Chapter 10 “No One Knows!”
Thankfully the other side finally took notice of her; otherwise, Rolynn would’ve really wanted to kill herself right now. Biting that peachy lip, she continues her acting using a soft melting voice and a pitiful face, “What… what are you planning to do with me?”
In response, Du Wei only laughed at the display like a child watching a play. This undoubtedly brought on a wave of realization for the female captive who now knows she’s been toyed with because there’s not an ounce of desire in those eyes.
Then before Rolynn knew it, she had found herself covered in darkness after being covered by something. Struggling a bit, she squirms her head out and found it was a blanket.
“I don’t want a half-naked girl staring at me while I’m concentrating,” his tone passionless and unattentive, “also, your acting is horrible just now. I still have things to do so if you think you can seduce me then get that out of your head.”
My gosh, what kind of boy is he? That eye and voice, he sounds like he’s more experienced than I am. Rolynn wonders, baffled by the turn of event.
Not paying anymore heed to the clueless female in the room, Du Wei found himself a comfortable spot on the chair and went back to work with a magnifying glass.
Why is he so indifferent to me? Am I not seductive enough? Is my body not good enough? Or is my voice not soft enough back there? What’s going on!
While the young noble was busy scribing the pattern onto a piece of parchment, Rolynn on the other hand continues to stare at the guy in silent wonder. She’s still having trouble processing the issue at hand and starting to lose confidence.
“I am only interested in your equipment so quit giving me that weird look like I’m a eunuch,” Du Wei spoke without raising his head. “The leather armor is imbued with a magical enchantment that increases both strength and agility, but it’s too old based on the level of wear and tear along the edges. If you ask me, it’s better suited to be an antique than armor for combat. And this crest that’s engraved along the surface there. If my memory serves me right, it belongs to a branch of the Stujiad family in the north. Stujiad is an ancient house that prevailed three hundred years ago but has since declined a century back. Now they are split into seven to eight branches.”
The conversation may seem mild and casual, but the unusual confidence in the boy’s tone left an unsettling feeling in the listener’s ear.
“And your scimitar, hmm, girls aren’t suited to using scimitars because they require exceptional strength on the wrist. Only the foreigners living in the northwest use this type of weapon. And you…” Shooting a casual glance at her, “You have brown hair and blue eyes. This indicates you are from the middle southern part of the empire, are you not? I don’t know much about your combat abilities, but based on what I saw earlier, you are more adapt at using the sword. Even if the enchantments from the armor allows you to barely wield such a weapon, it’s still far from ideal because you are incapable of bringing forth the full might of this scimitar. Do you see this magic crystal on the handle? It’s a catalyst. When the user infuses enough magic molecule into the item, the blade can then shoot forth a wind blade at the enemy, making it a long-range weapon as well in the right hands. Well, that is assuming the wielder of this fine blade is capable enough, which you’re not.”
Astonished by the precise analysis, Rolynn didn’t know what to say. Indeed, everything mentioned thus far was spot on. The armor she has was gifted to her by a lecherous baron living in the North. As for the scimitar, she snatched it from that mercenary leader in the Northwest in the midst of night.
“But that bow though, it’s very interesting.” Slowly picking up the bow, Du Wei eyes the object with amusement: “The patterns engraved on the surface symbolizes the power of the moon. According to what I know from the books, there is a certain household from ancient times that can utilize the power of the moon and also engraved their family totem as such. The name is the Muen House if I’m not wrong. They were prevalent around a thousand years ago where half the continent was under their rule. Unfortunately for this great house, their kingdom fell during the great continental unification war centuries back. Then from thereon afterwards, hmm, what’s the word they like to use? Ah yes, they’re ‘extinct’.”
“I’m really curious, how did a low-level adventurer like you come across such valuable historic artifacts? First there’s the armor, the scimitar, then a bow of a long-lost family, who exactly are you?”
If Mr. Rosia were to hear of what Du Wei just said then the famed scholar would surely be proud of his student and the injustice regarding the boy. What retard? Though the explanation sounded easy to the ear but it involved the deep knowledge of emblems, totems, and the history of the continent. Furthermore, even if Mr. Rosia were to come in person, it’s not entirely certain the great teacher would be able to do what the boy just did and recognize everything with only a quick examination.
“How… how did you know all this?”
“Books,” placing the bow down, Du Wei bluntly answers the question. “Books are the container of human knowledge, and also the guiding light for humanity to move forward. If you must know, I was six when I first started to read fluently.”
“Six? Then you must be a genius! Have you read a lot of books then?” Rolynn sighed, pitying her own fate.
“Its true I read a lot, but I am no genius. In fact, long ago I didn’t like to read at all, nor did I like to learn.”
“But you…” Stopping there, the female captive seems to have realized this wasn’t the time or occasion to be worrying about such small details.
But Du Wei on the other hand doesn’t seem to be satisfied yet. Speaking as if muttering to himself: “There’s a story, an old story about a certain porcelain shop specializing in exquisite products. The owner wanted to create a new piece one day, so to achieve his goal he spent numerous time and effort to only have it shattered by a foreigner who accidentally ran into the piece of artwork. Naturally a compensation would be in order if that’s the case, am I right?”
Compensation?
“You seem to be very interested in other people’s story. But if I were you, I would be more worried about your own situation first.”
“But you don’t seem to mind speaking to me about these things though.”
