Chapter 19: Sentimental?

After the landlord’s assault, I had no mood to work. I just curled up on the bed, hugging my two egg babies, lost in a daze.

Dazing off, I fell asleep—and when I woke, it was around eight or nine at night.

I blinked, glanced out the window at the deep night, and got up to approach the door. Looking at the landlord’s massive body, still collapsed for hours, I felt no pity and activated the tiny magic array in his brain.

His bulky frame twitched, then rose like a zombie.

I opened the door, and he staggered out as programmed, heading to the slums to fall into a ditch in about an hour.

“Phew… handled.”

Watching his hulking form leave and descend the stairs, I sighed in relief.

But I couldn’t let my guard down.

He had a family, and others likely knew he came to collect rent. His disappearance would draw suspicion to me—but I’d prepared an excuse. Besides, I’m just a “weak girl,” right? No one would believe I killed him.

“Now, I’ve got a full three hundred silver coins… Hmm… enough for a low-mid-tier magic crystal?”

I scratched my head, eyeing the three coin pouches on the table, feeling conflicted.

I’m clueless about current prices.

The kids need at least low-mid-tier crystals, and higher-grade ones later. My old sense of costs is useless, and Su Mengmeng never learned about this.

“Guess I need to visit the exchange to check crystal prices… and get some adventuring gear.”

Out of habit, I touched my chin, expecting to tug a beard, then remembered—I’m a girl now, not the man I was.

I sighed, shook my head, and prepared to bathe and sleep. Today’s lost earnings would have to be made up tomorrow.

But the next morning, as I slept groggily, loud knocking jolted me awake.

“…?”

Confused, I opened my eyes, sensing five or six people at the door. I snapped awake.

“What’s going on?”

I hid the egg babies, got out of bed, threw on a cloak to cover most of my exposed body, and pattered barefoot to the door.

“Coming, coming… stop knocking…”

I called weakly, feigning frailty, unlocking the door and peeking through a small crack, acting like a cautious girl.

I saw a worried woman and five fully armed soldiers.

“…W-What’s this about?”

I blinked, asking softly.

From Su Mengmeng’s memories, I recognized the woman as the landlord’s current wife.

She looked about thirty, frail, a stark contrast to the unsettling landlord.

“Miss Su Mengmeng, we’re from Black Obsidian City’s security team. We have questions. Please answer truthfully.”

A soldier spoke, stepping aside.

“Um… Su Mengmeng, yesterday… my husband said he was coming to collect rent, but he hasn’t returned by this morning… Did he come here?”

The landlord’s wife looked at me, clearly familiar with me as a tenant, and asked.

“…He came. I paid the hundred silver coins I owed, and he left.”

I blinked, responding.

“The hundred silver coins, I paid them…”

“Is that so…”

She looked at me with a complex expression.

Seeing the group, I decided to say no more—talking too much risks slipping up.

“If there’s nothing else… I’d like to rest. I just gave birth not long ago.”

I spoke slowly, moving to close the door.

“…I understand. Thank you for the information.”

She paused, then gave a slight bow.

“And, Miss Su Mengmeng, a reminder—there’ve been multiple disappearances in the city lately. Be careful, living alone…”

“…Got it.”

But just as I was about to shut the door, she added this.

Her bow and warning suddenly made my heart ache.

I closed the door.

“…Did I… destroy a family yesterday?”

Leaning against the door, I froze, the thought hitting me.

I didn’t know much, but by her age, she likely had kids, right?

Killing the landlord… was that the right choice?

He tried to harm me, but with my strength, I could’ve subdued him instead… Yet, for convenience, I killed him.

Did that mean I ruined a family? He wasn’t like the six mercenaries—wild dogs living by the blade. He was a married man.

“…Tch! Why am I getting sentimental? I didn’t hesitate yesterday! It’s Su Mengmeng’s influence, definitely!”

I stood there, then smacked my head, snapping out of my spiraling thoughts.

I did nothing wrong! He threatened my life, so I had to kill him!

All I care about is myself and my kids. Nothing else!

I thought firmly, took a deep breath, and prepared to start today’s potion-making.