IDEFYEM - Chapter 37
Black Man, I'll Do Everything For You Except Marriage!
"Isn't it very difficult?"
"It's worth holding on to."
At first, the thought of having to walk for an entire day was daunting. The journey back wasn't as difficult as I thought.
First of all, I was excited because I was looking forward to the honor of the winner. Every time my legs started shaking, Kael held out a firm hand. I also liked the story the man told me in a sweet voice while examining my mood.
The subject matter was mainly animals rustling and jumping out of the grass. I was fascinated by the bright eyes of a deer I came across. Every time that happened, Kael kindly opened his mouth and told me what he knew.
"Skinning a deer is easy. After driving the dagger into the nape of the neck...."
It would have been better if it wasn't for that kind of content.
"..."
Eventually, I stopped rationalizing and came to the conclusion that I had to shut him up. There are limits to trying too hard to get a good voice to listen to. Didn't he usually act like he had a handle on women's hearts?
They say there's no law saying people have to be perfect, but why are you doing this now?
Oh, no way.
For a moment, an uneasy premonition flashed through my mind.
"Kael, how old are you now?"
"I'm twenty-two."
Ah, fortunately, he hasn't gone back to how it was yesterday. When he asked me the gist of the question, I shook my head with cold eyes.
"It's nothing, I just remembered what happened yesterday."
"Are you really not going to tell me what we talked about?"
"It's our secret."
"Since when did the word 'we' come to refer to anyone other than you and me?"
Kael protested as if it were unfair, but I kept my mouth shut with an expression of incredulity.
While going through the grass, a rough road that I had never seen before appeared. The slope was steep enough to require hiking of considerable difficulty.
"Pick me up."
Whenever a similar situation arises, there have already been several arguments. In the end, I was convinced that relying on him would save time, so I didn't refuse and instead carried on his back.
The strong back lifted me up and carried me in a stable position. However, it was also true that as time passed, I became worried about Kael's physical condition.
The wound he had been bitten by a monster was quite deep, and my hemostasis magic and simple herbal medicine only had the effect of providing first aid. To prevent bad luck from happening, it would have been better to see a doctor as soon as possible.
"What if yesterday's wounds open up?"
"No, more than that...."
Kael, who was about to say something, thought for a moment and then closed his mouth. I wanted to ask him back, but I missed the time because I was being carried by him.
But I couldn't help but think that it must have been something important.
"..."
So we walked for half a day and traveled a longer distance than planned. We were able to return to the territory managed by the royal family before sunset. I desperately wanted to soak my tired and sweaty body in hot water.
But as if someone had heard my wish and made it come true, we soon discovered something surprising. We were looking for a place to camp so we could return to the tent tomorrow.
I asked as I saw a place where hot steam like steam was rising from a distance.
"What is that?"
Kael tilted his head as if he didn't know and stood up.
"You're resting. I will check and come back."
"Then let's go together."
In fact, my whole body was aching, but I didn't feel comfortable leaving him alone after he had worked harder than me all day. But Kael vehemently refused, forced me to sit down, and left to scout.
Has it been 10 minutes?
Kael returned with a rather happy expression on his face.
"This is news you will like."
"Wow, what is it?"
"I want to show you in person."
The man who said that led me to a place where steam was rising. I was worried that I might not be able to be as happy as he expected.
When I arrived, I did as he said, with my mouth open and amazed.
"Wow...."
It was an open-air bath with hot spring water created by nature. Now that the sun was setting, the air in the forest was a little chilly. However, the closer I got to the water, the lukewarm steam pleasantly warmed my body.
"I didn't even know this place was hidden."
Wanting to jump in right away, I cast a light search spell. The water was safe and clean.
"Do you want to take a bath first?"
"What about Kael? Rather together...."
I realized what I was trying to say and covered my mouth. Kael, who did not miss the number of cases, spoke with a sly tone.
"It's a tempting offer."
"Ah, ah, no! I mean...."
"It's a joke. I'll be watching from behind the rock, so take a shower."
Kael grinned and pointed with his chin at a large rock placed nearby.
"No matter how royal the land may be, no one would come close to this place."
From head to toe, no area didn't ache, and since I hadn't washed properly for two days, every inch of my body felt uncomfortable.
"Then, I'm sorry, but I have to ask you a favor. It won't take long."
"It's okay not to rush. This is not a common experience."
Isn't it more beautiful than anything else?
Kael added, looking around the scenery.
It was as he said. The setting sun was broken into pieces and mixed into the slowly flowing water. And all around, the trees swaying in the occasional wind and the smell of the forest.
It was enough to make me forget all my problems for a moment and take a deep breath. Kael took a seat behind the rock out of consideration for me and leaned back.
I hesitated for a moment due to the unfamiliar feeling of taking off my clothes outdoors, but soon finished undressing and dipped my toes into the water.
"Wow...."
It felt good to feel my muscles relaxing in the warm water. I was twisting my body, making strange noises, and immediately dived.
It was a shame that there was no soap, but I washed my itchy hair and washed my face. I once again realized that taking a bath is an important part of life.
As I felt refreshed and settled down for the first time in a few days, I suddenly thought of Martha. I wondered what she was doing right now, which was the reason I attended the hunting banquet.
'Because the guild was asked to determine whether the Archduke and I would attend.'
I wonder if she's confused because she can't see where I've disappeared too.
I'll be returning to the tent tomorrow, but what will happen if we run into each other?
While I was thinking deeply, the sound of birds got closer and closer. It was quite noisy as if a flock of people was flying in this direction.
'Is it at least moving as a group?"
The moment I raised my head out of curiosity, I saw a hawk flying in this direction and a flock of birds running away from it. I was trying to watch with interest, but somehow the hawk changed direction.
"Why do you come down here?"
But that pattern seems a little familiar...
I blinked momentarily, but as expected, as if I were mistaken, the hawk turned and landed in front of me. A bird with white paper hanging from its feet flicked its beak at me.
"Open it?"
I looked at the bird and the paper uncertainly, then eventually stretched out my wet hand.
[If you see this letter, please reply. I'm looking for you and I'm distraught. -TD]
There was something very unexpected written on the paper.
The initials "TD', and this letter.
It's Tristan Dyke!
While I blinked in surprise, a welI-trained hawk dropped its quill. Seeing as if he was urging me to reply. I quickly wrote on the back.
[There were dangerous moments, but I am safe. How did you write? -EW]
Where on earth were you sending this letter? You've been through a lot.
I carefully scratched the hawk's chin and sent it off by tying a letter to its leg. About 20 minutes later, a reply arrived again.
[I looked for you as soon as I arrived at the banquet, but I couldn't find any traces. I had a bad feeling about something.]
Does anyone else know that I'm gone?
As soon as I picked up the pen to ask the question, the next sentence caught my eye.
[I didn't tell anyone. Because I don't want to get you in trouble.]
Feeling relieved, I finished reading the note he left.
[Did I do well?]
I could almost see Tristan's tail waving like a puppy demanding praise. However, the corners of my mouth that had been raised slowly stiffened as I read the following.
[And speaking of your sister. As of now, I think she is the closest to being the winner.
She claims that she discovered and killed a large monster...
Since it is a monster discovered in the royal family's territory, the nobles' reaction is quite strong. There are many opinions that the banquet should be stopped immediately for safety reasons.
The overall atmosphere is chaotic.
As soon as I saw the scales she brought, for some reason, I thought this might have something to do with you.
Enrica, you're really okay, right?]
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