Ch.349Side Story 1 – Journey to the Southern Continent (4)

On the morning of departure for the Southern Continent, a pale mist had settled outside the mansion in Lake Territory.

The path where the carriage stood was damp with cold dew, and the dawn sunlight cast a faint glow, as if it had not yet gained its strength.

“Ah… finally leaving.”

I walked toward the carriage with heavy steps.

A black cloak wrapped around my shoulders, but the clothing visible beneath it was quite disheveled.

Moreover, my silver hair, unlike its usual neatness, was somewhat tousled, and even my lightly trimmed beard was unkempt.

Above all, there was no strength left in my body.

‘…I need to get away from here as soon as possible.’

However, just as I was about to board the carriage, a familiar presence approached.

“…Are you really leaving?”

I slowly turned at the trembling voice.

Princess Sairine lowered her head as if hiding her reddened eyes.

Unlike her usual confident and lively demeanor, the atmosphere was sorrowful.

“Anyone watching would think I’m going to my death.”

“There are many dangers in the Southern Continent, so you must be careful.”

“I will.”

And beside her, Princess Etherian was silently shaking her head.

Her eyes were also tinged red, but she seemed to be hiding her emotions with a forced smile.

However, there were clear marks where she had bitten her lips, and her eyes revealed intense regret.

“Selden Alphonse.”

“Yes?”

“If you turn your eyes to another woman… I don’t need to finish that sentence, do I?”

“O-Of course not! That will never happen!”

Princess Etherian smiled with upturned lips, but there was something spicy and threatening about it.

I quickly boarded the carriage and waved my hand.

As the door closed, the wheels began to move slowly, and only after the two princesses waving back disappeared from view did I let out a long sigh.

“Phew…”

“Why are you sighing as soon as we depart?”

I slowly raised my head and hesitated as I looked at the man sitting across from me.

There sat a man with an impressive appearance at first glance.

His broad shoulders and thick forearms hinted at the qualities of a strong knight, while his firm jawline and straight nose maximized his masculine charm.

Moreover, his deep, dark eyes seemed to hold strong confidence, and his skin was flawlessly clean.

In short, he had a face that perfectly embodied rough yet sophisticated masculinity.

However, only one thought circled in my mind.

Who the hell is this guy?

Instinctively, I leaned back slightly.

“Who… are you…?”

At that moment, the man’s expression subtly changed.

“…?”

He blinked at me, then raised one eyebrow.

Though he didn’t speak, his expression clearly said:

‘What is this bastard’s problem now?’

A moment of silence.

The man slowly tilted his head, bringing his hand to his chin as if something was strange.

Then, as if realizing something, he opened his mouth.

“Ah! Young master, I’m Jawill Wilson.”

“J-Jawill Wilson?”

“I forgot that I was wearing transformation leather. I apologize.”

The man scratched his head foolishly while smiling.

Now that he mentioned it, his naive tone and behavior were exactly like Jawill Wilson.

“…You’re wearing transformation leather?”

“Yes, how else could I have such a handsome face?”

I looked at Jawill Wilson while rubbing my forehead with a tired expression.

“We still have a long way to go before reaching the Southern Continent, why are you wearing it already?”

“Well, young master. Think about it. How exciting is it to have such a handsome face? And this jawline, these deep eyes! Such intense masculinity! Doesn’t it look perfect?”

“…Would you rather get off the carriage and walk?”

“I-I’m sorry!”

Sigh…

It would take at least three days by carriage to reach the Southern Continent, but why was this guy already so excitedly unsettling?

I wondered if bringing him was a mistake.

“Fine. If you’re uncomfortable, that’s your problem, not mine.”

Jawill Wilson scratched the back of his head again, then carefully raised his head.

“But… why did you sigh earlier?”

“Because I’m happy.”

“…Pardon?”

“Have you seen me at all these past few days?”

“Come to think of it… I haven’t. Were you preparing for the Southern Continent trip?”

“Preparing… well, that’s not wrong.”

I leaned back heavily against the carriage sofa and let out a big sigh.

-For three days… don’t even think about sleeping.

-Husband, where are you trying to go? Surely you’re not thinking of running away?

The sound of the royal chamber door closing, and approaching gentle hands.

