The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 44

[Top Priority: Persuade Kim Gaon!]

 

Swish, swish.

 

I kept writing, sticking my lips out in a determined, resolute expression. 

 

And so, after concentrating for a long while, I began drawing an absolutely perfect composite sketch (?) on the dirt.

 

‘Alright. The person I need to save above all else is the Chief!’

 

I drew the stick figure with a thick torso and long limbs, then added the biggest heart I could on top of it. 

 

It was a special mark to show that this person was extremely important! 

 

‘Next is the person who threatens the Chief…!’

 

I quickly sketched two more figures beneath it. 

 

There was an old stick-figure man and a young stick-figure boy. 

 

‘Park Jutaek, the Prime Minister, and Park Dohyul.’

 

Well, since Park Dohyul eventually turns to the good side, I should draw a small heart over his head. 

 

Ssshk.

 

After carefully adding a heart behind him as well… 

 

Lastly, I thought of the most important person of all.

 

‘The future traitor(?) who ends up feeding information to these villains!’

 

Ssswk. Ssk.

 

This time, I poured even more effort into it, letting my artistic spirit burn bright as I drew with extra care. 

 

Now then—compared to the others, I made the body a bit slimmer, and gave the head a slightly curly look. 

 

For the sharp eyes, I angled the ends upward just a little, like this…!

 

“Done!”

 

At last, the ‘Kim Gaon stick figure’ was complete!

 

I made sure not to forget, adding two big stars with bold strokes. 

 

Then I drew a long line connecting Gaon and the Chief, and another line linking Park Jutaek—positioned below—and Gaon. 

 

Tap, tap. I brushed the dirt off my hands and stroked my chin as I continued thinking. 

 

‘In the original story, for what reason—and in what way—did Kim Gaon pass information about the mountain stronghold’s location to Park Jutaek?’

 

Hng. It was a part that had been glossed over so quickly that my memory of it was frustratingly vague. 

 

Besides, it’s merely the past of a supporting character, isn’t it? 

 

It was surely described very briefly, which made it even harder to recall right away.

 

‘Think. Think harder. There has to be a clue.’

 

Despite my constant groaning, I poured all my effort into recalling the passages I had read in the original novel as vividly as possible.

 

[“Back then, I got a letter from my father. He said he regretted cutting me off and begged for my forgiveness.”]

 

As a vague line surfaced in my mind, I smacked my knee. 

 

In the original story, the exact reason for his expulsion was never clearly stated—but now that I was sure it was Gaon, something clicked.

 

It was the fact that Gaon was mixed-blood.

 

His light-colored hair and pale skin made it obvious to anyone at a glance.

 

And there was something I had heard back when I was staying with the Im Daeseung household.

 

“His Majesty said that half-bloods aren’t true citizens of the Great Ho Kingdom and should be cast out.” 

 

The current king had enforced a policy of rejecting foreigners and those of mixed heritage.

 

If that was the case, then it was only natural that Gaon had been disowned after the king’s ascension.

 

‘I can’t even imagine how deep that wound must have been for Gaon.’

 

Perhaps after being cast out like that, he wandered the streets, and eventually—almost as if being chased—fled into the mountains and became a bandit.

 

That thought crossed my mind.

 

‘But the problem is, I don’t know when that letter arrives. I can’t exactly warn the boss in advance…’ 

 

I let out a long sigh.

 

Just like with Park Dohyun, there was really only one clear way to prevent this situation.

 

‘Get close to Gaon.’

 

I’d have to get close to him first. Only then could I even begin to guess the details of that letter—and persuade him not to fall into the trap. 

 

If I spent more time with him, I could also keep an eye on whether he was passing along confidential information or not.

 

‘But how…?’

 

Once my thoughts reached that point, I felt completely at a loss.

 

After all, wasn’t Gaon the person in this mountain stronghold who hated me the most—so much so that he had even tried to kill me!

 

‘Ugh, I don’t know!’

 

After agonizing over it, I finally sprang to my feet.

