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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 89: Arden, the Renowned Household of Swordsmanship (1)

Chapter 89: Arden, the Renowned Household of Swordsmanship (1)

Nothing⁠⁠ big happened after​ the final exam⁠​​ until the start​ of the holiday.​

The​‍‍ only thing related‌ to the main‌⁠⁠ scenario in the‌‌‍ 2nd semester of‍​​ the 1st year​ was the festival‌‍‌ and a few‍ small quests from​ the mission board.​

A few of those⁠ missions were in‌ correlation with my​ Precepts so I cleared those and‌ focused on training.‍⁠​ In the end,⁠‌ I couldn’t reenact‌⁠ the Demonic Aura⁠​‍ release and Sebancia‌‌‌ Duke’s demonic sword​‍ but… Regarding that,‍ there was no​​ choice but to‍⁠ meet the old​‌​ man from the‍⁠ east and ask​‌ for some advice.‍‍

– Knock knock!

“Senior.⁠​ I’m here.”

Marie⁠‍ had told me⁠⁠‌ to come to‍ her room on⁠‍⁠ the day before‍‍ the end-of-the-term ceremony⁠‌​ so I went⁠‍ and knocked on⁠‍ her door. It​ was right after‌‌​ dinner so it‍ shouldn’t be discourteous‌‍ of me to⁠ visit her room.​⁠‌

“Come​​⁠ in.”

I opened the door⁠‌ after receiving her‍ permission and walked‌ inside. The girl‍‍ wearing casual clothes​⁠ handed me a small golden board⁠ with an engraving‌ of a potato​ flower as soon‌​ as I walked‍‍ into the room.​‍‍

“This…‌‌⁠ is the emblem⁠​ of your family,‌ isn’t it?”

“Yes.”⁠​​

I had seen the​ emblem of the‌ Dunareff family a bunch of times​​ during the summer​⁠ holiday so I immediately recognized what‌‍ they were.

“We​⁠‌ are… still a duke, so as‌ long as you​ have this board,‍​ you should be​ able to ask‍​‌ almost anyone for⁠‍​ cooperation.”

“…That⁠ is a very​ valuable item then.”⁠

The⁠ emblem of a noble was the​ symbol of the​​​ household and its⁠⁠‍ power. It was​ pretty much a license saying that‌‍ I was under​⁠⁠ the protection of‌‍ the dukedom that‌​ reigned over the⁠‌‍ south of the​⁠ country.

In‌⁠ the last iteration,‌ I had received​ an emblem of‍‌ the royal family‌‌ so I knew⁠​⁠ just how powerful‌‍⁠ these were more‍ than anyone else.‍⁠‍

These‌ didn’t exist in​ the game, and‍​‍ players had to⁠​ follow the right⁠​‌ procedure for every‌​ quest. If the​ Quest NPC went,⁠‌​ ‘Good sir! Please‌⁠ harvest some of‍‌ the crops we‍⁠ are growing in​​ our front yard!’‌ then the player⁠‍ had to crouch‌‍‌ down and harvest‍​ them regardless of⁠⁠⁠ whether they were‍ a hero or‍‌ not but…

In‍​‌ the real world,⁠‌ it was possible⁠⁠‍ to use power​‍ and authority to‌ say, ‘Shut up!‍ Just give me‍‌⁠ the information I need!’ and press‍ them on.

“Is‍ it okay to​​ give something this⁠ precious to anyone?”​‍

“You’re⁠ not ‘anyone’, Korin.”⁠‌

She⁠‍ said while placing​ the board firmly‍⁠ in my grip.​​​

“Korin,‌ you are the⁠‌ benefactor of our‍⁠‌ family. You really​‍‍ need to think​⁠ through on who‌ exactly it is‌ that you have‌‌‌ saved.”

“Of‍‍ course. I did​ save the imperial‌‌⁠ princess of the​⁠ Potato Empire after⁠‌⁠ all, right?”

“You’re‌‌ teasing me again!‌ At least treat​‌ me like a princess if you‌​ are going to⁠‌‍ say that all​‌‌ the time!”

Marie‌ said with a big pout as‌ if she was⁠ upset but when⁠⁠⁠ I tapped her‌⁠‌ back with a smile, she quickly‌ returned to her​ original expression.

“You’re​​ going straight after‌‍‌ the holiday ceremony​‍‌ tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah.‍​⁠ You’re going back‍‌​ home as well,⁠‌ right Senior?”

