I focused on the eyes of the little brat called Iron Blood, raising my inner strength and concentrating.
Soon, I started to notice the thin blue energy that spread around her body like clothing, and as I squinted my eyes to focus even more, a massive frozen lake appeared behind Iron Blood.
“Hoo…”
Indeed, it was an impressive amount of inner strength that could be praised for its might.
Still…
I’m not bragging, but it can’t compare to my 300 years of life experience.
I narrowed my eyes and looked at Iron Blood.
Was it 31 years old, they said…?
At this amount, it was probably what I had accumulated over 100 years.
With the overwhelming difference in talent, I couldn’t help but feel small and let out a sigh.
Truly, there’s no one like a genius.
Just as I was about to give her a bit of acknowledgment and praise, that damn brat started giggling with her characteristic mischievous grin, covering her mouth with her hands and letting out a ‘pfff’ laugh.
“Wow… does it feel bad? You’re like a grandma?”
“…What?”
I blinked my eyes at the incomprehensible words.
…Grandma?
Did I hear that wrong?
Me? A grandma…?
To confirm if I really heard that correctly, I subtly turned my head to the side.
Nameless was shaking his head repeatedly, sweating profusely.
Seeing that, it seemed I had indeed heard it correctly.
Hmm, right.
If my forehead looks like it’s throbbing with veins, that’s just an illusion.
I nodded slightly, forcibly tugging the corners of my mouth up to look at that damn brat.
“Haha, what did you just say?”
“Ex-actly! Have you gotten so old that your ears are completely gone? Totally a grandma.”
At that moment, anger surged, and I drew upon my inner strength in my right hand…
But instead, I bit my lips tightly and tried to regain my composure.
What would I achieve by fighting with such a damn brat?
I took a deep breath to calm my inner strength and met the gaze of that damn brat.
This was the kind of situation where it was best to resolve things peacefully.
“Heh… but aren’t you an auntie too?”
“Grandma? What did you just say?”
The brat’s eyebrows twitched, her fists clenched, and she started shaking with rage.
Here we go.
I managed to hit that damn brat where it hurts.
A sense of satisfaction bubbled up from one corner of my heart, and I pulled up one corner of my mouth in a crooked smile.
“…Are you trying to challenge me now?”
“Huh? What are you saying? Are you saying you can’t hear well because you’re so old?”
With my arms crossed, I tilted my head from side to side while feigning ignorance.
The brat began shaking all over, pointing a finger at me.
“You! You!”
“Hmm? What are you talking about?”
I blew a faltering whistle, pretending to be nonchalant as I turned away.
Yet, the brat’s face was turning bright red, and I found it somewhat amusing.
Isn’t it natural that I would win in the first place?
Our years of life are completely different.
Every word’s weight is different, you see.
The vibe that comes with experience, that’s what I call the difference in seasoning.
After all, isn’t there about a tenfold difference in the years I’ve lived compared to this brat?
Hmm, that’s obvious.
…Though I can’t help but feel my pride shatter a bit whenever I think about it.
Losing a verbal argument to such a damn brat would surely be more humiliating, wouldn’t it?
To put it bluntly.
If it’s a lose-lose situation, I’d rather be the winning fool.
I nodded.
Just then, while I and Iron Blood were throwing around our ages in a mudslinging match, Elia stepped forward with a worried expression and blocked our path.
“Isn’t it time to stop…?”
At Elia’s words, we exchanged glances.
That damn brat, or rather, Iron Blood’s eyes were watery.
Just a bit more poking and she looked like she might burst into tears.
…At this point, I could say I won, couldn’t I?
And embarrassingly enough, I too felt a bit of something in my eyes, as if they were getting a little wet.
If I cried because of this ‘something’ in my eye, wouldn’t that make me the loser?
It would be strategically wise for both of us to retreat now.
Perhaps Iron Blood thought so too, as she pouted her lips and nodded her head.
“Hmph, damn grandma, I’ll speak to you again later!”
“Sounds good, auntie.”
My gaze clashed again with Iron Blood’s in the air.
If I exaggerated a bit, you could probably hear a crunching sound.
“You damn grandma, to the very end!”
“You damn brat! You started it, didn’t you?!”
Just as we began to glare at each other and get all huffy again, Lucius moved behind Iron Blood, gently placed a hand on her shoulder, and shook his head slightly.
“How about we stop?”
“Hmph… fine then.”
Iron Blood pretended not to care, quickly turning her head and pouting her lips.
I looked at him and let out a smirk.
In the end, this turned out to be my victory!
Just as I was celebrating my personal win, Nameless slipped behind me and wedged his arms under my armpits, lifting me up.
“Hey! What the! Let go of me!”
I flailed my arms and twisted my body trying to break free from Nameless.
Of course.
