Chapter 39: Give and Take (2)
sAxTQHEA sigh and a gaze.x8Y1
CBIwF“Have all the guests left?”CTb4
WhhJwAlicia barely managed to swallow another sigh as she looked at the trees through the window.Gip1
78afr5aThe tree had always been a solace for her, a reminder of her father.tOGDk
IRW1gM“Everyone has left, except the people from House Bayezid.”FCtM
LbEV“I feel so bad that I didn’t even have a chance to… warn them before they left.”ydIcR2U
tRdaZThe honorable duel had ended.Dqeze
aHObhSKIt might not have started honorably, but it concluded with a new blossoming, so it’s safe to say it was an honorable duel.RCEh8
J51wzo“Did Endre escape too?”56o1d
6O7s“No. He… sought protection from the church through the priest.”BnaL6GO
Z1bFBEndre asserted his rights, claiming that the duel had not yet concluded, and asked for protection. As the church deemed the request justified, Alicia couldn’t take retaliatory action until Endre was outside of Deirmar.ltTYx
AmnGNc“I feel my heart crumpling.”XDf
NzkNjrp“…”WW0TaAa
PDyOAlicia had to release Endre, as well as the knights who had tried to push her into her downfall. It felt like a wound to her pride, to her very soul, but it couldn’t be avoided.qdMl
g2lacIn these tumultuous times, a cause was both a spear and a shield, and besides, Alicia still didn’t fully control Deirmar.rh7Rfi
GPPSEverything needed time to unfold.T0nN
qPk“Until next time, Lady Alicia.”FSsx
xPLX“These past few days, it feels like hot anger is running through me instead of warm blood, Lord Duncan.”fkm
F2H9KRtAnd so, as if swallowing bitter poison, she had to let them go.CCJ9B
zfIVXWGBecause she had to show her face as the rightful lord.hDPe
PREavrBecause those who rule must assume responsibilities and duties, along with privileges.uwr0fp
O8opO“How are the lemons?”350AgfJ
51nWHYa“Not very well…”arOa8
MtDLmAlicia was a resolute person, though lately she had been shaken by great trials. Even though she had just reclaimed her position, she strove to attend to Deirmar’s internal affairs.05GmI1
rNy2kThough she burned inside.gLgkS
MXxF“They are producing less…”06lVV
w4uTmGAlicia looked out the window once again, furrowing her brow. A tree said to have been planted in her great-grandfather’s time.jJo
juYThe tree was a symbol of the Heinal family, and in her father’s time, it had blossomed every spring. Though it had grown and flourished, she wondered if it was dying instead of blooming now.IpDaQ
T04KKhPerhaps that was why.gTrsDq
QbLkqQqAs time passed, the climate around Deirmar became increasingly colder, and lemons produced less and less.xLNk6iK
nqVg1F0Deirmar’s reputation as a lemon-producing region had tarnished.k9PR65
pHG“Would we prefer to cultivate more barley?”8iJ0T3I
YDNMM9r“Why don’t we look… a little longer?”zdPxUM4
d0JRmLChanging the industrial structure that supported a territory’s economy wasn’t an easy decision. It was also a decision that would prove very challenging for the Heinals, whose internal struggles were draining their strength.Fe28z
CODI“Afterward…”diIgu
aHtIt felt like she had cleared one mountain, only to find another waiting for her. Alicia finally sighed heavily with frustration.vay
xev7BP“Huh?”KAf
SXwMbFor a moment, a bright golden glint formed in her eyes.lF0
oH9MoUIt was the figure of someone running back and forth outside the window.ItK
lxe“….Lord Duncan.”8NSFt
dxFi“Yes. Lady Alicia.”hnhF
gL1Alicia said with a smile, looking out the window.Eqw0
yrVe“Aren’t all knights supposed to know how to ride a horse?”E4ZLG
ZieXj“You can’t be a knight if you don’t know how to ride a horse; it’s as important a virtue as the sword.”hvMeSyJ
k2BHkq1“Ah….”mwXTO
ltXA sound that she couldn’t tell if it was a sorrowful sigh or a subdued exclamation escaped from Alicia’s delicate lips.19iz
