Ch.118118. The Ball

Unlike the bustling first floor, the second-floor terrace was quiet. For Rex, who wanted to calm his complicated feelings, this was actually fortunate.

A cool breeze blew under the brilliantly bright full moon. Rex absentmindedly sipped his wine while gazing at the night view of Elysium. Chloe would need quite a long time to finish her bath. He had no acquaintances to chat with until then, nor did he want to approach complete strangers.

You are mine.

Chloe’s voice suddenly came to mind. Her flushed cheeks and affectionate gaze.

[Tonight, I shall finally witness my vassal becoming a true man. What a joyous occasion.]

“Kuhk!”

At those sudden words, Rex spat out his wine. As he grimaced and wiped the wine dripping from his mouth with his sleeve, Kaordix burst into hearty laughter and sneered.

[What are you embarrassed about? Romance between men and women is nothing to be ashamed of. It should be embraced proudly and accepted with dignity. A hero rightfully should have many women by his side.]

‘…Chloe and I don’t have that kind of relationship.’

[Not yet, you mean. You know it too. That girl harbors feelings for you. And so do you. Honestly, from my perspective as someone who’s always watching you, it’s truly frustrating. Your hearts are aligned, yet you keep avoiding it.]

“Ah, please.”

Rex grumbled as he set down his wine glass. He couldn’t deny it… Apart from the comment about having many women, it was true that Chloe and Rex had feelings for each other.

I know.

Chloe likes me.

Half a year in Lindveil. And three years in Edenhar. The feelings they held during that time had only deepened. Three years ago, Chloe postponed her confession, mentioning a more definite moment would come. On that rainy day, they confirmed their feelings for each other, but nothing more had progressed since then.

Perhaps today—their stagnant relationship might change. He had thought about that too. If Chloe really confessed to him. If she wanted something definite beyond their ambiguous relationship of more than friends but less than lovers.

I.

What choice should I make? His head was complicated with such thoughts.

‘I would be happy if Chloe and I became lovers.’

But that wasn’t all.

‘If I were an ordinary person, it wouldn’t be bad to become Chloe’s lover, build a family, and live happily.’

[My lord, I…]

Training swordsmanship under Charlotte, enjoying happy daily life with the two girls, and living leisurely without any accidents or misfortunes.

It’s a life too good for the current Rex. It’s not much different from his life so far, but the problem is that life is as unstable as glass that could shatter at any moment.

‘The Chaos Cult.’

Nothing has been resolved.

Shaharon, the Apostle of Void, said that Rex would eventually come to the cult on his own. The Chaos Cult hasn’t given up on Rex yet. Maybe they’ve given up after three years? That’s an optimistic thought akin to escapism. As long as there’s even a slight possibility, Rex can’t shake off his anxiety.

Last time, he was lucky. Thanks to Charlotte’s timely arrival, he was able to escape the crisis. But what about next time? Charlotte isn’t Rex’s bodyguard. She has her own life. It means she can’t stay by Rex’s side forever.

Even apart from Shaharon, the world is full of dangerous elements. What did he think when he ascended to Hwigwang? Didn’t he wish for power that would protect his peace from anyone? In the end, he needs power equal to or surpassing that of an Apostle.

‘I don’t have the luxury to enjoy romance. The same goes for Kaiserion. I don’t know why he implanted the remnant in me, but he clearly has an intention. Until I discover that secret, I’m in a position where I can’t achieve peace even if I want to.’

[…I’m sorry. I’ve unsettled your mind with unnecessary words.]

‘It’s alright.’

Rex shook his head with a bitter smile.

The emotions of Kaordix, connected through the mark, were transmitted. A mixture of regret and sympathy. Unlike his first impression, Kaordix was surprisingly playful and occasionally threw mischievous jokes. But ultimately, Kaordix was Rex’s god, and Rex was Kaordix’s only vassal.

He knew that Kaordix was always concerned about him.

Rex’s heart wasn’t so narrow as to be upset over a mere joke.

‘Rather.’

Rex turned his head.

“How long do you intend to just watch?”

Beyond the terrace railing, a tree rose high from the ground. Despite it being winter, the leaves grew lushly, densely covering the branches. Similar trees surrounded the ballroom in a circle.

“I don’t have a hobby of being voyeuristically watched by someone.”

The sound of leaves rustling in the wind could be heard.

But from the tree Rex was looking at, no sound was heard. It wasn’t just the sound. His developed senses had been alerting him to something off since the moment he sat down.

