Chapter 80 – 80 – Fishing Hook, Measures
‘One Sun’ is a popular publication with enormous influence.
The secret to its popularity is that it contains all kinds of slander that people in the world would be interested in. They say the king of a certain country is a lizard devil wearing a human skin. It was said that a famous singer was actually a eunuch. It was said that one warrior was actually the homosexual lover of a cult leader who dreamed of overthrowing the country.
Of course, as with such ridiculous claims, most of them are nonsense that is just thrown out without thinking deeply. As if it’s enough to attract attention regardless of the facts.
However, there is no proper responsibility for lying. In fact, it is impossible to pick up the words that have been poured out.
“You’re saying it’s a low-quality rumor maker, right? “Can’t we just leave them talking?”
“Of course, those types of rumors are often forgotten as time passes after they are published. “But in our case we have a serious problem.”
Eshen looked worried about everything, but the sister shook her head with a serious face.
“One is that we are the only ‘large first-class front-line party of 100 people made up entirely of women’ as described in the article. The other thing is that the speculation is true to some extent.”
Looking at the article, the preface is provocative. ‘According to data obtained by this newspaper, a top-notch front-line party of more than 100 people, made up entirely of women, is said to be enjoying shocking sexual depravity. They hire cross-dressing male porters for purposes other than porting, and engage in crazy sexual acts every night. While their fiancés or lovers wait anxiously in their hometown. We dig into the hotbed of corruption.’
A vicious article that makes every single person a potential adulterer. I have never touched someone who has a boyfriend before. I have never been hired to perform a sexual act.
For the rest of the party waiting at the camp, it would be a complete surprise.
“But the stigma has already been overturned. Of course, there will be some party members who will laugh it off and say that the rumors are just rumors… But if someone investigates them in depth and uncovers the truth, they will become true.”
Elf Nenya ground her teeth.
“One person already tried it. “That idiot Baseldenan.”
Nenya also warned me a few days ago. There are many daughters of powerful people in our extermination party. If you don’t want to cause trouble, don’t expand your female circle any further.
And that ominous warning appeared right in front of me without me even having a chance to do anything about it. Leni’s brother and her Eshen family came to visit, with Elan’s elf leading the way.
But why is my mind so calm and calm? Have you become braver than before? Or is it because the crisis is too much to handle and I’m going crazy?
“I’m betting ten on the latter.”
“Be quiet, Eshen. “Now that I’ve calmed down, let’s think about it a little more.”
A great crisis has come again. However, your life is not at risk, so you need to remain calm right now.
This is especially true because I am not the only one suffering damage. That is clearly evident in Baseldenan’s attitude towards Nenya.
Elves, whose age is difficult to tell based on their appearance, are a race that takes great care in treating their age. Judging from the words, ‘I received your mother’s mother with my own hands,’ it appears that Nenya was already an adult when her grandmother in Baseldenan was born.
In other words, the elf Baseldenan cannot look down on Nenya for no reason.
“Yes, is that you?”
“…Are you asking if my reputation in elven society will suffer if I become involved in this scandal?”
“I’m asking because I feel like there’s more to it than just losing face.”
Nenya sighed and nodded his head.
“Yeah, it’s more than that. To put it radically… Think of a human having sexual intercourse with a dog. Even if she is a queen, her image won’t be good.”
“Oh my god.”
“Many elves consider bonding with humans to be something of that level. Elves who receive human seed can no longer live in the forest of Elan. “You are treated as a madman who played with animals and exiled to the outside world.”
“In the eyes of some elves, Nenya will be seen as an extreme dog lover. “My homeland, Soelan, was founded with the tears of mixed-race descendants who were driven out by such views.”
Leni added, swiping her knife away with her thong. The momentum felt somehow unsettling.
“Is that a regular grooming?”
“No. “Brother Robben insulted me, so I’m planning to challenge him to a duel in a little while.”
“···Ah.”
“He was a damn guy who always pretended to help me but tried to get in my way. ‘It’s going to be difficult because she’s a girl.’ ‘He is a child of our family, so don’t hurt him.’ 당신에게 말한 적은 없지만 격멸파티에 들어온 것도, 그런 작자들 때문에 소 엘란 기사단 안에서 인정받지 못한 탓이었죠.”
Lennie held up his well-maintained knife. A cool face was reflected on the side of her sword.
“그래도 덕분에 좋은 친구들을 많이 사귀었으니 용서해주려고 했는데, 이제는 그 친구들마저 모욕하려고 하는군요. “At this point, we will fight knight against knight and kill him.”
