GDTEA Ch 71

Never Point a Sword

Sharti stood with her arms full of food, staring blankly at Ren.

Every time Ren’s longsword clashed with Karun’s greatsword, it trembled and was pushed back. Though it seemed like Ren would collapse at any moment, he persistently blocked Karun’s attacks and held on well, drawing admiration and encouragement from the mercenary members. The atmosphere quickly became lively with the energy Ren and Karun were emitting.

‘…He doesn’t need to learn swordsmanship.’

Only Sharti couldn’t shake off her complicated feelings as she lowered her gaze.

Each time Ren swung his sword, a part of her heart stung as if being cut. With every slice of the sharp blade through the air, she felt a cold sensation shooting through her.

‘It just reminds me of that time.’

In the dark cave, a man standing precariously with a sword in hand reeked of blood and a fishy smell. He was such a mess that it was impossible to tell whose blood it was.

Sharti could never forget those teal eyes that continued to squirm with hostility and murderous intent even while breathing heavily.

‘No! This is completely different from then!’

Sharti shook her head vigorously.

The man who had swung his sword at her in the cave was someone who had disappeared along with Ren’s memories.

‘Ren would never point a sword at me.’

Even if it wasn’t absolute faith, based on the heart and attitude Ren had shown so far, there were aspects that could never be equated.

Ren had consistently shown concern, care, and consideration for her. There was no falsehood in his behavior, and Sharti had naturally come to accept Ren’s gentle protection.

‘Even if I can’t trust everything, I believe in the time I’ve spent with Ren.’

So there was nothing to fear.

Sharti steeled her resolve and raised her head again. Though she flinched at the sound of clashing swords, she kept her eyes on Ren’s transformation.

Her heart, which had once been uneasy, quickly calmed, unlike before.

And Vireta was observing this scene closely.

“Sha-.”

“…?”

Sharti turned her head at Vireta’s call.

“Here-.”

Vireta suddenly put a fruit into Sharti’s mouth.

Sharti chewed and swallowed the fruit in confusion. But as soon as her mouth was empty, small berries popped into her mouth one after another.

‘You should eat too, Grandmother.’

Chewing with her cheeks puffed up, Sharti held out her armful of food.

“Yes, yes.”

But it was just words. Vireta continued to busy herself putting various foods into Sharti’s mouth.

Sharti diligently ate without knowing the reason. The sweet and sour flavors stimulating her tongue were delicious.

‘I should remember this and let Virena and Tein taste it too.’

Since she had money from the general store uncle, she thought she could purchase these foods through the Krofl Mercenary Group.

Thinking of Virena and Tein while satisfying her hunger made her feel good.

Just then, villagers came rushing, looking for Sharti.

“The patients have just regained consciousness!”

“…!”

Before Sharti could turn around, Vireta took the food from her and gave her a nod.

“I’ll tell the mutt.”

Sharti bowed quickly to Vireta and hurried away.

Now that the mana poisoning had been cured thanks to the Tower Master, a doctor was needed to check on the patients’ condition.

****

Vireta’s expression was calm as she turned after watching Sharti rush off.

The sound of swords clashing in her ears increased her concern.

“…….”

While pressuring Ren, Karun exchanged glances with Vireta.

It meant that things were going as Vireta had predicted. And the leaders of the Krofl Mercenary Group also secretly nodded to Vireta.

“…Body memory, huh.”

Vireta muttered with a sigh.

Each time Ren’s sword clashed with Karun’s greatsword, he was subtly correcting his breathing, muscles, trajectory, and steps.

Even if memories were lost, the reactions and postures ingrained in the body didn’t easily disappear.

Most of the Krofl Mercenary Group, who had crossed swords with countless enemies, had identified Ren’s swordsmanship.

“Clean, with the distinctive swordsmanship of nobility.”

Along with this complicated observation, she felt a burning sensation inside.

“Of all things to pick up, it had to be someone like him…”

This was an existence Vireta couldn’t handle.

Moreover, it was already too late for a third party to intervene.

The moment Sharti saved him and gave him a name, their tragic and unfortunate fate had begun.

