TSBSFVW 26

Chapter 26
Bread Five. Bedbugs Can Only Be Eradicated by Burning Down the Entire House (3)

This place was near the outpost outside the outer wall surrounding the capital, Rayad.

The five knight orders took turns every month for a week to exterminate monsters outside the walls, and to make up for their lack of manpower, they regularly hired mercenaries.

Due to the danger of the extermination missions, only mercenary groups ranked at least C-class could accept them, and Irain was mixed in among such mercenaries.

The deputy captain Nadal, who remembered Irain, gaped in surprise.

“Th-That… is you?”

“Your jaw’s going to drop, Nadal.”

“No, Captain! That person is… um…”

“You’re thinking of the right person.”

“Why is that person there?”

“Well, seems they joined a mercenary group, maybe?”

Ban answered coldly.

Nadal was secretly shocked by the chill in Ban’s response.

To Nadal, Ban had always seemed the exemplary young lord, the perfect image of a knight.

‘Though the Cronin family’s reputation isn’t entirely spotless.’

The Cronin family was the kind of noble family best described as a lineage with blue blood and dignity. They were very aristocratic people, and as a result, their reputation was sharply divided.

Those of noble standing admired and wanted to be close to them, while others feared them.

Yet Ban was gentle and kind, someone who didn’t quite fit the harsh image one might expect from a Cronin.

He was kind and considerate to everyone, strong in a sense of justice, and took care of his subordinates while maintaining a friendly demeanor. Yet his perfection made him somewhat intimidating in another way. Nadal admired his superior but also felt a barrier between them.

Still, that was a personal observation. As the Osori Knight Order’s leader, Ban Michel Cronin would be the first to rush to help the weak.

“A young lady from the Ducal family wouldn’t join a mercenary group, would she?”

Unaware that the ‘real’ one was in a small alley bakery, Nadal firmly believed Irain was Miss McClure.

Ban didn’t bother correcting Nadal’s misunderstanding and continued to look ahead.

“Or maybe she’s just out for a visit.”

“That’s… nonsense…”

“But look, Nadal.”

At that moment, a thick arm narrowly swept over Irain’s head. The man who had swiftly pulled her back seemed to be a comrade, and after hearing his words, Irain clenched her teeth in frustration.

Then she sprang up and charged at the orc that had threatened her.

Nadal, who was paralyzed with fear, let out an involuntary groan, and Ban raised an eyebrow.

Her quick movements and the strength with which she wielded her sword were not those of an ordinary person.

‘She hadn’t undergone any formal training back then…’

It had been just over a month since Irain had visited the Knight Order headquarters.

For her to have joined the extermination unit in such a short time meant she was at least a C-class mercenary. Honestly, it was incredible.

“She seems excited.”

“Y-Yes, but…”

“Don’t meddle. Let her be.”

“But… shouldn’t we contact the McClure family? They wouldn’t stay calm knowing their precious daughter is in such a dangerous place.”

“Well, I wouldn’t recommend it too much.”

“Huh?”

Ban looked at Nadal.

Whether Nadal’s words came from simple justice or from a desire to curry favor with the McClure Duke for advancement, Ban couldn’t tell. Nadal’s expression, however, was utterly innocent, like he truly had no clue.

Ban realized he had been somewhat cold, and a small smile tugged at his lips.

“Secrets of someone with much to hide are bound to bring trouble.”

“Ah…”

“You can just ignore it.”

“After saying that much, how am I supposed to ignore it…?”

Nadal realized anew that Ban was indeed a member of the Cronin family.

‘There’s a saying that even if the king doesn’t know, Cronin does. I suppose the captain knows a lot too…’

While they talked amicably, Irain continued to swiftly cut down monsters.

The sight of the delicate beauty’s impressive skills drew a crowd of spectators.

Each time she defeated a monster, people cheered and applauded. A man who was likely her companion looked as delighted as if his own child had been praised.

Ban, leaving a still-hesitant Nadal behind, headed toward the barracks inside the outpost.

The Osori Knight Order’s extermination mission had only just begun.

