Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Creak.

He did not even feel a sign. Who was it? Blix’s green eyes widened as the iron door opened suddenly. The surrounding participants began to gather at the gate with surprise at the unexpected sound, and the frightened Setchen clung to Leasis.

Leasis took a step back from the iron gate. Suddenly, she felt nauseous and the iron door seemed unusual. Why?

[Stay still.]

She heard someone whispering low beyond the nearby iron gate. And the squealing cries of the beasts…

Click.

The door opened, and a man in a perfect black uniform came in. He was a handsome man with cold blond hair who seemed like he would not bleed a single drop of blood even if he was stabbed. His existence alone suddenly brightened the surroundings, making this dark pile of stones feel like a colorful social party.

Had she lost her eyesight? Leasis rubbed her eyes in her black cloak, but his appearance remained the same. She put down her hands rubbing her eyes and stared blankly at Hizen.

He looked around indifferently and murmured ‘It’s dirty.’

‘Count-nim… it’s Count-nim…’

Leasis’ mouth opened wide. Count-nim, it was Count Dratius-nim, who looked great even when doing nothing. He was so cool and beautiful even though it had been a long time. She mumbled and mumbled. This was not a dream, was it? She had only seen him in her dreams. She had wondered how hard it had been for him.

It was nice to see him in real life, it was so overwhelming that her heart was bursting, and she kept smiling. She had a hard time holding back her laughter.

She was happy just looking at him from the side. She was so glad and thankful that he did not get hurt during the mission. Really, that was enough.

Participants who recognized Hizen’s identity were buzzing. Hizen, who was looking around, found Leasis. He approached her gracefully with his long legs. He stopped in front of Leasis.

“You. What’s your name?”

She could not even remember her name because her mind was blank at the moment.

After a long silence, Leasis managed to get her name out.

“I… I am Hellhard.”

“Yes, Hellhard. From now on, I will briefly explain the rules for tomorrow’s competition under the orders of His Highness the Crown Prince Elnos. You’ll use the cerberus as assistants to fight, so follow me.”

Assistants? The contestants hummed at the sudden words. However, Hizen stood in front of the iron gate with a calm face.

He spoke more blatently than usual.

“What are you doing?”

“…What?”

“Come here.”

Leasis hesitated. However, she had to move automatically at the words Hizen spit.

“It’s an order.”

*

Hizen was in a state of anxiety. He had to wait until the gladiator tournament was over, but he did not want to wait. For the first time, the position of Commander and Hizen’s own feelings played a tug-of-war. He was dying to compromise in the midst of his impatience.

He went to the gladiator arena under the pretext of moving the cerberus to the underground of the arena. Was there Leasis in this dark place? Hizen’s expression hardened noticeably. He was worried that she might have suffered bad things from the men. The more he did, the faster he walked.

He opened the iron door, and entered with no hesitation. He dragged the cerberus with their tails down. They went in without making a noise, not even footsteps, looking at Hizen’s eyes.

But they whined as if they were frightened by something.

“Stay still.”

The low warning made the Cerberus quiet as if they were dead. He swallowed his dry saliva as he looked at the hard iron door, that seemed like the last obstacle. He had come all the way here, but suddenly became nervous. He did not know what to say or what expression to make when meeting her.

After hesitating, he opened the heavy door.

Creak.

He saw men mixed with dirty sweat. His blue eyes moved faster than ever. He looked over everyone and found a black cape exactly two steps ahead. At that moment, he realized a new fact. He would be able to find Leasis whatever she was wearing.

But his mind went blank. He had to say something, but he could not remember how to open his mouth. His lips seemed to be frozen.

“It’s dirty…”

Hizen, who uttered anything, gulped down his hot saliva. Just the sight of Leasis in front of him made him nervous.

He approached her, hiding his trembling hands behind her.

“You. What’s your name?”

Leasis muttered something in a blank voice. But the look was cute, so his heart tickled. He tried to look away and ordered her to follow him out.

The iron door connected to the outside closed in a grand sound. As soon as the door closed, Hizen grabbed Leasis’ hand as if he had been waiting and walked forward.

It was almost the same speed as running, so Leasis called him, surprised.

“Count-nim?”

“Follow me.”

It was not long before the two people came out completely. Hizen turned away from a tight pile of stones.

Leasis flinched at his bright blue eyes. You didn’t recognize me? Leasis’ lips trembled nervously.

As if he had read her mind, Hizen took off her cape with his hands. It was a cautious touch, unlike usual.

The cape disappeared and her movements, who had been hindered by it, became lighter. But there were other advantages better than that. It was good to see Hizen more clearly without a cape.

In the dark, her red eyes were bent and looked like rubies. She had not seen Hizen in a long time, and he was so gorgeous and beautiful that her eyes were blinded. Leasis, admiring Hizen, called him without realizing it.

“Count-nim, Count-nim! I’m Leasis!”

“You don’t have to tell me.”

“R-really?”

“Yes.”

