**Chapter 57: Interlude in Chaos (Part 4)**
“Look at those little girls, not letting me trim a flower or water a tree, as if I’d snap those precious little things in half! I grew up in the wilds, for crying out loud! How could I not take care of some flowers and plants? Now, all I do is eat and sleep, and it’s driving me crazy with boredom…”
“Granny, they’re just worried about your age, and don’t want you doing all the hard work.”
Barry plopped down beside the old lady, chuckling as he patted her back. “Didn’t you hear that herb master say you need to take care of your health? No heavy labor, no catching cold, and definitely don’t stress over anything. Just stay at home and relax…”
“We’re not lacking anything now, so you don’t need to worry. Tomorrow, when the weather’s better, I’ll take you out to the city for a stroll. We’ll hit the busiest places, eat whatever you want. If you’re worried Little Shay doesn’t have enough clothes, we can just find a tailor and spend a few coins to whip her up some new ones.”
“No way, no way!”
The old lady nudged her grinning grandson with her shoulder, pushing him away as she grumbled, “What’s there to see in this city? It’s a sea of people! I don’t know a single soul! Last time I was so bored, I strolled down the street to buy some fruit. There was this tiny little stall, and you should’ve seen the Boss Lady’s shifty eyes…she looked at me like I was some thief trying to swipe her produce, and boy, was she rude!”
“You know, at my age, I still have to watch out for those nasty faces when I step outside? Complaining that I can’t speak clearly and waving me away like I’m some pest… No matter how fancy this city is, or how grand the buildings are, people’s hearts are cold. It’s not worth it; why would I go out and deal with that nonsense?”
Granny Claire got angrier as she spoke, and Barry kept stroking her back, his grin fading. “Granny, when did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? You could’ve told Brother Rect, and he could’ve sent some guards to take care of it. Who dares to bully you? I’ll go find them and give them a piece of my mind…”
“Calm down! What would you even do? Are you trying to stir up trouble or what?”
The old lady scolded him sternly. “It’s all in the past. I don’t want to fuss over those people, so don’t you go making a scene. If Rect brings guards to sort them out, what would that make me? A pushy old hag? Isn’t that just as bad as those nasty folks?”
“Those boys in the house are all fierce warriors protecting the country. They’re busy all day. If they can find time to look after us and even teach you swordplay, they’re doing more than enough! Don’t cause them any more trouble, especially don’t drag your sister into this. We don’t want people thinking we’re just some bumpkins stirring up trouble everywhere!”
With that, Barry lost his fight and went quiet.
Watching his granny continue to stitch the dress with her rough, calloused hands trembling, he opened his mouth but couldn’t stop himself. “Then let’s go out tomorrow! With me around, nothing will happen! I’ll rent a War Chariot, and we’ll explore everywhere together. I’ll buy you anything you want! You shouldn’t be making that dress anyway; it’s not necessary! We can just buy it! And since it’s cold, you need to try on some new warm clothes too! Don’t worry, I’ve got money.”
“You’ve got no money.”
Granny Claire lifted her head and shot him a glare. “That’s not your money; that came from people giving me a tip because of Little Shay! I didn’t ask for it, and you just took it without a second thought…good-for-nothing!”
“Heh heh.” Barry scratched his head with a silly grin. “Well, we’ll make a deal.”
But the old lady just wouldn’t cooperate. “You need to pay those people back, got it?”
“Got it, got it…”
“You return it yourself; don’t come asking me. I’ll be asking Rect about it later.”
“Granny, you’re so naggy.”
Before long, Barry went downstairs to check the fire in the kitchen, turning it down a notch. After simmering the concoction for about twenty minutes, he fished out the medicine from the pot. He added more water and let it simmer for another twenty minutes…
By the time he brought the completed potion out, it was already dark outside. He found Ryan in the living room, who had just finished showering. They exchanged a few playful jabs before heading upstairs together.
Outside on the terrace, they could vaguely hear chatter and laughter from the garden below. It sounded like Doug, Ryan’s father, had come back from work and was already bragging to the pretty little maids next door. Ryan peeked out and commented, “Looks like Lily and the others are bringing dinner…wow, I think we’re having fish tonight!”
Barry didn’t reply, and they immediately pushed open the door to Granny Claire’s bedroom. Barry burst in and called out, “Granny, I brought your medicine! After you drink this, we can go downstairs to eat…”
But before he could finish, he froze at the door.
Granny Claire was slumped against the bed, clutching her chest, half-finished dress gripped tightly in her right hand, lips turning blue, pallor spread across her face, struggling and gasping for breath.
“Granny Claire!”
Ryan reacted first, rushing toward the old lady, his shout startled Barry so much he nearly dropped the pot of medicine. The two scrambled to her side, with Ryan kneeling to support her. “Oh no, Granny can’t breathe! Barry, go get someone—”
“Go!!”
…………
In the Silgaria Republic, on the southeastern border.
When the scruffy swordsman finally opened his eyes, it was already noon outside.
He took his time getting out of bed, wearing a thin linen nightgown, and with a tousled mop of hair, he rubbed his forehead and shuffled over to the round table in his room. He shook his head and poured out a bottom-of-the-bottle rum, downing it in one go, letting out a satisfying “Ah,” feeling a bit more awake.
With a loud bang, the door was kicked open, and in walked a fiery red-haired woman with curves that could stop traffic. She saw him drinking and her face instantly soured.
“Carlos, you’re going to drown in alcohol one day.”
“No, I choose to d*e on a woman’s belly,” the man shrugged nonchalantly. “Got anything to eat?”
“Nothing!”
The woman rolled her eyes, but then replied, “I bought some bread from down the street this morning and saved some for you. Go downstairs and eat it yourself.”
“Bread? Shouldn’t there be a huge spread of hot dishes and soups? Leah, since when did you get so lazy?”
Carlos, the audacious man, couldn’t help but sass back, and with that, he readied himself for the inevitable attack. However, the fiery Lapria didn’t plan to bother with him at all. She turned and left the room.
Carlos blinked in surprise and hurried after her.
“You’re not mad? Huh? You’ve changed today?”
“If I kept arguing with someone like you, I’d probably d*e before you do… I don’t want to kick the bucket before you because then there’d be nobody to dig your grave and attend your funeral.”
“Ah ha ha.” Carlos chuckled awkwardly, “Well, you’re so good to me, Leah. I knew you were the one who’d stick with me through thick and thin.”
“Hmph.”
The woman snorted dismissively. “Say that again when you see your little lover.”
