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chapter 51
-Retainers?
-Did something like that exist?
-So they just let William die?
-Heh, gotta save yourself first.
-For real, try to help and you’re screwed.
The viewers’ doubts were natural.
William’s former retainers.
Those who had served him loyally under his position as mayor.
From another person’s perspective, it was no different from standing by and watching his execution.
“You mean Uncle Henry’s family?”
Ria also knew of the retainers’ existence.
She hadn’t met many of them, but William often told her stories about them.
“That’s right. They all stepped down from their positions back then, but they’re still working for Edlen.”
“…Was that also Dad’s order?”
“Yes. They too remained silent about the past incident on Lord William’s orders. His judgment was that if they were all purged, the city’s future would be obvious.”
Cowen recalled the day he fled the mansion with Ria.
Even if it had been an order, the guilt embedded in his heart did not fade easily.
The same was true for the former retainers.
“Can you trust those people?”
At that moment, Asla, who had been listening, narrowed his eyes and asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Betrayal is human nature. For one’s own safety, people abandon many things. If you can’t even trust family, isn’t suspicion only natural?”
“…….”
-Facts though.
-Brook sniped.
-Family really is the most dangerous.
-For real, skipped academy for a week and got my back smacked.
-You deserved it.
Regardless of the viewers, Cowen couldn’t easily refute him.
In truth, immediately after fleeing with Ria, he himself had no choice but to doubt the retainers.
As a shadow knight, Cowen only knew the retainers through information.
“…I’ve observed them for a long time. Ever since Lord William’s execution, I watched to see what actions they took and whether they were influenced by Vares.”
“So you weren’t completely naive. And the result?”
“Every one of them was consumed by work. Like dolls with dark expressions, they focused only on their duties. As if that was the only way they could endure.”
“And the people they meet?”
“They avoid even meeting among themselves, and go back and forth only between home and work every day.”
“…A fleeting life.”
Asla clicked his tongue and shook his head.
Yet it was also a life so twisted that betrayal itself seemed impossible.
“What about Uncle Henry?”
Ria, who had been listening, asked.
Henry, who worked as William’s treasurer, was a kindly man who often played with Ria.
She clearly remembered his ever-smiling face.
“…Henry is the most immersed in his work. After losing his wife and daughter to the plague, he rarely returns home.”
“Then…….”
The horrific reality left her at a loss for words.
The shock was greater because it was so completely different from her memories.
“If it troubles you, you don’t have to meet them. With the ring and magic tools, we should be able to persuade them.”
Seeing Ria lower her gaze, Cowen spoke cautiously.
But after a brief silence, Ria lifted her head, her expression firm with resolve.
“I want to meet them. I only know Uncle Henry’s face, but… I still want to see him.”
“…Understood.”
Seeing that expression, Cowen quietly nodded.
Standing up, he spoke with proper courtesy.
“I will arrange it immediately. It will take some time, but there is no chance that Vares’s forces will notice.”
Ding—
[Main Quest #7 has been completed.]
[Progress has increased.]
[Main Quest #8: Assembly]
With Asla’s help, you repelled the Holy Nation assassin’s attack.
To judge the crimes of Vares and Brook, you need the power of the King’s Sword—the Royal Guard.
Meet William’s former retainers summoned by Cowen and gather your resolve.
Objective: Devise a plan together with William’s retainers.
Reward: 50,000 gold, 15,000 EXP, 2 stat points
*Current progress: 66 percent
*This quest can be progressed after 12 hours.
The message appeared alongside Cowen’s words.
Standing up, Hanbit looked at Ria and said,
“Should we bring Plona here too? It’d be worrying to leave her alone.”
“Huh? Really?”
As if she’d been pondering it, she snapped her head up.
Her eyes clearly begged him to bring her.
“One more coming? Are you planning to use your master as a babysitter?”
Asla frowned slightly, sensing the future.
“Can we bring Artsvel unnie too? She knows what’s going on.”
“…Two more?”
-LOL
-Wind Swordsman (daycare).
-It’d be boring alone.
-But Artsvel already knew;
-Today we shout again: Yulio bastard.
At Ria’s added request, the old man’s wrinkles deepened further.
“That should be fine, right? I’ll trust only you, Master.”
“No……”
Without waiting for an answer, Hanbit moved upstairs with Cowen.
Cowen left immediately to arrange the assembly, and Hanbit also hurried along.
“Ah? Adventurer!”
“Black Dragon?”
There was no need to persuade them.
Just mentioning Ria’s name was enough for them to nod at any time.
Artsvel’s reaction, in particular, was exceptional since she knew the situation.
“What? You’re helping with that? What about Ria? Is Ria okay?”
Hearing what had happened, she fired off questions in shock.
Aside from saying she was okay, it was better to leave the details to the person herself.
“Uh… can Ruby come too?”
“Of course.”
One more cat joined, but it wasn’t a problem.
It only meant one more task for Asla.
With everyone cloaked in robes, Hanbit returned to the old building.
They moved carefully enough not to be noticed by anyone.
“Plona! Unnie!”
The reunion of the three in the underground space was heartwarming to anyone watching.
Except for the old man standing behind them, glaring at his disciple.
“Then I’ll go take care of some things. Master, I’m counting on you.”
“…….”
Hanbit slipped back outside and quickly moved onto the streets.
More preparation was needed, but not today.
“12 hours is pretty long. You’re going to end the stream soon, right?”
Yeonwoo asked, checking the time as well.
