Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Belveim's Mansion
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Belveim gave off a completely different impression and vibe from Viola.
Dark blue hair. A somewhat sharp demeanor.
Her face was undoubtedly beautiful, but if Viola was a bright forsythia, she felt like a thorny, deep crimson rose.
The viewers seemed hooked with the arrival of a new beauty.
Kenwang's stream didn't usually have high viewer numbers for the air time, yet it stayed above 10,000 without dipping below.
No.
It was actually trending upward.
17,000 viewers.
At this rate, the trial's highlight might even hit 20,000.
And the reason was clear from the title.
A Valkyrie appears on stream. And she's gorgeous.
The title pulled aggro instantly. Viewers came not just for Lee Soo-hyuk, but for the Valkyrie too.
Suddenly, in this no-chat-needed moment, Soo-hyuk felt relieved.
"This way, please."
The group arrived at their destination.
Belveim led them to a massive mansion near the city's center.
It was so huge it could be called a small island. The garden was park-sized, and there were at least ten gardeners tending it.
"Is this your home, Lady Belveim?"
Soo-hyuk was floored by the luxury.
Viola and Belveim were worlds apart, despite being in the same boat.
Viola had been hiding in a cave, dodging demons. Belveim, meanwhile, lived openly in a demon-infested city.
In a mansion this conspicuous, no less.
"Yes, it is. My home."
"How...?"
"We've been here for five hundred years. This much wealth is only natural."
That wasn't the question, but she'd misunderstood.
Still, it was intriguing. How did Valkyries arriving with nothing build this?
But one thing.
Glance.
Soo-hyuk's eyes flicked to Viola beside her.
If that's true, then Viola...?
Feeling his gaze, Viola answered.
"I lived as a knight for the Vinsen Count family for a long time."
"As a knight?"
Viola nodded.
"The Vinsen Counts have a legend: among their knights, there's an ageless guardian knight."
She scratched her cheek bashfully and continued.
"That's me. I kept changing names and staying on."
"The Vinsen family is closest to the Throne of Thunder. They guard the royal family."
With Belveim's addition, Soo-hyuk finally got why Viola chose that path.
While they chatted briefly.
Soo-hyuk, Viola, and Vigo reached the upper floors of the mansion, guided by Belveim.
"You must be tired. I'll prepare a meal first. Rest up."
A room with pristine white linens.
Viola beamed at the sight of a real bed after so long.
"Thanks, Belveim."
"No biggie. Rest well—you've been through hell, Viola."
In that warm atmosphere.
"Seems safe here."
Soo-hyuk's words poured cold water.
"It's weird, isn't it?"
"Pardon?"
"One hides from demons in fear, the other chills like it's home."
Soo-hyuk eyed Viola, demanding explanation.
She'd begged him to save her comrades, so he'd assumed they were in grave danger.
And Viola probably thought the same.
"I'm in danger too."
Belveim, sensing doubt, began explaining.
"That's why I couldn't move. Even knowing Viola was hunted."
"What do you mean?"
"Only Viola and Elaine were exposed. But the demons knew there were three of us."
Three Valkyries.
The demons started hunting Viola and Elaine specifically.
"If I leave the city now, they'll notice. Valkyries have distinct traits, and they're hunting us with fire in their eyes."
Soo-hyuk nodded.
Made sense. Hiding in plain sight—tree in forest, person in city.
Belveim was just following that wisely.
"But Viola."
Belveim arched a brow.
"Come to think of it, I didn't catch this guy's name. Who is he?"
She asked Viola about Soo-hyuk.
Could've asked him directly, but her detour showed his suspicion irked her.
"He came with me to rescue you."
"Rescue me?"
"Yeah. He's—"
"Just a wandering swordsman who knows his way around a blade."
Swish.
Soo-hyuk's sheathed sword pointed at Vigo behind Viola.
"Dropped this guy in one hit, so Viola hired me as a merc."
"Huh?"
Vigo looked baffled, like Why drag me into this?
But Belveim was shocked.
"Vigo? You beat him?"
Vigo wasn't Valkyrie-level, but no slouch.
A human dropping him in one go?
Impressed, Belveim nodded. Worthy companion for Viola.
"Impressive skills for a human. Well done."
"Something like that."
Belveim shook her head, dazed for a moment, then turned.
"I'll prepare the meal. Rest well after that long trip."
Creak.
Thud.
The heavy wooden door closed softly. Alone now, Viola shot Soo-hyuk a glare.
"Why'd you do that?"
"Which part? Doubting your friend? Or cutting you off?"
"Both."
Soo-hyuk paced the room.
"Doesn't it seem off to you?"
"What?"
"That only here is safe. If hundreds of demons are really hiding in this city, targeting Valkyries."
The sprawling mansion.
He hadn't imagined this luxury when returning to the city.
Belveim's "stay put for safety" sounded logical, but the off-kilter feeling lingered.
And Viola felt it too.
She hesitated before responding.
"It is weird. But..."
"But?"
"Does it matter? She's not gonna harm us."
Soo-hyuk sighed inwardly in relief.
'Not a total idiot.'
He'd worried she was just sword-swinging muscle, but she sensed the weirdness too.
Why hide it? One reason.
'Trust.'
Trust in her friend and comrade, Belveim.
"Ten years, Soo-hyuk."
Suddenly.
Memories of his death day resurfaced.
"I've only prepped for today. So understand."
What bullshit.
He steadied his breath and voiced the hesitant words.
"...Try doubting her."
He knew how hard that was.
Trust doesn't shatter from mere "doubt it" thoughts.
But.
"You have to."
Otherwise, you can't.
Blind trust leads to lost objectivity—and the same end as him.
After the meal.
Belveim suggested Soo-hyuk and Viola rest.
Three rooms. Plenty in this mansion.
Rustle.
Late evening, sun setting.
Viola lay in bed, soft quilt over her, gazing out the window.
How long since such a plush bed and linens?
Hiding in the cave from demons was about a month ago—no proper baths either.
"...Try doubting her."
Soo-hyuk's words echoed.
The man with thunder's power.
His casual remark carried weight. But was she fixating because of his power, or because it rang true?
Doubt.
She didn't want to. Doubt Belveim, her friend of ages?
But he wasn't wrong.
This situation was off.
And.
'Belveim...'
Imagination?
Compared to five hundred years ago, her vibe felt... different.
Swish.
Viola rose.
Her sword by the bed caught her eye.
Take it?
As she pondered, Soo-hyuk's voice echoed: Doubt her.
Click.
She grabbed it and stepped into the hall.
Sunset outside. Hall dark, unlit.
Silent corridor.
Walking where few feet tread, Viola felt an eerie chill.
Why?
This safe, comfy place felt more dangerous than the cave.
'Weird.'
What was this feeling?
Unease from Belveim.
Chill and wrongness in the mansion. Instinct's blaring alarm.
Too much for words from a guy met yesterday.
Step.
Corner ahead.
Another set of footsteps.
'Belveim?'
If it's her, what then?
Be honest? I'm doubting you?
Or stay silent, suspicious?
As she mulled.
Step.
Her feet neared the corner.
Footsteps too.
They met at the turn, like planned.
"Gasp."
"Viola?"
Viola startled, sucking air. Soo-hyuk relaxed.
Unexpected meet. Viola clutched her chest.
"What brings you here?"
"Was heading your way."
Indeed, toward her room.
"My room? Why?"
"Misread the rescue target."
"Huh?"
"Wasn't Belveim."
Second scenario: Rescue.
In that name-only scenario, the target to save wasn't Belveim.
"It was you."
Viola herself.