Chapter 175 - EPISODE 175 – COUNTDOWN (2) (1/2)

Terms used in this chapter:

Yaksha – a kind of supernatural being that is often depicted as having supernatural power, great strength, and a frightening appearance. Can also be called a demon. Its Japanese equivalent is an oni. And if you play Genshin Impact, Xiao is an adepti who is the last of the Five Yakshas.

As the heavens knew, the earth knew, and Cordelia knew, Jude was the kind of person who was meticulous in his preparations.

You could say that he always had a plan for everything.

Naturally, there were many times when the situation changed during a battle, so he also had to do some improvisations, but such situations were unavoidable.

Even in battles, he would take out a trump card he had prepared in advance and use it.

And in order to do that, he had to predict all the possible situations and prepare accordingly.

His date with Cordelia.

He had already assumed that it would happen.

When Jude had done some investigation regarding the royal capital, it was not only the Black Moon and Blue Moon that he paid attention to.

What is the best dress shop?

What is the most famous restaurant?

What are the best places for sightseeing?

Is there any place with a lot of attractions that we can go to anytime?

“I know a nearby place where they serve some amazing steaks. Would you like to go there with me?”

First Sword slyly said, and Jude took a deep breath first.

Because he already knew where the best steakhouse that First Sword was referring to.

‘The Shepherd’s Place.’

“It’s a shop called The Shepherd’s Place, and the chef there is amazing.”

Just as Jude had thought.

“It’s like fate that we met here like this, so let’s go there, okay? It’ll be my treat.”

A talk with First Sword.

A meal with First Sword.

If you were a promising swordsman in the center, no, in the Sälen Kingdom, you would not refuse it. Rather, you would want to go with him even if you had to be the one to pay for the meal.

But.

Still.

‘Haa…’

F*ck.

Just like what Cordelia always said, him saying  ‘f*ck’ was more of an exclamation than a curse.

How else could he fully express his feelings?

‘We should go.’

We must go.

Because we have to get close to First Sword.

It will be easier for us on the day of the founding anniversary if we get close to him.

‘But why did it have to be now?’

He had planned to get close to First Sword on another day.

And that day was not today.

‘Haa…’

Jude sighed again in his thoughts, and the person next to him lightly pulled his sleeve.

‘Jude, Jude. We should go, right?’

He’ll treat us to a meal.

We have to get close to First Sword anyway.

No, I’m not saying that we should go because he’s treating us to a meal.

Anyway, we should just go with him.

At the words that Cordelia conveyed with her gaze, Jude was silent for a while before he nodded his head.

‘It can’t be helped.’

‘Yes, yes, let’s eat with First Sword today.’

When Jude saw Cordelia’s eyes that seemed to soothe him, he fixed his gaze on her face for a moment instead of looking back at First Sword.

There was a feeling of regret in her blue eyes.

Jude was satisfied with that. He faintly smiled before he turned to First Sword.

“Thank you for your offer. It’s an honor to have a meal with First Sword-nim.”

“Okay, I’m grateful that you willingly accepted it.”

First Sword slyly said again, but they could tell from looking at his face.

‘He’s very excited.’

‘He’s a really sly person.’

He was similar to Jude but also different.

In any case, Jude and Cordelia accepted his offer, and First Sword was delighted and approached the two. He then stretched out his hand to Cordelia.

“Lady Cordelia, may I have the honor of escorting you?”

At First Sword’s shameless offer, Cordelia first turned to Jude before she smiled. She gracefully acted as someone who had lived as a count’s daughter for 17 years.

“It’s an honor that the Sword Saint of Light wants to escort me. But…”

Cordelia glanced at Jude again, giving him a mischievous look before she turned to First Sword and apologized.

“My jealous fiancé is next to me. I hope you understand.”

Cordelia answered a bit cutely, and First Sword chuckled and immediately nodded.

“It can’t be helped then. But Lady Cordelia, you shouldn’t be indulgent with his excessive jealousy. That’s not a good habit, you know?”

