They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 103

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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They say an age gap of nnn years doesn’t even warrant checking compatibility.
Chapter 103
“Welcome!”
The moment we entered the Inn, a Young Boy clearing a table greeted us cheerfully.
Elhart and I claimed an empty table and sat down.
“We’d like two Silver Moon set meals, and could you prepare a room for us?”
Elhart spoke to the Young Boy who had come to take our order.
“How many nights will you be staying?”
“Two nights for now. Your finest room, if you please.”
“Yes, of course!”
As Elhart handed over silver coins, the Young Boy answered spiritedly and dashed toward the Kitchen, calling out “Mother!” as he went—clearly the Innkeeper’s son.
From his cry, it was evident the boy was the Innkeeper’s son.
I exchanged glances with Elhart.
Ramon Territory appeared peaceful.
Whether that was merely surface appearance or genuinely true remained to be seen.
After some time had passed, the Young Boy returned with our food and asked.
“Are you two newlyweds?”
“How did you know?”
Elhart turned to look at the Young Boy.
“It’s obvious just by looking.”
He smiled and pressed a coin into the boy’s hand.
“Quite perceptive. Your parents must be proud.”
“Thank you!”
The Young Boy’s face brightened as he bowed respectfully and pocketed the coin.
“Are you the only one working the hall? Could we trouble you for a guide?”
“Ah….”
The Young Boy’s gaze fixed on the silver coin Elhart produced once more.
“I’ll go ask right away.”
The Young Boy dashed into the Kitchen and returned moments later with a bright expression.
“It looks like I can spare about two hours until dinner preparations begin.”
“Perfect. Let’s do that.”
While Elhart made arrangements with the Young Boy, I pretended to eat while observing the atmosphere of the dining hall.
Since it was lunch hour, there weren’t many patrons.
A few Soldiers who appeared to have just finished their shift were nursing beers and eating, and there were also what looked like Mercenaries scattered about.
Both Elhart and I were currently using magical artifacts to alter our appearances.
Brown hair and green eyes—the most common coloring in Bardia—combined with an artifact that obscured our presence.
Thanks to this, no one paid us particular attention.
Elhart’s imposing frame was somewhat problematic even for the magical artifacts, but fortunately it meant we wouldn’t attract any trouble.
‘For a small city, there are quite a few resident Mercenaries.’
Were they gathered here to handle tasks the regular army couldn’t undertake?
The Mercenaries had brought their weapons into the dining hall and left them propped against the wall beside their table.
‘They’re not here looking for work.’
It seemed they had already received a commission and were waiting for their orders.
It was right after the Soldiers finished their meal and left the Inn.
“Hey, did you hear about that?”
A low voice drifted from the corner table where the Mercenaries were seated.
“Shh. Don’t bring that up here.”
“Everyone knows about it anyway. This time too….”
He trailed off and lowered his voice as much as possible.
It was nearly a whisper, but Elhart and I heard it perfectly well.
I took a sip of water while pretending indifference, listening intently.
“Where this time?”
“Near the Southern Forest.”
Someone clicked their tongue at the brief answer.
“Again. They really are insane bastards.”
“They do it because the money’s good.”
Their gazes drifted slightly toward the door.
Rather than follow their line of sight, I gently took Elhart’s hand.
“Darling, ah—”
He looked at me and reflexively opened his mouth.
All that practice dating had paid off.
The moment I popped food into his mouth, the Mercenaries’ eyes snapped away as if they’d witnessed something they shouldn’t have.
Then they resumed their conversation.
“But is this really okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“A long tail gets stepped on. If the Capital finds out about this….”
The other Mercenaries laughed mockingly at his cautious words.
“Who? How would they even find out?”
“Even if they did, so what? Do we have anyone to send?”
Chuckling, they quickly changed the subject and laughed amongst themselves.
“Ser Brin.”
Elhart gently shook the hand holding his.
“Hmm?”
“You can stop feeding me now.”
Looking down, I realized there was barely any food left on his plate.
A heat rose within me, and I grabbed my cup, gulping it down desperately…
‘It was beer.’
After draining it in one go, I could finally breathe a little easier.
I quietly pulled Elhart’s cup toward me and drained that as well.
‘Our Prince shouldn’t be drinking something like this.’
It was the worst beer I’d ever had in my entire life.
After finishing our meal, Elhart and I unpacked our belongings in the room the Young Boy had shown us.
Since all the important items were stored in a spatial bag, I left only a few disguise clothes in the room to avoid suspicion.
Before leaving the room, Elhart and I double-checked the map.
Whether there was a village near the Southern Forest south of Ramon Territory.
“There’s nothing marked on the map for now.”
“Still, we should verify it ourselves.”
Only villages of considerable size are marked on maps.
“Let’s go check it out tonight.”
“Agreed.”
Like a newlywed couple, we changed into matching clothes and descended to the first floor.
The Young Boy who had been waiting led us out of the inn.
Even by then, we still hadn’t seen the faces of the Innkeeper and his wife.
“What interests you both? Shopping? Beautiful scenery?”
“Hmm… what would you like to see first?”
“I’m happy with whatever makes you happy.”
The Young Boy watched us with a gentle smile as we linked arms and exchanged words affectionately.
“Still, we should first see the beautiful scenery unique to this region, shouldn’t we?”
At Elhart’s words, I nodded repeatedly.
“Yes, I’d love that!”
“Understood. I’ll guide you well.”
The Young Boy began walking briskly.
We matched his pace and strolled leisurely, thoroughly exploring every corner of the city as if sightseeing.
“Are there areas here we shouldn’t venture into?”
I lowered my voice and asked the Young Boy.
“Pardon?”
“You know, places where low-quality people, thieves, and pickpockets gather.”
“Ah…!”
The Young Boy exclaimed as if understanding, then spoke.
“There’s no such place really. There used to be, but I heard the Lord took care of it all.”
“Wow, so everywhere is safe then. That’s impressive.”
“It is, but….”
The Young Boy gestured slightly to me and whispered in my ear.
“You should be careful of the Mercenaries. They’re rough people.”
I covered my mouth with my hand in feigned surprise.
“Oh my, is that so?”
“Especially when they go out to eliminate bandits under the Lord’s orders, they cause a lot of trouble.”
“So there are many bandits around the fief. If they need to deploy Mercenaries for it.”
“Well, we’re in the middle of war, after all.”
The Young Boy shrugged his shoulders.
“I’ve heard that Imperial Army deserters, frightened and turned to banditry, frequently attack people in these parts.”
I felt Elhart’s expression harden, so I tapped his arm gently, careful not to draw attention.
“That’s why the Lord restricts the fief residents from venturing beyond the castle without pressing business.”
“Doesn’t it feel suffocating? Not being able to move freely….”
“Safety comes first, though. My father actually lost his life visiting a friend in the Neighboring Village.”
I looked at the Young Boy in surprise.
No wonder he seemed to handle everything alone—serving, cleaning, all of it.
“That’s unfortunate.”
Elhart asked the Young Boy with a careful expression.
“Was your father’s funeral… conducted properly?”
“No. I heard they couldn’t find his body.”
“…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
The Young Boy smiled as if it were nothing and resumed his diligent work.
‘He might still be alive, though.’
Given the circumstances, it was highly likely he’d been caught up when the Mercenaries attacked the village.
They wouldn’t have left witnesses behind—they would have taken the villagers with them.

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