Chapter 50
Elnos drank a large bottle of wine and moistened his throat. Looking at him, Max bowed his head.
“Sir Max. I’d like to make you a suggestion.”
A terribly low voice and emotionless eyes headed for Max. Dangerous. A red warning light came on in Max’s head. No matter how much he thought about it, Elnos had no reason to call himself, the Vice Commander, like this. It had not been an hour since the gladiator tournament was over.
Max took a breath and organized his thoughts. Elnos emptied a new bottle of wine and smiled affectionately.
“How far can you protect the Commander?”
“What…”
“The Duke of Armada, Count Dratius.”
Elnos’ voice seemed to be crawling around his ears unpleasantly. Max raised his head slightly, and saw a relaxed smile.
“I don’t think you know what you’re doing with your eyes and ears covered. You said the cute rats were investigating the magic circle? Did you mean to follow the example of the former Count Dratius again?”
I’m doomed. There was only one word in Max’s head. No matter how much he had done for the Empire, he could not believe he was caught by this crazy prince, not anyone else.
Max tried hard to control his expression. When he calmly asked what he was saying, Elnos smiled pleasantly.
“Do you think I can’t touch you or something?”
Max’s strong fingertips trembled at the derision of madness. Instead of making excuses, Max hinted at what he wanted.
“What do you want from me?”
Elnos clapped his hands and approached Max. His mouth was smiling, but his eyes were frozen as if it were winter.
“Your skills are outstanding. And you can communicate better than a stubborn Commander.”
“…”
“It wouldn’t be a problem to erase the traces of one person. Instead of me turning a blind eye to it, clear the names of the gladiators.”
What crazy thing are you talking about? Max’s embarrassed ears heard Elnos’ dangerous voice.
“I have already covered the eyes and ears of the other imperial Commanders. You take responsibility for the rest.”
“To entrust that to me… Is there a reason?”
“You’re clever, and I need a decent hand. Now a new era opens. Don’t you think the Imperial Elite Knights need a strong rope?”
His complicated head was cleaned up instantaneously. Elnos was right. A shield stronger than the weak Emperor was needed. The strong power to lift them up.
Hizen would be furious if he knew, but if it was him, he could accept his offer. At least he wanted to be a new hand to protect Hizen.
He could not make Hizen a victim of childish power play. The former Count Dratius had to be cut off by Max’s hand. That was in return for Hizen, who led him to the Vice Commander post.
“All right. From now on, we will cooperate with the Crown Prince.”
Max’s hand, which was clenched, trembled slightly.
* * *
The Harknon gladiator tournament was the best in many ways. The two winners were Count Dratius’ beloved maid and Liduré’s son. Thanks to this, the inside and outside of the Imperial Palace turned upside down. All the spectators who had watched the game were speaking in unison to praise her skills.
In particular, Count Dratius’ sword skills at the end were said not to be human, and within the Imperial Palace, the voices of the Commanders who tried to bring Leasis into their unit increased.
The loudest voice was Schwalnon. He argumented with a face that was more brazen than anyone else in the world. Until now, all the talented gladiators were recruited in the 2nd and 3rd Divisions of Imperial Knights, so this time it was his turn.
The other Commanders refused, but fell on the floor of the group affairs meeting room, like foaming crabs. They could not do anything because Schwalnon could smell power amazingly well. In the end, the other Commanders also conceded.
Thus, Leasis became a member of the 1st Division of Imperial Knights, and Setchen joined the 2nd Division. Among them, Blix’s name disappeared like dust.
Leasis, who did not know the situation, was peaceful after a long time. Hizen looked at Leasis lying on the bed and was deeply troubled.
It seemed she had to stop using a real sword. The wooden sword in the bag next to her caught Hizen’s eye because it was unusual. It was a wooden sword used only in the Utran Empire.
Where did you get this? Is it from Utran? Hizen closed his lips tightly. He had a mountain of questions, but Leasis did not get up easily. He sighed as he lifted her bed sheet.
When did you become so strong? Hizen glanced down at her. She was as cute as a child when she slept on a subject that was strong enough to embarrass herself.
Hizen poked her cheek playfully. It was soft, warm, and fragrant like freshly baked bread.
“Get up.”
She was still asleep. Hizen hesitated, and tried just in case.
“It’s an order.”
