Chapter 1 (Part 7)

Back in her tent, Yuliana silently screamed. The reason was Anthus. No matter how she thought about it, he was acting strange.

“Sylph!”

[Yuli, did you call?]

“I need some advice.”

Each spirit has a different personality. Among them, the wind spirit is talkative but often gives good advice when there are concerns.

[Of course.]

“Duke Rockbellion is acting strange.”

[Duke Rockbellion… the Sword Master?]

“Yes.”

[Tell me more, Yuli.]

“Well… his gaze towards me is very… warm…”

[Warm?]

Although they had gone on expeditions together, it was the first time Anthus had approached her so closely. They had always just greeted each other from a distance.

“It feels unfamiliar… And he suggested we call each other by nicknames… He keeps smiling when we meet, speaks kindly with warm eyes, and above all, wants to call me by a nickname—does that mean he thinks of me as more than just an acquaintance?”

[I think you’re right, Yuli.]

“And the most serious thing is that the Duke seems to like me. His words and actions keep making me misunderstand.”

Most of all, Anthus’s words kept echoing in her mind.

<Lady Yuliana, I hope you misunderstand all my actions.>

<What?>

<If you misunderstand, you’ll keep thinking about me, won’t you? I’ll make sure you’re convinced.>

Yuliana told Sylph everything that had happened with Anthus.

[From what I see, that weak Sword Master has feelings for you, Yuli. Saying he’ll try to make you convinced is practically a confession!]

“What do you mean, a weak Sword Master, Sylph?”

[Undine said so. What kind of Sword Master gets hurt fighting low-level monsters and needs treatment?]

“No, Sylph. Don’t misunderstand. The Duke got hurt protecting others… He’s not weak…”

[Yuli, are you defending that Sword Master? Ha ha!]

Sylph, watching Yuliana, who was blushing and flustered, spoke.

[Yuli, do you dislike the Sword Master?]

“I don’t dislike him… It just feels strange.”

It wasn’t that Anthus was particularly uncomfortable, but she didn’t know how to respond. This was the first time she had experienced something like this, so she was confused and felt a bit embarrassed. Starting with his words about them being well-suited as a man and a woman, she couldn’t keep her mind straight because of his actions and words.

“It’s just…”

[Just?]

“It feels weird…”

[From what I see, he likes you, Yuli!]

That night, Yuliana couldn’t sleep easily, as Anthus’s words kept replaying in her mind.

* * *

Back in his tent, Anthus began reading the reports his aides had prepared.

“Request the newly discovered northern dungeon to Mercenary King Erzen.”

“Yes, sir.”

After reading the last report, Anthus spoke to his aide, Rubellin.

“Inform the knights that we’ll be heading to Haeil Village, where the sole survivor from Luteons Village is, tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir.”

The report Rubellin brought detailed the beautiful love story of Beonar and his prospective fiancée, including their fateful meeting at a masquerade ball, a kiss, and a passionate night.

“So, he broke up with the young lady from the Viscount’s family?”

“Yes, it seems he ended things with Lady Sophia before getting caught two-timing.”

“How are the two of them now?”

“They’re completely infatuated with each other.”

Anthus clicked his tongue at the report.

“Still, keep a close eye on them.”

“Yes, sir.”

“It’s fortunate that the chess pieces moved properly to annul her engagement.”

“Beonar is openly talking about marrying Lady Sophia.”

“Cooking oil turns black after use, making it unappetizing for cooking again. Soon, we’ll need to replace the blackened oil with fresh oil to make new, crispy food.”

Anthus smiled, his lips curling.

“When will you dispose of the oil?”

“Not yet. Let’s watch a bit longer.”

“Yes, sir.”

If Sophia and Beonar had been like oil and water, they wouldn’t have mixed, but they quickly blended because they were alike. Marquis Fedeurus also favored Sophia from the traditional noble family of Earl Lumichua, given her substantial financial backing.

“I’ll sign the remaining documents and leave them on my desk. You can go now. Good work, Rubellin and Houston.”

As the aides left the tent, silence fell.

Anthus, looking at the documents, thought of Yuliana again. Being close to her recently made him realize he was eager to be near her even when they were apart.

In such moments, he calmed his anxious heart by imagining their conversations.

Desperate to touch her even slightly, he found himself inflicting injuries just to gain her attention, feeling both pathetic and willing to do anything for her care and gaze.

He felt like a madman.

Anthus stared at his open right palm, smiling.

