Chapter 129: The Knight Is Trying to Become Stronger (2)

Rustle-!

Lee Han sat in the wooden pavilion that he made himself as he read the newspaper in his hands.

Occasionally, he’d drink the lemonade that Leila had made, or…

“Here, have some, Sir.”

“…I can eat it myself.”

“Huh?”

“…I’ll eat it, thank you.”

Accept the lemon tart that Leila tried to feed him, since he was unable to resist the innocent gaze in her eyes.

This was the first time in his life that he had received such treatment from a woman, and he wondered if it was okay to just accept it.

Nevertheless…

…It’s tasty…

He couldn’t help but wonder if the tart was actually tastier than every other tart he had eaten, or if it was just an illusion due to the atmosphere.

“Would you like some more?”

“Yes…”

Whatever it was, the temptation was hard for him to refuse, so he just enjoyed the luxury of being fed the tart by her again. Even so, he did not take his eyes off the newspaper.

…Things have become more interesting.

Although it wasn’t his intention, he was still one of the few people who were closely involved in the events that were currently going on in the kingdom. Hence why he knew the situation behind most of the chaos and hot topics that was going on.

If he had to give an example…

Ruste-!

“…I swear this Geumjok has such a picturesque face.”

[Today, the commander of the First Order of the Silver Lion, Arren Pendragon, personally mobilized both the First and Second Order of the Silver Lion to capture the prisoners who had escaped from the Tunnel. That move is being evaluated as an honorable and great move, worthy of his status as a royalty. Meanwhile the Noble Council is unable to avoid criticism from the people due to their outrageous remarks regarding Prince Arren Pendragon, calling his action as him ‘abusing his authority’. The Guild Union, who had heard of the Noble Council’s reaction, expressed their regrets. In this situation…]

The photo of the spoiled prince took up the entire front page of the newspaper. The fact that he had mobilized the First and Second Order of the Silver Lion using his authority as a commander was drawing a lot of attention.

“Hmm… Will he do well?”

Even until now, Lee Han still didn’t trust him. His philosophy was that a loser would always be a loser no matter what. Anyone could talk big, and he couldn’t see that the prince was any different.

What was important was actions and results.

In that sense…

I’m thinking of punishing him twice, but if he did well, I’ll reduce it to one.

He was someone who had stopped expecting someone like that to accomplish anything, so he barely had any kind of expectations on such guys.

Rustle-!

As he turned the pages of the newspaper, Lee Han found news of people who were related to him, or things he roughly knew about.

To summarize the notable ones…

‘The owner of the bar leading the new trend in the royal capital is Lionel’s Little Prince?!’

‘Has the leader of the Mercenary Corps, the Mercenary King, decided on a successor?’

‘Is the young lady of the Guinevere family in love?!’

And so on.

For some reason, he came to know all of the main characters that were mentioned in the news.

Moreover…

[While speculations are running rampant that the purpose of the visit of the Imperial Magic Tower’s Successor and the Sultan is to meet Galahad’s adopted daughter, the whereabouts of the person in question, who is receiving everyone’s attention, remain unknown. Both the royal family and Galahad are now receiving attention from the public, as they’re curious on what kind of stance they will take. As a side note, Galahad’s adopted daughter, Irene Windler, is receiving attention as a newcomer to the magic world as someone who has the ability to represent the era, despite her young age.]

There was also news about the chick next door, the person who was being hailed as someone who could represent the era even though she was a newcomer to the magic world. The same girl who was grumbling alone while slowly eating the tart that Leila made.

“Tch… I can feed him too… I can do better than her… Really, I can do better…”

“…”

…Those big shots are flocking to see that girl?

Sigh-!

Do those guys have nothing better to do, or what?

Lee Han began to see the successor of the Imperial Magic Tower and the Sultan as merely worthless, rich bastards.

Pathetic guys.

Either because it was a market day, or because his house had been empty all this time…

Stop-!

“Master!”

For some reason, faces Lee Han hadn’t seen in a while were visiting him one after another. He felt that his house wouldn’t get any less noisy anytime soon.

Ring-!

A woman riding a bicycle with an antique and simple style that seemed to come straight out of a classic French movie called him out loud.

She was a woman who seemed refreshing and pure, but hid a sad past. A girl who’d make anyone who was walking down the street look back at her and fall in love with her, a girl who’d remind everyone of their first love in school.

The way she dressed—a straw-hat, a white one-piece dress, a pair of sandals, carrying a picnic basket with her—fit her extremely well to the point that no one would be able to stop themselves from being awestruck after seeing her.

“…I swear, people would think she’s here for a modeling session or something.”

The chick sitting right next to him whispered to herself, and he couldn’t help but agree with her words.

Indeed, the sight of her blue hair—that reminded him of hydrangeas—fluttering in the wind as she rode a bicycle, gave him a throwback to a scene from a movie.

Although, even though he felt that way, there was one thing that was bugging him to no end.

Is she even trying to hide her identity?

Unlike the status window guy, it felt like this girl had no intention of hiding her identity, so he could be sure that he wasn’t being paranoid or anything like that.

Well, either that or she’s just stupidly innocent or clumsy.

…Or, maybe all three.

While Lee Han was shrugging his shoulders at his own thoughts, the woman arrived at the front door, got off her bicycle, and ran as fast as she could like a loyal puppy greeting its owner whom it hadn’t seen in a while.

“Haa, haa! H-How have you been, Master-!”

“Catch your breath first, Female Bear.”

“Huh? D-Don’t worry…! Haa, haa…! I’m…fine…!”

“…Yeah, no, you aren’t.”

From what it seemed like, the Female Bear, or rather, Levy, probably came here in a hurry by bike from the marquis’ estate the moment she heard that he had returned.

