Chapter 37 …
“This isn’t even a real wound. Put some herbs on it and sleep it off for a night and you’ll be fine. No need to worry!”
“Well, still… sigh, it’s upsetting.”
I tried to act tough, but the villagers still looked worried. The reason was that my arm had been shredded by AJ’s weapon. They had every right to be worried…but still, I’d hit him more. I’d defended the dungeon. I should’ve been the one celebrating. Compared to AJ, my scratches were nothing. The women fussing over me only made more wrinkles appear on their faces from worrying.
I, who had secretly hoped for praise, suddenly shut my mouth like a daughter who’d given her parents trouble.
We moved the injured Orc #2 to the villagers’ house and were about to return to the castle. I looked out across the field beneath the Demon King’s Castle as the sunset began to stain the sky. The once-lush field now looked torn and trampled — a hideous sight. My shoulders sagged.
“Sorry.”
“Huh? Sorry for what?” The villagers who had followed us cocked their heads in puzzlement.
“This.” I pointed at the field, which was a total mess. “Because of the fight earlier, the field got turned to hell. You’ll have to clean all of this up.”
“The field?”
“This won’t be done in a day or two. There’s so much work now, what are you going to do? We barely have enough people as it is.”
It looked like a scene from a hero movie where the heroes fight and accidentally level a whole city and crush every car. I hadn’t realized we’d fought until things got so terrible that reason flew out the window.
Next time I’ll just completely neutralize everything like it’s hell itself. I can’t repair the torn ground with my abilities anyway. In the end, the villagers will have to do the cleanup.
But contrary to my worries, the village women suddenly exploded in anger — like something they’d been holding in finally burst out.
“What do you mean by that? That’s not what’s important right now!”
“Right! You should be worried about the Demon Lord getting hurt! Oh my, this hurts my heart!”
I opened my eyes wide in surprise.
“R-really? Then don’t worry about me?”
“Yes. We’ll handle it here, so go inside and get treated and rest!”
“Okay… I’ll go.” I let their momentum push me and started toward the Demon Lord’s Castle, then turned back to them.
“Why are you all like this?”
“Just…,” I started hesitating, then said, “I’m glad you’re all safe.”
“…….”
“Orc #2’s a little hurt, but Joanna said he’ll recover soon.”
If I hadn’t been near the gate when AJ came in—if I’d been at the mine or the forest and responded late—what would have happened? Just imagining it was terrifying. When AJ attacked Orc #2, I’d genuinely felt darkness sweep over me. I thought I’d lose him right then and there. When did my heart grow so big? I knew these people meant more to me than mere villagers, but had they quietly become so meaningful to me?
“You’re the one all battered to pieces, though…”
“Oh, really. I’m in menopause and you’re making me cry. Hmph…” The village women suddenly had tears in their eyes. Where had the yelling ogres gone? Then I noticed Han Hyunjin trailing behind them, staring straight at me. He was just staring! Why? What are you looking at so intensely? His gaze felt like it could pierce a person’s face.
Then a window popped up in front of my eyes.
[‘Public Favor’ increased by 5.] I burst out laughing.
“You’re moved by only words like that? What did I even do? The village women’s hearts are too easy…”
[‘Special Person’s Public Favor’ moves the heavens.] Huh? ‘Special person’?
At that moment the old sting of blood welled up before I even clenched my jaw, and it wet the corner of my mouth. Oops. Before I could pull out a handkerchief, blood refluxed with an abnormal status — hemoptysis — and a ringing exploded in my head. When public favor increased, the abnormal hemoptysis manifested. More blood surged than usual.
“Ugh… I feel dizzy…”
“Demon Lord!” Right then, Griffis, who’d been quietly following me, was beside me. My wobbly body leaned toward him. Before I fell into his arms, a pair of arms slid around my waist and pulled me close. Suddenly my feet lifted and I was being hugged by someone.
Huh? So I’m being held by this guy…?
“It’s cold. I’ll carry her to the castle.” The one who’d picked me up was none other than Han Hyunjin.
Confused, I stared at Han Hyunjin’s face. He said, “Don’t stare like that.”
I certainly couldn’t help staring… He lifted me as lightly as if I were a stuffed bear and started walking toward the Demon Lord’s Castle with steady steps. I calmed my startled heart with difficulty.
Come to think of it, this was the second time I’d been held by him. I didn’t remember the first time — I must have been unconscious. I looked at his profile, the side of Han Hyunjin’s face that gave me no hint of feelings, and my gaze drifted away quietly. It made me feel odd.
AJ, who’d rampaged through my dungeon and taken a hit to his psyche, was bound and locked in the underground jail for now. I’d deal with his punishment later.
After Han Hyunjin brought me to the castle, Joanna treated me and I lay down on the bed immediately. The hemoptysis worried Joanna and the village women so much they fussed non-stop.
“Shouldn’t we make some medicine? You coughed up blood like this before.”
“It’s not like that. It’s just a condition I get sometimes.”
“Who has a condition where they sometimes cough up blood?” There really are such people now?
I felt wronged but couldn’t explain. Telling them about the system wouldn’t help; they wouldn’t understand.
Night deepened and the village women and Joanna returned to the houses. Quiet settled in the bedroom like dust. The herbs plastered across my badly injured arm emitted a stinging smell that pricked my nose. I stared blankly at the candlelight in the candlestick and then spoke.
“Aren’t you going home?” Han Hyunjin sat cross-armed a little distance from my bed. Honestly, I was a bit baffled. This was the first time Han Hyunjin had stayed in the dungeon until dawn. He usually returned home at night instead of sleeping here. Why wasn’t he going now?
When I looked at him with a puzzled expression, he spoke in a heavy voice.
“It’s my fault AJ came in here.”
“Your fault?”
“I did media play and even dragged the government into it so the Association people couldn’t come in. That drew attention instead.” I blinked.
“The Association chief is ruthless, so he probably wanted to send the worst one here to set an example. He’d overturn everything the moment I tried to hide something. So he came to make this place a wreck and to kill the people and you.”
“I see.” Well, I’d figured something like that.
AJ was the card the Association pulls out when cruel methods are needed. Still, was it Han Hyunjin’s fault that the dungeon ended up like this? If you pin blame, isn’t it the Association chief who unleashed the mad dog?
“So, you’re staying here because you feel sorry? Because it’s your fault?” Han Hyunjin bowed his head deeply — a face that felt the weight of responsibility. I stared blankly at that face and thought, ‘Ah, the orderly-hero protagonist trope.’ When will this tired, Hamletic personality ever change?
But I was tired of talking about his character at length. “Then pour me some water. I’m thirsty.” It had been half a joke, but Han Hyunjin immediately stood and poured water from the kettle. He handed the cup to me.
“Feed me.”
“……” Hesitant, Han Hyunjin approached and slipped his hand behind my back. The touch brought an odd sensation and I briefly regretted teasing him, but with a bland face he gently raised me and tipped water into my mouth.
He was the kind of protagonist who was good at everything. I guess even serving is a talent for him.
“By the way.” After I finished the water I squinted my eyes and grabbed Han Hyunjin’s waist.
“!” He stiffened when I grabbed his waist. It had been bothering me. This. I’d held his waist and his body went rigid.
“About that sword… It feels like it’s saying something to me.”
