Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Hizen took over Leasis’ mind. It was mostly concerns. Since some time had passed already, Hizen may have returned to the Imperial Palace. She was glad he was not back yet, but she was not confident about how he would react after returning. The shock may be greater because she had never been late.

Leasis, who was struggling, shook her head heavily. No, it could not be. There had not been even a single letter from him before she entered the gladiator tournament, so chances were high that he would not mind it. She clasped the hem of the black cloak in her hand.

The continuous longing was painful. Even if she did not try to think of Hizen, his appearance was in front of her. Not long ago, she thought it was natural to walk next to him, but it was not. It was only now possible to realize that this moment had been a great happiness.

Nevertheless, Leasis changed to a different person when she stepped in the gladiator arena. She could see the vivid battles of the outstanding warriors in front of her, and she could directly bump into it and fight.

She was so happy that she worried that it was a dream. In particular, she did not think of anything else as soon as she went up to the arena and wielded her sword. She missed Hizen, the Commander’s office that was dirty because she could not clean it, Max and Grien. But now, nothing came to her mind. It was just instinctively swinging a wooden sword and moving her body.

The tip of Leasis’ wooden sword aimed at a man’s heart. Although it was not a real sword, the blue-colored wooden sword was threatening enough. The opponent lost his fighting spirit, dropped his sword and shouted.

“I s-surrend!”

Leasis turned right away to protect Setchen. But at that moment, she removed her wooden sword. Blix was already harassing the two guys who were after Setchen.

Blix, who overpowered the two, did not even draw his sword. Leasis’s heart pounded at his ability to easily subdue his opponent with his physical skills alone.

It was her first time seeing a warrior who was this good at controlling his speed. Of course, there were powerful men like Hizen and Max in the Imperial Palace, but there was something different from Blix’s fights. It was an unfamiliar fighting method unique to him.

The host raised the blue flag to mark the end of the game, and the spectators cheered. Blix shook his hands lightly and glanced at Leasis. He was hugging Setchen and enjoying their victory. He was still a good brother.

Blix looked at Leasis and Setchen. Apart from his older brother, he had only thought that Setchen was an immature bum, but he was quite good. His physical strength was terrible, but his basic sword technique of blocking or wielding a sword was excellent.

When the two high-fives, Blix secretly raised his hand. He sometimes envied their friendly relationship and even intervened.

“Please do it for me, too.”

Leasis smiled brightly and bumped into his hand. As the three entered the waiting room together, the participants there looked up. They were glad to see Leasis’ black cloak. She was already recognized by the contestants for her outstanding skills and friendly personality.

“Hey, Hellhard. You were good today, too. I was especially surprised when you hit your opponent on the shoulder.”

“Hellhard, it’s always neat. I thought that green-haired kid would catch up soon.”

“Thank you for the compliments.”

As expected, Leasis Noona is the best everywhere. Setchen’s shoulders went up slightly. In the eyes of Setchen now, Leasis was cooler and prouder than Hizen. He had originally been proud of her, but it had gotten better recently.

Setchen’s face turned red. Having known her for the longest time and being the only one to know her true identity was a great excitement to him. It was kind of possessive.

Setchen held Leasis’ hand tightly, as she mingled with people. She bowed her head in surprise at the sudden action. Setchen whined as if they were in Liduré.

“Hyung, let’s rest over there.”

“Are you sick?”

“No.”

Setchen shook his head, but she could not hide her worries. Did he catch a cold? When she touched his forehead with her hand, it was as hot as a fire. Even in Liduré, Setchen would easily catch a cold. She immediately led Setchen and sat down against a wall.

Blix, who was watching them, left, saying he would get a blanket. Setchen mumbled with a guilty conscience because of them worrying.

“I’m fine. So, you don’t have to worry.”

“Don’t lie to me. Your forehead is so hot.”

Leasis sighed as she swept Setchen’s forehead. The more she did, the redder his face became.

Setchen fiddled with his fingers and glanced at her. She was wearing a dirty black cloak, but she looked prettier than the girls in dresses.

Setchen looked around. Fortunately, no one was interested in them anymore. Most of them were polishing their swords, or had their eyes glued to the floor.

“Noona. What are you going to do now?”

“Huh?”

“There’s no one better than us right now. Of course, it’s thanks to Noona and Hyung… I’m just wondering what you’re going to do.”

Setchen fiddled with the hem of his clothes. At first, he felt vaguely sorry for Leasis who came to the gladiator tournament because of him. But now he did not want it to end. It was his first time being with someone for such a long time besides Grien, but it was very good.

Setchen himself was amazed. He knew he liked Leasis, but he did not know it would be this good. So he felt nervous and sad at the limited time.

“Why don’t you join me as an imperial knight?”

“That’s…”

Before Leasis could answer, Setchen held her hand tightly. She was surprised, and he said it one more time desperately. It was to prevent rejection.

