Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Masked Man (7)
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[...Cornerus Family's secretary?]
"Yeah, something about fostering friendship or whatever. I have no idea what it means, but when a noble family calls for a human, you have to go, right? It's not like I have any real power."
[Do what you want... You're not going to lose a battle of wits, so just make sure to check for any ulterior motives. But prepare yourself for tonight in advance.]
A quiet preview of Heavenly Leader's hellish training.
I ended the call with a wry chuckle.
I'm dead tonight.
"But why are they suddenly calling me?"
Secretary to the eldest daughter of the Cornerus Family. And doubling as a bodyguard? That's no low position.
'Was it because of that argument with Cornus?'
But the one who told Cornus to make some friends was none other than that secretary, Mi-ho or Si-ho or whatever her name was. And personally, I thought of Cornus as a really cute friend.
Foul intentions? No way.
Sure, her big chest and pretty face might turn other guys' heads... But honestly, it was hard to see Cornus that way.
Sometimes, she seemed even more like a puppy than Bead from the Puppy Tree.
Right on cue, a black sedan pulled up and stopped in front of El Academy's main gate.
Cornus stepped out of what was clearly a luxury foreign car, exuding elegant poise as she descended.
But to me, she just looked like a walking teddy bear.
"Si-woon~"
Look at her, waving her hand and trotting over.
A pure white ribbon blouse and a skirt that fell to her knees. Dressed lightly for early summer, she hopped out of the car with a bright smile.
Others might not see that face as beaming, but to my eyes, Cornus was clearly thrilled.
I just wanted to nibble on her cheek.
"Wait long?"
"Nah, just got here."
I was dressed casually in a cardigan and a crossbody bag slung to the side.
All I had inside were the notebooks and textbooks I'd brought to the academy.
Cornus grabbed my arm and led me along.
"Let's go."
"Go? Where?"
"My house."
Isn't it just meeting the secretary?
I stared at her with wide eyes, but she just tilted her head with her usual blank expression.
The black sedan we boarded was spacious enough to stretch out my legs comfortably.
-Thud.
The door closed.
No turning back now.
The stone-faced secretary in the driver's seat glanced at my face in the rearview mirror.
"Brought him. Oh, right. This is Si-ho, my secretary."
"Ji-ho here."
"This is Si-on. The friend Mi-ho told me to make."
"Lee Si-heon."
How does she keep getting the name wrong?
Seeing Ji-ho's wry smile, I felt a strange sense of camaraderie.
Considering he had to serve someone like Cornus, he was a victim in his own way.
'Wait... Wasn't it that guy who recommended TreeInside?'
I withdrew my previous alliance.
"How did you and Miss Cornus become friends?"
On the way to the Cornerus Family's dedicated mansion at the academy.
As he turned the wheel, Ji-ho asked, and Cornus answered.
"Si-heon stole my swordsmanship- Mmph!"
I clamped her mouth shut, anticipating she'd say I'd stolen it.
It was true, but the family's sword arts were top secret. Learning them at a glance would cause problems.
"We just got close while training together. Then the secretary suddenly told me to make friends and called him over."
"Ah... I see."
Ji-ho eyed me suspiciously before turning back to the road.
"Si-woon?"
Your mouth is my enemy, enemy.
Irritated, I poked her thigh, but she just blinked innocently, not understanding.
A few minutes later, we arrived at the mansion.
The secretary got out first and opened the car door. Cornus leaned out gracefully and stepped down slowly.
Her ingrained elegant movements were always so far from the Cornus I knew.
As I followed, Ji-ho quietly pulled me aside.
"Si-heon, a moment."
I stopped following Cornus.
She turned her head.
"Miss, please go to your room first. I need to talk with your friend."
"Why?"
Ji-ho's eyes widened at her quick response.
"What about?"
"Personal matters."
"...He's my friend."
"Haha, sorry."
Cornus pouted and left first. Ji-ho readjusted his tie and led the way.
"Sorry. I know it's rude, but it involves the miss... Please understand."
"Sure, speak freely. I don't mind."
"No, it's fine. The miss is waiting, so let's go somewhere comfortable to sit."
Outside the mansion, benches lined the path for anyone to sit.
Ji-ho sat on one, and I took the opposite side, facing him.
"So, you wanted to foster some friendship with me...?"
I spoke first.
"Foster friendship?"
Clearly caught off guard, Ji-ho's lip twitched.
"Yeah? That's why you called me."
"No, I just advised that it might help the miss with her studies..."
"Ah...... She must've gotten it wrong again."
Fostering friendship was about me and Cornus. She'd relayed it wrong.
I was inwardly exasperated, but I caught Ji-ho's intent.
