Chapter 156: Forest. (1) (1/2)

The second match resulted in Sophien’s victory with a 2.5 point lead.

“Mwahaha.”

The way Sophien celebrated her victory was sinister. Her face hadn’t changed, but the way she smiled only with her mouth was interesting to see. Meanwhile, I slowly reviewed the match, going over the strategic moves and careless ones inside my head. Then, I started to study them using Understanding.

“We caught them, Your Majesty.”

The Imperial Knights approached courteously to offer their report. The truth was, the situation was taken care of a while ago, but everyone had waited until the game was finished.

“Will you go back to the palace and interrogate them? Or-“

“There’s no need for that. Just kill them.”

“But, Your Majesty. The one pulling the strings-“

“Kill them all. I don’t have time to spare on those kinds of bastards. Burn all of their bodies.”

“…Yes.”

All the Knights stepped back and left. Sophien watched them leave before turning back to me.

“Deculein, this was fun. The third match will be next week.”

“I see.”

“Are you confident?”

“Yes, it was your time to win.”

I nodded, and Sophien smiled.

“Good. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

—Professor!

At that moment, a loud voice rang from inside my pocket, coming from my crystal ball connected with Allen.

—We found Epherene!

“…Oh.”

Sophien’s smile widened just a bit, and her voice turned kind.

“The fallen child has come. Go ahead and check on her. I will review this great match. I have to do my best so that I won’t lose to you.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I stood and backed out.

…….

“Are you feeling okay?”

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Epherene was on the way back to the lodging with Drent and Allen.

“…I’m okay. It wasn’t even a big deal; I just got lost for a second.”

Fortunately, she wasn’t away for too long. No, it was only for three days, though Epherene spent about a week with the future Deculein.

“Well. Magical phenomena are common during the winter here in the North… oh. It’s the Professor.”

Drent pointed to where Deculein stood, awaiting them. Epherene had been with him for a week, but precisely because of that, she felt awkward around him. Deculein, wearing a suit, watched her with chilly eyes.

“…Epherene.”

He spoke in an already unfamiliar tone to her, cold and sharp as steel. Epherene grew still.

“Yes?”

“Where did you go?”

“That’s… a secret.”

She scratched the back of her head. Deculein scrutinized her, his eyes sweeping from her head to her toes.

“There’s a penalty for not participating in the mission and for leaving the area. You won’t have any complaints about your secret.”

“…Yes.”

“Go inside.”

Epherene passed him begrudgingly and opened the door to the lodge. Though part of her thought it was unnecessary, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed, and a strange emptiness took place in the corner of her heart. It was so strange that time did not fit.

She sighed, trudging up the stairs-

“Are you Epherene?”

She raised her eyes and stiffened in place.

“You’re Deculein’s disciple, right?”

Long hair burned like flames and beautiful eyes sparkling like rubies, belonging to the successor of the noblest family on the empire and the most powerful on the continent: Emperor Sophien. Sophien Ekater von Jaegus Gifrein.

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Thud—!

Epherene knelt on the spot.

“Yo-Your Majesty, nice to meet yooooooouuu—!”

Her vocal cords suddenly contracted, causing her voice to crack. Sophien grinned and gestured for her to stand.

“Don’t bother. More than that, I’m curious where you went?”

“…What?”

Sophien was able to see the mysterious energy swaying next to Epherene. It was known as a trace or a track. Deculein should have noticed it, too.

“Did Deculein say anything to you?”

“Yes, yes. He told me to just go inside….”

“Hmm. Well, then again, it’s not in his character to pry into things like that.”

Sophien looked into Epherene’s sparkling eyes.

“However, I want to ask something. I’m also curious whether you’ll tell me the truth or if you’re going to lie….”

There was a smile playing at the Emperor’s lips. Epherene swallowed nervously.

*****

…At the edge of the North, at the foot of a mountain near Reccordak, Julie wiped off the blood covering her sword and body.

“This is the North.”

Blood-stained ground, torn flesh in all directions, and fatal scars etched on Julie’s back. They were serious injuries that would mean immediate death for normal people, and if the bleeding weren’t staunched, it would be hard to guarantee her safety even as a Knight.

“…Yes.”

But, Reylie was calm to mirror Julie. For now, it was fortunate that they had survived.

“If it’s that big, I could buy a house in the archipelago.”

Reylie pointed to the animal slain after the bloody fight with a black pattern in between its yellow and white fur. It was a cunning tiger that devoured herb gatherers and explorers at the foot of the mountain.

“He looks like an adult… you should make your Knight armor with its leather.”

Reylie approached Julie.

“It’s going to hurt a little.”

“It’s fine.”

She took off her smashed armor and applied medicinal herbs to her torn muscles. Julie’s slender shoulders shook all the while. These types of injuries were more than twice as painful when healing.

“Ugh…”

“Does it hurt?”

“…I can take it.”

“But, you’re crying.”

“I’m not…”

“Pfft. Still, Knight Julie has achieved a feat, just as Lord Zeit had.”

“…”

She didn’t answer back no matter how long she waited.

“Oh?”

Julie’s eyes remained closed. She had lost consciousness.

“Hmmm.”

During that time, Reylie busied herself separating the tiger’s skin from its flesh. She would dry the leather and make it into armor, and she would grill the flesh for Julie while she healed.

“…Oh, Deculein, you bastard.”

Clang—!

Then, feeling a sudden flash of anger, she threw down her tools. It wasn’t enough to break down the order of the Freyhem Knights to bury the truth about Veron; the fucking bastard also killed Rockfell. The evilest guy in the world, somehow crueler than Decalane.

“It’s so annoying!”

She shouldn’t have believed it from the start. She should’ve kept on doubting it.

“…But still.”

Reylie looked back at the fainted Julie. Now, Julie was getting stronger. Because of his betrayal, because he broke down everything she had. Julie, who had nothing to rely on, had to lean on herself.

“You’ll regret it someday.”

Killing the tiger was an obvious achievement, only accomplished in a one-on-one fight on one other occasion by the Head of Freyden, Zeit.

“Seriously.”

Reylie used magic for tanning the leather and grilling the tiger meat. This much was easy for her – support and control.

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“Someday, I’ll definitely….”