Thanks to Cecilia, Elze ended up in charge of protocol.
Elze, who knew nothing about Ryeo, initially considered politely declining the invitation. However, Iarin wanted to contact Elze, even if it was under the pretext of the invitation. In addition, most of the work was handled by the Count of Epernon, so there was nothing to do.
Cecilia, who had not known Elze's fear and had spoken up to her without fear, was severely scolded at the first luncheon held by Iarin. From then on, she was anxious to avoid being involved with Elze as much as possible. In the meantime, she took on all the protocol-related work. Thanks to this, Elze was able to spend her days leisurely, with only her name on the protocol list.
And before the banquet began, Elze decided to go see Master Harbin.
Master Harbin was the craftsman who made Elze's rapier and mangosh. He may have a quirky personality, but he was incredibly skilled. She was thinking of asking him to repair the rapier and mangosh.
After using the rapier and mangosh in Himov, Elze took care of it, but it felt lacking. When originally sharpening a sword, you had to start with a large-grained whetstone and work your way up to a fine-grained whetstone, and then wipe it with oil to prevent rusting and make the surface shiny.
Elze could do everything from whetstone to oiling, but it was still different from what a blacksmith did. And in a mansion with many eyes watching, the madam couldn't be sharpening her sharp sword on a whetstone.
And she was also thinking of ordering a pair of stilettos from Harbin to carry around for self-defense.
She had thought about it since the defense of Himov, but the rapier and the mangosh were too big and conspicuous for a noble lady to carry around. A small stiletto, and in times of emergency, it could be used to stab through the gaps in armor or protective gear.
She decided to take Elijah as her escort, and Elze dressed up like a commoner woman. This was to avoid people's attention. Elze knew that noblewomen usually didn't frequent the weapon shop.
After taking the carriage and heading towards Manuap Square, she left the carriage nearby and walked side by side with Elijah to Harbin's weapon shop.
Everyone was excited about going out for the first time in a long time. And Tarkun was very excited because Elze had offered to fit him a new two-handed sword.
In case something unexpected happens, Rapine decides to look around in front of the weapons shop, while Tarkun and Ivanna go into the weapons shop with Elze.
"Hello."
As she entered the gun shop with the sound of a jingling bell, Harbin, who was lying down at the counter, pretended to know her.
“Oh, it’s been a while.”
Tarkun ran to the counter, excited to the point of hair loss, and shouted.
“Two-handed sword!!”
As Harbin looked at Tarkun with a bewildered expression, Ivanna shook her head and pulled him back. Tarkun, who had come to his senses at the sight of Elze giggling, stepped back awkwardly. Elze smiled and placed her bag on the counter.
“I’d like to ask you to take care of it for me.”
Harbin opened her bag and took out the rapier and the mangosh in turn. He checked the blade carefully and said with a big smile.
“How does it feel swinging it? It looks like the blade has been bitten.”
Elze just smiled awkwardly and mumbled in response to Harbin’s question. Harbin knew about Elze's true identity and had already confirmed that he was tight-lipped. Still, it was best not to say much. Harbin didn’t seem to want an answer either, so he muttered while looking around at the rapier.
“There are so many people making cheap swords these days... Those kinds of things quickly become sharp after cutting through human bone a few times.”
Harbin's pride could be felt in those words. Elze smiled and said to him.
“And I would like to order a dagger.”
"Dagger?"
“It’s a stiletto. It’s a little bit smaller than this length...”
As Elze was roughly indicating the length she wanted with her hand, she suddenly felt a noise outside. The moment Elze turned around, the door to the weapon shop opened with a sound that sounded like it was going to break.
“Master Harbin!!”
Elze hurriedly pulled down the hat she was wearing. Ivanna and Tarkun stood guard and turned around, blocking Elze as if to hide her.
But at the shout of the man who came in, she realized why Rapine who was outside didn't stop him.
“Are you ready for the black one?”
He was a guest who had come to see Harbin, and he had made a loud entrance. There was no way to stop him. Elze blinked for a moment and stepped aside so that he could talk to Harbin. Then she slowly looked at the man’s attire.
He didn't look that wealthy, but he seemed to be a nobleman. He was probably an aspiring knight, and his frame and movements were quite good. If he trained hard, he could make a name for himself as a knight. He also looked handsome, so maybe in a few years, he would become famous as a handsome knight of Baluar.
While Elze observed the man, Harbin frowned and blurted out in annoyance.
“There is no sword.”
“Master Harbin!”
The man yelled at Harbin. Then Harbin began to speak calmly.
“Listen, Katinson. No, for your skill level, huh? The combination of a rapier and a mangosh isn’t too much of a stretch.”
Harbin explained everything to the man named Katinson, pounding the counter with his hand.
“Listen to me. A rapier with a round shield (circular shield) or a buckler (small shield) would be much better. How many times have I told you to go with ‘attack-defense’?”
But Katinson had no intention of listening to Harbin.
“Didn’t I say no to that! It has to be a rapier and a mangosh!”
Harbin slammed his fist on the counter and muttered as he heard Katinson's stubborn words.
“Ha...It’s not like I won’t make it for you...”
But Katinson didn't seem like he would back down easily. Of course, if he had backed down to this extent, he would have listened to Harbin a long time ago.
Originally, watching a fire was the most fun. Elze watched with interest as Harbin was shaken by Katinson's reckless push.
The situation was even more interesting because Harbin wanted to make a sword for Katinson. Harbin also recognized Matinson's talent. If not, he would have been kicked out a long time ago.
Harbin and Katinson argued a few more words. However, when Katinson kept pushing, Harbin slammed the counter with both hands. Harbin spoke in a gloomy voice to Katinson, who was shocked and closed his mouth.
“Yes. Then there is one condition.”
And Harbin pointed at Elze with his finger and shouted.
“If you can handle the rapier and mangosh as well as this customer here, I’ll make it for you!”
“No?”
“What?”
At Harbin's shout, both Elze and Matinson were startled and screamed. Elze, in particular, felt like she had been struck by lightning out of nowhere while quietly watching the fire.
