Chapter 11:

Chapter 11:

TL/Editor: Raei

Schedule:

Illustrations: None.

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Where did it all go wrong in this world?

Ian, true to his role as a wizard who explores mysteries, set out to find the reason behind Emily's twisted concept of hygiene.

The reason was not hard to uncover.

Firstly, among the medieval folks, there were indeed those who genuinely believed water was filthy.

Proudly, Emily was one of them.

'Water is so dirty, full of lime, mud, parasites... absolutely filthy!'

A fastidious medieval person with strict hygiene standards.

Thus, these 'clean' medieval people, like modern folks who always carry hand sanitizers and alcohol, and manage hygiene solely with personal items, acknowledged only the pure water from the sky that is, rainwater as true water.

Water from other lands?

Oh, its dirty.

Contaminated.

But just as modern people who vigorously scrub surfaces with disinfectants might be thought 'crazy',

Most other medieval folks thought those who actually lived on just rainwater were 'out of their minds'.

Most people just casually drank well water, spring water, or river water.

Of course, they didn't think the water was clean but rather thought, 'It's dirty, but boiling it should make it okay'.

Indeed, drinking water directly from the wild could soon lead to parasitic infections and food poisoning.

Naturally, boiling water was the correct approach.

However, Ian and the Rabbit Foot Company had not lit a fire for several days now.

They were close to the end of their journey, and lighting a fire might provoke a drake, a risk they didn't want to take.

In other words, Emily's conclusion that 'water fallen on the ground, dirty and unboiled, cannot be used' was a perfectly logical decision.

To top it off.

Second reason.

Emily was a prostitute (not an insult).

Most men she met had no qualms about exchanging saliva with her.

In fact, they enjoyed it more when Emily licked her lips and spat.

That's why she assumed Ian would be fine with it.

"Amazing, these medieval folks."

"...Yes?"

Ian decided not to tackle the hygiene issue anymore.

It was just a pain. Only a loss for himself.

"From now on, when you do the dishes, just fetch some water in a pot."

"But, Sir Wizard. The water..."

"I'll boil it, so just bring it."

Ian grumbled and took care of his own dish.

The thought of that damned woman spitting in it made him feel disgustingly uncomfortable.

During their walk, Ian stealthily collected some water to rewash his dish.

"Sir Wizard. It's about time for our meal..."

"What?"

"Eek! No, nothing!"

Rick now openly regarded Ian as a monster.

Up until now, Ian had always used polite language, but as Rick's reaction crossed the line, Ian's desire to be polite vanished.

So, he spoke as he pleased.

"Hey, mister. Got a problem with me?"

"No! No! How could that be! Hehe."

Rick forced a sycophantic smile, the same one he had often shown before the nobility, that smile of the class system.

Having confirmed that Rick had completely masked his true self, Ian decided not to invest any more emotions in him.

'I thought we could be companions on the road.'

In a society with a strict class system, it wasnt easy for just anyone to become friends.

While creative works often depict friendships transcending social status, these are rare in reality and thus become notable stories.

"Sir Wizard! Is the meal to your liking?"

"Is there anything uncomfortable?"

"If there's anything you need, just tell us!"

Ironically, after distancing himself from Rick, the servility of the workers and mercenaries increased significantly.

Accustomed to a hierarchical society, they instinctively recognized Ian as the most powerful person there.

Ian's eccentric wizard performance also contributed to solidifying his status.

'What's really going on?'

Ian was baffled.

When he was polite and treated them well, they ignored him.

But after he showed anger, they groveled as if ready to sacrifice anything for him.

Ian still didn't understand.

That it wasnt warm kindness but cold fear that moved human hearts.

"Sir Wizard! Ive brought water!"

After being scolded by Ian, even Emily, who came from a lower social background, approached him with an ingratiating attitude, used to serving those above her.

"Gather some twigs and start a fire."

Upon Ian's command, one of the workers made a cringing face.

"But Sir Wizard... won't lighting a fire attract the drake's attention?"

The worker's gaze was fixed solely on Ian.

What happened?

Did they all attend Saint Francesca's moral lecture in their dreams?

Had they all forgotten those beautiful days in the vast plains, where John and his men rampaged through the villages like a herd of bison, ravaging country maidens?

But soon enough, John grasped the situation.

"Got cold feet?"

"Erhm, it's not that..."

"Scared, you cowards!"

His men were now wary of the wizard!

When Rick was the leader of the group, there was nothing to worry about.

Rick and Cassie were strangers, and as long as the mercenaries fulfilled their duties, they wouldnt interfere with each other.

However, now that the wizard had become the center of the group, things were different.

That dark-haired wizard was a quirky psycho, just as the common rumors suggested.

Unpredictable, it was only natural to be cautious around him.

Picking a fight with a wizard over a woman would be foolish beyond measure.

"You idiots. Are you going to miss out on a precious woman like Cassie just because you're scared of that damn wizard?"

"uh, 'damn wizard'?"

The mercenaries shivered.

They were afraid of the wizard.

Their fear of the wizard stemmed from two main reasons.

First, there was a rumor that if you offend a wizard, you get cursed.

Being superstitious, the mercenaries were particularly sensitive about curses.

The second reason was more practical.

Wizards were closely connected with the nobility, and offending one could ruin your life.

No matter how young he was, they couldnt underestimate Ian.

Who knew what powerful archwizard or noble Ian might be close with?

"And Cassie. She doesn't seem like an ordinary commoner..."

"So damn it, we have to take her now!"

John was fervent in his speech.

"If shes hiding her noble identity, why the hell do you think shes hiding it? Because revealing it would screw her over!"

"Then maybe we can slowly investigate after we descend..."

"Shell run away by then!"

The men shook their heads.

John's argument was hard to buy.

It seemed like just an excuse to justify his desire for Cassie.

"Alright, alright, Captain."

Even if John acted like a sex-crazed parrot, he was still their captain.

The captain can throw a tantrum.

What's the point of being a captain if you can't?

The wizard might be a concern, but maybe they could get away with it if they were discreet.

After all, the wizard was a complete stranger to Cassie too.

"When are we doing it?"

"Tonight."

"If it goes south, we'll pretend we knew nothing. I'll take over as the next captain."

"Fine, damn it. You talk too much for someone whos getting a piece."

Deciding there was no more time to waste, John planned to stealthily assault Cassie that very night.

His 'kind heart' was trampled upon, and he became a thug.

In the dead of night, when everyone was asleep.

The mercenaries, having drawn the night watch duties to themselves, moved secretly.

"Wheres Cassie?"

"She went down to pee for a bit."

"Damn, the heavens are helping us."

John, with a full smile, followed after Cassie.

Rustle, rustle.

In the darkness, a moving figure appeared.

...?

John's eyes widened.

What is this?

It wasn't Cassie.

The figure was too large to be her.

It was an assailant.

An unknown assailant was carrying Cassie off...?

Who's there!

One of the mercenaries shouted angrily.

The moment John realized what was happening.

Choke!

A flying dagger, cutting through the darkness, pierced the neck of the mercenary.

Uh... what?

The subordinate, like a wine bottle with its cork removed, gushed blood profusely.

A three-second pause in thought.

And then.

You bastard!

John, with a face twisted like a demon, drew his sword and charged at the assailant.