 

To be honest, even in my previous life I hadn’t had a single friend.

 

So it’s not like I really knew how to win someone over anyway!

 

‘For now, I’ll just try being nice to him!’

 

Who hates being treated kindly, anyway?!

 

I clenched my fist, my resolve burning.

 

* * *

 

‘Be nice to Gaon.’

 

The first method I came up with was…!

 

To always cheer for Gaon with absolute sincerity.

 

“Uncle Gaaon is the beeeest!”

 

I waved a carrot above my head at Gaon, who was sparring with the Chief in the distance. 

 

It was a fresh carrot I’d specially begged Four Ddong Uncles to get—how extravagant! 

 

“Uncleee Gaoooon! Wiiiin!” 

 

Sincere cheering always touches the heart.

 

For this, I had Malja and Bokhee help me dress up in the cutest and most beautiful outfit!

 

On top of that, I had a carrot as my cheering prop!

 

With all this—bouncing up and down, all cute and perky—there’s no way his heart wouldn’t be drawn to me.

 

The problem was…

 

‘What is it? Why… does it feel like it’s getting colder?’

 

It wasn’t the weather—it almost felt like some kind of menace was in the air…

 

Puzzled by the strange sensation, I hugged my shoulders.

 

Clank—!

 

The sword Gaon had been holding flew out of his hand.

 

The Chief, swinging his wooden practice sword with unusual strength, had seized victory in an instant.

 

“Ugh!”

 

Gaon clutched his arm and collapsed onto the dirt floor.

 

The Chief approached him with a gentle smile.

 

“I suppose you’re not quite ‘the best’ yet, Gaon?” 

 

“….”

 

His eyes were smiling, but his mouth wasn’t.

 

‘Huh? The Chief seems off today… why is he like that?’

 

As I tilted my head in confusion, I realized I wasn’t the only one noticing the Chief’s slightly twisted vibe.

 

A look of surprise and uncertainty crossed Gaon’s face.

 

Then, suddenly, his expression shifted as if he’d just realized something, and he turned his gaze toward me.

 

“Ack, Gaoooon!” 

 

I’m right here! Look at me!

 

I waved the carrot wildly at Gaon!

 

He clicked his tongue and scowled, clearly annoyed.

 

Then, blatantly avoiding my gaze, he got up from his spot.

 

‘What…? Why does he seem to hate this so much?’

 

I was clearly giving it my all, trying my best!

 

Clutching the carrot and tilting my head, I stared at the baffling situation.

 

‘Hnggg…. Should I move on to Plan #2 of the “Be Nice” operation?’

 

Well, I didn’t think he’d fall for it right away!

 

Hehe, this time there’s no way he won’t like me!

 

I grinned slyly, taking a crunchy bite out of the carrot!

 

* * *

 

Returning to my room, I filled a basket in my barracks with various items.

 

Persimmons, jujubes, pears, dried persimmons… all of my absolute favorite, delicious treats!

 

It’s hard for anyone to dislike someone who gives them something delicious.

 

And I knew better than anyone just how precious these treats were inside the bandit camp.

 

‘The Chief brought them these expensive and good things because he was thinking of me!’ 

 

I asked Malja and Bokhee to braid my hair nicely into twin tails.

 

Then I waddled over to Gaon’s barrack, determined that this time, I absolutely had to succeed!

 

“Young Miss, where are you going? Give me the basket. I’ll carry it.”

 

“No, I have to carry it. I’m the one giving it.”

 

“Giving it? To whom?”

 

“To Uncle Gaon!”

 

“Y, yes? That one?”

 

“Mhm!” 

 

I nodded confidently, and Malja hummed thoughtfully, rolling her eyes, but said no more.

 

Because Gaon had just appeared ahead!

 

Run—!

 

I hurriedly ran up and stopped right in front of him. 

 

Chakh—!

 

Then, lifting the basket with all my might, I shouted with a bright smile. 

 

“It’s a giiiiifwt!”