LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 89
Afterwards, Hanarin, along with Hazuki, joined Kim Il-shin as they entered the city through the open gates.
“Wow… Is that an apple? It’s as big as my face!”
“Looking at the buildings, it feels medieval, but the streets are really clean. The plumbing facilities must be quite well done. It’s amazing.”
The inside of the city walls was completely different from the barren outside.
No matter which direction I looked, the greenery was vibrant, and the straight paths were well-paved.
“…It seems like something is going on.”
However, the state of the citizens living in such an environment was not good.
Despite the abundance of resources, everyone was emaciated, as if they would fall over any moment.
A silence seemed to have settled on the streets, hinting at some kind of epidemic, and the faces of the citizens were filled with anxiety.
I also saw many people wrapped in bandages.
It wasn’t hard to guess the reason.
“Yes. It’s probably related to ‘fear.'”
Hazuki glanced around.
Even though we were walking on the largest avenue, there was not a single person nearby.
The citizens were wary of us and didn’t approach.
They only watched us with indifferent side-glances.
It was understandable.
We were probably the first outsiders they had encountered in their lives, so it would be stranger if they weren’t cautious.
“What should we do first?”
“I was thinking of finding a place to rest… but that doesn’t seem easy.”
“Do you think that’ll work? It’d be faster to set up a tent in the distant forest than to find someone willing to take us in.”
Just as Hanarin grumbled, a boy suddenly popped up from the side, blocking Kim Il-shin’s path.
“Hello, everyone! I’m Diltill! Nice to meet you!”
Cheerfully introducing himself, Diltill extended his right hand and shook Kim Il-shin’s hand as if they were shaking hands.
“Thank you for helping earlier! If it weren’t for you travelers, it could have been a big problem.”
Despite the lukewarm reaction, he continued talking, seeming rather brazen.
“I noticed you seemed to be looking for a place to sleep. If you’d like, you can stay at my house! No time limit! I’ll even give you a tour of the village! This is a rare opportunity.”
“Hmm.”
Hanarin tugged lightly at the collar of Kim Il-shin’s shirt. It was a sign of doubt, suggesting he should refuse.
“What’s the price?”
However, Kim Il-shin, seemingly reassuring her, grasped Hanarin’s hand and asked.
It felt good.
“You’re quite perceptive. Anything is fine, as long as you share stories from your world. Really, anything goes. The more, the better.”
‘Stories from your world…’
There was something in Diltill’s words that I couldn’t easily overlook.
It seemed Hazuki had caught on to that as well and whispered to me.
“Il-shin, I think this kid knows something.”
“I think so too. So, I plan to follow along for now.”
“…That seems wise.”
After finishing the conversation, Kim Il-shin spoke to the waiting Diltill.
“I’ll be in your care.”
“Great choice! Since it’s dark, let’s do the tour tomorrow and head straight to my house now. Follow me!”
Diltill began walking with an excited bounce.
*
Diltill’s house was a wooden house close to the western city wall.
Contrary to expectations of it being cramped and dirty, it looked quite sturdy.
There were even three rooms, and it was relatively clean.
“Looks nice.”
“Right? I built it myself. Since people don’t live here much, I could build it however I wanted. You can use everything here except for my room.”
After introducing his house, Diltill dashed to the kitchen, saying he would serve food.
The group of Kim Il-shin dumped their belongings in the largest room and sat down at the kitchen table.
“You arrived just in time! I’m sorry that this is all I have at home. But I made a large portion.”
On the table were four plates filled with a watery porridge that could hardly be called soup.
Taking a bite, I found that it wasn’t even properly salted.
Hanarin, who had grown gloomy, stirred her spoon and mumbled.
“There was so much stuff on the way here. There were cows and pigs…”
“That all belongs to the nobles. If you mess with it, it would be a big problem.”
“Ugh…”
Just as we continued to eat in silence, Diltill spoke up.
“What kind of food do you eat in your world?”
Diltill mentioned “your world” once again.
It was clear now that what he said wasn’t just a coincidence.
Kim Il-shin had introduced himself as a traveler from far away.
When referring to “far away,” most would think of countries or towns.
But Diltill had adamantly referred to it as a “world.”
It didn’t seem like he was probing. His manner of speaking showed he was confident that the travelers had come from another world.
There was something strange about it, but I didn’t sense any ill intent.
Thus, Kim Il-shin asked straightforwardly.