“No... What...”
Latinson looked back at Elze. He saw a simple-looking woman standing there with her hat pulled down low and muttered absentmindedly.
“...She’s a woman.”
“Yes, Lady.”
Katinson's face crumpled at Harbin's confirmation shot. He clenched his fists. Katinson asked in an angry voice, his fists trembling.
“Are you insulting me now?”
"No!"
Harbin shouted firmly and answered with an extremely serious face.
“If you don’t have that level of skill, I won’t make you a rapier or mangosh.”
Katinson's face turned bright red as he realized that Harbin's words were true. Elze, who was wearing plain clothes and had her spirits down, looked like an ordinary woman no matter how he looked at her. Katinson couldn't help but feel insulted. Katinson, who thought Harbin was lying because he didn't want to make a sword for him, grumbled and said to Elze.
“Hey, you! Show me your skills.”
“..."
And Elze, who had been forced to intervene unwillingly, let out a sigh. Was the location of the weapons store not a good fit for her? Anyway, something happened whenever she came here.
But she also felt like teaching Katinson a little bit. With that level of talent, if Elze guided him just a little, his skills would bloom like spring flowers in no time. Harbin had similar thoughts to Elze, and so he asked her to teach him a few tricks.
“Please.”
As he spoke, Harbin placed two long wooden sticks on the counter. Katinson snatched one of the sticks away roughly.
Ivanna, who had been quietly sitting next to her, poked Tarkun in the side. Then Tarkun tapped Elze on the forearm. It was a signal that he would take care of it and that she did not have to step forward. Then Harbin threw bait to Elze, who was thinking about it.
“I’ll make you stilettos for free.”
Elze sighed again. It didn't seem like a bad idea to do something nice once.
"Great."
Elze, who had lightly swung the stick, slowly took a stance. As she took a stance, she slowly pulled up the energy she had been holding back. Katinson’s face, which had been standing facing the ominous air current, hardened.
“I got the stilettos...”
Elze spoke briefly with cold eyes.
“One more two-handed sword.”
Katinson narrowed his eyes. He seemed to sense something from Elze's aura. He bit his lower lip and spoke slowly.
“This is Katinson of Rovel, my lady.”
He introduced himself with honorifics. It was a tacit gesture of acknowledging Elze as a sparring partner.
Elze thought the name Katinson was cute, but she had nothing to say to him. And what Katinson said next left her even more speechless.
“I am the Viscount who leads the Rovel family, which has produced many generations of warriors, although it is not as famous as the Targayel family of swordsmen. I plan to volunteer for the Imperial Knights this time.”
“...Hmm.”
In saying this, how can I say that I am Erzenes Targayel?
Elze just nodded. Katinson raised his voice as he saw Elze, who was wearing her hat pulled down low and not even making eye contact.
“Are you ignoring me now?”
“...Ah, that’s not it.”
It was just that she wasn't in a position to show her face.
In fact, if we were to be honest, Katinson was in no position to say anything to Elze. Katinson's position was somewhere in the abyss, not even under Elze's feet.
Elze still had her hat pulled down and raised her stick. Her vision was obscured by her hat. But it was enough to deal with Katinson.
Katinson was dumbfounded. He muttered in a disbelieving voice.
“No, what are you going to do in that condition...”
Before a duel, it is basic to make a public statement, but she does not say anything. She does not answer questions properly, nor does she show her face. She also wears a hat pulled down low, making her look like a blind person.
However, the woman's actions were too neat and serious to be considered a mockery of Katinson. She certainly seemed to have the skills to be recognized by Master Harbin.
But even so, she is a woman. He doesn't know how much skill a woman has, but there is something she is born with. Katinson thought that there were certain things women could do. And one of them was not using a sword. Katinson said in a suppressed voice.
“Don’t regret it...!”
Katinson took a deep breath and took a stance. It was a stance he had practiced dozens, hundreds of times. But unlike Katinson, who confidently raised his sword, the woman did not raise her sword and muttered something as if she were dissatisfied.
“Um, a little... the posture is umm..."
She waved the stick slowly from side to side. Then she lightly tapped Katinson's right wrist with the stick. Katinson knew what that tap meant. Katinson asked cautiously, doubting whether it was true.
“You said you put too much strength into your right hand...?”
Nod, nod.
Elze, who knew nothing about Ryeo, initially considered politely declining the invitation. However, Iarin wanted to contact Elze, even if it was under the pretext of the invitation. In addition, most of the work was handled by the Count of Epernon, so there was nothing to do.
Cecilia, who had not known Elze's fear and had spoken up to her without fear, was severely scolded at the first luncheon held by Iarin. From then on, she was anxious to avoid being involved with Elze as much as possible. In the meantime, she took on all the protocol-related work. Thanks to this, Elze was able to spend her days leisurely, with only her name on the protocol list.
And before the banquet began, Elze decided to go see Master Harbin.
Master Harbin was the craftsman who made Elze's rapier and mangosh. He may have a quirky personality, but he was incredibly skilled. She was thinking of asking him to repair the rapier and mangosh.
After using the rapier and mangosh in Himov, Elze took care of it, but it felt lacking. When originally sharpening a sword, you had to start with a large-grained whetstone and work your way up to a fine-grained whetstone, and then wipe it with oil to prevent rusting and make the surface shiny.
Elze could do everything from whetstone to oiling, but it was still different from what a blacksmith did. And in a mansion with many eyes watching, the madam couldn't be sharpening her sharp sword on a whetstone.
And she was also thinking of ordering a pair of stilettos from Harbin to carry around for self-defense.
She had thought about it since the defense of Himov, but the rapier and the mangosh were too big and conspicuous for a noble lady to carry around. A small stiletto, and in times of emergency, it could be used to stab through the gaps in armor or protective gear.
She decided to take Elijah as her escort, and Elze dressed up like a commoner woman. This was to avoid people's attention. Elze knew that noblewomen usually didn't frequent the weapon shop.
After taking the carriage and heading towards Manuap Square, she left the carriage nearby and walked side by side with Elijah to Harbin's weapon shop.
