoenix. His eyes flashed dimly beneath his wrinkled eyelids.

“Nari, this won’t work.”

what’?” “Please either stop that child who is spewing pestilence, or kick him out.”

Poynix frowned as if that was some kind of bullshit, but the old man was stubborn. He forgot about the difference in social status and picked up Poynix, and the charcoal maker and his wife noticed him and approached Alena, his body trembling like an aspen.

“Ah, Alena. Let’s stop now. huh?”

Even though her mother pleaded, Alena was completely focused on the invisible Blackwood.

“Alena!”

The charcoal maker hugged his daughter with a somewhat determined look on his face.

“Kyaahiah —!”

A loud, terrible scream that was hard to believe came from a child’s voice came out. As Alena screamed and struggled frantically, the mercenaries looked horrified and tried to stop the charcoal maker.

“Ha, uh-”

As the charcoal maker walked away with his hands shaking, Alena, who had forgotten about the fuss she had made, became a precocious young woman and sat down in the empty chair.

“… … Really, all kinds of things are going on.”

Phoenix watched the scene quietly and walked away with an expression of unwillingness. He then glanced at Alena, who was concentrating on something, and then sat down across from her.

At that moment, something completely unexpected happened.

“and.”

Alena smiled as if she was ecstatic.

“It’s been a while since I saw you like that.”

“••••••what?”

“long time no see. “It’s been a really long time.”

Alena spoke with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.

“Really, it’s been a while, Blackwood.”