Because‌​ Marie was the‌⁠‍ oldest daughter of⁠ that Dunareff family,‍ she had to‌⁠ return home and⁠⁠‌ show her face‌‌⁠ every holiday. From​⁠‍ what I heard,‍‍ it seemed that‌⁠‍ there was a winter festival that‌‌⁠ was hosted by⁠ the Dunareff which​ she couldn’t miss​ as the successor​ of the household.⁠‌​

“I,‍ I will quickly‍⁠‍ go after you!‍‍⁠ Go and wait⁠‌ for me there!”‌

“Sure⁠‌​ and thanks for​⁠ your help. As⁠​ I’ve said before…​‍ there might be‌‍ some dangerous people​‌‌ coming there as⁠ well so I really need your‌ help.”

“Yep‍ yep…! I will‌‌ definitely go and‌‌ help you, Korin!”‍‌‍

Since‍ Park Sihu, the⁠ player, wasn’t here,​‌⁠ the strongest powerhouses‍‍‌ of our group‍ were Marie and‌ Hua Ran. I hoped they could‌ make it there‌ before the Solar⁠⁠ Eclipse.

“Don’t​ hurt yourself! Don’t⁠⁠ forget to take‌ the bag of‍⁠ potatoes that I gave you! And‌​​ don’t follow strange⁠ women even if‍ they lure you​⁠ with potatoes!!”

“Am‍‌⁠ I a kid?”⁠⁠⁠

It‌ was just going​ to be a slight farewell during‍‌‍ the holiday and‌‌​ yet she was‍ being way too‌‍⁠ serious about it.‍​

“I’ll⁠ go back to‌​⁠ my room then.”⁠‌

“K,​‍ Korin…”

I was about to‍⁠ turn around and‍⁠⁠ leave the room‍​⁠ but that was‌‌‍ when she held​‍​ onto my sleeves.‌ Her skin which‍ was as white‌ as white jade⁠‌​ was flushed in​‌ red – it​⁠ was something we‍‌ were both very‌‍‌ used to.

“B,‍⁠‌ before you go,‍ one last time…”⁠

“Don’t‍ hold back and⁠⁠ suck as much​⁠⁠ as you want.​ You would have‍ to live on⁠ blood packs for‍ a long time.”​

“Nn…‌ Thank you.”

On‌ the day before‍‌‍ my departure, I left Marie’s room‍​ right before the‌​ dates changed.

………‍‍

……‍‌

Returning‍‍‌ back to my‍‍ room, I washed​​ myself and was‍‌ about to go​ to sleep.

– Knock knock!

Right⁠⁠ as I was‍ about to fall​⁠‌ asleep, someone knocked‌​‌ on the door.⁠ I had just​ gone to Marie’s⁠‌ room so it‌​ could only be‌‍ one person but…​⁠⁠ why?

“Coming.”‍​

I opened the door‌‌‌ and as expected,​‌⁠ outside the room​‌ was Hua Ran⁠ in her pajamas.‌‌ It was late‍‌ at night in⁠⁠ the special dormitory.​‌​ Even though there​⁠ was no rule‍‌⁠ stating that you⁠ couldn’t go to​ the room of‍‍ a different gendered⁠⁠‌ person at night,​​‌ it was still⁠ common sense was‍ it not?

Well,‌‌ I guess there⁠‍⁠ was nothing I could say as​⁠ someone who had​ been in Marie’s‌ room for a very long time.‌‌

“Come…”‌⁠

Before​‌ I could even‍‌ tell her to‍⁠ come in, Hua‌ Ran walked forward‌‌ in large strides​‍⁠ and did something‍⁠‌ strange.

She⁠‌​ suddenly laid herself‍‌ down on my​ bed.

“I’m⁠ sleeping here.”

“How‍‌ could a lady‍ in her marriageable⁠‌ age…”

The‍ east should have‍ a Confucian doctrine‌ though… A boy⁠⁠ and a girl‌‌⁠ shouldn’t sleep in​​ the same room​​​ after turning 7;‍​ have you never⁠‍‍ heard of that?⁠

“Not‌ going to sleep?”⁠

“You⁠ think I would?”​⁠⁠

“Why?”​⁠

Hua‍⁠‍ Ran asked while‍⁠‍ looking at me‌ with blinking eyes.‍⁠ She was already⁠ under the blanket.⁠‍

“Umm…‌ You see? Society‍‌ has come to‌​​ a common agreement‌ that it’s a little weird for‌ a grown-up male​​‌ and female to​‍ sleep in the‌ same room.”

“I‌ don’t know about​⁠‌ that. And we⁠‌‍ slept together before.”⁠

Look‌‍‌ at this lady.⁠ Excuse me! Others⁠ are going to​‌​ misunderstand if they‌ hear that.

We​⁠​ did spend the⁠‌​ night together, but⁠‌ that was in‌ an emergency situation‌‌⁠ where we had​​ to hide from​​ the rain. That‌ wasn’t anything normal.⁠

But⁠⁠​ in any case,⁠⁠ she had a memory of spending​‍⁠ the night with‍​‌ me, and seemed‍​ unable to understand​ why there was⁠‍ something wrong with‌‍‍ doing the same‌​⁠ thing again.