Everyone was excited about going out for the first time in a long time. And Tarkun was very excited because Elze had offered to fit him a new two-handed sword.
In case something unexpected happens, Rapine decides to look around in front of the weapons shop, while Tarkun and Ivanna go into the weapons shop with Elze.
"Hello."
As she entered the gun shop with the sound of a jingling bell, Harbin, who was lying down at the counter, pretended to know her.
“Oh, it’s been a while.”
Tarkun ran to the counter, excited to the point of hair loss, and shouted.
“Two-handed sword!!”
As Harbin looked at Tarkun with a bewildered expression, Ivanna shook her head and pulled him back. Tarkun, who had come to his senses at the sight of Elze giggling, stepped back awkwardly. Elze smiled and placed her bag on the counter.
“I’d like to ask you to take care of it for me.”
Harbin opened her bag and took out the rapier and the mangosh in turn. He checked the blade carefully and said with a big smile.
“How does it feel swinging it? It looks like the blade has been bitten.”
Elze just smiled awkwardly and mumbled in response to Harbin’s question. Harbin knew about Elze's true identity and had already confirmed that he was tight-lipped. Still, it was best not to say much. Harbin didn’t seem to want an answer either, so he muttered while looking around at the rapier.
“There are so many people making cheap swords these days... Those kinds of things quickly become sharp after cutting through human bone a few times.”
Harbin's pride could be felt in those words. Elze smiled and said to him.
“And I would like to order a dagger.”
"Dagger?"
“It’s a stiletto. It’s a little bit smaller than this length...”
As Elze was roughly indicating the length she wanted with her hand, she suddenly felt a noise outside. The moment Elze turned around, the door to the weapon shop opened with a sound that sounded like it was going to break.
“Master Harbin!!”
Elze hurriedly pulled down the hat she was wearing. Ivanna and Tarkun stood guard and turned around, blocking Elze as if to hide her.
But at the shout of the man who came in, she realized why Rapine who was outside didn't stop him.
“Are you ready for the black one?”
He was a guest who had come to see Harbin, and he had made a loud entrance. There was no way to stop him. Elze blinked for a moment and stepped aside so that he could talk to Harbin. Then she slowly looked at the man’s attire.
He didn't look that wealthy, but he seemed to be a nobleman. He was probably an aspiring knight, and his frame and movements were quite good. If he trained hard, he could make a name for himself as a knight. He also looked handsome, so maybe in a few years, he would become famous as a handsome knight of Baluar.
While Elze observed the man, Harbin frowned and blurted out in annoyance.
“There is no sword.”
“Master Harbin!”
The man yelled at Harbin. Then Harbin began to speak calmly.
“Listen, Katinson. No, for your skill level, huh? The combination of a rapier and a mangosh isn’t too much of a stretch.”
Harbin explained everything to the man named Katinson, pounding the counter with his hand.
“Listen to me. A rapier with a round shield (circular shield) or a buckler (small shield) would be much better. How many times have I told you to go with ‘attack-defense’?”
But Katinson had no intention of listening to Harbin.
“Didn’t I say no to that! It has to be a rapier and a mangosh!”
Harbin slammed his fist on the counter and muttered as he heard Katinson's stubborn words.
“Ha...It’s not like I won’t make it for you...”
But Katinson didn't seem like he would back down easily. Of course, if he had backed down to this extent, he would have listened to Harbin a long time ago.
Originally, watching a fire was the most fun. Elze watched with interest as Harbin was shaken by Katinson's reckless push.
The situation was even more interesting because Harbin wanted to make a sword for Katinson. Harbin also recognized Matinson's talent. If not, he would have been kicked out a long time ago.
Harbin and Katinson argued a few more words. However, when Katinson kept pushing, Harbin slammed the counter with both hands. Harbin spoke in a gloomy voice to Katinson, who was shocked and closed his mouth.
“Yes. Then there is one condition.”
And Harbin pointed at Elze with his finger and shouted.
“If you can handle the rapier and mangosh as well as this customer here, I’ll make it for you!”
“No?”
“What?”
At Harbin's shout, both Elze and Matinson were startled and screamed. Elze, in particular, felt like she had been struck by lightning out of nowhere while quietly watching the fire.
“No... What...”
Latinson looked back at Elze. He saw a simple-looking woman standing there with her hat pulled down low and muttered absentmindedly.
“...She’s a woman.”
“Yes, Lady.”
Katinson's face crumpled at Harbin's confirmation shot. He clenched his fists. Katinson asked in an angry voice, his fists trembling.
“Are you insulting me now?”
"No!"
Harbin shouted firmly and answered with an extremely serious face.
“If you don’t have that level of skill, I won’t make you a rapier or mangosh.”
Katinson's face turned bright red as he realized that Harbin's words were true. Elze, who was wearing plain clothes and had her spirits down, looked like an ordinary woman no matter how he looked at her. Katinson couldn't help but feel insulted. Katinson, who thought Harbin was lying because he didn't want to make a sword for him, grumbled and said to Elze.
“Hey, you! Show me your skills.”
“..."
And Elze, who had been forced to intervene unwillingly, let out a sigh. Was the location of the weapons store not a good fit for her? Anyway, something happened whenever she came here.
But she also felt like teaching Katinson a little bit. With that level of talent, if Elze guided him just a little, his skills would bloom like spring flowers in no time. Harbin had similar thoughts to Elze, and so he asked her to teach him a few tricks.
“Please.”
As he spoke, Harbin placed two long wooden sticks on the counter. Katinson snatched one of the sticks away roughly.
Ivanna, who had been quietly sitting next to her, poked Tarkun in the side. Then Tarkun tapped Elze on the forearm. It was a signal that he would take care of it and that she did not have to step forward. Then Harbin threw bait to Elze, who was thinking about it.
“I’ll make you stilettos for free.”
Elze sighed again. It didn't seem like a bad idea to do something nice once.
Elze answered, picking up the stick on the counter.
"Great."
Elze, who had lightly swung the stick, slowly took a stance. As she took a stance, she slowly pulled up the energy she had been holding back. Katinson’s face, which had been standing facing the ominous air current, hardened.
