FVN Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Tap, tap.
"...It's not too bad."
A yard that isn't vast but still decently spacious.
Lush grass and insects.
A wooden cabin overgrown with moss and vines.
It almost feels like a ghost might pop out at any moment, but even so, it's quite a fortunate find.
After all, this is an academy famous for having the most expensive land, and yet I’ve managed to get a house this cheap.
Though...
‘There are rumors of ghosts, a few murders, and stories that criminals used it as a hideout, but, well, that doesn’t matter.’
It’s a cabin with a lot of ominous rumors, but such things don't bother Ihan.
If a ghost shows up, I'll just beat it up.
If a murderer comes, I’ll beat them up too.
Criminals? I'll beat them up as well.
That’s all there is to it.
So, for Ihan, this place is a rare gem.
More importantly...
“A cliff in the back hills... is this paradise?”
He could climb cliffs here!
That thought alone made Ihan feel more content than ever.
This was a successful move.
Suddenly, after three years, Ihan had to move.
There was no other choice.
Being hired as an instructor meant he had to commute to the Royal Academy instead of the knights' division.
Even if he wanted to continue commuting from his previous residence, the 25-kilometer distance made moving a necessity.
...Although, if he felt like it, he could run that distance for exercise.
But why bother?
‘It's easier to just move.’
Sure, there were other transportation options like trains and carriages.
As mentioned before, this world might not have gone through an industrial revolution, but there are some oddly advanced technologies.
However, transportation here is incredibly expensive.
If a commoner took the train for a month, they’d go bankrupt.
So, moving is the better deal.
Of course, it was a hassle and a waste to spend his precious one-week break, meant for course adjustments, house-hunting. But having found a house that was so perfect, the trouble felt worth it.
Thunk.
“Phew, is this the last of it?”
“Sir Knight, where should I put this?”
“Just leave it anywhere. I’ll organize it later.”
“Okay!”
The helper had successfully moved everything except the fragile items without any mistakes. Despite being clumsy, Leira had impressive strength and health.
‘...Was that wardrobe always so light?’
She lifted something meant for two people with ease. God certainly is fair.
She may have been blessed with beauty and health, but her intelligence was left quite low.
“She’d be a hit at a construction site.”
Especially with the supervisors.
There’s no better worker than her. Though, she might not be paid fairly, so it's best not to take her there.
Thunk!
“Wow, Sir Knight! You’re so strong! The tree just came right out!”
“I didn’t pull it out; I just broke it.”
“But why are you breaking perfectly fine trees?”
“This tree is dead. If left alone, it'll attract bugs.”
“I see! But can you really break a tree with your bare hands?”
“If you train enough, anyone can do it.”
“Wow! Can I do it too?”
“Hmm, follow me for about half a year, no, maybe a year, and you might...”
Given her natural build, if she trained for a year, she might even be on par with some of the weaker knights.
‘She’d be perfect as a martial artist.’
Though lacking in brains, she might be a talent fit for dominating the world of women's boxing.
Just as these greedy thoughts crossed his mind, like a boxing coach discovering a prodigy...
“—What the hell are you talking about? Can you have a normal conversation, please?”
Someone interrupted their nonsense.
“Oh, you’re here.”
“Yeah, I’m here, you lunatic.”
“Why are you picking a fight the moment you see me?”
“Because you give me reasons to.”
“??”
“...Never mind, what am I even saying to a half-troll.”
“Who are you calling a half-troll?!”
‘Their children probably aren’t much better.’
Children are mirrors of their parents.
That logic would likely hold true here as well, and now Ihan understood a bit better why Isis had asked him for a ‘favor.’
‘If I were her, I’d be irritated to have those kids hanging around my front yard too.’
Unintentionally, Ihan found himself empathizing with Isis.
“If you ever need help, just let me know. And... try to stay away from those in power. I’m saying this not as a knight or noble, but as a concerned friend.”
What was this?
Had he been watching a play? Or was it just because of Leira that he was trying to look cool?
Regardless, Jake left with a grand statement.
Unfortunately...
“Sir Knight, that man seems a little strange. Do you think he might be unwell?”
“...No, not at all.”
To Leira, he was just an ill person.
Still.
“He may be a bit odd, but he’s a good guy. You can tell he cares about you.”
“He is a good person.”
Despite his fall from grace, Jake came from a noble family with a long history.
There had been a story about how his family was unjustly ruined, yet despite that, he still remained loyal to the royal family and even joined the knights to continue his family’s legacy.
He was the model student compared to a delinquent like Ihan.
And yet, that same guy was advising Ihan to stay away from those in power—and the royal family.
In a way, Jake was even suppressing his own loyalty to give Ihan that advice.
He valued friendship more than his loyalty.
...It was strange.
In his previous life, Ihan had been bullied for being an orphan, and so-called “friends” had always stabbed him in the back.
But in this life, he had found someone who genuinely cared for him.
“I guess I’m doing alright in this life.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing. More importantly, Miss Maid, isn’t it time for you to return to the palace? It’s getting late.”
If it were anyone else, they would have noticed that Ihan was trying to change the subject, but Leira didn’t pick up on things like that.
She was far too straightforward and kind-hearted.
...Which made Ihan worry that she’d be scammed one day.
And with her usual childlike innocence, she smiled brightly and said,
“I’m not going back.”
“...What?”
“From now on, I’ll be living with you, Sir Knight. The princess told me to take good care of you, after all. Hehe.”
“...Uh, don’t you think that’s a bit... inappropriate?”
Does she not understand the implications of a man and a woman living under one roof?
But she wasn’t that clueless.
“The princess said you’re safe! What did she say again? Ah, yes! ‘There’s nothing to worry about since he’s not even a real man!’ That’s what she said!”
“......”
“What does it mean to be a ‘real man,’ though?”
“...You don’t need to know.”
How cruel of that woman, to insult his pride like this!
‘That damn woman. Just wait till we meet again.’
Ihan ground his teeth, making a mental note to settle the score the next time he saw the princess.
Knock, knock.
“Oh, it seems we have a visitor.”
“Stay back for now.”
It was an unfamiliar scent.
The faint smell of cornelian cherries drifted in the air.
Ihan, whose senses were as sharp as a ghost when it came to recognizing human scents, felt uneasy.
He cautiously opened the door, confident that even bare-handed, he could snap a spine if necessary...
“Ah, hello. I... I just moved in next door, and I’m handing out polenta... Oh my, aren’t you Instructor Ihan?”
“......”
“What a coincidence, meeting you like this! How strange and wonderful!”
“Hm...”
One thing was certain: this girl...
‘She’s terrible at acting.’
Ihan looked at her.
Irene Windler.
She, the second surveillance target, was now loitering suspiciously around his yard.