Chapter 119

– Uh… Could I ask you to let Carsein stay here for about a day to rest?

—

Yesterday, after hearing those words from Harnier, Pollux found himself wondering why she would say such a thing.

The boy tried to save him from getting beaten up at the tavern.

He didn’t treat Yarikins and Imperials differently, and while unique, he was certain his beliefs weren’t on the wrong side like theirs.

Even though he belonged to the Duke House of Bargrand, one of the most powerful noble houses within the Peselros Empire.

So, he judged that there wouldn’t be any problem if they proceeded with the trade right away.

But asking to stay for a day would delay the trade, wouldn’t it?

He didn’t want to take away Carsein’s busy time.

Given that he had to attend the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting, he must have prepared accordingly, and being the Lord of Rusmaier couldn’t be an easy position either.

However, upon meeting Carsein, Pollux understood.

Just by exchanging a few words and lightly tapping his shoulder.

He could tell.

Exactly as Harnier had observed.

“‘For now, I’ve made the trial a temporary measure by setting the combat conditions, but who knows how it’ll turn out.'”

Pollux sighed softly.

He asked Carsein to stay here for a day to recover his condition and fight in the best condition possible. He might even check his sleep time to help with Defeshan Syndrome. He thought this was the right approach.

But if Carsein doesn’t sleep, it would all be for nothing.

He might pretend to have slept enough and wake up early to stretch, or he might still be working hard at this hour.

Anyway.

Today is scheduled for a duel with Carsein.

To inform him of the time, Pollux headed towards where Carsein was staying.

As he moved, a figure came into view faintly.

Would Carsein have finished his sleep early as Pollux expected?

If so, Pollux would have sighed in relief immediately.

But.

Why does the figure look small?

Stopping, he noticed it looked like there was a guest.

“Oh.”

Pollux nodded, stroking his chin.

It was someone who deserved to be there.

The figure turned out to be a woman burying her face in her hands, with purple hair peeking out. Despite trying to hide it, her noble aura unmistakably belonged to Harnier.

“A woman visiting a man’s room early in the morning.”

-Nodding.

His head nodded involuntarily.

Now, they seemed to fit well together.

They shared similar traits, and both were helping each other, creating a good situation for affection to grow.

Even if it was just a glimpse, he saw them making progress in the carriage…

Fresh.

Young.

Isn’t that what you’d call it?

His heavy heart eased slightly.

Pollux chuckled and approached Harnier.

“How well did you explain?”

“Huh? When did you…!”

Harnier jumped in surprise.

Soon, she sighed in relief as if thankful.

Noticing Pollux wasn’t the person she was worried about.

“Why are you so surprised? Did Carsein do something wrong?”

“No? No, not really…”

“Then? Did things go badly?”

“What do you mean by ‘things’?”

Upon hearing the phrase “Did things go badly?” Harnier’s face flushed immediately.

Pollux tilted his head in confusion.

“That’s because you wanted to give Carsein some rest time here at the Marquis House of Aiferos.”

Carsein stayed here to delay the deal, which Harnier requested.

Her wish to give Carsein some rest.

“Let him stay for a day and convince him to accept the test for Defeshan Syndrome, acknowledging that he’s been overworking.”

Though Harnier didn’t state her intentions clearly, Pollux interpreted it that way.

The heat on Harnier’s face slowly faded.

“I managed to persuade him. By having him rest for a whole day, he admitted he’d been pushing himself too hard due to Defeshan Syndrome.”

“Ah, so that’s how it went. That’s good.”

Pollux nodded, saying “I see.”

If Carsein’s condition improved today, they could proceed with the duel as planned, then continue the trade.

However, he still had doubts.

“But, Merchant Guild of Plesia, where were you yesterday? I couldn’t find you anywhere.”

“Huh? You were looking for me?”

“Yeah, I was worried. I thought maybe there were side effects from the tea I gave Carsein. Even though I explained everything, I still wanted to check how he was doing.”

“…”

“In this winter, catching a chill would be dangerous, but… seeing you’re fine, I guess there’s nothing to worry about. Haha!”

Harnier’s cheeks reddened again.

Ignoring her reaction, Pollux continued, but noticing her lack of response, he cautiously glanced her way.

And he noticed something strange, starting to sweat.

“Wait a moment. Is the Merchant Guild of Plesia wearing the same clothes as yesterday?”

There are plenty of outfits available, and she isn’t the type to insist on wearing the same thing.

Pollux’s eyes focused on the area where Carsein was staying.

Glance.

At Harnier once.

Glance.

Towards Carsein’s room.

Was she really that eager to wear those clothes again?

No, that can’t be. Considering she turned around and looked this way…

She must have come out of that room.

But…

Didn’t she say she slept for a whole day?

If Harnier knew about this…

“Ahem! Ahem!”

Finally, he cleared his throat and turned around.

“Um, um. Oh, no. It’s possible… yes! Right. Taking care of a sick person is a natural thing to do!”

Pollux turned away, stammering as if fleeing.

No point in making excuses. The fact that Harnier tried to hide was already revealed.

Harnier’s face turned red again.

“Hmm? Harnier?”

Immediately opening the door, her action was—

“Why are you suddenly coming over… Ack!”

Embarrassed, she hit Carsein’s back accidentally.

—

Without a moment to think about why Harnier hit her back, a fierce breakfast ensued.

Still unsure why she got hit,

But I felt something changed in my body.

▶ Western Region Special Status Effect: Defeshan Syndrome is cured!◀

▶ Stats that should have decreased remain the same!◀

A debuff that I’ve never removed since playing this game.

An abnormal status effect that persisted from visiting the Marquis House of Aiferos until clearing the episode.

Now, stats remain unchanged.

Though it may seem trivial, the significance of removing a debuff is enormous.

Facing the upcoming duel with Marquis Aiferos,

My chance of passing the test against Pollux Tootlum increased significantly.

However,

This increase doesn’t guarantee victory.

My insufficient stats won’t be enough to match Pollux’s attack.

His vast experience would be starkly different from my swordplay, which is more about dueling.

So,

I had to prepare thoroughly.

To survive.

“Uh?”

Arriving slightly earlier than the scheduled time for the duel,

He sensed my presence and turned around.

I immediately drew my sword and took my stance.

“Hmm. The duel time hasn’t arrived yet. There’s no need to start so early. You could take more time to warm up.”

“…”

“You’re still impatient.”

Seeing no sign of backing down, he aimed his sword at me.

“Carsein? We don’t need to start the duel right away…”

“Stop it, Merchant Guild.”

“…Pollux.”

“This boy has no intention of backing down, right?”

“Yes.”

Delaying any longer wouldn’t change anything.

The only way to clear this episode is to prove my strength to Pollux.

“…”

With Harnier stepping aside reluctantly,

Pollux squinted at me, asking:

“How long have you been holding a sword?”

How long?

A tricky question.

Should I count from when I started, or from when Carsein began?

Pollux seemed to realize this.

“Never mind. It doesn’t matter. We’ll know soon enough when we clash swords.”

Clang!

“Let’s go, Carsein.”

Thud!

He leaped towards me, hitting the ground hard.

Clang!

A cold, sharp sound echoed.

—

When Carsein set foot here,

Pollux had already guessed.

Something serious had happened.

His eyes were different.

Clearly focused, but with a hint of something sharp in them.

What was inside?

To find out, they needed to clash swords.

Carsein accepted this.

“I see. I want to see it now. What kind of cold, sharp beast lies within your body.”

After a brief warning, Pollux charged at Carsein.

Only the dance of swords remained.

Clang!

Their first clash.

A heavy strike.

Physically, Pollux was overwhelmingly superior.

Carsein’s unfinished body struggled to withstand Pollux’s first strike.

Yet,

He didn’t easily give ground.

“Hmm. He retreated momentarily to lessen the impact, then pushed forward with his front leg, maintaining balance.”

Pollux narrowed his eyes.

In a duel, he was serious.

This blow would have knocked out amateurs holding their swords carelessly.

Yet, he regained an equal footing through exceptional judgment and calculation.

Then,

Clang!

He twisted his path, seizing the opportunity for a counterattack.

These were no ordinary opponents.

Even amidst defense, thoughts of the next attack were already forming in his mind.

In other words,

He was fully committed to this duel.

They clashed swords several more times.

It was a good performance.

Strategic, practical, and efficient.

He deserved praise.

—

Pollux’s expression darkened.

Even after just a few exchanges, Pollux frowned involuntarily, drawn in by the scent of Carsein’s sword.

Inwardly, he furrowed his brow completely.

“What is this sword?”

How could a human’s sword feel so cold, dark, and lonely?

What happened to this young boy to make him seem so rigid, like a doll?