A Stuffed Cheonma in my Head - Chapter 153



Only Noblemtl

Episode 153. The Wolf Child

“Then let’s compromise with inspiration.”

“That’s okay. My disciple calls me that too.”

I nodded and picked up the car.

“That’s what they said.”

Saul asked with interest.

“Did the disciple tell you about Nobu?”

“Yeah, I guess so. I go there sometimes.”

“What are you talking about?”

I looked into the old man’s eyes full of anticipation… … .

I decided to tell a white lie for Shushuruta and for Saul.

It wasn’t a black lie, it was a pure white lie.

“They say he is a teacher like heaven, someone whom they respect very much.”

The old man’s eyes grew wide.

“Is that true?”

“I am a person who does not know how to lie.”

“Ahem.”

Saul coughed in vain as if he was happy.

… … The more I looked, the more it seemed like I was looking at Shushuruta.

From the way they spoke to their actions and habits, there was no one identical one.

Is this what happens when Shushuruta gets old?

Old Shushuruta asked with a smile as if changing the subject.

“By the way. How did you figure out Nobu’s cute prank?”

I used exactly what Cheonma told me.

“You’ll know it when you see it, idiot.”

“… …Idiot?”

“Oh, sorry. I was talking to Shushuruta so I didn’t realize it.”

Saul laughed heartily.

“That guy was a lot like me. He followed me around, observing and imitating every little thing I did.”

Looking at it this way, he definitely looked like a grandfather bragging about his cute granddaughter.

Saul said, bringing the tea to his lips.

“I’ve heard a lot from Shushuruta.”

“That guy talking about me?”

Saul nodded.

“It’s been a long time since you visited, and you’ve been talking about you all night. Somehow, the stories you’ve told me over the last few months have been more interesting than the stories you’ve told me over the past few years with Akhenaten. It seems like it was more interesting than that time.”

The image of Shushuruta chattering away to his grandfather came to mind.

“The reason I asked to see you today was because I wanted to hear your true feelings.”

Saul suddenly got up from his seat, went over to the place where the cloth had been covering him, and slowly took something out of his bosom.

It was something like a long stick, and Saul held it up to the candle and then put it in the small brazier next to it.

Smoke began to rise from the brazier.

“It’s a fragrance.”

I asked, staring blankly at the smoke flowing out of the brazier.

“Why the sudden scent?”

“Do you know that your disciple has good ears?”

“I know very well.”

“You must be listening intently to our conversation by now. That would be pointless. I called you here because I wanted to have a conversation between men.”

So that’s why you guided me deep into the house.

The scent began to gradually fill the room.

It was a strange feeling.

What should I say? It feels like this space is completely cut off from the outside world.

It was difficult to explain.

Saul sat down across from me again and looked at me with serious eyes.

“It seems that Shushuruta has given his heart to you.”

I looked at him in silence.

“You’re giving your heart to a thief. But that was a necessary procedure to steal a person’s heart. A heart is more precious than anything else, and you can’t just take it away. In order to take it away, you have to give it away first. Shushuruta finally found the courage. He’s grown a step. But the important thing here is.”

“… … .”

“Have you also given your heart to your disciple?”

Saul looked into my eyes.

“Did the wolf child finally succeed in stealing people’s hearts?”

I nodded slowly.

“The disciple of inspiration became a great thief.”

Saul stared intently at me as if trying to read my true feelings.

I didn’t take my eyes off his clear eyes.

Saul, who had been staring into my eyes without saying anything for a while, opened his mouth.

“……you.”

“Speak.”

“Your eyes have gone crazy.”

“… … ?”

“Your eyes are so fierce. I’m afraid they’ll appear in my dreams.”

“No, why are you suddenly saying bad things?”

Saul continued to look me in the eye and speak.

“Still, I don’t see the monster I saw at the stadium.”

“Have you been to the stadium?”

“It was a historic event, so why wouldn’t I go? I hid among the crowd and watched. It was an amazing feat. To be honest, I was impressed.”

“hmm.”

Saul seemed more interested in finding traces of the demon he had seen at the stadium that day than in finding out whether what I was saying was true or false.

“It is all thanks to you that the Black Prince is on the throne. Thanks to you, he was able to avoid great trouble.”

“No problem.”

“And, there is something I personally deserve to be thanked for.”

Suddenly Saul straightened his clothes and lowered his head so that his forehead almost touched the table.

“Thank you for saving this poor old man’s disciple. And not just once, but many times.”

“… … .”

“I heard that you let go once when Shushuruta tried to take your life, that you fought alongside the wicked disciples of the old man when they were after her, and that you fought alone when the Knight of the Cold came. I know that you did not do these things in hope of repayment or gratitude. However, as a teacher, I cannot help but bow my head like this.”