“Okay.​​ Fine…”

I was a bit​​ scared of what​‍‍ would happen if‌ Lady Josephine was​⁠‍ to find out‍‌ about this later⁠‍​ on but… there⁠ was nothing I could do when‍⁠ she wanted to‌ sleep together. It​⁠​ should be okay​‍ as long as⁠‌ we didn’t get​‌ busted.

Ever⁠‍‌ since the festival,⁠‍ Hua also became‍⁠‍ a lot more​​ open just like⁠ Ran. Shouldn’t she‌⁠​ be the one​‌⁠ with a more⁠​‌ Confucian mindset?

“Huu…”​‍‌

I took off my⁠ gown to go‌ to sleep. It​ was then.

– Slam!

A pillow flew towards‌⁠⁠ me. Of course,​​ that was the⁠ only pillow I had on my​ bed.

“Why…​​​ are you taking⁠‌​ your clothes off?”‌

“…I⁠​ usually take my​⁠ clothes off when⁠​ going to sleep.”​

– Kung!

“Ahkk…!”‌

A shapeless burst of⁠​‌ demonic aura struck‍‌‌ my chest. This​⁠ girl… she learned⁠​⁠ how to shoot‌​ aura from a distance!

Well,‍ considering her strength,⁠ she probably could⁠ have done the​​⁠ same thing by⁠‍ putting a little‍ bit of strength‍‍ into her punch.⁠​

“That‍‍‌ was a joke⁠⁠⁠ but I can’t⁠‍⁠ sleep in a gown can I?‌‍ I have my⁠ pajamas as well!”⁠

“…Turn⁠⁠‌ around and change.”‌

“Okay…​ wait what?”

What⁠ was this about?‍ I’m the one‌‌‌ changing so why‌ do I have⁠​‌ to turn around?​ Shouldn’t she be​ the one turning‌ around?

I turned back to‌⁠ her for an‍‌ obvious complaint but​‌‌ was met with‌ another shapeless ball‍⁠‍ of aura.

“…My‍ fault for being⁠‌ weak.”

I was already in⁠ my pants anyway,‌​ so I quickly‌​ took out a T-shirt and put‍ it on.

“Move​‌ to the side‍⁠ will you.”

What‍ was fortunate was‍⁠⁠ that it was​ a double bed.​⁠‍ Back when I was going to⁠ college on Earth,⁠⁠​ all my beds‍​‍ were single or⁠⁠ bunk beds so‌‌​ they had been⁠⁠‍ tiny but I didn’t have to​ worry about that‍ now.

In​ any case, I pushed her to⁠​‍ the side and⁠ laid down on⁠ the bed. But‍ of course, there‌ was only one​​⁠ pillow and one‍ blanket in my​ room.

“…”‍​

Turning‌‌ her body towards​‌⁠ me, Hua Ran​​‍ silently looked at​​​ my face. A stubborn ray of‌‌ moonlight seeped through‌ the curtains and‍‍ her red eyes⁠⁠ sparkled under it​‌​ like rubies.

“What’s‌‍ wrong?”

“Pillow.”‍⁠

She⁠​ returned the pillow‍⁠ that I gave⁠​​ her after picking⁠‌​ it back up‍‌‌ from the floor.‍

“This‍​⁠ is your room.”‍‍

…I​‌ couldn’t understand her⁠‌ standards of respect.​

“It’s​⁠ okay, don’t worry⁠​ about it. I don’t need a pillow to sleep.”​⁠

“No.”⁠​

“Isn’t⁠ this my room?”‍

Why⁠⁠​ was she refusing‍​ my offer after​ acknowledging that this⁠‌ was my room?‌​‌

“Just‍‌‍ use it.”

“No.”​

“Alright.​‌ I’ll take one​⁠⁠ for the team‍⁠⁠ then.”

Resting‌ my head on‌⁠‌ the pillow, I stretched out my⁠‌ right arm.

“It’ll​ just be a little numb tomorrow⁠‌ morning. Use this​⁠ as your pillow.”‍⁠‍

“Okay.”​⁠​

This‌ time, Hua Ran‍ rested her head⁠​⁠ on my arm⁠​ without turning me‍‍​ down.

“It’s​ stiff.”

“You‌‌⁠ don’t have to‍⁠ use it if⁠‌‍ you don’t want‌ to.”

“That’s‍ not what I mean.”

I had no idea‌​ what I had‍ to do to⁠‌‍ please her. Maybe‌‌​ I had to​‌ buy another pillow‌​ or something… wait,​‌ couldn’t she just⁠⁠ bring a pillow‍‍‌ from her room?⁠

“Are‌ you… leaving straight‍⁠ away tomorrow?”

