To You Who Will Destroy Me - Chapter 136

“There’s an old saying: the best way to understand a place is by visiting its market.”

“True enough,” Irel responded with a vague smile, tactfully ignoring the selfish undertones in Jin’s enthusiasm.

“Goodness, look at that! A giant scorpion on a skewer? Who would think of selling something like that?” Jin exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement as they wandered through the bustling marketplace of Al Los Condes.

He was completely absorbed in his surroundings, while Irel, feeling a bit weary from keeping up the conversation, quietly closed her mouth. With Irel no longer responding, Jin’s attention shifted to Phaesus.

“They’re also selling fried grasshoppers! Have you ever seen anything like it, Phaesus?”

Phaesus remained silent, his expression clearly showing his annoyance. A man of few words and even less patience for idle chatter, he looked as though Jin’s relentless talking might drive him insane.

But Jin, as oblivious as ever, wasn’t deterred in the slightest.

“Who would have guessed that Al Los Condes had such a vibrant market? Look at those colorful textiles! They say these are handcrafted by local women, each one a unique work of art. Isn’t it amazing?”

Phaesus cast a sideways glance, his face unreadable, but the heavy bags he carried in both hands spoke volumes. He alternated his gaze between Jin and Irel, and she quickly understood what that look meant.

He’s calculating the best way to kill him!

If not for the fact that Irel was Varkan’s fiancée, Jin would likely have already met his end at Phaesus’s hands. The man was known for his utter lack of patience or mercy.

“See those kids over there selling taffy candy? It’s famous around here for its delicious taste. Shall I buy some for you, Lady Irel? It’ll make the long journey ahead a little sweeter.”

“Oh, no, thank you. Actually, if we’re done shopping, why don’t we head back now?” Irel suggested, trying to change the subject before Phaesus’s murderous intent became reality.

“Ah, are you sure? Is that enough exploring? This might be our last chance to see Al Los Condes before we say goodbye forever.”

Say goodbye forever to more than just this city if you keep stalling! Irel thought, hastily grabbing Jin’s arm and steering him away from the marketplace. Finally, Phaesus’s expression softened, though only slightly.

“To change the topic, how far is it to Prust La Hill from here?” Irel asked, trying to diffuse the tension further. Their market trip was in preparation for the journey to Prust La Hill, after all.

“I hope it’s not too far. I’m worried we might run out of supplies along the way,” she added.

Jin tilted his head, a bit puzzled by the question.

“Wait, don’t you know, Lady Irel? I thought you’d be the one most familiar with its location.”

“…Pardon?”

“Prust La Hill is in the northern mountain region, close to the border. It’s adjacent to the Elorance Estate, which is, well… your territory,” Jin explained with a confused smile.

Oh no.

Irel felt her heart skip a beat. She’d been getting by in this world, but there were still moments when the gap between her knowledge and her reality became glaringly obvious—like right now.

“Oh, I wasn’t asking because I didn’t know,” she lied smoothly, forcing a graceful smile. “If we were leaving from the capital or my estate, I’d have no trouble estimating the time. But we’re in Al Los Condes, the southernmost region! How should I know how long it will take from here?”

“Ah, I see!” Jin seemed to accept her explanation easily enough, though he still looked uncertain.

“I’d say… about a week if we ride without rest,” came an unexpected answer.

Phaesus had spoken up, his voice gruff. “If we travel by carriage and take it slow, it’ll be closer to two weeks.”

“Thanks, Phaesus.”

Phaesus gave a slight nod before falling silent again. He wasn’t fond of anyone outside his small circle of trusted people, which included Varkan and a select few like Chellos. Though they’d spent plenty of time together, Irel’s standing with him remained at a neutral 60. Not great, but not terrible either.

Still, considering it’s Phaesus, that’s probably a sign of real affection.

Most others likely had negative approval ratings with him. Varkan and perhaps Chellos were the only ones who received anything resembling human treatment from him.

‘I wonder how Chellos is doing,’ Irel thought to herself.

The last time she saw him, his soft pink hair had grown long enough to brush against his shoulders. The delicate color always reminded her of cherry blossoms, and when he moved, it looked like petals gently falling. The longer hair suited him much better than when he used to keep it cropped short.

‘I miss him. And my family too.’

Perhaps it was the mention of her estate that stirred these feelings. Irel suddenly felt a wave of homesickness. And she was grateful to have the luxury of missing them now. There had been a time when such thoughts would only bring guilt and anxiety. She used to suppress her emotions, thinking, How can I, of all people, care for someone else’s family? It felt like she was an intruder, a thief who had taken over Irel’s body and now wanted everything that came with it.

But thanks to Bubble’s words, she had found peace. She realized that the love she felt for these people was genuine, natural, and her own.

