The Golden-Haired Summoner - Chapter 33 : The Blonde Nemesis

After a short while, the boy returned.

He entered the kitchen as if nothing had happened.

While waiting for both the meal and the men, I sat at a spot where I could easily watch the staircase and took another look around the dining hall.

How should I put it—this place really had a culture similar to the medieval Europe I once knew.

The architectural style, the monarchy, and the class system were all quite similar.

The existence of magic, of course, made it distinct.

Just then, the soup arrived first.

“Enjoy your meal.”

Though I hadn’t believed in any deity before, after what happened with Adelaide, I decided to acknowledge the existence of gods.

And I sincerely felt grateful to the god who provided the soup now set before me.

The moment the boy left the table, I gripped the wooden spoon as if it might break and began gulping down the soup in a hurry.

To be honest, I wanted to lift the bowl to my lips and slurp it all down, but I had some semblance of dignity built up over the past decade. So, at the very least, I kept the bowl on the table.

While eating hurriedly like this wasn’t exactly polite, I had no time to worry about manners now.

There were no teachers or academy classmates here to scold me for it, anyway.

“Wow, look at you gobbling it down.”

Thud!

I had just put a large piece of potato from the soup into my mouth when I heard that comment.

As I chewed the potato, I looked up to see who had criticized me.

There were three men—one with a huge build, and two others so ordinary-looking that they seemed plain.

It was them.

And, of course, the one who criticized my eating habits was the big one—Chad.

The moment I remembered his name, I knew: You’re on my list now!

“So, your name is… Chad, right?”

Whether or not he noticed the anger in my drawn-out tone, Chad only fanned the flames.

“H-How do you know my name? Are you a stalker?”

“…What nonsense are you spouting?”

I’d rather be crazy than stalk you, idiot.

I’d tried to be polite up until now, but this was too much. There was no way I could keep my tone civil any longer.

Chad, eyes wide in shock, turned to his companions as if pleading for help.

“Gasp! Did you hear that? She just insulted me!”

“Ah… sigh…”

“Ugh… sigh…”

It seemed like Chad was still upset about the incident with Rai, the broken sword, or his apology to me. However, his companions paid no attention to his whining.

Instead, they let out synchronized sighs, avoiding his gaze.

It seemed this sort of thing happened often.

He’s probably a troublemaker, someone like Rai in their group.

I subtly looked around, trying to spot Aini, but she was nowhere to be seen.

“Where’s Aini?”

“Huh? Oh, she’s asleep in the room. She must have been really tired.”

One of the ordinary-looking men, the one wearing glasses, responded.

At his words, I gave a small nod to express my gratitude.

“Is that so? I know it was a lot to ask… Thank you very much for looking after Aini.”

“Oh, don’t mention it. Travelers should help each other out. Ah, by the way, my name is Lox. I’m just a humble traveler.”

Ignoring Chad’s sulking expression beside him, Lox introduced himself and held out his hand for a handshake.

I didn’t see any reason to refuse, especially since I owed him a little, so I took his hand.

“I’m Geenie. On my way back home.”

It wasn’t a lie.

I deliberately avoided mentioning the Crowell surname to avoid any unnecessary trouble.

Having a surname usually indicated nobility, and traveling alone could make people doubt me—or worse, attract hyena-like opportunists looking to take advantage.

“Is that so? If you don’t mind me asking, where is your home…?”

“Dmitri, in the Crowell territory of Dmitri.”

“Dmitri? That means you’re from the same place as Chad? What a coincidence!”

Ugh, of all people, with *that* brute?

“Ugh, with a woman as rude as *her*?”

“Hah, says the one to talk!”

He was really getting on my nerves. Just because we’re from the same place, did he think I’d treat him kindly? Should I wring him out and turn him into a dried seaweed strip?

Grinding my teeth inwardly, I watched him stride toward me with the swagger of someone about to pick a fight, completely unaware of my thoughts.

“This woman? Come on, let’s settle this right—”

“Enough, Chad!”

I had been just a few steps away from summoning Rai or calling on Undain when one of his companions stopped him, leaving me a little disappointed.

Ah, I really wanted to give that fool a proper beating.

“Don’t stop me, Ash! Women like her need to be taught a lesson!”