“Yeah.”⁠‌​

“I…‌ am going to‍‍ Zeon.”

“I‍‌ know. You have‍⁠‍ to meet the​ Saintess right?”

Hua​ Ran also had‌‍​ something to do.‍‍​

Every‌​‌ holiday, she had‍‌ to return to‍‌ the Great Chapel‌‌​ of Zeon that​ was located in​​​ the west to⁠‍‍ meet the Saintess.⁠ It was partially​‌ to reinforce the‍⁠‌ restriction cast on‍ her, but it⁠ was also for‍ an attentive test‍‍​ of her mental‌‍ stability.

Well,‍​ since it was‍​ that princess, she⁠‍ wouldn’t do anything⁠ bad to Hua‍‌ Ran.

I remembered them being⁠​‍ kidnapped whenever they‍‍ were too careless,⁠⁠‌ and wondered if​​⁠ that was still‌​ the same. The‌‌​ fight between those‍​‌ siblings was a bit extreme after⁠‌‌ all.

“I’ll⁠‌ be waiting for⁠​​ you there, and‌ don’t forget to⁠​ eat your meals⁠‍​ in time and​‌ listen to your​​‍ elders.”

“Okay.‌‍ Ran… asked you‍​‌ to think about‍ her even when​⁠ you’re away.”

“…I​ would have no‌​ choice but to.”‌

Ran‌‍‍ had the ability‌​ to make other‌⁠ people’s hearts beat‌​​ fast in a way that differed‍ from Hua.

“Is⁠⁠ Ran not going​⁠‍ to say goodbye?‌ I thought she‍⁠ would jump out⁠‌⁠ and say a few things though.”​⁠‍

“…Because‍⁠ Ran was up​‌ all morning.”

Today‌‌⁠ was the last⁠​ day of the‍‍⁠ final exam so‍ that made sense.‍ Ran was sitting⁠ the tests huh?​​​ Wasn’t this… cheating?‍‍⁠

I was wondering if​‍‌ that was okay‍ but that was‌‌ when she turned⁠ her head towards​‍‌ me with her‍​‍ head still resting​⁠ on my arm.⁠ Her soft cheek‍⁠ was pushed in⁠ by my wrist‍ and made her​​​ look chubby yet​ cute.

“Don’t‌‌‌ hurt yourself.”

“Hoh.⁠‌ Are you worried​ about me?”

Hearing⁠‌‌ my prankish question,⁠‌ she looked back​​⁠ at me with‌‌ a sad look​‌ in her eyes.​⁠‍ Ever since the⁠‍​ festival, she had⁠​⁠ been very sensitive‌ about me getting⁠​ injured.

It​‌ seemed that seeing‍ me in tatters‍ wasn’t a very‌‍ good experience.

“My⁠ heart stings when⁠‌ I see you​​ injured.”

“…”‍‍

She‌‌​ appeared to be‍‌ blaming herself for⁠‍ the thing that​⁠‌ happened that day.​​‍ Because of that‌‍​ sense of guilt,‍ these days she‌‍ was very concerned‌‌​ and worried about‌ me despite being⁠ cold as always.⁠

Despite⁠​‍ others calling her⁠ a jiangshi and​‍ a demonic beast,‍ she was still⁠‌ a very kind⁠‍ girl at heart‍​‌ and seeing changes​⁠ like that made⁠ me feel proud‍ for protecting her.‌

“You…⁠ will probably continue‌‌ to fight. Just⁠⁠ like how you‌⁠​ did for me.”​‌‌

A sense of duty​​‍ flickered in her​​‍ eyes. I wasn’t​‌ sure if that⁠‌ stemmed from the‍ desire to repay‍ her debt or‌ from a different‍ emotion but…

“I‍ will protect you.⁠‌ So please don’t​ get hurt as⁠‍ much.”

Regardless,⁠‍ I could feel‌⁠‍ her sincerity and‍‌ that was a very commendable sight‍⁠ so I stroked​ her cheek and‌‌ gave her a smile.

“Thank‌‌⁠ you. Thanks to‍‌​ you, I now​ have the power‍⁠ to try harder.”‌

“Wait⁠‍​ for me. I’ll​​ make it quick.”‍⁠

“Alrighty.⁠ You will be​ of massive help​ when you come.”​

After⁠‍ that, we chatted‍ until late at‍‌‍ night. Sometimes, she‌⁠ even conveyed the‌ words of Ran.‍‍‌

– Huu, huu…

Closing​ my eyes, I whispered to Hua⁠ Ran who buried‍‌ her head into⁠‍​ my chest in​⁠‍ her sleep like⁠‌ a kitten that⁠​⁠ found a warm⁠‍⁠ place to rest‍ in the middle‍ of winter.

“Good​‌⁠ night.”