She was glad to see his glowing blue eyes. She mumbled, fiddling with the black cloak, perhaps embarrassed.

“You’re also Count-nim… Count-nim, I think you’ve gotten even more handsome in the meantime.”

He was relieved when he saw her smiling like a fool. Because of you, because of you. I was so worried. Hizen swallowed all the words and sighed deeply.

Leasis, who misunderstood it, smiled awkwardly.

“Are you surprised? I’m sorry…”

Hizen did not get angry. Instead, he grabbed Leasis’ cheek with his hand.

Surprised, her eyes grew bigger. He scrutinized her straight forehead, sparkling eyes, sharp nose, and even her unusual-looking lips. Finally, after checking her big hands, arms, shoulders, and legs, he was relieved. Fortunately, there was no injury.

In the meantime, Leasis became tense. Whith her chest beating fast as if galloping, she was engulfed in emotions beyond description. This was only felt for Hizen. Embarrassed by the emotions, she managed to open her trembling lips.

“There… Count-nim…”

“What.”

“I… didn’t wash up. The smell…”

Hizen’s face was nicely distorted. He could not stand it any longer, so he held her in his arms, and she froze. The two exhaled a thin breath. Warm body temperature, even heart beat, soft skin. He felt relieved.

After a while, she opened her eyes wide. She was more concerned that her filthy smell might make him unpleasant than the fact that she was touched by him. She did not even wash properly, but he was approaching her like this, even hugging her!

Leasis tried to back off with a slight step back. Then, Hizen, who came to his senses, freed her.

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

Hizen kept apologizing and bowed his head. But at that moment, he remembered the mistakes he had made. Making her deliver Commander Ramashter’s luggage, making her do things that did not make sense, being sarcastic… The past he wanted to erase unfolded like a panorama before his eyes.

‘I did all that.’

Hizen was more shocked than if he had been cut by a sword. Just as he disliked Princess Ashley, Leasis could dislike him. He fell into a great sense of guilt when those thoughts flashed through him.

“I-I’m sorry… I think… maybe… you hate me. What I’ve done… That…”

When she saw Hizen drooping, her heart became uncomfortable. No, it was close to being sick. She spoke as if shouting in spite of herself.

“No, I don’t. You’re nice.”

Hizen’s blue eyes blinked greatly. She spoke proudly, facing his eyes.

“Why would I hate Count-nim?”

“Huh?…”

“I like Count-nim.”

That was the best thing in the world. Hizen fluttered like a fool at the unbelievable words given by her pretty lips.

However, Leasis, who was more concerned about the smell than Hizen, took a step back and muttered like an excuse.

“Hmm… I’m sorry to have bothered you. I was trying to save my younger brother… And I came all the way here.”

It was a fact that he already knew. Hizen, who came to his senses, touched his cheeks with both hands. They were as hot as a fire.

A chilling voice rang through his ears.

“But when I get back, I’ll clean up properly!”

“You…”

“Yes?”

“Do you think that’s important now?”

Then what was important? Leasis, who stopped talking, seriously wondered. Hizen touched his forehead with his hand because he could only laugh at the scene.

It was a reunion that he had wanted so much, but it was like this again. He did not think she understood correctly the situation.

Nevertheless, he could not give up. No, he had no intention of giving up. Hizen took two steps closer to her and gave strength to his hoarse voice.

“Let’s go back.”

“What?”

“I’ll look out for an opportunity. You just have to wait a little longer to become a knight. What I have prepared for you…”

“No, that’s okay.”

Leasis cut his words. Frustrated by the clean refusal, Hizen lost his words and looked down at her. She spoke clearly.

“C-Count-nim, that’s okay. I’ll become a knight by myself.”

What does she mean? Hizen’s face was nicely distorted. Leasis, who lost her sense, talked in an excited voice.

“Well, I’m being recognized now! I’ve never been knocked down in the tournament. I also learned the secret technique of Utran’s blood swordsmanship. And then…”

Hizen could not hear anything. He asked in a ridiculous voice.

“So, you want me to go back now?”

“Yes.”

“I… alone?”

“Of course!”

Leasis struck Hizen’s hand, holding her wrist. It was ridiculous to say that she hit it. She just removed it.

But to Hizen, it felt stronger than being hit.

“Go back now, please.”

The shock of her words spoken with a bright smile was greater than he thought. Hizen stared blankly at her wrist.

“…Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Leasis answered firmly. In the meantime, she had made Hizen uncomfortable and did not want to be treated as a lump of luggage. There was not much time left before she won the gladiator tournament on her own and joined the Imperial Elite Knights.

Hizen was more surprised than if he had been ambushed by an enemy. He could not speak anymore. He did not respond because he did not even expect her to refuse. He let out a heavy sigh. It felt like he had a thorn in his neck. His heart was burning.

Leasis smiled brightly, whether she knew how he felt or not. She pledged to herself.

‘Please wait. I will definitely go to Count-nim on my own!’