Expedition Preparations
A month flew by like an arrow. In that time, the Rozalia and Lorelia sisters had put on a good amount of weight. Lorelia could now manage light walks, her stamina having built up to that point. But the deep illness that had seeped into her very marrow still clung stubbornly, tormenting her without mercy.
Ludvine was always dragging Rozalia around with her, chattering about all sorts of little details—from daily life basics to simple etiquette, team responsibilities, and even that horrific expedition with the captain...! Whenever the terrifying demon came up, tears would well up in Rozalia's fearful eyes. She even had nightmares after hearing the stories.
"Really... do you think I can do it, sis?"
"Ah, just trust me. I'll handle everything—this big sis has got you. You just hang back and sling buffs. Got it?"
Once her stamina had recovered somewhat, Rozalia began practicing buffs in earnest. Ludvine fetched books on buffs from the magic academy library and lent them to her.
...But another problem arose. This shy girl couldn't read.
So reading lessons and buff practice went hand in hand. Since she was at it, Ludvine came to the sisters' room and gave Lorelia basic reading lessons too. The three of them stuck together like actual sisters.
Thanks to her innate talent, Rozalia succeeded with a buff in just a week. The effect was minuscule, and the duration laughably short, but it was still a success—and that was what mattered. Ludvine was thrilled like it was her own achievement and scampered off to brag to the captain.
"Really? Then let's have a feast for dinner tonight to celebrate."
The whole team gathered for a lavish meal. Overwhelmed by happiness that felt too good to be true, the Rozalia and Lorelia sisters burst into tears. Ludvine smacked Rozalia on the back, scolding her that crying on a happy day was bad luck. Rozalia forced a hehe laugh, waving her hands and insisting she wasn't crying.
...Another month rocketed past. The sisters, once skin and bones, were now unrecognizable with their fuller figures. Rozalia's messy hair, tidied up, brought out a more ladylike charm. In that month, she'd gotten good at reading and casting buffs reliably. Lorelia, receiving Grace's heals daily, spent more time awake. Everything was steadily improving.
One day, while watching her sister's buff training, Lorelia tried mimicking for fun—and accidentally succeeded with a buff. Ludvine, who was teaching the older sister, jumped in shock. She rushed to report it to the captain.
Ji-hyuk came running. The hero confirmed with his own eyes that Ludvine's report was true. He hadn't known the younger sister had the talent for buffs too.
...Well, there was no way he could have. This loop was the first time he'd seen Lorelia alive.
Both sisters as buff mages—considering Rozalia's case, he had no doubt Lorelia's talent was exceptional too. That gave him one more crucial reason to save her.
Anyway, preparations for the expedition were progressing steadily. Ji-hyuk was meticulously planning his tasks in the southern continent. That included visiting the academy in the starting city, Eretria.
Now a B-rank hero, one of the empire's stronger figures, it was time to accelerate recruiting promising talents and raising them into heroes. Ji-hyuk planned to be picky about personnel. No matter the skill, he wouldn't take anyone with personality issues. Flaws could be covered in teammates, but for a hero leading a team, they could snowball into irreversible problems. Plenty of cases proved it.
...Ah... The headache-inducing hero rubbed his face with both hands, dry-washing it.
Even just the big-picture plan showed this expedition would be busier and more packed than most.
It was time to prepare for departure to the southern continent. First order: form the teams.
Ji-hyuk divided the guild members into two teams—his and Mahushu's.
...It took a bit to slot in a mage, but he decided soon enough.
He called Kayak and Grendal. They entered the office side by side, standing respectfully before the desk.
"We're rotating teams this time. Gotta sync up with various members. Kayak, you're with me. Grendal, go to Mahushu. Support her well, Grendal. She's got some experience now, but she's still green in spots. Keep an eye out."
"Understood."
The hero handed each a paper with the team roster. They took it politely and scanned it.
Kayak looked back at the captain. "Any chance of changes later?"
"Almost none."
Mahushu's team was short one healer—temporary fill-in for now. Skilled healers weren't easy to snag.
With that, teams were set. Ji-hyuk ordered departure in a week, with thorough prep from all members.
Two days later, a guest arrived at Ji-hyuk's mansion. Elizabeth, her vibe noticeably changed.
"Long time no see, Elizabeth."
"...Yeah, long time. Congrats on the promotion, Hero Kang Ji-hyuk."