“It’s dawn, so yeah, I should wrap it up. I’ve got to go out tomorrow too.”
“Ah, then please make some time for me too.”
“Why you?”
“I have something to tell you.”
-We’re being abandoned?
-Let’s watch together.
-A meet-up wouldn’t be bad.
-We’re already on the way.
-But where are we meeting?
-My place, let’s go.
Viewers swarmed in at their meeting.
Just imagining a meet-up made one dizzy.
“You all have fun meeting up. I’m heading off. I’ll continue the story tomorrow. You, contact me separately.”
-Aww.
-Please send a DM.
-Dragon bye.
-See you tomorrow. Bye.
-See you tomorrow.
Pssht—
With the final chat, the game ended.
Removing the gear, Hanbit quickly took a shower.
Feeling more tired than expected, he collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep immediately.
***
The next morning.
“Yeonwoo said he wanted to see you?”
Sitting across the table, his mother asked with a puzzled expression.
“He said he had something to say. I told him we had plans, so I told him to come along.”
“Really? That’s fine. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Yeonwoo.”
The last day of the weekend—Sunday.
Today’s plan was to go to the department store with his mother.
That was also the reason he’d saved up the money he’d earned recently.
“Are we really going to the department store? It’s expensive and there’s nothing to buy.”
“That conversation already ended. We’re definitely replacing your bag and wallet.”
“…Sigh, so stubborn. Fine.”
After several repeated back-and-forths, Hanbit finally won.
He couldn’t keep watching his mother use a twenty-year-old bag and a worn-out wallet.
After finishing their meal, the two prepared and left the house.
“Please take us to AG Department Store.”
The feeling of heading to their destination in a taxi was new.
It was something he never used due to the cost.
“Thank you.”
Arriving in front of the department store, Hanbit and his mother stood before the massive building.
As expected of Sunday, the area was crowded.
Many people looked relaxed—and Hanbit’s bank account was just as full.
“Let’s go.”
He led his mother into the department store.
Even the first floor, filled with cosmetics and perfume scents, felt nostalgic.
“We’re going in there?”
Stopping in front of a luxury brand store, his mother hesitated.
“Browsing is free.”
“Well, that’s true, but……”
“Just look.”
Hanbit grabbed his hesitant mother’s hand and led her inside.
She was flustered by the staff’s kind guidance, but it didn’t last long.
“Madam, this suits you perfectly. The refined design and bright color are just right.”
“Really? I just want something comfortable……”
“Then how about this line? It’s a new release, but it’s popular lately because it pairs well with many styles……”
The staff’s professionalism was impressive.
Her ability to completely change his mother’s hesitant mood was admirable.
“I’ll help you with the payment—3.58 million won.”
Surprisingly, after visiting several more stores, they returned to the first one and made their decision.
A luxury bag and wallet that were far more expensive than expected.
With Hanbit’s persistent persuasion, they finally completed the purchase.
“Thank you.”
The two walked out proudly with the branded shopping bag.
The new bag was already slung over his mother’s shoulder—at the staff’s suggestion.
“Is this really okay?”
His mother asked worriedly, stroking the smooth leather strap.
Judging by her slightly excited expression, she clearly liked it.
“Your son makes a lot of money now. We’ll move soon too, so start thinking about it.”
“Oh my, just hearing that makes me happy.”
She took it as a joke, which was natural given the sums involved.
But Hanbit was serious.
‘What matters is after the episode ends.’
Donations kept pouring in even as the story progressed.
Especially with companies aggressively throwing money at him, it was starting to weigh on his mind.
What mattered was after the Edlen story ended.
Depending on his choices, there were ways to generate enormous profits.
‘Items are clean, at least.’
Information or education required concern for the buyer’s results.
Items, on the other hand, only needed quality.
Wasn’t this the best route to aim for?
“We’re meeting Yeonwoo for lunch, so let’s look around more. We should buy clothes and shoes too.”
“What? More shopping here?”
“Let’s just look.”
Hanbit led his mother again.
After about two hours of wandering stores, chatting and arguing here and there,
his mother left the department store completely transformed from head to toe.
“Isn’t this too much?”
She asked worriedly at her unfamiliar reflection.
“What’s too much? It’s perfect.”
There was no lie in those words.
If anything, he wanted to shop even more.
But today was only the beginning—there would be plenty of opportunities ahead.
“This place… it’s here.”
Their meeting spot was near the department store, so they arrived quickly on foot.
It was clearly an expensive course-meal restaurant.
“…Is this the right place?”
“It is. Let’s go in.”
The two stepped into the elegant interior.
Following the staff’s guidance, they were led to a private room.
“Ma’am!”
Yeonwoo rushed over the moment he saw them.
Rather than greeting Hanbit, whom he saw every day in-game, he warmly greeted his mother.
“How have you been? You look so different I almost didn’t recognize you. You look amazing.”
“Compliments won’t get you anything. But haven’t you lost some weight? You need to eat properly.”
“Of course you’d notice. I’ve been busy lately… Ah, please sit down. You too, hyung.”
Following his words, Hanbit and his mother took their seats.
Yeonwoo, sitting across from them, looked noticeably tired.
“Didn’t you sleep again?”
“Whose fault do you think that is…….”
At Hanbit’s casual question, Yeonwoo replied incredulously.
Then he pulled out a document folder from the bag beside him and placed it on the table.
“What’s this?”
The sudden appearance of such a formal item raised questions.
Yeonwoo slowly opened the folder and said,
“These are all recruitment offers sent to you, hyung.”
