Ch.111Twelve Heavens (6)

The Twelve Heavens (6)

Esmeralda had been taking Millia’s side for the past few days.

She had paired up Lug and Millia while interfering with Eirene.

As a result, the distance between Lug and Millia had noticeably decreased, successfully delivering a severe mental blow to Eirene who watched them.

“Millia, that’s enough for now.”

“Okay…”

Thanks to this, Esmeralda had firmly secured her grip on her companions’ leashes.

Even Millia obediently let go of Lug at Esmeralda’s word.

Esmeralda was pleased, like a pet owner watching their dog stop on command.

Ironically, Esmeralda’s decision had delivered a significant shock to both Millia and Eirene.

“Just remember that whoever brings me more benefits will be the one allowed to stay close to Mr. Lug next time.”

Their relationship with Lug changed according to Esmeralda’s decisions.

Both women understood this clearly—Millia because she had experienced happiness she’d never felt before, and Eirene because she had been forced to watch helplessly.

They realized that any future relationship with Lug would require Esmeralda’s permission.

‘This is nice. I didn’t realize it would be this comfortable with Mr. Lug cooperating…’

And all of this was possible because Lug had agreed to cooperate with Esmeralda from now on.

Lug, who had been constantly thinking about escape plans, had decided to cooperate with Esmeralda, allowing her to support one side over the other. In the past, she would have worried about them making eyes at each other and escaping together, but now Lug would even help prevent escapes.

‘What’s good is good.’

She couldn’t understand what had caused this change of heart no matter how much she tried to read him, but it was a fortunate development for her, who had always walked a middle path among these lunatics.

‘However…’

Esmeralda thought as she slowly put down her spoon at the dinner table her parents had prepared.

‘This isn’t so good.’

It was the fact that Lug had started buttering up her parents.

“My, not only tall and handsome, but diligent too… Mr. Lug, please take good care of our Esmeralda. I’ve been so worried because she’s always acted like such a tomboy. But now I feel at ease knowing such a wonderful person is by her side.”

“Haha! Don’t worry, Mother. The Hero is truly a charming person. I myself was captivated by those qualities.”

“Oh my! Oh my! Esmeralda, did you hear that? You’ve been doing well behind our backs while pretending otherwise, haven’t you?”

“No, what do you mean doing well…”

Lug’s social skills were extraordinary. She couldn’t just shout that everything he was saying to reassure her parents was a lie.

Nevertheless, Esmeralda wished he would stop saying such things that put her in a threatening position.

The gazes of the two women she had barely managed to tame were growing hostile again.

***

Around the time Esmeralda’s parents began to subtly acknowledge Lug as a potential son-in-law, Esmeralda left her hometown almost like she was fleeing and set out for Peroco territory.

Since it wasn’t very far from her hometown, the journey didn’t take long.

There were no incidents along the way either.

The only problems were that Tina, who had received emergency treatment, still hadn’t opened her eyes, and…

“It’s still not usable yet, right?”

“I don’t think so, no.”

The holy sword hadn’t fully regenerated yet.

After several days, the shattered fragments of the sword had reattached, but it was still covered in cracks as if it might break apart again at any moment. It would probably shatter into pieces with just one swing.

“Can’t you use your divine power to make it regenerate with a poof?”

“Since I didn’t create it…”

The holy sword had existed before Lug became a heavenly deity.

Considering the scenery he had witnessed beyond the heavens, it would be correct to think that the holy sword was essentially a being similar to them.

There was no way Lug could interfere with the holy sword now that he had lost not only his enlightenment but also his divine power.

“What a useless guy.”

Esmeralda clicked her tongue at Lug’s position, which hadn’t changed from before. No, hadn’t he become even more useless after passing off his porter and coachman roles to Extra?

And that wasn’t all.

“Mr. Lug, could you help me put on this necklace?”

“Of course.”

Swish.

Eirene subtly showed her snow-white nape, seducing Lug. He approached as if entranced and gazed at her neck as if caressing it with his eyes.

Even from behind, Eirene’s ears were visibly red.

“My shoulders are stiff…”

“Let me massage them for you.”

Millia, who had been glaring at Eirene, patted her own shoulders while deliberately emphasizing her chest.

