Chapter 65
Ruan handed Ralph an old bundle of papers and said:
“These are records left by Conrad Weiss, a physician who traveled around the country researching the erosion disease. Although he wasn’t from Reinke, he saw potential in the frost grass and ripple herb native to Reinke, so he settled here and continued his research until his death.”
This physician, who had lost his son to the erosion disease, was said to be extremely passionate about finding a cure. Even Ralph from “Tales of the Sirah Empire” had reached Reinke by following the traces of his numerous records on the erosion disease.
And as a result of efforts that consumed his entire life:
“He eventually succeeded in creating a cure for the erosion disease. However… he passed away right after confirming that his cure could completely heal the erosion disease, so he couldn’t announce this fact. The records of the cure’s composition and the process to complete healing were preserved as his belongings by his neighbor and friend.”
While Ruan continued his explanation, Ralph was examining the bundle of papers with trembling hands.
Watching this, Ruan thought about Ralph’s reaction when he heard the “Ralph’s unrequited love theory.”
Honestly, when he brought up that story, Ruan thought Ralph would be genuinely displeased. It wasn’t just unrequited love, but a misunderstanding about having unrequited love for someone of the same sex.
Ruan knew that in such situations, most heterosexual men would express displeasure, or in severe cases, anger.
‘Even in this fantasy world, same-sex love isn’t free from taboo, so it should be the norm here too.’
In fact, until he saw the reactions of those around him to the Grand Duke’s scandal, Ruan had thought that perhaps this fantasy world had a social atmosphere that wasn’t discriminatory towards same-sex love.
After all… everyone was shocked that Ruan’s love interest was the Grand Duke, but they didn’t say much about the Grand Duke being male.
When he showed the headbutting scene to his brother Joachim and realized what kind of misunderstanding he might have had, or when he faced the Daen family after the scandal with the Grand Duke spread, Ruan was extremely nervous inside.
As “Kim Ha-jin,” he couldn’t know what Ruan Daen’s original sexual identity was, but the situation was that rumors about their son being gay had spread throughout the neighborhood. He could easily guess what emotions this fact might evoke in them, so he faced the Daen family members with great tension.
But the Daen family members, whom he met with such gravity, naturally passed over the fact that the rumored love interest of their son was of the same sex, and only expressed shock and concern that their son was dating “that Grand Duke.”
Everyone around them only said, “How can you date that Grand Duke?” without a single word of “Were you gay?”
With everyone focusing solely on the point of “Dating that Grand Duke!” Ruan naturally thought, “Oh, is the fantasy world a bit different?”
But soon, Ruan also learned.
Such reactions from the Reinke people were… because to them, Dietrich Reinke was an object of awe, not someone whose gender should be questioned—like running away when encountering a Tyrannosaurus on the street before thinking about whether it’s male or female—and it stemmed from their affection for Ruan.
He learned that this world also only allows legal marriage between opposite sexes, and there are plenty of people who look askance at homosexuals.
The dwarves… are a race that considers all love important regardless of gender, so they’re different. The Grand Duke, who is the subject of rumors about dating a man but doesn’t think much of it, is an exception because he’s a cat who doesn’t care at all about what humans think of him, but Ralph is someone who deeply interacts with the people of this world.
Ralph’s reaction after learning that he was being misunderstood as “having unrequited love for someone of the same sex” felt quite unexpected.
As Ruan was staring at the dog werecreature who was eagerly examining the records with an expression full of emotion, Ralph finally raised his head after scrutinizing the records to his satisfaction.
“Ruan, you’re really… amazing. To be so interested in medicine that you’ve unearthed such materials even though it’s not your field.”
Ruan felt a slight pang of conscience at Ralph’s sincere admiration with his innocent face.
‘Actually, the one who really unearthed this was Ralph Steiner from “Tales of the Sirah Empire,” who persistently dug into the traces of a physician who disappeared a generation ago…’
But he couldn’t be completely honest, so Ruan voiced the excuse he had prepared in advance.