“How did you know we came from another world?”
“Hey! Why would you say that…!”
“Il-shin…?”
Hanarin and Hazuki were startled, but Diltill’s reaction was calm.
“Oh, wait a moment!”
Jumping from his seat, Diltill sprinted to his room.
Before long, he returned, holding a book that was worn and tattered.
“This book is from the world you came from, right?”
The title Diltill proudly presented was [The Song of Iron].
Kim Il-shin had never heard of the book in his life, but it seemed Hanarin and Hazuki were familiar with it.
“Oh! I know what this is! It’s super famous!”
“The Song of Iron… I haven’t seen this in a while. I read it a lot when I was younger. But why is it here…?”
From their talks, it became apparent that it was a novel that had been quite popular when they were young.
That was why it was only natural for Kim Il-shin to be clueless.
Returning to the table, Diltill spoke in a small voice.
“I don’t know why, but sometimes things like this fall from the sky. They’re meant to be taken by the nobles, but I hid it because I was too curious about the content.”
He lowered his head, placing a finger over his lips.
“It’s a secret, so you can’t tell anyone else. If they find out, I’ll be in big trouble.”
Then, with a silly smile, he opened the book and read a sentence that described the protagonist’s dress shirt.
After reading the entire sentence, Diltill pointed at Hazuki.
“That’s the same thing you’re wearing, right?”
Hazuki nodded. That was enough of an explanation.
It was the same for Hanarin and Kim Il-shin.
Kim Il-shin pointed at the book and asked.
“Looks like it’s your favorite, huh? You remember all that?”
“It’s my treasure number one.”
As he said that, Diltill’s eyes gazing at the novel were filled with warmth.
“Any particular reason?”
Kim Il-shin continued to ask.
This was to confirm whether the boy before him was the person he hoped for.
After a brief pause, Diltill hesitated before answering.
“One day, I dream of going on an adventure like the protagonist in this book. I want to explore the world outside the city walls.”
His dream, which he had kept to himself and never shared with anyone.
It felt strange to be speaking it to someone he had just met.
Perhaps it was because of Kim Il-shin, who stood before him.
The sight of Kim Il-shin tackling countless monsters alone resembled the future self Diltill longed for.
“There might be another wall city like this outside. Or it could be something entirely different. If you keep going, you might reach the sea. I want to taste the seawater, try hot springs, build a snowman… and then…”
Lost in fantastical moments, Diltill seemed entranced.
Of course, these were merely unachievable dreams.
“Ah… If I could see all those things with my own eyes, how wonderful it would be.”
Kim Il-shin smiled looking at Diltill.
‘What a lucky break.’
It felt like he had found the one most fitting for the crucial role in his plan.
A person who could move forward anytime with just a little push.
“I’m going to step out for a bit, so don’t fall asleep and wait here. Put the book away quickly.”
As Kim Il-shin stood up to leave, it was already time.
“Huh? Suddenly?”
“Quickly.”
Diltill, flustered, complied and returned the book to his room.
When he stepped outside, he saw Kim Il-shin, Hanarin, and Hazuki preparing to go out.
“Um… Where are you planning to go at this hour…?”
Before Diltill could finish his question.
Knock, knock, knock!
There were loud, rough knocks at the door, making one worry the door might break.
“Just a moment? There’s no one who should be coming at this time… Ugh!”
As Diltill walked to the door, it suddenly swung open, and he was knocked over backward.
If Kim Il-shin hadn’t caught him, it could have been dangerous.
Behind the opened door were soldiers from the guards, serving the nobility.
They were more like errand boys despite their grand title. Their main duties involved exploitation and plunder.
The chief of the guards stepped forward in front of the soldiers lined up outside and pointed at Kim Il-shin.
“You, traveler. The nobles are looking for you.”
“The nobles… are calling for me…?”
Diltill’s face turned pale in an instant.
If he followed them, who knows what would happen.
“I understand.”
However, Kim Il-shin replied nonchalantly. This was exactly the situation he wanted.
“Everyone else stay here.”
The nobles had summoned only Kim Il-shin. Their intentions were clear.
As Kim Il-shin stepped out calmly, he whispered quietly to Hanarin.
“Make as much noise as you can. Be careful not to break the house.”
Hanarin nodded, having understood the meaning behind his words.
“Follow me.”
The chief of the guards walked out, leaving some watching, and Kim Il-shin followed behind him.