22 – Episode 2. The Way to Regain the Favor of the Dark-Souled Lady (Complete)
“Are you okay?”
Sitting next to the sprawled Lina, he spoke. She, with an unconventional charm unbecoming of a noble lady, sighed deeply.
“You were willing to roll until you die, and now you’re comforting me?”
“Even if the body recovers from fatigue, the pain felt during training doesn’t disappear completely.”
“If you knew, couldn’t you have been a bit gentler?”
“Wouldn’t you be dissatisfied then?”
“Well, yeah.”
Lina nodded in agreement.
“But it feels more comfortable moving here than in Spon. Is it because of the fresh air?”
Thanks to the purification water from Magi.
“Do everything you can and want to do now. If you experience things that are possible for you to do after growing up, you won’t lose your direction later.”
“Just tell me the next step, then?”
“You have to develop based on what I tell you. If I tell you everything, what’s the point?”
“Stubborn.”
Lina pouted. In my heart, I wanted to guide her from start to finish, but since I didn’t know everything properly, I had no choice.
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“Evening is coming, but… I don’t want to get up.”
“I’ll have something prepared separately.”
As dinner time approached, Clara and Pors were already ahead. Clara seemed to want to go with me, but because of Lina, I had no choice but to move my feet.
I should meet up with her later.
“…Hey, you know.”
“Yeah?”
Lina sat up, untied her hair bound in one place. The blonde hair flowed freely as if breaking free from confinement.
“Why did you offer to help?”
“…I said I wanted to see a genius getting frustrated.”
“Besides that obvious reason. There must be another.”
“Obvious? It’s sincere, you know.”
Lina stares at me without saying anything. She presses me to speak honestly. I wet my upper body and touch the ground with my hands.
“Just… I just don’t want to see your efforts being unjustly denied. Princess Mine doesn’t care about you.”
Based on the information I know, I crafted a plausible reason. Then her eyes widened.
“You… overheard the conversation between me and Princess Mine?”
Well, not exactly overheard, more like eavesdropped.
Since it’s a part I read in the novel.
The reason why Lina is obsessively attached to Mine is not just because of her grandparents.
Lina sees Mine as a rival, but Mine does not see Lina as a rival. Mine treats Lina as an ordinary person, no different from others.
Lina, dismissing the story that she will definitely beat her next semester, says something like “That… might not mean anything. Do as you please.” Like a noble who dismisses such talk.
That should be enough.
—
“The princess is so high and mighty that she doesn’t even bother to look at the people below. Doesn’t that annoy you?”
“It does annoy me, but… even so, it doesn’t benefit you in any way.”
“Do people always have to act with some kind of benefit in mind?”
“Well, normally, people don’t do things that don’t benefit them.”
That’s true.
In a way, helping Lena is also driven by a quest, to change the public’s perception.
But I had to package it nicely for Abel’s renewed image.
“I can’t stand seeing my people being criticized.”
“My people…”
“That’s why, if I’m going to help, I want to do it decisively.”
“Well… I’m the one doing it, so helping is only natural, right?”
“Uh… yeah… helping you is only natural.”
I chuckled and got up from my seat. Then, I reached out my hand to the sitting girl.
“Let’s go wash up and have a meal.”
“Okay.”
Lena firmly held my hand and stood up.
“We have to do this again tomorrow, so how abou… whoa!”
It seemed she had stepped on a fragment of a wooden sword and stumbled into me.
Looking down at Lena leaning against my chest with her hand on it, I couldn’t help but find it quite a cliché, straight out of a typical romantic comedy.
Why is this appearing in a medieval fantasy?
“Are you okay?”
“Ah… y-yes…!”
She, lifting her head with a puzzled, squeaky movement, hastily pushed me away. I staggered back, barely regaining my balance.
“Do you really not want me touching you?”
“No! It’s not that…!”
She, lips quivering a few times, spoke in a hesitant voice.
“That… I’m worried about the… smell. I’ve been sweating all day…”
I chuckled, looking at her unable to raise her head due to embarrassment.
“Anything is fine with your scent.”
“Don’t say weird things! What’s wrong with you, acting like a pervert!”
“Is it not okay in front of you?”
“…What are you saying, fool.”
Luckily, she doesn’t seem too uncomfortable.
Whether Lena’s feelings changed a lot over the past few days, or she had a liking for Abel from the beginning, I don’t know. But it’s not a bad reaction.
“So, is it fine if I walk about ten steps away?”
“Do you want me to die?! I don’t smell that bad, you know?!”
“What’s wrong with dying? Don’t be so undignified.”
“It’s because you keep saying weird things!”
“I don’t think I said anything weird.”
“I don’t know! I’m going!”
