Anna swings her sword down, striking the ground.
– Boom!
With a thunderous vibration that shakes the eardrums, Anna’s body leaps into the air, pointing at the moon.
“…What the heck is going on?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, I stare at her for a moment until the distance grows and she becomes nothing more than a dot.
“Ugh… This is unexpected. Should I chase after her?”
Not pleased with this scenario, I toss my hair back and let out a heavy sigh.
“What the… where is she going now?”
Tsk. I click my tongue softly, driving the wooden sword into the ground.
It’s a form of rebellion, really, because chasing after her is just too much hassle.
“Ugh.”
Watching her run away, it seems that Anna and Bell have misunderstood something…
“Was there really something to misunderstand?”
Once again, I did my best to explain everything, and there was no reason for them to misinterpret my words.
Yeah. No matter how I think about it, there wasn’t.
“Hmm…”
However, thinking about Anna’s personality, she wouldn’t turn her back for no reason.
“…Well, if that’s the case.”
It’s likely that I said something wrong again.
I’m capable of thinking, so I know if I hadn’t made any verbal missteps, there wouldn’t be any reason for them to run away.
So, it must be my fault…
“Sigh… This is a headache.”
I glance in the direction Anna went, pouting my lips and frowning for a moment.
“…That direction?”
Certainly, it was the path where they came looking to ambush me.
‘The expected route of the Imperial Army.’
So, if the Imperial Army hasn’t stopped here, that must be where they’re headed.
Thinking of that makes the subsequent thought come naturally.
“…Are they looking for the Imperial Army?”
Anna and Bell left here to find traces of the Imperial Army.
If that’s the case, does Anna think I’ve captured the Imperials somewhere, and is she moving to rescue them?
“…Ugh.”
Just thinking about it makes my head ache.
‘How did it come to this… What a pain.’
It’s not that I’m trying to guess incorrectly, but it’s simply too easy to anticipate.
‘It makes sense, though…’
The reason Anna left is quite reasonable.
And as I realize that this misunderstanding arose because I was careless with my words, I feel like I am starting to understand the issue with my way of speaking that constantly invites misunderstandings, as Nameless always said.
Thus, it only adds to my headache.
‘…What should I do?’
Contrary to Anna’s assumptions, even if I head there, the Imperial Army and Anna won’t meet.
Why?
Because, after all, I’ve kept them segregated.
…Well, I’ve subdued them, at least.
Otherwise, they might start running around again, right?
No, definitely they would run amok.
It’s obvious they would, considering how they swung swords at me out of nowhere.
“Tsk.”
Anyway, what I must do now is clear.
“I guess I have to chase them.”
Since we’ve crossed paths, it makes sense to share a few words.
And I must clear up this misunderstanding that arose.
More than anything, I’m a bit concerned about the answer Anna and Bell told me.
‘They clearly said no one showed up.’
So then, where could they possibly be?
Up until now, I hadn’t questioned their choice, but thinking about it now, it feels a little strange.
Lucius, Elia, and even Camilla.
They have connections with Anna, and above all, they follow the Emperor’s orders.
And they were the ones who promised to prevent me from doing anything, so I expected them to come here.
Or rather, regardless of all that, given their personality, I thought they would definitely show up.
They have their own convictions, after all.
They understand the actions that align with their beliefs and execute them accurately.
Could it really be that they didn’t come?
In my view, that doesn’t seem possible.
Of course, even so, it doesn’t mean Anna and Bell are lying to me.
They might not know, or perhaps it’s indeed the truth.
Based on their expressions and heart rates, it didn’t seem like they were lying.
“Well, for now, I’ll catch them and think.”
Not long after, I arrive at a secluded forest.
“Hmm, are we playing hide-and-seek or something?”
Relying on the faint presence I feel, I begin to scan my surroundings when I hear a small rustling sound near my ear.
‘…Behind the rock?’
The presence feels so ambiguous and frustrating that I didn’t notice it hiding there.
Just as I’m shaking my head and about to walk toward the large rock—
“Master.”
I stop in my tracks at the voice that grips me.
…Nameless?
“Hmm? Why are you here? Where is everyone else?”
“I came after organizing things, so you don’t need to worry, Master.”
“…Hmm, well…”
If you say so, what more can I say?
“Master.”
As I nod, lost in thought, Nameless hesitates before speaking again.
“What’s the reason for sparing them?”
