SML Ch 43

Chapter 43

8. Uninvited Guests Who Decided to Stay

“Through this incident, we’ve come to feel keenly just how lacking we are in real combat experience. Therefore, we wish to remain in Sir Reynald’s domain for some time and gain instruction.”

The excuse sounded flimsy no matter how one framed it, yet Arun and Serna declared that they would settle down in the domain with twenty‑odd knight escorts in tow.

“There are plenty of opportunities for learning in the capital—must you truly seek them here?”

“We are still immature and lacking; Sir Reynald’s guidance is indispensable to us. Moreover, this region differs greatly from the many areas we have previously visited for monster subjugations. We believe closely observing it will aid in our growth.”

Judging by Arun’s unabashed and brazen expression, he had no intention of backing down. Of course, compared to yesterday’s squabble about returning to the capital, this was far better—but who would have imagined they intended to plant themselves here outright?

“What? Then, my lord, you’re staying here for a while longer? I thought you’d just leave in a rush!”

“…I cannot make sense of this. If you truly intend to take him back, why not do so at once? And if not, why linger…?”

Volant’s face lit up in delight at the news, while Alex responded with a strangely sulky expression. Yet when Reynald stared at him sharply, Alex flinched and bowed his head. It didn’t seem like he genuinely wished Reynald gone; rather, it felt like he was speaking rashly, just to get it off his chest.

Is he… hurt by this?

Alex ran off immediately after, claiming he had work to do, so Reynald couldn’t probe his true feelings. Instead, Reynald chose to corner Serna—the likely culprit behind all this—and speak to him alone to hear his side.

The mischievous youngest prince was still smiling brightly, clearly pleased with himself for successfully persuading his older brother.

“I believe Sir Reynald needs proper rest. Weren’t you intending to petition His Majesty for leave?”

“I won’t deny that was my plan. But my taking leave and the two of you remaining here—that’s an entirely different matter, is it not?”

“Then are you suggesting we leave? I wouldn’t mind, but do you think my elder brother would accept such a conclusion? He’s convinced that Sir Reynald’s happiness and peace of mind lie solely in returning to the capital, and frankly, I lack the resolve to overturn that conviction of his.”

“…I understand. It seems you’ve made a wise judgment.”

In short, this was a compromise—Serna’s way of mediating between Arun and Reynald. Reynald decided to accept the arrangement for now.

It wasn’t the form of respite he’d initially envisioned, but it did grant him a reprieve. Judging by their conversation, he would at least have a few weeks’ breathing room to contemplate his next steps.

“I’ve already explained matters to my brother, so please, take this time to rest and ease your mind. With the recent red dragon subjugation completed, monster hunts aren’t urgent anyway—we can afford a brief respite ourselves.”

“…Was this truly about rest, or do you simply want to play in the countryside, Prince?”

“This place feels a bit too dangerous for playing, don’t you think? Still, it’s certainly more entertaining than the endless studies and duties at the capital. There’s plenty to see here, so staying briefly doesn’t sound bad.”

Serna shrugged as he spoke. With both sides’ positions now seemingly settled, Reynald allowed himself to relax—though one nagging concern still surfaced.

“May I confirm something, Prince Serna?”

“What is it?”

“If, after resting, I still refuse to return… what then?”

Serna might not be as unyielding as Arun, but it was clear he hadn’t entirely abandoned the goal of taking Reynald back to the capital. His earlier remark about staying “briefly” betrayed that expectation—he seemed confident that, given time, Reynald would relent.

When Reynald awaited his answer, Serna glanced around awkwardly, then smiled sheepishly.

“…Hmm. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it!”

We’ll probably be scolded harshly by Father, so please go easy on us. He added it playfully, yet wisely refrained from pressing further.

Truthfully, Reynald himself couldn’t be certain of anything. People’s hearts change; perhaps, just as Serna hoped, he too would someday long for the capital again.

But what if the longer he stayed, the more he grew attached to this place? What if he never wanted to leave?

I suppose I’ll decide when the time comes.

