Chapter 44: Lagritte (4)


    In the final stages of the mornings training and instruction, Phiri was still grumbling.


    I waited for you to wake up, and now you suddenly want to train until morning. I didnt expect it tost until morning.


    .


    Sigh. Are we going to train again after breakfast?


    You said it was okay.


    Id lost count of how many times Phiri had said something like this. Even though Phiri said it was okay, she stillined.


    I nced at Phiri cautiously and spoke.


    Also, Vice-Leader, you didnt wake me up.


    Oh my, look at this one.


    Phiri made a startled gesture, pulling her head back and clicking her tongue, then plopped down beside me.


    I quickly created another chair with winds.


    An exhausted kid like you could sleep for ages. How could I wake you up when youre sleeping so soundly, even moaning in your nightmares?


    .


    I had nothing to say. I was in the wrong. Phiri was genuinely helping me.


    Im sorry.


    What are you sorry for? Fix that habit. Are you doing it because you want to?


    What should I have said then?


    Phiri waited patiently while I was lost in thought. Soon, I found the answer.


    Thank you.


    Sure. Anyway, today is a day thates only once or twice a year. Ill help you wholeheartedly.


    Phiri put her hand on my shoulder.


    After we eat, lets stop by the inn and thene out again. Dont worry about causing any inconvenience. Staying up all night is just for a day or two, right?


    The idea of having breakfast and stopping by the inn was another considerate gesture.


    Phiri was surprisingly taking care of me, even though I tried to decline her offer to gamble.


    Though she had always been like this to some extent, it felt like there was a sudden change towards me.


    Perhaps because it was a vacation? I slightly lowered my head again.


    Thank you.


    But its definitely different today. About six times more than usual?


    Yes, roughly that much.


    If its a bit more, maybe youll be able to beat me.


    Not yet. Im still far from that level.


    Suddenly, Phiri pinched my shoulder, which she was holding.


    Why are you taking this so seriously? Just say, Ill do my best. Its just something you say naturally. You still have a long way to go.


    She was being so caring, but today, Phiri seemed particrly insistent.


    Even when we started training, she was grumbling.


    But why are you acting like this today?


    When I turned my head to ask, Phiri grabbed my cheeks with both hands.


    I tried to back away in surprise, but I couldnt avoid Phiris agility and strength.


    I didnt touch you because you usually seem sensitive and tired. Huh? Look at your sparkling eyes. How adorable. They looked like fish eyes before, all dull.


    Maybe it was because I looked tired, thats why she didnt do it. Well, Denif and Orhen were also different in their own ways.


    And Phiri had a mischievous personality even on regr days.


    Just by seeing her teasing Hamal, it was clear that she had a yful side to her among her close friends.


    .


    As if sensing that I was lost in thought, Phiri ced her hand on my shoulder again.


    I just felt sorry for seeing you asleep yesterday. I thought, Its a vacation, so he must be resting like this, I wonder how tired he is on regr days.''


    Did I really look that tired? I couldnt tell since I couldnt see myself.


    It seemed to be Phiris way offorting me.


    I couldnt speak for a moment and just gave a faint smile. Phiri followed suit with my expression.


    And in times like this, just rx a bit. Were like half-siblings, after all.


    Feeling the atmosphere, I nodded in agreement nervously.


    But still, no mercy once were on a mission, alright?


    Yes.


    Ill have to send someone to the gambling den. And tell Ill go tomorrow.


    Well, money was money, and Phiris revenge was her revenge, but right now, this time was important to me.


    Phiri brushed her hand on her palm and got up from her seat.


    Lets go eat.


    .Yes.


    What do you want to eat?


    Ill eat whatever you want, Phiri.


    Street food okay?


    .


    Phiri chuckled at my reaction. And so, the day passed.


    * * *


    The feeling of being in a different body was not yet familiar, but even with that strange sensation, I still felt satisfied.


    Both Phiri and I nodded in agreement.


    I realized that there had been progress, which meant that my growth had been substantial.


    Phiris help had been instrumental.


    If I had done it alone, I wouldnt have improved this much.


    It had been almost like a real battle and training. After the duel and reflection, I received feedback on my changed swordsmanship, which made my sword even sharper.


    Anyway, when I returned to my normal appearance, it was both familiar and awkward, as Phiri had put it.


    Together, we headed to the gambling den.


    The lowly and despicable trash inside the den was just the same as two days ago.


    Hey, that friend of yours was at the hot springs for quite a while yesterday, right? And he was out all day yesterday. You said he was on guard duty?


    The trash sneered, and Phiris face turned red with anger.


    It was a private hot spring.


    Okay, okay. Lets call it that. But what about yesterday?


    We also went sightseeing around the volcano. Why are you so interested? Are you trying to dig up information on me? Afraid Ill cheat you out of your measly money? How much are we talking about here?


    No way. That cant be. Your lodging and the hot spring you were in were mine. I was surprised that you had reserved the highest-grade hot spring for two weeks.


    In an instant, a rough image formed in my mind.


    They had thought Phiri was just an ordinary daughter of the Merchant Guild, but now they realized she had reserved the highest-grade hot spring for two weeks.


    Those guys must have concluded that she was not an ordinary Merchant Guild member but someone with a lot of money.


    They probably nned to take advantage of Phiri. Phiri must have sensed their intentions as well.


    So you did a background check on me anyway?


    No, no, were just locals here. We hear a lot of things, thats all.


    Phiri red at them, and one of the trash nearby started pping to liven up the mood.