They would likely need to stay at the outpost for at least another week, yet the baguettes they had brought were only enough for three days.

Ellie had stressed that the bread had to be eaten quickly. Made with natural leavening and without baking improvers or preservatives, it wouldn’t last long.

She insisted that fresh-baked, same-day consumption was essential to avoid the bread tasting stale.

‘If we managed to get through it before, we can do it this time too.’

Just four or three days. Not much time, yet it felt torturous to Ban.

During last month’s extermination period, Ban had almost been at death’s door and returned to the city on the sixth evening. He had then stayed awake until dawn, rushing to Ellie’s shop.

The thought of Edmund clinging to Ellie’s side, happily eating whatever he wanted, made it even harder to endure.

‘Does he think he’s some kind of little sparrow?’

So shameless.

But this time, unlike last month, Ban had a gift from Ellie.

He couldn’t help but smile.

It was a laugh he couldn’t hold back.

The mere thought of it brought him joy — it wasn’t even a person, it was food. The irrational desire was both astonishing and amusing, and Ban didn’t dislike that about himself.

From now on, no one could ever say he had no appetite — at least not for Ellie’s cooking.

He owed Ellie a debt he could never repay.

Thanks to her, Ban had regained a long-lost friend.

Edmund had not betrayed Ban, and Ban could now prove he had not betrayed Edmund either.

Of course, knowing there had been misunderstandings didn’t mean their relationship returned to what it once was.

Much had happened between them over time.

Ban was no longer the naive child who simply wished for a friend; he was now a wary adult, distrustful of people.

Edmund, too, was no longer an unfortunate child unable to refuse a hand offered to him.

But just having a chance to restore their relationship was enough.

Ban took a small piece of the cookie Ellie had packed for him when she struggled, popping it into his mouth.

The rough-shaped, yellow square treat quickly filled his mouth with sweetness and happiness.

It wasn’t just sweet — it had a rich, milky flavor as well.

Although he had expected it to be hard, it melted in his mouth. He hesitated whether to eat another, but an unpleasant voice reached his ears.

“What are you eating right now?”

“Wait, Irain! What are you doing, you can’t go in there, huh!”

It was Irain. A man who had followed her grabbed her arm in panic, but Irain’s blue eyes were already sparking with fire.

“I asked what you ate!”

“I’m sorry, Captain! I’m still new and don’t know the rules! She’s only been out looking for her sibling for a short while…”

“Show me! That’s a cookie, right?”

Irain boldly held out her hand.

Having grown up without anyone’s supervision, she could act with such confidence.

Irain, a natural child of circumstance, bold and unafraid.

Ellie, legitimate but timid.

Annoyance surged as Ban recalled Ellie’s flustered face.

Ellie had sent her away to treat her injuries first, even when a hated person had been stabbed in the waist.

She had stopped what could have escalated into a fight with Edmund.

She disliked Ban and was cautious around him.

The reason Ellie had to hide was surely because of this woman and her father.

Seeing the shocked face of her companion, Ban smiled faintly.

Then he spoke in a surprisingly gentle tone.

“Why should I do that?”

“Huh?”

“End of tolerating rudeness. Let’s go.”

The sudden coldness in Ban’s usually kind demeanor drained the color from the companion’s face.

Even allowing a mercenary to barge into the Knight Commander’s barracks had been a lenient response. The companion grabbed Irain’s arm.

“Hey, get out! Let’s go! Listen to me if you don’t want to die!”

“Wait, just showing it is enough! Why’s it such a big deal? That’s surely made by my sibling…”

“Irain! Keep this up and I can’t help you!”

“Ugh.”

Only then did Irain shut her mouth. She glared at Ban, tears welling in her eyes, shouting:

“Don’t talk nonsense! I came here to say that!”

“Quite cheeky for a request.”

Irain tried to retort, but her companion covered her mouth faster.

Ban watched Irain being dragged out by her companion, chuckling to himself.

“See? I told you! She’s no angelic Knight Commander! Terrible temper!”

“Shut up!”

Ban laughed and popped another piece of cookie into his mouth.

A strange sense of liberation washed over him.