Not even feeling the presence that a person should naturally have, and a natural unity with the surroundings as if becoming one with all the scenery. That creates a disconnect.

It felt as if the tree kept escaping from his sight without him realizing it. An ordinary person wouldn’t have noticed this. He had left it alone until now because he was in the middle of a conversation with Kaordix, and no hostility was emanating from it.

“How long will you keep hiding?”

“…”

“Really now.”

Golden light gathered in Rex’s pupils. His gaze, which brightly illuminated the darkness, scanned the tree. Just as his swordsmanship and holy magic had grown, the blessing he possessed had also advanced incomparably from before. He could now do what he couldn’t do before.

The Warrior’s Gaze.

“You’re right there. Yes, I’m talking to you.”

The tree remained silent, but Rex saw embarrassment emanating from within it.

“I can see you, I said.”

“…Excuse me.”

Swish. As if a transparent curtain was being lifted, a woman’s figure appeared from the tree. The woman lightly jumped up and landed on the terrace.

“I wasn’t watching with impure intentions.”

She appeared to be a young woman in her mid-thirties. She bowed her head with discipline and spoke.

“My name is Liselotte. My master has a keen interest in you, Rex, so I was trying to observe from afar… which led to this rudeness. If my actions have displeased you, I will formally apologize.”

Rex narrowed his eyes and looked at Liselotte. Her stealth had been detected, but that was because Rex’s senses were exceptionally keen. Even a decent Seongakja would not have noticed her concealment.

He instinctively realized. Liselotte is a formidable expert. At least mid-level Hwigwang. Her limbs were slender and long, and she had two daggers at her waist. Perhaps she specialized in ambush rather than hand-to-hand combat.

If they were to fight.

‘I’d win.’

He didn’t think he would lose. Even if there was no hostility at the moment, situations could change unpredictably. He had to remain vigilant. Rex raised his concentration to be able to move at any moment and spoke.

“By master, you mean?”

“It’s impossible for me to explain about my master directly.”

“You’ve been secretly watching me, so shouldn’t I at least know the name?”

“I’m sorry.”

Liselotte bowed her head again with an expressionless face.

“My master is too noble for a mere servant like me to dare mention their name. I understand your anger for the rudeness I’ve committed. If you wish, I will use my body in any way to apologize, but as for revealing my master’s name…”

“Would you kneel if I told you to?”

“Yes.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Liselotte immediately knelt on one knee. Just as she was about to kneel on the other knee as well, Rex hurriedly reached out to stop her.

“I was joking.”

“But, the apology…”

“Don’t misunderstand. What benefit would I gain from you kneeling?”

Some people in the world might enjoy the humiliation of others, but Rex wasn’t one of them. Above all, he didn’t expect her to actually kneel right away when told to. Rex sighed deeply and raised a finger.

“Besides, I can see everything anyway.”

“…Pardon?”

“There.”

Rex pointed to the tree where Liselotte had been hiding. Liselotte’s face filled with shock.

“Surely not…”

“There were two of you from the beginning. That person is your master, right? Ah, just now. We made eye contact. Hello there.”

“Impossible, it’s a magical artifact made by a purple-grade magician…!”

Purple is the highest rank for magicians, and only a handful exist across the entire continent. Naturally, magical artifacts made by purple-grade magicians are worth a fortune, and even with enough money, one cannot obtain such treasures without sufficient qualifications.

The shock quickly faded. The magical artifact couldn’t protect Liselotte’s master. In an instant, Liselotte drew her daggers and created distance. Rex stared at her without any particular reaction and said:

“Isn’t the security for such a noble person too lax? It’s breached so easily.”

“…The Shadowcloth is an item that only a Seongakja close to an Apostle can see through.”

“But I’m not an Apostle?”

“That’s…”

Liselotte also didn’t understand why the Shadowcloth’s concealment had been breached.

She didn’t think the young man before her had ascended to Apostlehood. She had been investigating information about Rex since he arrived in Elysium. Early Hwigwang. Was the information wrong? Come to think of it, she hadn’t been able to properly gauge Rex’s level. If his level was similar to or lower than hers, she should have vaguely sensed it.

There was only one possibility left.

Rex is a master who surpasses Liselotte. The Shadowcloth is a magical artifact that only a “Seongakja close to an Apostle” can see through.

Then…

“Oh, I’ve been discovered?”

