Chapter 170: Summer and With It, Trouble (2)
4OBNP8KThe capital was the most developed city of the El Rath Kingdom. Not only were all the administrative bureaus located inside the city along with the palace, but it also served as the center of transportation that was linked to every important city.cdVVLMN
bxdActually, despite all that, it was a place that was rarely visited in the game. None of the scenarios took place here unless they were events related to the princesses, and the only one apart from that was when the player officially became the Hero of the Kingdom.ROq
K3bThat was the same for me in the last iteration, so I had rarely ever been to this place.cZPosSr
f3m89k“Haa~”IZ6mC
671L3IT“What’sh wong?”ozm4
AefAlicia mumbled with a parfait in her mouth.rp3Rm0Y
O2vsBLX“You see, I don’t have good memories about the capital.”I4OvMO
eaN82-Gulp!psHlZ
jV0bRW“But weren’t you raised in the capital, Mr. Korin?”WGTji
ob4UGo“That’s true, but the nobles were annoying and my childhood wasn’t the brightest.”eXBQ
4nDnb“Ah~ nobles. I think I understand what you mean. Their eyes are like…”slO1
LglNbq“Have you been to the palace before?”vAe
bkmi“Only for Unni’s coming-of-age ceremony.”6qdOaU
YYlX77“Must have been rough.”XaexglQ
jPiI could imagine how it must have gone. They probably talked down on her, labeling her as an illegitimate child and whatnot.sGwoG
f1A0qZbNowadays, most of the nobles in this world only had honorary titles without any territories and spent most of their time in the palace. As such, they became similar to forums of yellow journalism.5aM
L2dThey didn’t have the influential authority of the past and just turned into shady people who talked behind other’s backs.pPa9v
y0o“But how do you know that, Mr. Korin? Didn’t you say you were a normal civilian?”CtjzPnN
gzTI“I was the consort of the prin- I mean, I had a few opportunities to come across them.”n8UR
lCO1Sr“Uuun?”UAMfpD4
54e“Boss.”Bl5VO
LCRThat was when Ren called me while pulling my sleeves. Unlike Ron, who now appeared like a middle schooler, Ren still looked like a child.WrI5CN
wdE“Boss. That one. I want to try that.”a46Nh
lIrjOkShe was mesmerized by the fancy and ornamented streets of the capital.3Gxv
pKqU“I will give you some cash, so you can go buy one.”QnP
8hasO0“You have some too, Boss.”vROm
X1N“Alright.”hqb
cmjWhat Ren wanted was a shish kebab that was being sold on the other side of the wide street. They were certainly not of the highest quality, but street food had its upsides.4bbm
vGj“Koriiin~!”3q4
1nZmwFAlicia and Hua Ran, who were behind me, were also having a skewer each alongside Ren and I. That was when Marie yelled out loud while running up from afar.96D2npN
A8a“Sorry for the wait! I had to take something!”BJR
tBO12e6“Did the capital branch give you a few presents?”WbYn
ymMV“Nn nn! There was something I ordered through them as well!”R3xU
Xxf2Marie was carrying a bunch of stuff, starting from boxes to shopping bags.XjBueBh
GnJQRS“Give them to me. We can’t call Doggo out after all.”YLHQ
fnJx1“Ah, thanks.”nLx
wAAzI took the boxes off of her arms. These were quite heavy, making me wonder what was inside.Y98dwa8
n0Rgdow“Senior Marie. What are these?”8Fp9H2b
EYuc0K“Hehe. We’re going to see your parents, right? I prepared some gifts for them.”FudvJ24
6ls1“You didn’t need to…”VSU
SBn3hegWait… this is something I’m now experienced with.wKh
69WVouMarie Dunareff – the owner of 25 peerage titles and the master over several cities of the South. A super wealthy individual who was printing out money on repeat!RtD
1hOIs there any chance that her gifts are going to be normal?ija20Li
n2oAT“You didn’t put in… jewelry or pouches of gold coins, did you?”EGM
M86tjpq“Uht… I think you have a very big misconception about me, Korin.”T6Z44Xz
XF5u“Am I wrong?”B2kyjK