Bang-! Finally, Karun signaled the end of the match by thrusting his greatsword into the ground.

“Good. Your blade was quite sharp for a beginner.”

Karun neatly swept back his disheveled hair and left a brief compliment.

Meanwhile, Ren was uncharacteristically panting, drenched in sweat. It was understandable that he was overloaded after instinctively drawing out his body’s memories in response to Karun’s energy.

“Where is my master?”

Ren wiped sweat drops with the back of his hand and looked around for Sharti.

“Follow me.”

Vireta took the lead, saying she would take him to Sharti.

“Where are we going?”

Ren asked as they headed in an unexpected direction. Regardless, Vireta continued walking without answering.

They arrived in front of the mercenary group’s temporary quarters.

“Vireta-nim?”

“Give this fellow a change of clothes.”

“What? Yes!”

“I like these clothes.”

At Ren’s insistence on continuing to wear the clothes Sharti had made, Vireta clicked her tongue.

“As if Sha would like you wearing clothes soaked in sweat.”

“…….”

Ren flinched momentarily, then discreetly raised his collar and sniffed.

Although he hadn’t been wearing only the clothes Sharti had made, Vireta was right that he couldn’t continue in this state.

Ren relented and nodded.

Vireta, eyeing Ren with a look of disdain, gestured to a mercenary member.

“Give me one blindfold.”

After receiving a long orange cloth, Vireta threw it at Ren.

“Take that and change your clothes over there.”

Ren nodded slowly and entered the changing tent Vireta had pointed to. After undressing, Ren neatly folded the clothes Sharti had made, placed them to one side, and changed into new clothes.

The long boots, well-fitting pants, and appropriately sized top were all relatively plain in color and design.

Finally, Ren put on the orange cloth as a blindfold and came out.

“From now on, wear a blindfold instead of a hood.”

“…….”

Naturally, with the blindfold on, he couldn’t see anything.

Before Ren could protest at this absurd instruction, Vireta stepped closer to him.

“Many people will visit this village now. Having two individuals hiding their faces with robes and hoods would look suspicious.”

“…….”

“Not only Sha, but I also don’t want attention to be focused on her. So at least you should show your face.”

“Wearing a blindfold would attract more attention.”

“What’s so strange about a doctor having one patient with eye injuries?”

“…….”

Ren’s eyebrow twitched.

As he always felt, his objections didn’t work with Vireta.

“Of course, it bothers me that you’ll have to hold Sha’s hand in front of people, but…”

“I understand.”

Ren promptly nodded.

As time passed, he somewhat adapted to the blindfold. The cloth wasn’t too thick, so his visibility wasn’t terrible. It didn’t seem like he would trip or bump into obstacles when walking alone.

“It won’t be a problem with Sha around.”

Above all, since he would be holding hands with Sharti, there wouldn’t be any danger.

As Ren positively transformed, Vireta’s expression soured.

He was truly annoying.

“Have you remembered anything else?”

“No.”

Ren answered briefly.

He showed no regret or impatience. Unlike before, he didn’t seem to dwell on his lost memories.

Vireta nodded.

Slap-!

“…!”

Ren’s face twitched slightly as his forehead was suddenly hit.

“Tsk, tsk, where did you leave your respect for elders?”

“…….”

When hit by Vireta in particular, his forehead would swell up.

Hiding his defiant gaze behind the blindfold, Ren bowed his head to Vireta.

“…I’m sorry.”

“I wonder when you’ll ever become a proper person.”

While Ren was thoroughly scolded by Vireta for his reckless attitude, earning several bumps on his forehead, Sharti was examining the patients.

The hut where the patients had been isolated had collapsed due to the Tower Master, so a temporary tent had been set up instead. Many villagers had gathered around the tent, presumably having heard the news.

“All the mana has been removed, doctor.”

“Of course, it’s slowly accumulating again in small amounts.”

Shukadi, along with the mage members, confirmed the mana within the patients.

‘Black spots have replaced the fluorescent spots.’

Though dark, these spots would disappear with time and care.

Sharti checked the patients’ energy levels and responses.

