Chapter 186 : Chapter 186
Chapter 186
"What on earth are you planning to do?"
Desep Denoebang's voice was sharp.
Despite being rail-thin, he had an aura like a well-sharpened blade.
It was not surprising, as in his youth, he was one of the top three knights in the West.
His gaze was intense enough to make an ordinary person faint, but Amethus and I were unfazed.
"I already told you, I'll bring back the White Lord."
"The White Lord you speak of is my youngest son. Do you know why he had to hide?"
"I know."
I said brazenly.
"He's in no state to stand before others."
"...And you still!!!"
Desep was about to burst with indignation.
Obro Denoebang was Desep's son before he was a hero.
He couldn't help but seethe with anger at how easily I spoke of another's child.
He clicked his tongue, Tsk!, expressing his blatant displeasure.
"I don't suppose you have a plan!"
"I do, though I can't tell you."
"Can you take responsibility?"
"I already told you, I'm not bringing back Obro Denoebang, but the White Lord."
"Anyone can talk."
Desep, who was about to unleash more anger, shut his mouth.
Whatever I was plotting, the situation couldn't get any worse.
He had a great deal to do and a duty to return to his work immediately.
A sense of urgency constantly prodded him.
"You won't listen even if I try to stop you. And it's not like I can stop you by force."
"You're wise."
"...If you bring harm to the Denoebang family, you'd better be prepared."
"You really have no trust."
I grinned slyly, and Desep turned his head, pretending not to hear.
"Yes, Obro is in this village. But I doubt you'll be able to find him."
"I'll handle it, Elder."
"And...."
Desep decided not to stop me. He didn't know what expectations I had for the name 'White Lord,' but the current Obro was in no state to be called that.
I would probably back down after seeing it with my own eyes.
He didn't want to reveal his son's broken state, but....
"...It's not that I haven't tried."
His sigh was deep.
The old man, over seventy, had wrinkles etched exceptionally deep into his face.
They were the traces of the years he had lived and the storms he had weathered.
"...But, Obro is...."
He had shouldered many burdens throughout his long life.
But the burden of a child was uniquely heavy.
To the point where it felt more painful than millions of lives.
Because his son was once more brilliant than anyone, the present was all the more heart-wrenching.
"...Completely ruined."
***
Desep left.
Amethus and I looked around the village.
"What's the name of this village?"
"Raenit. But there's no need to remember it. It's just a small village that grows fruit."
"I think I've heard of it before?"
Amethus tilted his head.
Raenit, Raenit?
Where had he heard that?
Just as he was about to recall, I opened my mouth.
"They also make and sell fruit wine."
"Ah!"
"The taste is exceptionally good, too. Since it's a business the Denoebang family runs as a hobby, they don't spare any expense and use all sorts of fine ingredients."
"...It was delicious."
Amethus licked his lips.
He certainly hadn't enjoyed eating and drinking before.
But since coming to the West, he was gradually developing a taste for gourmet food.
He had a lot of money, but having hidden away for seven years preparing his plans, there wasn't much else to do.
The Raenit apple wine is a masterpiece among masterpieces.
Recalling its unique, refreshing aftertaste, Amethus suddenly craved grilled hind legs of lamb.
Raenit apple wine was a fantastic match for lamb.
"The excellent taste of the wine is one of the biggest reasons Obro Denoebang is hiding in this village."
"...Wasn't he famous for not touching alcohol?"
"He didn't drink in the past."
I smiled bitterly.
I am a regressor.
I knew better than anyone what Obro Denoebang had gone through and what state he was in.
It was natural, as I had heard it directly from him before my regression.
"Well... more importantly, where do we find Obro?"
"You don't know where he is?"
"I only know he's in this village. I don't know the details. I'll have to ask around. Isn't that your specialty?"
"It used to be."
The former head of the Imperial Security Bureau's special operations unit, Amethus, shrugged.
