Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Missing You - 1
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***
"Shall we head back now...?"
Once it was confirmed that the plague in the elf forest had completely subsided, Claire spoke to Leventia and Evangeline, who both clamped their mouths shut.
"You don't... want to go?"
It would be tough. And understandably so, since they—and she herself—would have to face the Sage, the greatest proof of their sins, for so long. They had crossed paths with him several times while helping to stop the plague in the elf forest, but he treated them just like anyone else.
Claire had at least managed some conversation, but things were different for Leventia and Evangeline.
The guilt they carried weighed down their steps toward him.
Like heavy shackles.
"Eva. You okay?"
"...Yeah."
Evangeline nodded slightly and fiddled with her ears. The gazes from some of the elves were quite cold toward her, who injured her own ears whenever she got the chance. And among them, Rudhi's gaze was the coldest.
Probably because she knew their sins. Leventia let out a heavy sigh, aware that Rudhi—Evangeline's sister—sometimes directed those looks at her too.
"Let's go back."
Leventia knew full well where they belonged.
Not here.
The battlefield.
A place of blood and flesh flying amid battles with monsters.
Continuing the task the Sage had mentioned there would be her remaining duty.
With that thought, Leventia rose from her seat when a knight entered their tent.
"Lady Leventia. A letter has arrived from the Duchy addressed to you."
Puzzled, Leventia took the letter. The seal on it belonged to the Archduke—Cecil Claudia, her cousin, to whom she owed a debt from the Demon King subjugation journey.
"Why is Cecil...?"
"No idea..."
Was it some kind of request? She opened the letter, read it, and let out a heavy sigh.
"It's an invitation."
In short, it was an invitation to a birthday party. She planned to hold it in Laidnin, a famous resort destination.
So she hoped Leventia would bring the Hero and Evangeline along.
"Haha..."
Claire let out a dry laugh. Laidnin. A resort renowned across the continent for its beauty. A place anyone would want to visit at least once to relax—and she was throwing a birthday party there?
So very Cecil.
Calling them might even be her way of satisfying her pride.
Recalling the Cecil they met during the Demon King subjugation, Claire gave a bitter smile, while Evangeline shook her head.
She had certainly treated the Sage far better than they had.
Maybe she had recognized the gem that was the Sage from the start.
Maybe.
Perhaps they alone, who had been closest to him, were the only ones blind to the bluebird of happiness everyone else noticed.
"I'm not going."
"But we can't just ignore an invitation like this, can we? Especially you, Leventia. You're..."
"I'll go alone."
"You sure?"
"Yeah..."
She hadn't attended any official events like this since parting with the Sage. Especially not high society gatherings. How could she join a world where those who envied her superiors, tarnished their own honor, and lost their way paraded around in finery?
But she couldn't ignore such a formal invitation.
It might even harm Hyunwoo in the worst case.
"Sorry... Feels like I'm just burdening you."
"No. It's fine. It's my duty."
With a small smile, she clenched her fist.
During the Demon King subjugation journey, Hyunwoo had handled all such matters.
So they could focus solely on defeating the Demon King and saving the world.
All the complicated, annoying tasks that sometimes required swallowing her pride—he took them on.
And hadn't she been the one to envy and torment him for it?
In this way, at least, doing what he had done to protect the party was only right.
It was a knight's duty.
After Claire opened a portal and sent everyone back, Leventia headed to the Duchy. Since she was using the portal Claire had made, it didn't take long to reach.
Upon arriving in the Duchy's capital, a corner of her heart ached. Meeting Cecil was that burdensome.
She'd rather train until she was drenched in sweat.
The more she dragged her unwilling feet, the more choked up Leventia felt.
This place—this street she had once walked with the Sage—remained unchanged.
While the Hero Party, and she herself, had changed so much.
Walking the wide road toward the castle, she suddenly stopped at one spot. It was a high-end armor shop near the castle, and the moment she saw it, visions of the past flashed before her eyes like illusions.
...
...
...
"Doesn't this armor look good?"
Her armor had been destroyed in the battle against Raido, the fourth minion of the Demon King they had faced.
The damage was too severe for even the Sage's skills to repair, so Leventia headed to an armor shop in the Duchy.
She should have gone alone, but Hyunwoo, who handled equipment repairs during the journey, insisted he needed to check it himself to repair it and followed her.
Of course, Leventia wasn't thrilled, given what happened in Baek Eun Village.
At the armor shop, he pointed to one piece and spoke. Leventia flinched upon seeing it.
It was silver women's armor. Perfect for her slender, toned figure.