8RkV“You are! These are all foods. Like dried fruits and crops!”RES
u3qj3f“Oh… Sorry about that.”ct4o7R
niarDid I misunderstand her the whole time? I suppose even the wealthy wouldn’t spend every day having a glass of wine with shark fins.I4N3
bM2CrwKThey probably also did normal things just like everyone else.lXDV
ycVAK“Mr. Korin. I also have some gifts for your parents.”7i02BkM
R4u“You really didn’t need to though.”3ZBel2a
vpC3tKAlicia showed a gift box that was wrapped in a pretty cheesecloth. She must have gotten that when she stopped by the Arden Dojo of the capital.BkP
3WVasE“This must have taken you guys so much time even though you didn’t need to. By the way, what’s inside?”4tN
g9T“Horse jerkies from the East. Unni told me to take them.”o2dTZ
So4“Hoh~”vfxrMs
HS9Now that was something I would like to try at least once.QDWZ
jhTB“…”BjWNR
XHwThe two of them were presenting their gifts for the visit, while Hua Ran was standing off to the side, hesitantly looking around while shedding cold beads of sweat.VH1
B9Mk“I, I’ll… go buy…”irw97W
n71hsE9“It’s okay. It’s the thought that counts.”37vPa5
avC5How adorable.GzIdxM8
NGKCfblThat was nothing strange, considering her limited experience in social settings.wbMY3nV
wJtGMy“…Sorry.”xXjzUA
sWXDVW“There’s no need to be.”YqWovZ
yIABshTIt was still impressive though, that Hua, who used to be the most self-conceited and self-centered person in the world, was now social enough to care about others.QqCI
oi6I caressed her head but she soon pushed my arm away.N0moofe
lTz36a“Don’t touch my hair…”WGPmU
5iODl“Alright alright.”pxe
5XQC“And don’t smile like that.”XJxvq
9oS“Okay okay.”ERUqsg
UBJKjJPWas she sulking? Her lips were pursed but even that looked very adorable. When dealing with Ran, who gave off a mature and alluring charm, I would miss the cute and sulky Hua sometimes.DyYJR
bGZRHRan liked me so much that it made my heart race.lBfgB
Uv4h“By the way, Korin. What kind of people are your parents?”AY3NQW
QHJtD“They’re normal. They run a restaurant and my younger sister is a student at the Royal Academy.”FpSaBm6
cXBJ“Wow~. A restaurant? That’s amazing~”Cx6NM2
HOCDcfCWhen I first came to this world, the word ‘home’ meant the same thing as ‘awkward’. I was always under the impression that I was an outsider from Earth who overtook Korin Lork’s memories and his outer shell.oC2J
KqhWell, it was what anyone would go through. Park Sihu rejected that notion until the end, but I approved it and accepted it as a fact.IzLk
xbhaYThat all happened in the last iteration, and I started to simply believe that I was Korin Lork.TW2I
ZQPK9I am me.yDI
iPNCI got all the memories so of course I’m the same person!Hqul
Cs9There might be some arguments against that line of thought, but I just decided to accept that as a fact.OmQOP5
KFLAQzZ“Huu~. It’s been so long since I saw them that I feel slightly guilty and nervous.”ggKIf0
thMWwvPThe last time I saw them was before the battle against the Frost Giants in the last iteration so… it had been a very long time. Plus, that was when I was slightly out of my mind…i73MoW2
ODq***P1T
s5eacKorin’s parents, Rudene Lork and Suel Lork were in a state of emergency due to the sudden visit of an unexpected guest.x2Y
GsjLkZ“Hopefully I’m not being a nuisance. Haha…”Wd9N
gMljUx“N, not at all. It’s an honor for us.”5HRa
gCjThe silver-haired unrealistically beautiful lady, who made them wonder if a person could be so pretty, introduced herself as the Chairman of Merkarva Academy.zfLaBOQ
5a32nCIf it was just her, they would have questioned how someone so young could be the chairman of an academy because the only other Chairman they knew was the fat and lethargic old man they saw at their daughter’s academy.nsENf
Mg9WHowever, another beauty who was standing by her side like a secretary immediately dispelled any doubt in their mind.G1OtDLp