I looked at Saul’s white hair and said,

“Jack and James. Do you know what they called Shushuruta?”

“… … What did you call me?”

“They called me a thief.”

“… … .”

thud!

Saul struck his forehead on the table.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Only after hitting him several times did he raise his head.

Blood flowed from his forehead.

“I’m so embarrassed. It’s clearly my fault.”

I said, staring blankly at the blood streaming down his face.

“Okay, I know.”

Saul wiped the blood flowing down with his sleeve and said,

“If there’s anything you want, just tell me.”

“There isn’t any.”

“Are you serious?”

“There is nothing that he who has inherited the legacy of Oposis would want.”

Saul nodded slowly.

“That’s right. He was the man who asked me to share all the treasures he had worked so hard to obtain. He didn’t even have any attachment to the ninth sword. He was a rare man in many ways.”

Shushuruta also seemed to have mentioned what I had asked him to do when I handed him the dagger.

“Then is there anything you’re curious about? Just one thing. I’ll answer anything to the best of my knowledge.”

I thought about it for a moment and then asked.

“That old compass that Shushuruta carries around. Do you know what it’s for?”

Saul blinked and asked.

“Are you sure you want to do that? There’s a lot you can take from me.”

“I’m the type of person who can’t stand being curious.”

“This is it. I can’t get a handle on it.”

The old man explained with a hearty laugh.

“It is an ancient treasure. It was only passed down as a legend. There were only records of it, and at some point its whereabouts became unknown, so it was considered a made-up story.”

“Oh.”

“That compass doesn’t point north.”

“then?”

“Point to what the master wants.”

“Anything?”

“Anything. People, objects, places. I heard it doesn’t matter.”

“Is there such a thing?”

“So it’s an ancient treasure.”

“aha.”

My curiosity has been satisfied.

That’s what it was.

“Is it okay?”

He nodded with satisfaction.

“Okay.”

Saul looked at me blankly.

“What do you see?”

“I’ve heard that he’s not greedy, but the more I look at him, the more I can’t figure it out. I’ve never seen someone more elusive than Shushuruta.”

“No problem.”

“It wasn’t just praise.”

“… … .”

“I heard you’ll be returning to Maya soon.”

“yes.”

“Are you really only thinking about going back to Maya?”

I nodded.

“There’s nothing more to see here.”

“Then can I ask you a favor?”

“Listen.”

“Take that guy with you.”

I stared blankly at Saul, who was asking me a favor.

“Why?”

“Your expression has brightened. You used to be the type of person who would hide in a corner and cry quietly.”

“… … .”

“He’s better off with you than with an old man on the verge of death. It’s much more pleasant to look at. What fun is there in living a life floating in the shadows?”

“I can’t force you to take him. It’s up to him. If he wants to, he can go. If he wants to stay, he can stay.”

Saul looked satisfied.

“That’s enough. Please take good care of him. He may have a bit of a rough edge, but please look at him favorably.”

“? That guy hasn’t even made his choice yet. What?”

Saul smiled broadly.

“That guy’s heart was already set long ago. How can a master not understand the heart of his disciple?”

“… … .”

“I was just worried and troubled by this old man.”

I shared a long look with Shushuruta’s master.

“Once again, please take care of me.”

“… … It’s me.”

We drank tea at the same time.

Saul said, putting down his teacup.

“When are you planning to leave?”

“I don’t know. I’m planning to go as soon as the teleportation magic circle is ready. But the Black Prince is really hesitant.”

Saul touched his chin.

“Hmm. As far as I know, the court magicians have already been selected. They are just adjusting the numbers now.”

“Is it true?”

“Why would I lie to you? If you want, I can leave tomorrow.”

“oh?”

“But, you will have to accept that much error. I don’t recommend it. There are more important issues.”

“Problem? What’s the problem?”

Saul looked at me.

“As far as I know, the Black Prince doesn’t know where you came from. Naturally, he doesn’t know where you’re going back to. Am I right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Are you trying to go to Maia in one breath using the teleportation magic circle?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… … So there’s bound to be problems.”

“… … ?”

He shook his head.

“What’s the problem? Let’s ask the Black Prince about that. I don’t want to cause any trouble.”

I don’t know what the problem was, but it was unexpected news.

I can leave as soon as tomorrow.

As soon as I got back, I was excited at the thought of frying the Black Prince.

“Thank you for the information.”

“This is nothing compared to what you have done for me. By the way, wasn’t your knighthood ceremony held today?”

“That’s right. I have some free time as it’s scheduled in the afternoon.”