He was a man who boasted outstanding investigative skills, so much so that he was nicknamed the Security Bureau's diviner.
"If it were you, where would you go first?"
"In an unfamiliar place, the classic methods are often the most effective."
"Then it's decided."
I took a step.
"Let's go to the tavern."
***
"There aren't many people here."
"It's the middle of the day."
"Was this the right choice, Amethus?"
"It wasn't wrong."
The jade-eyed man scanned the inside of the tavern.
Including the owner, there were four people.
They all looked as if it wouldn't be strange for them to eat and sleep in this tavern (in other words, they were bona fide drunkards).
"Being in a tavern in the middle of the day means they're always in the same spot. In a small village like this, they're bound to hear all sorts of rumors, whether they want to or not."
"Oh. That makes sense."
I chuckled.
"Then I'll leave the questioning to the former special operations unit head. It's not too much of a burden, is it?"
"Of course not."
Amethus snorted.
He opened the tavern door and entered without hesitation.
As an unfamiliar man wearing a sword entered, gazes briefly turned to him.
But, true to form as drunkards, they lost interest in him and once again began to diligently raise their cups.
"Do you have apple wine?"
"We have plenty. There are several kinds, which one would you like?"
"The best-tasting one. Don't worry about the price. But it shouldn't be too strong."
"Then I'll have to bring out my secret stash...."
The owner pulled out a glass bottle from between the barrels with a solemn smile.
He confidently stated that while it cost one silver nyang for three glasses, the taste would be absolutely astounding.
Amethus handed over a silver coin and received the drink.
The aroma alone was incredible.
"You're a knight, sir?"
"Do I look like one?"
"Yes. Anyone can see that."
"Hmm."
Amethus didn't bother to answer.
He let the owner interpret his silence as a sign of affirmation.
The owner was now glancing at me, sitting in a corner.
My appearance and attire were those of a typical young noble.
"The one sitting over there... Oh my, he's handsome. Are you here as the blond gentleman's escort?"
"I suppose so."
He sipped his drink.
The owner took this as another affirmation.
Amethus, who had emptied a glass in an instant, narrowed his eyes fiercely.
"But owner, if you ask too many questions, the drink loses its taste."
"...Hehe, I was just curious, you see. You're not the kind of people one sees easily in this small village. There's not much to see here, either."
"So I've heard that the fruit wine of this village is incredible. At first, I wondered why I would come all this way for fruit wine, but...."
Amethus spun the empty glass in his hand.
The drink had already gone down his throat, but its aroma still filled his mouth.
"...I'm glad I came."
"Isn't it? It's the pride of Raenit."
"There's something I'd like to ask."
The jade-colored eyes deepened.
"If I want to sell this fruit wine elsewhere, who should I speak to in this village?"
"...Excuse me?"
"I came here with plans to purchase at least several hundred barrels a year."
"...Well, Sir Knight. Even if you say so...."
The owner made a troubled face.
"...I don't know if you're aware, but this village is...."
"It belongs to the Denoebang family. And the trade of Raenit fruit wine is monopolized by the Denoebang family. I've already spoken with them. They told me to work things out with the locals."
"...My goodness, you must be more important than I thought."
The Denoebang family was among the most prestigious of the Maesh nobility.
To have spoken directly with such a family, the owner was convinced that Amethus and I were no ordinary nobles.
"Well now, who should you speak to about this...."
"Henson."
The owner's face contorted as he turned his head at the sound of his name.
A man with shaggy hair and a dirty beard was now standing beside him, calling out to him desperately.
"Henson, hey, Henson."
"...I'm talking with an important guest right now."
"I know, I know... Hehe, just one more glass...."
The shaggy-haired man held out an empty glass.
His beard was grown so messily that his facial features were completely indistinguishable.
Amethus was surprised once that this man had gotten so close without him noticing, and twice by the nose-piercing stench.
"Money?"
"...You know, hehe."
"Then no!"
