episode_0032

The sound of silver forks and knives clanking against the fine porcelain tableware echoes quietly through the wide hallway.

Just as there were languages used by people living on Earth in previous lives, the languages of this world also have farewell phrases like “see you next time” that are used when the gap between future meetings is not that long.

But at this very moment, this poor man, Hesset Duzan, who couldn’t hide his nervousness and even broke out in a cold sweat, seemed not to have expected that the ‘next time’ would come so quickly.

“⋯You, Uriel? A sudden invitation to dinner⋯⋯.”

“It’s an honor to see you again, ma’am.”

“Huh? Have we already said hello to each other?”

“Oh, over⋯⋯there⋯!”

“Yes, because they came to deliver the lunch box when you entered the meeting.”

Christie, who interrupts Hesset every time he starts to say something with a pale face and responds to him with a calm and dry expression the whole time.

“That’s what happened, ah. Don’t be shy, just come in! Don’t worry about my diet.”

One could say that this was a bit of Uriel’s consideration; while the guests and his wife were served a dazzling meat dish sprinkled with gold dust, there was only a plate of plain soup in front of her, making it difficult to tell which was which at first glance.

However, if you are wondering whether the leader Uriel Duzan is living such a frugal life, you should know that the ingredients for the Heo-yeom-geun porridge are tiny nuts that grow only on trees that take 70 to 80 years to fully grow and are sensitive to soil and climate to the point where they tend to rot easily. Even leaving aside the gold dust on top of the soup.

“Are you worried about poisoning?”

Christie asked in a calm tone.

“Ahahaha, in a way, that’s true. Of course, I never feel fear of those who are after my life. But ever since I got shot in the stomach with an arrow, regular food has become a kind of poison to me.”

“I had no idea. That General Uriel⋯.”

“Yeah, that’s far from heroic. A strong woman should be able to chew and eat iron.⋯Don’t go around talking about it, it’s embarrassing. I just pretend to eat moderately in front of people.”

“I don’t have the habit of gossiping about other people’s business.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Christie glanced at Hesset’s face.

“That’s why I like you. Ahahahaha!”

Unaware of the fact that her husband’s heart was burning, Uriel laughed heartily, pushed back her silver hair, and took a spoonful of nut porridge.

“It’s been quite some time since you started working with us. How is it being together?”

“⋯What exactly are you asking?”

Uriel nodded, stroking her chin as the corners of her mouth went up at Christie’s question.

“I’m talking about our military organization. I’m curious about what you saw and felt up close.”

“Well-trained, controlled by strict discipline, and above all, have excellent leaders.”

Uriel nods as she listens to Christie’s answer, a look of disappointment crossing her expression.

“⋯⋯However, in the process of merging with other forces and reestablishing the hierarchy, there is potential instability because the relationships between each organization are not properly considered. To put it simply, I think it is nothing more than a sand castle with a good appearance.”

Only then does Uriel’s expression brighten. She lifts herself off the back of the chair and, as if she no longer cares about eating, pushes the plate far away.

“That’s exactly what I was worried about. Are you able to see through other people’s minds?”

“Is this what you want me to do, ma’am?”

“Did you not know that deep down you’ve always wanted something like this?”

Hesset shook his head, feeling as if Christie’s voice was still echoing in his head. He stared at Christie with eyes filled with tension, wondering if, as Uriel had said, Christie really had the ability to read minds.

Even though the eyes of the Duzan couple were focused on her for a moment, Christie maintained her composure and maintained a relaxed attitude. It was also fun to see how long Hesset, who had been glancing at her from earlier, would be able to hold out until he met her gaze this time.

As she turned her gaze towards Hesset, as she had expected, his gaze moved busily from the floor to Uriel, then to the ceiling of the hallway, just like a runner who had hit a triple.

“I can see it clearly, General.”

Christie speaks while tapping the corners of her eyes, which have been upturned since birth, with her index finger.

“Then can you also suggest a solution to it? Even a child can point out the problem without an alternative.”

“Of course.”

“Tell me quickly.”

“First, change the dye used to make military uniforms.”

Uriel tilts her head at the unexpected answer.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“And feed the grass stiffly and make the size of the decoration a little bigger.”

“Then it would be more cumbersome and less efficient.”

“The young soldiers who currently make up the majority of our military will be more attracted to cool looks than efficiency, regardless of their origins or ranks. And while we will conduct training that is actually helpful in combat, we will reduce the scale to what is necessary. Instead, we will send the soldiers out on a parade through the streets of Fraua during the remaining time. ”

“Everyone who watches the march will look up to us. Even those who originally harbored hostility toward us. The awe of the citizens will naturally become our strength, and the soldiers who directly feel their envious eyes will unite with pride in their affiliation, won’t they?”

Even without her original accent, which is irritating due to the sticky L pronunciation, Christie never hesitates and presents her opinions clearly and concisely. Uriel finds her mouth hanging open at some point.

“⋯Wow, that’s amazing.”

“Of course, I think the general was also considering such a simple method.”

Uriel leans back against the chair and bursts into laughter at Christie’s words that follow.

“Ahahahaha, my eyes weren’t wrong. I’m so lucky to be able to work with you.”

“I think it is a greater fortune to have met a master who fully recognizes the abilities of his subordinates, General. Thanks to you, I am able to have the honor of dining with such a lovely lady, right?”

“Haha,ha⋯.”

Hesset, who finally suspected that she was enjoying seeing his flustered reaction by constantly mentioning him, smiled awkwardly and licked his burning throat. After all, Christie was just a subordinate and he was the husband of his superior, so was it right for him to be teased like this? If he told Uriel everything that happened between them, Christie would obviously be in bigger trouble, but Hesset couldn’t understand why he had to be more nervous up until now.

“I want to keep you closer in the future. You know that the victory banquet will be held soon, right? I will introduce you to Duke Segram, who scraped together the military funds, and Duke Privsimo, who provided the funds for this banquet. They may be boring old ladies, but they are still worth using for now.”

At least for Uriel and Christie, the atmosphere was friendly, and after that, Uriel patted Christie on the shoulder and promised to meet her again before briskly walking away.

“⋯⋯You see me later. Behind the garden.”

Hesset follows his wife, whispers something so only Christie can hear, then turns around and leaves.

***

Ray, who had received a full course of hot baths and full body massages at a high-class inn located somewhere in Maibaon, was lying alone on the bed. As soon as he arrived in this city with the Southerners, he was pushed into this inn, and after quickly paying the bill, he seemed to have dispersed to different places.

Then he gets up, opens the window next to the bed wide, and shouts at Mila, who is crouching against the wall of the inn.

“Milla!”

“Ray⋯⋯? Your face has become fluffy.”

“Ugh…what happened?”

Ray’s heart ached when he saw Mila, who was looking disheveled and unwashed.

“Well… Haa. If you’re going to treat me, treat me to both. Why am I standing outside like this…⋯⋯.”

Mila sighs, blankly looking up at the sky.

“Don’t just stand there. Come in. There are a lot of delicious things here.”

“They said they absolutely couldn’t let me in. The servant just kept telling me to find a separate place to stay. Who the hell is a servant?”

Mila grumbles and scrapes the floor with a stick she picked up somewhere.

“Just come in through the window. Hurry up.”

“If you get caught again⋯⋯.”

“What’s wrong? Come on, take my hand.”

Mila looked around cautiously, then jumped up, ran up the wall of the building, hung on the window frame, grabbed Ray’s now soft hand, and crawled into the room.