Oddly enough, his thoughts seemed to align with mine. Maybe it’s because we’re both from Dmitri?

Chad ground his teeth in frustration, trying to push past his friend, but the other man didn’t budge.

In fact, he pulled Chad backward instead, dragging him away.

Wait—did he say his name was Ash?

“Calm down! It’s your temper that’s the real problem, Chad.”

“Ugh!”

The man called Ash looked so ordinary that you could’ve easily seen a hundred faces like his walking down any street.

He was the kind of person whose face you’d probably forget as soon as you tried to recall it. Yet, for some reason, I felt an odd sense of unease about him.

Was I being too sensitive?

I tried to dismiss it as coincidence—maybe the unease was just because he shared a name with the Ash I knew.

But just as I was about to look away, I noticed a small scar on the back of his hand, the one restraining Chad.

Focusing on it, I saw that while the scar was old and no longer red, it had left the skin twisted and uneven, as if pierced by something.

A blade, perhaps… A sword?

“…Is his name Ash?”

I pointed toward the man restraining Chad and asked Lox.

Lox followed the direction of my finger, glanced at Ash, then grinned playfully.

“Yes, that’s right. Why? Interested?”

“Yes. Despite his appearance, he seems pretty strong. His muscles are well-developed, and his posture is stable. He looks like someone who’s trained in martial arts for a long time, and not just casually, but in a very systematic and professional way. He’s probably even stronger than your bulky friend, Chad. And… he doesn’t seem like a commoner, does he? Am I right?”

“H-how did you…?”

Lox looked genuinely surprised by my accurate assessment of Ash after only a brief glance.

If he knew that I suspected this Ash was none other than *the* Ash, the second prince of Elan, he’d be even more shocked.

“I told you, it’s obvious. His muscles are well-developed, and the way he moves and stands—it’s second nature to him. Anyone can see it.”

“Impressive. You must know quite a bit about these things.”

“A little. I am from Dmitri, after all—the land of knights.”

“You’re clearly not from just anywhere in Dmitri.”

Are you a spy or something?

I didn’t miss the way Lox scrutinized me, as if trying to see right through me.

He was no ordinary traveler. He was educated—perhaps even more than I was.

Yes, he’d make a fitting companion for a prince.

The way he sized me up, his cautious demeanor—it was enough for me to reach my conclusion.

Could it really be? Is he truly Ash?

I glanced back at Ash, studying him carefully from head to toe.

Sensing my gaze, Ash turned to look at me.

Brown hair, brown eyes, an unremarkable nose, and neither particularly large nor small eyes. His face wasn’t thin or fat—just completely ordinary.

There was no trace of the black-haired, golden-eyed boy I remembered.

But if I recalled correctly, they said that during the trial, his appearance had been altered.

If that were true, then everything would make sense.

If he really was Ash, then Lox must be his attendant—and that oaf Chad? One of his guardians?

“What is it…?”

Ash blinked, puzzled by my intense stare.

I must have been staring for too long.

“Oh, it’s nothing. You just reminded me of someone I know.”

“Ah, I get that a lot. I guess I just have a familiar face.”

“Not at all. I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself sooner—my name is Geenie.”

To confirm my suspicions, I stepped toward Ash and extended my hand.

“Ash. Pleased to meet you.”

The moment our hands touched, I knew without a doubt.

This was the Ash I knew. The scar on his palm, the way it pierced through to the back of his hand—it was the same.

And those unnecessarily kind eyes.

I briefly considered greeting him outright: *It’s really you, Ash! It’s been nine years!*

But instead, I decided to play along with their little act.

I smiled outwardly, but inside, I greeted him warmly.

*It’s so good to see you, Ash. It’s been far too long.*

“Your hand… you have a scar?”

“Yes, it’s an old one.”

“It looks like a puncture wound… How did that happen?”

“Well, I guess I could say I got it while blocking a flying dagger. Sounds foolish, right? Haha.”

Ash waved his hand as if blocking an imaginary attack, showing no sign of recognition.

Of course, it made sense—he’d only seen my face once.

Back then, the room had been too dark for him to see clearly, and he’d been unconscious after I rescued him.

