Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Dusk Falls (1)
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As evening fell, several carriages pulled into the Welton estate.
They belonged to nobles living near Hays.
Guided by servants, they entered the mansion.
The nobles' expressions were grim. Each face was filled with resolve and determination.
"Please, come in."
A servant opened a door.
Inside lay a splendidly decorated banquet hall.
Today was supposed to be a joyous banquet. But the nobles' faces showed no hint of revelry.
"Welcome, everyone."
Count Welton, standing on the dais with his back to the entrance, unbound his arms and turned around.
He smiled at his guests.
"You've had a long journey. Well done."
Today was a banquet.
But not one for pure enjoyment.
"Everyone looks so resolute."
The count nodded approvingly.
"That's good. That's exactly right. The enemy we'll face ahead is that formidable."
Today's banquet was a small summit for the eastern nobility—and ultimately for the kingdom's peace and security.
It was a gathering of those who had made the colossal evil, the Zenith Church, their foe.
The banquet began.
Mouthwatering dishes lined the tables, and the aroma of fine liquors filled the air, but no one paid them any mind.
Count Welton was pleased with their demeanor.
Smiling, he placed a hand on the shoulder of his sworn brother, Viscount Valle, standing beside him.
"Tonight's banquet is in honor of Viscount Valle, who has come from afar."
Formally speaking, yes.
"As a fellow eastern noble, you all know him well. He is my dearest friend, no different from a blood brother."
"I'm flattered, brother."
"Just listen quietly."
Even as the viscount looked embarrassed, the count cheerfully raised his glass.
Then, with a slightly solemn expression, he continued.
"Viscount Valle is here for one reason alone."
Everyone gathered here knew it already.
Yet the count brought it up anyway.
"These are dark times, as you all know. The Zenith Church attacked Upton—my wife's hometown."
Every noble in the kingdom had been outraged upon first hearing the news.
The eastern nobles, in particular, were furious at the Zenith Church's villainy.
"Not only that, but my father-in-law, Marquis Bell, and my eldest son, Jamie, nearly met with disaster as well."
The nobles' faces twisted in anger. It had been over a month, but their fury remained.
"Yet they returned safely, and now we have the Zenith Church on the defensive."
The Kingdom of Celtram, its allied nations, and all forces at odds with the Zenith Church.
They had joined forces to press the attack.
But everyone knew the Zenith Church would never admit its guilt.
"War will break out."
Within a few years. Perhaps in mere days.
The Zenith Church was one of the pillars of the 12 Gods, who dominated part of the continent.
A massive war that would engulf the entire continent was coming.
"That's why I've called this gathering today."
He hadn't summoned all the eastern nobles.
There wasn't time for that.
Instead, he had secured legitimacy by obtaining the approval of Count Simon, another leader of the eastern nobility.
"Count Simon shares my views and has sworn to stand with me always. I feel the same. We face a great enemy."
The count scanned the room with a resolute gaze.
"Thus, the Valle family, all of you here, and the eastern nobility as a whole will stand together. This modest party today lays the foundation for our unity and our future!"
The count tilted his glass toward the ceiling.
"Let us toast to bringing the hammer of justice down upon these wicked fools."
"Blessings upon Count Welton!"
"Glory to the Kingdom of Celtram!"
The nobles raised their glasses in unison, clinking them together.
Then they all drained their cups without leaving a drop.
The banquet had truly begun.
Jamie was gnawing on jerky in a quiet corner.
This was the fine kind nobles favored—tender, not tough enough to unhinge one's jaw.
'It's on another level from the jerky in my past life.'
The stuff from back then was barely jerky at all—just unseasoned rocks that barely chewed and reeked of fish so badly it made one gag.
Anyway.
He'd only heard about this gathering moments ago.
'Father really waited until the last minute to tell me.'
It was meant to keep him focused on training, but a heads-up would have let him prepare mentally at least.
His bow tie felt suffocating around his neck.
The silver lining: since it was such an occasion, the nobles weren't bothering him. They clustered around the count, faces grave as they talked business.
"Hey!"
A familiar tomboy voice called from the side.
Jamie chewed his jerky without responding.
"Hey!"
Ash yelled again.
Jamie sighed irritably and turned.
Ash, in a cute dress with her hair in pigtails—unlike her usual self—beamed at him.
"Finally looking, huh?"
"What do you want?"
"Do I need a reason to see a friend?"
She plopped down beside him, claiming the seat.
He was already drained in this tiresome place and wanted to kill time alone. No such luck.
Ash leaned in close.
"Heard the count's gonna teach you the sword?"
"Yeah. That's the plan."
Jamie scooted away slightly as he answered.
Ash pressed back in, congratulating him.
"Congrats for real!"
Jamie frowned at her unusually clingy behavior today.
"What's with you suddenly?"
"What? Just congratulating a friend."
Ash snorted like an old man, as if to say 'You bet!'. Hard to believe she was eight.
Jamie pulled away again.
"Where's Rebecca, anyway?"
