Raising A Hero – Chapter 18

Ch 18: Te

Information was needed to find evidence. So, Ji-hyuk got up early in the morning and wandered around the inner castle. And then, he grabbed anyone he could see and asked if anything strange had happened recently.

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything.”

They all repeated similar words. However, Ji-hyuk could recognize the uneasiness in their eyes. …It seemed they had been ordered to keep their mouths shut.

I can’t hear anything here.

The inner castle seemed to be thoroughly controlled regarding information under the count’s management. Of course, if he put in effort, he could squeeze into the gaps, but it didn’t seem like something that could be done in a day.

Then he had no choice but to leave the inner castle. After all, the count couldn’t possibly block the mouths of all the citizens.

In the first place, when alcohol goes down, they even make up things that don’t exist, so they wouldn’t keep the existing stories from coming out.

Then, shall we go out later?

Ji-hyuk thought that two people were better than one. So, after having breakfast, he called Bella, who was returning to her room.

“Ms. Bella.”

“…Yes?”

Her large, fearful eyes opened wide and looked up at Ji-hyuk. He hung a subtle smile on the corners of his mouth. She also smiled shyly.

“Do you have time today?”

“Time?”

“If you have time, shall we go outside with me?”

Ahㅡ.

Bella’s expression became momentarily embarrassed.

“U, um, yes, yes, that’s good. I’ll do that.”

“Then I’ll wait outside. Get ready quickly and come out.”

“Yes.”

She quickly turned around and hurried back to her room. And then, she closed the door and leaned against it, then covered her face with both hands. Her face was flushed.

What to do, what to do.

Her heart was pounding so much that her toes were tingling, and her ears were hot. She waited for her heart to calm down a little.

It was the first time Ji-hyuk had proposed a meeting like this, just the two of them. Bella’s mood was so good that a smile naturally appeared on her lips.

She quickly ran to her luggage bag and pulled out some clothes. There was no time. Since he said he would wait, if it took too long, he would definitely dislike it.

Oh my, if only you had told me a little earlier.

There was no time to try on and compare various clothes. She changed into the cleanest and prettiest clothes. She also put on some light makeup. She was out of perfume. She put her nose to her armpits and arms and sniffed. Fortunately, nothing smelled.

She finally twisted her body in front of the mirror to check if there was anything lacking, then hurriedly left the room.

“Mr. Ji-hyukㅡ!”

Ji-hyuk was standing outside the entrance of the mansion with his hands clasped behind his back. He smiled awkwardly at the clothes she had put on.

“You’re pretty even if you don’t dress up….”

Oh my.

Bella was embarrassed at Ji-hyuk’s words, and her face was flushed as if it would burst. Of course, her mood was as good as if she was flying. She had heard that she was pretty from a man she was interested in, so what woman wouldn’t dislike it?

“Shall we go then?”

“…Yes.”

Ji-hyuk secretly looked behind Bella. He could see the Fairy Heroine leaning against the window on the 2nd-floor window overlooking this place. He met her eyes. The Heroine had a blank expression.

…I’m sorry, but I’m good at bothering others.

Ji-hyuk turned his head again and gave a soft smile. And he came out of the inner castle with Bella.

“Ms. Bella, can you help me? I have something to do….”

“…Something to do?”

Bella’s expression was, what is this all of a sudden?

“I want to know some rumors about the count. Anything. …I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you beforehand. I was afraid that if other people overheard, there would be a problem.”

“No. It’s natural to be careful in everything. Yes, I’ll help you.”

She gave an awkward smile. …As it turns out, it wasn’t a date. She was mistaken and excited all by herself.

Still, she didn’t show any signs of disappointment. She wasn’t the type to refuse the request of someone who asked for help. It was her specialty to hide her sad feelings behind a smile. She had always lived like that.

“Then, let’s meet in front of the fountain in the plaza later.”

Ji-hyuk pointed with his finger towards the plaza in front. Bella nodded, yes. He soon turned around and walked away somewhere.

The smile that had been attached to Bella’s lip corners slowly disappeared.

…Did I, was I too hasty?

There was no law that said he had to feel the same feelings she felt for him. He might need more time.

No, maybe he didn’t have any romantic feelings for her at all. …Come to think of it, she was serving the dazzlingly beautiful Fairy Heroine.

Even though she was pretty, frankly, she was nothing compared to the Fairy. Anyone would love her, not her, but the Heroine.

Bella’s energy drained even more. Suddenly, a sad feeling welled up. However, she tried to smile forcefully.

Since Ji-hyuk had asked for help, it was time to focus on that now. She must have wanted to borrow her hand.

Bella slowly turned around. Walking slowly, she kept looking back.

How good it would be if that person came back again. …And he would tell me that he likes me.

━Ms. Bella, I like you.

However, such delusions were not realized.

· · ·

Ji-hyuk went around every pub nearby. He bought drinks for drunks and beggars as well. He wondered if he could hear even one wordㅡ.