Thinking back, I didn’t feel any of the anger I’d felt when Robenin forgot me.

Perhaps this was the difference between a nemesis and someone who owed me a debt.

“No, if that’s true, then what you did was admirable. But why grab the blade? That’s dangerous.”

“Well… At the time, I just thought I had to do something. I guess… I felt like I had to protect someone.”

“Protect… whom?”

“A benefactor.”

So, in your eyes, I’m your benefactor, Ash?

Funny—you’re my benefactor, too.

Back then, I hadn’t intended to save Ash purely out of kindness, but when he thanked me afterward, I felt so grateful—and guilty—that I cried.

I’d tried to meet him later to express my gratitude, but it had all been in vain.

I lost to Robenin in the tournament, and at the millennial anniversary party, Ash had been absent.

But ironically, here we were now, meeting by chance in such a trivial way. It was almost absurd.

Just as I was about to say something more to Ash, Lox interrupted.

“Excuse us for a moment. Ash, I need to talk to you.”

“Hm? About what…?”

“Come on, now.”

Ash gave me an apologetic look as Lox dragged him toward the staircase.

What’s this? Somehow, it felt like they were going to talk about me.

No one likes being talked about behind their back.

I should find out what they’re discussing.

I glanced at Chad, who was still sulking in the corner. Confirming that he had no interest in me, I returned to my seat and closed my eyes quietly.

[Rai!]

Since he was probably no more than 100 meters away in the stable, my voice should reach him just fine. But there was no response.

*Pouting, are we?*

I frowned without realizing it.

Though I didn’t have to close my eyes to communicate, it helped me focus.

[Rai! If you really don’t want to sleep in the stable, you’d better answer me.]

[Wahh, it stinks here, Master! It’s filthy—ugh!]

What a ridiculous creature.

He doesn’t feel pain, yet somehow his sense of smell works perfectly.

Then again, if his sight and hearing work, it would be odd if his sense of smell didn’t.

The problem is that it never seems to help when it actually matters.

[Stop whining. Turn into a snake and sneak up to the second floor of the inn.]

[A snake? Why?]

[Fine, a rat then. You’ll find two men whispering. Eavesdrop on their conversation and report back to me. Now, go!]

[Got it, got it!]

After giving Rai his orders, I slowly opened my eyes.

The rich smell of meat filled the air as the boy at the counter brought over a steak.

“Here’s your meal. Enjoy!”

“Thank you.”

Along with the steak came bread and a fruit salad.

Though the restaurant wasn’t fancy, the portions were generous, which I appreciated.

The steak was already cut into slices, which I liked even more.

One less thing to do.

Without hesitation, I picked up my fork and speared a piece of meat.

The bread could wait.

I’ve always preferred meat, after all.

[Master!]

[Yes, report.]

[The guy with the glasses… and the necklace—is that right?]

[A necklace? I remember the glasses, but a necklace?]

[One of them’s wearing a strange necklace.]

I tried to recall if Ash had been wearing a necklace.

A dark leather shirt…

Ah, I suddenly remembered that Ash was wearing a necklace shaped like a blade, carved from stone.

Travelers often wore stone carvings in the shapes of weapons or animal fangs around their necks, believing they would bring good fortune. Among men, regardless of status, such necklaces were common.

Of course, nobles would use jewels or rare stones instead.

[Right, I remember now. But what about the necklace?]

[It’s enchanted. Most likely with transformation magic…]

Transformation magic?

Rai had a keen sense for detecting magic, especially enchantments placed on stones or jewels.

If Ash had altered his appearance, it must have been through magic. And not just any magic—he would have used a magical item.

Casting magic directly was risky since, if the caster died, undoing the magic could become a nightmare. That’s why, despite the cost, enchanted items were the safer option.

Considering the royal family had easy access to magical artifacts, it wasn’t surprising.

So, that necklace was the tool for his transformation?

[It’s probably something like a self-polymorph spell. Just focus on eavesdropping, Rai.]

[Leave it to me, Master! Spying is my specialty, heheh!]

…What exactly have you been up to, Rai?

For a moment, I considered asking him, but I let it go. Whatever Rai knew or could do would ultimately benefit me.

[What are they saying?]

