Ch.168Chapter 168 – The Divine Archer Falls into the Mechanic’s Trap

Before disembarking from the ship, Administrator Kang approached and spoke to me.

“Count Severio. You’ll be getting off soon, and there will be someone waiting to escort you to the capital.”

“An escort?”

He delivered the welcome news that I would have an escort on my journey to the capital.

Who could this escort be?

“The head of the Han Dongbaek family, Lord Baek Dan-hyeop, has sent his child. One of the young masters renowned throughout our country.”

Even if he says this person is one of the renowned young masters in the Liu Empire, I have no idea who they are.

If it’s Lord Baek Dan-hyeop’s child, it must be a son or daughter… Could it possibly be Baek Yu-wol?

“Indeed, it’s the Divine Bow, Lady Baek Yu-wol.”

Upon hearing that Divine Bow Baek Yu-wol had been assigned as my escort, I nearly spat out the tea I was drinking right onto Administrator Kang.

However, with superhuman willpower, I narrowly avoided that embarrassing situation.

“Divine Bow… that must mean she’s a master archer.”

“That’s correct. In our country, the fifteen strongest young people are called the Fifteen Great Masters, and Divine Bow is one of them. Her archery skills are said to be only a step or two behind Lord Baek Dan-hyeop himself.”

I don’t know how strong Baek Dan-hyeop is, but he’s powerful enough to have a port city named after him after hunting a monster alone.

So, Baek Yu-wol, the heroine of Erasto Chronicle, inherited those genes and earned the title of Divine Bow at a young age, securing her place among the Fifteen Great Masters.

“So, will Lady Baek Yu-wol be my only escort to the capital?”

“Not exactly. Primarily, members of the Golden Lion Corps who guard the imperial palace will escort you on your journey, and Lady Baek Yu-wol will join them as a representative of the Han Dongbaek family that governs this region.”

Hmm, honestly, I’m not quite sure what that means.

At any rate, with imperial forces and one of the Fifteen Great Masters, Baek Yu-wol, I shouldn’t face any threats on the way to the capital.

Surely noble families of such standing wouldn’t allow bandits to roam freely on their lands?

“Ah! It seems it’s time to disembark. Please follow me.”

At Administrator Kang’s words, I followed him.

After walking through corridors and climbing stairs, I saw a rather pretty woman with black hair standing before me, carrying a bow.

“Eh?”

And what came from Baek Yu-wol’s mouth upon seeing me disembark was a sound of unmistakable bewilderment.

“It’s been a while, Lady Baek Yu-wol. I thought I might have to wait after receiving your father’s message, but I see you’re already here.”

“Ah, yes. It’s been a while, Administrator Kang. Since this is an honored guest invited by the imperial family, isn’t it only proper to arrive early as a sign of respect?”

Hmm. Does being one of the Fifteen Great Masters earn you similar treatment as an administrator?

Or does it mean Baek Yu-wol’s background is that powerful?

“As expected of a child from the Han Dongbaek family, the most loyal to the imperial family among the sixteen great houses.”

“Ha, haha. Well, isn’t that natural? Our Han Dongbaek family governs this region, so if anything unfortunate were to happen to an imperial guest passing through our territory, there could be no greater shame.”

‘That’s strange. The Baek Yu-wol I know isn’t like this.’

As someone familiar with Baek Yu-wol’s background and personal story from Erasto Chronicle, I couldn’t believe she had arrived early.

That’s because… while Baek Yu-wol appears cold and calculated on the outside, a sharpshooter who kills enemies without hesitation…

‘In reality, she loves doing nothing but playing around and eating…’

Above all, Baek Yu-wol really loves alcohol.

How much does she love it?

Among the heroines in Erasto Chronicle, very few gain affection points when given alcohol as a gift, and Baek Yu-wol is one of those few.

Her personal story even includes an incident where she was supposed to fight enemies but got drunk, passed out, and was late for departure, earning her criticism from those around her.

Knowing this, I couldn’t believe that Baek Yu-wol had arrived early.

‘I guess it’s fortunate we arrived a bit late.’

At least I was spared the embarrassment of Baek Yu-wol arriving late, reeking of alcohol, because she had been drinking and overslept.

