Chapter 122
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: 28. The Imperial Capital. (5)
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Aaaah.
Having witnessed something so shocking, Aloa sent Allen away with the excuse that she wasn't feeling well. ...No, in truth, the shock had genuinely left her bedridden.
Suddenly seeing something like that... And from the man who was Elder Sister Yufi's disciple, no less...!
The impact was so great that she forgot almost everything else she'd seen before it. All that replayed in her mind was that man and her living happily ever after, all lovey-dovey.
...I'm not ready for this yet...!
She'd only peeked out of curiosity, wondering what kind of amazing guy could make Elder Sister Yufi make such a fuss. Who could've guessed she'd end up seeing her own married life? Of course, it was just one fleeting scene among countless others that flashed by, but she clearly remembered it. ...However, that was still a distant future tale.
Of course, she had no idea when exactly their relationship had turned so intimate, but it was certain they'd end up as husband and wife. It was an infallible prophecy.
To think something like that would really happen to me...!
Aloa writhed in bed, gripped by a strange feeling. ...This must be why the gods keep prophets from seeing their own futures. Just glimpsing a single scene from someone else's life was enough to drive her mad and make her jump around.
Anyway.
Aloa, down with a mild fever, spent the whole day in bed. She was back to normal the next day, but after seeing her own fate, her wild fantasies exploded, forcing her to spend one more day in bed.
And just then, a big shot came to visit.
"The Mercenary Leader is here."
There was only one person referred to as "Mercenary Leader" here.
A sturdy middle-aged man who looked every bit the veteran warrior entered Aloa's room.
Sword Emperor Magnus.
But the man who should have been wielding a sword was holding a flower basket instead. The sight felt terribly out of place.
"Uncle!"
"Heard you were under the weather."
"It happens sometimes. I'm fine now."
"Good to hear. ...Oh, do you like flowers by any chance?"
"Flowers out of the blue?"
"I got some as a gift recently, and they weren't bad. So I bought one on the way. ...What do you think? Nice?"
"Of course it's nice. Thanks. Put it there."
The Sword Emperor gently set the basket by the vase and pulled a chair close to the side of her bed, where she sat propped up at an angle.
"Weren't you busy lately? With the Ten Strongest and all...?"
"Busy, sure, but not so much I can't make time."
"But you came by the other day just to see Elder Sister Yufi briefly. ...So it doesn't seem like you came specifically for me~?"
The Sword Emperor, terrible at lying, gave an awkward smile.
"I was hoping you could take a look at someone for me."
"What's this sudden request from you, Uncle? You never ask for stuff like this."
"It's someone important. ...Could you do me this favor?"
Aloa waved it off lightly, as if it were no big deal.
"What favor between you and me? If you say look, I look."
"Thanks."
"But who is it, anyway?"
The prophet was dying to know. What kind of person would have the Sword Emperor asking a favor like this?
Magnus smiled warmly.
"A promising junior with a bright future ahead. ...Might even succeed me someday."
"Wow. You found a real gem, huh? Now I'm curious too. ...Sure. Have them come anytime. Oh, right, who's this?"
"A woman named Natasha from the Allen Mercenary Corps."
The moment "Allen Mercenary Corps" came up, Aloa choked in surprise and coughed.
"...You okay? Still not fully recovered?"
"I-I'm fine. Just caught in my throat."
"I see."
...Coincidence or fate, it was tangled up with that man again.
"Anyway..., mind if I ask?"
"Of course."
"Ah, they might not come, of course. It's their choice. No pressure."
"Got it."
The Sword Emperor let out a light breath and tapped the bed's headboard lightly with his palm.
"How've you been? Getting out for walks these days?"
"Just strolling the garden."
"Your fated one still far off?"
Everyone who needed to know was aware that Prophet Aloa was waiting for her destined partner.
The Sword Emperor had asked in friendly jest, but Aloa—who had actually met that partner just days ago—felt her heart drop.
"...Y-Yeah, still waiting, I guess. Ha, ha... ."
If Yufi had been there, she might've joked that her fated one would never be born at this rate.
"Alright. ...Well, I'll be off then."
"Yeah, Uncle."
"Take care of yourself. Let's grab a meal sometime. It's been ages."
"Sure. Take care."
The Sword Emperor gave a kind smile before carefully leaving her room. ...Followed by her long, drawn-out sigh.
Haaaah...
Allen. Allen Mercenary Corps. That man. Fated partner. Kids. Husband. Kids are asleep. Honey. Feels good.
Aloa felt her mind reeling from the whirlwind of words plaguing her thoughts like a prophecy.
Am I really screwed?
Allen couldn't shake off the shock from the incident where Prophet Aloa had freaked out and kicked him out the moment they shook hands. Just what kind of horrific future had she glimpsed to react like that?
...Honestly, even thinking about it myself, my future does seem pretty screwed.
From the start, his resolve to reach the Ten Strongest meant a gauntlet of grueling missions and cutthroat competition in the mud with rival mercenary corps. So of course his future wouldn't be a cakewalk.
And even if he made the Ten Strongest, it wasn't over. Competition among the top ten was fierce, and he'd have to watch his back against upstarts clawing their way up. It wasn't like becoming champion meant you could relax—you had to always be ready for title defenses. ...Just look at Dagon's case. Though that bastard deserved to get booted anyway.
In any case, after being chased out immediately, Allen decided not to go back. He already knew the scenario inside out better than any prophet anyway. ...No point risking another mood-killer visit.
Back alone at the lodging after the others left, he sipped tea while admiring the peaceful garden when Viola the Mercenary Leader showed up, having heard he'd returned.
"Ah, Leader."
"Business wrapped up quick, I see."
"...Yeah, something like that."
Allen didn't mention getting booted by the prophet right after the handshake.
Viola the Mercenary Leader sat across from him, accepted a cup of tea, and elegantly sipped it.
"...Leader Allen."
"Yes."
"Aren't you curious what Elizabeth the Vice-Leader and I talked about back then?"
"Of course I am. But ignorance is bliss sometimes, right?"
"Any guesses?"
Allen stared steadily at Viola the Mercenary Leader before speaking.
"I'm guessing some kind of deal. ...Though I don't know the details."
"Right. We made a deal."
"I see."
Of course, Allen didn't pry into what the deal was. Whether she told him or not was up to her.
But Viola the Mercenary Leader spilled it readily.
"Someone running for a Ten Strongest spot asked for my support. Given our history, I agreed."
"...You expect a fierce battle?"
"Always. Candidates die sometimes."
Viola the Mercenary Leader let out a light sigh and gazed far into the sky.
"...Tough?"
"I'd be lying if I said no. Honestly, sometimes I want to step down."
"I get it. ...Even leading this little corps wears me out sometimes. Can't imagine for you."
She smiled faintly and said nothing more. He just silently gazed at her profile.
A long, heavy silence stretched on. Viola the Mercenary Leader broke it.
"Coming here to vent like this. Sorry for the dramatics."
"Dramatics? No, not at all."
And that marked the end of the personal talk. She shifted to business.
"Meeting in two days. Evening after sunset. ...You'll accompany me to the hall, Leader Allen. Remember."
"Understood."
"Let's have dinner before the meeting. Discuss things."
"I'm free anytime."
"Tonight then? ...Too sudden?"
Allen paused so briefly she wouldn't notice and agreed.
"...No. See you tonight."
"Great. ...Enjoyed the talk. Rest up."
"Yes, Leader."
After a warm farewell, Viola left Allen's lodging.
In the spot she'd vacated, he leaned back deeply into the chair, lost in thought.