Chapter 66 · BMMAW

 Chapter 66

The Man in the Fur Coat

After entering the city, the merchant caravan split apart and went to their own companies.

Some companies were supposed to leave earlier at smaller towns, but because of the bandits, they ended up coming all the way here. Some people sighed, saying they now had to go back again.

The Red Sword party and Juhwan went together to the Miller Company’s shop. They said it was part of the process to go to the destination and confirm the job.

On the road where the wagon passed, there were many people who looked wealthy.

Some wore soft fur hats that looked three times taller than Dorothy’s. There were also women wearing dresses that looked like they came straight out of paintings.

Instead of thinking they looked pretty or cool, Juhwan first thought:

*Wouldn’t those clothes get dirty sweeping all the dust on the road?*

But Lizzy seemed to think they were very beautiful. She couldn’t take her eyes off the woman’s dress and fancy coat.

Juhwan thought they earned quite a lot this time, but to afford something like that—

That would take a few light-years of effort.

*Earn money, me.*

As if she noticed him looking, Lizzy quickly forced her gaze away like something stuck tight.

*Really, earn money, husband.*

Dorothy was even busier than Lizzy.

She admired a fancy hat, then immediately got distracted by strange shoes with sharp tips. Then a noble’s horse passing by caught her attention even more.

To Dorothy, everything on the street looked amazing and new.

Even horse droppings on the road looked special to her.

She had seen horses poop many times before, but she still looked amazed.

“Even horses like that poop. That’s amazing.”

Did she think expensive horses didn’t poop?

Lizzy, who had been looking at a woman’s feather hat, giggled.

Lizzy and Dorothy seemed to like this city.

But Juhwan didn’t feel the same.

Between the wide roads, narrow alleys spread like spiderwebs.

From the outside, the city looked rich, but inside those alleys were many people wearing worn-out clothes.

There were children so thin you could see their bones. Some people looked like they might die at any moment.

This city had a huge gap between rich and poor.

Juhwan looked away from the alley.

This was different from the previous village where everyone was poor.

The people standing in the alleys, looking out at the main road, had something in their eyes.

Hatred.

If rich people lived somewhere far away, it didn’t matter.

You could just think they were different from you.

But if they showed off their wealth right in front of you—

Envy would grow.

And then hatred would be born.

That’s just how people are.

Juhwan was the same.

During holidays or Christmas, when families gathered together, his heart felt empty.

His own unhappiness felt bigger, and he became jealous of people laughing with their families.

That’s why when he met Santa, he pitied him without realizing it.

*There’s someone else unhappy like me… I’m not the only one.*

Because of that, he learned a painful lesson.

You shouldn’t pity people carelessly.

But now, he thought differently.

People should live kindly and help others.

If he had ignored Santa back then, he would never have met Lizzy and Dorothy.

“…”

After passing through several long roads, a round open space appeared.

There was a plaza.

In villages, you could easily tell the plaza was the center.

But in this city, it was hard to tell.

The plaza was more beautiful than any village, but the city was so big that even the plaza felt like just a small part of it.

The Miller Company was a bit farther past the plaza.

After leaving the plaza, the street became quieter.

It looked like a place similar to a luxury street back on Earth.

The buildings here were different.

Even a single stone or door looked special.

The doors had beautiful carvings like works of art.

There were fewer people here.

Those who passed by looked like nobles, and their wagons were decorated richly.

Lizzy and Dorothy, who had been excited earlier, became quiet.

They looked a little intimidated.

The Miller Company was right in the middle of this luxurious street.

Juhwan followed the company’s wagon into a small alley beside the building.

Behind the building looked completely different.

There were wooden boxes, wagons, and goods everywhere.

Dozens of servants moved quickly in the narrow space.

When some servants saw Gordon and Leonard, they ran over.

Others cleared space for the new wagons.

It was like a swan moving gracefully on water while its feet moved busily underneath.

Juhwan got down from the wagon and entered the building with Leonard leading.

Leonard hadn’t changed.

But here, he no longer looked like just an ordinary merchant.

He looked like a great and powerful businessman.

Juhwan lifted Dorothy, who looked nervous.

She whispered in his ear.

“Dad, is that grandpa an important person? A noble?”

Gordon, walking behind them, laughed.

“He’s not a noble. Just a commoner.”

“…”

Dorothy looked around, then hugged Juhwan’s neck and whispered again.

“Is he a prince?”

“Dorothy!”

Lizzy was shocked.

