Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Silver Lake
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No one's dead. It's astonishing. I never imagined I'd think something like this in my lifetime.
Clop-clop—the long line of laden wagons advanced along the straight road. The noisy chatter of those who'd fainted and come to blended into the everyday din, adding to this surreal feeling.
It was inevitable that Yonia's gaze drifted toward Enoch, who sat perched on a wagon, staring blankly at the sky.
'Who would've thought.'
Enoch, who always seemed to drift through life without a care, had bared such raw, intense emotion.
Well, facing death head-on would make anyone reflective, right? Even so, a confession of love that passionate?
Lady Leonne seemed to take it as something a child might say to their mother, but from where I'd stood, it was anything but. If a kid felt that way about their mom, it'd be terrifying before anyone cried incest.
'Loving another is seeing the face of God.'
Whose words were those? They often came to mind watching Enoch. But what brings happiness can also be the source of misery. He better not end up like a moth diving into flames.
Yonia, blowing a soft tune on her leaf flute while eyeing Enoch's profile, suddenly shuddered.
Tweet—! A sour note pierced the gentle melody, drawing eyes instantly. Mortifying.... Yonia ducked her head slightly and sneaked a glance at Enoch's finger.
'Lady Leonne, honestly....'
Whenever she felt a strange fondness for Enoch stirring, that ring on his finger asserted itself with a thud. It wasn't just noticeable—it felt like it was barking, "What do you think you're doing?"
Was there some spell on it? It wasn't even rational affection.
"Hey, the Sword Sovereign said she'd see you tomorrow. What does that mean?"
Zikfrain's voice snapped her back; he was talking to Enoch.
"What else? It means she'll come again tomorrow."
"Oh, does the Sword Sovereign have no limits on spatial jumps?"
"Dunno."
"She was incredible. I knew there were heavens above heavens, but honestly, she outshines even my father."
"Yeah. Spot on."
Was that even a conversation...? Anyway, wasn't it a good sign? He seemed friendless; making one now would be great.
For some reason, she felt herself awakening to maternal instincts.
*
'Did I ask for that much?'
The king eyed the Sword Sovereign before him and forced an awkward smile.
"Haha... What brings you here?"
'Fucking Heavenly Divine bastard.'
"Young human, I'm in a great mood today."
"That's fortunate... er, good news."
"Is it good news that my disciple lost an eye?"
Which bastard did it!? The king fought to keep his legs from bolting. Come to think of it, he'd watched Haken Wert get pulverized all day. Obviously their doing.
Watching them get beaten for half a day was torture enough; being on the receiving end? No sympathy. Bastards. Good riddance.
And the Sword Sovereign's desired response was simple.
"I'll remove the dangerous elements as soon as possible."
"As soon as possible?"
"...I'll handle it definitively."
"Good. Excellent."
The Sword Sovereign smiled faintly and strolled the palace like it was her own home. But the king felt no displeasure. Just watching her inspired awe.
'So that's a High Elf.'
A title bestowed on elves who'd transcended racial limits—Grandmasters, in other words. It revered their great realm, but among humans, it also praised their otherworldly beauty.
Elves might see it differently, but for us, elves were the race of beauty. A High Elf? Their looks were practically a power.
"I hear my disciple's heading to the Elf Alliance. Did you know?"
The king's focus snapped back. Know? It meant anything on that route better be managed.
"I'll deal with it swiftly."
"Hmm, this king's no muscle-headed fool. If they were all like this, how nice."
"Haha...."
"I'll be off. Handle your duties."
Watching her casually slash space with her sword and vanish left him dumbfounded. That wasn't something to do so nonchalantly.
"Haa...."
The weary king sighed deeply and bellowed.
"You there!"
He needed to notify the lords near the Elf Alliance immediately. Tell them to behave—or else. He'd march with sword in hand himself if needed. Though the sword-wielding Sword Sovereign would likely arrive first.
'Life.'
He wanted to cry.
*
Leonne chewed out the king once, then jumped through space again. Back at her original spot, only traces of the departed merchant caravan remained, but she'd catch up easily. That wasn't the point anyway.
'Can't help but worry.'
She'd razed Haken Wert's base. But the head escaped. Where the hell was that Assembly Leader wandering that he didn't show when his lair crumbled?
She'd taken out several near-Grandmaster Masters, so their forces were crippled. But without the Leader—known as the Fighting Ghost—that meant little.
Nameless and Fighting Ghost. Those two could topple a kingdom effortlessly. Nameless was done, but with Fighting Ghost loose, concerns lingered.
That freakish regeneration Nameless showed? Demonic energy suggested a devil pact. The Leader might have one too.
'Is he holed up in closed-door training?'
God, don't let him cross paths with Enoch later. If word came, she'd rush over and sever his head. Leonne vowed.
[Quit saying that without controlling your face?]
Undine's words made Leonne flinch. She touched her mouth—yep, her lips were curled in a vicious grin.
"G-Good is good!"
Right, Enoch had said he loved her, hadn't he? Her adorable Enoch. He'd shown affection before, but always so curt. Never expected a straight-up "I love you."
[Sigh. You're thrilled, huh.]
"What, you jealous? Wait, Undine, are you?"
She teased with a grin. Of course our Enoch was that cute. A spirit who'd never heard those words from him getting envious? Natural.
[You... Never mind. Do what you want. I'm out.]
Caught red-handed, Undine fled in a huff. Yeah, enviable. Who was she? The one and only elf Enoch confessed love to!
"Hehe."
She couldn't contain it. Time to scoop him up and spin him around three times. Such a dutiful boy. Scour the continent—no filial son like Enoch.
*
"Enoch~!"
A day later, Leonne returned. Seemingly planning to stick around, she hopped onto the wagon and squeezed him tight.
"Were you playing with your friend?"
"Friend?"
Did she mistake that for a friend? Enoch scowled at Zikfrain.
"Oh, Sword Sovereign! Yep, hanging with my friend."
Not a friend, and she hadn't even asked him. Enoch waved him off irritably, but oddly, Leonne took a liking to the guy.
"Get along with our Enoch. As you'll see, he's kind and cute."
"Oh! So your name's Enoch!"
"...Friend, huh?"
"Haha! Not knowing a name's no barrier to friendship!"
Zikfrain even invited Enoch home.
"Swing by Demisto if you're ever near. Zikfrain of House Demisto repays favors."
"Favors?"
"I owe you my life."
Whatever. Enoch nodded vaguely. His father was a marquis, right? Might be worth dropping by for a spar.
The five ranks of nobility were appointed by the king—barons, viscounts, etc.
Barons and viscounts might just be admins, not always strong, but earls and up required martial prowess. Marquises? Just strong, period.
Iris, for reference, wasn't ranked nobility. More like she seized her domain, king's recognition or not.
These "free nobles" outnumbered the ranked ones. They at least pretended to heed the king's call.
The king was usually the realm's strongest, after all. Kurtline was a Grandmaster. Step out of line, and your head was gone.
"Speaking of, Jami Star.... Makes sense with Heavenly Slayer Star involved."
Zikfrain nodded at Leonne's words.
"Been wondering—Heavenly Slayer Star aside, is he okay?"
Polite or not? Enoch eyed Zikfrain oddly. But Leonne, thrilled at her "friend" for Enoch, ignored it.
"You mean the frenzy? He's fine for now. He's gotten so strong so fast."