The​⁠​ right side of​‌ my body felt​​ extremely warm to⁠​ the point that⁠ it was even​⁠ hot but… well,​ it was a more pleasant night​‍⁠ than usual.

****⁠⁠⁠

The​ group heading east⁠​ this time around​​ was composed of‍ 3 people.

First​⁠​ off was Alicia‍‍ and me. Alicia​‍ was the successor​‌ candidate of the‌‍ Arden family, the⁠​‌ renowned household of‍‌ swordsmanship that was‍ in charge of‍ the east all​ the way to‌ the borders, so‍⁠‍ she was a must-bring.

Although‍‍ her position inside‍​ her family wasn’t⁠ very stable, it‍‍ still meant that​ I might be‌​​ able to rely‌ on Arden’s forces⁠‌⁠ when push came‍ to shove.

The⁠​ other member of‌‍⁠ the group was​‌⁠ Yuel, who would‍​ be guiding us​⁠ to the secret​​‍ land of the‍‌ druids, ‘Findias’.

I had requested her‌ to look for​​‍ Findias and Uzkias​‍ last holiday, and⁠‍‍ she was the⁠‍⁠ only one that⁠‍‍ could guide us‌⁠ to those lands​​ as the only​ one that had⁠​​ the blessing of‌​​ spirits.

We​‍‍ had to cross​⁠⁠ the borders and​​ it would be​ very rough without‌⁠ her help.

“You’re‍‌‍ very early Mr.‍ Korin.”

We‌‌‍ had promised to⁠⁠‍ meet at the‍‌ wyvern dock after⁠ each taking care​‌ of what we‍‍ had to do.‍ I was the‍ first to arrive‌‍ and following that‌ was Alicia.

“Is‌ Ms. Yuel not​‌‍ here yet?”

“She⁠ said she’ll drop⁠‍ by the library.‍ It shouldn’t take​‍​ too long so‌⁠​ I guess we⁠‍‍ can wait at​ a cafe.”

“Okay~.”‍‍

Heading‌ to one of​⁠ the nearby cafes,⁠⁠ we walked up​ to the terrace​ on the second​ floor which had‍‌⁠ a brilliant view‌ of the village‍‍‌ for a cup⁠‌ of coffee.

“Here⁠‌⁠ you go, Mr.‍‌⁠ Korin. It’s today’s​‍‍ newspaper.”

“Ohh,‌‍ thanks.”

I started reading the‌ newspaper, looking for⁠‌ anything noteworthy.

“Hmm…”‍‍⁠

The‌​‍ first thing entering⁠‍ my eyes was⁠⁠ the main article​‍⁠ and a massive‍‌‍ headline on the⁠ first page of​⁠⁠ the paper.

“Alicia.⁠ Isn’t this you?”‌​⁠

“Huah?”‌‍‍

Alicia,⁠ who had been‍‍ munching through a cake after handing‌ me the newspaper,​⁠ raised her head‌⁠⁠ and asked with‍ a mumble.

“Which‌ one?”

“This‌ here.”

『Sword‍ Emperor Garrand! Leaving‍⁠​ the 5th Sword‌​‍ Squad to his​ granddaughter…!
An ever-so-fierce competition‍‍ between the successor‍⁠‍ candidates of the⁠ Arden Family!!』

“T,‌ this is my⁠‌‍ first time hearing‌‌ this though?”

“It⁠ was pretty much‍ set in stone​ already.”

After​ the Sword Challenge‌ with Lunia, Alicia’s‌ position in the⁠ household had become​ firmer than ever​‌ before.

For⁠​‍ the Ardens, strength​⁠ was justice. As​‌​ the one who​​ enacted the greatest⁠​‍ ability of their‍‌ lifetime pursuit, ‘Domain‌​ Severance’, Alicia couldn’t‌⁠ avoid becoming a powerful successor candidate.​‍​

“I‍⁠‌ guess you won’t​ be treated as​‍⁠ a nobody anymore.”‍

“…I​​‌ guess not.”

As⁠⁠​ if she wasn’t‍⁠ that happy about‌ it, Alicia cut‍‌​ her cake with‍⁠​ a bitter expression⁠‌ on her face.‍⁠‌

………‌

……​

Yuel​‌ arrived right when‌​​ I was pretty‌​ much done with‍‍‍ the newspaper.

We​ called her as⁠ loudly as we‌‍⁠ could from the‌​ terrace, and she‍ soon climbed the‌⁠​ stairs to our​​‌ table.

“Do‌‍⁠ you want any‌⁠⁠ drinks?” I asked⁠ her.

“Water‌ is fine.”

“Excuse‌ me. Can you‍ get us a green tea frappuccino​⁠‌ please?”

“…Well,‌​​ I can have​⁠​ that too.”

After⁠⁠‍ having a short‌‍​ morning tea break,‍​ I asked the​​ two of them‍ just in case‍ before departing.

