Chapter 55. A Month Long

It’s been a while since I was here, too.

I looked around my room in Hilton Castle.

The floor covered with thick carpet felt both unfamiliar and familiar.

How should I put it?

It’s like I’ve gained three hometowns?

“No, no. What a creepy thing to say.”

I said it myself, but honestly, it gave me goosebumps.

How could I call this place a hometown, where the chill from the Grodes Mountains flows down? The same goes for Sahar. A city built on land where the undead sleep in abundance.

Erase it from your mind.

It’s troublesome if you get attached.

I shook my head vigorously, reminding myself once again of my future retirement plans.

Then my eyes fell on the backpack carelessly thrown on the floor. I crouched down and opened the bag’s mouth. Then I took out a fist-sized bundle that I had carefully placed in the deepest part.

Clink.

The sound of coins rubbing against each other was heard.

“Not that I’ll have any use for money here.”

I had stopped by the bank before leaving Sahar. While part of the reason was to withdraw expenses for the trip to Hilton, in truth, I wanted to check my balance more.

I’ve already received my fifth paycheck.

“…Should I retire now?”

Such a thought flashed through my mind, but I shook my head.

No.

Not yet.

With this much money, I’d only be able to buy one house and that would be it. Let’s stick to the original plan and complete two years. Then I can really live without worrying about money until old age.

And above all…

“Aveline needs to appear so they won’t hold me back.”

The question was whether Johann would willingly process my resignation letter.

Judging by his current behavior, it didn’t seem likely at all.

Well.

Then I’ll just run away.

Anyway, once Aveline starts her full-fledged activities, I’ll gradually be forgotten. It would be even better if rumors spread that I died somewhere unknown to anyone.

“Not bad.”

I might be able to use newspapers for that.

I flopped down on the bed without even changing my clothes, making audacious future plans. As I stretched my arms out wide, I already felt like I had gained freedom.

“Ah. I am a free person.”

A future free person…

And like a truly free person, I fell asleep in my natural state without washing. Even the pungent smell became a part of me after a while.

I guess the long-distance travel was tiring after all.

Before I could even be conscious of falling asleep, I was quickly sucked into the world of dreams.

* * *

It’s warm and cozy.

Where am I?

Splash.

I opened my eyes to the pleasant sound of water, and found myself immersed in water as white as milk.

<Where is this?>

<Well. Where could this be?>

<……?>

I didn’t expect an answer, but I heard someone’s voice. I reflexively tried to turn my head towards the direction of the voice, but then I realized something new.

It wasn’t a sound coming from a mouth.

It was neither mine, nor that unidentified voice.

<Is it resonating through my head?>

<It seems so.>

<Where are you? Who are you?>

I asked questions in rapid succession while turning my head in all directions. However, in the endless white lake, I was the only one there.

Come to think of it, the voice…

It’s familiar.

<……!>

The moment I realized this, goosebumps ran all over my body. It wasn’t an unidentified voice.

A voice I haven’t heard in so long…

My voice…

<Yoon Jia.>

<Yes, Seraphina.>

<Where are you? Jia. Are you doing well?>

<I’m doing very well. But it’s strange. I can’t see you either.>

What could this be?

Could I be connected to Jia in another world through a dream? Or is this just a meaningless dream created by my subconscious?

<You can hear my voice, right?>

<Yes. I can hear you very clearly.>

<Are you living in my body?>

<That’s right. I’m in Jia’s body.>

<H-how, do you know how this happened?>

I wanted to ask even if it was just an illusion in a dream.

How I came to possess this body.

But…

<I don’t know that either.>

The soft voice gently resonated in my head. Jia’s voice continued.

<But there’s one thing I do know.>

<What is it?>

<I like it here.>

<You like it? Living lonely as an orphan?>

<I don’t have to go to the battlefield, right?>

<You could live cleaning here too! Like being a maid or something.>

I don’t know why I’m arguing.

As if giving advice about my life, I felt my chest tighten.

She laughed softly in Jia’s voice and replied.

<No one would hire someone like me…>

<……>

Ah.

This one with rock-bottom self-esteem.

Only then did I recall how timid and foolish this person was. The memories of her engraved in Seraphina’s body came flooding back.

<I, I just… like living quietly while tending to my surroundings.>

<I see.>

<I’m just grateful for everything…>

What could I say when she says she likes it?

