Ch.218Chapter 218 – I Am the Second Wife!

With the addition of ‘Heavenly Horse’ Cheon Hyeryeong, I successfully obtained permission from Regina to go help Eterna.

I can hardly believe that she sensed I needed her help all the way from the Eastern Continent, but since she says so herself, I have no choice but to believe her.

Even if I didn’t believe it, she insists on it, and more importantly, thanks to her, Regina gave me permission to go help Eterna.

However, there was a slight complication when introducing her to the people of the Solar Order.

“So… the person standing next to the Count is…?”

“You’re asking the same question again. I am to be this lord’s second wife.”

In front of the Solar Order’s clergy, Cheon Hyeryeong boldly declared herself as my second wife.

“Count, have you already gotten married?”

The priest who was recording the personal information of my companion questioned me again.

This was because to be officially called a “wife,” one must already be married.

“Not yet. We agreed to get married after graduation.”

“Hmm… then I’ll correct it to fiancée rather than second wife.”

Important people can be surprisingly particular about these things.

The priest said this while crossing out “wife” in Cheon Hyeryeong’s information and writing “fiancée” instead.

“Now then, Count Severio and his fiancée, the place we are currently heading to is…”

Cheon Hyeryeong must have heard the priest’s words, as she showed no particular reaction to being called my fiancée.

I was worried she might get angry and complicate things, but fortunately, that didn’t happen.

‘Hoho, did you think I would get angry over something so trivial? The fact that you showed no objection when they called me your fiancée is satisfaction enough for me.’

Could she have planned this?

Since I show slight resistance when she calls herself my wife, was she aiming for the relatively less objectionable term “fiancée” to be used instead?

‘Now there’s really no turning back.’

Since the Solar Order had recorded Cheon Hyeryeong as my fiancée, barring any unexpected changes, she would be recognized as my fiancée for the time being.

“Now then, let us depart.”

With the priest’s words, we headed toward the Kingdom of Tilasio where Eterna was waiting.

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The Kingdom of Tilasio was a nation with a long history, existing even before the founding of the Gelebrio Empire.

The king ruling this land was Embrio XII, a man celebrating his 40th year on the throne this year.

Having been interested in strengthening his country since his days as a prince, he ascended to the throne when the previous king passed away during his time as crown prince.

With Tilasio having a stronger monarchy compared to other kingdoms due to its deep history, Embrio XII was able to achieve what he had dreamed of since childhood.

However, one burning desire still remained in his heart…

‘Our kingdom should become a great power like the Gelebrio Empire…’

That desire was to transform the Kingdom of Tilasio into the Tilasio Empire.

If these were chaotic times, it might have been possible, but the world was currently too peaceful.

Things had become somewhat turbulent with the appearance of the Demon Cult, but the Gelebrio Empire was bearing that burden alone.

‘Why do the gods bestow all their talented individuals upon the Gelebrio Empire?’

Embrio XII thought of the most famous man in the Gelebrio Empire recently.

Patos Severio.

A count of the Gelebrio Empire, the Sword Destroyer, and a man with the remarkable ability to cure even incurable diseases like baldness.

If he had someone with such abilities, the Kingdom of Tilasio could have laid solid groundwork for becoming an empire.

‘That man doesn’t realize the full potential of his abilities.’

In Embrio XII’s view, Patos’s abilities had limitless applications.

Even in the Kingdom of Tilasio, there were many knights and mages who had retired due to age and declining physical abilities.

What if their aged bodies could be restored to their prime?

Theoretically, even immortality would be possible.

Moreover, his ability could revive damaged weapons and armor.

‘Our kingdom has a long history. That means… we have many weapons that played roles throughout that history.’

What if he could restore the luster to weapons that had faded with the passage of time?

By giving excellent weapons to talented individuals, they could recreate the myths of ancient heroes in this era.

If that could be done… the dream of transforming the Kingdom of Tilasio into the Tilasio Empire might not remain just a dream.

That’s what Embrio XII thought, but bringing Patos to his kingdom seemed impossible.

This was because, no matter how prosperous the Kingdom of Tilasio was, it couldn’t compare to the Gelebrio Empire.

Additionally, while Tilasio had its own academy, it wasn’t as grand as the Glesius Academy of the Gelebrio Empire.

In fact, only the Glesius Academy could properly educate ability users.

Other academies merely trained knights, mages, or administrative officials.

Finally, there was the woman known to be Patos Severio’s lover.

The great mage called ‘Red Flame,’ Regina Blasteria, would never tolerate Patos Severio being abducted.

Just then, as Embrio XII sat in his office reviewing reports from various regions, unexpected news reached him.

“Y-Your Majesty! Urgent news!”

“What is so urgent that you burst into my office without warning?!”

Embrio XII expressed his displeasure at someone barging into his office without any prior notice.

Such things didn’t happen when he was in his prime as ruler, and he thought perhaps he was being disrespected in his old age.

“But the news is so urgent that I had to commit this rudeness.”

“Sigh… so, what is it?”

“C-Count Patos Severio has requested entry into the kingdom.”

“What did you say?”

Embrio XII couldn’t believe his ears.

Patos Severio? The same Patos Severio I know?

“You mean Patos Severio of the Gelebrio Empire? The one called the Sword Destroyer?”

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty. The news just came from the border checkpoint.”

“Grant him entry. Furthermore, instruct everyone to provide him with the utmost convenience until he completes his business and returns.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Though initially surprised by this unexpected turn of events, Embrio XII realized something.

‘I can establish a connection with Count Patos Severio and ask him for various favors.’

Embrio XII didn’t want to strengthen his kingdom at the cost of antagonizing the Gelebrio Empire.

If friction developed with the Gelebrio Empire, ultimately it would be himself and his people who would suffer.

Knowing this all too well, he resolved to build an amicable relationship with Patos, even if it took time.

‘Now, whom should I ask him to heal first? Perhaps the former Grand Master of the Knights, who was a Sword Master?’

The prospect of receiving Patos’s help accelerated Embrio XII’s paperwork considerably.

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Entry into the Kingdom of Tilasio was processed surprisingly smoothly.

After waiting briefly while they consulted with their superiors, we received permission to enter.

With this approval, I, along with the priests of the Solar Order and Cheon Hyeryeong, immediately headed toward the contaminated land where Eterna was staying.

“Count, are you sure you don’t need to rest along the way?”

“Since we need to purify the contaminated land, wouldn’t it be better to hurry?”

“Indeed… as expected, the Sword Destroyer’s thinking is different.”

Whether because of Eterna or because I had built up a reputation, the priests of the Solar Order seemed to interpret my words favorably.

“Hoho, indeed you are worthy of becoming my husband.”

…Whatever. I’ll just accept it now. It seems even Regina has acknowledged it anyway.

After traveling quickly for about two days, we finally arrived at Eterna’s location.

“Patos! You really came! But… who is this person beside you?”

However, Eterna seemed slightly tense upon seeing Cheon Hyeryeong standing next to me.

“Are you curious about who I am? I am this lord’s second wife!”

“…What?”

Cheon Hyeryeong boldly introduced herself as my second wife in front of Eterna, and everyone’s gaze turned toward me.