lrkfq6“J, Josephine Clara?”ct7
d2BThe Lork couple had also been to an academy during their youth because the education fees of the El Rath Kingdom were affordable for everyone unless they were from a very poor family.rple
CS90fEbBecause of that, they immediately recognized Josephine Clara, the protagonist of the Witch Revolution, whom they had seen pictures of in history books.Qns
jw5r8egUnlike Tates Valtazar and Erin who had been covering their faces with a mask, Josephine was the one leading the fray with the spotlight on her as a previous victim of the Witch Hunt, and was therefore a celebrity that everyone across the continent could recognize.BLRNBvS
Ej7LAMW“Umm… By Merkarva… you mean the one that my son…”Sebzs
5Po6SF“If you’re talking about Korin, he is a wonderful student. He’s the top student of the 2nd year students, after all.”t5kCNmA
0g4“R, really?”6VVQD
qR8UqKThat wasn’t something that was shared in the letters they received from their son. That damn little boy didn’t really talk about himself so they had no idea.AuY3jMx
XOSBc78“And I am also personally related to Korin as a master and disciple.”lvTlf
3onJU“M, master and disciple?”rmQ
NcW9“I am personally teaching spearmanship to that child, and Korin is an extremely fabulous knight.”drpm4
8Csc“I, I see.”kfs
HpQ1OLe“By the way… May I ask what brought you to a humble place like ours, Chairman?”n0xvRL
0z6U“Ah…!”nv02FlG
cmjErin clapped aloud as if she finally remembered the reason for her visit.V9F
S6h“My original plan was to greet you alongside Korin, but…”sRqMiQj
WcpGreet? But why though?S48Su
EQ7KZZ9The two of them didn’t dare ask such a question.ISBlD
3V9“I have some urgent matters to attend to at the palace, so I had to arrange an earlier visit. Clara?”c0ux97u
CabAs soon as she called her name, Josephine gently waved her staff and created a dimensional fissure in the air which started to reveal various items.129GT
7ESyAXC“I couldn’t come empty-handed for the visit, so I prepared some gifts. They’re nothing much though.”WgUj
W3U“Uhh, you mean all this?”mYJcSb
naEThe couple dropped their chin after seeing all the items and couldn’t hide their shock.9mGr9
bko“This is a cabinet with pearl ornaments and a marble desk made by a friend of mine called Luchtaine,kD97GP
i8n0wy“And that one there is a treasure chest that a friend called Credne made.NDI0hj
4cfRPvz“Also, this is a magical steel skewer that I received from Goibniu. Apparently, every meat pierced by that skewer will be very good at providing men with energy.”6Jjvj
Vai2jEach and every one of those items that were being shared by Erin were treasures with more than a thousand years of history.JsfkN
Xe6uAlthough the two of them were oblivious to the long history embedded in those items, the presents given by the gods to their youngest goddess were all sparkling with radiance, which allowed them to assume how incredible these treasures must be.QW5
Zc7mY“T, these are way too precious for…”3qrtK2T
pDgK4They couldn’t accept such a gift. All of them were priceless artifacts. Besides… why was the Chairman of an academy giving them these presents?U62ECZ
lZlAE“W, we can’t…”85u4
I2ddRight as Rudene was about to turn the offer down, Erin wrapped her hands around his as well as Suel’s, before speaking to them with a benevolent voice.teGhF6B
RJafHv“It’s okay. The two of you have a wonderful son. All the things that Korin has done for me are worth much more than these.”8Ot9
EpQFor some reason, even though the beauty before their eyes appeared 20 years younger than them… she had a benevolent and loving attitude that they would usually feel from seniors who were much older than themselves.3QpsU
y9wSip“Hoho. Looks like Korin, that little guy is doing a great job at the Academy.”thTaB
