I Was Kidnapped By The Strongest Guild
Chapter 450: We've Reached a Conclusion

The power of Gyeoul's tea was truly remarkable.

Even Nora couldn't help but be amazed when an elderly person who could barely move suddenly stood up on two feet.

Had there ever been a king or king candidate with such abilities?

As far as Nora could remember, no king had ever demonstrated powers like this.

'I thought they were a hothouse flower...'

What experiences and values must they have to possess such abilities?

Nora couldn't suppress her rising curiosity.

She was someone who denied herself even small pleasures out of guilt for the shantytown beast-kin.

Yet her interest in Gyeoul was like an enormous wine barrel.

Though drinking wouldn't solve immediate problems, it could provide temporary escape from worries.

For Nora, who had felt nothing but despair for two months, the distraction Gyeoul provided was desperately needed.

'I want to talk with them.'

She wanted to ask about Gyeoul's past, but she'd just said harsh things to them.

Though Gyeoul didn't seem like someone who'd mind, she didn't want to interfere with their work helping the shantytown people.

"After boiling bracken like this, soak it in cold water for half a day. You need to change the cold water four or five times."

"That removes the poison?"

"Yes. Once the poison is gone, it's quite delicious."

Several beast-kin who had regained their strength learned from Gyeoul how to handle Earth's plants.

She carefully explained everything from removing toxins to cooking methods.

These cooking techniques would become hope for the shantytown beast-kin.

'Over there...'

On another side, Levinas was growing crops at an amazing speed.

Perhaps mindful of the radical nobles' eyes, she was creating countless crops and fruits in a small area.

The beast-kin children following Gyeoul were busy moving these crops around.

"Take this home and eat it secretly."

"Thanks."

A young boy hid four apples from Saebyeok against his chest.

He hurried home quickly, avoiding the radical beast-kin's eyes.

'I've never seen such ease before.'

Just five people, or perhaps even one person, had changed the shantytown's atmosphere.

Unable to hold back any longer, Nora went to where Gyeoul's group was staying.

She wanted to ask them about Gyeoul.

Though she'd be away briefly, the nobles showed no signs of moving.

Nora took time to visit the lodgings where Gyeoul's group was staying.

Knock knock-

"Is anyone there?"

After knocking, a girl with a cane opened the door.

Though she appeared young, Nora knew she wasn't really a girl.

Sophia was quite famous even in beast-kin society.

"What brings the Black Tiger lady here?"

"I have something I'd like to ask. And please speak comfortably."

"...Very well, come in."

With Sophia's permission, Nora entered the lodgings.

Inside, the humans were sitting at a table drinking black liquid.

Unfamiliar with the human world, Nora didn't know what beverage they were drinking.

"...Hello, Nora?"

"Yes. Hello."

After brief greetings with the humans inside, Han Yeoreum brought over the black liquid.

What was this that everyone was drinking?

Nora's black tail fur bristled as she took a sip.

The unexpected bitterness caught her off guard.

"Ah..."

"Ahem... What an interesting taste."

Nora cleared her throat and wiped her lips.

Having shown an embarrassing side, she decided to get to the main point.

"Nora, what brings you here?"

"...I apologize. Actually, I came to satisfy my personal curiosity."

"Personal business..."

"...I'd like you to tell me about Gyeoul."

"Hmm..."

Should we tell her?

After brief consideration, Han Yeoreum decided to share.

After all, she'd seen Nora helping the shantytown people.

Sophia had also spoken well of her.

Though they were adversaries, she believed Nora would keep her word.

"What would you like to know about Gyeoul?"

"...I'm curious about her past. I thought they'd grown up like a hothouse flower. But that wasn't the case."

"Hothouse flower... Gyeoul would be upset hearing that."

"...Is that so?"

What kind of past could they have lived?

Nora could no longer contain her curiosity.

This was also the Black Tiger clan's innate inquisitiveness.

"Yes, Gyeoul is... like a flower that bloomed in the gutter."

"A gutter flower?"

"Yes. They don't care about their circumstances. They ended up turning the gutter into a beautiful flower garden."