“Noona. Let’s join the Imperial Knights.”

The hand caught by Setchen hurt. Leasis looked at her bloodless hand and wondered. If she joined the Imperial Knights with her younger brother, Setchen, there was nothing bad for her.

“Okay.”

Setchen’s face brightened up with a faster-than-expected and cleaner answer. How many times did he check if it was true? Leasis nodded silently because she meant it. Then she saw Setchen jumping from his seat.

Was it that good? Leasis opened her red eyes wide. But there was one thing she needed to tell Setchen. She grabbed him by the arm and opened her mouth.

“Setchen, there’s a specific division I want to join.”

“Which one?”

“The Imperial Elite Knights.”

No way. Setchen doubted his ears. He wondered if Leasis was joking. But her voice was so serious.

“By all means. I must go there.”

“Huh? What do you mean? It’s…”

“You said you were sick, but you’re fine. Is your brother all better?”

When Blix suddenly stepped in, the two shut up as if they had promised to do so. The two looked at each other in embarrassment, wondering what he had heard.

Blix narrowed his eyes, holding the blankets he had brought. The two people who were talking well just now became completely mute.

There was only silence while handing the blankets to the two. Blix poked his lips. No matter how much he looked at it, it seemed to be because of him. He knew well that other people usually felt uncomfortable with him, but he was disappointed that even his favorite brother did this.

Blix showed his feelings honestly.

“No matter how close you two are, you shouldn’t outcast people like this.”

“No. It’s a misunderstanding.”

Leasis strongly denied it, but Blix did not believe it. Then, what was the cause of the silence?

When Blix’s expression subtly changed, Leasis was embarrassed. Blix was an adult, but sometimes he had a childlike side. Just like now.

She recalled the Duke’s stubborn youngest son. He was such a sensitive and picky child that it was hard to believe that he was Neren’s brother. She spoke in a soft voice as if soothing a child.

“Believe me. I’m telling you.”

“Lie.”

Blix was a very persistent man. He, who had no talent for swordsmanship, had come to use intangible swords, and was still alive even after thousands of times in front of the threshold of death because of his persistence. He asked, as persistent as ever.

“Then what did you talk about?”

A clumsy lie would make him more angry. Leasis told the truth cleanly.

“We were talking about which division of Imperial Knights to join in the future.”

Their conversation was natural. The goal of those who participate in the gladiator tournament was to win prizes, honor, or opportunities to become imperial knights.

But Blix’s expression changed mysteriously. As if he had not thought about it, he looked at the two.

“Hmm. The Knights…”

“Yes, the Imperial Knights.”

“Why do you want to be a knight?”

“Because of Count Dratius-nim.”

Blix was a little surprised. He felt a lot of affection in the words ‘Count Dratius-nim’. He was covered with a black cape, but it seemed he could see Hellhard’s pleased expression. His peaceful voice trembled and his heart was overwhelmed. How could he be so happy just by putting someone else’s name in his mouth? It was amazing.

Leasis set fire to Blix’s question. She added in a more exasperated voice than usual. She was like a person who did not know what to do.

“Like him, I want to be a righteous knight.”

“You must really like him.”

“Yes. I like him. Really, the most in the world!”

Leasis even clenched her fists and said it strongly. Blix fiddled with his lips. Now Hellhard was a little too much to just call Count Dratius a respectful man. Then, they must be real acquaintances.

Come to think of it, two children from the three major families had told him to die. Did he get to know Count Dratius through Neren? The hypotheses that came to his mind gave Blix a deep smile. If Hellhard was an acquaintance of Count Hizen Ben Dratius, he was not bad either. One of the reasons why Blix had set foot in this country was Hizen.

He wanted to compete with Hizen again. Blix’s rough fingertips trembled at the sudden desire. When he thought about that time, he still had a shiver in his body. With that cold face, he was blocking his sword with an intangible sword. He cut the heads of his enemies countless times to provoke him, but to no avail. He was such a calm man.

He wanted to kill. Blix clenched his tickling hand. He still had to wait, so he had to be patient. But when all this joke was over, it would be up to him. Cut off all his fingers, and his neck struggling with pain.

“Blix-nim?”

At Leasis’ call, Blix came to his senses. He looked up and saw her red lips.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Oh… nothing much.”

Blix was lost in thought as he looked at Leasis and Setchen. If this brother admired Count Dratius and became a knight, he might die by his own hands. Well, that brother’s side was like that, but he did not want Hellhard to die. He did not even want to imagine a man named Hellhard with his neck rolling on the ground.

So he decided to do something that he did not usually do. His younger brother would cursed at him if he knew.

“Other than that, why don’t you become the Emperor’s knight?”

There was no one who could easily understand his words. When Leasis and Setchen opened their eyes wide, Blix grinned. He spoke in a pleasant yet high, sweet voice.

“The knights of the Emperor who will change the world, the ones who protect the most valuable life. How about that?”