    Enough of that talk. Lets y cards or chips. I couldnt sleep for two days thinking about the money I lost.


    Shall we raise the betting a bit?


    Im fine with that. Wouldnt it be a bit regretful if the stakes were too low?


    The trash echoed the agreement, as if they had made a deal beforehand. Phiri firmly nodded.


    I didnt bring that much. This is all I have.


    Come on,dy, you could always put yourself up as coteral.


    What?


    Phiris voice was sharp. The sleazy men raised both hands as if to calm her down.


    I didnt mean it that way. I meant you could provide coteral. If you dont pay up, wont your father cover the cost?


    Right, that must have been the intention from the beginning. Phiri red at the guy, biting her lip in frustration.


    I suppressed augh internally. It was funny how they assumed they would win.


    However, thats something you can say only after youve earned all the money, right?


    Haha, lets just leave it for now.


    Thats how the game started, with an ufortable atmosphere. It didnt take long for the trash to shut their mouths.


    Losing, winning, losing again, and winning again


    In the monotonous process, I couldnt always have good hands, but whenever there was a significant amount of money on the line, I always won.


    For me, it was a game where I already knew the oue, so it wasnt very entertaining, but it seemed to be different for the opponents.


    Whether they were exchanging signals or trying to y mind games, it was all in vain in front of me, who knew all the cards.


    The faces of the two guys who had lost all the money they brought were turning pale. Their ufortable expressions resembled catfish gasping for air.


    T-This is cheating!


    And finally, even thest remaining slimy beard lost all his money to me.


    The slimy beard got up from his seat and lunged at me, usingly.


    You, you brat! What kind of trick did you use?


    I looked at him in silence. I knew Phiri would answer for me.


    Cheating? What nonsense! We yed with magic cards, what kind of tricks could we possibly use?


    That, thats


    Did you guys just lose to my bodyguard because you couldnt handle it yourselves?


    Phiri raised her eyebrows in annoyance. Her dismissive and biting words seemed to make the slimy beard breathe fire.


    I decided it was about time to intervene.


    Its because of your habit.


    A habit?


    They are gamblers in the casino. There were no noticeable habits. But it was a fitting exnation.


    Amid the atmosphere of curiosity, I tapped on the table.


    When you have good cards, your pupils contract less than usual. Everyone here.


    Just because of that


    Considering what happened the day before yesterday, its not that far-fetched.


    Its one of the reasons why hes my bodyguard. He knows how to read my fathers and my moods.


    Phiri, who butted in, smirked. I lowered my head slightly and continued speaking.


    And the guy over there, he swallows his saliva.


    The slimy beard nodded almost instinctively. After thinking about it, he realized I was right.


    This tacit agreement calmed down the atmosphere. I mentioned one or two more pieces of evidence.


    Observing from a situation where I knew the oue, it wasntpletely false.


    Thats it.


    Phiri patted my shoulder.


    Lets go, its no fun anymore.


    Her voice was full of sarcasm and amusement. The faces of the trash were filled with a sense of defeat and anger.


    Well, it shouldnt be a big problem.


    We didnt make a big profit. ording to the agreement we had made beforeing, Phiri won more money than she had lostst time.


    From the perspective of the people in the casino, it shouldnt be too much of a hassle for them.


    As we left the casino, Phiri was reveling in her triumph. Even though I was the one who yed the game


    I decided to remain silent since I had received something yesterday.


    Aah! It feels so refreshing.


    Are you satisfied?


    Of course. Did you see their faces? My lunch has already been fully digested.


    I couldnt help but smile at Phiris satisfaction.


    But, are you okay?


    What?


    You were being insulted quite harshly.


    Its fine. Its not like I havent seen that kind of thing before. Ive been through training too.


    Thats right. We underwent training where we had to endure all kinds of insults and humiliations to maintainposure.


    But as a subordinate, wasnt it normal to feel ufortable when your superior got insulted?


    I hope its really okay.


    Why? Did you want to handle it personally if I wasnt okay?


    Well, if you asked me to, I would have.


    Why didnt you just say that you would do it even if I didnt ask?


    Phiri chuckled and then let out a soft sigh.


    Now what should we do?


    What do you mean?


    I mean during our break time. Its a vacation until Hamal finishes his work. Theres nothing else to do if we dont go to the casino.


    Just resting should be enough, right?


    .


    .


    Not understanding each others preferences, we looked at each other in silence for a moment.


    Yesterday was nice.


    Phiri tilted her head slightly, but she didnt seem to be in a good mood.


    Then, how about helping with the training?


    Arent you tired of it?


    As Phiri said that, she added as if making an excuse,


    Its not that I mind, but I can see that you want to have fun.


    Well, even when I was on Earth, I wasnt someone who roamed around actively.


    I didnt stay only at home, but going out was a bit bothersome, I guess.


    In the Worst Condition, there wasnt much to do anyway, not to mention that there would be countless incidents unfolding before me.


    I need to get stronger to survive.


    It was a spontaneous remark, but Phiri seemed to interpret it differently and nodded.


    Well, this ce isnt a walk in the park either.


    After stretching, Phiri took a step forward.


    Yeah, lets go for training.


    Yes.


    But before that, we should stop by Hamals ce.


    Seeing my puzzled expression, Phiri smiled lightly.


    I need to hurry him up. I dont like being bored.


    And maybe because of Phiris impatience, it didnt take long for us to receive a message from Hamal after a few days.