The calm voice of Princess Etherian and the playful whispers of Princess Sairine were merely ominous omens.

-It’s enough time to conceive a child, so endure and be patient.

-Husband, you kept trying to escape so I had no choice but to tie you up, but is your blood circulation okay?

-You’re trying to sleep again. Do you intend to disappoint me?

-Husband, wake up? Ah! I’m sorry. I thought you were sleeping so I bit you. Does it hurt a lot?

Instinctively, I clutched my arm and curled up.

Though I prided myself on having stronger mental fortitude than anyone, the past three days had been more brutal to me than the bloodshed of any battlefield.

At that moment, Jawill Wilson, sitting across from me, opened his mouth with a broad smile.

“Young master, you’ve only been married for a year, haven’t you? Isn’t this a good time?”

My eyebrow twitched.

Then I narrowed my eyes sharply and glared at Jawill Wilson.

“You’re not even married to Clara yet, so shouldn’t it be even hotter for you?”

“…Pardon?”

“When we return from this trip, I’ll cover all the wedding expenses, so hurry up and marry Clara.”

At that, Jawill Wilson broke into a sweat and spoke.

“I’m grateful, but… why go that far?”

“Because I can’t be happy alone.”

“…Pardon?”

“I want you to experience the happiness I’m feeling as soon as possible.”

“B-But you’ve already helped me so much, how could I possibly accept such a—”

I cut off Jawill Wilson’s words with a sharp “Tsk” and raised my voice.

“Are you afraid?”

“…Pardon?”

“Or have you already grown tired of Clara?”

“N-No! I love Clara!”

“Then why delay the marriage?”

“We’ve only been dating for a year… I think we still need more time to get to know each other.”

“But you and Clara have been together since childhood. Isn’t that enough time to know each other?”

Jawill Wilson flinched, seemingly detecting something ominous in my rapid-fire questioning.

“The truth is, this is my first time dating…”

“So you want to meet other women and judge whether Clara is truly good enough before marrying her?”

“Well… I do have such thoughts.”

“You’re trash.”

“…I suppose I am trash?”

I folded my arms heavily and raised my chin.

“However, I appreciate your honesty.”

“Y-You do?”

“It’s better to be honest than to cover things up with implausible lies. That way, I can give you proper advice. Alright, then…”

I leaned forward, resting my arms on my knees.

And slowly, secretly, I smiled at Jawill Wilson.

“During this Southern Continent trip, I’ll help you meet and enjoy all the women of the Southern Continent.”

“R-Really?”

“Have you ever seen me make empty promises? When I say I’ll do something, I do it.”

“If you do that for me, it would really help me with marrying Clara.”

“Then I suppose I’ll have to go to the pleasure district because of you.”

“What? You’re coming too!?”

I narrowed my brow with an incredulous expression.

“You weren’t planning to go to such a dangerous place alone, were you?”

“W-Well, that’s true, but… you’re already married to the princesses, yet you’re going to a pleasure district?”

“You’re dating Clara and about to marry her soon, aren’t you?”

“…If you get caught, can you handle the consequences…?”

I winked at the trembling Jawill Wilson as if to reassure him.

“Anyone would think I’m going there to enjoy myself too.”

“Aren’t you…?”

“I’m just there for the atmosphere. Drinking with new women, laughing and chatting, that’s all.”

“Really…? But women flock to you even when you’re just standing still.”

“That’s why I asked the alchemist to make me an ugly face with the transformation leather.”

“Ah…”

So this gives me a pretext to enter the pleasure district?

And if I get caught, I can just sell out Jawill Wilson’s name to the princesses.

As I chuckled to myself, imagining how naturally I could make excuses, the carriage slowly came to a stop.

Screech.

Looking out the window, I saw the coachman poking his head beside the carriage.

“I need to feed the horses, so we’ll stop briefly.”

“Go ahead.”

I nodded with a slight smile.

Then I naturally picked up the wooden sword placed beside me.

The black leather handle felt familiar in my grip.

I slowly stood up.

“Let’s go outside.”

“…Pardon?”

As I took one step out of the carriage, I turned back toward the interior as if it were the most natural thing.

Then, in a languid voice, I said:

“What are you waiting for? It’s time for some long-overdue training.”