Chapter 388
Chapter 388
After the visit of the self-destructing saintess, another week passed in an instant.
Shortly after her visit, Master spoke about the schedule for Esmuer’s visit, and the biggest incident was that she pretended not to know anything and had a conversation.
Even though my body is in pain.
“Ugh, life…”
I woke up reflecting on my life that had been rolling around to the point where I should feel grateful for such a daily life.
When I woke up writhing with terrible muscle pain, Laika, who was sleeping with me, glanced at me, and then, lying on her side, wriggling, she moved out of my range of motion. Now, not only is he truly a dog, but he has become a monster after taking another bite, and all he can do is laugh.
Either that or not, it was a bright morning that couldn’t be better than the sunlight shining through the window.
The magic stone stove, which had been turned on with only a small amount of magic stones in it to maintain the proper temperature all night, had already been turned off. When I woke up, I changed my clothes, feeling refreshed in the fact that Asilie, who had always woken halfway through, was gone.
That doesn’t mean Asilie got up miraculously early, but I only woke up when the sun reached mid-heaven. This unprecedented oversleep was the aftermath of staying in the faculty building until late yesterday and tampering with the magic engine through the advice Seneran left behind and the method adjusted with the help of Master.
It was only to adjust the efficiency, not increase the output, so I looked at the aftermath lightly, but absurdly, more serious fatigue and muscle pain came than when I fought through the orcs in the steppe while sleeping for a couple of hours a day. If I had to compare it, it would feel like I had to smash the asphalt and reinstall it to replace the water pipe buried in the asphalt.
…After thinking about it, it seems like a really appropriate analogy. It felt like my bones and flesh were being separated.
Thinking about that, I went down the stairs, and Tea, who was brewing coffee at the right time, looked at me and greeted me lightly.
“You woke up late today.”
“Sure. Is your sister out?”
“He said he had business with the guild.”
It was an Asilier who became strangely sincere at a time when others were leisurely. I wanted to go see something at least once, but I couldn’t because I overslept today.
While she sipped the coffee Thieh gave her out of regret and came to her senses, she continued talking like a butler reporting today’s schedule.
“The robe was ironed in advance.”
“…Did we have an iron in our house?”
“I bought it.”
Indeed, all I could do was nod my head saying that I did well. In the first place, unless you are an aristocrat, there is no such thing as being formal enough to iron your clothes in the daily life of commoners, so it was something you naturally did not buy, but today it was absolutely necessary.
“It’s time for the carriage sent by the imperial delegation to arrive at the promised location soon, but why not have a light meal and go?”
“Wouldn’t there be time to meet and dine?”
“If you go through the canonical conventions, you will.”
While answering my question, I nodded once again at Thieh’s ability to serve similar sandwiches as if I had already expected it, and finished the meal with coffee in silence.
It had been two days before Esmuey had led an envoy and crossed over to Itthel. It was unknown why the visit came earlier than planned, but judging from the large-scale event to welcome the delegation that was neatly held, it seemed that everything was scheduled.
I was also at the academy, and after hearing word of mouth, I went out to see it with Cheryl, and it was spectacular. There were no firecrackers and breadcrumbs blown, but it was a parade itself that made my heart feel magnificent because of the imperial national anthem played by the imperial military band following the escorts and wagons that marched in line with each other without an error.
However, since the wagon is open, everyone who sees it is cold.
Even the protection magic spread around and the paladins were so heavy that they could even be called a powered suit, and were escorted by 20 black knights wearing armor, so assassination was an environment that would be impossible to dream of, so I wasn’t particularly worried, but I was just looking straight ahead. I couldn’t help but look pathetic at the appearance of Hamzzi wrapped in a fur cape while maintaining his aloofness.
Still, it was only yesterday that I received an official letter requesting a visit to the residence where the imperial delegation was staying, as I returned satisfied that I had enjoyed the tour.
Esmuer’s signature was embedded under the invitation, which showed meticulousness that the carriage would be waiting elsewhere so that my house would not be noisy, so I decided to prepare it obediently.
Although my whole body was aching and I wanted to rest, I had no choice because I didn’t know what I would face later.