“Oh, that’s because you are a girl and a beautiful one at that with those fine legs of yours.” Giving a shrug, “Most men are prone to gawk at the beautiful ones, that’s by nature.”
“Then what do you want from me?” Rolynn gave up, he’s too unpredictable for her.
“Weren’t you trying to seduce me just now? Why don’t you try again?”
What does he mean by that? Rolynn thought.
Walking over to her side, Du Wei places his hand on her face and began caressing that skin. Letting the soft sensation wrap around his fingers, Du Wei then slowly worked downwards until he was holding her by the shoulder. Unlike other men that’s usually rude and rough, his fingers were supple, almost teasing?
Yes, it’s teasing. Like a cat playing with a mouse that’s been caught.
Trembling under his grasp, Rolynn tightens her eye in preparation for what’s to come. But nothing did….
Snip~
The rope bounding her wrists were suddenly slit, and in the boy’s hand was the knife responsible for the act.
“Ok, you can leave now. My knights won’t stop you. Your companions can leave with you as well, but that mage stays.”
Rolynn popped her eyes in shock, “You say I can go?”
“Yes, I am only interested in that mage of yours. As to your equipment, I already studied them so I don’t need any of it. You can take them with you as well.”
The girl just couldn’t understand this boy, “But you… you attacked us in the tavern…”
“I’ve said it already, I’m only interested in the mage, not you.” Du Wei said it dismissively, “I am very busy and tired, don’t disturb me and leave. I don’t like people staring down at my face while I sleep.” He points to the door, his meaning obvious.
Rolynn almost couldn’t believe this. Taking the knife handed to her from the boy, she worked fast to cut the rope around her legs.
“Oh yes, since fate let us meet then let me give you a piece of advice.”
“Yes, what-what advice…?” Rolynn’s tone was much more respectful now.
“A girl like you is better off finding a good guy and getting yourself hitched. Find a peaceful town, marry an honest little noble and live knowing your place. Hmm, what’s the saying, ah yes, ‘the world is a dangerous place. Those who come out to play will eventually pay the price.’ It’s difficult for a girl like you to survive in a world like this. Even if you don’t want to marry, you should at least find someone to depend on since there are only so few of you remaining, am I right lady of the Muen Clan?”
“What did you say, Muen?”
“Yes, Muen, the family that believes in the Moon Goddess. I took a look at your fingers. Your ring finger is longer than your middle finger. And your skull, its slightly protruding in the back.
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According to the books, those are the distinct features of someone from the Muen lineage. Those alone may not necessarily prove who you are, but since you are also carrying the family heirloom of that great house around then there’s no denying it.”
Rolynn felt feebly small in front of this little noble, more so than any danger she’s confronted with before. Can he see through a person’s secret? And that smile, that pale face, that indifference towards everything. He’s just like a demonic devil.
Right after the female adventurer left his room, Du Wei felt tired and began organizing his books. However, a knock from the outside brought him back to attention again.
“Master, are you going to rest already? Do you need anything? You haven’t eaten much this evening.” Marde asks, worried for the young boy’s health.
Du Wei knew his attendant’s been waiting outside the entire time so it’s obvious he overheard the entire conversation. Even so, the fact that Marde would come in right afterwards gave evidence of how much care this person really held for himself.
Perhaps besides the Countess, he’s the only one who truly cares for me in this world.
“No need, I’m not hungry. By the way Marde, how much money do I still have?”
“A thousand gold coins milord. Your mother gave them to me in private right before we left the manor, for safekeeping of course.”
“I see. From what I heard, the Kurt Province specializes in a type of blue jewel. Have some sent back to Mother as a souvenir when we arrive. That should keep her woes at bay.”
“Yes, I’m sure her ladyship would be overjoyed by your caring thoughts,” the servant notes. “But Young Master, I just don’t understand why the Earl would send you away. You are so smart that even someone like I, a person who’s never received a proper education, could see your great ingenuity. If your mother just knew the truth, I know your parents, especially her ladyship, would be overjoyed and proud. So why….”
“You want to ask why am I allowing others to call me a retard right?” Not minding the question, Du Wei shows a frank smile at his close attendant.
Though Marde panicked at first, he nevertheless continued on with his inquiry: “Everyone treats young Gabri as a genius, but you, if not for you… Young Master, others may not know this but I do. You often sneak into young Gabri’s room at the dead of night and teach him various things like writing and reading.”
“That’s enough Marde, you don’t need to keep going. Leave me, I am tired and we have a long road ahead of us tomorrow.”
Retard? So what, it’s not like I belong in this world anyways.
The Countess is a respectable woman, and I… I’m nothing but a thief who stole her firstborn’s body by coming here. It’s not deliberate on my end, but still, I’ve wronged her….
In the end, no matter how indifferent of a face he puts on, Du Wei Rowling still feels like he owes the woman whom should be his mother. This kind of guilt wasn’t something mere words could absolve, he must take action. Now that’s where Gabri exists. Its his way of asking for forgiveness. He may not be able to become their perfect son, but he could create one in the form of his younger brother. That’s his compensation to the Earl and Countess, just like in that story about the porcelain shop.
Humph, being banished may not be so bad in the end. Oh Gabri, you must continue to work hard and improve on what I taught you. I can’t tell you stories or play games with you anymore, so everything is up to you now.
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