Chapter 38

Chapter 38

“Who did you learn swordsmanship from?”

“…”

“Hyung?”

When asked by Setchen, Leasis looked embarrassed. This was because Blix was staring at her next to her. The distance was too close. Blix’s high nose seemed to touch her cheek. Leasis leaned back and said.

“Blix-nim, do you have anything to say to me?”

“No. I don’t.”

“Then why are you… looking at me…”

“I want to look at you.”

Leasis was confused and lost her words. Then Blix poked her in the cheek with his hand.

“Answer.”

“Yes… yes?”

“Your brother just asked you. Who did you learn swordsmanship from?”

Leasis looked alternately between Setchen and Blix. She hesitated and said in a small voice. She did not want to lie about Neren’s work.

“I had a teacher.”

A knight apprentice? Blix wondered, blinking his green eyes. Setchen asked closely in front of Leasis.

“A teacher? Who?”

“You wouldn’t know if I told you…”

“Who is it?”

“That’s… that’s Neren-nim.”

Setchen tilted his head because it seemed like a name he had heard somewhere. Blix said with a strange smile.

“Neren? The eldest son of the Duke of Armada?”

“Oh… do you know him?”

“Of course. I’ve seen him myself.”

Neren was not well-known for his sword skills. Moreover, a boy from an enemy country knew his name and had seen him. Leasis was surprised, but Blix did not say much.

“Isn’t that a lie? He doesn’t even know how to use a sword.”

“What?”

“He can’t even do that. He doesn’t know how to use a sword, and I’d rather believe you were his teacher.”

“Don’t be so mean. Neren-nim was greater than anyone else.”

Leasis had a heartache. Blix grinned when she spoke with a sullen voice.

“Tell me the truth.”

Blix’s sparkling green eyes were so pretty. Leasis recalled the jewelry box of the Duchess she used to serve. If one opened the hidden jewelry box, an emerald ring at the center would be found. They seemed similar to that. Green eyes like luxury emeralds were sparkling brilliantly.

“Your posture. It doesn’t belong to the Duke of Armada. Count Dratius, right?”

Blix raised his chin. His voice was almost certain. Nervous, Leasis breathed low. She felt like a big snake was wrapping around her. Blix stared at her.

At that time, Setchen, who was watching from the side, intervened.

“What nonsense are you talking about? Noo… No, Hyung respects him.”

“Respect?”

“Yes, Hyung. We’re both fans of Count Dratius-nim. See. That’s why I use double swordsmanship.”

Setchen held up the swords with a triumphant face. Blix smiled alternately at Setchen and Leasis.

‘I’ll let it go this time.’

Blix mouth-shaped the words that only Leasis could hear.

*

The night air was quite chilly. The villagers fastened their collars and hurried their steps.

In the meantime, Hizen was standing there. Wearing a thin cape, he put his hand in his pocket. The cold metal touched his finger. It was strange and unfamiliar. Like Leasis. Hizen thought Leasis was different from ordinary women. She was a simple woman who rejoiced as if she had the world even with a single wooden sword. However, she could not take her eyes off his Silver Bird Medals. She must have liked accessories because she was a woman.

A faint smile was drawn around Hizen’s mouth. It was his first time buying accessories for someone, and he was happy to imagine that person happy. So he could not figure out what emotions he was feeling now.

Hizen carefully pulled out his hand in case the accessories broke. He leaned up against the nearby store.

It was dark. By now, it was time for Leasis to return to the maids’ palace. Hizen’s expression became serious.

‘I wonder if you cleaned up well today. I hope you didn’t hurt yourself trying to help others. Jason, if you’re going for a walk with her…’

He needed to get back as soon as possible. Hizen clenched his fist. A blue tendon wriggled on the back of his hand.

“Count Dratius-nim.”

He turned his eyes to the low call. From the side, a man with an unusual appearance was silently approaching. He could not even hear his footsteps.

It was Lander, an informant of the Count. Lander bowed slightly in front of Hizen and handed him a piece of parchment. Hizen quickly tore off the red string tied to the parchment. Lander opened his eyes slightly wider at the sight. Did something urgent happen in the Imperial Palace? It was not like Hizen.

Meanwhile, Hizen was distracted by the parchment. The parchment listed information that Lander had examined. Among them, the most notable was a specific name.

Blixrond Lan Milcheko. He was the Crown Prince of the Utran Empire, and an enemy he had aimed his sword at, on the battlefield. His blue eyes darkened. In his mind was still vivid the sight of the Killer smiling while licking the blood of his enemy, whose head and torso had been separated.

That crazy prince came to the Empire. Hizen’s head became complicated. Utran was currently in a truce with Harknon due to Elnos’ doing. He could not have come for sightseeing, and it was more difficult for other purposes.

“Lander.”

“Yes, Count-nim.”

“Sonen, Lipponal, Jenno, Luapoke. Investigate if there are any witnesses who have seen the prince in these four districts.”

“Okay.”

He had an ominous feeling. Hizen squeezed the rough parchment.

*

He’s working really hard. Blix looked at Leasis and touched his chin. She was doing gymnastics close to the waiting room wall. It was Utran’s gymnastics taught by Blix.

Next to him, Setchen also moved his arms and legs. Other contestants also noticed and approached them. They seemed to want to follow along.