Dorothy whispered back confidently,

“Mom, no one heard. I said it quietly.”

“…”

Juhwan felt like he needed to seriously talk with her later.

—

When they received the wooden tag with the same number as before, the job was officially finished.

Even people who couldn’t read could recognize it because it only had numbers.

Red Sword’s job ended there.

But Juhwan had to confirm how many times he used healing magic.

Gordon handed him a long paper with small writing.

It listed the companies and numbers.

“This records how many times you used healing magic and on whom. If you can’t read, just check the marks on your stick.”

Every time Juhwan used healing magic, he had marked a line on a small stick.

More serious injuries had multiple marks.

After confirming everything, they left the company.

A servant guided them to a place near the central plaza.

As Juhwan headed toward the wagons, Karin from Red Sword spoke.

“It’s better to report to the guild today, but a lot happened. Let’s rest and meet tomorrow.”

She glanced at Lizzy and Dorothy.

“This city is bigger than the one with the border count’s castle. It’s the largest in Bern. Many merchants gather here, so there’s a lot to see and eat.”

She coughed slightly and bowed deeply to Juhwan.

“Thank you for your advice before. When I saw you beating that fire mage… it made me think a lot.”

> “It was really scary. Even without magic, it felt like you could win.”

She smiled slightly.

“We’re going to change how we fight too. Thank you.”

Juhwan felt something was a bit off, but if it helped them, that was enough.

Karin then whispered to Lizzy,

“I envy you.”

Then she left.

Lizzy tilted her head and looked at Juhwan.

“I understand why she envies me… but what did you do while we were asleep?”

“…”

Juhwan smiled awkwardly.

—

The place the servant guided them to was the most beautiful building near the plaza.

The first floor was both a tavern and a restaurant.

It was similar to the inn they stayed at before, but everything looked far more luxurious.

And expensive.

“This area is safe. Many wealthy foreign merchants stay here. There are guards nearby.”

After showing them to the top floor, the servant left.

The room was incredibly luxurious compared to before.

Dorothy ran around excitedly, laughing loudly.

Like a hamster running everywhere.

“Lizzy, what’s wrong?”

Lizzy looked restless.

She seemed like she wanted to say something.

“…Juhwan.”

“Yeah?”

“…I…”

She hesitated and lowered her head.

“Tell me. Are you sick?”

“No, it’s not that…”

She grabbed his clothes gently and looked up.

“We have a lot of food… meat, stew ingredients, even expensive pepper…”

Then she spoke carefully.

“But… the food we ate at the inn before… it was really delicious.”

It was true.

> It tasted better than what Lizzy cooked.

“…So this time too…”

She looked at him nervously.

Juhwan relaxed.

“That’s fine. We can eat stored food later. Let’s eat downstairs.”

“But we should save money.”

Lizzy said firmly.

But she was smiling.

Dorothy hugged Juhwan’s leg.

“Dad, I want meat.”

Juhwan and Lizzy laughed.

> *Anything that ruins this life… I will never forgive it.*

—

When they went downstairs, it was still early.

There was only one man inside.

He wore a luxurious fur coat.

He looked around Juhwan’s age.

In front of him was a plate of red fruit.

Pomegranate.

Juhwan made eye contact with him.

Unlike others, the man didn’t flinch.

He just smiled.

That felt strange.

The restaurant sold meat, alcohol, and fruits like pomegranate and figs.

It looked expensive.

Juhwan glanced at Lizzy.

She looked nervous.

Still, this was also an experience.

He ordered food, apple wine for Lizzy, and a pomegranate for Dorothy.

“Um… how much is it?”

After hearing the price, Lizzy froze.

The pomegranate alone cost 7 ri.

She couldn’t even speak.

“…It’s nothing.”

She smiled with tears in her eyes.

After the waiter left, she held Juhwan’s hand.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t know it was this expensive.”

A tear fell.

Juhwan smiled.

But the food was delicious.

Dorothy kept saying “It’s good!” again and again.

Lizzy ate while tearing up.

The man in the fur coat kept glancing at them—especially at Oz.

Dorothy looked at him.

The man smiled and moved his finger.

The pomegranate seeds rolled and moved.

Dorothy stared in amazement.

*I should seriously learn wind magic.*

After paying, they left.

Another man entered and was shocked seeing Juhwan.

*Yeah… that’s the normal reaction.*

As they left, Juhwan glanced back.

The man in the fur coat smiled again.

It felt like looking at someone wearing a mask.