Starting a Reversal in Life From the Time of Release

10 – A World Where Women Handle Big Tasks (Part 1)

“Women were carrying wood on their shoulders? Is that really true?”

Alberto finished the explanation with a terrifyingly serious expression, grabbing my shoulders and raising his voice.

Just seeing his startled gaze was enough to tell that he was genuinely shocked.

“Yes, it’s quite astonishing, isn’t it…?” I replied hesitantly, and Alberto released my shoulders, still in shock, and stared at the floor in silence.

“I… I never really liked talking about my own experiences, you know?”

Before long, Mr. Alberto let out a disappointed sigh.

Though it was a somewhat abrupt start, his voice carried a deep sense of despair that weighed heavily on my heart.

“Yes. I only came here as an outcast with a false accusation,” he said.

“There was no other choice. Talking like this is a surefire way to be labeled as insane,” he replied in a rough voice.

He cleared his throat and raised his head.

There was a complexity of life melted in his eyes.

“This is the first time I’ve ever revealed this story since coming to this world. Will you listen?”

I nodded silently, waiting for him to continue, expecting a heavy story just from his tone and expression.

However, the tale that flowed from the lips of a middle-aged man who had been through all sorts of hardships was incredibly bizarre, just as he had forewarned me.

I was originally a beggar.

The story that started with those words was quite detailed.

He had joined an expedition to exterminate monsters but was pulled into a gate and ended up in a remote mountain. There, he encountered the Awakening Guild, a group that resided in the hidden village.

He claimed that he had worked there to survive and find a way back, but got caught up in a major dispute, landing him in prison.

I thought this story might be a delusion of Mr. Alberto.

Coming from a different culture was one thing, but I also doubted how he could be so fluent in Korean if his words were true.

“In a world so different… how did you learn the language?” I asked.

“Those who have Galia’s royal blood or are connected by marriage receive a blessing for language comprehension. It’s for effective communication as rulers,” he explained.

Is it really true?

While asking the question, I felt dizzy watching him answer without hesitation.

It was hard to distinguish whether it was a delusion or reality.

“What first confused me when I came to this world was that the roles of men and women were reversed. Women are the ones doing the heavy lifting and important tasks, while men take care of the household and focus on domestic matters.”

Furthermore, he seemed to struggle with words when describing a society where men and women lived in opposite roles.

I found it hard to believe Mr. Alberto’s words completely, but I had seen some scenes with my own eyes that could serve as evidence.

The women who effortlessly handled tough tasks were exactly as he described.

“I implore you. Will you not take me to the place where that gate is? I may not have confidence in fighting, but I can defend myself when it comes to avoiding danger,” he pleaded earnestly, taking my hand at the end of his long story.

He said that if I hadn’t brought up this topic, he would have lived and died this way, and his voice was filled with deep regret.

However, there was one thing that bothered me amid all of this.

The part where a gate appeared in the world where Mr. Alberto was.

The gates had been appearing for quite some time, but it was a phenomenon whose exact cause couldn’t be determined.

However, if a gate had also appeared on the other side… could there be some clues?

That thought crossed my mind.

In the end, I concluded that it was to determine the truth of what Mr. Alberto had said.

Also, to find a clue about the gate, I had to enter it.

While inside the gate, there was a possibility that the entrance could disappear, but the gate wouldn’t vanish unless the monsters inside were defeated.

This was a law that had been proven over a long time, and even in the case of a variant gate, there were no exceptions.

So, I could make the decision to enter.

Even if it turned out not to be true, as a hunter, I couldn’t pretend not to know.

“I will go with you.”

“Really… I’m so grateful.”

As we strengthened our handshake and nodded, Mr. Alberto shed tears of gratitude.

Looking back now, it was because of this that the conversation had felt awkward in common sense.

“Are we the only ones going?”

The next morning, two women who were packing up the tent and obstacles for voice training looked at me with puzzled expressions.

If the place beyond the gate was indeed Mr. Alberto’s hometown, it was best to have as few people as possible who knew about it.

We could deal with it later.

If word got out in the current situation, it would only cause trouble.

“Yes. I’ll stay a bit longer to stretch my body. You two can go back.”

It was quicker and more comfortable to speak in a commanding tone rather than adding various excuses to appear natural.

So, I cut my words firmly.

“Okay. What about that gentleman?”

“He will stay with me. He’s relaxed now, so there shouldn’t be any danger. He won’t go deeper either.”

“Really… Are you sure it’s okay?”

Seo Haneul put down a large backpack on the ground and asked.

“Yes, it’s okay.”

“Then… Be careful. Use your equipment as much as you want.”

Seo Haneul seemed to have a lot to say, but in the end, she left with just one warning.

This summer, as I watched, Mr. Jeokmul seemed determined to ask various questions, but he closed his mouth when a gust of wind poked his side.

It seemed like a warning not to ask unnecessary questions.

I turned my gaze away from the backs of the two people who were returning, leaving their backpacks behind.

It was the direction where I had seen the gate yesterday.

It was the direction where I had seen the gate yesterday.

If the gate had been as dangerous as any other, they would have taken me with them, but I was enough to go in alone.

