The Servant in the Horror Game is Suspicious Chapter 50

They left the villa in the early morning, before the sun had even risen. The distance to the village was considerable. Even if they moved diligently, they might not arrive within the day.

I left Bluey with the mop ghost. I was a bit anxious since Bluey has been toddling around lately, curious about every little thing, but the mop ghost is actually quite good at looking after him.

“We’ll be back soon, so stay out of trouble.”

“Uwaaan.”

“Kieee.”

Bluey waved a short arm, looking like he was about to cry. At that, the mop ghost expertly hoisted Bluey onto its back to soothe him.

Before long, Bluey’s leaves were swaying happily. The leaves, which used to be a color similar to radish tops, were gradually turning a shade of blue as time passed.

Relieved to see the two getting along so well, Jade put on a sturdy coat and shouldered his backpack. He also fitted Ian with a small pack.

Jade’s backpack was an old one from the storage room that he’d patched up with extra fabric, while Ian’s small pack was something Jade had handmade by modifying a sack. To make sure it didn’t hurt, he’d even torn some stuffing out of a pillow to pad the shoulder straps.

Since they might have to sleep on the road, they both wore heavy coats. The blankets were so bulky they could only bring one. Jade lamented the lack of sleeping bags.

He wore the precious sword Ian had given him at his waist and put on comfortable shoes. With a sack in one hand and a wooden staff he’d carved himself in the other, the preparations were more or less complete.

“Buster, man, do you really have to come?”

“Myang?”

“It’s not too late to head back home if you want.”

Jade asked after they had walked a few paces from the villa. Honestly, he had intended to go with just Ian, but Buster had thrown such a fit, jumping up and down in anger, that Jade had no choice but to bring him along.

Jade looked at Buster with genuine concern, but Buster—who had been flying out in front—spun around and glared at him.

“Myack!”

“No, I mean, think about it. Who’s going to see a cat with wings and think it’s just a normal animal?”

It wasn’t that Jade wanted to leave Buster behind specifically. But who could just pass by a flying cat? It was obvious that everyone they met would ask what it was and get suspicious.

“Mya! Myang! Myang-myang!”

Buster pointed at Jade’s backpack. He was saying that if Jade was so worried, he’d just hide inside the bag. Not a chance.

“You’re heavy.”

“Myang?”

Buster whipped his head around as if he’d just heard the most ridiculous thing in the world, then made an ‘X’ with his paws.

“I’m serious.”

Jade spoke firmly. Buster had gotten quite plump compared to when he first hatched. Well, of course he had. He loved food so much; there was no way he wouldn’t gain weight.

They already had enough luggage; Jade couldn’t carry Buster on top of it all. But Buster was equally firm. He didn’t seem to have the slightest intention of going back. He tucked his wings tight against his back and pressed himself against Jade’s spine, making his appeal.

“Do you think I can’t see those wings just because you folded them?”

“Piggy…”

“Myang?!”

When Ian muttered the word ‘piggy,’ Buster’s eyes instantly turned into sharp triangles. While the two of them bickered once again, the trio eventually stepped into the forest path.

After walking for a long while, the sun rose high. Warm morning sunlight filtered through the leaves. Birds chirped, and squirrels scampered up the trees. Since the snow had melted off the path, the trekking was much easier.

There were still patches of snow left in the shaded areas on either side of the road. Jade occasionally stepped on those spots, enjoying the crunch-crunch sound.

“Myang!”

“Ha… Buster, mate.”

Buster, who had lagged behind, suddenly threw a snowball. It seemed to be revenge for Jade trying to leave him behind. His paws were so small it could hardly be called a snowball, but it was certainly cold.

“Mya-aaang.”

“Ow, that’s cold.”

Buster tried packing another snowball, but his front paws must have gotten chilly, because he hopped onto Jade’s shoulder and pressed both paws firmly against Jade’s cheeks. Red paw-shaped marks appeared on Jade’s face.

“Look over there, Ian. There are flowers on this side too.”

“I see them.”

Jade pointed to a snowy patch nearby. There was a small flower blooming right in the snow. The green stem poking through the white snow looked incredibly fresh. There were no flowers around the villa, so seeing them here was a welcome sight.

“Do you like flowers?”

“Doesn’t everyone? They’re pretty, aren’t they?”

“Not really… Then does that mean you like pretty things, Jade?”

Ian asked with a nonchalant mutter. Come to think of it, Ian had been initiating conversations and asking questions quite often lately. It was a huge improvement.

“Well, doesn’t everyone like pretty things?”

“Do you like anything as long as it’s pretty?”

“Ah, well… oh, look over there.”

Jade, giving a half-hearted answer, pointed toward something else. A small stream was flowing where he gestured. He’d wondered where that sound of rushing water was coming from; the frozen water was now babbling along.

“Ian, do you want some water?”

“Yes.”

They had walked long enough that the villa was no longer in sight. It seemed like a good time for a break.