If I didn’t control my strength, Nameless could get hurt, so I only struggled enough to convey my intention.
However, unlike the usual times when such a tantrum would lead to me being released immediately, this time, he kept me lifted and continued speaking, sending daggers of words straight to my heart.
“Master, this is… not a good look….”
“What are you saying?!”
I felt hurt for not getting his support, so I relaxed my body and slumped down.
I’m the Master… and that damn brat is someone I just met today…
Logically, shouldn’t he support me?
…Does Nameless like this little brat more than me?
I pouted my lips.
I couldn’t seem to understand why he wouldn’t take my side.
I felt on the verge of tears from frustration, yet I restrained myself as best I could.
If I shed tears here, it would completely destroy my dignity as a Master.
I kept hiccuping and rubbed my eyes with my arms.
Naturally, the voice that came out of me was so deep that even I was surprised.
“…Let me go.”
“Master?”
“Should I say it again?”
Without a word, Nameless set me down.
Finally, as my feet touched the ground, I began to feel a peculiar sense of relief.
I immediately turned and kicked Nameless’ shin with all my might.
“Ugh!”
“You foolish disciple!”
I watched him grab his shin and fall over, a bit worried, but then resolved myself and rushed out of the reception room to run away.
I just wanted to be alone for a moment.
“Master!”
I ignored the voice of Nameless calling from behind, blocking my ears.
…
– Cheon Mu-myeong
As the Master dashed out of the reception room, heavy silence fell over the place.
The first to speak was Lucius.
“Shouldn’t we go after her?”
“Nameless… hurry and follow her.”
Nameless couldn’t find any words to respond.
Because of his own actions, he had hurt the Master…
Would it be alright for him to chase after her?
What if she doesn’t want to see me anymore?
What if, just what if…
Imagining the terrifying possibility that she would push me away if I chased after her…
An ominous thought began to creep into his mind.
As he sunk down on the floor, lost in thought, Iron Blood approached and placed her foot on top of his head.
Given how tense he was, he frowned immediately and spoke with a rough tone.
“What are you doing right now?”
As Iron Blood huffed, balancing on top of him, she went on.
“Hmph… You garbage loser.”
“…What?”
“I know you’re a loser, so have a loser’s mindset.”
She snorted and continued.
“If I stay in the same space as you, I feel like your pathetic vibe will stick to me, you know?”
“…”
“If you understand, can you hurry and scram?”
With that, Iron Blood pulled her foot off his head and returned to her spot.
He rose from his seat.
“Thank you.”
He bowed slightly to Iron Blood, the Hero, and the Saint before heading out of the reception room.
…
“Master! Where are you!”
He dashed through the castle corridors, shouting.
Peeking through a window, he saw twilight descending, casting the surroundings into shadows.
Yet.
Until that moment, he had failed to find the Master.
He bit his lips.
…It couldn’t be too late.
Ignoring his rising breath, he continued to sprint down the corridor.
Just when it began to get completely dark, a man caught his arm.
“What’s going on!”
Feeling anxious, he frowned as he turned to see the old butler who had first guided them, wearing a gentle smile.
As per the Master’s words, he couldn’t just scold a benefactor.
To calm his heated head, he let out a heavy breath and spoke.
“…What is it?”
“Aren’t you looking for Harang?”
His eyes lit up at the butler’s words.
He reached out, grabbed the butler’s arm, and asked.
“Yes! Do you know where the Master is?”
“Yes.”
The butler smiled gently and provided directions to where the Master was, and he rushed toward that location.
…
In the dark room, only the fireplace on the wall illuminated the space.
He walked slowly toward where the Master was, relying on that light.
The Master lay on the bed, her silhouette barely visible through the curtains.
He carefully spoke up.
“Master….”
His voice was thick with guilt, as if he was about to choke on it.
However, despite his earnestness, there was no response.
Could she be very angry…?
He cautiously took a seat in front of the bed, kneeling.
Next, even though the Master couldn’t see him, he bowed his head to show respect.
“I, the unworthy disciple, have failed to understand your heart.
If you could just show mercy this once,
I promise I will ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
With a loud thud, he pressed his head down to the ground.
“Please.”
He wasn’t sure how long he had kept his forehead against the ground.
The Master wouldn’t be so cold as to avoid answering forever…
Recognizing something was off, he began cooling his fiery head and focused on the sounds around him.
Inhale-exhale…
He heard a regular, even breathing.
…Could it be.
He suddenly stood up, pulling the curtains that covered the bed aside.
-Swoosh!
“…Master?”
His body felt as if it could crumble to the ground from relief as he almost collapsed.
The Master was sprawled across the bed, tangled in sheets and clothes, wearing the most peaceful expression while asleep.
A chuckle escaped him.
“Ha, haha.”
…Why had he worried in the first place?
He felt foolish for not trusting the Master.
