The Attendant in the Horror Game C64

Chapter 64

One month later.

As the carriage headed south, the scenery changed. Barren ground gradually gave way to fertile soil, and instead of dry, withered branches, lush green passed swiftly by. The southern region—finally reached—was nothing like the snow-covered lands of the north.

“I guess we won’t need coats anymore.”

Unlike the north, where spring still carried a chill, the southern sun warmed the earth.

Stepping down from the carriage, Jade lifted his gaze to the sky. The sunlight was so bright he could hardly look straight at it. The northern sky had always been hazy, yet the southern sky stretched clear and cloudless.

That sky doesn’t look anything like Ian’s eyes.

The blue sky naturally reminded him of the pale northern heavens—tinged with cold gray. Though Jade normally loved bright, sunny weather, he felt a faint, unexplainable longing. It must be because of Ian.

“What’re you staring at like that? Shocked by the good weather?”

“Huh? Oh—yeah.”

“It’s warm like this all year round.”

Den lightly smacked Jade’s back with a grin. Jade smiled back and walked with him. Perhaps it was the relief of arriving safely in the south, but even his steps felt leisurely.

After spending a full month together, he had grown close to Den. His shoulder had almost completely healed as well. Most of Den’s clients were doctors and apothecaries, so Jade had been able to buy fresh ointment and clean bandages. The scar would remain, but his shoulder no longer ached when he moved it.

Jade had faithfully helped with Den’s work—handling every calculation, reorganizing the messy account books, and keeping records in proper order.

Once his shoulder improved, he even helped with heavy labor. After a month, Den began trusting him quite a bit. At some point, he even started giving Jade a share of the wages—and now he bought enough food for both of them.

“The south is incredible, right? Look at that olive grove. You won’t find something like that just anywhere.”

“Wow.”

Den proudly pointed to the vast olive groves stretching down the hillsides. Jade instinctively turned his head and let out a breath of admiration.

It made sense why Den strutted with such confidence. Rows of olive trees with deep green leaves lined the slopes. Whenever the wind blew, their leaves rippled like a wave of shimmering green.

There were vineyards as well—thick vines climbing sturdy supports, promising clusters of heavy grapes once summer came.

Wildflowers bloomed across the fields. Unlike the north, where flowers were scarce, the southern earth bloomed in a tapestry of colors.

“It’s a whole different world from the dreariness up north. Of course it is.”

“Really bright and lively.”

Perhaps because of the abundant sunlight, buildings were made of light-colored bricks that reflected the sun. Roofs were orange or red, giving the town a warm tone. People’s clothing was also bright and light.

“Are you from the south?”

Jade asked as Den boasted endlessly about the southern region.

Since they met in the north, Jade had assumed Den was from there—but clearly that wasn’t the case. Everything about his posture, the proud tilt of his chin, radiated hometown pride.

“Can’t you tell? Look—this beautifully tanned skin only happens if you’re raised under a strong sun.”

Den flexed an arm thick with muscle. Now that Jade knew he was southern, it all made sense. He fit every stereotype Jade had heard: solid build, boisterous personality, sun-darkened skin.

“Then why’d you go all the way up north?”

“Told you. The farther the herbs come from, the more money they fetch. Herbs from the north sell for at least five times as much down here.”

Den’s family had run an herbal shop for generations. He traveled far, selling herbs from all regions, and northern herbs—survivors of the harsh cold—were said to possess remarkable potency.

If Jade had known earlier, he would have sold herbs during his time at the villa. Especially after hearing that rare herbs filled the Elroban Forest and the mountains behind it—he nearly tore his hair out in regret.

“Haa…”

No matter how he thought of it, it was a missed opportunity. He could have left Ian with much more money.

Pushing aside the thoughts that threatened to resurface, Jade straightened his back.

“But, Den, are you sure it’s really okay for me to stay at your house? I can just find an inn—”

“It’s fine. There’s a spare room anyway. Why waste money? You’ve got none, yet you don’t even think to save it.”

Jade had planned to rent a room and look for a job once they arrived. The wages Den had given him were enough to cover about ten days of lodging and food.

But Den insisted he stay at his home. Even now, when Jade mentioned finding an inn, Den cut him off immediately.

“I just feel bad…”

“If you feel bad, then work. I need the help.”

Den’s herb shop was always short-handed. In truth, most of the south was that way—there were far more jobs than workers.