“Let’s go together.”
It was a moment when I tried to follow Lena, who was walking briskly. The quest window, which had suddenly shrunk, expanded, and the quest completion mark appeared.
[Abel’s Embrace 1/1]
A hollow laugh escapes at the condition that has been achieved so easily. Could it be counting that as an embrace too?
It was a pathetic moment when I, who had been foolishly timing everything, felt ridiculous.
* * *
Since then, Lena has broken through countless trials in Porse.
She kneeled many times, rolled on the ground repeatedly. It was an extremely harsh process for a noble lady to go through, but Lena, as if ignited with determination, boldly rushed in.
Days passed like that.
“Spawnryu— ‘Repelling Strike.'”
Thud!
Avoiding the descending strike of Porse, she aims for the side of the sword. The combination of Cheongsan Yusu and Spawnryu creates a smooth counter-attack.
Porse’s arm swings widely, and his body sways.
“Oh…!”
Thud!
“Ugh!”
Lena’s throat sword touched Porse’s side. He staggered backward, holding his side, and let out a short groan.
As the sparring continued, it seemed she had reached the point where she could withstand Porse’s attacks and deliver her own.
“I, I got him…!”
Lina looked at the wooden sword with a voice filled with joy. Then, she turned her head with a bright smile, looking at me. In a gesture of approval, I raised my thumb.
“…Impressive growth speed.”
“It was just a coincidence. I kept clashing, and eventually, I saw glimpses of Duke Porth’s swordsmanship.”
“hahahaha. Usually, people don’t see that. You’re remarkable.”
Rather than nursing his wounded pride from the spar, Porth smiled and complimented Lina. It was truly the composure of an adult.
“May I continue the training?”
“Of course.”
They sparred a few more times, but there was no repeat of the one-hit wonder from earlier. However, the experience of facing Porth once had become the stepping stone for Lina’s growth, allowing her to pressure him threateningly several times.
By the time the training was over, the sun was quietly setting.
“Abel, sir.”
“What is it, Porth?”
“How much did you know about Lady Lina’s talent?”
“What do you mean?”
“From my perspective, Lady Lina’s current talent seems to be on par with Princess Mina.”
“That might be accurate.”
Considering only talent, they might be on the same level. The only difference was the time it took for each to reach this point—they both stood as swordmasters.
“Is that so? Your eye for talent is quite similar to the Duke’s.”
“You flatter me. By the way, the purge of the Verel Sect is tomorrow, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“How are the preparations?”
“I’ve done them diligently, so it should be fine.”
“I hope no one gets hurt and everyone comes back safely.”
While I would like to help until the end, I’m not going to the scene myself, and unless a quest comes up, there’s nothing I can do by going along.
“If Abel says so, it will definitely be as he says.”
“I’ll trust and wait.”
“By the time I return, Abel will probably have gone to the Academy in Pherator.”
“That’s true.”
The headquarters in Sirius territory is not small, and because it’s scattered all over, it naturally takes a long time.
“If you feel regretful, write a letter.”
“It might be nice to receive a letter from Namjeong.”
“That’s true.”
Pors and I exchanged a bland smile.
* * *
Time passed quickly, and soon it was the day for Pors to embark on the punitive expedition. Not long after, it was the day for me to go to the Academy. Lina had gone back to Spawn to pack her belongings.
“In the process of going to the Academy, several knight escorts will accompany. Some servants will also go together.”
As we stopped by Houston’s office just before departing for the Academy, he said that.
“Understood.”
“Since you’ve been there for a year already, there’s probably no need for anything special, right?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t get into an accident.”
He said, writing something on the documents.
“…I’m not a kid forever. Father.”
“Yeah. If recent appearances are any indication, there’s probably no need to worry.”
It seems recent displays have been quite pleasing. Especially when he covers the past and speaks kindly.
“Greetings are done, so depart on time by yourself.”
“Before that, I have one question.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about Bemoni Village. I heard that the reporters who investigated that place have returned.”
“Bemoni Village…?”
The ink pen, which had not stopped since I entered, finally came to a halt for the first time. The head that was bowed is lifted. He stared at me expressionlessly for a while and then let out a heavy sigh.
“They say the village turned to ashes. Even though they searched for survivors, they couldn’t find any. It seems like the news didn’t reach until now because it’s in a remote location.”
“…Is that so.”
I thought that if I go there, I might find out why Clara became a witch, but it’s a pity.
In the novel, it might be known how Clara became a witch, but since there was no description of how she got infected with magic, it was necessary to know that information.
However, it seems difficult to find out who took the initiative from the side of Beral.
At times like this, it would be really helpful if the quest could provide information.
I had that thought, but the quest showed no response. I sighed softly and opened my mouth.