"...I see."

And so Nora heard about Gyeoul's past from Han Yeoreum and the others.

About how Gyeoul had been mocked for living without mana.

About how hard she'd struggled alone.

Of course, Nora knew they weren't telling her the most important parts.

'...Born with mental fortitude?'

It was a story that would drive an ordinary person mad and break even a brave warrior's will.

To tell someone with such a past they'd lived in luxury.

Had her eyes rotted from living with nobles who'd lost their honor?

Euduk, Nora's ears shot up as she bit her lip.

"Wait, did you say child?"

"Yes. Gyeoul is only eight years old."

"What...?"

This was Nora's biggest shock since coming to Earth.

She'd thought Gyeoul was an adult all along.

Consuming the Blessing reconstructs one's body.

Into a body befitting the beast-kin king.

Knowing this, Nora had assumed Gyeoul was an adult who'd become a child after receiving the Blessing.

But she was only eight years old.

How could an eight-year-old child experience all this and remain sane?

There seemed to be even deeper stories too.

"I'm back."

Nora stared at Gyeoul returning to the lodgings.

She could clearly see the qualities of a king hidden within Gyeoul.

Her clouded eyes had regained their clarity.

**

I returned to the lodgings and ran toward my family.

As I ran toward Han Yeoreum at the front, she grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back.

"...?"

Pushing me away.

My eyes went wide in surprise.

"Gyeoul, you need to wash your hands and feet first."

"Ah."

My hands and feet were covered in dirt.

No wonder she didn't want a hug.

I hurried to the sink with the children.

It was surprising that the beast-kin village had sinks.

"I see..."

Nora, who was somehow already home, nodded while looking at me.

What did she see?

I made eye contact with Nora while washing, but she didn't say anything more.

"Look, I washed my hands and feet clean."

"Gaeul too."

I showed my hands to Han Yeoreum.

I passed, but Gaeul failed.

"Gaeul still has dirt on her elbows."

"...!"

Was the shock of failing too great?

Gaeul stood there with blank round eyes.

Daeng-

Saebyeok took the dazed Gaeul's hand and led her to the sink.

"Gaeul, can you see your elbows here?"

"Heuk..."

Saebyeok helped soap up Gaeul's elbows.

Saebyeok really was mature.

Swishing my tail gently, I checked on the other children.

"Bom, want to sit here?"

Jung Yu-na patted her thigh.

"N-no..."

Unfortunately, Bom declined Jung Yu-na's offer.

Bom was still uncomfortable with adults.

Since time would solve this, I decided not to interfere.

"Sob sob..."

Jung Yu-na planted her face on the table.

She was pretending to cry, not really crying.

"Mage Yu-na, want Levinas to sit...?"

"Yeah. Would you?"

Jung Yu-na suddenly showed a bright smile as if nothing had happened.

I was glad she seemed to have cheered up.

"...Now, let's put the pleasantries aside for a moment."

Sophia stopped our chattering.

I instinctively sensed important words coming from Sophia.

"I've thought about and discussed Josephine's proposal from various angles."

"The proposal..."

She'd asked to remain nobles.

In exchange, they'd provide better housing and food for the poor.

It was a tempting offer after seeing how the shantytown people lived.

"I've reached my own conclusion. However, remember this is purely my personal opinion."

Nora showed the strongest reaction to Sophia's words.

Everyone in the lodgings could see her flinch.

"...What conclusion did you reach, Sophia?"

"...I decided to neither reject nor accept the proposal."

"You mean pretend it never happened?"

"Yes, because we're not the ones they should be negotiating with."

My eyes widened at Sophia's insight cutting to the heart of the matter.

The radical nobles certainly shouldn't be negotiating with us.

It should be with those who suffered because of them.

"We almost made the decision ourselves. When it's the beast-kin here who suffered."

"Yes, we should be their representatives, not their judges."

"Hehe."

That's Sophia for you.

As I wagged my tail gently, I caught sight of it.

The faint but pure smile on Nora's lips.

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