The Strongest in Our Neighborhood - Chapter 52

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Strongest in Our Neighborhood (52)
For a moment, stark fear seized him.
He remembered his own carelessness—ignoring the command to stop just moments before and attacking anyway.
If an Expert-rank Knight’s displeasure twisted into action, he could have been crippled right here.
“I clearly told you to stop. You didn’t hear me?”
“My apologies. I heard you, but my weight was already shifting forward. I couldn’t stop the strike.”
As Jang Gain drew closer, Decal instinctively flinched and retreated a step.
“So you weren’t trying to ignore my words and kill me outright?”
“No, sir. Never.”
“Doesn’t seem that way, but I’ll let it slide this time. Still, this boy grows stronger when he transforms into a wolf, but he fights exactly like one—pure instinct. His name was Daren, wasn’t it? Are you coming to your senses?”
Whine, whiiiiine…….
The wolf boy’s form shifted gradually, bone by bone, until he stood upright in human shape once more.
His clothes had torn to shreds during the Transformation, leaving him nearly naked, covered only by a tattered scrap of cloth.
“Now do you understand that what I said before wasn’t wrong?”
“Kgh! U-u-uwaaaaaah…….”
When Daren suddenly burst into tears, Jang Gain’s mouth twisted into a wry smile.
‘Frustrated, bitter, and when revenge finally came within reach, it all fell apart so meaninglessly. But as long as he lives, this kind of experience will make him grow.’
* * *
When Yure’a Millay of Johansen House came and freed them from being treated as merchandise by slave traders, distributing identification tokens that made them subjects of Greywan Territory, not a single one of them believed they had truly become Freemen.
They believed Jang Gain was now their new master, one who would soon work them like slaves, crack the whip and swing the club without mercy.
And when Jang Gain ordered them to grind wheat and grain to make bread, to slaughter sheep and goats for meat, they thought—of course the master would make them work.
“Wow! You baked this bread perfectly. It’s delicious. The meat is so tender too.”
Gulp.
Hearing Jang Gain’s words as he ate the bread and meat, they swallowed hard without realizing it themselves.
They had been trained as slaves to offer the master the finest cuts, so the bread and meat Jang Gain was eating now were the best-baked, most delicious portions.
“You must all be hungry. I’ve set out food for one table. The rest is for you all—please eat.”
“I’m sorry?”
Daren, arranging the bread and meat on the table, seemed to have misheard and asked for clarification.
“That remaining food over there—share it with the others. You’re all hungry, aren’t you?”
“Is… is it really all right for us to eat this?”
“If not, why would I have told you to slaughter three sheep and goats and bake this much bread?”
“Wasn’t it meant to entertain the Mage and the Young Duke?”
“What I set on this table is enough for them.”
“But there were quite many in the Young Duke’s party.”
“Only a few of them will come.”
“Is that so? Then we really can eat this food?”
Eat it—that’s why I said to prepare plenty from the start. All of you, please have your fill.”
“Understood. Thank you. Thank you so much. Everyone, did you hear? The master says we can eat this food.”
As Daren announced this to those around him, they began eating carefully. And when Jang Gain said nothing even as they ate, their hands soon moved with abandon, shoveling food into their mouths.
“Let me say it again: you are no longer slaves. If you wish, you can become residents of this territory—or return to your homelands. I will personally escort anyone who wishes to go home, so you needn’t worry about bandits or monsters.”
“Th-thank you. I would rather go home than stay in this territory.”
“So would I.”
“I also wish to return home.”
“If you take me home, master, I will do anything you ask.”
“I as well…….”
“I’ll arrange everything as you wish. For now, please finish your meal.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Watching the brightened faces of those eating bread and meat, Jang Gain felt an inexplicable warmth spread through his chest.
* * *
To transport a hundred people to the Crerarion Forest would require a considerable amount of supplies for camping.
Five days passed gathering those supplies and attending to the various small preparations.
During those five days of preparation, the newly freed people naturally divided into three groups: a young man named Kurel became the representative of the farmers, Daren the werewolf became the representative of the Beast-kin, and Belkurt became the representative of the Dverberg and Druid Tribe.
Looking at the hundred people and twenty-two wagons laden with all manner of goods, Jang Gain felt his tongue tug slightly at the corner of his mouth.
“On the way here, I rode Sabel Tiger with Laila—just the two of us. Now I’m leaving with enough people and supplies to populate a small village.”
After breakfast, as preparations for departure were underway, Johansen appeared with some fifty administrators and household members, including his two sons.
Jang Gain offered the count a light bow of greeting.
“With your help, I completed in mere days what would have taken far longer.”
“The grace you have shown this territory is far greater—the least I can do. Is there anything lacking?”
“There is more than enough. I need no further assistance.”
“If ever you need anything in the future, contact me anytime using the Communication Device I’ve given you.”
“I understand.”
“Ah, that’s right. Yure’a mentioned you refused all the attendants she sent to your quarters. Is there some problem?”
As Johansen cast a glance toward Jang Gain’s lower half, Jang Gain’s expression turned bewildered.
“Since I returned from the Demon Realm, Demonic Qi has accumulated within me. I’ve simply kept women at a distance while I work to dispel it.”
“Ah! If that’s the reason, you should have said so. Here I’ve gone and misunderstood all on my own.”