[Hmm… ‘That woman seems suspicious. Could she be a spy?’ That’s what the guy with the glasses said.]

Of course, they’re talking about me.

Well, I guess it’s natural for them to be cautious while undergoing an important trial.

[It was the one with the glasses who said that, right?]

[Yes, and the one with the necklace said, ‘It can’t be—she’s traveling with a child.’ Is that about you, Master?]

[Yeah, keep listening and report back.]

While Rai relayed Ash and Lox’s conversation, I finished the steak and moved on to the fruit.

After eating only dried fruit for so long, biting into fresh, juicy fruit felt like pure bliss.

[Looks like they’re done talking about you, Master. They’re coming down.]

[Got it. Wait for my call once I secure a room.]

[Don’t forget, okay?]

[Yeah, yeah.]

Chewing on a piece of fruit, I glanced toward the staircase.

Ash’s feet appeared first, and as he descended, our eyes met.

Then, Lox followed close behind, and I locked eyes with him too.

Ash looked like he wanted to say something to me, but Lox gave him a firm push, steering him toward their table.

It almost seemed as though they were intentionally ignoring me. But the subtle nod Ash gave me told me otherwise.

Lox’s wary attitude had grown even stronger in the short time since I last saw him.

What now? Do you think I’m about to leak state secrets? How petty.

Lox’s behavior annoyed me a little.

Judging by what Rai reported, they were debating whether I was a foreign spy or perhaps an agent of the First Prince. Though I had provoked them a bit, I was disappointed they underestimated me so much.

Do I look like the type to be just a spy? Please.

I’m someone who can be friends with a dragon—or rather, a babysitter to one.

Just then, a loud, rough voice suddenly roared from across the room.

“What the hell is this?”

I glanced over to see three burly men with menacing faces rising from their table, yelling toward the counter. They looked like they belonged in some back alley gang.

“How does this place even run a business?”

“There was a bug in the soup! A bug!”

*Cough.*

I glanced down at my empty soup bowl.

I had thought the flavor was unusually rich… So that was the secret? A bug?

Staring at my empty bowl in dismay, I watched as the boy behind the counter rushed over, pale with anxiety.

“W-What’s the matter, sirs?”

The boy’s face was a picture of panic as the men shoved their half-filled soup bowl toward him, showing off the contents.

Even from a couple of tables away, I could see the large insect floating in the soup. It was about the size of a cockroach.

“What’s the matter? *This* is the matter! There was a bug in the soup! Look!”

Ah, so the soup contained a bug, not the other way around.

Despite the strange phrasing, no one pointed it out, given the situation.

Even the man who had said it didn’t seem to notice the oddity.

I looked at the soup bowl in his hand with a mixture of exasperation and amusement.

Something felt off.

The insect floating on the soup was too shiny.

Shouldn’t its color have dulled after being boiled in the broth?

“Th-That can’t be right! Our chef is meticulous about cleanliness—it’s his top priority. I believe there’s been a misunderstanding…”

“What? Are you saying I’m lying?”

“N-No, of course not! But there’s no way there could be… a bug… Hiiik!”

*Crash!*

The boy, trembling as he spoke, stumbled and fell on his rear when one of the men raised his hand threateningly.

“‘No way,’ huh? Well, take a look! There’s a bug swimming right in the soup! Either way, I’m not paying for this meal, so don’t expect any money!”

A bug swimming in soup?

Ah, so that’s how it is.

At first, I wasn’t sure what was going on, but after observing a bit more, the situation became clear.

The bug was floating on top of the soup—alive and moving.

That meant the bug hadn’t been cooked in the soup; it had been added *after* the soup was served at the table.

Wow, I’ve heard about scams like this, but to see it firsthand…

Trying to skip the bill by pulling this kind of cheap trick—how pathetic.

Looking around, I noticed the other customers wore expressions of disapproval, as if they had already seen through the men’s ploy.

So, I was the only one unaware. Well, it’s my first time traveling, after all.

Still, if it were me, I’d rather just pay than carry a bug around for this.

“B-But you ate everything else! If we just replace the soup…”

“What good would that do? Soup made with a bug is still the same! Are you telling me to eat bug-infused soup?”

