PRB | Chapter 5

Eddie stared blankly at Ketron’s face, lost in thought, before shaking his head to snap back to reality.fce5d1b72068a8d6

This wasn’t the time to be zoning out.97f8655088305bda

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He didn’t know how long Ketron had been like this, but soon enough, like the last scene in the novel, he’d be consumed by a blue fury and turn dark. If it could be stopped, shouldn’t it be? That’s why he dashed out to the streets since morning.6d41d072ba09cce5

Of course, he didn’t have any grand plan to prevent the darkening.d125c8fad73491e3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

In a world edb823b30f overflowing with freaks 0ae03ea088 who use mana, c474a6c8a5 fly around, and b24b79c048 split rocks with 97978adf7b a single blow, 186c4ad344 what could a f7dc5a1747 regular guy like e928abdb96 him do?781104ac80231ccd

He just couldn’t sit still, so he moved, and now here he was, collapsed right in front of him.d2d266f965d589e7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…Ha.”b63dc9eedec4c2a3

Anyway, Ketron was incredibly 62152b6aa5 handsome.532396cfc84b3967

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Even Eddie, who had f78e475971 possessed a dazzlingly handsome 81d244ee9c body, still felt awkward d429e9bd1a every time he looked 9a48e8cd41 in the mirror. But Ketron e2a2e87619 was even f27d72f1e4 more striking.4c259f561bbb7103

How could someone crying e6cafda39f have such a mysterious 61a6743ac8 destructive power that leaves 9345581331 people dazed? Watching him cry 97a63d1e65 in pain with 3a74903445 that face naturally f8f50d8f4a stirred compassion.123f28cb69858233

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Hey.”a233541d0a8d6682

Eddie tried speaking 628ea06580 to Ketron in e0f27b9c1b a very small 396465a355 voice.ee9896fe75f34ed6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Though Eddie was an ordinary citizen, he wasn’t usually this timid. The problem was the person he was dealing with.9659e2716f6d82fb

From the novel’s description, it was hard to imagine, but Ketron’s build was enormous. Really enormous.8910d48b29fb33f7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Just the size of 1a27180591 the holy sword on 2ad4f51aa1 his back was massive. To wield it easily, d58e9bc8d8 his muscles had to 6a5d0fb6ca be no joke, but 4bd882ffdb his basic physique seemed 678fb9053e superior.a0b1802452e91760

If he 8d5768f889 decided to, 7f35b09d23 he could 80a9ef24c3 probably kill e585fbcba6 someone like 5972f75af0 Eddie with 6477ce34b8 one hand. He likely could. That fact unintentionally made 4b00570d4a Eddie timid.e20996831f260818

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

But there was no time to delay. He could turn dark at any moment, and he was so big and dark that he was drawing people’s attention even during the flashy parade.1857df65d61f65f1

Eddie decided 9363958a7c it was 90e4c93380 best to d429595aa1 take him 05b5c71052 in quickly a1446259fa and quietly.19dd6a01861071eb

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Hey, Ke… no, ahem.”e544e51b9bdb3aa3

Even though he was sure it was Ketron, it seemed implausible for an innkeeper to suddenly know and call the forgotten hero’s name, so Eddie held back from saying it.8a7e67f4908d1498

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Hey, young man?”7e289d5c8cbf0c88

Ketron showed no 45df15fe71 reaction. If not for 1db867822c the tears flowing a3885460fc sorrowfully, he might d840a8abe3 have seemed like 14748d06bc a statue.f1a8df297eeb8808

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

After hesitating for a moment, Eddie cautiously reached out. Like in those stories where someone feels a touch and immediately twists the arm or flips the person, Eddie was extremely tense, but Ketron didn’t react even when Eddie timidly tapped him.60acd294afb466ff

Eddie’s touch grew bolder. Eventually, he was shaking Ketron’s shoulder with his hand, but Ketron still didn’t open his eyes. Eddie wondered if he might actually be dead.08707cd4806152a4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Excuse me.”b4216d4642d82b96

Eddie tried calling 970f3cbba3 out again.d2c3485b60bf52ce

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Looking at 9c2cdea93d the still 6eeb63b2dc unresponsive body, 5fbb9c8a02 Eddie realized 1760d58513 something.866f37184fb63e13

He hadn’t noticed because of the dark clothes, but Ketron’s cloak was soaked with blood. It wasn’t enough to pool on the floor, but Eddie’s hand, which had thoughtlessly grabbed the cloak, was stained red.cbc85025f99df520

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Ah.”c266c6737b622430

Right, he remembered.b97df6e8ed78cba0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Ketron was b6ebcf1d00 crying and 823d481628 sitting there, d854578ef9 struggling with fc41230e5e unhealed wounds 9cb0f29547 and the e6a188c9c2 pain of 84193f974d betrayal.7c0b70532374c29d

Wounds.decb410d5ede9eec

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He hadn’t fully healed from the critical injuries from the battle with the Demon King. Unable to accept his comrades’ betrayal, he couldn’t wait for his body to fully recover and forced himself to the Empire…be7547439640455e