···Does that mean that they will kill their pride by humiliating them, or is it literally so? Judging by the momentum, it seems to be the latter.
“Please, don’t do that yet.”
Lennie raised an eyebrow at my calm words.
“Why? If the general answer is that you shouldn’t kill people, I’ll be angry. “They are already trying to kill us socially.”
“I don’t know the Tigris’ intentions. However, we can make a more confident guess about those sent from Greater Elan and Lesser Elan. “They are just the tip of the fishing hook.”
“The tip of the fishing hook?”
“Nenya, how important is Basseldenan in elven society?”
“Important? It’s almost unnecessary. 요정 중심주의자 녀석이 바깥 세상에 나와서 어깨에 힘이 좀 들어간 모양인데, 솔직히 이야기하면 그냥 조경사 가문의 놀고 먹는 증손주야. 용돈이야 많이 받겠지만, 내일 쥐도새도 모르게 없어져도 그 가문사람들은 물론 아무도 신경 안쓸걸.”
“I see. “Leni, which son is Robbendo?”
“···I am the ninth son, and the 18th son and daughter combined. That’s right. “The tip of a fishing hook.”
Lennie’s eyes became calm. She then sheathed her knife as if she understood.
Eshen looked around in confusion.
“What are you talking about? “Someone tell me so I can understand.”
토베탄은 태생이 해적들의 연합에서부터 시작된 나라다. 그런 거친 땅의 정서를 모르는 머저리들을 해적들의 아가리 깊숙이 밀어넣은 이유가 뭘까?
Fish hooks are sharp. 끄트머리에 걸리는 입질을 통해 물 속에 물고기가 풍부한지 가늠해보는 도구이기도 하다.
그러나 잃어버려도 아무도 아까워하지 않는다. 낚시꾼들은 여유분의 낚싯바늘을 가지고 다니는 법이니까.
“제대로 된 국가라면 햇볕도 안 쐬어본 것 같은 멍청이들을 사절이라고 보내지는 않을 거야. 모건이 듣는 자리에서 말하기는 조금 미안하지만, 사실 토베탄에 사절을 보내는 일 자체가 이상한 일이지.”
“Uh, why? Looks like a nice place?
”우리한텐 좋은 곳이지만 누군가한텐 아닐거야, 에셴. In fact, most decent countries that have held merchant ships for exorbitant ransoms do not even recognize Tovetan as a nation.”
“…Are you a group of day robbers? “Is this a den of sea thieves?”
Morgan smiled at the astonished Eshen.
“…Then what do you think the skull and swords on the pirate flag are? A symbol of adventure and romance?”
“It wasn’t?”
“Well, my father and the Queen of Tovetan are people who think that our country should move away from a predatory economy. Our ships and crew have never been used for plunder, so don’t feel uncomfortable. Keep going, Tan.”
“Then, back to the original topic. Idiots like Baseldenan must have been showing off without even knowing what would happen to their own lives. Like Adamantone, who challenged Tomko at the instigation of the Mithraic Church.”
“Hmm. “Like adamantone.”
“But the position of those who encouraged the idiots behind the scenes will be different. Like the Mithraic Church that sent Adamantone to the sea on a murderer’s ship, they are probably trying to achieve their goal cheaply by borrowing the hands and lives of others.”
“Hmm. Like the Order of Mithras. But who?”
“Brothers and sisters who don’t want Lenny to come back from his exploits in the front party. Elves who don’t like Nenya hanging out with people. In addition, if you disparage women from ‘powerful families’ as porters and prostitutes who played around with porters, there will be many forces that will benefit.”
“We have to include our party’s competitors for the ball as well. Gonggi is a brand that guarantees the support of royal families. “If our party is completely disbanded, not only will there be fewer competitors and more work, but we will also be able to bring back top fighters who lost their party due to scandal at a low price.”
Nenya pointed out, holding up her finger. I nodded.
“If Tomko kills them and covers his mouth, it might actually be like acknowledging them. I think there’s something there, so I’ll invest more actively and dig into it. Claiming ‘the mysterious deaths of good people who went there just to ask questions.'”
“So your dad didn’t shoot you in the head. “I think it actually protects us.”
Morgan nodded as if he finally understood. Whether the opponent is an elf or a noble, the idea that it is natural to shoot one in the head as a reward for insolence is a bit creepy.