An innocent voice erased Liselotte’s thoughts. Liselotte shifted her gaze with a surprised expression.

“Miss!”

“Lise. Since we’ve been discovered anyway, there’s no point in hiding anymore. Stop it. Besides, I never wanted to hide in the first place. I only went along with it because you insisted so much.”

“That was to protect your safety, Miss…”

“Ah~ I don’t want to hear it! Always protection, protection, protection, it’s enough to make my ears go deaf. You always nag whenever I set my mind to do something.”

“If you show yourself, there will be a commotion in the ballroom.”

“I want to meet and play with other people for once too. The house is too stifling.”

“Miss..!”

“Alright, I won’t go down, okay?”

The girl jumped up with a grumble. Landing gracefully on the terrace, she waved at Rex with a bright smile.

“Hello?”

Rex looked at the girl with a disgruntled face. Vivid blue hair and slightly darker blue eyes. Her expression was sparkling with interest, just as Liselotte had said.

“I’m sorry that our Lise has been rude. I didn’t really intend to watch secretly, but her loyalty sometimes comes out too strongly. I just said I was curious, not that we should get closer.”

“Miss, what are you saying now!”

Liselotte exclaimed in horror. She wasn’t shouting because of the words blaming her. Her master is someone who should never easily bow her head to anyone. Ignoring that horrified reaction, the girl continued with a grin.

“You’re really amazing, just as the rumors say. Even if we set aside Liselotte, the Shadowcloth I was wearing couldn’t be seen through properly even by the knights of our household. How did you do it?”

“It just… appeared to me.”

Rex replied with an awkward voice. The girl covered her mouth with her palm and chuckled.

“As expected, you’re interesting!”

Where exactly? Rex twitched his lips. She had a difficult personality to deal with. Despite meeting for the first time, she closed the distance immediately. The way she approached and chattered without hesitation, as if they were long-time friends, seemed harmless yet somehow harmful.

“I’ve been curious ever since I heard the rumors. After all, Hwigwang at eighteen? My brother is quite skilled too, but Rex’s skills are far superior, to the point where my brother wouldn’t even be a match. I’ve teased my brother about it several times.”

“Ah, yes…”

“Actually, I came today because I wanted to see Rex’s face once. I originally planned to just look from afar and leave, but now that we’re talking, I’ve changed my mind.”

“Miss, that really won’t do.”

Liselotte interjected with a serious face. The girl pouted and replied.

“Lise. What do you think I’m thinking?”

“Are you planning to invite him to our home?”

“Yes! That’s right!”

The girl clapped her hands with a bright smile.

“Not just me and my brother, but my father also wants to meet Rex. It’s late now, but if Rex comes, everyone will wake up to meet you.”

“Miss!”

“I’m listening. What? It’s not a bad idea. It’s not a lie that Father wants to meet Rex. He’s just been too busy with work and hasn’t had the opportunity.”

“Such things need to go through proper procedures, and schedules need to be coordinated…”

“My permission is enough.”

The girl cut off Liselotte’s words and turned around. Liselotte looked at Rex with a tearful face. There was an unspoken pressure asking him to do something.

‘What am I supposed to do?’

Though annoyed at being suddenly handed a troublesome matter, Rex cleared his throat and bluntly said:

“I’m sorry, but I’ll decline the invitation.”

The girl, seemingly not having anticipated Rex’s refusal at all, asked with a shocked face:

“What? Why?”

“First of all, I don’t even know your name. I can’t visit the home of someone I don’t know and have just met.”

“Ah! Indeed, I failed to be considerate! I can’t believe I made such a mistake. So if I just tell you my name, would that be enough? I am… mmph!”

The girl’s words were cut short. A horrified Liselotte had covered the girl’s mouth with her hand.

“Please, Miss. Just for today, please follow my words obediently.”

“I am, mmph! Lise, don’t do this. Ptoo, ptoo!”

“I will accept punishment for my disrespectful act when we return. Please bear with it.”

“Mmph…!”

Rex looked at Liselotte and the girl alternately with an incredulous face and slightly shifted his feet.

“…Since my companions are waiting, I’ll take my leave now.”

“W-wait!”

Ignoring the girl’s cry, Rex quickly escaped from the terrace.

‘Chloe should be done with her bath by now.’

Should he tell her about what just happened?

Chloe’s bright yellow eyes flashed across his vision.

‘Let’s keep it a secret.’

A future too frightening to imagine might come.