jzvTG“Of course. You have no idea how kind and soft-hearted my Korin is.”5aG
yRKo‘Hnn?’13SHywS
APk‘My Korin?’3Pdzo
YDJThey were slightly puzzled by that rather strange choice of words, but they silently watched Erin, who continued on and on with a benevolent smile on her face.fuxEu
95HZY“He learns two when you teach one, wipes the sweat off of his master when she sweats a little~, and he’s also an amazing cook. Last time, he made chicken soup. Ah, but I am terrible with hot foods and you know what he did? He gently blew on it a few times and carried the spoon to my mouth. I wonder how he’s so handsome and nice~”4HtXtg
tPuaCI“…”sXT4D
r0xb“…”13LQ
qtR“And the way he tries to protect his master even though he’s the disciple is so dependable! Whenever he assures me, saying that everything will go well, is just so loving… He’s a fantastic adult. Oh right. Korin said everyone over 20 are friends. Do you think the same too?”N6A5i
cjGMOa“D, did he say that?”YJn
0yQ“Of course. That’s why I’m trying my best to be like friends. Ah~. That’s an amazing quote, isn’t it? Everyone over 20 are friends… Right, Clara?”gx1
fDHGFV“Certainly.”34b1
yhV“And he also said I’m young and pretty! That it doesn’t matter how old I am. You think so too, right? Your age doesn’t matter when you are young at heart, right?”an3wpD
U9rShe… sounded more and more silly as time passed.E6CRUc
fS2GEven though they were his parents, Erin sounded more like a loving parent bragging about their favorite son as time went on. In fact…Uw1
ZjOXRzs‘This is… that, right?’G07X
7zRo‘I… guess so?’jUFl1
gTBrQEThe couple felt very confused.5tFpqr
55vx“Thank you so much for giving us such a wonderful son.”BJAIJ8
zjz“Ah, right… Umm, thank you.”k9D
0zb9Qo“‘Giving’…?”jl2
q1n“Ah, it’s about time to go. There is a meeting at the palace, you see.”lyr5
dTJErin and Clara left without waiting for the two of them to say anything. While being sent off by the Lork couple, the two of them whispered to each other in a voice they wouldn’t be able to pick up.d9t
geWvS“Umm… Did I sound silly?”P6W
p6z“A lot.”cJp9
jeO3“Did you think so too, Clara?!”z7zbFe
Ko8b5uW“What do you… mean by that?”2ph8ujN
ukdz43““…””2mZf
bTooThe couple watched the two of them walk away in a stupor. After some time, Rudene cautiously opened his mouth.s0Zobj
Mbo“Umm… I think a slightly older wife should be fine for our son.”kBYPEx
27ikn“But wouldn’t it be a little strange for our daughter-in-law to be older than us?”zWh3
RdoiUnlike their son, the couple could read the mood like normal people. While they were packing up the presents that Erin brought in piles which… might be a dowry, another guest knocked on their door.YnL
OP3ibS“Is this the house of the Lork family?”dvdYjX
tLk7Np“Umm, yes! That is right! Who is… Huhp!”vBOEjU
M4vbo“Honey? What’s wro— Huhp!”Iif0
tfaHtHDThe one that made both of them react in the same way, was the most famous guardian of the Kingdom.RU2p
gQayH“My name is Lunia Arden. Are you the parents of Korin Lork?”KVcNbQX
8AnAhLunia Arden. She was one of the top knights of contemporary times who appeared several times in Guardian magazines. Not a single citizen of the Kingdom was unaware of the granddaughter of the Sword Emperor Garrand Arden, who used to be reigning supreme over the era 30 years ago!iql
NQClT“M, may I ask what brings Sir Lunia all the way here?”PT2K
aqdZGz“Hmm? Ah, I suppose you have not heard it yet. Father.”Wdjdrlq
x7W8Mc“Ehk?”iqY1qi
gai“‘Father’?”43OC8I
NKqhTRLunia walked into the house in large strides and gave the couple a deep bow. Why was a celebrity of the Kingdom so respectful to some random restaurant owners? And what did she mean by ‘Father’??!rZeG
03Yj“Though unofficial, I am Lunia Arden, who had been engaged to your son.”TTSZ2wY
68nYN“H, h, huh?!”B6psfPT
