episode_0161

*

I met Irene for the first time in a while, and as always, she still looked like a shining female knight.

Should I say that the feeling of being slightly wet with sweat, perhaps a sign of intense training, is also nice.

When I saw her smile in joy without realizing it, I felt that I was also tied to her.

Of course, if you ask me if I don’t like it, I don’t.

“Irene. I’m sorry for coming to you suddenly without saying anything.”

“Uh… … .”

“I have something to ask you today… … Irene?”

No matter how many times I called her name, I was still mesmerized for some reason.

For some reason, his expression isn’t very good either.

Did something happen?

I asked, studying her face.

“Irene.”

“Huh?! iced coffee… … Uh, s, swen. Uh, here… … You came. Hmm.”

“What happened? I don’t look good… … .”

“No, no! Nothing happened. that is… … Well, just, Swen. Except that I was surprised that you came so silently… … Yes, it’s okay.”

“If that’s the case, I’m glad.”

“But… … .”

Irene came closer to me and asked in a whisper.

“That person… … Who is it?”

Irene looked at Ioline behind me without saying a word.

“Ah, that is.”

And, at that moment when I hesitated for a moment about where to start explaining about her-

“Swen, what is your relationship with me… … By any chance, are you trying to introduce me? that… … Like Ms. Reika… … Another woman you had a conversation with… … ?”

“Yes? No.”

I waved my hand in embarrassment at the appearance of a word I had never thought of, but-

For some reason, he seemed to be in something similar to a panic, and kept muttering as if he couldn’t believe it.

“I was really surprised when I heard Reika’s story… … no way… … !”

“Irene, calm down.”

I put my hand on her shoulder.

Only then does her trembling calm down.

“It’s a bit complicated to explain… … Anyway, it’s not a conversation alone.”

“Okay… … ? Really?”

“Of course.”

“… … Yes.”

… … ?

It was strangely difficult to read Iren’s behavior today.

She was always upright and the type of person whose thoughts were very easy to read… … Should I say that I feel strangely unfamiliar with her?

anyway-

I talked for a while about what my relationship was with Ioline and what had happened so far.

“So… … So you’re saying she’s the younger sister of your roommate who appears to have gone missing?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, hello… … ! My name is Ioline al Kaski.”

For some reason, Ioline, who had been staring at me all the time, finally greeted me, Irene responded with a very kind smile.

“The introduction is late. My name is Irene Juliet. If you’re Al Kaski, then you’re probably General Irian’s blood relative?”

“Yes. He is our head of the family and great brother.”

After a brief introduction to each other, we ended.

“So, what do you plan to do?”

“Since I know that it is within the territory, I plan to continue the search… … I think I’ll need Irene’s help. Also, something like this requires bravery… … .”

“It must be difficult for you alone. Yes, you said it would be best if it didn’t reach the master’s ears, right?”

“Yes.”

Since I explained the whole situation, she seemed to understand my story without much difficulty.

“Then, I will help you as soon as today’s mission is over. That will work, right?”

“Of course, that would be good, right?”

I said, looking in the direction where Ioline was.

Ioline also nodded, knowing that there was no other option.

“Please wait a moment, Ioline. I will finish it soon.”

“No… … ! I’m grateful just for your help.”

Ioli bowed his head several times and expressed his gratitude.

“Oh, that’s right. Irene. When does today’s training end?”

“Huh? I think it will be over in an hour or two… … .”

“If that’s enough, I’ll just wait here. Is it okay?”

This is the barracks’ reception room.

I thought it would be better to stay here rather than wander around outside.

Anyway, I was part of Serpina’s army, and I’m just a civilian. If I say I’m of Irian’s blood, you’ll understand.

“Yes, okay. Well then, I’ll be back soon.”

“Please come back.”

After sending Irene back, I was lost in thought when Ioline asked me a question.

“Is that Irene?”

“Yes.”

“At first, I thought he was a very scary person because he seemed wary of me, but he is very kind… … .”

Are you on guard?

‘Was it like that?’

I didn’t really feel that way, but since everyone feels different, I was about to move on.

“I… … Are you in a romantic relationship with Irene?”

“… … yes? Suddenly?”

Following Irene, even Ioline was saying words I had never thought of in front of me.