“Did‍ you guys all‍ bring your cold-resistant​‍ equipment and belongings?”⁠‍‍

“Yep!⁠ Look! I have‍ a coat here‌‍ with food as‍⁠​ well as a bag with a bunch of clothes!”​‍‍

Alicia⁠‌​ was carrying a jam-packed bag like​‌ an adventurer character‌​‍ that came out⁠ in cartoons.

“What‌‍ about you, Yuel?‍ Doesn’t look like​‍ you have much​​‍ with you.”

“Nature​ is already like⁠ a shield to⁠ me, after all.”⁠⁠​

“Huu…⁠ You guys. You’re‌ showing off your‌ newbieness too much.”⁠⁠

“Sorry?”⁠‌‍

“What‌ do you mean​ by that?”

“We⁠ are going to‌‌ be getting on‌‍ a wyvern to‌ head straight to⁠‍​ the east. Do⁠ you know what‌‍⁠ this means?”

– ???

They‌ really seemed clueless‍⁠ but that was​‍​ understandable, because it‍ was one of​⁠ the common newbie⁠⁠‍ mistakes.

“Do‌‌ you think you‍‌ can ride a wyvern 1 km​⁠ above ground with⁠ a single coat⁠‍⁠ and bare eyes?”‌‌⁠

“Ah…”‌‍

“…I‌⁠ see.”

It⁠⁠ would become tremendously⁠⁠‍ cold at a higher altitude and⁠⁠​ the violent gust⁠ would make it‍‌ impossible to open‌‍⁠ your eyes. Regardless‌ of the season,‍ it was necessary⁠‍‌ to wrap yourself​ with cold-resistant clothing‌ and goggles.

“Here‌​ it would be‍⁠ 1.5 times more‍‌‍ expensive than in​‍​ the city but‍‌‌ they do sell‍​ them here so⁠​ hurry up and​⁠ go get them!”⁠

“Y,‍‍ yes sir!”

“…Okay.‌ Hopefully they will‍​⁠ accept ginsengs in‍​⁠ exchange.”

“Yuel,⁠‍​ give me that​ ginseng and buy‍ it with Alicia’s‌‌ money! Don’t even​ think about giving⁠‍‍ away something so⁠ precious!”

After‌ confiscating the ginseng‍⁠ from Yuel, I sent the two‌⁠‌ of them to​‌⁠ a store that‌⁠ sold flying equipment.‌⁠‌

****​

The‌ journey to the‍‍ east wasn’t that⁠ bad. Going through‍‌‌ the unpaved roads⁠ of the east‌ would have been​‍⁠ quite the arduous⁠ task but it‍⁠ was over in⁠‍⁠ a flash thanks‌⁠​ to riding on‌‌ a flying beast.‌⁠​

Sometimes,⁠​​ we came across​⁠‍ mail riders that⁠⁠‍ posted mails and​​ the royal military‌‌‍ that patrolled the⁠​⁠ air but they‌ went their way​‍​ immediately after seeing‌​‍ the golden board⁠ I received from‍⁠​ Marie.

We‌​ could even stay​ the night at⁠‍ docks that were​⁠​ only for the‍⁠ military and mail⁠ riders for free​⁠‍ thanks to the​‌ board.

Just‌‍​ like that, we‌ arrived at Taklakan‍‍ of the east‍‌⁠ in just 1 week.

“MR.‌‌​ KORIIIINNNN…! OVER THEREEEEEEE…!”⁠

Because‍ we were on​‍ a wyvern, it‍ was hard to​‌ communicate with words.‌‌‌ Proper wyvern riders‌​⁠ with adequate training⁠​ would communicate through‌ gestures and signals​​ but unfortunately, I was the only⁠ one here who⁠ knew how to⁠‌⁠ use them.

But⁠ looking at where⁠‍‍ Alicia was pointing,‍ I could tell⁠ that something was‍ happening over there.‍‌‌

—-—-—-—-!!‍‍​

On⁠ the grassland were⁠​‍ rampaging demonic beasts.​​​

Oliphants‍ – they looked⁠‍‍ similar to elephants​‌​ but they were​‍⁠ so massive that‌ comparing them to⁠ elephants didn’t feel⁠⁠‌ very reasonable. They‌ were semi-Grade 1 demonic beasts taller‍‌‌ than 20 meters‍‌‍ that were bigger​ than most buildings.​‌‌

“Those‍‌‍ demonic beasts… are⁠​‌ heading for the​⁠‌ village that we‍ just went by.”⁠‍‍

“At‍⁠‌ this rate, the‌​ village will be⁠⁠ devastated.”

Two⁠‌ oliphants. They were⁠⁠​ monsters that were⁠ unstoppable without guardians‌‌ or military. A village would be‌‌‌ reduced to rubble​ in less than‌ 5 minutes.

