Ch.356Side Story 1 – Journey to the Southern Continent (11)

“I was so surprised… to think you were the Knight Commander and Vice Commander of Lake Territory…”

After thoroughly dealing with the Black Fang gang, I was having drinks with Jena.

Sitting in a chair, I crossed my arms heavily and spoke.

“Your sister?”

“As you said, Casian, I sent her to Lake Territory.”

“Is the person accompanying her trustworthy?”

“They’re mercenaries I’m personally acquainted with and highly trust, so it should be fine.”

“That’s good.”

Hah…

I’ve already caused this situation, but how should I clean it up?

I’ve dealt with all of the Black Fang gang, but according to Jena, there are still some remnants left, albeit few.

That’s why I had no choice but to send her sister to Lake Territory, in case of a possible attack.

Besides, having her around would only hinder our journey through the Southern Continent.

By the way.

When the hell is Jawill Wilson coming?

I certainly told him to come and clean up the bodies, but it’s already dark.

Moreover, he even hired other mercenaries and brought them along, so I don’t understand why he’s so late.

As I slightly furrowed my brow, Jena carefully spoke up.

“But… can we really live in Lake Territory?”

“Why, don’t you believe me?”

“It’s not that… Lake Territory is a place where people want to migrate to but can’t anymore.”

It’s safer than other territories because it withstood the Monster Wave, and it has the Miracle Forest as a tourist attraction.

Plus, there’s the Academy.

So naturally, Lake Territory has many immigrants.

“It’s fine. I’ve already sent a letter, so they’ll arrange a house for you.”

“I… I’m truly grateful.”

“I’m not doing this because I like you.”

“…Pardon?”

“Didn’t you say there are remnants of the Black Fang gang?”

“Y-Yes…”

“I sent your sister away because there’s a possibility of an attack.”

Jena slowly nodded.

“…I see.”

“And although I’ve reluctantly revealed my identity to you, it would be best to keep quiet about it until you leave for Lake Territory.”

“Keep quiet!?”

“How do you think the remaining gang members would react if they found out that the ones who attacked their base were knights from Lake Territory?”

“Th-They might come for revenge.”

“That’s why I’m telling you to keep quiet.”

“I-I understand.”

I glanced at Jena.

Her body was still tense, probably from witnessing my combat earlier.

I sighed briefly and spoke.

“Let’s have a drink.”

“Ah, yes!”

After exchanging a few drinks, the awkward atmosphere gradually softened.

Then, Jena cautiously raised her head again.

“So… how did you end up coming to the Southern Continent, Casian?”

“I’m here briefly for an investigation.”

“Ah… was it on Selden Alphonse’s orders?”

I initially avoided directly mentioning Selden Alphonse to prevent shocking her too much…

But when should I reveal the truth?

‘…Actually, maybe I don’t need to reveal it?’

Even if Jena crosses over to the Eastern Continent, she’ll never see me again.

Padericks, who received my letter, will handle the housing issue, and I just need to give orders from behind the scenes.

“…You could say I received orders.”

“Y-You must have actually seen Selden Alphonse then?”

“I’m the Knight Commander, so of course.”

“Then perhaps… did you participate in the Monster Wave?”

Jena’s cold demeanor had completely vanished, and she looked at me with sparkling eyes.

I smiled slightly and continued.

“Yes, I participated in the Monster Wave.”

“W-What was it like?”

“I thought, ‘So this is how I die.'”

“Ah… I’m sorry. I was just so curious… you’re the first person I’ve met who actually participated in the Monster Wave.”

“I’m sure, since apart from Lake Territory, there were no survivors from territories that experienced the Monster Wave from the beginning.”

Jena sighed briefly and held her glass.

“It must have been really hard for you. But why did you pretend to be Selden Alphonse?”

“…Huh?”

“You told me you had two wives.”

CLANG-!

As I was opening my mouth in bewilderment, the tavern door burst open loudly.

A rough wind rushed in, and the dark night air seeped inside.

The person who opened the door was Jawill Wilson.

Relieved to have a chance to change the subject, I waved my hand.

“Teiran! Over here!”

