Chapter 98
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Events in the Capital
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(6)
10.
"Th-this is invalid!"
A scream-like shout rang out.
Ullan tilted his head at the sudden intervention from the merchants who appeared.
"Why?"
"You didn't extinguish it—you smashed it!"
"Exactly! That makes it invalid."
"More importantly, you need to compensate for the damages first..."
As the merchants kept rattling on,
Pertisha suddenly demanded,
"But there weren't any warnings like that, were there?"
"Wh-what?"
"If it was really going to be invalid, they should've said beforehand not to smash the mana lamps or break the walls."
"That's..."
They were momentarily speechless.
It was due to the surge of absurdity.
And it was understandable.
Who in their right mind would throw a dart and smash a wall?
Just as they were about to retort,
"Huh, now that you mention it, you're right."
"There were no such warnings."
"He didn't break any rules anyway."
"Don't be sore losers—hand it over!"
The onlookers suddenly joined in.
They were all customers who had fallen for the scam earlier.
In the blink of an eye, opinion tilted to one side.
As public sentiment worsened, the merchants soon raised the white flag.
"Ugh, fine. We get it!"
"Just pick your prizes already!"
"Exactly three items."
Leaving the merchants who earnestly warned him behind,
Ullan leisurely scanned the prize display.
'First, the wrist guards.'
The item he'd eyed earlier.
Wrist guards for Ivela. Next, he picked the large umbrella in the corner.
As far as Ullan knew, Pertisha's weather predictions had never been wrong once.
'And finally...'
What to choose?
He slowly looked over the display, but nothing caught his fancy. It was all just ornaments, accessories, or clothing.
Then something caught his eye by chance.
A small wooden statue carved in the shape of an owl. Looking at it, Ullan turned his gaze to Pertisha across from him.
'Come to think of it, she liked birds.'
A memory of Pertisha from his past life.
She particularly loved birds. Even while fighting the Abyss, she often collected bird-shaped accessories or dolls.
Recalling the fond memory, he grabbed the owl statue without hesitation. As he moved toward Pertisha,
"Stop."
A cold voice pierced his ear.
The brown-haired knight. Limer, who had guarded her side since the first time he saw Pertisha.
"Don't come any closer."
With eyes full of wariness.
Limer glared at Ullan, hand on her sword hilt. But Ullan ignored her warning and kept walking.
"...If you keep approaching, I'll cut you down."
The sharp final warning.
But Ullan ignored that too and approached Pertisha. Murderous intent flickered in Limer's eyes.
As he entered five steps' range,
Aura cloaked Limer's sword.
The master's domain unfolded in an instant.
At the same time, sword strikes too fast to perceive poured toward Ullan. A ruthless blow without a hint of hesitation.
But in that moment.
Thud! Crunch!
An unexpected sight unfolded before Limer's eyes.
The sword aimed at his throat had been caught in Ullan's fist.
"...!?"
Limer's eyes widened hugely.
Only then did she realize.
Even after entering a master's domain, only one shared time with its master.
Another master, like her.
Horror dawned on her face.
But she didn't just stand there stunned. Fulfilling her duty as a guard knight, she swiftly positioned herself in front of Pertisha.
"Step back! This man is...!"
But something even more shocking happened.
Ullan had already passed her at a speed she couldn't perceive.
"I have no intention of harming you."
The calm voice that followed.
It was plainly true.
If Ullan intended harm, Limer, Pertisha, and all the guards would have lost their heads long ago.
'My mistake.'
An overwhelming skill gap reminiscent of the Imperial Sword, Saxen Yul Orden. As Limer bit her lip, acknowledging her error,
Ullan extended his hand to Pertisha.
To hand over the owl statue.
"For you."
"...Pardon?"
"Payment for stopping the wind earlier."
Looking into her increasingly widening red eyes, he recalled what happened.
When Ullan started the lamp-extinguishing game.
