As the battle’s starting bell rang, I put down the documents I was examining and lit a flare.
It was time to see if all my efforts would pay off.
Every time I closed my eyes in the smoky room, memories of our research flooded back.
[Tonight, this is it*: It’s best to minimize the battlefield. Cheolhyeol Master can create Cheolho, which is quite powerful, so if the battlefield gets wider, it’ll be difficult to deal with that. Once it starts rampaging, the damage will be significant. Plus, Cheolhyeol Master carries around a dozen Maheon Spear and can enhance Cheolho with them. Therefore, the best option is to make the Maheon Spear stacks go away.]
That makes sense. And if the Sword Saint starts with a big hit right away, then Cheolhyeol Master will probably use up all the Maheon Spear stacks to block it.
[Uncle Sayoon*: Even if we somehow set the stage to only deal with Samagun’s troops, the enemies will still be strong. So at the very least, Hongseong should have the strength equivalent to the Second Division’s Cheongilgwan. If we can cooperate with other forces, that would be even better.]
The other protagonist from the Second Division, Yang Heeyeon, belongs to the Cheongilgwan Sect.
To raise Hongseong’s basic military power to that level, I had shared hidden techniques and provided them with medicinal food.
Also, by supplying them with charms, potions, and equipment, Hongseong surpassed their previous levels.
Unexpectedly, even Moonjeong joined the fray, along with elite members of the Moonlight Corps and Chaeran.
[ㅇㅇ(241.221): We mustn’t neglect increasing Seomhwa Village’s defenses. Samagun’s subordinates are top-tier fighters. If they break away from battle and invade Seomhwa Village, it would be quite the hassle to handle, and if that happens, all our prerequisites will collapse. So, it’s essential to boost the village’s defense.]
Because of this, I collaborated with Hyeonryeong to enhance the village’s defense.
We strengthened the barriers to the maximum possible level and built watchtowers to block enemy entry, pulling out all the stops.
And then.
And then.
And then.
According to the intricate plan we concocted, I did everything I could.
So, all I had to do was wait.
“Inkeeper!!”
The door swung open.
As the innkeeper rushed in, I steeled myself. After taking a deep drag from the flare, I exhaled smoke and asked.
“What happened?”
“There was an attack on Seomhwa Village, but we won a great victory! A great victory!!”
“What about casualties?”
“There are some injuries, but no deaths!”
The most ideal outcome imagined in the scenario came true.
The thought that there wouldn’t be any injuries hadn’t even crossed my mind.
But it actually happened.
I nodded, and the innkeeper shouted with excitement.
“Should we prepare a feast?!”
Of course, on a day like this, we should close up shop.
“Yeah. The inn won’t operate today. Let’s use all the ingredients for the hard-working ones.”
“Yes!!”
The fact that the crisis had been averted and that there wasn’t a single familiar face among the dead must have brought him great joy too.
As the innkeeper left beaming, I was left alone in the room, leaning back against the chair.
“…Another success.”
My, our efforts had not failed.
With that joy and the tension easing, I finally felt the fatigue wash over me and closed my eyes.
As I went downstairs, the people who had been on the battlefield were returning. The first to arrive was Gi Noya.
Upon seeing me, he took a swig from a bottle and grinned.
“Everyone’s helping with the cleanup. I didn’t want to join in at my age, so I sneaked away a bit. Lately, my bones have been aching.”
“You’ve done hard work. By the way, how was the battle…?”
“The battle… Oh. Well, the Sword Saint was something else.”
Gi Noya calmly recounted what happened during the fight.
At first, he had unleashed a meteor shower to attack the enemy, but they bizarrely managed to block the meteor shower.
The enemy was attacked, but they blocked the meteor shower in a strange way.
After that, they focused the enemies’ attacks on themselves, managing to hold them off alone while also saving soldiers who were in danger.
“By the way, Hongseong and Moonjeong were quite impressive too. I was a bit surprised by the sudden appearance of Cheolho. With Nakil’s sword and Wolgwang’s spear working together, they took one down and then caught another individually, right?”
“Those two collaborated?”
“Haha, that’s right. And then, in the end, the Sword Saint took down Samagun and his subordinates, and the rest fled, so we chased them down and caught them. Haha, those scoundrels, you should have seen Yu Seonsaeng watching them run away like crazy!”
I think I need to read the report for details, but it seems everyone put in quite a bit of effort.
Still, I can only be grateful, but did the Sword Saint really go through that much trouble?
