17 – 5. To Hwangseong (3)
“What are you going to do? Are you going with me or not?”
At Karina’s question, Shien smiled bitterly.
“Do I have a choice? No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t seem like it.”
“no. You don’t have to go if you don’t like it. When did you see me force it?”
“… If I answer that I don’t want to go.”
“I should think of something else instead of giving money. But it could be more expensive than going to a banquet together. just know that My original offer is much better for you.”
“Haaa… .”
Nothing wrong, everything is true.
In exchange for a lot of money, he said to go to the imperial banquet together.
If you look at even that, it’s more beneficial to you than Karina.
The imperial banquet was not for anyone invited.
Only those who have made great achievements and received public recognition can do so.
Even additionally able to accompany others.
Invitations with the seal of the imperial family are even more precious.
It was because he had received permission directly from the emperor.
‘There is no doubt that this is a good opportunity.’
Lichtenauer lost both its head and heir at once.
The glory that seemed to last forever began to fade.
A dark cloud hung over the future of the family that was supposed to be a master of swordsmanship.
Naturally, nobles from all over the empire would have heard the news.
Now that Lichtenau is over, it is clear that he will take it lightly.
From nob le mt l. co m
Maybe he’s trying to get under me by trickery.
‘Immediately Fiore’s reaction was much more serious than before.’
If such a Lichtenauer appeared at the imperial banquet.
That alone could be enough to turn the tide.
It can still show that it is standing firmly as a master of swordsmanship.
That’s why the imperial banquet was such a good opportunity for Shien.
“… I’ll ask you one thing, Karina.”
“It’s an obvious question for you. Why are you treating me like this, isn’t that right?”
Shien nodded slowly.
Just because he was a friend, because he was a child of his own people.
For those reasons, it was more than enough to see them taking care of them.
The most important thing for the top is ‘money’ after all.
Just like noble families value honor and power.
However, in exchange for the guild offering a huge amount of money.
To just go to the imperial banquet instead.
Even if you want to think it’s good, you can’t help but tilt your head.
At the very least, knowing the reason will ease your worries.
“Tell me honestly. Really, honestly.”
“really? Can’t we just give a good reason and end it?”
“no. I want to know for sure. Why are you treating me so well?”
If it was in the past, if it was just Lichtenau’s daughter, ‘Shien’.
I wouldn’t have risked being rude and asked in detail like I am now.
Because it’s a big disrespect for a friend who gives for himself.
But now the situation is completely different.
This is what I am asking as the family head of Lichtenau.
Why are you doing the favor, and exactly what you want.
Only when you know that can you hold hands or reject them.
“I will ask again. Can’t we just get over it?”
“No. Be honest, Karina. As a friend, please.”
Polite yet serious tone.
At Shien’s words, Karina scratched her head.
“ha. okay. Instead, there is nothing to be disappointed about?”
“If you’re going to be disappointed, I didn’t even ask.”
“… Well, first of all, there are two main reasons.”
“It’s good. Please tell me everything.”
“First of all, as expected, it is a judgment as a top stock.”
“Is it money related?”
“Precisely, it is boldly investing in something that can become money.”
At the word investment, Xian raised one eyebrow.
Was there anything to invest in Liechtenau?
Swordsmanship wouldn’t be money.
It’s a place where there’s nothing else to say other than that.
“What are you investing in?”
“you.”
Karina points to Shien.
“… Me?”
“huh. Sien Lichtenau. It’s an investment in the expectations placed on you.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Your future, and the future of Lichtenau, which you will lead. I am positive about it. Even if it seems a bit difficult and dangerous now, you won’t know it later. That’s why I want to make some investments in advance. Don’t forget later and take a good look at our leg top.”
Then, Shien’s facial expression changes even more strangely.
What part of yourself are you expecting and investing in?
Thinking and thinking, there is no way to know.
The amount of money they are willing to give away is staggering.
Roughly speaking, it can cover the current shortfall.
The fact that they are willing to give it away means that they have high expectations.
He wasn’t that great, Shien thought.
“I am not sure of myself now. but it shows me It is also the eye as a top lord, and the me is also the sense of the demon tribe. You will shine bright someday. Sien Lichtenau.”
Adele reacts very slightly to Karina’s words.
However, because it was so fleeting, neither Shien nor Karina noticed it.
“… He keeps saying things that are hard to accept.”
“Investment is what it is. It’s not about what you can see, it’s about what you can’t see. That’s why it’s dangerous, and there’s a lot to be gained when you’re successful!”
It was Kanirina who spread her arms wide with a grin.
Shien looked at his friend and gently raised the corner of his mouth.
“When you lose, you lose big.”
“Ugh. Can I not stress that much?”
“is that so. anyway… Thanks for being honest, Karina. I don’t really rate myself that high. You rate it rather highly.”
“trust me. you will fly someday It’s going to be hard now, but it’s going to be hard. someday for sure please. certainly.”
It’s not just word of mouth.
With a confident voice and a firm gaze.
Karina was expressing her feelings with all her heart.
“… Then the second reason?”
“The second, of course, is half my own people. Rather, it’s because they’re more difficult and painful than pure demons, and they’re the kindred people who need help the most.”