The street wind suddenly stopped. Pertisha's doing, borrowing spirit power.
Just before it stopped, she cupped her hands near her mouth and whispered—that was proof.
She always did that when speaking to spirits.
'Even if the wind hadn't stopped...'
The result would have been the same.
With enough power to smash the wall and collapse the tent, a slight deviation in direction wouldn't change it.
But he had received a favor nonetheless.
And favors demand proper repayment. That was the way of the plains.
"Then I'll be off."
With the wrist guards and umbrella in hand,
Ullan turned without hesitation.
As if he had no more business there.
But Pertisha was different. After a dazed expression, she hurriedly shouted.
"W-wait a moment!"
With a trembling voice.
She had many questions for him.
Like how he knew rain was coming, or how he realized she borrowed spirit power to stop the wind.
But something puzzled her more.
"H-how did you know?"
"Know what?"
"That I wanted this."
She had loved birds since childhood.
Because they soared freely in the sky, unbound.
Half her reason for joining the lamp game was curiosity, the other half to get the novel bird statue.
'But...'
Only her brother, Crown Prince Shartlan, knew she loved birds.
No one else did. Not even her guard knight Limer.
Yet Ullan saw through it.
A fitting guess came to mind.
'Maybe he can see spirits too, like me...?'
The speculation born of curiosity quickly turned to interest. Pertisha waited tensely for his answer, face subtly taut.
A moment later.
A somewhat deflating reply came.
"You just seemed like the type who'd like birds."
"Th-that's it?"
"Yes."
With a nod,
Ullan turned again.
By the time he vanished completely into the crowd, a memory suddenly flashed through Limer's mind.
"...!"
Istan El Deorg.
Seoric Al Gorphant.
Memories of the master from the frontier barbarian who defeated two masters of the Ruben Empire.
The two sword saints agreed:
The warrior who beat them possessed a very special domain, imperceptible to ordinary masters.
Putting it all together, the identity of the man who had been here until moments ago was revealed.
"No way—that barbarian was...!"
"Ullan Bator."
Then,
Pertisha cut her off.
Her starry eyes sparkling, she murmured,
"What an intriguing person."
Clutching the owl statue he'd given her preciously, she gazed endlessly where Ullan had disappeared.
With an expression tinged with peculiar interest.
11.
Meanwhile, at that time.
Having left the market, Ullan returned to the square.
Soon after 7 p.m.,
As the appointed time approached, a familiar face appeared from afar. A girl approaching with light golden hair fluttering—Ivela.
"Sorry. Did I keep you waiting long?"
"It's fine. I just got here."
Ullan waved lightly.
As if it were no big deal.
"Hm? Where'd you go?"
"Browsed the night market. You done with your business?"
"Yeah, all finished."
A bright smile bloomed on her lips.
Seemed like things went well.
Then Ivela pulled something from her bag.
A small box. She handed the elegantly wrapped box to Ullan.
"Here, take this."
"What's this?"
"Open it."
Ivela with a mysterious smile.
Ullan took the box casually and tore off the wrapping without much thought.
"This is..."
A moment later, out came a luxurious black leather belt.
As Ullan tilted his head,
Ivela beamed and shouted,
"Happy birthday, Ullan!"
His eyes widened slightly at her words.
Today was May 15th.
His birthday, indeed.
He'd just forgotten, never celebrating in his past or current life.
But one thing puzzled him.
"How'd you know my birthday...?"
"Oh, Noa told me."
Ivela answered readily, as if waiting.
Actually, delaying the outing pass until today was because she'd heard Ullan's birthday from Noa beforehand.
She hadn't secured time for a gift, so she'd made about an hour of spare time.
But even with her answer, Ullan's doubt lingered. He'd never told Noa his birthday.
'So how'd she know?'
The question briefly crossed his mind, but he didn't dwell. Ivela kept chattering on.
"I picked the belt because I noticed you always tying your waist with rope—it bugged me. Something sturdier seemed better..."