Studies, huh. He'd used that as an excuse to summon me and probe.
"Sorry for calling her 'that kid.' We spend a lot of time casually."
"It's fine. Haha... No status between friends."
"Yeah... well. So, what's this about?"
I went straight to the point.
"Nothing much. Just thanks for getting along with Miss Cornus... She talks about you a lot. She doesn't have many friends, you see. Not great with words..."
Trashing her oh-so-naturally.
No friends and quiet? All facts.
"And the miss... has an open position, right?"
Implying I had bad intentions approaching her.
That's what he was skirting around.
"I know. Cornerus... Family, was it?"
"Yes."
"They've served World Trees since ancient times, producing many elite guards... Just rumors to me."
Equivalent to a duke in medieval terms.
In a world with classes, a commoner like me wouldn't get close in a lifetime.
The walls had crumbled over time, but mindsets lingered.
If word got out a nameless commoner approached the lady...
Of course he'd worry about flies buzzing around.
'But why ask now?'
Cornus and I met around March. Over two months ago.
Too late if he'd wanted to check.
He'd have investigated early if serious.
In elite circles, overt crimes weren't uncommon.
'Background check is a given.'
Not long since arriving in this world, my info was sparse.
Plus ties to Baek-do made them cautious.
From behind my mask, I quietly observed her secretary.
His composed, stern face screamed professional training. No ordinary secretary.
"Seems you get it."
But I couldn't prove anything.
Worst case, label me a spy and it'd stick.
Still, his cautious tone suggested no real hostility.
"...So, keep your distance? Like some drama?"
"That's the directive from above. But I don't want that."
Opening up like this...
He knew how to build debt and draw honesty.
Familiar tactic.
"Don't want that?"
"The miss has reasons for having no friends."
Previous ones drifted away for various reasons, probably.
He cared for his charge.
"As her secretary, I'd like her happier... I'd support it unless it's extreme, even if the family head disapproves."
"I get the sentiment."
Yet a sharp edge lingered in his expression.
If I didn't convince him, trouble ahead.
I spoke lightly and truthfully.
No need or desire to lie.
"Seeing Cornus... I always think her emotions seem dried up. Something happened, probably."
"......"
"That's why I noticed. Not in a position to help much, but when the only potential friend asks to be friends, how do you say no?"
Technically, she approached me.
"Who asks to be friends like that? Not like a comic: 'Hey, let's be friends!' Ridiculous."
"Ah......"
Ji-ho's face flushed slightly.
Embarrassed, no doubt.
His mind was picturing Cornus saying it.
She was that quirky.
"But once we got close... You know best as her secretary. What kind of kid she is."
"True."
Ji-ho nodded in agreement.
Sweet and innocent kid.
"So, humanly speaking, I grew fond. Nothing else."
"I see."
"Yes."
Silence fell briefly.
"Got it. Sorry for the needless talk."
"No, I understand."
"Time's up. Shall we?"
On the way back, Ji-ho tested me a few more times with casual probes.
Nothing hit home for me, so I answered honestly.
By the end, even he relaxed, tossing a joke.
"Spicy chewy tteokbokki..."
I flinched.
"The miss got hooked. Know why?"
Sweat beading, I changed the subject.
"She suddenly started digging through TreeInside."
"...Ah."
Haha. We laughed together.
Probably the same thought inwardly.
This crazy girl. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As I headed to meet Cornus, I recalled Ji-ho's additional words.
-Miss Cornus has received a lot of attention since childhood.
Talented in swordsmanship, social skills, everything—adored by relatives and her father.
But talent alone wouldn't have made her this way.
-The thickest World Tree blood was the issue.
-Know the flower language of Cornus flowers...?
Eternal immortality.
And that was the Cornerus Family's lifelong aspiration.
A dream of eternity pursued since the 9th century, the goal of every family member.
Several steps to achieve it, and the exceptional Cornus had followed them since childhood.
-No idea what those steps are. Just a secretary.
But from some point, she began losing emotions gradually.
Ending there, he smiled bitterly and pleaded.
-She's improving lately. Take care of her.
He added:
-More allies for the miss? I'd welcome it.
Why do I attract so much drama?
I knocked on the door I'd arrived at, and Cornus opened it promptly.
"You're here?"
The tidy room held a bed like a bright yellow chick.
Cornus greeted me in an impeccably elegant robe.
"Got spicy chewy tteokbokki!"
Her upturned lips brimmed with anticipation—so endearing.
"Yeah, let's eat and study."
Unthinkingly, I placed a hand on Cornus's head.
"Why smile?"
Being with her made me grin for no reason.
Like a healing camp.
Not bad at all.