“We​​ will stop them‍‍⁠ here. Yuel, grow‌‌ roots in front⁠ of them. Whether​​​ it be vines‍ or thorns, just​​⁠ make sure to‌⁠ slow them down.”⁠‍

“Okay.​‌‌ Please go closer‌⁠​ to the ground.”⁠

I drove the wyvern‍⁠⁠ down and closed⁠ in on the⁠⁠‍ oliphants. The plan‍ was to dive⁠ down like a bomber and drop​ Alicia.

“Alicia.‌‍ Can you do​ it?”

“I,‍‍⁠ I will try…!”‍​

When‍​⁠ we were about‌​‍ 100 meters away‍‌⁠ from the ground,⁠⁠ light started leaving‌⁠ from Yuel’s oak‍‌‍ staff. At the‌‍‌ same time, vines​ emerged from the⁠​⁠ earth and wrapped‍ themselves around the​‌‍ two oliphants.

“…!?”‌⁠

The​ monsters seemed confused⁠‍​ by the sudden‍‌ emergence of vines​​ that stopped their‌‍​ feet but their⁠‌ confusion didn’t last​‌ long.

– Kajik!

– Kaduduk!

After⁠​‍ easily breaking themselves⁠‌‌ free from the‌ vines, they resumed‍⁠‌ their march.

“Uhk…‌ they’re too heavy…!”‍‌

“Focus‍‌‍ on stopping the⁠‍‍ one at the‍ front!”

“Okay…!”‍

Yuel‍⁠‌ once again used​⁠ her magic as‌⁠ the blessing of‍ spirits and every​​‌ organism of the‌‍ earth replied to​‍‌ her request. Vines‍‌ soared up again‌ and this time,‌​‍ they secured themselves​⁠ around one of‌​‌ the two oliphants.​​

“Now!‌⁠‌ Jump…!”

With‌‍ the Demon-Slaying Sword⁠​⁠ in hand, Alicia‍‌​ jumped down from‍⁠ the wyvern but‍ the oliphant noticed‌‍​ her as well.​

– Kwagack!

The​ sword was stopped‍​ by the oliphant’s⁠ ivory. Alicia wasn’t⁠ expecting the beast‌​​ to raise its⁠​​ head to stop‌‌​ her attack and⁠ was caught off‍‌ guard.

“T,​‍⁠ that got blocked?”‍‍

■■■■———!!⁠‍‌

The​‌ roaring oliphant began⁠‍ marching at Alicia⁠‌​ the moment she⁠‍ landed on the‌⁠‍ ground. Sliding under​‍ its belly, Alicia​​‌ sliced at the‍‍ thick ankles of​ the monster.

“Uhk…!⁠⁠ They’re too thick!”​‌‌

“Focus​​‍ on keeping it⁠ busy! Big monsters‍⁠⁠ like this will​ go down eventually​ without smaller mobs​ protecting them!”

It’s​⁠ not like Alicia⁠ didn’t have the⁠‍ strength to beat‌ it so the​⁠ monsters were bound⁠‍ to go down​‌‌ with time. The​‍ problem was that​ there were two‌ of them.

– Beeeeeeeeep…!!

It‌‌ was then. A loud whistle echoed​‌ from a distance‌​⁠ along with the​ appearance of a group of horsemen.‌‍ The group of‌‌⁠ light-armored cavalry that‌⁠⁠ amounted to 30⁠⁠‍ at the very​ least charged across‌ the field.

– Click-clack click-clack…!

The⁠⁠ sound of four-legged‌⁠ animals crushing through​ the grass was‌‌ multiplied by 30‍‌ and filled the⁠⁠‍ wide grassland with​‌​ a harmonious rhythm.​

Marching⁠ against an enormous‌⁠‌ elephant with horses​‌ seemed reckless at‍⁠ a glance but​‍⁠ they weren’t normal‌​‍ humans either.

Right‍‌​ before closing in​ on the vined-up‍⁠‌ oliphant, the cavalry‍ scattered. When the⁠⁠‌ enormous monster lost​​‌ track and was‍‌‌ confused as to​‍‍ where to look,⁠⁠‍ one of the⁠⁠​ horsemen marched under​ the oliphant and‍​ unsheathed their sword.‍​

– Pak! Pabak!

The​ first horseman sliced‍​ at the ankles,⁠⁠ followed by another​⁠‌ horseman attacking the​ exact same places.‍‌⁠

Each​ of their slashes‌‍ were weak and‍ seemed futile but‍‌ when tens of‌​‌ people slashed at​​​ the same part​‍⁠ on repeat, even‌‌ the thick legs​ of the oliphant⁠ had to spurt‍​ out blood.