“And I have no intention of sharing a bed with any woman unless I love her.”
The Count’s expression grew puzzled as he heard Jang Gain speak.
“No, surely a man in his prime seeks out women for hire to satisfy his desires. What are you saying?”
“If a man cannot master even such carnal urges, how could he ever become a master?”
“I see. You’re made of different cloth than the knights I know, Gain.”
“I’m simply rather unusual.”
“Much more than a little. Now that I think of it, my granddaughters are beauties who would shine anywhere. Why don’t you meet them?”
“No, thank you. I wouldn’t have the time anyway, as I’ll be departing soon.”
“Time can be made. Yure’a.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Who is the person responsible for accompanying and returning the carriage, horses, and servants I lent to Gain, and then coming back?”
Of the twenty-two carriages in total, Jang Gain had purchased ten himself; the remaining carriages, servants, and horses had all been lent by Yure’a Milley.
“It’s Bayona the steward.”
Bayona the steward was the Count’s household steward who, until just moments before, had been directing people to pack the luggage.
“I think Violet would be good as someone to assist Bayona from the side. What do you think?”
Yure’a Milley grasped that her father wished to make Jang Gain a member of the family by any means possible, and she nodded her head.
If a master-rank master became her son-in-law, it would be something to welcome with both hands.
“Bayona the steward actually said that Violet has exceptional talent, and that working together would be very helpful. So I’ve already spoken to Violet about it.”
After speaking, Yure’a gave a subtle nod to her quick-witted subordinate.
Receiving the signal, he swiftly vanished somewhere.
A short while later, Count Johansen continued.
“Gain, my granddaughter Violet will accompany you on the journey to Crerarion Forest. You’ll have plenty of time to become acquainted.”
“Count, why do you press me so? Surely my refusal of bedside attendants tells you something of my nature?”
“If you had accepted such service, would I go so far as to push my most precious granddaughter upon you?”
“I understand you regard me well, but relationships between men and women arise naturally. They can’t be forced like this.”
“Commoners can afford natural meetings. But nobility must marry nobility of similar standing—so parents must take the lead in finding suitable matches.”
“I am not nobility.”
“A master-rank knight can become nobility whenever he wishes, even if he was born a commoner.”
“If I desired advancement, I would pursue nobility. But I have not yet decided on such a path. As you just said, I am still a mere commoner—how could you bind your precious granddaughter to me?”
“It’s precisely because you are so desirable that I do this.”
Jang Gain met the Count’s gaze and released a short breath.
“Surely you’re not trying to bind me to your house through your granddaughter?”
“Could a man of your caliber ever truly belong to our family? If we could, we might even ascend to a duchy. But I’m aware you’re too great to be contained.”
“If you know I cannot be contained, why do you insist on bringing your granddaughter into my journey?”
“I cannot contain you, but hearts are unpredictable, are they not? Who knows—perhaps you might take a liking to Violet when you see her.”
“That will absolutely not happen. I would prefer you not invite such troubles.”
As the two men spoke, the subordinate who had received Yure’a’s nod arrived with Violet in tow.
“Ah! There she comes now. Violet.”
“Yes, Grandfather. Did you call for me?”
As Violet drew near, Jang Gain’s eyes widened.
‘Hmm! Until now, I thought no woman could match Kairin or Saeran in beauty—but she’s no less than they are.’
“Make your greeting. This is Gain.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Gain. I’m Violet Milley, and I’ll be assisting Bayona the steward while you return to Crerarion Mountain Range.”
“Yes! Well, I’m Jang Gain.”
“I look forward to working with you.”
“Yes, I do as well.”
Though Jang Gain had just expressed his refusal to Count Johansen, he offered Violet only a wry smile rather than any such objection.
Count Johansen stepped closer to Jang Gain’s side and spoke in a low voice.
“Gain, what do you think? My granddaughter is beautiful, isn’t she?”
“Yes, she is quite beautiful.”
“So you’ll permit Violet to travel to Crerarion Forest with Bayona?”
“Since she needs to assist Bayona the steward, what permission of mine is required?”
“Well then, I leave her in your care.”
“Please don’t harbor unrealistic expectations.”
“Even if the results fall short of my hopes, I won’t resent you for it. Put your mind at ease.”
“Yes.”
Jang Gain answered with a short sigh.
A trite seduction scheme. And yet the woman in question had no authority to refuse. Worse, if the outcome proved unfavorable, her grandfather would certainly rebuke her for it.
‘Even in the Demonic Cult, the daughters of powerful families became tools in factional struggles. Nothing’s changed here.’
* * *
As Jang Gain, mounted on Sabel Tiger, departed leading twenty-two carriages, Count Johansen turned to Yure’a with a question.
“I summoned Violet without consulting you first. Are you upset?”
“Ah, I was somewhat taken aback, but it seemed you were crafting something grand, so I took the liberty of sending someone to fetch Violet.”
“Something grand? What sort of scheme do you think I’m plotting?”
“To elevate our house to a dukedom by taking Kairin as your grandson-in-law, perhaps?”
“Do you believe our family could embrace someone of his caliber?”
“It would be rather taxing, but with proper handling, I believe we might manage it.”
“It will depend on how Violet conducts herself, but I suspect our family will find it difficult to contain him.”
…….

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————