Chapter 462
Chapter 462
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Revision
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“Kyaa! Are you insane?!”
Erzsebet let out a scream. The stack of manuscripts fell to the floor.
Her reaction, like that of a pubescent girl, drew a chuckle from me.
“You scared me. What’s with the fuss?”
“Ahem, sorry. I got too excited while reading... Anyway, you knew I was on the balcony.”
Erzsebet fanned her face with her hand. It was flushed as if steam might rise from it.
The happy shriek had burst out at the scene where I proposed to Adeshan. I’d half-expected it. Her breathing had grown noticeably ragged from the kissing part onward.
“How old are you? Getting worked up over a kiss. Don’t tell me you’ve never done it.”
“N-no way! I’ve done plenty. Just not with Sister Adeshan...”
“Impressive. But if you scream over this, I can’t show you the next part.”
“...The next part?”
“Yeah. I wrote it for fun. Not planning to include it in the book, but it turned out pretty good.”
I showed her the manuscript I’d set aside separately.
The dozen or so sheets contained an essay capturing one of the hottest moments of my life. The day I returned from the parallel world adventure. The record from right after the proposal until the next morning.
“That next part...”
Erzsebet swallowed hard. She pretended not to care, but her eyes betrayed how badly she wanted to read it.
Sure enough, after glancing at me, she cleared her throat and spoke up.
“Ahem... Lord Ronan. As your one and only editor, don’t I have a duty to read it?”
“It’s pretty stimulating. Especially for you.”
“It’s fine. I was just startled earlier. I’m a proper lady, you know. What do you take the mistress of the Dawn Magic Tower for?”
“Fine, read it then. I warned you.”
I handed her the manuscript. Since it was Eri, I figured it’d be okay.
Adeshan had started this in the first place. I could still picture her that night on our couples’ trip, bragging to Marya that my real masterful sword was something else. Women, honestly.
Erzsebet snatched the manuscript and began reading intently.
“Ah... Aah...!”
The reaction came before she’d even turned the first page. Her face turned apple-red. She looked like she might cry, but she kept flipping through the pages.
“Th-this... How could something like this even be possible...”
Her hands trembled visibly. She probably hadn’t shaken like that even reading Bajura of Destruction.
Finally finishing the last page, she shrieked.
“You beast! How could you do that to Sister?!”
“I just wrote the facts as they were. And look at Adeshan. Doesn’t she look happier than anyone?”
“Shut up! This being fact... You didn’t exaggerate your prowess too much?!”
“Think what you want. I’ve got nothing to hide.”
I could swear to the heavens I’d written only the truth. Lin had cross-verified the manuscript, so that was that. Clutching the pages, Erzsebet took deep breaths before suddenly glaring at me.
“Don’t even dream of including it! Writing something so obscene... What do you plan to show your grandchildren?!”
“I said from the start it’s not going in the book. Relax, missy.”
“Aaaah... Sister Adeshan...”
Erzsebet clutched her forehead with the back of her hand and staggered. It was like she’d been hit on the head with a hammer.
“I... I need a break... You said there’s editing left?”
“Yeah. That’ll be quick.”
“Good... That’s basically it done, so congratulations in advance.”
Steadying herself, Erzsebet continued.
“It was a joy to read from start to finish, Lord Ronan. Your grandchildren will love it too.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t fear the future; live in the present... It’s clichéd, but a great lesson. The mage Akasha served perfectly as a device to convey that.”
“I think so too. But Akasha is real.”
“Sure, sure. Of course. I’ll head down now.”
Erzsebet wobbled down the stairs.
I let her sneakily take the manuscript. She’d helped me squeeze time out of her busy schedule during writing; she deserved that reward. She’d keep the secret even better than I would.
I returned to my room and closed the door. The setting sun bathed the room in crimson. In the empty space, only the ticking clock echoed.
I slowly looked around the room and murmured.
“...It’s done.”
An indescribable emotion filled me.
I stared at the desk like a man possessed.
Beside the ink-stained fountain pen sat a thick stack of manuscript paper, densely filled with words. When I’d finished the first parallel world tale, I’d thought I’d never fill all those blank pages.
“Damn, I actually wrote a book.”
A sudden chill ran through me. I couldn’t believe I’d created something other than widows, shit, or babies. Memories that had lingered only in my head were now a story anyone could read. Editing remained, but I’d revised as I went, so it wouldn’t take long.
“Maybe raise a glass...”
My heart pounded. The unfamiliar elation wouldn’t let me sit still.