“I got the stilettos...”
Elze spoke briefly with cold eyes.
“One more two-handed sword.”
Katinson narrowed his eyes. He seemed to sense something from Elze's aura. He bit his lower lip and spoke slowly.
“This is Katinson of Rovel, my lady.”
He introduced himself with honorifics. It was a tacit gesture of acknowledging Elze as a sparring partner.
Elze thought the name Katinson was cute, but she had nothing to say to him. And what Katinson said next left her even more speechless.
“I am the Viscount who leads the Rovel family, which has produced many generations of warriors, although it is not as famous as the Targayel family of swordsmen. I plan to volunteer for the Imperial Knights this time.”
“...Hmm.”
In saying this, how can I say that I am Erzenes Targayel?
Elze just nodded. Katinson raised his voice as he saw Elze, who was wearing her hat pulled down low and not even making eye contact.
“Are you ignoring me now?”
“...Ah, that’s not it.”
It was just that she wasn't in a position to show her face.
In fact, if we were to be honest, Katinson was in no position to say anything to Elze. Katinson's position was somewhere in the abyss, not even under Elze's feet.
Elze still had her hat pulled down and raised her stick. Her vision was obscured by her hat. But it was enough to deal with Katinson.
***
Katinson was dumbfounded. He muttered in a disbelieving voice.
“No, what are you going to do in that condition...”
Before a duel, it is basic to make a public statement, but she does not say anything. She does not answer questions properly, nor does she show her face. She also wears a hat pulled down low, making her look like a blind person.
However, the woman's actions were too neat and serious to be considered a mockery of Katinson. She certainly seemed to have the skills to be recognized by Master Harbin.
But even so, she is a woman. He doesn't know how much skill a woman has, but there is something she is born with. Katinson thought that there were certain things women could do. And one of them was not using a sword. Katinson said in a suppressed voice.
“Don’t regret it...!”
Katinson took a deep breath and took a stance. It was a stance he had practiced dozens, hundreds of times. But unlike Katinson, who confidently raised his sword, the woman did not raise her sword and muttered something as if she were dissatisfied.
“Um, a little... the posture is umm..."
She waved the stick slowly from side to side. Then she lightly tapped Katinson's right wrist with the stick. Katinson knew what that tap meant. Katinson asked cautiously, doubting whether it was true.
“You said you put too much strength into your right hand...?”
Nod, nod.
The woman nodded and slid her stick under Katinson's. Then she moved the stick higher.
Katinson adjusted his grip on the stick, then tapped the inside of her thigh. Katinson unconsciously spread his legs a little wider.
Finally, she pushed Katinson's forehead with a stick. After she had pushed Katinson's head back as far as she wanted, the woman nodded in satisfaction.
“Yes. Let’s get started.”
“...”
She felt a little uneasy. She seemed to be possessed by some ghost, so Katinson looked at her again. She shook the stick in a somewhat sly tone.
“What are you doing? We need to attack.”
Her vision is now obscured by her hat. She clearly cannot see. But somehow, Katinson feels as if she is watching his every move without missing a single one.
The stick she held didn't tremble. The still posture was beautiful and perfect, like a picture. Katinson slowly moved his stick. Strangely, his hands kept shaking, and cold sweat formed on his forehead. A low groan escaped Katinson's mouth.
“Ugh...”
She was just a woman holding a stick and wearing a ridiculous hat. But Katinson was afraid of her. He had never thought of such a thing when he stood before the Master.
No matter how hard he tried to find a gap to dig into, he couldn't find it. He couldn't figure out why. If he just looked at it, it was just a reed swaying delicately, but if he tried to attack it, it became a distant mountain.
“Whew, whoosh, ugh...”
Katinson realized that his breathing was getting heavier. Cold sweat was running down his back. His palms were so clammy that he had difficulty holding the stick. He thought that if he kept going like this, he would end up not doing anything.
"Shit...!"
Ah, I don't know.
Katinson adjusted his grip on the stick, then tapped the inside of her thigh. Katinson unconsciously spread his legs a little wider.
Finally, she pushed Katinson's forehead with a stick. After she had pushed Katinson's head back as far as she wanted, the woman nodded in satisfaction.
“Yes. Let’s get started.”
“...”
She felt a little uneasy. She seemed to be possessed by some ghost, so Katinson looked at her again. She shook the stick in a somewhat sly tone.
“What are you doing? We need to attack.”
Her vision is now obscured by her hat. She clearly cannot see. But somehow, Katinson feels as if she is watching his every move without missing a single one.
The stick she held didn't tremble. The still posture was beautiful and perfect, like a picture. Katinson slowly moved his stick. Strangely, his hands kept shaking, and cold sweat formed on his forehead. A low groan escaped Katinson's mouth.
“Ugh...”
She was just a woman holding a stick and wearing a ridiculous hat. But Katinson was afraid of her. He had never thought of such a thing when he stood before the Master.
No matter how hard he tried to find a gap to dig into, he couldn't find it. He couldn't figure out why. If he just looked at it, it was just a reed swaying delicately, but if he tried to attack it, it became a distant mountain.
“Whew, whoosh, ugh...”
Katinson realized that his breathing was getting heavier. Cold sweat was running down his back. His palms were so clammy that he had difficulty holding the stick. He thought that if he kept going like this, he would end up not doing anything.
"Shit...!"
Ah, I don't know.
Katinson just swung his stick. It was the cut he was most confident in. The pose he had practiced thousands of times was machine-like in its stroke, and Katinson swung with the greatest force he could muster.
It was a brutal force that was hard to believe was produced by a mere stick of wood. The sound of the air being torn apart shook the narrow weapon shop. However, the stick that was struck down as if it could split a rock did not even get close to its target.
“!!”
It was a brutal force that was hard to believe was produced by a mere stick of wood. The sound of the air being torn apart shook the narrow weapon shop. However, the stick that was struck down as if it could split a rock did not even get close to its target.
“!!”