“I got the pouch… I got the beads, I got the beads… I got the needles.”
“You’re not going to bring an ax, are you?”
“Uh… Um. That’s a little bit off because it doesn’t have a frame.”
I wanted to be as formal as possible, so I decided to leave my Leica as well as my axe. When I heard that the guy who didn’t even move when I got up was annoying, I acted like it was very unfair when I heard that he was going to leave, but when Thieh agreed to take me for a walk instead, I quickly agreed.
After all the preparations, I left the house and arrived at the scheduled place. As if I had waited, a simple wagon and four mercenary-like people equipped with only light equipment rode towards me on horseback. There was nothing to look at them, who were not particularly disciplined. Because that was a common sight in the capital city.
Even I thought so and watched without much thought, so I was a little surprised when they stood in front of me and spoke politely.
“It is an honor to meet the hero who saved the imperial star.”
It was only after seeing the sudden change in attitude and formal manners of this employee that each and every movement was quite awkward that he could tell that they were knights. He politely opened the door of the wagon without giving anyone a chance to be surprised by his natural performance, as if it were a special unit.
Unlike the simple exterior, the inside of the wagon was very luxurious. As soon as the door was opened, the warm air hit me.
“It will take about 20 extra. We will make it comfortable for you.”
“thank you.”
It would be natural for a knight of the empire to be polite to the person who saved the first princess, but since I’m not used to being treated like this, it was as awkward as when I first met the rank knight Visquente in a pioneering village near Raviel.
Still, I was able to gather the attention of the people around me unnecessarily if I hesitated for no reason, so I hurriedly got on the carriage and a person sitting in a space that I couldn’t see from outside the carriage greeted me.
“Well, you came on time perfectly.”
I was at a loss for words when I saw Esmuer nodding his head in satisfaction. Either way, the doors of the carriage closed and it began to move very slowly.
“Won’t you get hurt if you stand in such an awkward position?”
“No, why are you here? Wait, then those knights outside right now…?”
A deep smile spread across Esmuer’s lips as he eagerly rolled his eyes and watched me sit down. It’s as if I was expecting to see such a surprise.
“Hmm. Among the women’s bodyguards, they were selected as talented people. They said they would confidently act ordinary. How was it?”
“I was fooled. Oh…”
I was about to say I don’t know if I could see the Aura, but I remembered that this was a carriage now, so I kept my mouth shut. Then, Esmuer smiled brightly and sneaked up to me, sat down next to me, and spoke.
“There is also a soundproofing magic. As you may have already noticed, it’s a wagon built for meeting people secretly. So, at a normal level, there’s no problem with voicing.”
“That’s… very fortunate. Anyway, I don’t know what it would be like if I could see the aura, but at least I didn’t notice until they took their example.”
“Hmm, is that about it? Maybe it wasn’t just a joke when I said that I had my intentions in acting.”
I don’t know what the hell the Imperial Guard once dreamed of becoming an actor, but I knew for sure that Esmuer wasn’t very interested in it. Instead, she took my arm very casually and started looking at me with clear eyes and a smile on her face. It’s to the point where I’m ashamed of everyone who is staring at me.
“Why do you think your arms have gotten thicker in the meantime? Are you really trying to be huge like the northern warriors?”
“My older sister says that when she’s bored…”
“You know it because we talked about it when the three of us got together last time. They say it grew bigger every day, but it seems that’s the case even now.”
I don’t think I’ve been doing any strength training lately, but maybe it’s because I’ve been through a lot of actual combat. There was no plausible reason that immediately came to mind, so I stayed quiet, and Esmuer, who had been laughing lightly, suddenly changed the topic with a serious expression.
“No, no! This isn’t the reason why the woman couldn’t wait and rode to the carriage. What the hell were you talking about with the saintess!”
hmm. To be honest, I wondered if I had made a mistake because of the sudden change of expression, but fortunately, I also had a lot of things I wanted to say and ask.
I thought for a while about how to start the story, but in the end, the most appropriate introduction was decided, so I spoke to Esmuer with confidence.
“He’s a complete madman.”
Then, with an expression as if he had heard an unexpected answer, Esmuer began to collect the hooks.