Ch.127Hidden Sincerity (1)

Though I had decided to seek Cecilly’s advice, my investigation didn’t stop. On weekends, I consistently watched Nicole and Adelia’s sparring matches at the public training grounds. After the sparring, we planned to have meals together.

Father praised me, saying that even if I wrote battle scenes as I imagined them, the historical accuracy would be excellent. Still, it’s better to be certain. It’s good to know exactly how they fight.

Humans, unlike other races, have extremely varied combat abilities from person to person. There are people like my father who have records of slaying dragons, and conversely, ordinary people like me.

Moreover, most humans are merely civilians, and even knights in the military have significant variations in skill. So in the Biography of Xenon, balancing isn’t optional but essential, and there needs to be a certain level of plausibility.

Above all, the most notable aspect among humans is what we call “talent.” Talent isn’t necessarily required to achieve a certain level of skill, but to reach higher realms, talent is absolutely necessary.

Elves, demons, and beastkin naturally excel in many areas, but humans don’t. Perhaps that’s why, unlike other races, humans are categorized by their abilities.

For example, there was some talk about Xenon’s talent, but that was glossed over. The main interest now is how strong Xenon currently is and how powerful the Seven Deadly Sins are.

‘Will it be like that pirate manga where they just clash weapons and the sky splits apart?’

I fell into deep thought while reading books related to the racial war. The racial war was a major conflict where the Elven Alliance and Human Alliance officially clashed, so numerous records of it have been preserved.

For instance, there were descriptions of human mages casting mass destruction spells toward elven bases, making the earth tremble and fire pour down from the sky like waterfalls. It was written that elves made lightning strike down like rain.

Anyway, “mages” are like asymmetric warfare weapons—missiles, if we compare to my previous life. Honestly, magic isn’t a problem because whatever description I give, people will just accept it.

The biggest issue is close combat—when skilled fighters clash with weapons in intense battles.

Most historical books only record who fought whom, with almost nothing about the aftermath. Father told me that when powerful individuals clash, it takes days at minimum, and the surrounding environment gets completely destroyed.

Because of this, most battles involve withdrawing troops and waiting for a winner to emerge, which is why detailed records don’t exist. Only the victor would know how the battle progressed.

I pondered the balance issues that would surface as the story progressed, resting my chin on my hand. Xenon eventually defeats Jin, who absorbed the soul of the Great Demon, in a one-on-one battle, but the journey until then isn’t easy.

How could I create a balance that would convince readers? Being a growth story made it incredibly difficult.

‘First, among the Seven Deadly Sins… Pride and Gluttony should naturally be the strongest.’

Pride is a fallen elf, and Gluttony is Jin’s father and a demon, so these two present the greatest crisis for Xenon’s group. Before that, they defeat the Seven Deadly Sins one by one.

By the way, the first of the Seven Deadly Sins to retire is none other than “Wrath.” I’ve already planned how Wrath will exit, but as I mentioned before, I need to consult a beastkin.

The only beastkin I can consult right now is Leona, but I wonder if she’ll allow it. It might raise unnecessary suspicion.

How can I get her help? Would she help if I told her I’m doing separate research? I was deep in thought while reading when—

“Cutie. What are you reading?”

“Huh?”

While I was quietly sitting and reading, someone called me in a friendly voice. A husky yet energetic female voice like Cyris’s.

As everyone expected, it was Adelia, who had just finished sparring. She was looking at me with sparkling sky-blue eyes, a training wooden sword slung over her shoulder.

I flinched slightly at her strong scent from sweating so much, but closed my book and answered quietly.

“Just reading a book. Are you done with your sparring, noona?”

“I’m done. Only Nicole is left now. Whew.”

Adelia exhaled roughly and plopped down next to me. She sat so close that our arms touched, but I didn’t mind.

It was partly due to her straightforward personality, but Adelia also gave off strong big sister vibes like Nicole. If Nicole embodied a mix of calmness and strictness, Adelia was like a mischievous, childish older sister.

Anyway, considering how she visited our mansion without hesitation during the exhibition and her relationship with Nicole, she’s practically half-family. A pitiful person craving affection after being abandoned by her real family.

Thinking that her energetic personality might be a mask to cover her wounds made her seem even more pitiful.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Is it because I’m pretty?”

“…”

I take back what I just thought. I smiled wryly at Adelia, who was acting playfully while fluttering her clothes, and shook my head.

“You are pretty, but saying it like that ruins it.”

“Really? I’m pretty?”

“If you have any conscience, look in a mirror before saying such things.”

“How do you always choose such pretty words?”

Adelia pinched my cheek lightly, speaking with joy. If she hadn’t been sweating, she would probably have hugged me tightly or rubbed her face against mine.