Katinson opened his eyes wide. But when he came to, it was already over. The wooden stick in Katinson’s hand fell to the floor with a clatter and rolled to the corner with a shabby clatter.
“...”
Katinson swallowed slowly. The saliva that rose with the swallow reached the end of the stick. The woman's stick was aimed at Katinson's neck.
A pain came to his wrist belatedly. Katinson felt a sharp pain and thought back to what had just happened. It was too fast to see clearly, but the woman’s staff struck Katinson’s left wrist with precision. And without stopping or withdrawing the sword, it extended... and stopped in front of Katinson’s neck. If it had been a real sword, his wrist would have been cut off and his neck would have been pierced.
Unlike the absent-minded Katinson, the woman was calm. She slowly lowered the wooden stick and placed it back on the counter. She did not forget to give Harbin another request.
“Keep your promise.”
“Of course.”
After receiving Harbin's confirmation, she looked back at Katinson. Her hat was still pulled down low.
The moment that had just shocked Katinson was barely a light exercise for her.
It was Katinson's perfect defeat. Katinson was not stupid enough to not know that he had been taught by her, even though he had not recognized the woman's skills and looked down on her. The teachings she had given him were priceless, more valuable than gold and jewels. Katinson knelt on the floor and bowed his head
“...Good teaching, thank you.”
In front of Katinson's thanks, the woman didn't say anything, such as standing up or saying thank you. She just shrugged her shoulders. Instead of discussing the match again and enjoying her victory, she talked about something else.
“Let’s listen to Master Harbin. He may be a grumpy old man, but he has an accurate eye.”
Harbin coughed loudly at the mention of the eccentric old man, but neither Katinson nor she paid any attention. She crossed her arms and asked.
“Did you volunteer for the Imperial Knights?”
Katinson answered, his posture straight and solemn.
“Yes.”
“It’s a good talent. If you keep honing it, you can aim to become a knight commander. So don’t neglect your training.”
"Thank you."
“And a bastard sword would suit you better than a rapier. If you have decent strength, you can also carry a shield.”
Harbin nodded his enthusiastic agreement behind the counter to her words. The woman could be heard laughing.
The conversation seemed like it would end like this, and she seemed like she would just disappear like the wind. A feeling of regret enveloped Katinson. Katinson hesitated and then cautiously opened his mouth.
"If..."
"No."
And she flat-out rejected him before he could even speak.
“If I were an honest man, I would have shown my face to you from the beginning, Sir Rovel.”
"...Then."
Katinson begged her, holding onto the hem of her clothes as if he was going to burst.
“At least tell me how I can repay your kindness today.”
"Ah."
She let out a low laugh and spoke in a clear voice.
“Think of it as just a passing relationship. Like a midsummer night’s dream.”
"But...!"
“Master Harbin! It seems like the guest’s business is finished.”
At the woman's words, Harbin quickly waved his hand and told her to leave.
“Come next time, Lord Katinson!”
Katinson tried to resist, but the large man who had been quietly standing in the corner until now easily grabbed Katinson and dragged him away.
“Come see you later.”
And Katinson was dragged out of the weapon shop. Katinson, who was thrown in front of the weapon shop, stared blankly at the door that slammed shut. After sitting there for a while, someone spoke to Katinson in a soft voice.
“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to go somewhere else.”
The person who spoke was a handsome man who exuded an intellectual aura. Looking at his deep eyes, which were different from his slender body, the strange thought suddenly occurred to him that he would be good at archery. When Katinson looked up at him blankly, the man smiled again and spoke.
“Please disappear right now. I won’t say anything the third time.”
The words spoken with a faint smile were eerie. Katinson lifted his butt and walked hesitantly, feeling some intimidation.
Katinson didn't even remember how he got out. It was only when he heard the loud shouts of the fanatics in front of the central fountain in Plaza de la Manuap that he came to his senses.
“The millennium is coming! The end is coming! The devil will annihilate the continent!”
“...”
Katinson stood by the fountain for a long time, staring at the falling water drops. And he thought to himself, It really was like a midsummer night's dream.
The great temple of the sacred city of Inesian was not open to everyone. The temple was closed to the public and was not open to the public.
Among them, the place where the Pope leading the Ines sect, Ilwooz, resided was not even dared by the priests of Ines to enter. If they had to enter, they had to cleanse their body and mind and have a pious attitude.
But there was a woman who behaved very comfortably in such a sacred place as if it were her own home. Her clothes were quite different from those worn by women on other continents. The sleeves and skirts were wide and the flowing clothes wrapped her voluptuous figure like a flower petal.
The woman looked up with her jet-black eyes shining and waved to Ilwooz, who was sitting on a chair on the high platform.
“It’s been a while, Ilwooz.”
It was a truly informal greeting. If the priests of Ines had seen her acting like a close friend to Ilwooz, they would have fainted, but there was no one here except her and Ilwooz. Ilwooz responded to the greeting with a faint smile.
“Welcome, Ryeo Hyeon...”
She was Ryeo Hyeon, the Queen who ruled the Ryeo Kingdom and the best friend of Ilwooz.
Ilwooz slowly got up from his seat and walked down the stairs. Despite having his eyes covered with a cloth, he walked and moved without the slightest awkwardness.
Naturally, Ilwooz, who was sitting at the bottom of the stairs, lightly tapped me with his hand. Hyeon shrugged her shoulders and sat down next to him. It was a very cheap seat for the most prestigious people on the continent. However, Hyein and Ilwooz felt more comfortable in this seat than on a soft and fancy sofa.
Hyeon and Ilwooz had agreed to act as relaxed as possible when they met, and sitting on the stairs was part of that agreement. Hyeon was the first to speak.
“I heard the news. You found him. Count Targayel of Baluar. I am surprised.”
She had heard of Count Targayel. He was a war hero who led Baluar to victory in the Hundred Years' War, and he was famous for his inhuman swordsmanship. But she never imagined that Count Targayel would be 'him'.
Now that they have found 'him', all that remains is to find 'him'. Hyeon asked Ilwooz cautiously.
“He still?”
Ilwooz answered with a quiet sigh.