I tilted my head, and Gi Noya chuckled, giving my shoulder a light pat.
“You really worked hard all this time.”
“What did I do? Everyone else had it tough. More importantly, I don’t even know how to repay you all.”
“Well, since we’re both military folks, it’s only natural we need to put in the effort to catch those types. Anyway, I’ll report this to the General. And the attacks on the officials who were receiving gifts from Samagun will begin soon.”
Losers usually end up losing a lot. The officials supporting Samagun should be prepared to resign from their positions.
But this won’t necessarily lead to catching the Iron Blood Clan.
If they realize things have gone wrong, they’ll cut their losses quickly.
Still, we should be satisfied with the results we’ve achieved so far.
Our scenario isn’t over yet.
“This winter is going to be really cold.”
“Yes, it probably will be.”
Perhaps there will be a bloody storm for those involved in this matter from the central authorities.
It should be very cold.
The injured were all moved to the administration office.
Because the skilled physician and medicine were at the administration office.
However, a victory is still a victory, so I decided to celebrate as much as I could.
Drinks, meat, and gratitude compensation.
I pushed it onto the military officials who repeatedly declined, and sent a cook who worked under Yohwan to help with the cooking.
That should be enough for the soldiers to eat and rest well at the administration office.
Gi Noya and Wiyeol went off to speak with the Hyeonryeong, probably trying to recruit the capable local leader to Cheonilhwa.
It’s not a bad thing.
After all, Cheonilhwa was to be with us until the end of our scenario.
As those who had to go left, the rest gathered at the inn.
I turned my head. Today the inn was closed, but many places were filled with people.
Hongseong’s folks and Moonjeong’s people, to be exact.
Of course, they regarded each other as rivals, but perhaps because they fought together on the same battlefield, the atmosphere was somewhat friendly.
Maybe it was thanks to Yohwan showcasing their skills properly.
“Sword Saint, would you like to say a few words?”
Amidst the cheerful crowd, I asked the Sword Saint. Since she played the biggest role in this battle, it made sense for her to lead this gathering.
So I addressed her, and the Sword Saint glanced at me and then smirked.
“I think it’s better if you speak instead of me.”
“Well… if that’s the case.”
I raised my glass.
The seated people turned their attention to me.
Some still had wounds, and there were a few with bruises here and there.
But those kinds of injuries would heal after a few days of rest.
And with plenty of medicine available, they shouldn’t be too worried about their injuries.
“As a resident of Seomhwa Village, thank you all.”
I lifted my glass in salute.
It was sincere.
If it weren’t for them, Seomhwa Village would have crumbled, and all our efforts would have gone to waste.
“Ah! Innkeeper! Please, don’t bow your head!”
“You’ve worked hard too, Innkeeper!”
They shouted this from all around, but that wasn’t what mattered.
I was just pouring everything I had into my goal.
“Thank you. I will never forget this debt. Now, please eat and drink to your heart’s content today.”
I gulped down the drink in my cup in one go. The Sword Saint, watching me, lifted her cup too, and everyone started laughing and eating.
What a lively and peaceful scene this is.
Perhaps this is the very sight we worked so hard to see.
Of course, it’s not over yet.
“Here, have some of this.”
When Hongryeon said this with a smile, Chaejin offered up some vegetable wraps next to her.
I smiled at them and respectfully accepted the food as I spoke.
“I heard you two teamed up in this fight.”
Both Hongryeon and Chaejin flinched, their shoulders shaking. I smiled at them again.
“Thank you. I’m aware that the two of you don’t get along very well. And yet, I’m so grateful and sorry that you joined forces to save Seomhwa Village.”
“Uh, ah. It’s nothing, really.”
“…It could happen. To get something important…”
They both awkwardly averted their eyes. I calmly continued speaking to them.
“Still, I will surely repay this debt. Do you have anything you want?”
“Uh… well, it’s not that I don’t have anything.”
“Can I say it later?”
Hongryeon and Chaejin exchanged glances anxiously. Later? I guess they don’t have to say it right now.
I nodded and looked at the Sword Saint.
“I should also thank you, Sword Saint. I don’t know how I can be of help to you, but please feel free to let me know if you need anything.”
“I just hope you keep your promise from last time.”
Is the promise to take a walk around the village together whenever?
I nodded.
“Understood.”
So, should I take a look at other places?
Excusing myself from the trio who were eating and drinking, I wandered around, asking if anyone needed anything or wanted to order more.
As I was going around, something caught my eye.
