Chapter 168
168 – Nervous Mind (5)
“It’s finally tomorrow.”
There is only one day left to reach the capital.
I plan to arrive in the capital tomorrow afternoon.
In the meantime, I worked hard to learn etiquette to meet the king.
Fortunately, I was able to get a passing grade from the maid only today.
“Keep in mind. “I don’t know what message the King will leave.”
No one knew what would happen on the day of the investiture ceremony.
No matter how thoroughly you try to prepare, there will be no variables.
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After paying attention to see if anyone was listening, the maid whispered quietly.
“Actually, the king is very moody.”
“…”
“People are suffering because words change several times a day.”
Is it true that he is being swayed here and there like the treacherous man said?
Still, it is to this extent because the kingdom’s loyalists are using their strength.
At least it seems that public sentiment has not fallen to the ground.
I could guess that it was a very dangerous situation.
“Keep in mind. “The moment you disrespect the King, you will be in great trouble.”
“I don’t like situations like that.”
It was difficult to be noticed by the king, whether in a good way or a bad way.
I wanted to finish my business quickly and leave the palace, but it wouldn’t be easy.
“Please don’t worry too much. “My lord.”
Kayla, who was watching from the side, spoke quietly.
“It is absolutely necessary for my lord to become a hero.”
“…Right. “It was already expected.”
In order to subdue the Demon King, it was essential to kill the Four Blades.
Of course, I kept in mind that this would attract people’s attention.
In fact, most of the situation so far has been going as I planned.
Of course, I never expected that the king would be a woman.
“Erina.”
Another problem that I had forgotten for a while came to mind.
Erina naturally had to separate from me while I was conducting her investiture ceremony.
“You must remain quiet during my investiture ceremony.”
“…”
“Let’s promise to go on a date together later. Got it?”
Only then did Erina nod her head slightly.
Although the atmosphere has changed a lot, it seems that his feelings toward me have not changed.
An expression that cannot hide its gloomy expression from start to finish.
But the pupil was full of me.
Previously, he was wary and suspicious of her, but now he has decided to accept her as she is.
No matter how much Erina changed, my love for her would never change throughout my life, so I wanted to embrace her.
‘Because Erina is the child I created.’
As much as she loves me, I decided not to change my feelings.
“Don’t worry too much. “Nothing will happen.”
I said this to reassure others, but the mood did not get any better.
Celica, who was quiet next to me, left just one word.
“If you say things like that, you always end up in trouble…”
She must have agreed with Celica’s words as everyone nodded or silently agreed.
Looking back, has there ever been a time when it went through without a problem?
‘It seems like it never happened…’
Everyone had a reason to distrust and worry about what I said.
However, only Tyria looked a little confused.
Perhaps she will soon understand the situation.
***
“Everyone, stop.”
At my words, Erina put down the sword she was holding.
Catalina also stopped struggling and fell to the floor, gasping for breath.
“A truly monstrous bitch…”
Erina’s eyes narrowed at Catalina’s words.
She put her long sword into her scabbard as if she had no will to fight.
“Sister. “Are you okay?”
“Please stand me up while I’m talking…!”
Malcolm sighed and grabbed Catalina’s arm and pulled her up.
The day of finally arriving in the capital.
While her colleagues were training as usual in the morning.
Suddenly, Catalina rushed at Erina and challenged her to a duel.
Even though she had already lost badly once, Catalina’s attitude was confident.
Of course, the result was Erina’s landslide victory.
“Didn’t I tell you? “I’m sure I’ll lose…”
Malcolm also tried to stop her several times, but there was no way Catalina would listen to her.
Only after she was completely devastated was she able to stop her rampage.
“Ha… “Stop nagging me and give me a drink.”
“Why do I drink alcohol when I can’t even get up properly?”
“I’ll take care of it…”
Just like that, Malcolm supported Catalina and lifted her up.
Meanwhile, Erina ran towards me and stood there frozen.
“What’s wrong? Erina?”
Normally, she would have run straight to me and hugged me.
I think he stared into my eyes for a moment and then rubbed his clothes.
It seems she thought there was dirt on her body.
“Erina. Come on.”
“But…”
He held her hand and pulled her close, shaking off Erina’s clothes.
Thanks to you, my hands got dirty, but this was no problem.
“There are no injuries, right?”
“Yes…”
Anyone could see that he won by an overwhelming margin, so there was no way he would have been hurt.
Still, I checked again just in case.
“Damn it… “Where on earth does this power come from?”
Catalina, who had barely gathered herself, came towards me and grumbled.
It wouldn’t be easy to tease someone you fought with just a moment ago.
Catalina added her words slyly and without hesitation.
“What on earth is this? “Are you really human?”
“…”
“And then you’re clinging to a man. What the.”
Erina’s body trembled as she complained, citing me.
When I hugged her carefully, she came into my arms calmly.
At that sight, Catalina shook her head as if she was sick of it.
“I don’t understand. “It’s not something I train on a regular basis.”
That was right.
