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73. Engagement – Question

With teary eyes, Lena struck Leo’s chest with resentment.

“Get up. I said get up…”

Leo felt like his heart would burst from her feeble punches.

‘I must not open my eyes… absolutely not…’

He couldn’t stand it any longer and turned away. He hid his contorted face from Lena’s view.

If he opened his eyes and saw Lena, everything he had done until now might go to waste.

The hands clenching tightly in front of him were pale.

“…Le……”

Lena stared blankly at his back.

For the week Leo snuck off hunting, she trembled with betrayal.

Her heart, caught between anger and depression, had burned white away, leaving nothing behind.

Leo would never do this to me.

In desperation, she had thrown her pride along with her clothes, but Leo never opened his eyes nor said he was sorry.

Finally, tears burst forth.

Wiping her tears, Lena sprang up and jumped out of bed. She kicked the door open and dashed out into the dark corridor.

The cold air grazed her skin.

Only then did Lena realize she had come outside in her undergarments, but it didn’t matter. She collapsed on the cold floor and sobbed.

Fortunately, no one appeared in the corridor.

How long did she cry? As the alcohol-induced haze cleared, Lena leaned against the wall, letting time drift by.

The moon was blue.

As it rose from the north and tilted southward out the window, reaching its apex before descending, she rose with a pensive face from her thoughts in the darkness.

Returning to her room, she dressed in the clothes that had fallen to the floor and started rummaging through her belongings.

Was she planning to leave?

Leo, who hadn’t slept yet, held his breath.

‘Yes, go. Please.’

He secretly hoped Lena would leave. Although it would waste a chapter, he no longer wanted to suffer clinging to the hope of engagement.

But… if the engagement couldn’t be broken, the difficulty of this engagement scenario would escalate to a hopeless degree. ─ A feeling of urgency arose.

Only a few opportunities remained.

[ 11/20 ]

This number felt as if it were embedded in his eyes, never fading from the lower right of his field of vision. Each time he opened his eyes, it was always there, reminding him that there were only three chances left in the engagement scenario.

Lena cannot leave.

Caught between Minseo and Leo, he felt both emotions swirling within him. And… Lena had sided with Minseo.

She took a blanket from her belongings, spread it on the floor, and lay down to sleep.

Lena did not leave.

*

The awkward cohabitation between Lena and Leo continued.

Since that night, Lena had not spoken to Leo. Perhaps wounded pride made her stubbornly keep her mouth shut while focusing solely on sword training.

Leo, unable to shamelessly use the bed while Lena slept on the floor, laid out a blanket on the opposite side.

The two of them, with a perfectly good bed in the middle, tried to sleep on either side of the floor.

Days later, Leo cautiously asked Lena if it might be better to leave for another place. She curtly rejected him, saying, “No. I still have things to learn from Uncle Brian.”

With no choice, Leo had to stay at Vidorin Castle for three more weeks.

While staying there, he trained to balance his body.

Fearing there might be more monsters, he asked locals but found no one who knew anything.

It felt like wasting time, but he achieved a small accomplishment.

“Phew. Shall we call it a day?”

Brian, who had been sparring with him, put his sword down. Leo shook off the sweat-soaked hair from his head.

He had matched Brian’s skill.

Previously, he had narrowly lost, but perhaps due to hunting another monster or his improved balance revealing Bart’s sword style, Brian could not push Leo like before.

“Truly impressive. To achieve so much in such a short time. How I wish I had been as capable as you at your age… Ah, I’m sorry. That was an unnecessary comment.”

“Not at all. Thank you for the compliment.”

Brian seemed to have something more to say, but Leo hurriedly dismissed it and left.

Lena was practicing her sword nearby.

Finally, the day came for them to leave Vidorin Castle. Baron Agatha, his wife, and the knights sadly escorted them to the castle gate.

The baron handed Leo a thick envelope. He remembered the certificate issued by the lord of Abrival Castle he had brought.

“Take this. It would be best to find the royal knights if you want to meet skilled knights, but I don’t know anyone in the knights. If you show this letter to Count Simon, he might… help you.”

Yet, there was an unmistakable hint of uncertainty in his voice.

Without children to care for, Baron Agatha and his wife had lived isolated in a remote mountain fortress, with no connections among the nobles.

The only related place was the Count Simon family…

The wife, who had been standing quietly, gently comforted her husband.

“Don’t worry, dear. I’m sure Simon will definitely help.”

She then turned to Lena and Leo and continued.

“The Simon family is my family… and there are many knights, so it’ll be a good environment for your training. And I’m sure the Count knows someone in the knights, so please get an introduction from him. I’ve written it in the letter.”

The Baroness carefully explained the way to the Count’s estate.

“Thank you. I won’t forget this favor.”

Leo politely accepted the letter. But inside, he thought things were getting complicated again.

‘Why not just give it to me… now that Lena overheard, I’ll have to go that way.’

After saying their goodbyes, he glanced at Lena. She was chatting with Brian, expressing her regret at their departure.