The south attracted travelers year-round. With so many tourists passing through, stores, olive farms, and vineyards constantly needed workers. However, since so many were temporary visitors rather than locals, they frequently lacked manpower.

For a fugitive like Jade, this was perfect. Crowds made him less noticeable, and most people here were outsiders like him. Inns were plentiful—ideal places to disappear into.

I wonder if he’s searching for me by now.

If Malderic was anything like the information Jade had read, he would be frantic—desperate to track down Ian and Jade. They had reached the furthest region from the north, yet unease lingered.

Only 13 years. I just need to survive 13 years.

Since a year had passed, Ian would now be thirteen.

According to the original setting, Ian would wipe out all collateral relatives at age twenty-six and seize the ducal seat.

Which meant Jade only had to survive until Ian turned twenty-six. After that, Malderic would die by Ian’s hand. Even if he wanted Jade dead, he wouldn’t have the power.

Yes. He only needed to stay hidden until then.

And Ian won’t be looking for me anyway.

Malderic would hunt Jade for failing his mission—but not Ian.

I never wronged him.

He had lied at the end, yes—but not in a way that would create deep hatred. They had lived together peacefully for months; Jade didn’t believe Ian would resent him enough to pursue him.

So once Ian became duke, Jade could finally stop running. By then, Ian would surely have forgotten a servant he briefly lived with in childhood.

Still… thirteen years felt overwhelmingly long. Could he really stay hidden that whole time?

“You need to keep him hidden around here.”

“Huh?”

Startled by the eerily accurate comment, Jade jerked his head around—only for Den to awkwardly point at Soondol nestled in Jade’s arms.

“Why’re you so jumpy? I mean that little Soondol or whatever.”

“Oh—right.”

Jade nodded.

He had already made clothes for Soondol. Along the way he had bought fabric and a sewing kit, stitching in the carriage to finish an outfit that perfectly concealed the wings.

Soondol now had full movement in his four legs while his wings remained hidden—a design inspired by pet clothes from Korea.

But it wasn’t as discreet as he’d hoped. People weren’t used to seeing animals in clothing, so they stared.

“Oh my, look at that cat!”

“Is that cat wearing clothes? How adorable!”

“Meow. M–meow.”

Two passing women giggled at Soondol. He once again produced the stiff, unnatural meow he had practiced.

The warm weather seemed to make southern people more talkative, more cheerful. Jade had hidden the wings specifically to avoid attention, but now Soondol drew more eyes than ever. So much for the effort of sewing clothes.

As Jade clicked his tongue lightly and lifted Soondol, Den—who had been giving the creature a side-eye—suddenly spoke.

“But really, you not planning on dating anyone? My sister’s pretty.”

“I told you, no.”

“She’s got terrible cooking skills and a rough temper, but she’s really pretty.”

“That’s fine, that’s fine. Give her someone better than me.”

Den had been trying to introduce his sister ever since they entered the south. He said he liked that Jade was surprisingly dependable and honest compared to other young men these days.

His actions supported that—he had taken exceptionally good care of Jade lately. His enthusiasm to bring Jade to his home likely came from the same place.

“You’ll regret it.”

“Sure, I’ll regret it. Still not interested in dating right now.”

Jade had never dated—not even in his previous life. He had never held a girl’s hand. Some kids started dating as early as middle school, but Jade had always been working part-time jobs instead.

Dating…

He used to dream of having a long, steady relationship before he died—but ever since landing in this world, the thought of romance had vanished completely. Perhaps raising two creatures like children had worn it out of him.

“You said you’re planning to find a job here, right?”

“Yeah. I want to.”

“Then why not just work as my assistant? Travel with me.”

Disappointed by Jade’s refusal to date his sister, Den now offered a job instead.

Truthfully, Den had offered this several times already. He traveled north twice a year, and the rest of the time he stayed in the south selling herbs. He promised good pay if Jade worked as his assistant.

It might actually be better for a fugitive. Without settling in one place, he’d be harder to track—and Linwood’s pursuers would struggle to pin him down.

But Den traveled specifically between the south and the north. And in the north was Ian.

No.

Every time they passed near the north, Jade would think of him. He would wonder how Ian was doing—whether he was warm, whether he ate properly. He would linger near the temple like a ghost. He would wonder how the villa looked now.

And above all, Jade had something he wanted to pursue.

“I want to work at a bakery.”