“Did you come here by bike?”

As she swallowed her breaths, hearing Lee Han’s question, that was filled with worry, she…

With difficulty…

“Ah!”

Covered her mouth, as a realization struck her that she was dressing like a young lady.

“I-I’m sorry, I-I looked bad, didn’t I? I-I was just wondering what to do since His Excellency gave me the day off today. I-I was thinking of going on a picnic by myself, since I’m not used to sitting still…”

“Is that so?”

“A-Also, I didn’t prepare these clothes! The maids did! I-I just couldn’t not wear them…”

“Is that so?”

“…Master?”

“Yes?”

“??”

“…Sorry, my age is catching up to me, that’s why I was acting like that.”

“Huh?”

“I’m probably having a menopause already.”

It felt like he had the urge to cry more often after he got older.

Hearing his disciple’s words, he felt something tugging at his heart.

The first time he saw this girl, she was a timid girl, always seemed anxious and struggled to be recognized by others.

But now…

She’s more relaxed.

Her face was filled with energy, her eyes showed an intelligent glint, and her clothes were considerably cleaner and neater. It was proof that she was being taken care of by the marquis well—proof that he kept his promises well.

This was why he felt touched. It felt like he was witnessing a swan that didn’t know how to use its wings, realized that it actually had wings, could flap them vigorously, and started to fly.

And as the person who had worked hard to make her spread those wings…

All my hard work was worth it.

…The emotion he felt overwhelmed him.

He cried with joy at his disciple’s positive change.

…Indeed. Summer had begun.

There was an awkward atmosphere around them as Lee Han tried to calm Levy down. She soon began to tell him the story of what had happened to her, chirping non stop like a nightingale.

As if bragging.

“Recently, I’ve been learning archery from His Excellency. He gave me the name Tristan, though it’s not formal yet, so he said it would be better for me to be able to handle the bow as a basic skill. I’m working hard to learn everything.

“A-Also, regarding the Tristan name that he gave me, I think they’ll hold a banquet in a few days to make it official, s-so… W-Would you be able to come as my partner, Master?

“A-Ah, r-right! T-Try this panini, Master! I-I made it myself.”

Lee Han listened to every single thing his disciple said. He gave advice when he could, said no when he couldn’t comply with her request, and responded to each and every single thanks that she threw at him.

“Also…!”

There were so many things she wanted to say to him. Even though over an hour had passed, she still hadn’t seemed to run out of it yet. Instead of feeling bothered by it, Lee Han just felt glad to see her looking so free.

Maybe this was how he’d feel if he were to have a younger sister much younger than him.

He then listened to his disciple’s story for a while, but…

“L-Levy…”

“Huh? Miss Irene? How long have you been here?”

“…You didn’t even see me, huh? This is why a thief who learns late is scary!”

“I-I’m sorry…! I-I didn’t pretend to not see you. It’s not my intention…”

“…It’s fine. It’s not like I don’t know the feeling.”

“…”

The grumpy chick pecked the innocent Female Bear in a rude manner, making Levy lower her head, fidgeting.

What is this?

Why are they arguing like this in front of an old man like me?

They shoulda find some good-looking guys and do this to those guys instead.

Of course Lee Han didn’t grow up knowing nothing. He was more than aware what kind of feelings these two were showing him—affection, admiration and few others.

However, he just treated those feelings like they were fleeting feelings. After all, the two of them were still young and immature. After maturing a bit more, he was sure that they’d be ashamed of this, cry, and wonder why the hell they liked an old man like him…

Haaa… It’s a little sad to treat myself in this way…

Even so, Lee Han didn’t change his thoughts. He had a clouded perspective—he couldn’t see the world in a positive light. He didn’t have any faith or hope that the favors someone gave him would last forever, that was why in his eyes, the favors the two girls gave him seemed like lotus flowers that bloomed on a summer day and would quickly wither.

It couldn’t be anything other than a fleeting feeling that would dry up and disappear one day…

“You’ll always be cool in my eyes, Sir. Cool men are always loved even as time passes. In that sense, I think they have an eye for cool men.”

“…”

“Hehehe, that’s just how it is.”

“D-Did you learn how to read minds?”

“Nope. I just can read people’s expressions easily!”

“…I swear I heard those words before.”

Both that older sister and her maid… They said they hadn’t learned how to read others’ minds, but it’s clear that they had!

Lee Han let out a hollow laugh.

“Maybe my thoughts are just too shallow?”

Since she already knew about his thoughts, Lee Han just asked her outright.

In response, Leila…

“Hmm, I think you’re underestimating yourself, Sir. You’re a great person, after all.”

“…”

“I think it would be good if you love yourself more than you do now. You need to be more proud of yourself, Sir.”

“…You always overestimate me, Maid.”

“I’m just telling the truth, though?”

“…”

“Hehe, are you embarrassed?”

“…Just give me another drink, please.”

“Okaay!”

Facing her smile, Lee Han lowered his head.

Then, he had a sudden thought.

No matter how strong I become, I don’t think I can ever beat her…

He had a feeling that he’d never be able to win against this woman who was dazzlingly affectionate and kind.

However…

I don’t think I’d feel bad even if I lost.

Is that weird? Wanting to lose like that?

Realizing that, he quietly made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t embarrass himself in front of her, even though he’d probably end up doing so in front of others.

“For some reason, I feel like I picked the wrong day to visit.”

“I-I think so as well.”

The black-haired young man scratched his head for once after saying so.

He had come to greet the instructor, but…

It feels like I’ve turned into air…

The regressor awkwardly loitered in front of the fence. It was only a little later that the knight noticed his presence and came out to greet him.