UW4“I guess God doesn’t give everything after all.”f4KA
KgqySqW“I can feel Lord Jager’s distress…”H0UrE8V
lTxFor a moment, Alicia looked out the window, temporarily forgetting her many concerns, and smiled for the first time in a long while.IoQOrI
2NPPWVThe sight of the boy circling like in a rodeo in the mansion gardens in the distance reassured her.SsetY
obdzFHe clung for dear life, but then he was thrown off the horse.KSio
X5tk***Kd6iDa
Go9MC“I thought you said you needed an expensive horse?”1vtyA
B6WV“I definitely rode one last time…”trLpb
DF9wkMAn exhausted horse, a boy rolling on the ground, and a stable boy by his side, not knowing what to do. They all watched in horror as the knight toyed with his eye patch.gO9rH
dDCr“Didn’t you say you needed an expensive horse?”Shizlk0
CTCo“Maybe it should be a more expensive one…”uHpTGVi
UzSLLCThe frustration contained in Vlad’s insolent response exploded, and Jager wasted no time in striking his squire.nivXMWG
fJk“Kuck!”6vpQfBJ
H8RlrhV“Always think before you speak!”5xz
4erVlad rolled to the ground once again under Jager’s blow, but he quickly regained his balance with a fall now as familiar as breathing.w2U
aptFp“I’m pretty sure I rode it last time, though Goethe was driving.”k78Q
EhVXPeV“Yes, if it’s true, Sir Jager. He definitely got on it.”cbBPhg
7AiWatching the two chattering like parrots, as if innocent of any mischief, Jager gripped his throbbing temple, lost in thought.BjAW
WoneV“This is serious.”WTDMytY
YFfHe had thought he would be able to teach him how to ride, but that wasn’t the problem.v9KVbEt
tcfqKbHiiiiing-.smO
eHT0As the boy said, it really was the horse.ELyCYxX
JkROr, to be more precise, the horses looked at Vlad and retreated.OcyxVp
5m0H3As if they were afraid of something.IduPi5
1azbUiBEven his own horse showed signs of it.Njs
cIcAKrh“That’s enough for today.”FVnrQ
H7zQ“Tomorrow?”w8WjqK
294VyVj“…Don’t do it tomorrow.”BAt
h9G1Faced with Jager’s response, Vlad looked at him displeased.vl2
JyWc“What?”Z9rOS
97W“…”meXZxxZ
qrwWhether by nature or because of his upbringing, the competitive and exaggerated boy wanted to learn riding somehow, defeated or not.htOA
QKDkmDBecause, frankly, he was getting nowhere.KuMDY
24g2Can you use an aura, but you can’t ride a horse?VVkAA
eBDZWhat a ridiculous thing.rYLF
74Q“So when will I learn to ride a horse?”1Bhn
MH7“We’re postponing it for now.”2WQAUcO
nGFmI“That’s a word I’ve heard a lot since I’m here.”NzA
YJn0C0z“Is that a complaint?”S01V
S2JI“A bit.”MPEQkXa
KL9fswJager sighed to himself at the squire’s refusal to be intimidated in his presence.Q4sSf
e8bQHow difficult to deal with, he thought.a2CSLbx
2Bn“Let’s go back to Sturma and think about it. It’s enough for today.”Qh2Z
mlyemSThe boy and the stable boy could only stand there bitterly as Jager said his piece and walked away with determined steps.DMb6
0gxv“It seems the horses don’t like you.”71Op9R
s3KgBVlad’s stomach turned as he saw the situation deteriorating.yD9A
Hs0M“And what if this doesn’t work?”hLCrx
WS6yKo“Why don’t you try riding a cow… or something, they’re more boring than horses.”VAzCyj
4vzThis idiot.Mxs
jf7YrCsVlad’s blue eyes widened at Goethe’s ridiculous suggestion.fimh
U1sdOn“So, is that all you have to say?”oaU
h7AeVVlad growled at Goethe, who had the audacity to suggest he ride a cow.S3xo
7FslSBv“You never stop barking, do you? Think a little before you speak.”ayIm
bqJx“…I feel like I’ve heard that before.”87tQAPr
I5I0poGoethe quickly averted his gaze as the vile creature unleashed its wrath on Jager.AdJGEO
QQDI’ll endure this as long as it takes.5cRe9Ep
o8II’m betting big on you.j2Fxbc
sv9WEjSI can’t help but endure…BOySRyr