The two sat by the stream and scooped up water to drink. Buster lapped at the water as well. The ice-cold water felt refreshing as it traveled down their throats.

The stream, swollen with melted spring snow, was exceptionally clear. The sunlight scattered over the surface glittered brightly. The color of the water, sparkling between pale light blue and silver, was truly beautiful.

“Ian, your eyes look just like the stream.”

“What are you talking about? A stream?”

Ian retorted crossly and buried his face in his arms. But it was true; Ian’s eyes really were as lovely as the water’s surface. Even more so when the sunlight hit them.

“The color is similar. Transparent and clear.”

They were fascinating eyes. They looked like mist when the gray mixed in, but when they caught the light, they sparkled like shards of glass with a faint blue tint.

“You said… you said you packed snacks. Let’s just eat those.”

“Myang!”

Ian turned his head away and changed the subject. At the mention of snacks, Buster started sniffing around the sack. Since they’d eaten an early breakfast and been walking ever since, it was about time they got peckish.

“Alright. Let’s try the pumpkin.”

Jade pulled out the pumpkin he had steamed just before leaving. It was a truly precious pumpkin. The very last one left after he’d thrown all the others to deal with the Shadow Wolves.

Just thinking about that day made him dizzy. He remembered how his heart had ached when Ian told him he had gone outside the cave just to retrieve that pumpkin.

“Here you go.”

Jade broke the pumpkin apart and handed a piece to Ian. It was called an Aged Snow Pumpkin, but he didn’t know why it was so small. Shouldn’t an aged pumpkin be big enough to be hard to carry? He was disappointed that it was barely larger than a palm.

“Oh, it tastes good! Right?”

“Yeah, I guess…”

“Myung, ung-Myang-Myang.”

Still, the Aged Snow Pumpkin was firm and starchy, making it taste excellent. It looked like a rock on the outside but was white on the inside; it was sweeter and denser than the pumpkins Jade was used to. It was so starchy it could get stuck in your throat, but being able to wash it down with stream water made it a perfect combination. Before long, a cool breeze began to blow.

“Alright, let’s head out again!”

Having filled their bellies, the trio set off toward the village once more. They didn’t forget to check the map periodically.

Since there were no houses or buildings around, the paths all looked similar, making the map confusing to read. Jade, being used to modern civilization, struggled particularly. Every time he did, Ian would step in to point the way. He was a very bright young master for his age.

“I think the walking will be easier now.”

Once they exited the forest path, a plain stretched out before them. It was a bumpy dirt road, but far easier to walk than the forest trail.

And so, the march began. The two walked and walked. Eventually, the sun reached its zenith, and beads of sweat formed on Ian’s brow.

There was a large shade tree midway, so they rested there for a bit. However, they couldn’t stay long because they still had a long way to go.

By late afternoon, the road began to follow gentle hills. With the constant cycle of uphill and downhill, both of their paces slowed. Ian’s breathing grew heavy. It was definitely a forced march for a young child.

“Ian.”

Jade, who was wearing his backpack on his front, stopped and crouched down in front of Ian.

“Get on my back.”

“Do you have any idea how much luggage you’re already carrying, Jade?”

“This? This is nothing.”

“…No.”

Ian furrowed his brow, gave a flat refusal, and walked right past Jade to take the lead. He didn’t want to show Jade any weakness. Hadn’t he shown enough already?

“I carried you in the Elloban Forest, what’s the problem now?”

“I still don’t want to. I don’t need it.”

“Don’t you dare say you’re tired later.”

“I won’t.”

Jade tilted his head as he watched the resolute Ian. Was it puberty? His prickly way of speaking was the hallmark of a boy hitting his teens.

In the end, the two walked side by side. They watched the clouds in the sky and pointed at flowers by the roadside until the sun began to sink in the west.

Even the sunset receded, and darkness began to descend. And finally, beyond the hill, they could see the village.

Jade had thought they might have to camp out by a campfire for a night because of the distance, but they had arrived much earlier than planned. It was thanks to Ian’s stamina being stronger than expected.

The village on the Northern frontier was a small, cozy place where about fifty households lived together. In the center of the village was a small plaza with a few benches, surrounded by a line of shops.

Though it was late evening, he could hear people’s voices and see the dinner smoke rising from chimneys. There were even children running through the streets. After spending all his time with only Ian, seeing other people’s lives felt strange.

“First, let’s get some money.”

They needed a place to sleep first. And Jade didn’t have a single cent to his name. The streets were quiet since it was late. Merchants were packing up their stalls one by one. He had to sell something to make money before night fell.

“Let’s go over there.”

Jade pulled two silver candlesticks out of his sack and, with a look of determination, pointed toward an antique shop.

“When did you pack those…?”

“I packed them in advance. Oh, Ian. Is it okay to sell these?”

“You already brought them here to sell, didn’t you?”

“Haha.”

Jade, holding a silver candlestick in each hand, gave an awkward shrug.