“Not yet... Still, there are a few candidates that I can guess... It is said that Duke Seraph of Baluar has the blood of an angel, so I am keeping an eye on that for now...”
Hyeon frowned at the mention of having the blood of an angel.
“Do you believe in such fairy tales?”
“It’s a moment when you have to grab onto even a shred of hope... That’s what it’s like...”
“..."
The small voice that continued on as if it was about to break had no strength. Hyeon glanced at Ilwooz’s face. His face had become very thin. Hyeon muttered as if she was upset by the deep worry that was coming from her.
“Take care of your body while you do it.”
At Hyeon's words, Ilwooz smiled languidly.
“Thank you, Hyeon...”
He slowly untied the string that had bound his eyes. The colorful eyes were revealed behind the flowing cloth.
The mysterious eyes contained all the colors of the world. They glowed white and then sank into darkness, and changed from brilliant primary colors to dull, colorless colors.
However, his beautiful and mysterious eyes were unfocused. They were hazy as if he had not yet woken up from a dream. This was because he had lost his eyesight in exchange for possessing a power that was beyond human power.
“Just a moment... close your eyes...”
Ilwooz whispered softly. Following his dreamy voice, Hyeon slowly closed her eyes, and Ilwooz placed his hand on her forehead.
A pure white light flowed out from Ilwooz's hand and seeped into Hyeon's body. When the light completely seeped in and disappeared, Ilwooz took his hand away, and Hyeon opened her eyes again.
“If you contact Duke Seraph... you will be able to find out who it is. You will only have one chance to use it, so be sure to use it on him...”
As she listened to Ilwooz's slow words, Hyeon pressed her hand against her chest. An unfamiliar power swirled and then subsided. Hyeon looked at Ilwooz and asked.
“What if Duke Seraph isn’t him?”
Ilwooz answered Hyeon's question with a sad smile.
“I have to keep looking...”
He muttered, covering his eyes with the string again.
“We still have some time left...”
News arrived that the Queen of the Kingdom of Ryeo had met Ilwooz in the sacred city of Inesian.
She was to use the teleporter in the temple's basement to arrive at the Baluar Palace. The royal family, who had been working hard to welcome the guests, were putting the finishing touches on their preparations.
Elze, who had visited Master Harbin's weapon shop, gave a brief lesson to a count named Katinson and achieved the feat of obtaining a stiletto and a two-handed sword for free. Considering the price of weapons Harbin made, it was no different from saving Targayel's finances by a large amount. It was truly a rewarding thing.
And before the Queen arrived, something joyful happened to Elze: the Kalias had finally returned to Targayel.
“Epen!”
"Lady!!"
Epen, the guild master of Kalia, was moved to see Elze after a long time. He was so happy that he almost wanted to hug her. Elze and Shan warmly welcomed him.
“Have you been well?”
Elze responded to Epen's words gently.
“Why is your return so late?”
“I guess I was trying to avoid being tracked and erase my traces...”
Kalia handled this matter more carefully than ever, in order to completely hide the fact that Targayel was involved. It took time to completely erase the traces, and naturally, his return was delayed.
“So that’s what happened.”
Elze praised Epen's excellent work without reserve. Epen was embarrassed by Elze's praise, but he couldn't hide his delight.
Elze praised Epen and talked for a long time about the events that had happened. Then she revealed to Shan a secret that she had not been able to tell him. It was about Elze and Kalia’s first meeting. After briefly explaining her relationship with Kalia, Elze took a deep breath and got to the main point.
“Kalia moved under the orders of Duke Seraph.”
“!!”
Shan's expression immediately changed at Elze's words. He muttered quietly.
“I should have killed him after all...”
At Shan's words, Elze poked him in the ribs and said.
“You can’t kill him yourself. You have to do it in a way that doesn’t reveal anything.”
Shan, who heard Elze's words, quickly agreed. Epen blinked as he watched his Madam, who had no intention of stopping his husband, suggesting a cleaner way to handle things, and Shan looked back at him.
Epen flinched involuntarily at the purple eyes that met him without any mental preparation. As the guildmaster of Kalia, Epen had met all sorts of people. However, the more he looked at Shan Cirxus, the more he seemed inhuman. He had become much stronger than when he had last seen him. As time passed, instead of becoming dull, he had become sharper and more refined.
Epen suddenly had this thought. If he continues to grow stronger like this... At some point, won’t he become something other than human?
“Can I call you Epen?”
Epen, who had been lost in thought, answered a beat late.
“Yes, Count.”
“Yes, Epen.”
Shan nodded slightly and asked.
“Is there any evidence that it was commissioned by the Seraph family?”
"No."
Epen swallowed dry saliva in tension before answering.
“The fact that Seraph commissioned it is also something that the guild members do not know. It is also information that I obtained by chance.”
"By chance?"
At Shan's question, Epen hesitated and then corrected himself.
“Actually, rather than a coincidence... it seemed like information that was leaked intentionally. So that I wouldn’t have any other thoughts.”
“...”
Certainly, if he knew that his client was a Seraph, he would not have thought of anything else. Duke Seraph had basically given Kalia only two choices: death or success.
In Kalia's case, he was saved because he hid under Targayel. Otherwise, he would have been caught and killed or would have been on the run forever. Shan muttered, crossing his arms.
“I guess there’s no use digging here.”
Anyway, Duke Seraph would have made his own preparations after Kalia escaped. Given his perfectionist personality, he would have handled the destruction of evidence very neatly.
As much time had passed, Shan and Elze decided to bury it for now. While they were talking about this and that with Epen, an urgent knock was heard.
“Count, this is Marle.”
As soon as Shan allowed him to enter, Marle hurriedly entered the room and reported straight away.
“Urgent report from the palace. The teleporter has started moving.”
At Marle's words, Shan and Elze looked at each other at the same time.
The teleportation underground of the Imperial Palace is connected to the underground of the Inesian Great Temple. The only ones who were scheduled to use the teleportation powered by the divine power of Ilwooz were... the delegation of the Kingdom of Ryeo.
So this was the news that the Queen of the Kingdom of Ryeo had finally arrived in the Baluar Empire.