Until now, Erina has never trained.
Other colleagues, including me, continue to train every day.
Erina has never participated in training.
Even when I am exercising, they just watch or advise me to stop.
“No matter how much I think about it, I don’t know. “This is a level that cannot even be called talent.”
“…”
“What on earth is the secret? “No, is there a secret?”
No matter how much Catalina complained, Erina did not open her mouth.
In the end, she got tired of everything and glanced at Erina and let out a sigh.
“I don’t know if I’m talking to a person or a tree.”
“It’s because Erina is very shy.”
“What kind of shame is this? “They just ignore it.”
Perhaps Catalina will not understand Erina’s strength for the rest of her life.
Still, Catalina maintained a certain line.
She admitted her defeat and ended her sparring without any regrets.
Even after that, instead of being angry or confrontational, she just boldly asked for a sparring match.
“We will definitely win later.”
“Before that, heal her leg first and then tell me.”
Celica quickly ran over, revealed Catalina’s clothes and offered her prayers.
With her warm light, her bloody thighs were completely healed.
“There may be side effects, so lie down for about 30 minutes…”
“A. Are you okay. “I’m already fine.”
Catalina ignores Celica’s advice and gets up from her seat.
And as usual, she harassed Malcolm by looking for alcohol.
From the first time I saw her, she was a very consistent woman.
Seeing her like that, Celica glared at her with disapproval.
“I honestly don’t understand. “She doesn’t respect her own body.”
“Little nun. “I know my body well.”
“Don’t call me kid. “I’m nineteen.”
Then Catalina ruffled her Celica’s hair as if it was cute.
“You should be considered an adult after you turn at least twenty. Is not it?”
“How old is she?”
“I’m twenty-five.”
“You’re only six years older than me!”
Is Catalina 25 years old? She was two years older than me.
Although his actions on such topics seemed younger than mine.
‘Now that I think about it, you said Julia’s age is twenty-nine.’
She never asked Julia directly, but Colleen briefly mentioned it in passing.
I thought Catalina and Julia were close in age to the point where they were comfortable with each other.
The age difference between the two was greater than expected.
“Thank you anyway. “Nun.”
“…Be careful not to get hurt in the future.”
Even though her words were blunt, Celica always spoke politely, which made her worry.
Her rude attitude did not go away even when dealing with Catalina, who was bare to her body.
And the same goes for the attitude of those around her towards her.
She always smiled brightly and went out to help people, so there was no one she disliked.
‘I can’t believe a child like this is treated like that in Helen Village.’
Thinking back to when she first met Celica, she had changed so much.
“Celica, can you come for a moment?”
When I called, Celica came running towards me with a bright smile.
“Yes. “What’s going on?”
“It’s no big deal. “I always wanted to say thank you.”
As I carefully stroked Celica’s head, she accepted my touch with a bashful smile.
Celica looks up at me with her cheeks turning red.
It definitely looked a lot like Erina.
“Please continue to take good care of me in the future.”
“Yes. “I will try my best.”
Erina is a large and affectionate dog.
Is Celica a cute little dog?
While he was praising Celica like that.
“Ugh…”
Erina, who was next to her, quickly blocked my path.
Naturally, Celica was pushed to her side and her touch was taken away.
“I understand. Erina.”
From then on, she was able to calm down only after stroking Erina’s head until she was satisfied.
“Ha… “What on earth is good about something like that?”
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Catalina turned her head away as if she could no longer see.
Celica was watching me with a subtle smile.
And Kayla, who was quietly watching her, quietly came next to her and whispered.
“Master. “I think I should go back soon.”
“Ah, yes. “Let’s go back.”
The morning training session is over and the sun is slowly rising in the sky.
The time has come to depart for the capital.
Catalina left, yelling that she would apply to spar again next time.
The rest of my colleagues followed me to the inn where I was staying.
Finally, I had to pack up my luggage and head to the carriage.
“…Tyria?”
She stopped when she saw Tyria still sleeping in the bed.
I heard you said you were sleepy last night and went to bed early.
Does it make sense to sleep from sunset until now?
‘Now that I think about it, Tyria was a sleepyhead.’
A fact she had forgotten for a while as she was busy spending so much time.
Tyria slept a lot.
She usually slept for 12 hours, and even dozed off the rest of the time.
As the boring journey continues and the tension eases, does my true nature come out?
Still, I couldn’t leave it like this, so I carefully woke Tyria up.
“Tyria. Wake up.”
“Ugh…”
“We have to head to the capital soon. “Get up quickly.”
Tyria barely got up and rubbed her eyes.
Then, when my eyes met hers, she was startled and jumped out of bed.
“Seo, Seohyun…?!”
“Yes. “Let’s get up quickly and get ready.”
“Yes, yes!”
At my words, Tyria hurriedly ran around her and prepared to leave.
We were finally able to leave after Tyria woke her up from her sleep.
From lunch when the sun rose in the sky to evening when the sunset went down, I went by carriage.
I was finally able to arrive at the long-awaited capital.