Chapter 316
Chapter 316
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP. 67 – Parting Doesn't Mean Farewell (1)
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"Huff... huff!"
The man panted for breath as he walked with all his might.
He'd started out running, but it was getting harder and harder.
What is this place?
What the hell? Why is the air so heavy?
It felt like gravity was crushing down on him.
Simon, the Guild Union Master, was gasping for air, his vision going dark, on the verge of passing out.
And the twin siblings dragging him along like a ragdoll shook their heads.
"Mister, you're in the way."
"You need more exercise. Get some, mister."
"Ah, don't call me mister, you little brats... call me big brother or something..."
"Talks a big game."
"He begged to come along himself. Leaning on us. What a pathetic mister."
Tina and Tike.
The wolf-human half-bloods showed no signs of fatigue even after running 30 kilometers.
If anything, their stamina overflowed as they stepped lightly.
And the two siblings...
"But is grandma okay?"
"Want Tina to carry you?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Aren't you two thirsty? Want some water?"
"Nah, we're good. You drink, grandma."
"We're not weaklings."
"How can you two be so sturdy? Hehe."
"We're sturdy!"
"Tina's strong!"
The siblings beamed like puppies following a kind person, sticking close to the woman.
She smelled good, and instinct told them she was a good person.
"...Playing favorites."
Simon laughed hollowly.
After all the snacks and meals he'd bought them over the past month, shouldn't they treat him better? Instead, they were so polite to someone they'd met less than half a day ago?
Ah, if I hadn't owed them my life, I'd give them an earful...
But since he'd been saved by these twins—his life debt—he couldn't bring himself to complain.
Then...
"Meeow?"
"Huh?"
"...Puppy?"
The energetic siblings stopped and looked at the puppy blocking their path.
No, not a puppy.
"Orthos?! Why is an upper-level magic beast here...!?"
Simon recognized it instantly from its puppy-like form and freaked out.
It might look infantile, but an upper-level beast was still upper-level.
No ignoring it...
"Puppy!"
"Wait!"
"Hey, you kids!!"
Before Simon could stop them, Orthos and the twins started playing.
Proving that kids and puppies bond in under ten seconds, they were soon playing tag.
Simon's head throbbed; he reached for the back of his neck.
Tap tap.
...To correct himself, before he could even grab it, a gentle hand soothed him.
"Eh, ma'am?"
"No need to worry. Looks like we've reached our destination."
"Pardon?"
"Look over there."
"That's..."
"Seems like nothing at first glance, but there's something, right?"
"......Ah."
Simon was sharp; with a hint, he figured it out easily.
So...
"F-Found it...!"
Simon rushed forward like a man reuniting with a long-lost love, and the priestess smiled kindly, following him.
Ding, dooong-.
"The bell's ringing. So clear..."
The priestess grinned broadly at the pure bell toll.
It sounded just like the person ringing it—perfectly upright.
...To clarify now, Lee Han hadn't planned to just leave without showing gratitude.
The high officials' meeting was dragging on, and staying would only prolong the awkward silence, so he'd tried to slip away quickly.
He'd intended to visit later and express his thanks properly.
So...
"Ungrateful wretch."
"...I'm telling you, I wasn't leaving because I'm shameless."
"That's what cowards call an excuse."
"......I'm losing my mind."
He felt unjustly treated.
He knew she was teasing him on purpose, but with so many people around, her blatant jabs only made him more uncomfortable.
She knows I hate this stuff, so she's doing it even more openly, that auntie.
Lee Han was certain Isis knew him best and was toying with him.
If people saw him chatting amiably(?) with the Crown Princess, everyone would know even if they didn't want to.
- Knight Lee Han and Crown Princess Isis are old friends!
...Rumors like that would spread across the capital the moment these people left.
Well, it's not entirely false...
Either way, it was a scheme to disrupt his peaceful life, and Lee Han wondered why this auntie was doing this.
She knows I hate standing out...!
Fame and attention were nothing but nuisances to him, and seeing Isis stir up needless topics despite knowing that best made him feel queasy.
Then...
"Sir Lee Han."
"...Long time no see, sir."
"Haha, I'm here as a swordsman now, not a writer. I wanted to help Oppen's benefactor, even if just a little. ...Though seeing you now, I wonder if I was even needed. I thought it was a chance to repay a small debt, but I haven't at all."
"Just coming means a lot. Thanks for responding to that curt messenger pigeon."
Iliad, leading the Oppen family's instructors, shook hands with Lee Han, diverting the stares fixed on the princess and him.
Isis's eyes narrowed slightly, but oblivious, the two kept chatting.
"Why come in person? Your body's not fully healed."
"This frail body wanted to help. Don't worry—I've regained enough skill to manage myself."
"...Impressive. I thought swinging a sword again would be a miracle, but you're this recovered in a month or two? Sword Saint indeed."
"You're too kind."
Iliad, met after two months, looked robust.
Last time, he'd been pale and emaciated; now, he seemed perfectly healthy.