“Does Clara know about that fact?”
“I still don’t know. But I’ll find out someday.”
The parents who secretly took her out of the village to save herself must have been living there…
When Clara finds out about this, she will surely be shocked.
“For now… please let me know when you have more detailed information.”
“Got it.”
“And regarding Clara, I ask you to do as I mentioned before. Don’t just succumb to the power of the church for no reason.”
Houston had already asked in advance to ensure Clara wouldn’t fall into the hands of the church.
“Huh. Are you ignoring me?”
“I’m just saying it out of caution.”
“…If Priest Chugyeong sees the sacred power Clara possesses, he will be dumbfounded. It’s a shame you won’t be able to see that ridiculous face of his.”
“I suppose so.”
If it were modern times, I would have asked for a photo or something.
“Then I’ll be off.”
“Alright.”
Leaving the study, I headed straight to the mansion entrance. Carrie was smiling happily, and Clara was standing somewhat awkwardly, waiting for me.
“Have a safe trip.”
She smiled and kissed me on the forehead.
“You’re not a kid, you know.”
“To me, you’re always a kid.”
I accepted Carrie’s affection with a wry smile.
“Ah… Abel-nim.”
Clara smiled in response to my call, but there was a somewhat wistful expression on her face.
“Are you leaving today?”
“Yes.”
“…Can I not go with you? As a servant or something.”
Honestly, it’s better to stay at the Duke’s residence with Clara and raise sanctity than to go to the academy together. Not only is the Duke’s mansion much safer in terms of security, but there are countless people in the academy who can sense mana and sanctity that I can’t. I couldn’t help but be conscious of the gazes around me.
While contemplating such thoughts, the quest window suddenly responded, revealing additional information.
It stated that carrying a branch of Magi Purification Water would enhance sanctity just by having it on the body. Although I can’t unfold the sacred territory, it suggests that Clara’s growth can continue.
Is this quest telling me to take Clara to the academy?
The academy holds considerable significance even in the novel. It’s a place where Abel solves demons, and it’s also a target for attacks by devil worshipers.
Taking Clara there must be helpful in some way.
“…Coming to the academy is possible, but not right now. People from the sect are supposed to come in a few days, so you need to show them your sanctity.”
“Is that so…”
Clara, who openly expressed disappointment, regains her composure.
“But after the people from the sect visit the Duke’s residence and leave, write me a letter. I’ll make arrangements for you to come as soon as possible.”
“Really?”
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“Yeah.”
I’m not sure about the intention of the quest, but it won’t hurt to be prepared.
“hehehe. Alright, I understand.”
I finished preparing and stepped into the carriage in front of the mansion.
“Stay healthy until we meet again.”
“If someone sees us, they’ll think it’s been years.”
After patting Clara’s head, I got on the carriage. It departed immediately. Through the window, Clara waved her hand to see me off.
I knew I had to deliver some bad news to Clara soon, but for now, I needed to think about what to do at the academy.
“The academy…”
I already had a splitting headache just thinking about what might happen at the academy.
Since the academy was outside the Duke Sirius’s gaze, Abel’s tyranny was even more severe. The academy was the most obvious and prominent place for Abel’s misdeeds, and I couldn’t imagine how uncomfortable the attention would be.
I was pressing my temple due to fatigue when suddenly, a quest window appeared in front of my eyes.
[A quest has arrived.]
[Would you like to view it? Y/N]
It was such an unexpected situation that I looked at the window with a puzzled expression.
“What’s this?”
Perplexed, as soon as I read the quest, I couldn’t help but grind my teeth.
It seemed that the quest had no intention of sending me safely to the academy.
[Infiltration of the Demon Worshipers]
Category: Main (Yan)
Deadline: 1 hour
“The demon worshipers are tracking the carriage you are currently on. After learning of your information through the knights, ‘Deimos Paul,’ the high priest of Veral, has sent assassins, judging that they cannot respond to the attack by the Sirius Knights. Deimos is determined to take your life, even if it means resorting to any means necessary. Therefore, the worshipers will try to kill you by any means.”
The problem is, the current articles are insufficient to stop them. If this continues, not only the users but also you will surely die.
But fortunately, there is a nearby force to reinforce. Please make use of the “Dark Elves” who are currently monitoring you.
They have been shadowing and monitoring you in order to obtain information about the fragments of the World Tree, just as the mother of the elves who manage the World Tree created the assassination device.
So, when the worshippers approach the carriage, shout loudly, “Yan! I know you’re watching from there!” with all your might. They will definitely respond because they know that you must not die yet.』
[Clear Conditions]
[Subjugation of Demon Worshipers 0/21]
Reward: Attention of the Elves.
Failure: Death.