Her characteristic intense skinship was her way of showing affection, so I wasn’t particularly moved by it anymore. This wasn’t something she did just to me but to Nicole as well, so I didn’t consider it special.

“Alright. Today I’ll specially grant you the privilege of dating this noona. How about it? Isn’t that great?”

“You know I have a girlfriend, noona.”

“Come on, just once. Noona will treat you well.”

“Don’t joke around.”

Occasionally, she would subtly ask me out on dates, which was awkward. She knew I was dating Marie, so she usually suggested it jokingly.

Adelia has a playful personality and acts younger than her age, so sometimes it’s hard to tell if she’s serious or not. But judging by her tone and expression, it seemed like a joke, so I could respond with a smile.

“Is it because of your girlfriend? Don’t worry. If your girlfriend finds out, I’ll proudly tell her I’m entering as your concubine.”

“Why are you suddenly talking about that? I’m not even married yet.”

“If you don’t like concubine, how about becoming your guard knight?”

“Talk about that after you graduate.”

In fact, graduation is already a given for Adelia. She’s skilled enough to be a martial arts assistant and is just waiting to be scouted by a knightly order.

However, given her status, joining a knightly order is somewhat ambiguous. Will she return to the Kingdom of Teres, or will she stay here?

It was such a sensitive question that I couldn’t ask carelessly.

“Graduation… I wish it could be delayed if possible.”

Instead, Adelia seemed to recall that point as well, smiling bitterly and muttering softly. Yet her hand was still pinching my cheek.

Remembering her unfortunate family background, I carefully opened my mouth.

“…Is it because of your family?”

“That’s part of it, but…”

Adelia raised her downcast gaze and stared at me intently. I also looked at her face with its impressive high bridge of the nose.

Then she smiled slightly and suddenly pulled my face into a tight embrace. Surprised by this unexpected attack, I could only struggle.

“Of course, not seeing our cutie is the biggest reason! You’ve grown so manly in just a few months, and I want to see how much more you’ll grow!”

“Ah, please…”

Besides the sweat, I was embarrassed because she buried my face in her chest. Though born as an illegitimate child, Adelia boasted an impressive presence thanks to being well-fed and well-rested in the royal palace.

Moreover, her body scent gave off a gentle, flower-like fragrance. Marie also emits a pleasant scent when she sweats, making me wonder if all women are like this.

“Let go a bit! Please! I can’t breathe!”

“Let’s stay like this just a little longer~ It’s noona’s wish.”

“What wish…!”

Anyway, Adelia achieved her wish by hugging me tightly for a while. As an ordinary person, I had no way to overcome her tenacious strength, so I had no choice but to let her have her way.

Ah, of course.

“Do you have any sense or not?! I told you before! Marie is no longer just a girlfriend but practically a fiancée! They’ve even had night activities!”

“S-sorry… Isaac was just too cute…”

“I agree he’s cute, but what’s not allowed is not allowed. If you keep this up, I’ll ban you from approaching Isaac. Understand?”

“N-no, anything but a ban! He’s the only healing in my life!”

Nicole caught us red-handed and scolded Adelia severely. I alternated between looking at Adelia, who was kneeling and begging, and Nicole, who was standing in front of her, reprimanding her harshly.

Because Adelia had hugged me so tightly, her scent had permeated my clothes. I was worried about Marie noticing when we had our date after dinner.

“Then stop playing such jokes on Isaac. What if bad rumors spread?”

“Well… couldn’t I take responsibility? Keep Marie as the wife and me as the concubine?”

“Does that make any sense… And why would you take responsibility? Isaac should be the one responsible. Don’t direct responsibility in strange directions.”

“…”

Nicole criticized how nonsensical Adelia’s excuse was. Even Adelia herself seemed to think it made no sense, as she awkwardly smiled and spoke.

“R-right? It doesn’t make sense… does it? Haha…”

“…”

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of discomfort at Adelia’s smile. It seemed forced, artificial.

Her lips were trembling slightly, as if trying to hide her frustration.

‘…Come to think of it, she was extremely happy when I said she didn’t have to return the handkerchief, wasn’t she?’

Was she sincere, or was she just testing the waters? Given her usually lively personality, seeing her with such an expression is extremely rare.

“Right. And you came here to become a knight. You should start looking for a knightly order to serve after graduation. Understand?”

“…Nicole.”

“Yes?”

“Perhaps…”

Adelia, still kneeling, glanced at me once, then bit her lip hard. Then, forcing another smile, she said to Nicole.

“N-nothing. Continue.”

“…”

Had Nicole noticed something too? She shifted her gaze to me, then hardened her expression and said to Adelia.

“You, come with me for a moment.”

After that, they left me behind at the training ground and moved elsewhere. I stared at their retreating figures for a while, then scratched my head.

‘This feels like…’

I had a feeling the situation was about to get complicated.