“I was bedridden for a long time due to a severe injury. During that time, I became close to the physicians, and one day I happened to hear about an outside physician who suddenly appeared in Reinke and ended up being buried here. After hearing the story, I became interested and decided to look into it.”
Although it was an excuse, except for the very last sentence, it was more or less true.
Ruan had to stay in bed for quite a long time even after regaining consciousness, and during that period, the people he encountered most, besides the Daen family members, were inevitably physicians.
The physician, who loved to talk like a typical Reinke person, told many stories to Ruan, who had completely lost his memories.
‘And among those stories, there was definitely one about Conrad Weiss. At that time, I was too overwhelmed to realize that he was the person who had created a cure for the erosion disease.’
Ruan’s eyes hardened slightly as he recalled the series of hardships during the early days of his possession.
The body that had been unconscious for a long time after sustaining a severe injury was painfully aching. Falling into a strange world overnight, not knowing what was what, and moreover, occupying the body of a stranger without even wanting to, feeling like he would go crazy with guilt every time he saw his family.
Really…
‘I wondered how on earth I was going to handle this…’
Having somehow made it through that period and now living well, adapted to life as Ruan Daen of Reinke, he felt a renewed sense of emotion.
The fact that he could end up like this was largely thanks to the unwavering support of the Daen family and the Grand Duke, who became a place for his heart in this strange world.
Through them, Ruan learned that there are relationships that make a person’s footing solid even if they can’t directly solve problems, and that a person with a firm place to stand gains the strength to solve problems.
While Ruan was thinking about this:
“You must have been very ill… to the point where you couldn’t even move. You must have suffered a lot…”
Ralph, with his tail drooping after wagging it, said with a gloomy face.
Since the story wasn’t meant to make the gentle dog werecreature gloomy, Ruan hastily waved his hands.
“No, there’s no need to worry. My family took the best care of me, so it wasn’t that difficult. I’m just grateful to my family.”
Ruan remembered how devoted the Daen family had been to him during the period when he couldn’t properly function as a person.
‘I really caused them a lot of trouble.’
As Ruan smiled bitterly, Ralph, who was staring at Ruan with wide eyes, said:
“Your family members must be grateful that you’ve become so healthy like this.”
Ruan looked into the conviction firmly built with solid affection that filled the pitch-black eyes for a moment.
Then, without realizing it, he smiled with an expression similar to Ralph’s.
“I hope so.”
He wanted to be a joy to them, not a burden or pain.
Thinking about the power given by the eyes of that kind dog werecreature, Ruan suddenly remembered something he had forgotten.
“By the way, there aren’t many days left until you return to the capital, Guild Master.”
The contract had been established, and the work of outlining the business was being finalized. The Steiner Guild’s work in Reinke was coming to an end.
Now it was time for Ralph to return to the capital for other business.
At the reminder of the impending farewell, Ralph said with a gloomy air:
“That’s right… The hunting festival season is also approaching.”
The Steiner Guild and Reinke side had designated the hunting festival, the biggest event held in autumn, as the time to first showcase the dwarf-made products.
They judged it to be the perfect time to introduce the products, as most nobles gather during this period, and they could also show weapons made from monster by-products.
Ralph needed to go to the capital before the hunting festival season started to lay the groundwork for formally showcasing the monster products.
Ruan, watching Ralph whimper softly, suddenly said:
“It’s a bit sad to think that I won’t see you for a long time, Guild Master.”
While Ralph’s stay in Reinke had been busy with various events… it was also true that he had grown quite fond of him in that short period.
How could one not grow fond of a dog werecreature who exudes affection from every part of his body?
‘His presence was so huge, it will feel empty for a while after Ralph leaves.’
Ruan thought this as he stroked the head of Ralph, who was pressing against him, saying that he would really miss him too.