nIsTo“Captain, I’ll go then. I’ll take this distinguished knight to the stables.”db9a
lSyd“Out of here, both of you. Out of my sight.”3FT3vTu
WEQ0fRHeeeeeee-ingMR4b
lbUneFinally showing signs of separating from Vlad, Jager’s horse began to neigh, showing its teeth in joy.xz8OdQb
07E3“…..”9Gs
Mjx4Despite being his master’s words, Vlad couldn’t help but feel flattered by the spectacle.hjP
x6Ffyl“Goodbye, then! Take care!”ahH
YamnFuhihihing-!wfJ
ABjRuxeBehind him, whether Vlad gritted his teeth or not, Jager’s horse and Bayezid’s stable companion walked away with very cheerful steps.vJ9T
z5GQM56“Damn it, what the hell could be the problem!”XMc94f
Bg1exclaimed Vlad, kicking the ground in frustration as he watched their backs.5r8
OEanpWmHe had asked for favors from Jager and received nothing in return.vL7Vdp8
tOsH[I wonder if it’s a matter of low energy; animals are more sensitive to these things than humans.]64AQwE
AqlRCEMIn response to the voice, Vlad sheathed his sword.jTWQoqG
ouIGR“So, what should I do?”320
Z1xUEEU[You have to learn to control your energy.]NMlVDq6
iwy“?”JVZS1
UokOrhL[It’s part of dealing with the mental world, and eventually, you’ll need to be able to use aura freely to control energy impulses.]6CrIN7M
A2XCpfs“….”vtgoiB
g6bHThe voice replied, leaving Vlad speechless.iHOZuI
GdDWqAlthough Vlad had flourished in the dueling arena that day, it was too difficult to use aura again.P5y
kdwmbmDHe could barely materialize it correctly, and when he did, it was only weakly.3HQ
gkhIn other words, it would take a lot of mastery and training to use it in combat.n154sV
FYk[Think of Jager’s words about not running before you can walk: not everything must be done in haste.]VtPLe8E
jxCEL“Alright.”oFfr4zD
w8qpVlad turned his gaze into the distance, remembering the words of his two masters that both swordsmanship and aura must ultimately master the basics.9Oj
pOPN“I guess I should take one last look… since there’s nothing I can do here anymore.”RqUPEhE
ftXAfThe boy not only learned from Jager and the Voice but absorbed everything like a sponge.KDWyq
sh0HJoseph Bayezid.znJpAg
HTxThe young man, whose noble blood guaranteed him the qualities of a leader, was also a great teacher for Vlad.i6R7EH
ArdT2Always thinking for the worst and wanting the best, his behavior was enlightening for Vlad.qLXIz7m
7DRgJoseph’s attitude, valuing opportunities and possibilities, definitely broadened the boy’s horizons.U04O8qY
xKm“Let’s save the best for last.”mpzQ8Za
N4j8R[Agreed.]VrWjDu
TN8As he had learned from Joseph, Vlad decided to make the most of his last free time and head back towards the hill’s trees.d1x43Xl
k2phscHe couldn’t see it from the boy’s world, but he could feel the warmth enveloping the hill.305Nn
FPDF***78n6
UG5N“No, we won’t meet Lady Alicia again, right?”XMFYZbS
85zcw[I thought there was a window from her office to this place.]VUGJuz
8m6p“Let’s go.”KZzkJH
HdvErVlad walked, heading towards the hill to avoid an awkward encounter with Alicia.v7L1u
AzvENCHe was aware of his obviously rude behavior, but there was nothing he could do about it now.pweY
5TiDtaJIt might be his last chance.SmRS1zT
krtAy“After all, I’ve done all this for you.”7Rv8
rbKbAnd even if they caught him, Vlad was the kind of man who could afford to stretch a little.WMsFkN
ZCL8If it hadn’t been for the boy, Alicia might be lying cold right now.9wtuKD
G1OfSo maybe he could get away with it.eU2Tzhp
gMvt5Vlad, who had been told he could see this place from his office, knelt before the tree once again, as if praying.OBfIk
1zov4CUIt was already a familiar position.E6FvNe
mqg9“You seem to be an old friend, so speak nicely.”UkOu
RsDka[Mmm. The snake recognized me. I was honestly surprised.]beEraS