Trailing off, she glanced his way.
Ullan read what she wanted in her eyes. He promptly wrapped the leather belt around his waist.
Whoosh! Click!
Even buckling it properly.
Definitely more secure than rope. Once done, Ivela casually asked,
"How's it feel? Good?"
"Perfect."
Ullan grinned.
A satisfied smile.
"Thanks. I'll use it well."
"Yay! Glad you like it."
Ivela smiled back.
After birthday greetings and gift-giving, she turned without hesitation.
"Let's go. Last carriage soon."
Carriages from the capital to Arsen Academy ended at 8 p.m.
Now 7:20 p.m.
They could make it leisurely. As they started walking,
"Wait."
"Hm?"
"I have something for you too."
Suddenly, Ullan stopped Ivela.
He pulled out the bracelet bought earlier in the market alley. Light golden, matching her hair.
"Th-this is..."
Taking it reflexively,
Ivela looked at Ullan with trembling eyes.
As if asking why give it to her. Ullan replied nonchalantly,
"Thought it'd suit you, so I bought it."
Of course, he had bracelets for Dilia and Noa too.
But no need to mention that.
Her cheeks flushed at his answer.
Thrilled by the unexpected gift from Ullan.
"Hehe, thanks. I'm so happy."
Ivela beamed bashfully.
But thanks weren't done yet. He had one more gift for her.
"Got this for you too."
"Hm? Wrist guards?"
"Yes. Your swordsmanship strains your wrists a lot. Better to wear guards from now on."
Start protecting them now to avoid wrist pain later.
Gazing at her wide eyes, Ullan gave the other reason and congratulations.
"Congrats on reaching mid-tier knight."
"...!"
Ivela looked shocked.
A moment later, like a child caught hiding something, she asked with round eyes,
"Wh-when did you know?"
"Since you crossed the wall the day before yesterday."
Ullan answered flatly.
Ivela's growth was far faster than his past life. At this rate, she'd soon be reliable backup.
So he congratulated her honestly.
Meanwhile,
Ivela was moved.
The gift was nice, but more touching was that he noticed her swordsmanship hurt her wrists and got guards.
'That means...'
Ullan watches her closely usually. Her heart warmed inexplicably, a smile forming naturally.
"Thanks so much, Ullan."
Clutching bracelet and guards tightly.
A genuinely joyful expression.
"I'll treasure them."
Today was the best day ever.
A full day dating alone with Ullan, compliments on her beauty, unexpected gifts too.
'Actually...'
She wanted to get closer to Ullan.
Beyond mere friends, advance further. But that'd be too greedy now.
This happiness sufficed. Filled with bliss, she turned.
But only briefly.
Sudden dark clouds blanketed the night sky, calming her elation with rain.
Pour!
A heavy downpour.
Clothes got a bit wet in the sudden torrent.
Thanks to Ullan's prepped umbrella, not too soaked.
But other issues arose.
First, the rain was too heavy.
Second, Arsen Academy carriages were suspended.
【Carriage service temporarily suspended.】
【Range: Capital outskirts】
「Camille Village, Barodan City, Yuka Lake, Roelrica Monastery, Arsen Academy, etc.」
"..."
No way the carriages would be cut.
This wasn't in the plan. Nor was such heavy rain expected.
Thoroughly flustered,
"This is a problem."
Ullan frowned too.
Returning to the academy wasn't hard. He remembered all paths, and this rain was familiar.
The issue was Ivela.
Trekking in rain that rendered umbrellas useless would surely get her sick.
So, wait for it to stop.
But it showed no sign. Time reached 9 p.m. amid waiting.
'Ugh, what now?'
As she anxiously stamped her feet,
Something caught her eye.
"...Ah."
The gift enclosed with the letter from her father, Count Deorg, to Ullan.
And the night before.
During packing, Noa's sudden visit led to stuffing it hastily into her bag.
Hotel stay vouchers.
24 of them.