They⁠​‌ were very experienced.​ They specialized in‌​⁠ hunting demonic beasts,​ and were masters‌‌ at group battles.‌

The‍ oliphant toppled after⁠ having all of​‍‍ its four legs‍ cut off by‍‍‍ their seasoned attacks​‍ and after that​‍ was a one-sided​⁠ slaughter.

“Demon‍‌ hunters of Arden,‍‍‌ huh.”

Right,‌​⁠ they were the⁠‍‍ swordsmen of Arden,‌‌ the household of‌​ swordsmanship. They were‍‌​ noble fighters that‍⁠‌ guarded these far-off‍ lands and the​ borders from demonic​​ beasts.

“Uahkk…!‌ Mr. Korin!”

That​‍ was when the‍‍​ oliphant Alicia was⁠​‍ keeping at bay‌ started marching towards⁠ us. It seemed‍ that it decided‍​​ to ignore Alicia​ to help its​ monster friend.

I picked up my‍⁠‍ spear to kill⁠⁠ the charging monster‍ but—

“Let‍ me use this​‌​ as a foothold.”​‍‍

“Aht.‍‌ Kyaakk?!”

Yuel‌⁠ screamed as someone‍‍ suddenly landed on⁠ the wyvern, but‌‍ even the wyvern‌‍⁠ was used as‍ nothing but a foothold. The swordsman⁠​ pounced at the​ oliphant after kicking⁠‌ off of the‌‌‌ wyvern.

The⁠ sword pierced through‌​‍ the oliphant’s forehead‌ like a lightning‌‌‍ bolt. Despite being‍‌ tougher than steel,‌‍​ the skull of‍‌ the oliphant was⁠‌‌ like tofu before‍ the swordsman’s sword.‍

“H,‍⁠⁠ huh? Unni?”

Lunia⁠​ Arden.

The‍⁠ Sword Master of‌ the contemporary times.⁠⁠‍ She, who was‌ also Alicia’s older‌‌‍ sister from a different mother, gazed‍ down at Alicia⁠​‌ while standing on‍ top of the‌‌‌ dead oliphant.

“Still​‍​ pathetic as always.‌ Can you not⁠‌⁠ even kill a fat pig like​ this?”

“…S,‌ sorry.”

She‌‌⁠ looked down at​‌‌ Alicia as if⁠​‍ she was pathetic.‍‍‍ After a while,⁠⁠‍ she threw her‍‌ hand into her‍‍ pocket and picked⁠⁠ something up.

“Catch​‍ it.”

– Tap!

She‌‌ flicked it with‍‌ her fingers. After​​ catching it, Alicia‌ scratched her head‍ with flushed cheeks.⁠

“T,‍ thank you.”

Taking​‌ her eyes off‍ of her younger​​ sister that she⁠​ met for the‍⁠⁠ first time in‌⁠ a while, Lunia‌‌ turned to me​ as I got‍ down from the‍⁠ wyvern.

“Korin⁠⁠ Lork.”

“It’s‍‍​ been a while,‍​​ Miss Lunia.”

She‌ walked to me‍‌ in large strides⁠⁠‌ before similarly flicking‍⁠‌ something at me.​‍

“This…”⁠​‌

It‌ had the unique‌‌​ packaging of a chubby bee – it was Alicia’s‍ favorite honey bomb​ candy.

“I​‍​ heard you got⁠​ promoted to Grade‌ 1.”

“Ah,‍‌‍ yes I did.”​‍​

“That‍‍ is a magnificent⁠ progress. Keep it‌‌ up.”

“T,‌ thank you.”

Her​ attitude was dry⁠​ as always. This⁠‌ lady didn’t seem⁠​ to hold anything‌⁠‌ against me even‍‍⁠ though I had​ interfered with her‍ succession by planning​ the Sword Challenge.​

Well,⁠‌​ she was a cool person after⁠‍ all.

I had spent quite‌‍ a lot of​ time with her‌⁠​ in the last‍⁠⁠ iteration as comrades‍‌ so I already‍ knew how she‍ wasn’t the type‍‍⁠ to hold grudges.​‌‌ After all, there‍ was only one​​‌ person in the​ world that could​​ make her hold⁠​ an extreme grudge.​

“More‌⁠ importantly, Korin Lork.”⁠‍

“Yes?⁠​‍ What is it?”⁠‍‍

“…”​

After‌​ standing right in‌​ front of me,⁠⁠‌ she scanned me⁠‍ from top to‍ bottom before mumbling​ something incomprehensible like,‌‍​ ‘Not bad’.

“Umm…⁠⁠‍ is there something‍ wrong?”

I asked an obvious⁠​ question but Lunia‌⁠ replied with an‍⁠ extremely dry and⁠ business-like attitude.

“Korin‌‌‌ Lork. How about​‌​ you marry me?”‍‌

………What?​‍

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