He couldn’t decipher what Lena was thinking. Why hadn’t she left? She must have been greatly disappointed and angry…

Lena and Leo mounted their horses and set off on their journey again, heading southwest as the Baroness instructed.

Summer was swiftly approaching.

*

During the journey, nothing special occurred.

They stayed at passing towns and castles, occasionally camping out.

Lena often looked at Leo with a peculiar expression but sighed instead of speaking.

Just as they were nearing the Simon estate, Leo spotted familiar terrain.

The ‘Bommer Volcano’ puffed out fluffy, hazy smoke, sometimes even blocking the sun. That volcano had not erupted for hundreds of years ─ or so he had heard during the previous childhood friend scenario from the Hatata Tribe.

They had been hiding away, waiting for the holy mark to disappear, and he had previously stayed with the Uena Tribe.

‘I wonder if they’re doing well?’

Having diligently learned hunting, Euta would occasionally act nonchalant while following his older brother, Enen. Suddenly, he recalled the two siblings.

He had left the village without even saying goodbye to those plain but genuine kids.

‘I owe their grandmother a lot too…’

Leo momentarily reminisced, his thoughts drifting back to old times.

The grandmother, who had supported him during his mischief and had even handed him a lunch box for the road when he was leaving, had shown him rare kindness.

He felt a sudden longing to see them.

While it would be their first meeting, just seeing that harmonious grandparent and grandchild from a distance would wash away the frustration building inside him.

However, the Uena Tribe would require him to go several miles south past the Simon estate to find them, and there was Lena, who was chasing after him with a puffy face, forcing Leo to change his mind.

Silently, he urged his horse onward, and a few days later, they arrived at the Simon estate.

The Simon family was quite the prominent clan.

They operated from a small city that spread across vast plains, enriched by a river bordering the plain west of the Bommer Volcano.

Lena and Leo stood before the main gate of the estate.

Yet, the grandeur seemed diminished as the estate was rather plain. There were no noticeable metal decorations or protrusions, nor any flashy colors. This was due to the customs of the Jerome Holy Kingdom, which shunned extravagance.

Instead, flying buttresses were extensively employed. By erecting several columns around the estate and installing arch supports between the walls and columns, they created an airy ascent that exuded both elegance and antiquity.

Truly, it was a mansion befitting its dominance over this broad plain.

‘But why did the Baroness marry into such a remote family like the Agatha family?’

Leo pondered but quickly dismissed it. It wasn’t his concern, and maintaining a wobbly relationship with Lena was enough to occupy his thoughts.

Lena and Leo showed the envelope given by Baron Agatha to a guard and met Count Umberto Simon.

Count Simon resided in his territory rather than the capital, just like Baron Agatha remained at Vidorin Castle.

Most nobles of the Jerome Holy Kingdom did not live in the capital. The noble society here was quite different from that of other kingdoms.

As the name suggests, the Jerome Holy Kingdom was heavily influenced by the Cross Church. When the oracle of the Holy Woman had requested, “Please do not involve yourselves in the war between Belita and Austin Kingdoms,” they had complied diligently.

It was no different in the details.

The laws and administration of the Holy Kingdom were tightly bound by the laws of the Cross Church, and even the ruling Frederick Royal Family had to obtain the church’s permission when carrying out its duties.

Although there was a degree of formality, the act of asking for permission itself indicated where the initiative resided.

Thus, the nobles saw no need to linger around the royal family.

There was nothing to gain.

They devoted themselves to developing their own territories away from the capital, and in Lutetia, it was only the young heirs inheriting their family names who engaged in social activities, with scarcely any substantive political activity occurring.

“It is an honor to meet you. I am Leo Dexter, and this is Lena Ainar.”

Leo greeted the Count politely in the reception room, which was modest like the estate building but decorated with red fabric and white candles.

However, the Count did not return his greeting.

[ Achievement: Noble Assassination – All nobles feel a slight fear towards you. ]

Count Simon, with his dark orange eyes and square jaw, was remarkably different in appearance from Baroness Agatha, eyeing Leo with suspicion as he tore open the envelope first.

Inside the envelope was a lengthy letter. Only after reading it did the Count’s caution soften slightly.

“…So you are the ones sent by my sister. Nice to meet you.”

But there was still a look of unapproval on his face. He briefly responded to Leo’s formalities and then said,

“You request a spar with the knights…”

Scratching his flat jaw and pondering, he continued.

“Very well. It’s not a bad idea. I will inform the captain of the knights.”

And that was it.

Count Simon summoned the butler, instructing him to prepare rooms for Lena and Leo before leaving the reception room.

“How shall I arrange the rooms?”

Unlike before, Lena did not respond to the butler’s question. According to Leo’s wishes, the two were given separate rooms.

In a fit of anger, Lena slammed the door shut!

Apologizing to the butler, Leo entered his room and sat on the modest bed.

– Smash!

His own slapped cheek turned a rosy red.