‘Mother, brother, and father…’

Her father, Calver, especially came to mind. It had been a long time since she’d seen him. As a border margrave, his duties were tightly regulated by law, and after briefly visiting because of his youngest daughter, he had returned to his post at the frontier.

Maybe I’ll get a chance to see him when we go to Prust La Hill, she thought. Varkan would probably agree to such a request if she asked, but could she afford to take such a detour when she needed to recover the Breath as soon as possible? The urgency of the situation made her hesitate.

“Phaesus,” she said, breaking the silence after some thought.

“Is it true that Paulo Christopher went to Prust La Hill after completing his final work?”

“According to what Yan Louis found out, yes,” Phaesus replied.

“Why there of all places?”

“To see his old lover one last time before he died,” Phaesus explained.

“Oh my,” Irel said, touched by the unexpectedly romantic reason. There was something irresistible about an artist’s love story. Sensing her interest, Phaesus pulled something from his pocket and handed it to her.

“What’s this?”

It was a small locket necklace, tarnished by time, but still holding a faint gleam of its former beauty.

“It belonged to Paulo Christopher. He left it with someone in the village during his stay, saying that he wouldn’t need it anymore because he was about to reunite with his lover.”

Could there be a picture of his lover inside? Irel eagerly opened the locket, only to be disappointed.

“Oh no.”

There was indeed a picture, but the upper part of the face had been completely ruined by mold, leaving only long hair and a delicate jawline visible.

I was so curious about what the artist’s lover might look like…

The heart-shaped locket was beautifully and intricately crafted. It must have held a radiant image of the woman, her portrait lovingly preserved within.

“But how did you come by this?” Irel asked, wondering how such a cherished item could have been given away so easily. Surely, the person who received it would have treasured it.

Phaesus frowned slightly before replying, “They just handed it over.”

“Really?” Irel said, a little surprised, though her tone was casual.

Phaesus, however, seemed to misunderstand her curiosity as skepticism.

“I gave them a choice—either the necklace or their family’s lives. They chose the latter.”

“…”

That’s called a threat, Irel thought, her expression freezing.

“Good heavens.”

At that moment, Jin, still mesmerized by the vibrant marketplace, called out again, his voice full of admiration.

“Look at those beautiful glass trinkets, Lady Irel!”

“Jin, we should stop—oh?” Irel had intended to stop him, but she too found her gaze drawn to the sparkling array of glass ornaments. Jin, noticing her reaction, smiled brightly.

“Beautiful, aren’t they?” he asked.

“Yes, they certainly are,” Irel admitted, her eyes momentarily captivated by the array of colorful jewelry gleaming under the southern sun. The vibrant trinkets, displayed on a fabric-covered stall, shimmered with rainbow hues, catching the light in an enchanting way.

But…

“Would you like to buy something?” Jin asked.

“No,” Irel replied coolly. I prefer diamonds and pearls. Having already tasted the finer luxuries, she wasn’t easily swayed by simpler things. She turned her gaze away, but Jin remained fascinated.

“Well, I can’t resist. Bianca would love these! Mind if I take a quick look?” Jin asked eagerly.

“Sure, take your time. I’ll stay with you,” Irel replied, knowing she couldn’t stray far from her escort. Together, they approached the stall, and though Irel remained indifferent, Phaesus followed reluctantly, his irritation palpable.

“Which one do you think would suit her? Bianca has fair skin and dark hair, so she can pull off any color. This sapphire necklace is lovely, and that pink ring is quite charming too,” Jin mused, his excitement unshaken despite the brewing tension behind him.

“Oh, why not both? It’s not too expensive anyway,” Jin finally decided with a cheerful smile. Then, as if suddenly remembering, he turned and spoke to Phaesus with friendly enthusiasm.

“Brother, won’t you buy something too? A gift?”

Phaesus pretended not to hear, maintaining his stony silence. Holding back his growing frustration was already a herculean effort for him.

“Trust me, Risevras love these delicate and pretty things. They’re always weak for gifts like this,” Jin continued, undeterred by the lack of response. His perseverance was impressive, and it was that very persistence that had allowed him to survive in this dangerous world, despite his lack of combat prowess.

“Look, even Lady Irel showed some interest! It’s not about the price. It’s about the thought—about how you remembered her even while traveling all the way to Al Los Condes. I guarantee your Risevra would be thrilled. She might even run up and hug you!”

Phaesus’s neck visibly tensed, his patience hanging by a thread. Irel held her breath, expecting an outburst any second.

“…She’d better appreciate it,” Phaesus growled at last, throwing money onto the table with a loud thud. The startled vendor rushed over, wide-eyed at the sudden display of wealth.

“Uh, sir, what—?”

“Pack them up. All of it,” Phaesus snapped, his tone sharp.

“Pardon, my lord? I mean—”

“I said, wrap up everything from here… to here. All of it.”