The girl who'd strutted like she owned the world now spoke less, her expression subdued. Something had shaken her deeply.
...She lost a teammate. Ji-hyuk, with his experience, spotted it instantly. Nothing else explained such a drastic shift in months.
...Probably hit her limits on this expedition.
"Something happen?"
"...Pardon?"
"Your face looks off."
The lady dropped her gaze.
"Tell me."
Ji-hyuk clasped his hands on the table, resting his chin and leaning toward her—a gesture of attentive listening.
"It's nothing."
But her pride kept her lips sealed. Especially to a rival. If not for her father the Valkan Duke's prodding, she wouldn't be here.
"Did... a teammate die?"
"I said it's nothing—!"
Elizabeth slammed the table with her fist, raising her voice. She glared daggers at Ji-hyuk briefly before her eyes softened, drifting to the manicured garden.
Ji-hyuk said nothing more, just sipping his tea steadily. He waited patiently for her to speak first.
After a long silence, Elizabeth finally opened up slowly.
"...Yes. A teammate died."
Her tone and face were flat, but thick sorrow and shock lurked beneath.
"A small mistake. I never thought it'd lead to... that accident."
"Unexpected things happen on expeditions. Part of a hero's burden. I get it. Must be rough mentally, but you have to push through."
"I know. I was prepared for that. And don't talk like you know it all, acting superior. ...How could you understand?"
Elizabeth shot him another glare before looking away.
"Sorry if it came off that way."
Ji-hyuk apologized sincerely. She eyed him up and down, wondering what he'd eaten to act like this.
"...No need to apologize. Just... saying."
Another long silence. Strangely, Elizabeth felt a bit lighter. Those few words had comforted her, it seemed.
...No wonder—she'd never opened up like this before. Especially not to the man before her.
Ji-hyuk took a sip and spoke. "The duke sent you?"
Elizabeth couldn't answer. Ji-hyuk chuckled softly.
"He's been hounding me about marrying you."
His laugh pricked her pride; she tapped the table with her fingertips. "Why laugh? ...Tch, be grateful...!"
She muttered the end loud enough, glaring at his smile.
He asked slyly, "Want to marry me?"
"Me? You? Ha—!"
Elizabeth overreacted dramatically. "I feel nothing for you. Father's just nagging, so I came to meet."
"Really?"
His curt reply irked her instead. "Well, not nothing, more like... I'm thinking positively."
"Positively? You like me?"
"Like? ...No, I mean... it could go that way. Eventually."
"So... you're starting to like me?"
Elizabeth's mind tangled. Was that what she meant?
"Kinda, yeah. ...Anyway, that my answer?"
"In other words, you're warming up to marrying me?"
What nonsense is this? After pondering, she caught his grin and realized he was teasing.
"You bastard—!"
"Sorry. You looked so serious, thought I'd lighten the mood."
"Never pegged you for it. Really, so... low-class—!"
His laughter faded slowly.
"But I still haven't heard your answer."
"To what?"
"Do you want to marry me?"
Elizabeth's mouth flapped. Truthfully, it wasn't her ideal marriage. A political match pushed by her father. But how to say that? Defying him outright.
As a duke's daughter, she was his property.
Seeing no reply, Ji-hyuk nodded. "Next time, think about that first."
"...Why are you so dense?"
"I know. It's a political marriage. Think I'd miss that?"
"So you hate it? ...We can live like strangers anyway. You do you, I do me. Everyone does."
Ji-hyuk's lip curled. "Poor thing, you."
"Why me? I'm happy. Pitiful? ...What a sight."
"You should go. I'll think it over."
Elizabeth snatched her handkerchief and gloves from the table, bolting up. "Don't think I'm desperate. ...Don't flatter yourself. You're just one option. Know your place."
"I do."
His lack of pushback oddly infuriated her. "No pride, huh? Skill's worthless without dignity."
Still silent. She clamped her mouth, spun on her heel, and stormed out without farewell.
Ji-hyuk watched her go quietly.
...Thought she'd grown a bit, but maybe just that moment. Still, next time she'd be more deflated.
Valkan Duke never let prey slip easily. With Ji-hyuk targeted, he'd push the marriage relentlessly. Her haughty highness visiting twice already, dragging that heavy rear here, proved it.
Ji-hyuk glanced at the garden. Birds flitted into the bushes. The hero pondered deeply how to handle the duke's massive ambition.