Claiming there was something on her cheek was a blatant lie. He had just wanted to touch her cheek. Thinking of Yuliana’s blushing face when he touched her made his heart feel like it was rolling on the ground.

“What a pathetic heart.”

He pounded his left chest, where his restless heart lay, but it wouldn’t calm down.

He sighed deeply. He regretted touching her cheek, knowing it only made him think of her more.

“Lia.”

Anthus, abandoning his useless heart, closed his eyes and called out her nickname, thinking of Yuliana.

Just saying her nickname filled his heart with joy, making it impossible to sleep.

* * *

Anthus and Yuliana’s group arrived at Haeil Village, where the sole survivor from Luteons Village was being protected. At the village entrance, the village chief and villagers greeted them nervously.

“I am the chief of Hail Village. You must have had a hard journey to this humble place, Duke Rockbellion.”

Meeting a grand noble for the first time, the old chief and villagers bowed their heads and knelt before Anthus.

“Rise, everyone. Take me to the survivor immediately.”

“Yes, follow me.”

The chief explained that the survivor had escaped late at night, screaming for help.

“The child fainted after saying a monster appeared. When we inspected the child’s clothes, we found bloodstains… We thought it might have been a bandit or monster attack. The next day, we cautiously went to Luteons Village, but there wasn’t a single person… not even a dog or cat left. We found it strange.”

If it had been a monster or bandit attack, the village should have reeked of blood, and corpses should have been scattered. But it was too quiet, and Luteons Village was clean.

“After hearing the child’s story upon waking, we felt something was wrong and reported it.”

Nodding at the chief’s words, Anthus and Yuliana entered the house he led them to.

“Lian.”

“Yes, Chief.”

“This is Duke Rockbellion, here to investigate the incident at Luteons Village.”

“Hello. I’m Lian.”

“What happened in the village, Lian?”

Seated, Anthus asked.

“Well…”

Lian’s eyes wavered as he stammered nervously.

“It’s okay. Take your time and tell us what happened.”

Yuliana, following Anthus, smiled gently at Lian.

“Though it’s a painful memory, we need your help to investigate.”

“Yes… What I remember is…”

Lian began recounting that night.

He was sleeping soundly as usual. But that night was different. His parents woke him up.

<Dad…? Mom?>

<Go to Haeil Village right now!>

<Now?>

<Take this letter to the village chief.>

His mother hugged him tightly and continued.

<Lian, we love you more than anything in the world. Be a righteous person.>

<Lian.>

<Yes, Dad.>

<Wear this around your neck. Don’t let anyone take it.>

<Okay.>

And his mother’s last whisper in his ear.

<Run. Now.>

Then, with a loud noise, the door broke, and a monster entered the house.

The image of the monster reflected in the candlelight was etched into Lian’s mind. The monster was Mr. Kurus from next door. But…

“I don’t know why Mr. Kurus turned into a monster.”

“How did you know the neighbor turned into a monster?”

“He bit my dad’s neck, who was trying to protect me.”

Lian trembled, closing his eyes tightly.

“It was like a corpse walking. It smelled rotten… I was so scared that I ran out of the house and ran to Haeil Village…”

Yuliana approached the trembling Lian and patted his back.

It was a great fortune that the child had made it to Haeil Village without encountering monsters or beasts late at night.

“You were lucky. Where is the letter your mother gave you for the chief?”

“Here it is, Duke.”

The letter asked to protect Lian.

“My parents must be dead, right?”

Tears began to form in Lian’s eyes. Yuliana stroked the head of the grieving Lian.

“My mom and dad died because of me. They were trying to protect me… Because of me… If I hadn’t been there…”

At Lian’s tearful voice, Yuliana spoke up.

“The death of your parents is not your fault, Lian.”

“But they died protecting me!”

“I hope you don’t blame yourself for surviving thanks to your parents’ sacrifice.”

“I’m not blaming myself… It’s true that they died because of me.”

Tears continued to flow from Lian’s eyes.

“Your parents were wonderful and brave people who protected their beloved child. Don’t let their death be pitied.”

Despite Yuliana’s sincere advice, Lian tried to hold back his tears but eventually burst into sobs.

“Mom… Dad…”

Yuliana gently hugged Lian and patted his back.

“It must have been scary to escape all the way here, but you did well. We are grateful that you survived, Lian. Thanks to you, we know what happened in Luteons Village.”

Perhaps due to Yuliana’s kind voice, Lian, who had been trembling and crying in fear, began to calm down.