bFYOhsaid the voice, though hearing Vlad, sincerely didn’t believe he could evoke the memory.qE4irI
OOC5KThe aura of the white snake was definitely familiar but not in a strong way.AeFWkT
atP[…But there must have been a connection.]RE2
VVSaXBut there was only one thing he could do now.JcjsyI
5JBThe voice fell silent, unfolding its world through the boy’s open left eye.4DpoEgG
rj7kTThe colorful bloom of the boy’s world faded, and a white, pulsating world began to float in consciousness.T7UlKs7
Ug2DNnIt was the same color as the roots of the boy’s world.lild
ErrxIAnd finally, the moment came when the white world was completely in the boy’s eyes.9ZTexz
IJ5[….!]bNPKsy6
55bFnL“…..!”abzdX1
jgUThe boy and the voice. Both looked horrified at the spectacle before them.s9g
0BkE6GA tree on a hill, seen through the world of voices.BYSp2f
rXedThere was nothing there.zuNCkQ
05TSlSssss.rICp
WviwTBFor it had descended from the tree and was right in front of them.afhjvh1
ew8The distance was such that they could feel its breath.ehZjAYX
OA0dJv“You’re his friend… right?”AuHW5oq
UJX[…I hope so.]fWmo9Y
843VWmaAs if it had been waiting for them to arrive, the snake slid down from the tree and began to coil around where Vlad was.WGbJgd
lIRHe couldn’t say it exactly because he couldn’t speak, but it seemed to be wrapping around Vlad’s body with a sense of excitement.1zlgg
vi1“This is a greeting, isn’t it?”Kt2
VaE[…I think it should be.]HY1FBNz
qkXThe invisible but surely present snake wrapped tightly around the boy and moved its tail.RAVX
SPAqArmIf Vlad gave it the slightest push, it would be reduced to a formless pulp.OWWda4
rmSzBut still.oAfYyE
gKIqThe boy and the voice might be surprised, but they didn’t feel threatened.jBoH
FKoCBecause everything in the snake touching them was warm.BNxu
5zs6C7There was an emotional connection that couldn’t be communicated with words.XkH
rc13“….”Qs3
dGIZAThe snake, which had managed to coil around the boy, peeked its head out and slithered away.18H1Y
BPZb0YIt seemed to be dancing, but despite the movement of its large body, it felt completely weightless.OXBKmb
fT3xE“Is this?”KWwko
TM5oYJ[Don’t try to understand spirits; they are just another form of the world.]iNnRkzr
WTBUHumans have always tried to interpret everything in the world on their own terms, but it’s impossible for a mortal’s thin soul to understand everything around it.Yvo
OhjMPerhaps that’s why humans trust in gods.ki3J4hY
h1wrCVHonestly, even the boy invoked the name of God, at least for now.ygjI6Kn
A5Taf5Hiss-wjVk
nBGSomething began to rise from the hillside in time with the movements of the dancing snake.5JkM
Fn1uDespite the clarity of the day, the blue lights rising looked like nighttime fireflies.QqoMA
RKhrKsThey flew towards the snake.FpD
Kc2FyHN[…Is this?]ffMi4G
iAV2Even the voice, which had always remained calm, was panicking at the current situation.QEt8
dLOKCHiss-4JM
NeBUBTThe snake began to retreat.uNBlWK
pyhOAs if it had done its job.AdLGjW
qn1HwM“…..”zOG
uqYshHAt the same time, the boy’s black-gray armor began to glow with the color of blue fireflies.xCN1te
vkX7ZOVlad stood gaping, looking at his shining armor.uspndv
4Z0IZ[Blessing.]RVW0aA
jMC5said the voice, and Vlad, suddenly back in his own world, looked forward.1Cp
AISHgTCHe saw a snake.abVt
PFYZIt was looking at him.8hiPEMO
IJK3CXIt was visible in his own world.YSPMBk
VqCYaHiss-LEw
OjQUq8smiled seeing the boy’s armor glow.TEey
ZVD0SD2It attracted the boy and blessed his voice.XcYXasE
13JHOmWith its own warmth.uU47qZf
diU“….”EIqR
NDSsdVlad didn’t know why, but his armor seemed to smell like fresh lemons.TFnzbQ
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