He hadn't spotted her in the hall.
As he eyed Ash expectantly, she pouted.
Then spoke in a sulky tone.
"Why 'Miss' for my sister?"
"Huh?"
"Why 'Miss' for her and 'hey' for me?"
What kind of random gripe was this?
Jamie was momentarily speechless.
Undeterred, Ash pressed on.
"You treat me rough and her all nice..."
"I dropped the honorifics with you, so it's 'hey'."
"You haven't with her, so it's 'Miss'?"
Was she seriously asking that?
But she was just a kid. Kids often said illogical things.
After seven years in this body, he'd seen plenty.
"Obviously. How could I call her 'hey' without dropping honorifics?"
"Well, no, but..."
"What? Want me to call you 'Miss' too?"
"Hey, 'Miss' doesn't suit me."
Calling her 'Miss' while casual would've been weird anyway.
He didn't point that out.
Instead, he let her keep talking to see where this went.
"I've heard I'm boyish since I was little... and also..."
"And?"
"Sis is elegant and feminine and... uh..."
"So you're jealous of your ladylike sister?"
"J-jealous? My sister's super pretty and kind and has a great personality, but... y-you like her too, right?!"
Jamie stared blankly at Ash.
Realizing her slip, she clapped hands over her mouth.
Jamie sighed inwardly.
What a massive misunderstanding. He couldn't fathom why she'd even think that, and explaining to a kid felt ridiculous.
'Even if Rebecca's Jane's reincarnation.'
Their personalities were worlds apart. Only the looks resembled Jane's.
No feelings stirred.
Besides, Rebecca was just ten. Even at seven, Jamie housed a black sorcerer who'd transcended 66,000 years.
No decent person would catch feelings for a child.
"Don't like her."
"Liar."
Brat was awfully firm.
But false was false.
"Why would I lie to you about that?"
"Uh, yeah, good point. You really don't like sis?"
"Nope."
"Phew."
It was a tiny whisper.
The problem: right next to Jamie's ear.
Another kid might've asked what or missed it entirely.
'Something felt off.'
The sisters both.
Jamie's head started to ache. Being popular was a hassle.
'The real issue is they're both too young.'
Actually, there was a bigger problem.
Jamie himself.
A black sorcerer whose heart had been severed from emotion couldn't feel love. Even if the Valle sisters grew alluring, that wouldn't change.
Anyway, Jamie pretended not to hear and asked about Rebecca.
"So where's Rebecca?"
"Sis said she's sick and is resting in her room."
"She looked fine earlier?"
"She stepped out briefly and came back burning up with fever."
Was that red face earlier a sign she was unwell?
'I thought she was blushing because she likes me.'
Misread it?
Embarrassment flooded him. Good thing no one knew.
But even this was a misunderstanding.
Jamie didn't know: the reason Ash's body had suddenly weakened was him.
The banquet ended.
He hadn't done much, but mentally exhausted.
Far worse than days of training.
As Jamie opened his door, half-loosening his bow tie, he spotted a pink squirrel sprawled on the bed.
Vena turned her head laboriously, greeting him in a dying voice.
"Master... you're back...?"
Her voice drained the listener's energy too.
While Jamie trained hard, Vena had rolled and tumbled madly inside Gremia.
Muscle pain had piled up for days, leaving her immobile.
[Tsk tsk. So fragile.]
Phillion disapproved of the weak Vena, but his voice didn't reach Jamie.
"Anyway, how'd it go?"
"Starting tomorrow, Father's teaching me."
"Ooh, congrats! Ugh."
Just raising her voice made her whole body scream.
Vena sighed and turned her head back.
This position was comfiest. Less ache.
Jamie shook his head at her. Normally he'd scold her for whining, but knowing her training, he let it slide.
"How about you?"
"Me? Heh heh..."
Vena grinned awkwardly; Phillion tsked again, grumbling loudly.
[Still miles away! She needs a tougher mindset—this one's too soft!]
Of course, inaudible to Jamie.
Vena didn't relay it. Instead, as Jamie changed, she asked.
"Going somewhere again?"
"Yeah. Visiting the sick."
"Who?"
"Doesn't matter. Anyway."
Jamie poked Vena's waist firmly as he headed out.
"Eeeeek!"
The squirrel shrieked in muscle agony.
"Train hard. Don't take my words lightly."
"I knooow... Hng."
Jamie chuckled and left.
He headed toward Rebecca. He didn't know why the sudden fever, but if it was a common cold, he could heal her himself.
Looking at the mark on his left hand, Jamie clenched his fist.
'Never thought I'd use holy power.'
But upon arriving before Rebecca, his thoughts flipped entirely.
"Jamie, you're here."
Viscount Valle, sitting by his daughter, looked unwell.
Jamie barely greeted him, eyes on Rebecca.
The pale, exhausted girl lacked even the strength to sit—but lit up seeing Jamie.
"Young Master."
Then he understood.
The nature of her illness.
It was none other than...
Lovesickness!
A disease of the heart no medicine could cure.