“That… … The way you two look at each other is so… … Well, what can I say, it’s amazing… … !”

I thought it was very girlish to put your hand on your face with your eyes sparkling, but-

I said, shaking my head slightly.

“It’s nothing bad for me, but I don’t know what it’s like for Irene.”

“Okay… … ?”

“Yes. Because he’s someone who doesn’t think deeply about anything other than battle.”

Didn’t they say that the way to avoid being disappointed is not to have high expectations?

Rather than ruining the relationship by making a hasty proposal out of nowhere, I wanted to approach her in a safe and secure situation.

but… … Does my facial expression in front of her seem noticeable even to a third party like Ioline?

‘I need to exercise some restraint.’

I heard that men who flutter too much are not very popular.

I spent the time until she finished training thinking such nonsense.

* * *

Same time.

“… … .”

Excited, Excited.

Iren stopped walking back to the training ground and slightly leaned against the hallway.

My face was hot. Because of what I felt just now… … It felt like something was swirling inside my mind.

After learning that Reika had been talking about marriage with Swen.

For some reason, every time I saw the woman he brought in, I felt a feeling that I had never felt before in my life surround her.

If Swen hadn’t calmed him down just a moment ago, wouldn’t he have almost lost his mind?

‘Why am I like this… … ?’

This isn’t like me.

It is not a good thing to have as a knight.

No matter what kind of woman Swen brings, and regardless of whether the relationship is a man-woman relationship, she deserves to be the sword and shield that supports Swen and protects him.

It was not something that would become this complicated due to personal thoughts and such.

but.

why… … Could it be that I end up being dominated by these terrible feelings, unable to support him with an upright heart?

‘I only think about what I learned from my father.’

No matter what happens, move for the sake of what you want to protect.

That’s what she learned from her father Kafka.

Of course, the ‘objects he wanted to protect’ that his father would have assumed were the Brans family’s children – but for Irene now, that object was Swen.

Even if Swen did not have a deep relationship with me, even if she married other women, the fact that she would live for him forever was the most certain compass in her life.

Even though I made up my mind like that… …

Why doesn’t my heart beat calm down?

‘Swen… … .’

Do I want to be his knight?

or not… … Do you want to be his woman?

‘… … !’

slap!

Irene hit her cheek hard with both hands.

good. I felt a little more conscious now.

‘First, let’s take care of what Swen asked for.’

Irene hid the stirrings in her heart deep inside and took steps again to resume training.

She grew up learning only to protect others, and was just a kind of shield… …

After meeting Swen, little by little, but surely, I was becoming a woman.

* * *

“Are you still living in the dorm?”

“Hmm. I think I will probably move into the residence given to me by my lord around next week.”

“Yes. I will also join as soon as things are organized.”

“Yes.”

After completing her mission, we headed to her lodgings to prepare for the interrogation, and a friendly face greeted us again.

“Ah, Irene… … ! uh… … Did Swen come too?”

“Hello.”

Is this your first time with Reika since St. Valentino’s Feast?

Suddenly, the frequency of shaking in front of us decreased, and now he was talking quite normally.

“Miss Reika? Are you coming to meet me?”

“Yes. What I want to show Irene… … There was… … To… … ?”

“?”

Where Reika’s gaze reached, Ioline was standing with a blank expression.

“… … ?”

“Uh… … ?”

“What’s wrong, Reika?”

“No, that’s… … That person… … ?”

“Ah, my name is Ioline Al Kaski.”

what?

Irene also froze for a moment when she saw Ioline, but she didn’t seem to be embarrassed like this.

“Uh… … The woman is right… … ?”

“… … !”

and.

It was only after hearing Reika’s words that I was able to instinctively notice it.

“Mr. Reika!”

“Kyaaa… … !!”

I asked while holding both of Reika’s hands.

“Have you ever seen Ioline somewhere else?!”

“Su, Su… … Swen… … ???”

“Calm down, Swen!”

Because Irene stopped me, I realized that I had acted a little too much.

“No, that… … I’m sorry. Anyway, what you mean by ‘it’s a woman’ is… … I thought it was a man, so don’t you mean it wasn’t your first time meeting?”

“No, that… … He, I, I… … .”

this.