“Thank you for your valuable advice.”

Cordelia beautifully responded again, and First Sword stepped back with a pleased smile. His expression seemed to say that he was fine now since he had managed to ‘land a punch’ on Jude.

“Now then, let me lead you two there.”

First Sword turned around and strode forward.

His strides were quite big, so she thought that they should quickly follow him.

‘Jude?’

At Cordelia’s gaze that seemed to be laughing, Jude narrowed his eyes and suddenly grabbed Cordelia’s hand.

“Let’s go, Princess.”

His face was a bit different from his usual sly face, as he now had a face like that of a child whose innermost thoughts had been revealed.

Cordelia tried to hold back her laughter and then nodded.

“Yes, my jealous fiancé. Please escort me~ okay?”

She acted a bit cute and teasing at the end, and Jude walked forward instead of answering, so she finally laughed out loud.

Jude’s earlobes were burning red.

“Ah, I’m starting to like First Sword all of a sudden. He’s a nice uncle.”

Jude did not respond to Cordelia’s monologue, nor did he say anything.

No, he did react a little. Because he slightly strengthened his grip on his hand that held hers.

‘How cute.’

Cordelia giggled and adjusted her fingers in Jude’s big hand before she looked in front and saw First Sword looking their way.

The man who seemed to be somehow excited until now was standing there with a very annoyed look.

Why?

What’s wrong with him?

Cordelia stepped forward instead of asking him.

The clean and cold night air of the royal capital seemed to be hot today.

***

The Shepherd’s Place was clearly a place that deserved its reputation for its food.

The moment she took a bite, the steak seemed to melt in her mouth.

‘Delicious.’

Cordelia’s steak consumption speed slightly became faster, while Jude habitually analyzed the kind, part, and degree of roasting of the steak.

And First Sword looked at the two before saying.

“It’s delicious, right? This steakhouse is the best one in the royal capital. It’s a place I visit often when I’m in the royal capital.”

“Yes, it’s really delicious. Thank you very much for introducing it to us.”

When the happy Cordelia cheerfully answered, a satisfied smile spread on First Sword’s face.

He had fun ‘attacking’ Jude, but a girl’s smile that was as beautiful as a flower was more enjoyable.

“Anyway, eat as much as you want. I can afford all of these.”

Cordelia slightly turned red at First Sword’s suggestion, and she nodded her head.

The serving size wasn’t that big, but she wanted to eat at least one more plate of steak if it had tasted as delicious as this.

‘And it’s free too!’

Given the very luxurious atmosphere of the restaurant, it was clear to her that one plate of steak was ridiculously expensive.

‘Maybe that’s why it tastes better.’

Because she was eating meat that was paid for by First Sword.

Cordelia happily put a cut of steak in her mouth, while Jude focused a bit more after seeing Cordelia’s appearance.

He had to analyze the taste of the food in this store as much as possible.

‘A near-perfect copy.’

Let’s do this.

It had been a long time since Jude gave his all in utilizing his talents for such a meaningless purpose.

When they had finished eating to some extent, First Sword was the one to talk first.

“It’s a bit sudden to bring this up, but… are you really a swordsman?”

Jude replied with a calm face instead of being embarrassed to his question.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Ah, don’t worry. I won’t take away the prize given to you just because you’re not a swordsman.”

“But it’s true. Jude’s master is also a swordsman.”

Cordelia spoke from the side, and First Sword looked at her instead of Jude and said.

“Well, you’re right. Landius-nim is originally a swordsman.”

Originally.

At First Sword’s sullen remark, Cordelia smiled a bit.

‘He was a real swordsman in the first episode.’

A powerful swordsman who wielded a huge sword energetically.

But how did he end up like that now?

‘Please don’t let Jude become like that.’

It’s good if he becomes strong, but if he becomes that huge… please, no…

As Cordelia suddenly began to pray in her mind, First Sword looked back at Jude and asked.

“So, how is Gaël doing?”