“...”
Katinson swallowed slowly. The saliva that rose with the swallow reached the end of the stick. The woman's stick was aimed at Katinson's neck.
A pain came to his wrist belatedly. Katinson felt a sharp pain and thought back to what had just happened. It was too fast to see clearly, but the woman’s staff struck Katinson’s left wrist with precision. And without stopping or withdrawing the sword, it extended... and stopped in front of Katinson’s neck. If it had been a real sword, his wrist would have been cut off and his neck would have been pierced.
Unlike the absent-minded Katinson, the woman was calm. She slowly lowered the wooden stick and placed it back on the counter. She did not forget to give Harbin another request.
“Keep your promise.”
“Of course.”
After receiving Harbin's confirmation, she looked back at Katinson. Her hat was still pulled down low.
The moment that had just shocked Katinson was barely a light exercise for her.
It was Katinson's perfect defeat. Katinson was not stupid enough to not know that he had been taught by her, even though he had not recognized the woman's skills and looked down on her. The teachings she had given him were priceless, more valuable than gold and jewels. Katinson knelt on the floor and bowed his head
“...Good teaching, thank you.”
In front of Katinson's thanks, the woman didn't say anything, such as standing up or saying thank you. She just shrugged her shoulders. Instead of discussing the match again and enjoying her victory, she talked about something else.
“Let’s listen to Master Harbin. He may be a grumpy old man, but he has an accurate eye.”
Harbin coughed loudly at the mention of the eccentric old man, but neither Katinson nor she paid any attention. She crossed her arms and asked.
“Did you volunteer for the Imperial Knights?”
Katinson answered, his posture straight and solemn.
“Yes.”
“It’s a good talent. If you keep honing it, you can aim to become a knight commander. So don’t neglect your training.”
"Thank you."
“And a bastard sword would suit you better than a rapier. If you have decent strength, you can also carry a shield.”
Harbin nodded his enthusiastic agreement behind the counter to her words. The woman could be heard laughing.
The conversation seemed like it would end like this, and she seemed like she would just disappear like the wind. A feeling of regret enveloped Katinson. Katinson hesitated and then cautiously opened his mouth.
"If..."
"No."
And she flat-out rejected him before he could even speak.
“If I were an honest man, I would have shown my face to you from the beginning, Sir Rovel.”
"...Then."
Katinson begged her, holding onto the hem of her clothes as if he was going to burst.
“At least tell me how I can repay your kindness today.”
"Ah."
She let out a low laugh and spoke in a clear voice.
“Think of it as just a passing relationship. Like a midsummer night’s dream.”
"But...!"
“Master Harbin! It seems like the guest’s business is finished.”
At the woman's words, Harbin quickly waved his hand and told her to leave.
“Come next time, Lord Katinson!”
Katinson tried to resist, but the large man who had been quietly standing in the corner until now easily grabbed Katinson and dragged him away.
“Come see you later.”
And Katinson was dragged out of the weapon shop. Katinson, who was thrown in front of the weapon shop, stared blankly at the door that slammed shut. After sitting there for a while, someone spoke to Katinson in a soft voice.
“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to go somewhere else.”
The person who spoke was a handsome man who exuded an intellectual aura. Looking at his deep eyes, which were different from his slender body, the strange thought suddenly occurred to him that he would be good at archery. When Katinson looked up at him blankly, the man smiled again and spoke.
“Please disappear right now. I won’t say anything the third time.”
The words spoken with a faint smile were eerie. Katinson lifted his butt and walked hesitantly, feeling some intimidation.
Katinson didn't even remember how he got out. It was only when he heard the loud shouts of the fanatics in front of the central fountain in Plaza de la Manuap that he came to his senses.
“The millennium is coming! The end is coming! The devil will annihilate the continent!”
“...”
Katinson stood by the fountain for a long time, staring at the falling water drops. And he thought to himself, It really was like a midsummer night's dream.
***
The great temple of the sacred city of Inesian was not open to everyone. The temple was closed to the public and was not open to the public.
Among them, the place where the Pope leading the Ines sect, Ilwooz, resided was not even dared by the priests of Ines to enter. If they had to enter, they had to cleanse their body and mind and have a pious attitude.
But there was a woman who behaved very comfortably in such a sacred place as if it were her own home. Her clothes were quite different from those worn by women on other continents. The sleeves and skirts were wide and the flowing clothes wrapped her voluptuous figure like a flower petal.
The woman looked up with her jet-black eyes shining and waved to Ilwooz, who was sitting on a chair on the high platform.
“It’s been a while, Ilwooz.”
It was a truly informal greeting. If the priests of Ines had seen her acting like a close friend to Ilwooz, they would have fainted, but there was no one here except her and Ilwooz. Ilwooz responded to the greeting with a faint smile.
“Welcome, Ryeo Hyeon...”
She was Ryeo Hyeon, the Queen who ruled the Ryeo Kingdom and the best friend of Ilwooz.
Ilwooz slowly got up from his seat and walked down the stairs. Despite having his eyes covered with a cloth, he walked and moved without the slightest awkwardness.
Naturally, Ilwooz, who was sitting at the bottom of the stairs, lightly tapped me with his hand. Hyeon shrugged her shoulders and sat down next to him. It was a very cheap seat for the most prestigious people on the continent. However, Hyein and Ilwooz felt more comfortable in this seat than on a soft and fancy sofa.
Hyeon and Ilwooz had agreed to act as relaxed as possible when they met, and sitting on the stairs was part of that agreement. Hyeon was the first to speak.
“I heard the news. You found him. Count Targayel of Baluar. I am surprised.”
She had heard of Count Targayel. He was a war hero who led Baluar to victory in the Hundred Years' War, and he was famous for his inhuman swordsmanship. But she never imagined that Count Targayel would be 'him'.
Now that they have found 'him', all that remains is to find 'him'. Hyeon asked Ilwooz cautiously.
“He still?”
Ilwooz answered with a quiet sigh.