It’s been a few minutes since I thought things were getting better… … She went back to her usual ‘stupid mode’ again.

I said, slowly stroking her hand.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you… … Just be honest. Reika might be of great help right now.”

“Help… … ?”

“Of course! Help!”

After hearing my words, Reika’s trembling pink eyes gradually calmed down…

He quickly nodded and responded in a voice full of enthusiasm.

“If it helps… … Anything… … !”

good.

First, let’s listen to Reika’s story.

* * *

“Are you saying you’ve seen it before?!”

Ioline asked Reika, unable to hide her excitement.

“Yes, four… … ! Well, in the market alley… … I saw someone who looked the same a few days ago, and he… … .”

The date she is talking about is when I was sharing a room with Ioline.

In other words, it overlapped with the period when Zenith was away.

“My brother is probably right!”

“Mr. Ioline, calm down.”

While I was trying to stop her, my face grew hot at the fact that I had just done that to Reika.

I had no intention of bothering the weak-hearted Reika… … .

“Ah… … sorry. So, that’s… … When was the last time you saw my brother?”

“So, that… … A few days ago, in an alley… … ”

“Do you remember where it is?”

Reika nodded and said to me.

“Yes… … ! I think you can find out in person.”

“Do you even remember the impressions of the people you were with?”

She nodded coolly in response to Iren’s question.

“Yes. Because it looked very characteristic… … I think you’ll know for sure when you see it.”

‘Things might turn out easier than you think.’

I was thinking of investigating every single house in the territory under the pretext of patrolling with Iren, but if Reika pointed out the location, we would be able to find it much faster.

Besides, if you could find out who was with you, wouldn’t the game be over already?

I said, holding Reika’s hand again.

“Thank you, Reika. It was really helpful!”

“Yes? ah… … no. Ehehe… … They say it was helpful, so… … Well, I’m glad… … .”

Reika said that and smiled while lowering her head.

Looking at it this way, she was a really cute girl.

Even if she is not a wizard, she is a woman who is lovely enough on her own.

“Then let’s leave right away. It’s okay for Miss Iolina to go back first.”

“No… … ! I also follow-”

“No.”

I looked at Ioline and explained the situation.

“In a situation where the scope can be narrowed, if someone who looks exactly like Zenith is seen walking around, it could actually be difficult. I think it would be best for Ioline to return to the mansion. I will make sure to give you good news.”

“Ah… … .”

Ioline quickly convinced me that he did not intend to intervene even though he knew that his presence would be a hindrance.

“Okay. Well then, Swen… … Everyone else, please take care of my brother.”

After sending Ioline away like that.

As Iren finished preparing for the interrogation, we followed behind her, with Reika taking the lead.

Ever since the day I made a hole in the castle wall as a member of the Aishus army-

It was the beginning of a joint project where the three of us got together again for the first time in a while.

*

I followed her and checked the market alley inside Eingart Castle.

There were certainly quite a lot of people as it was a capital city, and there were quite a few street vendors selling things that looked very strange and something I had never seen before.

“This way!”

The place Reika pointed to was a dark place that didn’t get much sunlight.

Strangely enough, even the footsteps stopped, and in an extremely eerie atmosphere, Irene confidently took the lead.

I whispered to Reika.

“Mr. Reika. Do you remember what I told you?”

“Yes… … !”

Nod.

There are two things I told her.

First, if you see a face you’ve seen – that is, the men who were with Janice – pinch my forearm.

And secondly-

Knock knock.

“Are you there?”

At the sound of Iren’s voice knocking on the door of the first house, Reika and I stood on either side and looked straight ahead without letting go of tension.

How many minutes have passed?

“Who are you?”

A voice comes from beyond. It’s a man’s voice.

“This is the patrol unit. I have a question to ask about an incident that has occurred around here, so I would appreciate it if you could come out and talk to me for a moment.”

Irene lied as I instructed without changing her expression.

The voice was so serious that even if I were that guy, I would have been fooled.

Not long after, the door suddenly opens.

A rather large man appeared.

“What is it?”

The moment I was looking at a fairly large man-

“… … !”

Mr. Reika… … I pinched my forearm.

‘already??’

Without further ado, the jackpot hit on the first house.