K33FlUw“E, e, engaged??!”GxyzgQ
OApIt felt like they were struck by a lightning bolt out of nowhere. Engaged? Who? With who? My kid? With Lunia Arden?m2wX1
R4Q“I had an errand at the palace and thought of visiting on the way for an official introduction. Jennie.”xt1ehDm
cXelGGAs soon as she called her name, Jennie, one of the Five Swords of the First Sword Squad, walked forward like a maidservant with a long box in hand.BzF6
0PWYShe handed the box covered in fine silk over to Lunia, who then gave it to the couple.PL4G4
T7MF“Please. This is the Sword of Dispersal, which chases out evil spirits. You can leave it as a decoration and it will create a barrier that inhibits the approach of demonic spirits. If you have an exceptional spiritual sense, you could use it personally to cut down evil spirits.”iMkkx
pW8MlThat meant it was a magic artifact – a precious item that not even money could buy.rxCkE
8yXiC“B, but, why would you…”ktI
mF0q“I cannot allow wicked things to approach the parents of my fiancé, after all. Please do not turn down this small offering of this Lunia Arden.”fer
SWE“Ah, ah yes… T, thank you very much.”Xv4Q1C
leYQc7O“Please speak casually. You are Korin’s father, and that will make you my father as well. Would it not?”h9Nwgi
hWFyeVx“I, is that right? So you’re… our daughter-in-law?”Mu9
PZJzsFBam!O10
zDmmAldThat was when Rudene Lork was poked on his side by his wife. Watching the two of them, Lunia said with a faint smile.qaFb
DIpVhdg“It seems that the young miss is not around. I heard she’s a student at the Royal Academy, so I have brought some throwing knives that can be hung on her bag as accessories. It is nothing much, but please accept it.”NAW
7UD8A“H, h, huh?”XDX7TG
xucThe two of them, who were pretty much forced to hold onto the present, didn’t even know what to say in the face of this unrealistic reality as they blankly sent her off.4qbx7
xqK“…Honey.”2XDY
FCNihV“Yes.”0acWK
ZLnhtx“Did Korin, that little guy, mention this in his letters?”xwfBp6
JWzJR“…Not at all.”fGN6O
mC6Cp“This boy. What in the… We sent him off to the academy to become a knight but he’s only been hitting on girls or something!”9h7z
C3f“B, but… He has a solid preference. It looks like he is into older girls… just like you.”S8C
T5O“K, kuhum…!”NPY4QfU
quYThe couple cleaned the house after the storm while trying their best to calm themselves down.PD4u4X1
yNbHQYThe Chairman of Merkarva Academy and the future head of the Arden Household of the East. Either one of them was quite burdensome to have as a daughter-in-law.mBbO
Zdn1Lx“Let’s take the day off today.”swGWT
fYzwBU“Sounds good. Ehew, how much is all this? My heart is racing right now because of everything that happened.”VH86
meeIn the afternoon, they finally heard their long-awaited son knocking on the main gates of the house.iFl
03JS4“Korin must be here!”UVkwa
OaaPb“Kuhum…! Let me quickly go ask him. How could he be two-timing…? Two-timing!”7Nou
pxdq6Rudene Lork and Suel Lork hurried to the gates to welcome their son who was coming back for the first time in a year and a half. Like that, they opened the door and…5vZ
lOtE08“Hello. My name is Marie Dunareff.”LY1
EKgZW“I, I’m Alicia Arden. Mr. Korin’s… friend.”8bz
3ZWegT“…Hello.”HNq
xOvh0H“My name is Ren, and I’m under the care of Boss… I mean, oraboni.”K8vEkgT
A433oRThere were all sorts of beautiful girls next to their son, who were all incredibly nervous as if they were meeting their in-laws for the first time.VaAtCz
X5AHU“MY FARRTHER! MY MORRTHER! Your son has returned!”W7Vum
la7“…”BfoHe7
1raaho“…”zu5
vbkjlDqIt can’t be, right?eNicx
FvYPThere’s no way this little bastard went to the Academy to hit on girls all day, right?aZgK
s3UOnTheir suspicion was quite close to the mark.3G0cmW
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