“Not yet... Still, there are a few candidates that I can guess... It is said that Duke Seraph of Baluar has the blood of an angel, so I am keeping an eye on that for now...”
Hyeon frowned at the mention of having the blood of an angel.
“Do you believe in such fairy tales?”
“It’s a moment when you have to grab onto even a shred of hope... That’s what it’s like...”
“..."
The small voice that continued on as if it was about to break had no strength. Hyeon glanced at Ilwooz’s face. His face had become very thin. Hyeon muttered as if she was upset by the deep worry that was coming from her.
“Take care of your body while you do it.”
At Hyeon's words, Ilwooz smiled languidly.
“Thank you, Hyeon...”
He slowly untied the string that had bound his eyes. The colorful eyes were revealed behind the flowing cloth.
The mysterious eyes contained all the colors of the world. They glowed white and then sank into darkness, and changed from brilliant primary colors to dull, colorless colors.
However, his beautiful and mysterious eyes were unfocused. They were hazy as if he had not yet woken up from a dream. This was because he had lost his eyesight in exchange for possessing a power that was beyond human power.
“Just a moment... close your eyes...”
Ilwooz whispered softly. Following his dreamy voice, Hyeon slowly closed her eyes, and Ilwooz placed his hand on her forehead.
A pure white light flowed out from Ilwooz's hand and seeped into Hyeon's body. When the light completely seeped in and disappeared, Ilwooz took his hand away, and Hyeon opened her eyes again.
“If you contact Duke Seraph... you will be able to find out who it is. You will only have one chance to use it, so be sure to use it on him...”
As she listened to Ilwooz's slow words, Hyeon pressed her hand against her chest. An unfamiliar power swirled and then subsided. Hyeon looked at Ilwooz and asked.
“What if Duke Seraph isn’t him?”
Ilwooz answered Hyeon's question with a sad smile.
“I have to keep looking...”
He muttered, covering his eyes with the string again.
“We still have some time left...”
***
News arrived that the Queen of the Kingdom of Ryeo had met Ilwooz in the sacred city of Inesian.
She was to use the teleporter in the temple's basement to arrive at the Baluar Palace. The royal family, who had been working hard to welcome the guests, were putting the finishing touches on their preparations.
Elze, who had visited Master Harbin's weapon shop, gave a brief lesson to a count named Katinson and achieved the feat of obtaining a stiletto and a two-handed sword for free. Considering the price of weapons Harbin made, it was no different from saving Targayel's finances by a large amount. It was truly a rewarding thing.
And before the Queen arrived, something joyful happened to Elze: the Kalias had finally returned to Targayel.
“Epen!”
"Lady!!"
Epen, the guild master of Kalia, was moved to see Elze after a long time. He was so happy that he almost wanted to hug her. Elze and Shan warmly welcomed him.
“Have you been well?”
Elze responded to Epen's words gently.
“Why is your return so late?”
“I guess I was trying to avoid being tracked and erase my traces...”
Kalia handled this matter more carefully than ever, in order to completely hide the fact that Targayel was involved. It took time to completely erase the traces, and naturally, his return was delayed.
“So that’s what happened.”
Elze praised Epen's excellent work without reserve. Epen was embarrassed by Elze's praise, but he couldn't hide his delight.
Elze praised Epen and talked for a long time about the events that had happened. Then she revealed to Shan a secret that she had not been able to tell him. It was about Elze and Kalia’s first meeting. After briefly explaining her relationship with Kalia, Elze took a deep breath and got to the main point.
“Kalia moved under the orders of Duke Seraph.”
“!!”
Shan's expression immediately changed at Elze's words. He muttered quietly.
“I should have killed him after all...”
At Shan's words, Elze poked him in the ribs and said.
“You can’t kill him yourself. You have to do it in a way that doesn’t reveal anything.”
Shan, who heard Elze's words, quickly agreed. Epen blinked as he watched his Madam, who had no intention of stopping his husband, suggesting a cleaner way to handle things, and Shan looked back at him.
Epen flinched involuntarily at the purple eyes that met him without any mental preparation. As the guildmaster of Kalia, Epen had met all sorts of people. However, the more he looked at Shan Cirxus, the more he seemed inhuman. He had become much stronger than when he had last seen him. As time passed, instead of becoming dull, he had become sharper and more refined.
Epen suddenly had this thought. If he continues to grow stronger like this... At some point, won’t he become something other than human?
“Can I call you Epen?”
Epen, who had been lost in thought, answered a beat late.
“Yes, Count.”
“Yes, Epen.”
Shan nodded slightly and asked.
“Is there any evidence that it was commissioned by the Seraph family?”
"No."
Epen swallowed dry saliva in tension before answering.
“The fact that Seraph commissioned it is also something that the guild members do not know. It is also information that I obtained by chance.”
"By chance?"
At Shan's question, Epen hesitated and then corrected himself.
“Actually, rather than a coincidence... it seemed like information that was leaked intentionally. So that I wouldn’t have any other thoughts.”
“...”
Certainly, if he knew that his client was a Seraph, he would not have thought of anything else. Duke Seraph had basically given Kalia only two choices: death or success.
In Kalia's case, he was saved because he hid under Targayel. Otherwise, he would have been caught and killed or would have been on the run forever. Shan muttered, crossing his arms.
“I guess there’s no use digging here.”
Anyway, Duke Seraph would have made his own preparations after Kalia escaped. Given his perfectionist personality, he would have handled the destruction of evidence very neatly.
As much time had passed, Shan and Elze decided to bury it for now. While they were talking about this and that with Epen, an urgent knock was heard.
“Count, this is Marle.”
As soon as Shan allowed him to enter, Marle hurriedly entered the room and reported straight away.
“Urgent report from the palace. The teleporter has started moving.”
At Marle's words, Shan and Elze looked at each other at the same time.
The teleportation underground of the Imperial Palace is connected to the underground of the Inesian Great Temple. The only ones who were scheduled to use the teleportation powered by the divine power of Ilwooz were... the delegation of the Kingdom of Ryeo.
So this was the news that the Queen of the Kingdom of Ryeo had finally arrived in the Baluar Empire.
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