It was amazing. After a short period of time, that man[1] was getting the likes of others. Of course it was not without reason. He talked to his competitors and was worried as if it were his fault if they were hurt. Blix did not know if he was good or stupid. It was a peculiar type of human he had never seen.

There were more than five participants around Leasis. She asked instead of doing gymnastics.

“Do you want me to tell you something?”

“Well, I’d appreciate it.”

“It’s all thanks to Blix-nim.”

Leasis grinned at Blix. It was nice to see the red lips bending gently under the cape. Blix smiled unknowingly.

Leasis waved widely at Blix. She actively taught gymnastics to the participants.

“Stretch your arms like this…”

Let’s take it off. Blix was a little curious about the face under that cape. It was the second interest he felt in his life.

Blix shook his head. He may be ugly, or there may be burns or wounds on his face. He did not want to hurt him by using force.

‘…What?’

Blix was surprised by his own thoughts. Except for his younger brother, he was not considerate of others. Something seemed to have changed after meeting him. Even the common air felt a little different?

Maybe it was because they were brothers. Worried, Blix touched his left earbud. He felt a small emerald earring.

“Blix-nim.”

“…Yes?”

Leasis popped out in front of Blix. Red eyes were visible under the slightly opened cloak. They were as pretty as rubies. Surprised, Blix pushed his head back and hit his head against the wall.

Thud.

“A-are you all right?”

“I’m okay.”

“I’m sorry. You didn’t answer my call.”

Blix touched his slightly swollen head. It seemed a little wet. Leasis looked at him and opened her mouth.

“Blood…”

What, blood. Blix tried to wipe the blood off his clothes. But Leasis snatched his hand.

What? Blix looked at Leasis with surprised eyes. She took a white handkerchief out of her arms. Then she wiped his hand thoroughly.

Next was Blix’s head. Leasis touched the back of his round head. For the first time in his life, Blix’s body hardened, surprised by someone else’s touch.

“What are you doing…”

“Shh. Wait a minute.”

She was so close that he could feel her breath. As she whispered something, his head warmed.

Warm? Blix opened his eyes wide. The touch on his head was warm, and the voice, heart, and air were warm.

Leasis slowly raised her hand. Blix was a little disappointed, so he looked at her. She smiled awkwardly.

“I’m sorry.”

“Hellhard-ssi. Are you a paladin?”

Leasis burst into laughter at the question. She shook her head covering her mouth with her hand.

“No, I’m not. I’m just a magic swordsman. I’m also a beginner who can only use healing magic.”

Leasis’ voice was full of laughter. It made him feel bad for some reason. Blix asked with an angry face.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Oh. He said the same thing to me. I… I asked someone else the same question as Blix-nim.”

Leasis spoke brightly and scratched her head. Blix smirked at the slightly crumpled cape hood.

“Oh, by the way.”

Leasis clapped her hands and grabbed something on the floor. There were three small wooden barrels. It was the first time Blix saw them.

“What is it?”

“It’s a gift for Blix-nim.”

“A gift?”

“Yes. I asked the hosts. They told us to ask if we needed anything…”

She also remembered Blix. The hosts had told them to tell them if they needed anything, such as food or drinks. Blix did not listen because he already had enough bread.

Leasis’ long white fingers opened the lid of the barrel. Inside was sweet strawberry jam, soft whipped cream, and a rich chocolate sauce.

“If you keep eating bread, it will taste less delicious. Try dipping it in these.”

Blix did not like new things. Whether it was food or people. Especially, he did not enjoy sweet food because his brother did not like it. Helping Setchen and Leasis was also a rare favor he did because they reminded him of his brother.

Feeling embarrassed, Blix looked at Leasis. It was strange. He could say no as usual, but his mouth was heavy.

“Come on.”

The red lips under the cape bent nicely. He stared at it and took out the bread. Then he tried to bring the bread to the chocolate sauce.

“Is this how you do it?”

“Yes. Like that.”

I don’t think I’m going to die. Blix sighed. He swallowed dry saliva and smeared the bread with chocolate sauce. It was slightly, very lightly enough to cover the end of the bread.

Frustrated, Leasis grabbed his arm and pushed it. The bread was soaked with chocolate sauce.

Blix fell into despair. She had put chocolate sauce on the bread. He did not know if he was going to eat bread or chocolate sauce when the sauce was so smeared.

When he glanced next to him, he saw Leasis staring at him. Hey, I don’t know! Blix closed his eyes tightly and put the bread in his mouth.

“What do you think?”

“…Delicious.”

Blix was truly impressed. The thick bread was combined with a sweet flavor, giving a mysterious taste. Leasis was delighted and pushed the wooden barrel containing whipped cream toward him.

“This one, too.”

“This is a little…”

“Come on.”

It was also the first time someone forced him to eat food. Blix hesitated for a moment and dipped the bread in the whipped cream. He then ate it, and the taste was really wonderful.

“How did you know this?”

“Hehe. It’s the way the Duchess I was serving liked eating.”

The Duchess? What kind of escort was he? I don’t know. Blix mumbled while eating his bread.

“I’m glad you like it.”

Leasis was pleased. The sight shocked Blix. He had never sympathized with other people’s misfortune or happiness.

His face changed subtly.

TL notes

[1] ‘that man’ is Leasis seen by Blix.