After spending quite some time scouting, there were no monsters, and it was just peaceful.

“Really… I can’t see anything.”

After walking for quite some time and finally reaching a place with dense bushes, Mr. Alberto raised his head in surprise.

There was nothing convincing, even though we had passed through the same scenery all along.

“Yes. But…”

When I lightly flicked my finger into the air, causing a vibration, the air shook.

The vibration spread through the air and eventually started distorting at a certain point.

It was the place where there had been a round gate, suspicious enough to raise eyebrows.

“Um, really…”

When the circular blue gate that I had seen was unveiled, Mr. Alberto murmured in astonishment.

“Just to be safe, please be careful. Hold my hand tightly.”

I held Mr. Alberto’s hand tightly and stepped into the gate.

Just taking one step completely inverted the scenery.

The air that had a humid feeling felt refreshing now.

“Ah, ah…”

Mr. Alberto grabbed my hand and walked nervously.

Continuously, as if possessed by something, he kept walking forward.

We walked out of the shallow forest, walked on the ground.

Until we reached the village I had mentioned.

When the villagers saw us, they showed signs of vigilance.

It was natural for them to be wary of a stranger coming to the village.

However, amidst it all, I was bothered by the friendly light shining from them.

“Um…Is this the Galia Empire?”

“Yes, it is… Are you a merchant? Your attire is a bit peculiar…”

[Ah. Aah…! Finally, finally…!]

The woman who approaches the villagers, Alberto, and the large shovel held in her hand engage in an incomprehensible conversation.

The woman’s build is not significantly different from the women I have seen.

However, there is a noticeable difference in the muscles that seem to have been cultivated through field work.

All the women who rush in display the same.

The men have a strangely gentle atmosphere.

Their physique is similar to the average men I know, but there is a strong sense of neatness.

Not just one or two, but all of them.

Alberto continuously wept while kneeling in front of the woman, and the woman also knelt while releasing a guarded gaze.

Then, gently, she patted Alberto’s hunched shoulders and offered words of comfort.

Although I couldn’t understand the words, the atmosphere of her voice and gaze were the same.

It was similar to watching a man comforting a melancholic heroine in a drama.

“…I’m sorry. I sobbed without giving my due and burdened you.”

After crying loudly and having a long conversation, Alberto approached me.

He had wiped away his tears, but his eyes were still bloodshot.

“Are you okay? By the way… is it truly Alberto’s hometown?”

“I’m sure.”

He replied with a strengthened voice and discreetly sat down on the floor.

Then, like a young child, he began to draw something on the ground with his finger.

It was a map.

“Now, this place we are in is the territory of the Empire that I have taken refuge in. This is a map of the continent.”

He pointed at a certain point on the drawing that he had personally made.

“The current position we are in is this village. And the capital of the Empire is roughly around here.”

As he marked a new point, it seemed quite distant from the first point he marked.

“It’s quite far.”

“Yes. That’s why I’ve been thinking…”

After pointing at the current location with his finger, he drew a line downwards and spoke.

“By sea rather than land, it will be faster. That way, it will be quicker to relay information and ask for help in the fastest possible place.”

Seeing him smoothly discuss the plan of movement, it seems that this is where he originally belonged.

Although there were still some remnants of doubt, about half of them had been uprooted.

I nodded obediently and decided to follow Mr. Alberto’s plan.

“Alright then.”

“Hmm. I’ll go and talk to those people for a moment.”

Mr. Alberto stood up and walked towards the women he had been watching from afar.

I couldn’t understand what they were saying.

“It’s a bit uncomfortable not being able to understand. Is there no way?”

I complained to myself, feeling frustrated, fearing Mr. Alberto’s return.

I never imagined that not being able to communicate would be such a burden.

If I had known, I would have brought an interpreter artifact…

“Well… there’s no way for now. I’m really sorry. However, there should be wizards in the capital, so ask them to come up with a solution.”

“I guess I’ll have to stick closely with Mr. Alberto for the time being.”

“hehehe. Of course, you’re welcome.”

He chuckled and pointed towards the side of the village.

“If you go in that direction, you’ll find a place called White Count’s Territory. Let’s go.”

He naturally mentioned the term “count” as if it was nothing.

It was only strange and unfamiliar to me.

“How long do we have to walk?”

“I think it’ll take about two days to reach a small town. We’ll buy horses there and continue our journey.”

“What? How are we going to buy horses without money?”

“I’ll make a promissory note in the name of the royal family.”

I couldn’t believe it.

I sighed at the thought of me, a proud First Lady, resorting to borrowing money…

“Is that even allowed? I don’t think they’ll believe us.”

“It should be alright. As you know, pretending to be a member of the royal family is a crazy thing to do.”

“That’s true.”

Impersonating the aristocracy who govern the country is a major crime.

So if we were caught, we would lose our lives at the hands of the Imperial household, but we would also receive some compensation from them.

“Will the royal family take responsibility themselves?”

“They have been doing so for a long time. It’s to make up for the incompetence of their rule and leave a good impression.”

I nodded without realizing it, feeling a certain reason in his words.

Walking like this in an unfamiliar land, camping.

I walked forward, feeling the distance and confusion that Alberto must have felt.