Incompatible Interspecies Wives chapter 191

191 – Physical Contact (3)

As time passed, the members gathered in one place, staring at the blueprints that Arwin had brought.

There were many blueprints about numerous farming tools and unfamiliar equipment.

They even learned how to make tools that they knew about but never thought of utilizing.

Moreover, there were blueprints about waterwheels, windmills, and how to build reservoirs…

There was a lot of information on the facilities that the village had been lacking.

They couldn’t construct everything right away, but it was good to know these things for the distant future.

Arwin pointed to the villagers from the center.

“…But all of these are just blueprints. You need to understand that you have to adjust them slightly to fit the situation in Stockfin. For example, this plow blueprint is for an ox-drawn plow, but there are many horses in Stockfin, so…”

Her appearance reminded me of the time when we learned letters together in the past.

She had patiently taught me so much back then, too.

In return for her help, I had taught her archery.

All of that was now a distant memory.

Arwin continued her explanation, then looked at me.

And then she continued speaking as if to teach me as well.

“I understand that the land here is rough. As much as you need sturdier tools, don’t make everything out of wood, and if possible, it would be a good idea to melt iron and make farming tools out of it. It might be troublesome, but it will be more reliable.”

“…”

“…I hope this helps.”

It really reminded me of that time.

The only difference was that back then, we had taught and learned everything together, just the two of us.

At Arwin’s words, the members started to examine the blueprints one by one.

Some tilted their heads, some slapped their knees as if they had realized something.

Some continued looking at the blueprints with curious faces.

Everyone seemed to be connecting new thoughts in their minds.

Arwin left them to their thoughts and approached me.

“Verg?”

“…”

“…I haven’t seen the land of Stockfin yet. Could you show me the farmland?”

I nodded my head and began walking.

Baran and Gale followed me, but Arwin stopped them.

“I’ll be back soon, so please stay here. If you have any questions about the blueprints, feel free to ask me later.”

“…”

Everyone nodded at her words and stayed in their places.

.

.

.

Arwin quietly sighed as he looked at the cleared land.

“…A lot of trees have been cut down.”

He seemed to be surprised at the changes that had taken place.

I nodded and whispered a response.

“…We need to be able to make use of this land.”

Arwin replied to my words.

“We will be able to. If we use the blueprints I brought.”

I looked back at her, smiling lightly and said, “That’s right. I guess so. Thank you.”

“…”

Arwin blinked at me and then looked away.

Pointing at the distant land, she said, “Berg, can you take me there for a second? I want to check something…”

I nodded and started walking.

We walked on the rough, uneven ground that had been cleared.

“Oops!”

Then, Arwin stumbled and fell behind me.

She dusted off her legs, got up, and chuckled awkwardly.

“…I tripped for a moment.”

Seeing that she was okay, I started walking again.

“Oops!”

But after taking a few more steps, the same noise came from behind.

This time, she couldn’t get up so easily.

“…Are you okay?”

Upon hearing my question, Arwin smiled.

As if not wanting to worry me.

“…I’m fine.”

With that, Arwin stood up again, brushing the dirt off herself.

Blood was flowing from her knee as if it had hit a rock.

Seeing the blood, I said,

“… Let’s go back. You’re hurt.”

Arwin shook her head at those words.

Wiping the blood away with her sleeve, she said,

“It doesn’t even hurt this much. I’ve been tortured every day by the World Tree….”

“…..?”

“… Anyway, I’m fine.”

“…”

From No ble mt L dot c om

“We don’t have time to worry about such small things. Weren’t we supposed to focus all our energy on farming?”

I sighed and clicked my tongue. As I was about to follow Arwin’s suggestion and start walking again, I once more heard the sound of her struggling to maintain her balance.

She couldn’t keep her balance on the rough ground.

“…Why are you doing that?”

When I asked about her actions, Arwin lowered her head, seemingly embarrassed, and replied,

“… I’m sorry. I don’t know either.”

“…”

“… Berge, would you mind holding my hand lightly?”

She then asked me a favor.

“Please take me there…just to there.”

“…”

I didn’t hesitate for long.

I lowered my head to her.

Arwin questioned my response.

“… Is it not even allowed to do this now?”

“…”

“Berge, as I told you, I have no ulterior motives toward you anymore. You don’t have to be on guard so much…”

I looked down at the bleeding knee of Arwin.

And then I looked up at Arwin’s face again.

“… We’re friends.”

“…”

Even so, I didn’t hold her hand.

It wasn’t about expressing anger from the past.

It wasn’t that I was on guard against her.

Honestly, it was because of me.

Just being near her was enough to bring back memories of the past, and I didn’t want to do anything more.

Nothing would change between us.

“…”

Arwin laughed weakly at my actions.

“… I knew you wouldn’t do it.”

And she spoke bitterly.

Arwin got up from her seat alone, struggling to balance as she began to walk.

As she moved, she seemed to analyze the land.

“… The ground seems too dry, Berg. It used to rain more often two years ago… How has it been recently?”

“It comes often but dries up quickly.”

“Then there might not be any problem. At least there is a river nearby, so if any issue arises, we can start with a waterwheel.”