*

Vast training grounds.

“Haah!”

Just when it seemed like Lena was being pressed by a knight’s sword, she let out a scream. She almost knelt on one knee, launching herself forward.

– Swish!

To her right, she was engaged with an opposing knight, maintaining contact near the hilt called ‘Forte,’ but because the knight’s blade glided sideways before hitting her, Lena’s grip twisted inward.

“Whoa!”

Count Simon’s knight was startled, failing to respond appropriately.

Stepping while engaging in a force contest?

In most cases, this would lead to being overwhelmed and suffering great loss unless retreating cautiously.

But this audacious young lady, having just reached adulthood, used the ‘Forte’ to fluidly redirect his strength while moving to his side.

Then, with a dreadful screech — she withdrew her sword.

Her blade cut through the air.

“I… lost.”

The middle-aged knight declared his defeat.

Since it was a practice duel, he merely cut the air, but he sensed that had the blade been real, it would have sliced through his waist.

“T-That’s impressive.”

Lena had finally won against a knight!

Overjoyed, she puffed out her chest with her arms at her sides.

It was her habit when she felt triumphant.

As sweat dripped from her chin, she hastily turned her head away.

Instinctively wanting to boast to Leo, the words “Leo! I did well, right!” got stuck in her throat and she gulped instead.

Leo had probably left the training ground in anticipation, as she could no longer see him. Lena realized her own mistake.

Just as her mood began to plummet, the defeated knight approached to shake her hand.

“Remarkable. You are truly impressive. What a fantastic technique.”

“…Thank you. But I was lucky. Now that you know what kind of fortune I rely on, you won’t fall for it twice.”

“Hahaha. No need for such humility. Clearly, I had the advantage in strength and speed, yet I lost solely in swordsmanship… Would you like to review the duel just now?”

“Sure.”

Lena gripped her sword again. This time, she retraced the duel’s moves slowly.

Since arriving at Count Simon’s estate, Lena and Leo led a monotonous life, constantly going in and out of the training grounds for sword practice.

The Count owned twenty knights, and the two trained by consecutively sparring with them.

Leo showcased his exceptional skills even here.

He only narrowly lost to the Captain of the Count’s knights; he drew with three other knights and won against the remaining knights.

On the other hand, Lena faced defeat after defeat, and the one win just now was her first victory. Even that was due to a surprise attack mixing Noel Dexter’s swordsmanship learned from the knight Brian.

“Ah, so you were leveling your support foot beforehand. I was quite surprised by where that strength came from.”

The knight remarked, realizing something during their review. Then he requested to review again as more of Count Simon’s knights gathered around.

“Hey! Are you monopolizing this for yourself? One duel and one review should be enough, right?”

They all seemed to have their eyes on Lena. It was customary for knights to be welcomed as trainees.

Even with dozens of knights gathered, over time, they became accustomed to each other, reaching a stagnation level where nothing was new between them.

Thus, knights connected to the nobility eagerly welcomed new trainees, allowing Noel Dexter to confidently send Lena and Leo off.

Lena felt embarrassed as all eyes were on her, pouring over her string of defeats, but she diligently completed the review.

Wiping off sweat from her brow and adjusting her grip on her sword, an observing knight asked her.

“Lady Lena, your swordsmanship is quite unique. If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask which knight taught you?”

“I learned from a man named Noel Dexter in the Austin Kingdom. I also received a lot of training from a man named Brian during my travels.”

“Did you say Brian?”

A knight who was flattening the messed-up training ground just completed the review interjected.

“Is he perhaps someone who talks a lot, has short eyebrows, and brown hair? His name is the same as someone I know.”

He described Brian’s appearance, and Lena nodded.

“He wasn’t very talkative, but that sounds about right.”

“I see. He was someone I met when I went to the Cross Church to become a Holy Knight when we were young, so I’m happy to hear news of him after such a long time. As for me? I dropped out early. Hahaha. So, how is he? Did he become a Holy Knight?”

“Hmm— no. He’s a knight now.”

“Hahaha! So he eventually dropped out too. He was quite a cheerful fellow… which family is he with now?”

“I met him at the Agatha Baron family. We stopped by Vidorin Castle on the way here.”

The knight, who had been cheerfully asking about Brian, suddenly stiffened, his expression changing.

“…I see. Ah, it’s meal time. Would you like to join us?”

Looking uncomfortable, he quickly diverted the topic. The knights listening also cleared their throats and began to rise from their seats.

Lena briefly felt taken aback but did not mind and left the training grounds with them.

Of course, Leo was not there.

He often feigned mere participation in the training, sneaking away from Lena frequently.

Thus, while Lena trained with the knights, Leo would subtly slip away from the training ground until one day, while doing his usual rounds inspecting the Count’s estate, he noticed something odd.

The corridors of the estate were lined with portraits of the Count’s family, yet the portrait of ‘Baroness Agnes Agatha’ was missing.

There was no trace of her anywhere within the estate.