“Huh?”
“I understand that you wish to avoid unnecessary killings, but weren’t they foolish ones aiming for your life?”
Hmm, true enough…
As everyone knows, I don’t exactly favor killing… No one appreciates it, really.
That’s why, until the day I stood with the wooden sword, I eliminated them all, right?
That wouldn’t happen, but there was a chance I could miscalculate or make a mistake with my sword trajectory and take a life.
Well, it became lengthy to explain, but.
In any case, I get the gist of Nameless’s words.
Even if I were in his position, I wouldn’t have the confidence to leave those who wished harm alive.
Hmm… now that I think about it, it’s frustrating.
Regardless, if I were to offer a small explanation regarding Nameless’s question it would be:
“The soldiers just attacked me at the behest of their superiors. It’s not their own will.”
If someone needs to be blamed, it should be the Emperor instead.
After all, he ordered them to attack me, so didn’t that provoke their actions?
Well, I feel like giving the Imperial Army a little dose of respect for hindering me, but I can’t say I don’t understand their position.
This is my way of seeing things too.
“Do you understand?”
“Yes. How could I oppose your opinion, Master?”
Nameless nods with a breezy expression, smiling as if he expected that.
“Alright… then.”
Now that Nameless’s curiosity has been satisfied, I’m ready to head beyond that rock to find Anna and Bell…
– Boom!!!
There’s no way that’s happening now.
“What the hell…”
Peering at Nameless with furrowed brows as the thunderous sound reaches us without giving any space to breathe.
Nameless responds with a small smile as if waiting for my confusion.
“It seems someone has arrived.”
“Who has come… wait, don’t tell me.”
It didn’t take me long to grasp his words.
After all, the individuals Nameless refers to are few people anyone can understand without needing to mention names.
It’s those I haven’t seen in ages.
Perhaps this could be the last time we meet.
“Heh, I’ll get to hear the choices they’ve made directly.”
I feel remorse for Anna and Bell, but they don’t outrank my priorities—I need to address these unexpected guests first.
Also, considering how long it may take to persuade them to join without using force, I realize…
‘This situation can’t be helped.’
Right?
“Nameless.”
Of course, even if they’re lower on my priority list, I shouldn’t leave them unattended since they are valuable guests.
The weather is chilly; I can’t let them catch a cold, right?
It’s best to take them to the hut soon.
“Temporarily call the kids here.”
“Is it the Cheonma Church?”
To do so, someone needs to remain here to bring them over.
Naturally, guests ought to be treated well.
Without responding, I nod, pointing toward the rock where Anna and Bell must have hidden.
“Understood. I’ll follow soon.”
“Alright, I’ll go ahead first, so follow me.”
“Yes, Master.”
Thinking of seeing those familiar faces again fills me with joy, and my steps become lighter.
“What choices did you make?”
*
Now that the overwhelming presence has dissipated,
“Phew…”
Bell exhales the breath she’d been holding, wiping her forehead.
“Are we… okay now?”
Though a new enormous presence has arisen, it’s nowhere near comparable to Cheon Ha-rang’s.
Feeling uncertain, Bell is also someone who has been a professor in one subject.
It feels ridiculous to be on the receiving end like this.
But whether she likes it or not, given her position, she must act when it’s necessary.
Moreover, the person next to her holds the title of the Academy’s head and the previous Hero. So, if they aren’t Cheon Ha-rang, there’s no way they would lose.
‘Ah, or maybe…?’
As she attempts to share the excitement of being alive and to reassure herself, she throws a comment at Anna.
“…”
Strangely enough, there’s no response.
“Headmaster…?”
An uncomfortable surge of anxiety rises.
Curiosity rather than resolution floods Bell, who turns to seek answers.
“Why…why is this happening…?”
Instead of finding clarity, Bell finds herself caught in a web of confusion.
More than anything, she feels anxious.
‘Why is this happening…?’
Surely…
Looking worried, Anna bites her lip, her pale face whispering,
“…It could be getting more dangerous.”
“W-What…?”
Surely not.
“The presence I sense isn’t small. It’s numerous. And, unless it’s Harang, they won’t hesitate to ambush us.”
“…Ah.”
“And I’ve received a message that the Imperial Army is gathering here based on my signal.”
As Anna speaks sincerely, Bell gulps her dry throat.
‘This is bad…’
It seems like the fight is about to escalate more than anticipated.