···When I think about it, I have experienced not only a man like Tomko, who cut off Adamantone’s legs like sausages, but even a dragon lord and a god of lust.
After surviving such a mess, I am no longer afraid of most things. Rather, the one who is afraid has not learned anything.
“I think that’s absolutely true, Tan. I’m not saying this to be dismissive, but I have a much better sense of the world than I thought. “I didn’t know you could be so brilliant at something like this.”
“Lenny, try rolling under Adamantone. Even if you are a commoner porter, you cannot help but develop political sense. “Is that what you mean?”
I returned my smile to Lennie, who smiled slightly. Leni nodded his head and completely let go of the venom in his expression.
“I expressed it more politely than that. Anyway, I won’t swing my sword at those evildoers. “I calmed down.”
“Under. I mean, there are a lot of guys out there who want us all to be treated like sluts.”
Villena said sarcastically. Although her face was pale.
On the other hand, Nidroga, who had no sense of danger, just smiled mischievously.
“Are you thinking that if something goes wrong, you can run away under my mother’s wings?”
“Huh. Of course I think so. “Is it bad?”
“At all. “I think my mother would rather like it.”
Nenya slapped her forehead and groaned as we continued our casual conversation. Muttering that they are crazy people.
I hit the nail on the head with Nidroga, but it doesn’t even tickle me. What is wrong with the weak seeking survival? A quick change of direction that lets a leopard’s paw slip away is a source of pride, not shame, for a rabbit.
But I am a porter.
“But just running away is the next best thing.”
“Not the best?”
“After all, I am a grade A porter. I can’t pass this burden on to the party and just disappear. I too have been the victim of false accusations and mistreatment. “I don’t want to run away to safety, leaving my party members in the same position.”
I added after taking a bite of my appetite.
“My girl or not.”
“···I’m not sure if this was an accident you caused, but yeah. It’s good to see you taking responsibility. But how are you going to fix it?”
“Is Isilun still out there?”
“Tomko is barely holding on.”
“Then I’ll just say it. “There is a third wish left.”
Sister Monica nodded her head. But Nenya was shocked.
“Hey.”
“Of course, I know that you have to be very careful when dealing with someone who is not at the same level of understanding. Because it’s been like that until now. You know what my first wish was. “We hoped that Ishtar would not harm us in any way.”
“But that doesn’t work.”
“Again, I know it’s dangerous. So, before making a wish, let’s put our heads together and think about it. “How should I pray so that everyone can be safe?”
“At most, it would be like giving somewhat extreme prescriptions like I did. “He doesn’t seem like such a bad person, does he?”
Nidroga blushed somewhat as she twisted her hair.
Secret giggling spread throughout the temporary conference room created by Tomko. Nenya, who, unlike Leni, could not become a comrade in that giggling, just squeezed her face and sighed heavily.
And at the end of that sigh, he said something quite appetizing.
“Tenna was prepared for something like this.”
“···Tena?”
“It’s not like there isn’t a single person in the world who knows you, and someday someone who starts a fight might appear.”
————-
Holy shit. That method…
No. I was the one who suggested that we actively use ‘just-in-case measures’ like this. Let’s not be shaken.
I closed my eyes tightly for a moment. The returning camp is full of cheers, jeers, shouts, and ridicule.
Most of the party mates who haven’t opened their faces yet are whispering quietly. There are also some fighters who are on my side, even though I don’t even know their faces, and yell at the guests to get out of the way.
On the other hand, there are nobles who keep reaching for the handle of her knife, with a face that asks if the porter really touched their precious daughter. It’s a little scary to think that if I make a mistake, I might get hit by that knife.
And Eshen’s sister, Garam Taiga, whose thoughts I cannot read, and her fellow Tigris are also watching me. In fact, those people who secretly followed me from Tobetan are scarier than the nobles.
There are onlookers who have come a long way by train to swear because they have nothing better to do. In fact, most of the onlookers are like that.
And in one corner of the crowd, those with aptitude for ‘place memory’, the writers of the infamous ‘One Sun’, also appeared.
The ability to completely remember what you see and draw it automatically. It is called a photograph because it is copied from what the eye sees.
I wish I could use my God-given abilities to make more honest money. Well, there is also a guy like Adamantone who uses his hero’s abilities to act like a gangster.
No matter who comes, the job to do is the same. I erased my random thoughts and sighed. And then climbed onto the podium set up in the middle of a large field.
“3 minutes.”
I said something I really didn’t want to say.
“Would you believe me if I took off my clothes for just three minutes?”
