A cold wind is blowing, yet for some reason, sweat is pouring down Nameless’s forehead like he’s just run a marathon.
“What are you doing? Just stutter on, why don’t you?”
After some awkward mumbling, Nameless took a cautious step closer and cautiously reached out his hand.
“…Master.”
“Yeah, I’m listening, aren’t I?”
I stepped back a little and flashed a sly smile.
As the distance widened again, Nameless’s hand flailed aimlessly in the air, missing its destination.
He blinked, staring at his own hand. A short moment later, his whole body started to stiffen like stone.
“…”
“Hmph.”
I shot a glance at him, then turned my head away with an air of aloofness.
“What on earth are you two doing…?”
“Saint, it’s not polite to meddle in someone else’s love life.”
A rather nonsensical voice came from behind, but I shrugged it off quickly. Right now, I was just too disappointed in Nameless. What exactly I was disappointed about, I’m not even sure myself, but whatever.
“Hmm.”
I nodded along, trying to maintain my composure.
– Cheon Mu-myeong
I glanced at the Master walking about two steps away from me.
…Certainly, there are still opportunities.
It wasn’t baseless blabbering either. Just look, the Master hasn’t completely distanced herself from me; we’re just walking side by side with a bit of space.
I had never seen this exact scene before, but my instincts were shouting.
There’s still a chance.
…Of course, it could just be some human instinct to think positively in a crisis.
If I don’t think like this, I feel like I’ll just collapse right there.
With a determined expression, I nodded my head and cautiously approached the Master.
“…”
A part of me was worried she would pull away this time too, but luckily, the Master merely sighed lightly and fixed her gaze ahead as she observed me slowly closing the distance.
…Thank goodness, right?
I bit my lip hard.
Slowly, ever so stealthily, I inched closer to the Master’s side until our hands were about to touch.
I shut my eyes tightly and carefully opened my mouth.
“Um… Master.”
“What is it?”
The Master’s voice was flat, void of emotion.
I peeked my eyes open slightly because of my anxiety, and when I looked at her face again, she wore a rather chilling smile, the kind devoid of any spark.
…My uneasiness escalates.
My darting eyes tried to keep up with my racing thoughts, and I clenched my eyes shut again before bowing slightly.
“I’m sorry.”
“…”
I was terribly anxious. I wished she would just reprimand me or say something so I wouldn’t lose my mind in this silence.
After a long pause, the Master finally uttered the words that twisted my thoughts completely.
“What for?”
My mind went blank.
Staring, mouth agape, at the Master, she stepped closer and leaned in.
Her lifeless jet-black eyes locked onto mine.
“What did you do wrong?”
“…”
I didn’t even know what to say, so I merely tweaked my lips in vain.
…To be honest, I felt utterly wronged.
I had no clue what I had done; yet here my Master was, giving me a look I had never seen before, cold and distant.
It made me want to rip out my heart and toss it away.
Biting my lip, I rolled my eyes around nervously, carefully choosing my words.
My instincts warned me: if I answered incorrectly now, the Master would treat me coldly for days to come…
Just imagining that made my head spin, and I squeezed my eyes shut.
As I tried to think hard, a memory popped into my head from the past.
‘There shouldn’t be any lies in a master-disciple relationship.’
Although I was indeed hiding something from the Master at this moment… I put that aside.
To resolve the current crisis, I decided to use the Master’s words to express my thoughts honestly.
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I had wrapped it up convincingly, but at the end of the day…
I was simply going to say I had no clue.
“I don’t know….”
“So you’re saying you did nothing wrong, yet you’re apologizing to me?”
The faint smile from earlier on the Master’s face immediately flattened out like a piece of paper.
Cold sweat began to pour down my back.
Panicking, I shook my head wildly, opening my mouth.
“That’s not it!”
“Then?”
“Um….”
…I was out of words.
How was I supposed to answer when I didn’t even know what I did wrong?
In truth…
I had a few guesses in my mind, but none that I could pinpoint accurately.
I caught another glimpse of the Master.
She seemed to expect what I would say next, raising the corners of her mouth just slightly while waiting.
…Her eyes were still lifeless.
For some reason, that sight sent shivers down my spine.
Who in their right mind would think of that as jealousy?
As I pondered what to say to ease the Master’s mood, a small sigh interrupted my thoughts.
I twisted my gaze toward the sound.
There stood the Master, lightly shaking her head while pressing her forehead, looking slightly defeated.
“…Enough, tsk, what on earth am I doing at this age?”
With that, she waved her hand dismissively and pulled me to her side.
“Come here.”
…Is it over?
I almost collapsed from relief but stopped myself because I didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of the Master.
“Lucius, what on earth are you two doing…?”
“Saint, as I said before, it’s best not to meddle in someone else’s love life.”
Another incomprehensible voice chimed in from behind, but I focused on my moment of gratitude towards the Master.
I still wasn’t sure exactly what I was thankful for, but whatever.
I beamed, holding the Master’s hand in mine.
“Thank you.”
“Hmm, yeah.”
…
– Cheon Ha-rang
A tall castle built on a steep cliff.
Standing watch like it was marking its territory was a guard, or rather, a knight.
They had a completely different vibe from the guards I had seen before stationed at the walls.
Their posture was strict and unwavering, with snow piled upon their shoulders without hindrance.
Their pose passed professional standards.
Squinting, I scanned the knight from head to toe.
“Whoa….”
While I didn’t have an absolute grasp of martial prowess, it was obvious this person had evenly distributed their energy all over their body, a clear sign of long-term training.
Just as I was weighing the knight’s merits, Lucius stepped forward holding a piece of paper with a symbol drawn on it, approaching the knight.
“You all can wait here for a moment.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Elia smiled as she saw Lucius off.
I waved my hand to say goodbye and approached Elia, asking softly.
“Elia.”
“Yes?”
It seemed Elia didn’t expect me to approach her first, as her eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Hmm, perhaps I should have talked to her more often…?
Feeling somewhat guilty.
“Uh, um.”
Clearing my throat due to my awkwardness, I opened my mouth again.
“Can you tell me about Iron Blood?”
“…Iron Blood?”
Elia nodded slightly, then tilted her head in confusion.
“I thought Nameless knew a lot about that; why don’t you ask him?”
I glanced back at Nameless, who was tiptoeing toward me, only to freeze in place before returning to his original spot.
“Tsk, I just feel sick talking about it with that guy.”
Elia covered her mouth, giggling softly.
“…Why are you laughing?”
“No, just… you’re cute.”
“…”
I seriously hated being called cute…
No way did I want to say anything awkward to Elia, so I awkwardly turned my head away.
“So, what kind of person is this Iron Blood?”
“…Person? No, that’s not it.”
Elia shook her head, letting out a sigh.
“Well, um, how should I put it…?”
“I’m not looking for details; just a brief impression is enough.”
I’ve heard enough about how impressive she is through Nameless’s tongue-in-cheek remarks.
The reason I was asking was simply genuine curiosity.
If she’s the person behind the knight standing guard at the wall below, she must be remarkable.
I nodded slightly, waiting for Elia’s answer, only to hear a response that made no sense at all.
“Um… when you talk to her, she’s a bit… well, she gets angry sometimes…?”
“…?”
“Um, I shouldn’t say this, but she can come off as a bit arrogant…? Not that she can’t be, but… I’m losing my words here…”
What on earth is that supposed to mean?