‘Cold and calculated, but her personality changes 100% when she drinks.’

That was who Baek Yu-wol was.

“Lady Baek, this is Count Patos Severio, known as the Demon Sword Destroyer from the Western Continent.”

“Pleased to meet you, Lady Baek Yu-wol. I am Count Patos Severio of the Gelebrio Empire.”

“I heard you were a distinguished guest from the Western Continent, but you look similar to us. I’m Baek Yu-wol of the Han Dongbaek family. People call me Divine Bow, though that’s too generous a title.”

I greeted her with a fist-palm salute often seen in old Hong Kong martial arts films, and Baek Yu-wol returned the gesture with the same posture.

“Now that Lady Baek has arrived, let’s board the carriage and depart. You must still be tired from your journey, but we’ll provide excellent accommodations once we reach the capital, so please bear with it until then.”

“Understood.”

At Administrator Kang’s suggestion, I naturally boarded the carriage, and Baek Yu-wol followed, as she was assigned to escort me.

“……”

“……”

Administrator Kang and the others, including Seon Yu-hwa, boarded different carriages.

Instead, members of the Golden Lion Corps that protect the Liu Empire’s imperial family were positioned around our carriage…

‘Wait, how does Baek Yu-wol know the common language of the Western Continent?’

I found it strange that I had conversed with Baek Yu-wol.

She’s from the Eastern Continent, so she should naturally speak the Eastern Continent’s language, but how were we able to converse?

“Lady Baek Yu-wol, how were you able to converse with me?”

“Hehe. It’s only natural for someone from the sixteen great houses.”

It’s natural for someone from the sixteen great houses to speak the Western Continent’s language?

“The sixteen great houses occasionally serve as envoys to the Western Continent on behalf of the imperial family, and we also conduct our own trade with Western nations. So naturally, being fluent in languages is a basic requirement if one wants to expand into broader markets and elevate the family’s prestige.”

Hmm. That makes sense when you put it that way.

As we talked, I noticed her palms, which appeared somewhat wrinkled and reddened as if burned.

If I’m right, those scars are the price she paid for training with the Vermilion Bird’s feathers.

The detailed description of the Vermilion Bird’s feathers states that “they contain the bird’s energy, causing severe burning pain to anyone without flame resistance who holds them.”

“Lady Baek Yu-wol, it seems you’ve undergone quite rigorous training.”

“How did you know?”

“Looking at your palms, they’re wrinkled and reddened as if burned.”

“You have a keen eye. Yes, these are honorable scars from training with our family treasure. After earning the title of Divine Bow, it didn’t matter anymore, but before reaching that level, just holding the bow was painful.”

Baek Yu-wol seemed to be reminiscing about those times as she caressed her hands.

“Well, my hands may have become somewhat unsightly, but I-I don’t really mind. These scars are proof that I achieved strength with these hands.”

She said this while clenching her fists tightly.

And the corners of her eyebrows trembled slightly.

‘She’s lying.’

I noticed she was lying from the slight trembling at the corners of her eyebrows and the wavering in her voice midway through her statement.

She was one of those heroines who couldn’t hide it when she lied.

“Still, haven’t you ever dreamed of having unblemished, beautiful hands?”

“…N-no! I’ve never thought these scars were u-unsightly or hideous, or resented them at all!”

…Oh my goodness. If you lie so obviously, everyone will see through it.

Well, this isn’t the only opportunity, so it might be better to back off for now.

After all, I’ll need her archery skills for the battle against the Demon Cult.

“Is that so? That’s unfortunate. If you had wanted, I could have used my abilities to heal your hands.”

“…What?”

Baek Yu-wol’s expression suggested she couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.

“You heard correctly. With my abilities, I could easily heal Lady Baek Yu-wol’s hands, but if you’re so proud of your scars, then there’s nothing to be done.”

“Ah, no… that’s… I… it might be okay…”

“No, I apologize. I seem to have unsettled you with my careless words. I’m sorry for that.”

I apologized politely to Baek Yu-wol.

And in her eyes as she looked at me, there was unmistakable disappointment.