He confirmed it with 6f348dfee2 his own eyes.e06a58160573dd03

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The betrayal of his 9f84ed8467 old comrades. The faces of c8d0ff5a8e the traitors smiling a245da7bee brightly, having stolen c7190049e5 his glory.1f869f3daa972c5b

And the 8d4da9f051 people cheering 1df8c95e6d and blessing 45707afd5e those traitors 848788d1b1 as heroes.22d8defbee35e32c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It’s truly pitiful.052baf043c6c0acb

Eddie steeled his heart. It was do-or-die. If this guy turned dark, Eddie’s peaceful retirement would be gone.c607c7626d2de5f4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Hey!”d64ed4956c2eacdc

Eddie grabbed the man’s shoulders with both arms and shook him vigorously. So vigorously that even someone on the brink of death would have to open their eyes.8735e140c47a4e6c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Indeed, such a vigorous shake couldn’t be ignored. Ketron, who had been like a tearful corpse, flinched his eyelids and slowly opened them.76a3438ff70e0e94

His gaze 32522e848a was sharp. But because of the a9204df10c tears welling up and 933f37dda3 flowing, it felt more a1dccdcea7 pitiful than fierce.142f80bf811ef08b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Eddie found himself 4f8dd01e35 staring into those a49e766f96 eyes. Wondering if they were 72b99e257c burning with revenge as bc3d00ab0b described in the novel.008bccd726828c7c

But he couldn’t tell. The tear-filled eyes were full of confusion, not malice.1e48dac0d158fe0d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Good, it seems it’s not too late.402a9249c7ed14be

“Well, um.”e6e1aaa807cb2ede

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Ahem, Eddie cleared his throat. He had shaken him awake in a hurry, but he didn’t have a plan for what to do next.fdab8a3d61be5d89

He needed to bring 0007dca9ca him into the inn, 3a44cd9bc4 but what should he 004baec534 say?98e811bca37b8e34

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You seem hurt, want to come into our inn?”d6ef48f7d7fbd2c5

…Sounds suspicious.4d794f8aac7c1f05

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“This is our inn, and if you stay here, all the guests will run away?”3299097cb124841a

That’s a bit blaming for someone who’s already struggling.a2127cdda68eac4f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Want to come to my place for ramen?”c289c7678d7dc24f

…Fire chicken noodles?7fcbe8b10b8639af

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As his thoughts dragged on, Eddie felt Ketron’s expression growing colder. He was already in pain and struggling, and interference from others preventing him from sorting out his emotions wouldn’t be welcome.141d496d0db0ee6b

Moreover, he had just witnessed his former comrades’ betrayal firsthand. With all his patience burned away, leaving only traces, he couldn’t possibly feel goodwill toward a stranger.cf91475a2a117bbd

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Eddie felt his own turmoil settle in response to Ketron’s wounded gaze.3a47161f04448b32

Fancy words? Would they even resonate in this situation? That’s not what Ketron needed right now.318dd2986a5a9847

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Understanding the customer’s needs is the basics of self-employment, so Eddie decided to give Ketron what he needed. Fortunately, it was something he could provide.4a59bfdd2b19210a

“This is my place.”e3c45b9621e23e36

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Eddie pointed to Eddie’s Inn with one hand. Ketron, seemingly unaware that he was leaning against an inn, frowned only after following Eddie’s gesture to the inn’s sign.a902c39a638a2f21

“If you need a quiet place, want to come in?”0723689f5eb7b8ae

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

𐙚 𐙚 𐙚9be8b1ee8439768f

Eddie never thought his e7ae393182 boldness would work.16716f88f7b5187f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Well, rather than working, it was more like… Before the man, who was wide-eyed and dazed by the unexpected offer, could gather his wits, Eddie had dragged him inside.26539ee9c228f60d

In any case, if this hefty body had resisted, Eddie wouldn’t have been able to drag him in no matter how hard he tried. But after a moment of thought, Ketron surprisingly allowed himself to be led into the inn by Eddie’s touch.9f0d4c999a35531d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Eddie, what is this?”c79fcb912c0fbc27

Gerald asked, full of 86658848e0 caution, as Eddie brought f2aee1e4c9 the intimidating man into 90aa080dbc the inn.78cd9637e787c77b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Ketron and Gerald’s gazes met. Surprisingly, despite facing the cold and fierce-looking Ketron head-on, Gerald showed no signs of backing down.6d4c4dd74acfc947

Gerald, just an ordinary 5355580a2b inn employee.96c75f2a29306e16

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But there was no 8af3915328 time to dwell on 2b40bd32da such thoughts, so Eddie 6b354efb20 hurriedly intervened between the e17a033ed1 two.aa6577ac6bd2df49

“Oh, I found this guy collapsed in front of our inn! I brought him in to feed him something.”34c4f726556ca1ec

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Is he a homeless person? Since when did you start doing charity…”49d2525b90b6be68

“Anyway!”d54db25b28744ce9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Having managed to bring him in, Eddie awkwardly cut off Gerald’s words, which threatened to ruin everything.ec76fdebb77bf5bc