At that moment, red eyes flashed open. Leasis raised her body halfway in the bed. Then she looked around and shouted like she was playing.
“I-I’m late!”
“…”
“Huh? Count-nim?”
Leasis rubbed her eyes with her sleeve. Why is our Count-nim here? Reading her question, Hizen sighed.
“Don’t you remember?”
While Leasis was thinking, Hizen got up from his seat. He handed her a glass of water on the table.
She bowed her head, thanking him, and was lost in thought. Come to think of it, at the gladiator tournament, Blix-nim…
“Is Lipa-nim alright? What about Blix-nim and Setchen?”
Hizen folded his arms. Leasis smiled awkwardly when she stared at him dissatisfied. Did she do something wrong again?
“They’re all fine.”
“What a relief! I’m really glad.”
The blue eyes looking at her trembled a little. He glanced at the bed sheets and opened his mouth.
“Congratulations.”
“…What?”
“You’ve become an imperial knight.”
Leasis’ mouth opened wide. She asked several times if it was true. Hizen did not answer. He had guessed it, but seeing her so fond of it made his mouth bitter.
In many ways, unknown things were repeated. In particular, Max was asked to find out about the fighter who used Utran’s swordsmanship along Leasis, but he had already disappeared. Max even reported that he was investigating his identity as a spy.
Hizen sighed, stroking Leasis’ blushing cheek.
*
Due to Schwalnon’s performance, Leasis was immediately assigned to the 1st Division of Imperial Knights. She was shocked to find out the truth.
“What? Oh, I can’t join the Imperial Elite Knights?”
“…Didn’t you know?”
“Of course!”
Max looked at her and laughed. He did not think so, but it was real. She misunderstood that anyone who won the gladiator tournament or played an active part in it could join the Imperial Elite Knights.
“Can’t you do that?”
“Yes. For now…”
Leasis squeezed her hair in despair. She could not be with Hizen. For her, the news was like a cold shower.
Max carefully brought up his words.
“There is one way.”
“H-how?”
“With a transfer.”
Just as Leasis, who was a maid, was transferred and became a direct maid, such things were possible among the Knights too. However, it was possible under the conditions of obtaining permission from the former and the new Commanders of the Divisions, and only for knights that had been active for more than three months in a particular Division.
Leasis was a bit relieved. Max smiled softly as he observed her changing expression every minute.
“But today is Miss Leasis’ day. So be happy.”
My day?”
“Yes. His Highness the Crown Prince is holding a special party. Setchen will be there too.”
A party. She was always watching from afar. She murmured blankly and Max handed her a bundle of silk. There was a golden uniform in it.
“This…”
“It’s for Miss Leasis.”
Even if she was not part of Hizen’s knights, she could not believe she could wear knights’ clothes. It was like a dream. Max was happy that she liked it.
“Max-nim, where are Lipa-nim and Blix-nim? I’d like to see them separately.”
Max’s eyes slightly dimmed at the two names. He smiled nonchalantly over coffee.
“It’s hard to see Miss Lipa because she’s resting at home. But who’s Blix…?”
“The… the one with green hair and a little peculiar pronunciation. From Utran…”
“Blix… That name wasn’t on the participants list.”
“What?”
Leasis asked several times, but Max’s answer was the same. Max grinned, saying she seemed to be mistaken.
Leasis, who was left alone, found a wooden sword on the table. It was a strange wooden sword with a light green color.
*
A grand party was held for the winners of the gladiator tournament. Overflowing food, wine, and even the nobility was there.
Wearing a black uniform, Hizen stood in the corner of the party and folded his arms. He felt very dizzy.
There were many people next to Leasis, who had won the competition. There were nobles he had never seen before, and even some knights. Innocent, Leasis sipped wine from their side.
Hizen looked at them with a fierce look, and a goat-like voice rang.
“Miiiiiss Leeeeaaaaaasis!”
“Jason-nim!”
Jason ran to Leasis and hugged her tightly. It was a violent reaction as if they were from a family separated between the Kessen and the Harknon Empires. Thanks to him, Hizen frowned even more.
“Do you know how worried I was? Sigh…”
“I’m sorry.”
Feeling more uncomfortable, Hizen touched his forehead with one hand. The scene was admired by the surrounding nobles. He was wearing a simple uniform, but it was full of coolness. Just sitting still, he was like a real noble. What kind of dream was it? The aristocrats glanced at him, unable to eat.