So… does that mean I ate bug soup too?

Why are there so many annoying people today?

The other men, likely part of the same group, egged each other on and cornered the boy.

“Yeah! Do you think we’re fools?”

“We could demand compensation, but we’re being generous because this is just a tiny place. You should be grateful!”

Demanding compensation over a bowl of soup—how ridiculous.

If I had a stronger sense of justice, I might have intervened. But I wasn’t exactly brimming with altruism.

I wasn’t the type to step in for strangers I hadn’t even exchanged names with.

“Quiet.”

A low, ominous voice interrupted.

The voice belonged to a man sitting in the corner, wearing a black hood. I hadn’t noticed him before—he was that inconspicuous.

Or perhaps he had been intentionally concealing his presence.

“What was that? Did you just say that to *us*?”

“Do you even know who you’re messing with?”

“Filthy… You’re worse than bugs…” The hooded man clicked his tongue dismissively.

It didn’t seem like he was intervening out of kindness. He looked more annoyed by the disturbance than anything else.

The three thugs, enraged by his words, approached the hooded man aggressively.

“You don’t know who we are, do you? Apologize now, and we might let you live.”

“Yeah! You can live, but only after we beat you to a pulp!”

“Not just that—hand over all your money too. If you don’t want to die, that is.”

To me, it looked more like *they* were the ones who should be running.

Resting my chin on my hand, I silently observed them.

Judging by how arrogant the three men were, they seemed to be well-known thugs around here. But compared to the hooded man, they were nothing more than back-alley strays—barely even that.

Honestly, the hooded man was far more interesting. He gave off a dark, unsettling aura that piqued my curiosity.

[Master, is it time yet? I’m bored.]

[Hmm? Come inside quietly. There’s something interesting happening.]

Rai’s impatience leaked through our bond, and I remembered that he was still in his snake form.

Good. It would have been a problem if he were in his wolf form—too noticeable. While being a wolf had the advantage of size and mobility, it lacked discretion.

[Oh! I’ll crawl right in, Master!]

After giving Rai permission, I refocused on the situation.

Perhaps because I was a summoner, I was particularly sensitive to mana and auras with distinct elements.

Just as each spirit exudes a unique presence, so too do humans. The academy had sharpened my senses, as it was full of individuals with strong mana.

For example, swordsmen with offensive skills gave off a fierce, sharp aura—often tinged with red, like their sword energy.

In contrast, defensive swordsmen had stable, restrained energy.

Most trained warriors and mages had a recognizable aura, and over time, I had become adept at distinguishing them at a glance.

But the hooded man’s aura was something entirely new—dark, disorderly, and eerie.

What kind of person is he?

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you scared? Hah! That’s what happens when you try to act all righteous!”

The thug laughed mockingly, but his gloating was short-lived.

“You know… the more cowardly the beast, the louder it barks.”

Just as I suspected, the hooded man was dangerous.

In the blink of an eye, he seized the nearest thug by the throat and effortlessly lifted him into the air, as if the man’s bulk meant nothing.

Though he used both hands, the sheer strength was impressive. I could see the veins bulging in his forearms beneath the sleeves of his cloak.

What struck me most, though, was his skin—it was a deep gray, almost black, like the color of his hood.

It reminded me of the Silver Wolf tribe’s skin tone.

Everyone in that tribe, except for Aini, had brown skin. Could this man be a native of Koran?

The thug kicked and struggled, his eyes rolling back as the hooded man’s grip tightened.

Meanwhile, the other two men stood frozen, too stunned to react.

Idiots…

“Gurgh… Aaack!”

It’s impressive—choking someone in mid-air.

I couldn’t pull that off. I lacked both the strength and the height.

“Now… Make your choice. Will you leave?”

“Urk…”

“Or… will you die?”

The hooded man’s voice was sharp with irritation, and the thug couldn’t answer—he was being strangled, after all.

The scene reminded me of my duel with Leo in the past.

Back then, Leo had been unable to speak, so I told him to remove his gauntlet instead. I could still recall the frustration on his face as he took it off.

Hah, that’s what happens when you pick fights without knowing your opponent.

At least I hadn’t harbored any intent to kill back then.

But this hooded man… He certainly looked like he did.