In the early dawn when everyone was asleep, I settled on a suitable rock and closed my eyes.
The pleasant chill of the morning breeze brushed against my cheeks, filling my ears with the sounds of rustling bushes and crackling campfires, accompanied by the buzzing of insects.
After enjoying those sounds for a moment, I slowly opened my eyes.
“Hmm, the atmosphere is nice.”
How long has it been since I looked up at the night sky alone?
I stared blankly at the sky for a while, feeling a strange itch in my body. I gently placed my hand on the wooden sword at my waist and slowly pulled it out.
I can’t not swing a sword in such a picturesque setting.
I immediately drew my wooden sword and jumped down from the rock.
Hmm, by this time, everyone should be asleep, right?
If I swing the sword too loudly, they might wake up, so I should hold back a bit.
I took a stance.
I slashed the sword from the bottom up.
With my feet fluttering, I spun around.
I swung the sword horizontally.
Thus, I began to dance.
Until the sun rose.
…
Suddenly, when I came to my senses, I realized the once blazing campfire had vanished, leaving only charred ashes behind.
Hmm, how much time has passed?
I stared at the ashes blankly and lifted my gaze to the sky.
It wasn’t quite bright enough to declare that the day had fully dawned, but light was slowly brightening from beyond, signaling that morning would soon arrive.
… I didn’t realize how time passed.
I sighed lightly and sheathed the wooden sword into the belt around my waist.
I suppose it’s time to wake Nameless.
Leaving behind the firewood that had turned to garbage, I headed toward the tent where Nameless was sleeping.
I flung open the tent door and leaned in.
Nameless, possibly worn out from the activities we did yesterday, wasn’t waking up despite my close proximity.
After observing for a moment, I leaned closer to Nameless’s ear and whispered.
“Nameless, it’s time to wake up.”
“…Yes, is it my turn?”
Nameless opened his eyes wide before I could even finish my sentence.
Hmm, considering he probably overexerted himself yesterday, he should still feel tired…
Surprisingly well done.
Without needing me to shake him or say it again, Nameless immediately got up.
Looks like I’ve got a good disciple.
A natural smile crept onto my lips.
Nameless wiped his face and immediately began tidying up the spot where he had been lying, as if trying to make it comfortable for me.
I quickly grabbed Nameless’s shoulder and shook my head gently.
“The night watch is over, so now pack up.”
“…Huh?”
Nameless, who had been fluffing the blanket on the ground, looked startled at my words, and soon his expression changed to one filled with guilt.
“Then, Master, you didn’t get any sleep…?”
“What am I, less than that? Your master doesn’t groan just from this much.”
Of course, I hadn’t planned on waking him up at all.
It had been a long time since I danced and swung my sword like that, losing track of time.
It was with this thought that I gave him a small smile, yet Nameless’s face still wasn’t bright.
For some reason, seeing that expression made me chuckle lightly.
I ruffled Nameless’s completely transformed hair gently and stepped out of the tent.
“Just tidy up.”
Normally, I would have helped with packing up…
But judging by his state, if I were to lend a hand, he would wear that abandoned puppy look again.
It’s better to accept Nameless’s consideration and rest my body comfortably.
Hmm, right.
It’s definitely not because I’m lazy or anything.
Sitting on the large rock where I had been earlier and gazing aimlessly at the sky, I began to hear small sounds coming from the tent where the Mage and Elia were trying to sleep.
Hmm, it seems they’re slowly waking up.
I must have woken Nameless at just the right time.
“That’s a relief.”
Feeling a bit pleased, I muttered softly, only to hear a response I hadn’t anticipated.
“What do you mean by a relief?”
…When did he come near me?
I turned my head toward the direction of the voice.
“Is that you, Lucius?”
“I’m glad to see you, Cheon Ha-rang.”
Lucius bent slightly, meeting my gaze.
“It’s the first time we’re talking like this.”
“…That’s true.”
I squinted my eyes and faced Lucius.
…From the energy I felt, he seemed utterly unremarkable, yet there was no chance I would miss anything.
Am I being careless?
No.
It’s possible that Lucius has been hiding something from my view.
Above all, isn’t Lucius a Hero?
Despite that grand title, it didn’t make sense for him to be this weak.
Although I felt a hint of tension, I fiddled with my belt.
Lucius, seemingly not bothered by my alertness, showed no reaction whatsoever.
He simply gazed seriously into my eyes.
At this point, I felt foolish for being so wary.
Surely he wasn’t here to suddenly attack me?
There would be no reason to stir up a fight out here.
I must have overreacted just because he’s a Hero.
“Tsk.”
I clicked my tongue lightly.
I didn’t particularly want to prolong the conversation, but…
I suppose I need to get a little closer to him.
Still, I didn’t want to see Lucius’s face too closely, so I turned my head away.
“So, what’s the matter?”