In the meantime, Setchen and Owen joined Leasis, making the surroundings even more distracted. Hizen did not know how much she had drunk, and she was drinking wine like water.
“Count-nim, Count-nim!”
Before he knew it, Leasis, who was very drunk, approached Hizen. He sighed and looked up and down at her. Her face, ears, and neck were red.
“Your earrings look good on you!”
She pointed a finger at Hizen’s ear. The sapphire earrings on his ears matched really well. It was her first time seeing it, and she liked it. As expected, Hizen was cooler with accessories.
“Never mind. I didn’t mean to look good to you.”
Hizen turned his head a bit and snorted, but his ears were slightly red. The strongest knight was very weak at lying.
Leasis chattered.
“As expected, Count-nim looks better with accessories. And Count-nim’s smile is even more, more, more wonderful.”
“I’m cool even if I don’t do anything.”
“That’s true, but…”
It would be nice if you could smile. Leasis murmured. She glanced at Hizen and looked at her uniform. There was no decoration, and it was very basic clothes.
Leasis looked around, blinking her eyes, redder than usual. It turned out that all the knights who attended the party were very well decorated. The young ladies were also dressed up in pretty dresses with jewelry.
Leasis’ shoulders went down a little due to an unknown sense of alienation. Hizen looked at her and gave strength to his neck.
“Do not worry about it. You look good even if you don’t have any accessory.”
“…What?”
“You look good just as you are.”
Leasis’s face turned redder. At that time, Prince Elnos appeared from far away with a colorful fanfare.
Hizen grabbed her wrist and led her away. He had no intention of making Leasis even more visible in Elnos’ eyes than she already was. He intended to keep her away from any danger.
The two stood on the quiet balcony of the party. The weather was a little chilly, so Leasis trembled. Hizen took off his black uniform jacket and put it on her shoulders.
She laughed as she realized being a knight was so good. Hizen, whose expression was a bit twisted at the sight, asked.
“Is it so good to be an knight?”
“Yes. It’s good.”
Hizen’s expression became noticeably stiff. He swallowed his irritation and leaned on the balcony railing.
“However.”
Leasis, muttering a little, took two steps towards him.
“My favorite thing is Count-nim, as expected.”
Leasis was a honest woman. But drinking alcohol made her even more honest. When Hizen looked at her with cool eyes, she grinned.
A tingling sound continued to be heard in his ears.
“I’ve missed Count-nim, and it’s good to see you. It’s nice to be together like this. It’s great that I can become Count-nim’s knight if I work a little harder.”
“…”
“I’m such a fool. I thought I’d be able to join the Imperial Elite Knights if I won the gladiator tournament. That’s why I worked so hard…”
Just a little. Just a little bit. Hizen’s mood got better. He covered his mouth with his hands and coughed.
“Me too… yes.”
The complicated world of Hizen became peaceful. Just having Leasis next to him, just looking at her, made him feel relieved. He wanted to stay. May this time stop.
Hizen looked at her without knowing how much time had passed, and she glanced down. She was now beginning to realize her dream. I can’t make it hard for you. Hizen was going crazy trying to hold back the words that came up to his throat.
“Leasis. I’ll wait for you this time. So, finish it well and come back.”
Hizen took a slow breath. He said, feeling his throat getting hot.
“Don’t forget that wherever you go, you are my… person.”
Then, Leasis leaned her head on Hizen’s shoulder. Hizen hardened like a stone. The posture was maintained for a while.
‘Oh wait… why are you so… trembling?’
Hizen was stiff. When he lowered his eyes slightly, he saw Leasis sleeping. The lips that he thought were unique looked pretty. He wanted to kiss her right away.
She murmured in her sleep.
“Count-nim… I like you…”
Hizen was going crazy trying to hold his head back.
‘Calm down, Hizen Ben Dratius. Kissing a drunken woman is not fair. Why does this woman keep trying to make me do wrong things?’
Hizen resented Leasis a bit. He closed his eyes, inwardly repeating to himself hundreds of times to be patient.
“I missed you…”
Me too. Hizen, who murmured quietly, gave Leasis a slight hug to prevent her from collapsing. Her body temperature was conveyed to him and his heart heated up.
He sighed as he looked at the darkened night sky. It was his turn to wait.
It was a night longer than ever.