Lug, who had been leisurely admiring Eirene’s nape while fastening the rosary necklace chain, quickened his movements.

After securing the rosary necklace around Eirene’s neck, he headed toward where Millia was.

“…”

Eirene turned her head and stared intently at Lug and Millia.

Lug’s attention was already captured by Millia’s two prominences, and Millia sneered at Eirene who was glaring at her, as if finding her contemptible.

This had become a daily occurrence.

“Haah…”

Esmeralda heaved a deep sigh at the sight of the two women.

This incident had increased the frequency of their mutual vigilance and attempts to seduce Lug.

The problem was that during this process, they would inevitably glance at Esmeralda at least once.

‘Yes, yes, enjoy your lovely romance. But please stop looking at me like that.’

Because Lug had thoroughly charmed Esmeralda’s parents, their wariness toward her had also increased.

How was it that their trust in each other was decreasing day by day?

Esmeralda didn’t like Lug, the queen bee who had entered the hero’s party.

However, she couldn’t keep him at a distance either because…

“Ah, I’ll go scout for a campsite nearby. Since the Lieutenant Colonel is driving the carriage, I should at least do this much.”

“Yes, take care.”

“Mr. Lug. Please return safely.”

“See you later.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

When Lug disappeared, a suffocating tension would begin to fill the air between the three of them.

Esmeralda, who had finally revealed her direct ambitions to the two women using Lug; Eirene, the mastermind behind this whole situation; and Millia, who was vigilantly looking for a chance to make a comeback.

The three no longer considered each other as trustworthy companions. They were just parties to a contract.

Eirene wore a mask of falsehood with her bright smile, while Millia maintained her composure with an expressionless face.

Between the two, Esmeralda kept her hand on her sword hilt, preparing for the volatile situation.

“Ugh…”

The one suffering the most in this situation was none other than Extra, who had volunteered for the roles of coachman and porter.

This party was already unfamiliar enough.

Having joined the hero’s party with his leash half-held by Lug, it wouldn’t be strange if his head rolled at any moment.

He could only hold his breath, hoping this storm would pass quickly.

‘I… should have tried to see things more from your perspective…’

Extra could finally repent. Lug had endured this atmosphere for a full three years.

He regretted his own ignorance for having scoffed at such a path of hardship.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry!”

Extra wept in secret.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was at its worst.

***

Although I had left the carriage briefly to scout for a campsite, my real purpose was different.

I had approached this matter lightly, but my opponent was no ordinary person.

Mara-papiyas.

I know her malevolence well.

I also know she’s not someone who would just sit back and take things.

Since we’ve drawn her to Peroco territory, she must be making thorough preparations.

She’s likely to lead us into some kind of trap before we arrive.

But she also said she didn’t want to be hostile toward us. In fact, she’s been supporting the hero’s party.

Of course, her methods are extremely horrific and selfish.

“I know. I know about you better than anyone else.”

Yes, considering La•Pa’s personality, it wouldn’t be strange if she had already been watching us from afar.

Moreover, it’s only natural that her attention would be drawn to me—likely her most troublesome opponent—coming out alone like this.

I came here to reduce the burden on the hero, Esmeralda.

Yes, I’m trying to negotiate with La•Pa in advance on her behalf.

“I know you’ve been following me all this time. So could you please show your face now?”

Of course, in my current state, I can’t detect La•Pa’s presence.

But based on the situation, she’s almost certainly nearby.

Rustle. Rustle.

After a moment, there was the sound of someone pushing through the undergrowth, and a human figure appeared. As expected, I knew they would be nearby.

“Hmm, hmm. W-what do you mean you know about me? W-we’re not that close, you know?”

“…”

But the person who appeared was different from who I expected.

Emerging from the undergrowth was a person with red hair that suited her well—the former 5th Corps Commander of the Demon Lord’s army.

Garnet.

The moment I saw her face, blushing with embarrassment as she fidgeted with her hair, I finally realized.

“I-I was very worried. Where have you been all this time, Garnet?”

“R-really? Hmm, hmm. H-how presumptuous. Who’s worried about whom…”

That I had completely forgotten about her existence.