Due to their prolonged illness, their pale faces and muscle condition weren’t good, but the shadow of death that had loomed over the patients had disappeared.

‘From now on, they just need to manage their diet and physical strength well.’

Sharti calmly reassured the patients and their guardians.

<Brew this herb and drink it. Not too frequently, it’s best before meals.>

<Since it will be difficult to walk right away, move your fingers or loosen the tense muscles in your arms, neck, and so on.>

“Thank you! Thank you, mages!”

At last, the patients smiled, and so did their guardians. The villagers who had been anxious were relieved, allowing Sharti to smile comfortably as well.

It was fortunate that no one died unjustly. Although she hadn’t directly treated and saved the patients, a sense of fulfillment and relief as a doctor who had done her best to save lives penetrated deep into her heart.

‘That’s good.’

Speaking out, showing her face, and persuading others hadn’t been in vain.

The result of trying, working hard, and doing her best wasn’t regret.

A smile spread across Sharti’s face as she confirmed that her choice hadn’t been wrong.

‘This is enough.’

Vireta had said to receive proper compensation, but Sharti was satisfied with the scene before her.

Now it was time to diligently prepare the herbs.

As Sharti quietly tried to make room, her eyes met Shukadi’s.

“It’s all thanks to Doctor.”

Unexpectedly, attention turned to Sharti. Before she could react, villagers rushed over and grabbed her hands.

“Yes. Yes. Doctor. Thanks to you, everyone lived.”

Surprised by the gratitude of the teary-eyed villagers, Sharti didn’t know what to do and eventually bowed in return.

Lately, her chest had been tingling for various reasons.

Boom Rumble-! At that moment, the ground shook strongly.

In this sudden situation, as the entire village tensed, the mage members all went outside the tent.

“It’s the Magic Tower!”

At the Krofl Mercenary Group’s shout, Sharti also went outside.

A rainbow-colored pillar had appeared high in the sky near the village entrance.

****

The village chief was speechless at the terrifying amount of supplies from the Magic Tower that filled the village entrance.

The Deputy Tower Master, who had brought all kinds of livestock, food supplies, and materials to build a workshop, stood respectfully in front of the chief.

“Nice to meet you. I am the Deputy Tower Master, and I’ve come as the person in charge of the magic workshop to be built in this village.”

“Ah, yes. Welcome. Welcome.”

The number of support personnel from the Magic Tower was also enormous. It was more than the combined number of the Krofl Mercenary Group and village residents.

And as soon as these personnel entered the village, they all lay down on the ground.

“Will the Tower Master not be coming?”

Having experienced the Krofl Mercenary Group’s mages once, the chief naturally turned his gaze.

The Deputy Tower Master, with the typical appearance of a mage, scratched his forehead with a troubled expression.

“He suddenly took on a busy task, so only I came.”

The Tower Master wasn’t at the Magic Tower now.

He had left only a brief message saying he would find clues about Grand Duke Gwendhill, and then disappeared.

“He’ll probably come when the workshop is completed.”

As the Deputy Tower Master lightly stuck his staff into the ground, the Magic Tower mages who had been sprawled on the ground instantly lined up.

“Then could you guide me? The location of the workshop is important.”

“Yes. Let’s go over there.”

The chief quickly moved to show the site for the workshop.

However, while the chief and Deputy Tower Master were briefly away, a problem arose.

“This is where we’ll build our workshop!”

“What are you saying? Of course, the Magic Tower should have the first choice!”

“No… way… Surely the location… was to be determined… through mutual agreement…”

“Argh! Where did you hear that!”

“Right here!”

The Krofl Mercenary Group and Magic Tower mages began to fight over the priority to select the workshop location.

“Let’s decide with magic! Based on skill!”

When no answer emerged, the Magic Tower proudly proposed a contest of skill.

“Let’s do it!”

Seeing the confident Shukadi, a Magic Tower mage pointed his staff.

“If you think of getting help from other mercenaries, we’ll call the Tower Master!”

“Great! Let’s settle this cleanly amongst ourselves!”

Shukadi, a mage from the Krofl Mercenary Group, smiled meaningfully.

It was time to get help worthy of the expensive magic tools.