I remained silent, caught up in complicated emotions. While staring into space, I found myself completely focused on the conversation with Jia.

<Um, but you know.>

<Yes?>

<Be, be careful.>

<Why?>

<You, you might die… on the battlefield…>

Jia’s voice was tinged with sadness.

But I remained calm even in this discussion of death. Because I already knew.

<Are you talking about the Battle of Agulena?>

<…You knew?>

<Of course. But if you’re reading a web novel, can you tell me what happens next?>

<……>

<Who does Aveline end up with?>

<……>

<Hey. Why aren’t you answering? Jia, answer me. I’m curious. It’s not Mihail, right?>

But she remained silent until the end.

Only then did I realize that mist was rising all around. The lake mist was rising as if to engulf the lake.

Soon it completely enveloped my vision.

Is this what it feels like to be inside a cloud?

<It won’t be Mihail, right?>

I couldn’t let go of my lingering attachment.

<Tell me for sure next time we meet.>

I wonder if my voice is getting through.

As such curiosity gradually rose, someone shook my body.

“Hey.”

“Mmm… Mihail…”

“Disgusting first thing in the morning.”

“…hail is, …ugh!”

What the!

Just then, someone yanked my arm hard, forcibly lifting my body like a scarecrow. My head was ringing. It was the worst.

Furrowing my brow tightly, I glared at the culprit with full displeasure. And then I softened my gaze when I discovered Claude looking down at me with an even scarier glare.

“What’s the big deal first thing in the morning? You’re making my head ring.”

The cool voice fell over my head as I pressed my temples firmly.

“Purifier Seraphina.”

“Yes!”

This wasn’t the atmosphere for joking around.

He was enforcing discipline first thing in the morning.

This body of mine is quite quick to pick up on these things.

I quickly corrected my attitude.

“We’re departing for a subjugation mission.”

“Now?”

My voice cracked from surprise.

I just arrived yesterday…

I looked at him with eyes trying to evoke sympathy, but it was useless. Claude was unyielding.

“It’s a month-long mission.”

“What?!”

“Wash up and get ready immediately.”

“……”

I felt gloomy at the thought of the arduous schedule ahead. But amidst all that, there was one thing I couldn’t understand.

“I’ll just change clothes and go right away.”

“…Wash up.”

“I’ll get dirty anyway.”

“Wash up now. The entire knight order will be waiting until then.”

“……”

No, why go that far…

I gaped blankly, dumbfounded.

As I turned my head with a bewildered look, Austin, who had come along, subtly turned his head away, avoiding my gaze. Now that I noticed, it seemed he was even breathing carefully.

Sniff sniff.

I pulled the collar of the clothes I had slept in yesterday and smelled it.

It does smell a bit, but not to the point of being unbearable, right?

I raised my head again to look at Claude, and he was looking down at me with stern eyes, as if he had no intention of retracting his order.

“Alright. I’ll wash up if that’s what you want.”

* * *

The usual scene unfolded in the Emperor’s office.

Ionia brought in documents, and Johann processed the piled-up work one by one.

Scratch scratch.

The sound of the quill pen scratching against paper gently vibrated the air. Normally, this sound would have helped him concentrate better, but lately, Johann couldn’t do so.

He forcibly does the tasks he needs to do while feeling irritated.

The sound of focused breathing gently vibrated the air.

How much time had passed like this?
Johann stroked the back of his neck once with one hand and then leaned his head against the chair.

“Haa.”

I’m so busy I could die.

Why does it keep coming to mind?

Seraphina’s bright face filled his thoughts.

Johann lowered his eyelids tightly and then raised them again. Unlike his upturned lips, there was no hint of a smile in his blue eyes.

“Haha. That damn Guardian of the North.”

He had tried to bring Seraphina to Elmon not long ago, but failed. It seemed that damn Claude had started using his head.

She’s going to live in the Grodes Mountains?

Apparently, Seraphina has been on subjugation missions continuously since the very next day she arrived in Hilton.

“So you want to play it this way, huh?”

Johann’s expression was cold as he swept back his glossy silver hair.

After being silent for a moment as if considering his options, he soon got up.

It seemed that if he just stayed still, things would flow according to Claude’s plan.

“I can’t let that happen.”

Johann’s footsteps as he left the office were ominous.