Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Southern Kingdom
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Southern Kingdom
The preliminary matches and the succession ceremony had come to an end.
A party was held at Irena's mansion.
It wasn't grand enough to call it a banquet.
Even so, her status built up in the Empire's north was so immense that quite a few people stopped by for even this modest celebration.
Hartman and a few knights, imperial diplomats, and even fellow knight commanders who genuinely regretted her retirement.
Aside from a few, they were mostly people I knew.
I exchanged greetings and chatted briefly with them before stepping back.
I stood quietly by the wall, sipping from my wine glass.
Looking around, Freya was chatting amiably with others, a friendly smile on her face.
Then our eyes met.
We exchanged glances, conveying our intentions.
'When are you giving it to her, Ian?'
'I've prepared a cake. Three tiers. We'll do it then.'
'Wow! But when did you prepare that? I didn't hear anything.'
'I outsourced it a week ago.'
I had no intention of handing over an artifact in some casual moment devoid of atmosphere.
Timing mattered more than the time invested in crafting the artifact.
Irena finished greeting the guests and quietly approached.
"Ian. How long are you planning to stand there like that?"
Irena looked stunning in her dress.
"Naturally, until you come over."
"...You say that so casually."
"Words are just words—anyone can say them. But that one was sincere."
She set down her glass and took the seat across from me.
"Now it finally feels real. I've taken off my armor, set down my spear..."
Irena gave a light laugh.
But that smile carried a familiar sense of emptiness.
"I understand."
"Like you understand. Ian, after subjugating Erebeon, you're still thinking about something else."
She glanced at me lightly and tilted her wine glass.
"You could afford to rest."
Afford to rest.
I chuckled softly and replied to Irena.
"I'm still a long way off. I've come far... but not far enough. And for me, having you is enough."
Irena's face flushed red.
I turned my head slightly, hiding my own reddened cheeks from her.
"What? Turn back, Ian. Why are you embarrassed after saying that?"
"..."
It was at that moment.
The party hall doors opened, and a massive three-tier cake was wheeled in.
It was ridiculously huge, enough to flip the subdued party atmosphere on its head.
Irena's expression stiffened at the sight of the cake.
I quickly shot Freya a look.
"W-What's that? I didn't order anything like that――"
I grabbed Irena's hand and pulled her along.
Freya stuck close by my side and whispered.
'Is the timing right?'
For now, it was exactly as intended.
I ignored Freya's skeptical glance.
I pulled a small, flat case from inside my jacket.
"Irena."
Irena still looked dazed.
"A retirement gift."
"We made it ourselves."
"...What's that?"
I carefully opened the case, revealing a slender silver-toned necklace.
At its center was a smoothly polished gem, surrounded by intricate engravings that looked hand-carved.
It was pretty at a glance, but up close, it screamed amateur craftsmanship.
"...This is an artifact."
"Its name is Secania."
The base option was critical hit deflection, with additional effects attached.
Pain suppression and movement assistance.
In game terms, it was like 20% pain resistance and 70% weapon proficiency.
In reality rather than a game, its versatility would shine even more.
When Freya tried it,
She could wield a sword she'd previously struggled with quite adeptly.
"My stomach's been hurting since yesterday, but now it doesn't," she'd said.
"...".
Irena silently lifted it and clasped it around her neck.
"...So that's why you didn't say a word to me all this time?"
Irena spoke quietly.
She was smiling, but there was steel in her eyes.
Freya and I averted our gazes and lifted our glasses.
"We were just making an artifact. It could've been casual, but surprises are better, right?"
"Exactly. We absolutely weren't leaving you out."
"..."
Irena laughed a beat late.
Applause from those around us rang out, followed by a shower of gifts.
The people connected to her had prepared presents just like us.
The modest party stretched into the early hours of dawn.
Now that I thought about it, it didn't seem so modest after all.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After the party ended, Freya's departure time arrived as planned.
Since it was expected, there was no panic.
As Freya packed her things, I began preparing mine.
Preparations to head south.
I methodically readied myself for the journey south.
Memories of when I'd first resolved to head north surfaced.
Back then, everything had to be done secretly and swiftly.
I'd overlooked or forgotten so many things.
It hadn't been long since I'd nearly died from bandits, monsters, or wounds.
Even surviving battles, infections from injuries had nearly killed me more than once.
Now with experience, such mishaps were less likely—but preparation was something you could never overdo.
And I might end up staying in the south longer than expected.
'It'll be different from the Red Star.'
For the Red Star, I'd had data handed over by the Empress.
But not for the south.
There was no overt organization trading openly; they conducted secretive research within the kingdoms themselves.
It differed from the Red Star, where I'd raided funding networks for easy intel.
My guess was I'd have to settle in for a bit and slowly extract information.
A sturdy backpack with leather straps secured,
Lightweight armor of moderate weight,
Folded maps and various other supplies.
I calmly reviewed the checklist again.
I tucked a few small vials deep into the bag.
All were items chosen after deep consideration.
'This should do it.'
At that moment, a low voice slipped through the door crack, followed by a face peeking in.
Flaming red hair.
Freya, head only poking through, spoke up.
"Ian... Wasn't I supposed to be going alone? Or are you planning to come with? Hmm, not that I'd mind."
"I'm heading south."
"South for real?"
"Business in the capital's done. Time to move on."
Freya cautiously held out a small pouch.
"Beef jerky. You've got rations, but my homemade jerky would be nice too, right?"
Freya had recently picked up cooking as a hobby.
It stemmed from the joy of crafting jewelry by hand.
"Thank you. I'll savor this."
"Hehe. There's plenty. Don't hold back—eat lots."
Freya grinned and withdrew.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Four more days passed.
Now it was truly time for Freya to leave.
"Ian. You're really going south, right?"
"Yes. It might take a while."
Freya nodded, then flashed a grin.
"But we'll meet again next time. Promise. Stay alive until I get back."
"It won't be that dangerous."
"That's by your standards. It's always been dangerous for me."
She held out the small pouch in her hand.
This time, it wasn't jerky.
"Snacks. Homemade. If they taste bad, you can scold me when you return."
"Can I eat a lot of these too?"
"Hmm, these you should savor. And think of me a little each time you do."
I looked at her wordlessly.
"Ian. You know how to look back sometimes."
"...Look back?"
"I mean, don't just keep pushing forward. Sometimes, it's okay to rest."
Freya beamed.
"I'll be off."
The carriage carrying Freya quietly headed down the back road.
In the dawn twilight, amid the mist, her red hair slowly vanished.
As the lantern-like sound of hooves faded, a breeze began to stir the heavy air.
The dawn after seeing Freya off.
I'd finally finished all preparations and gone to fetch my horse.
The damp straw in the stable rustled softly.
The horse's breathing cut through the darkness.
But unfamiliar hoofbeats approached first.
Irena, in light traveling clothes, sat astride a horse.
She held the reins loosely and waved leisurely.
Her expression brimmed with mischief, plain to see.
"Ian. Off somewhere again?"
I froze in surprise for a moment.
"I could hear you preparing all the way down the hall. And you didn't exactly hide it."
She wasn't wrong.
I hadn't felt the need to conceal it—and I'd even told her directly I was heading south.
"That doesn't mean you should tag along."
"Why so cold? After preparing all this."
Irena dangled the necklace.
The one Freya and I made.
The gem on it glowed faintly.
Irena grinned.
"What's there to hesitate? Let's go together, Ian."