However.

The moment Jawill Wilson entered the tavern, others followed behind him.

They were mercenaries wearing rough, crude armor.

“Oh! You’re drinking here!?”

“May I offer a drink to the hero Teiran?”

“It’s the knight from Lake Territory who dealt with the Black Fang gang!”

The tavern suddenly became noisy.

The mercenaries surrounded Jawill Wilson with excited faces, shouting enthusiastically.

It was like welcoming a hero who had just returned from the battlefield.

“We’ve suffered so much because of the Black Fang gang!”

“Right! Now thanks to Teiran, we only need to worry about monsters when going to hunting grounds!”

“Let’s all buy a round for the hero of Baltican Territory!”

They raised their voices like knights celebrating victory.

The atmosphere in the tavern instantly heated up.

I watched the scene with disbelief.

Jawill Wilson.

What the hell has that bastard done?

I slowly put down my glass and stared directly at Jawill Wilson.

He was standing leisurely amidst the cheering mercenaries.

Then, as if suddenly feeling my gaze, he slowly turned his head.

“I-I’m here!”

Jena, who had been watching the situation, blinked and spoke.

“Casian, didn’t you say you were hiding the fact that you’re a Lake Territory knight because of the remnants…?”

I sighed deeply.

I quietly raised my glass with her, took a sip, and muttered under my breath.

“You’re really dead today.”

*

Padericks heaved a deep sigh.

“Young master, what trouble have you caused this time…”

He glared at the letter in his hand.

A simple envelope. Brief sentences written in neat handwriting.

But the content was far from simple.

‘A woman named Jena and her sister…?’

Padericks sighed deeply again.

He thought his master would have matured after marriage…

That was just an illusion.

‘Surely, he’s not fooling around with women?’

Padericks didn’t even want to imagine what Selden Alphonse was up to in the Southern Continent.

After all, he would be the one cleaning up the mess.

“I shouldn’t have agreed to him going to the Southern Continent… it’s just breaking my back.”

Padericks muttered as he unfolded the letter to read it again.

But at that moment.

Creeeeak.

Padericks’ heart sank.

With the sound of the door opening, footsteps approached from behind.

A chilling sensation crept into his body through the air.

He reflexively stiffened and immediately clutched the letter in his hand.

Without hesitation, he pushed the letter into his waistband.

It would have been disrespectful under normal circumstances, but now was not the time for etiquette.

“Padericks.”

Her voice reached him.

A calm voice with underlying strength.

It was a simple call, but cold sweat ran down Padericks’ back.

When he turned his head, it was indeed one of Selden Alphonse’s wives, the Etherian Princess.

“Y-You called for me?”

“What were you doing?”

The Etherian Princess was as elegant as ever.

Her purple dress remained immaculate even indoors, and as always, her deep eyes made it difficult to read her emotions.

Padericks swallowed hard.

“I was reviewing reports that arrived from Lake Territory.”

The Etherian Princess’s eyes slowly narrowed.

“…Is that so?”

“Haha… since the young master is away, I’m handling all the affairs.”

“That’s something you must bear.”

“…Pardon?”

“I heard you were the one who suggested my husband go to the Southern Continent?”

Padericks spread his palms with an aggrieved expression.

“That’s not it… the young master was struggling with his arduous duties…”

“So you separated me and my husband? Just because of some arduous duties?”

“I-I’m sorry! My thinking was shortsighted! I should have considered the princesses and opposed it, clinging to the young master’s trouser leg…”

As the Etherian Princess took a step forward, Padericks instantly straightened his posture and adopted a respectful stance.

Etherian quietly observed him.

As if she could see through everything.

Then she smiled faintly.

“I’m joking.”

“…Pardon?”

“I simply noticed you struggling with difficult tasks in our husband’s place, so I made a joke to cheer you up.”

“Haha… is that so? Haha! Very funny indeed.”

“Was it funny?”

“…I apologize.”

“That was also a joke, why do you keep falling for them?”

Padericks wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and bowed his head.

And inwardly, he desperately pleaded:

‘Young master, please let this pass quietly this time!’