Then, he heard a story that perked up his ears.

“The count’s daughter died. …It’s been a while, right? I heard he was very heartbroken.”

“The daughter died?”

Ji-hyuk’s eyes shone sharply.

“It’s been a few months. They say he couldn’t eat for days and nights. …But well, even if he was a little heartbroken at first, he would have gotten over it quickly. It’s normal for a child or two to die.”

The drunkard laughed as he said that. The old innkeeper glared, saying to stop the words that urged death.

“The daughter’s c*nt is probably new, right?”

“Oh, this bastard has no words he can’t say. If you’re going to say such things, get lost.”

“Oh, I don’t want to take it. I’m just saying it’s like that.”

If Ji-hyuk hadn’t spent enough money, the innkeeper would have sent them away a long time ago. It was a story that would be truly punished even if the related person heard it.

“My wife is, s*it, she’s been fucked so much that she’s become all loose. …Another bastard’s probably went in, right? If not, how could she become so loose so quickly?”

“Whether your wife’s c*nt is loose or not, that’s your bastard’s situation.”

“No, s*it, then there’s no fun in living, no fun in living. …If that’s the case, let the b*tch sell her c*nt and earn money.”

“Oh, this bastard has no words he can’t say.”

There didn’t seem to be anything more to hear besides the story that the count’s daughter had died. Ji-hyuk got up from his seat. The innkeeper already looked up. It seemed he was quite disappointed because he spent quite a bit of money.

“You’re making it uncomfortable for me.”

“Oh my, I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?”

The drunkard also looked eager, as if the money-giver was about to leave. Ji-hyuk said it was okay and put down two silver coins.

“Have a couple more drinks. I heard the story well.”

“Thank you. Goodbye.”

Ji-hyuk came out of the pub, leaving behind the drunkard’s sinister smile. The bright sun was already in the middle of the sky.

He slightly raised his hand and made a shade over his eyes, then looked up at the sky for a moment. And he walked slowly towards the plaza fountain.

The count was a person with few flaws. His relationship with women was clean, and he didn’t seem to have a violent nature. He was a little ambiguous to call him a wise ruler, but if he gave way here and there, he could barely sit in that seat.

However, there was one thing that bothered him.

His beloved daughter died.

It was the contents that were connected precisely with the Sorcerer. No matter how wise the parents are, sometimes they make a misjudgment regarding the problem of their beloved children. At that moment, emotions unknowingly overwhelmed reason.

Perhaps the count was like that too. Ignoring the Sorcerer’s actions was because of some sort of relationship between them.

Of course, this was just suspicion. Of course, it wasn’t certain. Honestly, there were so many nobles who lost their children. If that expanded to the citizens, the number would be even more enormous. …Maybe Ji-hyuk was wrong from the beginning. Maybe the Sorcerer had gone crazy and was doing all this by himself.

However, Ji-hyuk didn’t ignore this uneasy feeling. If there was a smell, it was more likely to be right. If not, that’s all. After all, he was the one who was suffering.

For now, he went to the fountain with suspicion. Bella was sitting on the fountain and waiting for him.

“Ms. Bella.”

“Oh, Mr. Ji-hyuk.”

She quickly approached him. And she smiled brightly. However, it wasn’t just a cheerful feeling like before.

“Do you have anything you found out?”

“Not really….”

She glanced to the sides, then brought her face close to him and whispered in a small voice so that no one could hear.

“The honorable lady passed away three months ago.”

“I see…. Anyway, thank you. For helping me.”

“No. Of course, we have to help each other. Mr. Ji-hyuk and I aren’t strangers.”

She was a good woman. If she was bitten by a guy like that, she would have to live in suffering for the rest of her life.

Of course, Ji-hyuk was not much different from that guy. Even if he wasn’t a playboy, he was definitely not a good guy. Much closer to a bad guy.

“Shall we go back?”

“…Yes? Ah…, yes. Okay.”

Bella forced a smile. …She had been so determined to go sightseeing with him just before, but that had all become meaningless.

Of course, Ji-hyuk didn’t know her feelings. Wasn’t it a look of great anticipation when they were leaving earlier?

“…Or, since we’re out, shall we go sightseeing? …I don’t have much time, so we can only go around one or two times.”

Bella’s face, which had been a little gloomy, gradually brightened. She seemed to be unable to contain the joy that welled up from within.

“Ah, yes, yes, that’s good. Let’s do that.”

It wasn’t anything special, but she was very happy.

The two walked side by side. Bella thought, this is what it feels like to walk with a loverㅡ.

It was nice just to walk like this. It was nice just to look at his face.

“Why?”

“No. …No.”

It was also good to see her smiling like that.

His sturdy shoulders and neat muscles were also good.

His handsome face was also good.

His kindness and sincerity were also good.

…His big one was also good.

Everything was good.

Bella…,

She liked Ji-hyuk.

Very much.