They are the Demons who were defeated in the war against the Demons.
Only a handful of people managed to escape with their lives.
That’s why demons have a special love for their own people.
Even though I don’t know anything about it, it’s because I’m a daughter of the same people.
Karina is also trying to help Shien as much as possible.
It can be said that it is influenced by it.
“Let me tell you, it is not cheap sympathy. If you think so… .”
“no. I don’t think so. If it had been a really cheap pity, I would have noticed it first.”
“I guess so. You’re not so stupid that you can’t even tell them apart.”
Shien, whom he had seen, was a crybaby and a coward.
I clearly sensed something sparkling hidden within.
Karina wanted to lead that shiny thing somehow.
“So, the answer? Acceptance or rejection?”
“I’m not stupid enough not to accept an offer this good.”
“It is acceptance. Thank you, Lord Lichtenauer.”
As if you had successfully completed a very big deal.
Karina shook hands with Xien with a wide smile.
“Oh, by the way, is the man behind you your escort?”
Did he just start to take an interest in Adele?
Karina pointed at Adele, who had been quietly standing behind her since earlier.
“It’s okay to be an escort, but not a knight.”
“What are you talking about? An escort is right, but not a knight.”
“It’s a servant. I am not a knight yet.”
“valet? An attendant in charge of escort duty? Escort the family head too?”
Karina, who has met many aristocrats so far.
The escorts they brought with them were all strong knights.
It is an important position to protect the owner of a family.
Because of this, those with a lot of experience and maturity will take on the role.
However, no matter how you look at it, the limit for the young man next to Xien is in his mid-twenties.
Even if age itself doesn’t have a very big effect.
There is bound to be a difference in the experience that comes out of it.
Isn’t escort a place to prove oneself with one’s skills?
There are many knights of Lichtenau, so why was the servant in charge of the escort?
She couldn’t understand at all.
‘… There’s no way I picked her based on her appearance alone. What is it?’
Looking at Adele, who has a fairly elegant appearance.
It was Karina who couldn’t shake off the energy of worry.
“There are some reasons for that. Don’t worry. Because I’m sure of your skills.”
“… Well, it’s none of my business to care about Lichtenauer.”
Even as she said that, Karina tilted her head constantly.
‘valet? Are you really a servant? that one?’
Even though he is now the owner of a guild.
Every day we fight over money.
He was once a warrior who fought bloody battles with monsters.
So, Karina recognized it at a glance.
That escort knight, no, a young man called the escort attendant.
Contrary to his noble-looking appearance.
It has a cool aura that makes even oneself nervous.
“Then let’s stay here for today and go tomorrow. how is it?”
“… yes. Let’s do it. Excuse me if you don’t.”
At Shien’s answer, Karina smiled wide.
Even so, he did not forget to look after Adele.
‘I guess I’ll have to do some research.’
* * *
Thanks to the accommodation provided by the top side of the leg.
The people of Lichtenau could rest in peace.
Originally, Adele would have gone into the dorm as well.
However, he was currently walking around the imperial castle wearing a hood.
“This way, Adele.”
“yes. Let’s go, Shien.”
As expected, walking around the imperial castle wearing a hood.
While following in the footsteps of my master, Shien.
The reason why these two men and women are walking on the streets of Hwangseong at night.
Naturally, it was Shien’s fault.
‘Let’s go, Adele.’
‘yes?’
‘The night streets of Hwangseong are the prettiest.’
‘… Is that so?’
‘yes. So hurry up. I heard that you are the first in Hwangseong.’
It’s not the first time, but rather, I’ve never been out of it.
Adele couldn’t bear to say that.
‘It would be inconvenient to move if other knights were attached to it. Come with me.’
At Shien’s strong request, Adele eventually gave in.
I am also grateful for her heart that thinks of herself.
It was because I confirmed that Shien’s eyes were twinkling there.
Because I knew that she also wanted to walk the streets of Hwangseong at night.
Adele quietly followed Cian without saying anything.
“Here, Adele.”
Could it be because of leaving Lichtenau and being in the center?
Shien guided Adele very naturally.
“Now, if you stand here, you can see the imperial castle at a glance.”
Shien looked at Adele, pointing forward.
Just as she said, the entire view of the capital of the Empire shines brilliantly.
It reveals its magnificent figure in front of the two men and women.
“how is it? Isn’t it pretty?”
“… yes. It is very pretty.”
This is the first time, seeing the golden castle shining like this.
Even though I had spent such a long time in the imperial castle and in the imperial palace.
It was the first time I had ever seen such a landscape.
Fight, kill, eat, rest, sleep.
That was all.
Sometimes the emperor would push me on the back, telling me to take a break.
Adele and all of his colleagues.
He was just quietly concentrating on his work.
That is the way to solve their anger and hatred.
It was considered the only revenge for the colleagues who left earlier.
“There are many more great things down there.”
Shien, who had no way of knowing Adele’s intentions.
All I had to do was grab him and go to Hwangseong Street.
“If you go here, there is a road with countless lanterns. If you look there, maybe… .”
Sien blurs the end of what she was saying and slows down her steps.
Adele looked at her, wondering what was going on.