“Please prepare something to eat.”c433d513b18c70ff

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“….”f39ec9460f541ea2

Gerald momentarily looked displeased, eb9bb16e5a but being loyal to 8be7ddf4d5 Eddie, he eventually sighed 577332e5de deeply and headed to b315ea3e2a the kitchen. Eddie led Ketron, 5e69dfe485 whom he had 55c019088a been holding onto, ea2accae70 to the table cefa51e951 closest to the cd22453e84 door.9bc60a905df3dfd0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Ketron, like a toy in a child’s hand, was easily led by Eddie’s gentle touch.29fa03c2149c38fb

It wasn’t so much that he was moved by Eddie’s warm touch and cooperated willingly, but more like he seemed devoid of any will.58ba5da21cf14e2d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

That was 56fd516654 probably true.cb6cc7b99255677d

The table where they da29a043c3 sat facing each other 957c58da86 was awkwardly silent. From the 7d0db70901 kitchen, a e736c9a626 savory smell 40949a54f6 wafted out, 2ad54782be suggesting Gerald ee36203e35 was putting e60123ce80 his skills 4b157a084a to good 4b1d147742 use, but 41acc55919 it seemed 1b2c2319ce it would 2c489e8fc9 take some 05724d2677 time to 91257dc71b finish.ce0910c195f2a943

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Eddie glanced at Ketron.56f76e0b34698dca

Though he had 3a2e12dee8 stopped crying abruptly, 0c031ce03e the tear-stained cheeks, 2f615358db reddened eyes, and 6091044f19 pale complexion from bf0b00cb1f unhealed wounds all e98c6217d3 indicated that Ketron f0c11bf4e3 was not in 664d2e2a0a a normal state.478e06f217829cb1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

How did you b790be1bb6 end up trusting 7244518d8b those comrades?455eb69f2ab35823

No, how did 2b656276c3 you end up bf929a856c being caught by a34a2a9d84 a writer obsessed 325732fc63 with plot twists?60cb829ce574a699

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Eddie clicked his tongue 204436377b inwardly, inadvertently feeling sympathy 920c5a5e20 for Ketron.2db2fa17108d6bae

When he read the ending scene, he was merely annoyed that the novel’s ending wasn’t to his liking, but now, having been dragged into this world and seeing it firsthand, Ketron’s situation was more desperate than he had imagined.660a5d60be65c026

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The difference between ae83fb603b reading it in f11a753cd5 text and seeing 61e000ee84 it in reality 7b98c1b920 was too great.e9bcea939697b044

At just twenty years old, forgotten by the world, betrayed, and robbed of glory… Even the most righteous person couldn’t help but turn dark under such circumstances.7e94069c02f35bbb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Moreover, he 53dc632ecf seemed a 1b0e0463a8 bit thin, 44595ab68a probably from 6b234e21df all the b2d1d19e56 physical and 51d44dcfc6 emotional hardship.2811d9ae90788ee6

“Sigh.”986aa2c7cfd5d014

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Poor guy.37d759244d6a239b

Eddie sighed deeply without 6a3b7dbcc3 realizing it and openly b6e5eb42f1 scrutinized Ketron. Ketron showed no 2a0958646b reaction, even as d3630c1575 someone stared at 8793179b07 him intently.0ac775f427112e54

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Long eyelashes with dangling teardrops, cheeks still wet with tears, a youthful appearance proving his mere twenty years, and a face that seemed a bit thin despite his build, likely from hardship…4c8c2392f2233453

Eddie finally 8593e8e326 realized something.461d5b3e68bcf08a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Thin.709a9c3caa755d32

This guy wasn’t just “seeming thin,” he was definitely thin. He must have lost weight from his injuries and the strain of coming to the Empire.a488686a0841bcab

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Thinking that such a young guy probably hadn’t been eating properly, Eddie suddenly stood up, dragging his chair, and headed to the inn’s entrance.c630877028e01128

Though Gerald was busy e685aea045 cooking inside, Eddie felt 4ff6539dea he should give Ketron a6aeb95739 something before that.d4de79ad0d8aa17f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

[Please take only one per person! Promise!]

Eddie took out a banana milk from the fridge set up at the inn’s entrance. It wasn’t much of a fridge, just a bag filled with ice, but it was meant for guests to freely take as they left the inn.1544ee3f1c66b28a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The note bfaf5c8f80 on the 284870a296 wall was fbef8df15a because people 7d06905304 often took 6ddf82b207 two or 499d664a7d three despite d989044535 the rule.306ec6724ca82de5

Running a business isn’t easy.49fc5659b2368c08

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Eddie skillfully tore e060c408d0 open a thin 1a988cfcad straw from the 382edb9b5c pile next to bde678e2d3 the fridge and 051628d842 stuck it into 79bfcb12b2 the milk before 16b338d46b handing it to d36655f4ec the dazed Ketron.ad693080323bae09

“Kiddo.”2b7e2a64a31e342e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…?”1f9dd6b5cf57094d

Ketron’s puzzled gaze shifted from the man calling him with an absurd nickname to the banana milk offered to him.f97edf3da6b704c5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Do you like sweet things?”50a9d0f7356bb820

An absurd nickname followed by an absurd question. Ketron’s expression momentarily twisted in bewilderment.fc50dc44e0614915

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator