Ark.
Originally, it was the port city and final capital of the Phrilletscha Kingdom.
Now it belongs to the Hardenberg Dukedom and has become a key trading hub for Ariye Empire.
To put it another way, it’s a melting pot of all kinds of unsavory characters. Petty thieves and bandits are common, and there are numerous slave traders and human traffickers dealing in all sorts of races.
It’s also the place where Adelle was kidnapped as a slave during the story.
And yet…
“Are you saying you want to come along?”
“Yes.”
Adelle stood firm, her determined gaze giving me a headache. The fact that she was kidnapped in the original story is something only I know, so I’ll let that slide.
To begin with, Ark is practically a breeding ground for all types of criminal activity. What could possibly be her reason for wanting to go there?
When I asked her directly, I received a surprisingly simple answer.
“Because it’s the Emperor’s hometown.”
“Ah..”
Her reasoning wasn’t bad. If she can’t learn the royal secrets from someone else, she’ll have to investigate it herself.
The problem, however, lies in the dangers of Ark itself.
Back when the Phrilletscha Kingdom was on the verge of collapse, they set the entire city of Ark ablaze in an attempt to damage Ariye Empire.
Because of this, Ark suffered irreparable damage and essentially became a backwater town.
Of course, the city was later restored under the Emperor’s orders. However, the humanity of its inhabitants remains scorched, impossible to restore.
‘Could it be that she doesn’t know about Ark’s infamous reputation?’
I looked up to see Adelle’s bright, round eyes staring at me. It was clear she was largely unaware of the city’s darker nature.
“Is it not permissible?”
“Ark is rife with all kinds of criminal activity.”
“Ahh..”
She nodded in seeming understanding at my words. However, Adelle soon shook her head and countered me.
“But I have Evan.”
Evan.
A knight who has reached the Sword Expert level, just before Swordmaster status. By the quality of his aura alone, there are few who could match him. He’s likely strong enough to easily overpower even the Swordmaster Crown Prince.
It wasn’t entirely his fault that he couldn’t protect Adelle during the Hunting Festival. If anything, the blame lies with the royal family who tampered with the monsters.
Having him by her side would indeed provide some reassurance.
‘Still…’
The real issue lies in her overly relaxed attitude. I thought she had improved a little over the past few days, but it seems some habits are hard to break.
Like the time at the auction when she tried to take Luke’s attack for Lily, or during the Hunting Festival when she nearly fell to her death again.
Given the number of times she’s been in life-threatening situations yet hasn’t changed, it seems this won’t be an easy problem to resolve.
Though she doesn’t like the ability to rewind time, ironically, she seems to overly trust in it more than anyone else.
“Fine.”
This time, it would be best not to interfere. If things truly become dangerous, Adelle can always call on me through the crest.
Her offer of three opportunities was accepted with this in mind – to create save points in case she gets caught in an infinite loop.
“Really?”
Adelle’s face lit up instantly. Did she think I would refuse? She seemed more excited than a child who had unexpectedly found pocket money on the street.
“Yes, really.”
“Yay!”
“Ahem.”
She was so thrilled she didn’t even notice Alan trying to signal her.
“Prepare yourself.”
“Huh?”
She tilted her head in surprise at my words. Did she not expect we’d be leaving immediately?
“We’re heading to Ark right now.”
“Already?”
I shook my head at Adelle’s tone of complaint.
“There’s no time outside of these next few days.”
Thanks to my efforts over the past few days handling paperwork, I’ve managed to make time. The remaining tasks will be handled by Alan, so there’s no need to worry.
What I need to focus on is how to best utilize these few days.
“Ah, then what do I need to prepare?”
“Light clothing, extra clothes, and…”
I reached into my pocket space. After feeling around for quite a few miscellaneous items, I finally grasped what I was looking for.
“This too.”
“What is it?”
A necklace with a pure white gemstone.
It was an Artifact I had accidentally acquired at the royal auction.
“This is an Artifact. It’s needed for disguise.”
When used, it reverses the user’s hair and eye color. Though it doesn’t have crucial effects like full recognition concealment.
Due to its somewhat awkward properties, it had been left forgotten in the corner of my pocket space.
“So I just wear it?”
“Yes.”
Adelle carefully put the necklace on. When nothing seemed to happen at first, she looked confused.
The Artifact around Adelle’s neck began to vibrate, then started absorbing her mana.
Wooom…
The black hair tied back behind her turned silver, while her ruby-red eyes now gleamed with a sapphire blue hue.
I paused, struck momentarily by her transformed appearance.
A stunningly beautiful sight, in a whole new way.
“Hmm… Did something change?”
Not seeing any immediate changes, Adelle appeared a bit confused. However, from my perspective, the transformation was obvious.
Where once her sharp features and red eyes gave an impression of a wicked woman, now her softer, blue-eyed appearance gave her the air of a slightly mischievous saint.
This Artifact, which I thought had questionable utility, turned out to have quite a dramatic effect.
The 300 gold pieces I spent on it were worth it after all.
“Alan.”
“Yes?”
“Bring a mirror.”
“Understood.”
Alan bowed his head and left the room upon my command. Watching his retreating figure, Adelle’s face filled with question marks.
“Something really did change?”
“It changed quite a lot.”
Once she had a sharp, wicked-woman vibe, but now she radiates an air of a scheming saint.
Hearing my analogy, she crossed her arms and complained.
“What kind of analogy is that?”
“Exactly as I said. You’ll understand better once you see yourself in the mirror.”
“I’ve brought it.”
Alan walked into the room with a full-length mirror and carefully set it down. Adelle rushed to the mirror with small steps and let out a gasp when she saw her reflection.
Indeed, her appearance was markedly different from usual. Her slightly open mouth remained agape.
“Wow..”
The sounds of amazement continued repeated multiple times. Adelle turned this way and that, admiring her reflection in the mirror.
“Really… It’s just like Abel said.”
She nodded slightly in apparent agreement with the analogy I had made.
“A wicked-woman to a scheming-saint transition!”
“Excuse me? What does that mean?”
Hearing her words, Alan’s voice became higher in surprise. His gaze met mine as he looked at Adelle.
The strict look in Alan’s eyes made me instinctively avert my gaze.
“Lord.”
“…What is it?”
“There are certain things one should be careful to say to a lady.”
“Got it.”
I nodded at Alan’s words. Then he stopped speaking.
He probably knows that no matter how much he talks, I won’t listen.
Turning my head, I saw Adelle sticking her tongue out at an angle Alan couldn’t see. I should probably be a little more careful with what I say from now on.
Especially in front of a tattletale like her.
—
Clatter clatter.
The distinctive noise of the train filled my ears. The scenery beyond the window was passing by much faster than expected.
The speed was similar to the subway trains from my previous life.
Is this also the power of magical engineering? I had the same thought when riding the carriage up the mountain during the Hunting Festival. The level of technological advancement in this world is truly asymmetrical.
Some aspects are not too different from modern times, while other areas lag behind even medieval standards.
‘What a strange world.’
Clearing my thoughts, I turned my head to see Lily sitting beside me. She was drooling slightly in an ungraceful manner while leaning against my shoulder.
This made me chuckle involuntarily.
It’s true that sitting for hours on end could make anyone tired.
Looking across from my seat, I saw Abel quietly reading a book.
‘Seems peaceful.’
His solemn atmosphere blending with the cozy ambiance of the train interior was actually quite a pleasing sight. Though I’m not used to seeing Abel at ease, it seemed somewhat alien to me.
It oddly provided a sense of reassurance.
I turned my gaze back to the window.
The reflection of a woman faintly appeared in the glass.
Silver hair with sea-blue eyes. While it was an unfamiliar sight, it’s the appearance I’ll need to adapt to while in Ark.
‘As for the sea…’
I didn’t even get to see the sea in my previous life. Too busy with part-time jobs and study to have time for leisure. I even turned down my friends’ invitations.
Thinking about it now, why did I reject their invitations for some part-time job? I could always find another job and start studying slowly later.
Strangely, now I feel a bit regretful.
‘Should I ask Abel to go together?’
The thought crossed my mind, but I shook my head. I didn’t think he’d agree to come along with me.
But if he did…
It might actually be quite enjoyable.