Shoulder guards shaped like feathers, a corset that firmly accentuated her ample chest. The hip guard covering her wide hips was made from scales of the fish monster Dralka, looking ample for deflecting attacks.
The armpit areas were open for ease of movement, and the many holes suggested excellent ventilation.
"It's a bit revealing, but magic can cover that."
"...I see."
She knew nothing about magic, so she just accepted it. Listening to the Sage's explanation, Leventia felt a pang of bitterness.
It was clearly knight's armor. Yet he knew more about it than she did—her pride stung.
Just how much do you know?
"Let's go in. If they can make armor like that, this place seems the best."
"I want something better than that..."
"Budget's tight. Budget's tight."
Grinning at her scolding, Hyunwoo laughed. Leventia couldn't bring herself to laugh back.
Entering the shop, as she examined the armor, one piece caught her eye.
"...H-how do you even wear something like this and walk around?"
It barely covered the chest, shoulders, and lower abdomen, leaving thighs, legs, the backs of hands, and elbows exposed.
What perverse taste.
The exposed areas were protected by magic, so defense wasn't an issue, but this level of exposure.
Whoever wore something like this openly must be utterly shameless.
Staring blankly at the so-called bikini armor, Hyunwoo approached.
"Oh. This one's good too. You've got an eye. Wanna try it on?"
"Wh-what?!"
"It's got mid-level magic barrier and protection, plus the magic stone here? Strength enhancement enchantment. Especially this part. The decoration."
A strap-like decoration for the navel. Wearing it would leave a bullet mark-like imprint on the lower belly, forming a strange pattern.
Pointing to it casually, Hyunwoo said,
"This decoration has a curse defense ritual. One of these blocks most low-level curses."
"...I-is that so."
"When choosing armor, don't just think defense and looks. Consider how much magic, enchantments, and holy power it can handle. Some armors have curses that prevent removal, but you can use that for even stronger effects."
"Stronger effects?"
"Depending on the combo, you can weaponize curses. Like in a dungeon that forces disarmament—you get unbreakable defense."
Another of Hyunwoo's lessons began. He was always like this. Similar age, yet his knowledge was sage-like in its depth and breadth.
"...Hmph. Then just avoid those dungeons."
"Fair enough. Anyway, if you're trying it on..."
"Wh-who said I'd wear something like that!"
Even if it was good armor, this was too much. Leventia yelled at Hyunwoo, face flushed.
"There are a lot of great bikini armors. Not saying you need exposure fetish, but you should get used to them."
"You always push these lewd outfits on me!"
"It's sad you don't see the coolness of bikini armor. Sooner or later, it'll be standard for knight orders. And you've got a great figure—why not try it?"
Leventia sighed deeply at Hyunwoo, who praised bikini armor without changing expression.
But inwardly, she felt differently.
You've got a great figure.
He liked her muscular body, honed by long training?
To her, it just seemed crude.
But since it was the Sage saying it, it couldn't be a lie. He wasn't one for pointless falsehoods, even unspoken.
Leventia stared at him intently, then whipped her head away.
"I'll say this now: I'm never wearing something like that."
"Fine? Suit yourself."
His crisp agreement surprised her instead. She might have tried it on if he'd pushed a few more times.
Watching him fetch another armor, Leventia felt bitter.
That one looked excellent even to her.
Spotting it at a glance with far superior taste.
You're always perfect.
So dazzling it hurts my eyes.
Ah.
If only I could see even a little of your flaws.
...
...
...
Lost in the past and memories, Leventia entered the shop. Perhaps because the continent had stabilized after the Demon King's defeat?
The inventory was far more abundant than before.
Brushing off the busy clerk's greeting, Leventia looked toward.
The bikini armor section.
"Ah. Customer. You have a good eye. All these armors are top-quality. Especially the bikini line."
Limited to women, but bikini armor—able to hold diverse magic, enchantments, and holy spells—was popular among freelance knights.
Regular knights couldn't easily wear them, and aside from the exposed skin drawback, performance far outstripped standard armor.
Leventia silently gazed at the bikini armors, then reached for one.
The one Hyunwoo had recommended back then.
As she stared blankly at the one she'd rejected, the clerk grinned.
"This armor is fantastic. Lightweight with weight reinforcement, so even heavy weapon knights love it. And next year, the Duchy's Flora Knight Order plans to adopt it as official armor."
Leventia bit her lip hard.
As expected.
You always made suggestions for our sake.
And I...
Leventia squeezed her eyes shut and gripped the armor.
Holding the wish to undo what you recommended and I refused.