The tavern owner, Henson, glared daggers.
"What you paid for in advance is up to three glasses a day! Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely no more than that!"
"...Don't be like that...."
"Not another drop until you pay off your tab!"
"...Henson...."
"Get lost, you bum! Won't you get lost!?"
Henson grabbed a broom.
It seemed he intended to beat the bearded man out of the tavern.
He looked anxious that Amethus's mood might sour and the precious deal might fall through.
"Oh my, sir. I've shown you an unsightly scene.... You know, every town has one. A half-wit who can't do anything but drink, no matter how old he gets...."
"Is he from this village?"
"Huh? Yes, of course. He's been stuck in our shop every single day since we opened."
"How long has this shop been open?"
"Five years? Six years?"
"Hmm."
Amethus stroked his chin.
"Give me another bottle of wine, something more precious than the one I just had."
"...Surely you're not giving it to that bum? Ah, that'll spoil him...."
"How much is the bottle you're taking out now?"
"Twelve silver nyang."
"Here, twenty silver nyang."
Amethus, who had poured out a cascade of coins, took the bottle and moved.
He approached the bearded man who was clutching an empty glass and sniffling in the corner.
"That's some long beard."
"...Who might you be, sir?"
"How long have you been growing it?"
"...Let's see. About ten years?"
"Hmm."
Amethus plopped down in the seat opposite the man.
The stench was severe, but he paid it no mind.
Between the dirty beard and shaggy hair, only the man's eyes were visible.
His dark brown pupils anxiously scanned Amethus and the double-edged sword at his hip.
"...Are you a knight, sir?"
"No, right now I'm just a person who wants to give you a drink."
"You're a good person!"
The man shouted with delight.
"Here, here, here, sit down, quickly!"
"I'm already sitting!"
"And the drink, quickly!"
An empty glass was thrust forward.
The man was drooling, soiling his beard.
No wonder the beard smelled.
Amethus opened the bottle.
The mere act spread a rich aroma.
As he tilted the bottle, the scent grew stronger.
The sweet liquid was about to pour into the glass at any moment.
The bearded man's eyes shone like a newborn puppy's.
"...Uh...."
But Amethus didn't finish tilting the bottle. The man's glass remained empty.
"...Why aren't you pouring?"
"I have a few questions."
"Uuungh?"
The bearded man's face contorted.
His red nose, flushed from drink, turned even redder.
"...I thought you were a good person! You had ulterior motives after all!"
"If I give you the drink, does it matter if I have ulterior motives?"
"Huh? Is that so? Huh? I guess... you're right!"
Watching the man laugh, hehe, Amethus poured him a drink.
"Consider the first glass a down payment."
"...!!!"
No sooner had the wine filled the glass than the man emptied it into his mouth.
It was a generous pour and quite strong, yet the glass was empty in an instant.
"Ma, ma...."
"Mama?"
"...Delicious!!!"
The man exhaled a breath reeking of alcohol, as if he could finally live.
"Ugh, whatever, hic, you want to ask, go ahead!"
"Your condition has deteriorated rapidly."
"For me, hic-uuugh, this is normal!"
Amethus shook his head slightly.
I was watching this whole situation with amusement.
With his jade-colored eyes shining, he asked.
"I'm looking for someone."
"Someone, you say?"
"A nobleman. A man in his mid-to-late thirties."
"...Ah? Aaaah ...Pfft!"
The bearded man suddenly burst out laughing.
The tavern owner, who had been listening to their conversation, did the same.
They were all snickering, and it was unpleasant as it was mixed with a hint of ridicule.
"Why are you laughing?"
"...So you're one of them too, sir. What was it, those fools who fell for the ridiculous rumor that the, hic, White Lord... is here!"
"......"
"No, no, no, sir, sir, sir!"
The bearded man twisted his body here and there in his drunkenness, laughing his head off.
"Why would the White Lord be in a backwater village like this?"