“Um… I wonder if I can drink that…”
“Of course! And you promised, didn’t you?”
Chaeran was grinning as she poured some drink for Sayoon.
Sayoon, looking perplexed, clinked glasses with Chaeran and took a sip.
Seeing Yoohee giggling at them from the side, I sighed.
This might not be good.
And indeed, it was not good.
When I returned to my seat, I glanced over and saw that despite being her first drink, Sayoon downed it eagerly and soon became completely drunk.
“Hehehe~! Master!! Senior Sister! I’m always so grateful. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be your disciple, and Senior Sister’s junior, and to be the younger sister of the other senior sisters. I feel like I’m living every day in happiness! Hehe. Really, really thank you… and you too, Innkeeper! I’m so thankful for your care and consideration. If I can smile and be happy like this… it’s all because of you guys. Ahahaha… Can I be this happy? Right?”
As I saw Sayoon, who had wandered over, giggling and expressing her thanks while sipping from her cup, the Sword Saint and Hongryeon both smiled brightly.
Seonghwa and Hongryeon smiled broadly.
Well, smiling isn’t a bad thing, and while it’s true you can never express enough gratitude, it seems she’s quite tipsy, so maybe we should let her rest a bit…
“Can’t we force the drunkenness away?”
Hongryeon ruffled Sayoon’s hair roughly and shook her head.
“It’s possible, but at this level, it’s better to just let her rest. With her current state, a little sleep will have her waking up quickly.”
“Then let’s put her to bed in an empty room for a bit.”
“Oh, I’ll take her.”
Hongryeon lightly hoisted Sayoon onto her back. As we watched, Chaeran calmly said,
“I’ll look after her until she wakes up.”
“Is that okay?”
“Hehe. Of course, let’s go.”
As Chaeran, who found Sayoon’s constant giggling adorable, made the suggestion, Hongryeon and I headed in that direction.
Yoohee, Sayoon’s best friend, followed along, patting Sayoon on the back each time, making her burst into giggles.
“Oh dear, she really drank like a fool.”
“Hehe. But isn’t she cute?”
Listening to Yoohee and Chaeran chat as we took Sayoon to the empty room on the second floor of the inn, Hongryon gently lowered Sayoon onto the bed while Yoohee and Chaeran said they’d come relax and chat for a bit.
Well then, I guess I can leave her in their care. After patting Sayoon’s head a few times, Hongryeon went downstairs, and I retrieved the hangover remedy from my room to offer it.
Running an inn means you often have tipsy customers collapsing, so I always kept some on hand, but I never expected to use it in this way.
“Can I give this to her?”
“Yes. When she wakes up, have her take it with water. Oh, and there’s honey and water here, so…”
“You want me to make honey water for her? Don’t worry.”
“Haha, you’re quite responsible.”
“I’m just trying to get close. It’s hard to dislike her, isn’t it?”
As she said this with a smile, I shrugged. She was absolutely right; I couldn’t argue with that.
Anyway, I planned to tell her to take the medicine after a little nap and was about to head out when Sayoon grabbed my clothing.
“…Mister…”
Mister, huh. That’s a nice ring to it.
I smiled at her, and after a moment, it seemed she lost strength and softly let go of my clothing. I stepped out of the room.
Then I addressed those waiting downstairs.
“It looks like Sayoon is going to make a good friend.”
“…Who? You don’t mean Chaeran, do you?”
“That’s right.”
“Umm… I hope that’s okay?”
“By the way, I should really teach Sayoon how to drink properly.”
Hongryeon said with a wry smile, and Cha Jin tilted her head.
“Oh, right. I mean, it’s basic to be able to shake off drunkenness with internal energy, right? Haven’t you taught her?”
“Not yet. I was planning to teach her while drinking together soon…”
Hongryeon shook her head, and I looked at the Sword Saint.
“Speaking of which, shouldn’t the Sword Saint be the one to teach her the ropes, being the oldest?”
I noticed there were quite a few empty bottles next to her.
When did she drink all of those?
The Sword Saint looked between the bottles and me awkwardly as she chuckled.
“I-I only drink like this when I’m with my students and trustworthy people. Don’t look at me like that.”
What did I even do to warrant that look?
“I really do. Trust me…”
“That’s right. Master only drinks a lot when there’s a good occasion and good people around. I was hoping she could teach Sayoon that when she wakes up. I learned from you too!”
“…Hehe. See?”
As Hongryeon laughed, the Sword Saint puffed up with pride and wore a confident grin.
I didn’t even say anything!
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