His aura was stable too.
He could indeed manage himself, as claimed.
His scary side is swordsmanship and intent.
Destructive techniques like Sword Resonance or Fighting Technique were beyond his broken body, but a Sword Saint's true prowess came from exquisite swordsmanship and intent, not destruction.
Probably fewer than thirty of the four hundred knights here could definitely best him now.
And that assessment...
Half a year from now will be terrifying.
This was just recovery; fully trained in half a year, he'd rank in the kingdom's top thirty.
"Teach me the sword sometime. Lately, I've gotten better at fighting with fists than swords or axes."
"Haha, I know how fierce your axes and swordwork are—do you need lessons from an amateur?"
"No one's better than you at swordsmanship in this kingdom, top to bottom."
"Well..."
"Knew it."
"...Still so frank."
A conversation possible because they'd dueled sincerely, even if reason was lost.
Iliad blushed at the praise but seemed thrilled, like a fan gushing over an idol.
"You're closer to Duke Iliad than I thought."
"Just like me, uncle."
"Like me?"
"We fought to the death."
"...Haha! Of course you'd bond!"
Thud thud.
A handsome middle-aged man laughed heartily, patting Lee Han's shoulder.
Marquis Jenimia—seemingly frivolous like a playboy, but Lee Han knew he was solid beneath the surface.
He'd come to help without hesitation this time too.
"Hmm, now that I think about it, I'm grateful but sorry to you, uncle. I only owe you debts."
Lee Han had some shame; asking Tristan for help felt embarrassing.
But...
"Worrying over trifles. This was something I had to help with. Who'd have thought Mordred faced such peril without you? A high demon loose would've wrecked the kingdom—no, the whole south. Joining this glorious demon-slaying battle is Tristan's fortune."
[[-Indeed!]]
"Our knights say the same."
"...You guys are too cool."
Lee Han couldn't brazen it out with others, but especially not Tristan.
His circumstances didn't excuse invading, and Tristan hadn't held it against him.
They'd let it slide with Air Walk, true magnanimity. They'd arrived first and even fought vampires.
Gotta send a proper gift later.
So many debts of gratitude.
As Lee Han resolved inwardly...
"Fought the Sword Saint and Divine Archer? Fresh tale."
"Not fresh—amusing, maybe not."
"We'll see."
"......Ahem."
...His body swayed briefly.
The air pressure shifted as those two approached; he didn't hide his unease, eyeing them.
Youthful-looking men, younger than him at a glance.
But mere youths? Hardly—both were veritable old monsters.
"L-Long time..."
Lee Han greeted them strainedly; their mere presence pressed on him naturally.
Duke Blake and Grand Duke Magnus.
The two monsters in human form showed great interest in him.
"You've grown."
"Can't ignore you now. Slack off, and you'd threaten even me."
"......Ha."
He couldn't help a hollow laugh at that.
Slack off? Threaten?
What nonsense.
With awakened intent, he knew.
They were on another level.
Marquis Jenimia? Impressive, sure.
His intent was more mature and complete than Lee Han's.
But these two had gone further, perfecting their unique intents into unified worlds.
Now I get why they're called Aura User equals.
Superhumans.
Just superhumans in a different way from Aura Users.
His growth let him sense it clearly—hence the overwhelming pressure.
What? The more I grow, the more these stagnant ponds appear?
He'd finally become a lion, only for two massive elephants to stomp his back.
No room for arrogance; the frail lion could only whimper.
Life...
Too many elephants around him.
"I don't know why you keep coveting others' possessions. No business ethics..."
Isis's low mutter.
A chill laced her voice, unheard by others.
Even a soliloquy—she ensured no one else heard, proving her means.
"Shameless thieves."
Isis had never let go of what entered her grasp.
Be it a worthless trinket or cheap junk—once hers, it was hers.
So Isis ground her teeth.
Seeing them eye her most precious 'gem' ignited her temper!
"...Should I collar him?"
Petulantly, Isis wanted to leash him.
But wisely, she knew better.
One tug, and that gem would snap it and leave her.
Whoosh-.
As dissatisfaction flared and her eyes flickered...
"Don't overuse it, beautiful lady. Such power only harms yourself."
"......"
"You might see it as nagging from an ignorant old fool, but take it as an old woman's worry."
"...I'll be careful."
"Hehe, not just beautiful—wise too."
"......Hmph, I'm not fool enough to confuse sincere advice with sly lies."
Isis replied curtly; the old priestess smiled kindly, nodding approvingly.
As if praising her.
Normally, Isis would've frowned at the insolence, but she couldn't snap at the priestess.
No, rather...
"My priestess sister mentioned hermits in seclusion. Hidden masters living as the young elderly..."
"?"
"It's true."
"Hehe, too kind."
She felt affinity, if anything.
After all...
The Saintess... Lived long enough to meet one.
This old priestess clearly had the right to chide her.
Seeing even dukes and princesses cowed by her priestess sister's 'connections,' Isis finally showed awe.