But instead, I couldn’t focus on her words.

I was more concerned about rejecting her suggestion earlier.

Arwin used to love holding hands. Especially when playing a con, she found comfort in the act.

But our relationship like that had ended, and we decided to stay as friends.

This was the distance we were supposed to get used to now. Facing her, I’m confronted with the reality I had hidden.

“… Nice.”

At that moment, Arwin whispered.

“…”

At my puzzled gaze, Arwin said.

“… The weather is still nice, though.”

Immediately after, she looked up at the sky, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

Belatedly following her actions, I looked up at the sky as well.

It was indeed a nice day.

It seems that I hadn’t noticed this either due to my recent deep concerns.

“…”

I also took a deep breath, following her.

As I gazed at the scenery, I spoke to her.

“Let’s go back if you’ve seen enough now.”

****

I visited the sickroom with Ner.

Newly infected with the plague, Shaun and Theodore greeted me.

“Captain. You’re here.”

“How is your body?”

“It’s good. The medicine that Ner gave seems to be working well.”

I looked at Ner upon those words.

Ner scratched her head and whispered.

“Ah… it’s still not enough. The medicinal effect varies from person to person… Both of you are healthy, so it’s okay.”

“…”

Suddenly, I realized that I was being stingy in expressing my gratitude to Ner.

Compared to Arwin, I had been sterner towards Ner.

There was a reason, of course.

Ner had been showing lingering feelings towards me, while Arwin didn’t. That was the cause.

But if, in the end, nothing would change, wouldn’t I be the one in the wrong?

Even if Ner does something to me, I wouldn’t break up with Sien.

Following my complicated thoughts, I turned my head back at Shaun’s question.

“How is Vernz doing?”

“He’s gotten much better.”

“That’s a relief.”

Vernz’s situation had improved a lot, being as healthy as he was.

The medicine that Ner had made was working well.

After briefly catching up, Shaun clicked his tongue and spoke.

“…I’m sorry, Captain. I can’t help because of the plague. I’m just resting like this.”

“Get well soon. That’s the best way to help.”

“…We have to subdue the thieves too. Are they still appearing these days?”

I answered with a smile.

“…Of course.”

Sean and Theodore laughed lightly.

The thieves were not a diminishing presence.

Soon after, Baran led his troops on a round of the fiefdom to deal with them.

-Tap tap.

At that moment, Ner grabbed the hem of my clothes and pulled me a few times.

“…Berg…Now…”

“…Okay.”

We didn’t look at the patient for long.

Under the time set by Ner, we were meeting the patients.

Thanks to the rules Ner had created, the infections among the nursing staff were significantly reduced.

“Then rest. We’ll go.”

“Yes. Be careful, Captain.”

– Thud.

We then left the room.

She and I were left alone in the hallway.

“…Berg.”

Ner called to me when we were alone.

Turning around, I saw Ner forcing a small smile.

“There’s still a lot to improve about the medicine. As you know, it’s a medicine that doesn’t work well on those who already have severe symptoms and weak bodies.”

It seemed like she was putting herself down, so I said,

“…Even so, it’s helping a lot.”

If giving medicine to someone who is already weakened made them better, that would be in the realm of miracles or magic.

Ner swallowed her saliva at my sincerity.

She slowly reached out with both hands.

“…If you think so… hug me just once.”

Again, she insistently demanded affection.

“…Ner.”

“To you, it really doesn’t mean anything, right? Look, I’m trying this hard. You can at least… at least hold me once.”

“…”

Ner watched with eyes that seemed wet, as if she would shed tears at any moment.

It seemed as if she was finally letting out some of the emotions she had been holding back for so long.

Knowing her, I could see how much she was struggling.

Ner continued.

“…I didn’t ask to be accepted as your wife again. I didn’t even ask you to divorce Sien. Just — just once… I just asked for something as simple as a hug… I’m risking my life helping you…”

I clenched my teeth and said to her,

“…Nothing will change because of actions like this.”

“I know that too. Thats why… hold me.”

I tightened my grip on my fist at that pitiful sight.

Her tribe, they say, loves only one person their entire lives.

Her past, the traits of her tribe – they all combined to make her even more pitiful.

Feeling of empathy combined with the current situation added more weight onto my shoulder.

It was too much for me, already carrying such a heavy burden.

I eventually let out a sigh in defeat, releasing all the tension in my body.

Hardened expression due to cautiousness also softened.

She widened her eyes upon seeing my reaction.

It has been a long time since I’ve shared my true feelings with her.

“…Ner.”

I reached out and grabbed her arm.

Ner, without showing any reaction to my gesture, looked up at me.

“The more you do this…the harder it is for me.”

“…”

“…So, stop.”

Ner slowly responded to my words, blinking her eyes.

Her captivating voice echoed in the empty corridor.

“You want to hold me…it’s just that it’s hard for you because you can’t, right?”

“…It’s hard to suppress your desires.”

“…”

“Just hold me, Varg. Please…”

I didn’t argue with her words.

It was a difficult moment even to peer into my own heart.

I reluctantly let go of her hand that I was holding onto.

And once again, I left her.