With no one to play with, I clasped my hands behind my back and paced the room slowly. It was what I did when writer’s block hit; now it was habit.
Suddenly, a framed picture on the wall caught my eye.
“Miss those days.”
A smile came naturally. The ornate frame held a photo of hundreds against the backdrop of Phileon Academy’s grand plaza. Our wedding.
“Hahaha...”
It was decades ago already.
Even after rivers and mountains had changed, the lively scene burned vividly in my memory.
The wedding was grand. It rivaled Schlieffen and Sis’s years later. The guest list was even more dazzling. Sister Navardoje and the Shadow Archduke brought their entire clans.
Unprecedented. Such treatment...
In the photo’s center, Adeshan in her Allied Forces uniform instead of a wedding dress and I kissed. I remembered the chaos before this shot. No one had warned me not to use tongue at a wedding kiss.
Damn. Thought it was like usual.
My infamous black history. My face still heats up recalling it.
For such a major life event, I put extra effort into my tongue work. Adeshan seemed about to push me away in panic, then wrapped her arms around my neck and closed her eyes. Our cool-headedness mixed with easy passion—our strength and weakness.
The guests went wild, naturally. Erzsebet shrieked and collapsed, clutching her neck. Marya, stimulated, licked her lips while eyeing Asel. Zaifa bared all four fangs in laughter. Sister Naviroje, shaking her head, lit her pipe. The palace orchestra switched from sweet classics to upbeat dance music. If memory served, Emperor Uncle requested it.
Archmage Rorhon clapped Kratir and Baren’s shoulders, roaring with laughter.
-You’ve raised fine students!
Asel had been dragged off by Marya mid-feast, returning just before the photo, disheveled. His slender neck bore half a dozen mosquito-like marks. Guessing carefully, that’s when Sechika joined the fray.
Sis bounced around in confusion, her apple-red face covered except her eyes—adorable. Beside her, Schlieffen turned away calling it vulgar, but his gaze stayed fixed on us.
Sister Navardoje yelled, “Mortals, what to do with you!” and smacked Orse’s arm. He flew to the plaza’s end and stayed out cold till the feast ended. In the photo, he’s propped up unconscious.
As the intense music played, we parted from the kiss, and the reception was already underway. The solemnity had fled like a dog with a bone, but it ended well enough.
The group photo after all the drama captured everyone from our journey.
Sis, Asel, Marya, Schlieffen, Cita, Lin, Braum, Erzsebet, Ophelia.
Baren, Marfez, Naviroje, Secret, Jarodin, Kratir, Gidokan, Avar, and the rest of Phileon’s faculty. (Former) Sarante, still a golem then.
Didikan, Doron, Katan, Gran Cappadocia and Aurora Scal smiths, inquisitor Karaka, former Dawn Tower lord Awn Pila, Aire, Rorhon, Josef and Sion’s Grancia clan.
Zaifa, Nemea, Elder Alogin, Navardoje, fire dragon clan including Brnihard and Itargand, Orse, Dragon King Azidahaka, Shadow Archduke Isran, former Winter Witch Evelyn, Nebula Klazie execs Elisia and Alibriehe.
Angry Storm, Dreaming Thunder, Daynhar’s overtech natives, penal legion thugs reformed with Varus.
Even Baron 44, now Emperor Baron 45.
So many blessed our union.
“Cracky. Wonder what everyone’s up to.”
To fit in the photo, guests crammed together.
It looked like a barnacle cluster, but no one complained.
I picked up nearby hanging gloves, eyes off the photo.
“Never used these to the end.”
A gift from Aurora Scal long ago. The black metal gauntlets reaching the elbows held aurora power and intricate mechanisms. Made by the gruff female smith Katan.
Thought I’d use them once, but aside from weeding, no chance arose.
Some things are like that. A pull-up bar bought for exercise becomes a clothes dryer.
“Maybe pass them to Lance...”
Not a bad idea. With free time, things I’d overlooked in busyness caught my eye. Idly, I opened the wardrobe. The longcoat from parallel world adventures hung neatly.
“...When, exactly.”
I muttered to myself. Unresolved questions stirred. A tale no one believes, but I still had tasks left.
As I casually draped the coat over my shoulder.
“L-Lord Ronan!!”
The door burst open. Erzsebet rushed in. I stepped back instinctively. She panted like she’d sprinted full-tilt.
“Hurry, we have to go... Time’s...”
“What’s wrong?”
“Sechika’s in labor!”
At those words, my hand instinctively gripped the sword hilt.
My grandchild was coming.