“I came because I have a favor to ask.”
However, I found myself having to look at Lucius again because of his answer.
A favor?
“…You? Asking me?”
What does that even mean?
No, without needing to analyze it, it’s just a literal interpretation.
But why?
Instead of answering, Lucius just nodded.
“Ah.”
A hollow laugh escaped me.
A favor? Isn’t he a Hero?
Why would a chosen child ask me for a favor?
Though I was momentarily curious about what that favor could be,
Seeing Nameless approaching us after he had finished packing, I waved my hand.
“I’m really not interested in hearing it now; bring it up later.”
“I will do just that.”
Lucius again nodded slightly and returned to the tent where he had been staying, presumably to finish tidying up.
I waved him off and sighed.
…I’ve felt it for a while.
Whenever I converse with the Saint or that Hero, I can practically feel my mental energy being drained in real time.
Well, I’m not sure how well I manage my expressions, to be honest.
I shouldn’t show this ugly side to Nameless.
That’s why I suggested we talk later.
Sighing deeply, I looked up.
“It’s ridiculously sunny.”
My eyes hurt.
…
Time passed, and it was now completely bright.
Everyone gathered to prepare for the wagon’s departure, but one person’s condition seemed off.
“Gasp-! Um, I suddenly need to go somewhere urgently…”
Upon hearing Elia’s words, I looked around.
Of course, we were in the middle of a mountain where we had briefly stopped the wagon.
In other words, we were in a forest.
I glanced at Elia with slightly cold eyes.
“…Where exactly do you intend to go?”
“Well, um….”
Lucius gazed at Elia, who seemed to struggle to find her words, and let out a little sigh before speaking up.
“…The Saint’s wagon needs to be boarded before we can set off.”
“Right… Yes, I’m sorry…”
Elia kept fanning her flushed face, sneaking glances at me and Nameless.
Why is she acting like that?
Seeing her repeatedly behave like this made me worry about Elia’s health, closely tied to the divine.
I let out a small sigh and hopped aboard the wagon.
…
Fortunately, it seemed Elia had regained her composure; she no longer had dilated pupils or stuttered as she looked at us.
I had briefly wondered if her reddened face was due to something the divine had said, but fortunately, it didn’t seem to be that.
…Though it’s excessive worry.
Isn’t it better to be cautious?
I nodded to myself.
However, Elia’s condition hadn’t completely improved.
She still blushed enough to evoke thoughts of strawberries whenever she glanced at me and Nameless.
I had no idea why, leaving me perplexed.
Observing Elia’s state, it seemed today wouldn’t be much different from yesterday.
Once again, we would maintain a quiet and uncomfortable silence while the wagon moved.
I sighed softly and cast my eyes upon the changing scenery.
Just when I thought, “Should I lean on Nameless’s shoulder and get some rest?”,
Elia’s voice broke through.
“Um, this may be a bit odd to ask now….”
I turned my head upon hearing her voice, and Elia was staring intently at me and Nameless.
“Harang and Nameless, you two are, um, lovers, right?”
“…Lovers?”
I frowned slightly at Elia’s question.
Lovers?
Does that girl not know that it would be scandalous for a master and disciple to be lovers?
Curious about Nameless’s reaction, I cast a glance at him, and he was still gazing outside the wagon.
But he must have heard Elia’s words.
The proof being Nameless’s ears were red.
Seeing that, it seemed Nameless was angry at Elia’s clueless remark but was holding it in.
Hmm, it’s understandable to feel angry about being linked romantically with someone so much older.
For some reason, my heart ached a little…
But I couldn’t let Elia continue to harbor such misunderstandings; I needed to clarify.
I sighed slightly and opened my mouth.
“I told you, Nameless and I are in a mentor-disciple relationship, didn’t I?”
“Y-Yes, but you two slept in the same tent last night….”
“…?”
What is she talking about?
Isn’t it common sense for a master and disciple to sleep in the same tent?
Why would there be a need to sleep apart?
And if sharing a tent means you’re lovers, then why isn’t Lucius and Elia sleeping in the same tent?
This doesn’t add up at all.
Thinking about such inconsistencies, I raised one corner of my mouth in a smirk and spoke.
“You didn’t sleep apart from that guy, did you?”
“…Huh?”
Elia tilted her head, looking perplexed as if she couldn’t comprehend why I mentioned Lucius.
Seeing that expression, my own confusion deepened, prompting me to speak again.
“Are you and Lucius not lovers?”
“No way! We’re not!”
Elia shook her head vigorously, her face still scarlet.
Lucius cast a quick glance at Elia before returning his gaze outside the wagon.
Seeing that, I thought for a moment.
Oh? So they’re not lovers just yet?
I feel a bit sorry for the Hero…
But in that case, wouldn’t it be acceptable for Nameless to be paired with this Saint girl?