For now, he would simply savor the respite he had won. The townsfolk didn’t seem overly displeased by the princes’ presence, and the princes themselves weren’t the type to recklessly impose on others. With luck, there would be no major problems for the time being.

Yet, despite the matter being settled, one fundamental issue remained unresolved. The moment Reynald stepped out after speaking with Serna, Heide approached him with a troubled face.

“My lord.”

“What is it, Heide?”

“It’s fine for the guests to stay… but what about food?”

There it is. Reynald sighed heavily. No matter how diligently they had stockpiled provisions for visiting guests, they hadn’t prepared for a long‑term stay.

“Normally, this time of year, hunger is routine for us. Thanks to you, my lord, we’ve had a slight surplus, but with our current stores we’ll struggle even to survive the spring famine.1 I doubt the surrounding villages are faring much better.”

“…A difficult problem indeed.”

“We assumed the guests would stay two or three days at most. If they linger any longer, even appealing to the villagers for food won’t sustain us.”

This was the true reason Reynald had balked at the princes’ announcement. Courteous though they might be for nobles, they were still human—humans must eat. Starving wasn’t an option. The villagers had prepared what they could to host guests for two or three days, but nothing more. Without those hurried preparations, even that window would not have existed.

The princes had likely brought some emergency rations of their own, but those had been stolen by the swinefolk—leaving them with little more than the clothes on their backs. Arun seemed flustered, as though the issue hadn’t even crossed his mind, while Serna offered an awkward smile and suggested a solution.

“We’ll try not to burden you. We’ll send word to the capital and request supplies. With luck, they’ll arrive within a week. Could you manage until then?”

“We’ll try… though it won’t be easy.”

Arun and Serna exchanged uneasy glances. Mishandle this, and they’d be branded as shameless nobles leeching food from a poor village. Worse, Arun might use this as an excuse to drag Reynald back to the capital by force.

But then Arun seemed to think for a moment before making an unexpected proposal.

“Could we procure food ourselves?”

“Excuse me?”

“I noticed smoked wyvern meat among the dishes this morning. That means monsters here are used as food, correct? If we can hunt monsters ourselves, we’ll gladly help supply provisions.”

It was a sound suggestion, yet the villagers still looked skeptical. After all, it was only yesterday that the princes had been captured by the swinefolk, forcing the young men to mount a reckless rescue. Trust did not come easily.

“Isn’t it improper to ask such things of noble guests? Besides, you’re lacking proper weapons.”

“We can borrow simple arms. Though we may have disappointed you yesterday, we are not without monster‑hunting experience. If the prey is manageable for our numbers, we can subdue it and contribute to the food stores.”

It was difficult to refuse when he put it that way. In truth, a successful hunt could easily feed the knights for a week. The real challenge lay in deciding which monsters to target and where.

At that moment, Volant, who had been pondering silently, suddenly brightened and spoke up.

“Ah, how about fishing at the eastern lake? The ice should have melted now that spring’s here.”

“…We have a lake in this domain?”

“Yes, my lord! It’s just that it’s usually too dangerous to approach. But these guests look strong—even without weapons, they could handle hauling in the lines. We might catch plenty.”

His tone suggested he had no faith in their combat skills, but judging by the intrigued expressions of the other villagers, the idea wasn’t entirely implausible.

Only one thing nagged at Reynald.

“Volant, what exactly makes this lake dangerous? Are there many monsters around the riverbanks interfering with fishing?”

“Well… that too.”

That too? As if implying there was something else.

“Yes. If you lose your footing wrestling with the fish and fall into the water, the fish will eat you! But since these folks have monster‑hunting experience, they’ll be fine, right?”

Why was this young man recommending man‑eating fish hunts with such an innocent face? And Arun, of all people, nodded gravely in agreement—leaving Reynald no chance to stop Volant before plans were already underway.

notes

1. Spring famine (춘궁기) – In agrarian societies, especially historical Korea, this refers to the lean months between late winter and the first harvest, when food stores from the previous year run low and new crops haven’t yet matured.