The Bastard First Prince Doesn't Want to Die-Chapter 171

[Translator - Jjescus ]

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Chapter: 171

As they entered the village at dawn, the villagers' faces showed both exhaustion and relief.

Except for Haejung, their leader, the others dispersed to their homes. Only I, Jawoon, and the village chief, Haejung, remained together.

Although the village was bathed in the dim light of dawn, there was still a sense of tension in the air.

As we walked towards the village chief's house, we passed a few people standing outside their homes.

Their faces, though softened by relief at our return, also held a hint of unease. It was clear that their discomfort was directed at Jawoon.

Now that I noticed, I could see a subtle rejection in the way they looked at him, a look that was different from the one they gave me, even though I was also an outsider. I had a vague idea why.

Jawoon and Haejung walked naturally towards the center of the village, to the thatched house with a courtyard where I was staying.

When we arrived, the village chief, Aro's parents, and a few others were sitting on a bench.

"You're back," she said, nodding as she looked at us. Her face was etched with deep wrinkles and weariness.

Although she seemed relieved, her face was drawn and weary.

"The child is asleep," Aro's mother said, bowing her head.

"Thank you," she added.

I felt a little awkward accepting her thanks. After all, I had taken Aro out to search for Osang without permission.

"You must be tired," Haejung asked the village chief. She looked like she hadn't slept at all.

There were dark circles under her eyes, making her look ten years older.

"I couldn't sleep," she sighed.

I looked at the others sitting near the village chief. They too looked exhausted, as if they hadn't slept.

"Did anyone get hurt?" the village chief asked.

Haejung and I looked at Osang.

In truth, it was always Jawoon who did most of the fighting. The others mostly cleaned up after him. So, naturally, no one was injured.

Of course, that was only if you didn't count the countless wounds Jawoon had sustained.

"No one was injured," Jawoon replied gruffly.

"You've done well," she said. I glanced at the villagers. They seemed somewhat cold.

I realized that Jawoon was treated poorly because he was an outsider.

And I, for some reason, was treated differently.

I had a feeling I knew why, but I couldn't be sure until I asked the village chief.

I waited for Jawoon and the village chief to finish their conversation, then approached her.

"Village chief."

She looked at me. Her expression was unreadable.

She stared at me for a moment, as if she had known what I was going to say. Then she nodded.

"You must be tired. Go and rest."

The village chief stood up with a groan. She then coughed a few times.

"Get enough rest and come back to me. If you have any questions, I'll allow you two."

Two questions. Just two.

It was impossible to get all the information I wanted with just two questions, but any opportunity to ask questions was better than none.

A small crack had appeared in the village chief's silence and the village's secrets. It was a decent reward for a night of fighting.

I nodded.

"Yes, I understand. Please rest as well, village chief. I'll come back later."

The village chief nodded slowly and turned away. I headed back to my room.

* * *

When I woke up, it was already afternoon. Actually, I hadn't woken up on my own.

"Uncle!"

The door burst open, and a familiar voice called out. It was a complete surprise.

I sat up and glared at the intruder with half-open eyes. But the intruder seemed quite confident, despite barging into my room.

"Hey, I was sleeping. What's the big idea..."

"You're going to sleep all day? It's almost evening. Get up!"

"What's the rush?"

"You're too slow, Uncle."

I guess it was time to get up.

I got dressed and went out to the courtyard. There was a covered basket on the bench. Aro pointed at it.

"Eat up."

Someone had prepared food for me. Without a word, I ate my meal.

"Where's the village chief?" I asked.

"She's at home. Why?"

"I have something to ask her."

"My grandma?"

"Yeah."

I nodded. Aro, who had been rolling around on the bench, sat up and looked at me.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Someone."

She widened her eyes.

Just then, I thought of Gon. I wondered how it was doing. Everyone knew that I kept a crow as a pet.

Even if I was away, someone would feed it, but no one would care for it as much as I did, especially when it came to giving it treats.

And Gon had told me it needed me around.

I wasn't sure if it was okay. I'd seen how much it wanted my company, and I couldn't help but worry.

What if something happened to Gon?

I knew it could communicate with people, but I doubted anyone else would be as patient with it as I was.

What if my grandfather found out about Gon? I remembered how he had struggled with the decision of whether to put down his old horse. I was sure he wouldn't hurt Gon, but I wasn't sure how others would react.

And what about Yoo Gueng? I wondered if Gon had told Yoo Gueng that he could talk. Yoo Gueng was a very determined person, and if he knew that Gon could be used as a spy, he might not care about Gon's feelings.

"It'll be fine," I muttered to myself.

Aro, who had been lying on the bench, sat up and propped her chin on her hands.

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"Who are you talking about?"

"Someone."

Her eyes widened.

“Someone you knew a long time ago!”

“Shhh, be quiet…”

It wasn't something I wanted others to hear. The village chief had shown me as much.

The idea of me wanting to return to my old life wouldn't be seen favorably.

I raised a finger to my lips, and Aro mimicked me, whispering, "Uncle, do you want to go back?"

"...I don't know."

"Why don't you know? It's up to you whether you stay here or go back. If you don't know what you want, who will?"

"If I told you the truth, you'd probably run and tell your grandma, wouldn't you?" I asked a bit gruffly, and Aro's eyes narrowed.

There was no point in saying anything; she would definitely tell the village chief.

"Shhh."

"...Why?"

"It's a secret."

"What?"

"It's just between you and me."

A secret? Well, I didn't mind keeping a secret, but secrets were meant to be shared.

"How can I trust you with a secret if you can't even keep your own?"

Her innocent eyes sparkled.

"I do have a secret."

What kind of secret could she possibly have?

I scoffed. "What is it? Did you steal some snacks from your mom?"

"No."

"Then what is it?"

"Will you keep it a secret?"

Fine, I'd keep her secret. It couldn't be that big of a deal.

"Fine. Okay, it's a secret."

She extended her pinky finger.

"Promise."

"Promise." I linked my pinky with hers.

"Actually," she hesitated, "I..."

She paused dramatically. Whatever her secret was, it couldn't be that important.

"I want to go outside too."

Her words were more significant than I had expected.

"Outside... where?"

"Shhh."

She put her finger to her lips and gestured for me to come closer.

She whispered in my ear, "Like where you came from. I want to go there too."

Her words reminded me of how I had first met Aro at Jawoon's place.

Unlike the other villagers, she seemed more comfortable around Jawoon. Maybe it was because she wanted to explore the outside world.

"You want to go back too, don't you?" she asked.

It sounded like she was asking me to take her with me.

[Translator - Jjescus ]

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