“Then would you like a drink? I have some good alcohol on hand.”

“Okay.”

* * *

Shushuruta paced back and forth in front of the gate anxiously.

I arrived just as the sun was starting to rise. Before I knew it, the sun was high in the sky.

Even if we leave now, there is no guarantee that we will arrive on time before the inauguration ceremony begins.

Shushuruta, who was loitering in front of the gate, knocked on the gate violently and shouted inside.

Knock knock knock!

“Jean, you bastard!”

Jang, who was sweeping the yard inside the main gate, sighed.

“Why are you doing that, again?”

“What on earth are you doing inside that takes so long? And why are you burning incense? I can’t hear what you’re talking about!”

“I guess he told me not to listen.”

“No way. Open the door right now. I’ll come in myself.”

“… … .”

“You bastard, Jang! Can’t you open it?”

But Shushuruta had no intention of climbing over the wall.

“You don’t know. I’m the legendary phantom thief, the shadowless phantom thief Shushuruta. If you keep acting like this, I’ll make it very difficult for you at night!”

“… … What should I do?”

“I’ll steal the pillow you sleep on without anyone knowing! If you don’t want to lose sleep because you don’t have a pillow that fits your head, open the door right now!”

“… … .”

Thump thump thump!

At that moment, Shushuruta was pounding on the door so hard that it broke.

Squeak-

There was a sound of the door to the inner room opening.

She immediately ran to the fence, jumped over, and looked inside.

Ashvan and Yeong-gang were walking out of An-ga side by side.

Shushuruta’s face brightened.

“Ashvan! Are you safe?”

Ashvan looked at Shushuruta’s voice.

Ashvan, who found her jumping up and down with her head sticking out over the fence, approached her with a smile on his face.

“Oh, my burglar cat. How have you been?”

But the way he walked was a bit strange.

Staggering.

It looked like he had inhaled some poison that paralyzed his lower limbs.

Shushuruta, who saw that, hung on the wall and shouted.

“You punk! What did you do to my colleague? Did you poison him or something?”

Saul smiled as he looked at Shushuruta, who was just peeking out over the wall.

“Poison is poison.”

“What?”

“I shared a little bit of the cold fire.”

Ashvan, who had come closer, stroked Shushuruta’s head, which was sticking its head out over the wall.

“Hehehe.”

“Profit! It smells like alcohol! Don’t touch it!”

Shushuruta held onto the wall with one hand and used the other to swat away Ashvan’s hand, which was roughly stroking his hair.

Saul, who was watching the scene with pleasure, said.

“I’ve kept you here too long. You should go now.”

Ashvan, who was caressing her hair here and there to avoid Shushuruta’s slapping hand, turned around.

“I enjoyed the precious wine.”

“I’m glad you liked it.”

Ashvan suddenly rose into the air and landed on the wall.

Shushuruta shouted at him like that.

“Idiot! You can’t climb over this wall!”

“why?”

“It’s bad luck!”

Shushuruta still firmly believed in what Saul had said when he was young.

Ashvan grabbed Shushuruta by the back of her neck and reached out to pull her into the fence.

“Now you are an accomplice too.”

“… … .”

Shushuruta glared at Ashvan while hanging there.

Ashvan spoke to her as she became more calm.

“Now, let me say hello to the teacher.”

Shushuruta glared at Saul.

Saul spoke first.

“Wolf Child. I confirmed that you stole it.”

“… … How was it?”

Saul smiled gently.

“That was great.”

“really?”

“Congratulations on becoming a great thief who can steal everything.”

Shushuruta smiled, one corner of her mouth raised.

“Huh. Of course.”

The king of thieves and the wolf child looked at each other and laughed.

F*ck!

“Ugh!”

“What are you talking about? Say goodbye to your teacher. I have to go.”

“I tried to do it!”

“You should have done it a long time ago.”

Shushuruta, who had been having a brief staring contest with Ashvan, looked at Saul.

“Inspiration. I’m going.”

“When are you coming?”

“I’ll come if I have an interesting story.”

“Okay.”

“Cut down on drinking and don’t get sick.”

“Okay.”

Shushuruta glared at Jean, who was carrying a broom on his shoulder.

“Hey you, Jean!”

“yes.”

“While I am away, take good care of your inspiration. Whether I am here or not, you will still be your inspiration’s beloved disciple, so don’t be arrogant.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

After saying goodbye, Shushuruta looked back at Ashvan.

“Is it okay?”

“Okay.”

“Let’s go.”

Pot!

The two of them became a single gust of wind, kicking the wall away and disappearing on the other side.

Saul watched them for a long time from the top of the wall where they had left.