The Strongest Guild Kidnapped Me

Chapter 188

Sure! Here's the revised translation with "Han Yeoreum" changed to "Midsummer":

A pure child, yet with a somewhat distorted sense of innocence.

That was how Midsummer saw Gyeoul.

Having gone through horrendous experiences that even adults would find unbearable, it was no surprise that Gyeoul matured early.

Every time Midsummer saw Gyeoul acting more like an adult, she couldn't help but feel a vague discomfort.

She wished Gyeoul could be just a bit more like a child.

Was there a way to correct her behavior?

As Midsummer pondered, the perfect opportunity presented itself.

It was a method involving a bit of 'lying.'

First, she needed to align her story with Sophia.

To do that, she needed to get Gyeoul out of the way for a while.

"Gyeoul, aren’t you still awake?"

"Yes. I think I’ll just stay up late today."

"No, you need to go to bed early. There’s some milk in the kitchen, want to warm it up? Drinking warm milk will help you sleep."

"Mm... Okay..."

Gyeoul slid down from Sophia’s body and, after her feet touched the floor, walked to the kitchen without hesitation.

Midsummer watched as Gyeoul disappeared and used an item.

It was a soundproof artifact, allowing her to have a conversation without being overheard by the sharp-eared Gyeoul.

"You little rascal."

Bang.

Sophia, now free from the restrictions, delivered a playful yet forceful tap on Midsummer’s head.

It was more forceful than when tapping the children’s heads.

"S-Sophia, please calm down and listen to me. I’m sure you’ll understand."

"...Go ahead, make your excuse."

Under Sophia’s intense, burning gaze, Midsummer swallowed hard.

However, she was confident she could convince Sophia, so the tension wasn’t unbearable.

"Sophia, you hug Gyeoul often too, right? You know how she clings when she’s being held, don’t you?"

"...She does seem a bit frightened."

"Yes, she doesn’t just settle in like the other kids. She’s always hesitant, wondering if it’s okay to be held, but she doesn’t dislike it, she even smiles and wags her tail."

Gyeoul would flinch whenever anyone touched her, her body reacting instinctively.

Even when being held, she would look around nervously, unsure whether it was okay, but still enjoying it with a smile and wagging her tail.

Midsummer wished that Gyeoul could be more at ease, but she could only feel regret.

"So, you’re suggesting we lie to her? To make her feel comfortable being held?"

"Yes... I’m sorry for lying, but I really hope Gyeoul can get used to adult care and protection."

Gyeoul had a tendency to try to solve everything on her own.

Midsummer wanted her to rely completely on her guardian.

After all, Gyeoul was still only eight years old.

"Sigh..."

Sophia let out a deep sigh and looked down at the floor.

However, she didn’t stay like that for long, knowing that Gyeoul would be back soon.

"Alright, since you’re the older one, let’s try it your way."

"......! Thank you, Sophia!"

"But one day, you will have to tell her the truth and apologize."

"Of course, I will."

Even if it was a white lie, it was still a lie.

Midsummer nodded, and just then, Gyeoul returned to the living room.

Steam was rising from the cup she held in both hands.

Having taken a sip on the way, there was milk smeared around her lips.

It was time for the lie.

Midsummer clenched her fist.

Sigh... Sophia, standing beside her, could only sigh again.

***

Gyeoul took a sip of the warm milk.

The rich, nutty flavor spread, and naturally, her tail began to wag.

But after drinking this, do I need to brush my teeth again?

Anyway, the teeth I lose will grow back, so maybe it’s fine if I don’t brush them?

With these unnecessary thoughts, she returned to the living room.

"Hmm?"

The atmosphere in the living room felt strange.

Sophia looked like she was about to collapse, and Midsummer seemed...

Seemed to be full of determination.

What on earth happened to make them act like this?

Gyeoul moved closer to them.

"Sophia!"

Midsummer hugged Sophia tightly.

The cup she had been holding slipped from her hand in shock.

Gyeoul managed to catch the falling milk cup with her foot, all while keeping her gaze fixed on the two of them.

***

The next day.

After a trip to the dungeon early in the morning, I waited with the children at the park.

Then, from a distance, the Master approached carrying a rectangular box.

"Did you wait long?"

"No, just a little bit."

"I see."

The Master placed the box in front of us.

The appearance of such a rare figure caught the attention of the people around us.

"Looks like Yeomyeong Gilma really cares for the kids."

"Wouldn't you care for Gyeoul too?"

"Of course, I’d care."

Why does he care about me?

Just as I was about to turn and look where the conversation came from, the Master opened the box.

"You asked for this yesterday, right?"

"Wow! Inline skates!"

Inside the box were inline skates.

They looked quite different from the ones I was familiar with.

"Isn’t this... made of mana stones?"

The gems sparkled brilliantly.

It was an extremely rare, top-tier mana stone that even skilled adventurers rarely saw.

"Yeah. There are five embedded in it."

"Five...?"

I focused on the largest mana stone.

It contained an enormous amount of mana, so large I couldn’t even estimate its value.

"That’s a protective magic stone. It’ll block attacks up to a level seven dungeon."

"Eh...?"

"It also has shock-dispersion magic. You won’t get hurt even if you fall or crash into something. It will protect anyone you bump into as well."

"Well, that’s not what I meant..."

Isn’t this just a toy for kids?

Despite being in front of the Master, I couldn’t hide my embarrassment that rose to my face.

"There’s also a speed control mana stone, and this one prevents corrosion..."

The Master paid no attention to my discomfort.

After explaining the uses of all the mana stones, he casually left as if nothing happened.

"U-um..."

These inline skates were more expensive than gold.

Since I couldn’t afford to wear them, I decided to hand them to Levinas.

"Your Majesty, give Levinas the tail!"

"Okay."

Levinas, now wearing the inline skates, grabbed my tail.

As I began walking, Levinas followed behind me, rolling along smoothly.

"Hey, isn’t that the Dragon mana stone on the inline skates?"

"Yeah, and there’s the Forest Guardian mana stone too."

"Crazy, what’s Yeomyeong Guild putting on kids’ toys..."

"Those inline skates cost more than our house..."

People in the park, who had been watching us, were astonished when they saw the skates.

I tried to ignore their conversations.

"Kids probably don’t even know what those are, right?"

"Yeah, to them, it’s just a toy."

Fortunately, no one thought the kids were indulging in luxury.

They probably just thought the children were playing without understanding the value of the skates.

"Ugh."

It might be presumptuous, but the Master didn’t have the perspective of someone from a humble background.

That was the one area where I was ahead of the Master.

After spending time playing with the kids, I decided to have a conversation with the Master.

I hoped that my precious Master would learn a little more about commoners.

Only then would he be able to understand our children better.