episode_0071

At the moment when my identity was revealed to me by Rachel, I took off my helmet and naturally surrendered. In front of me stood a middle-aged man with striking red hair and a stern expression similar to Rachel’s.

The pressure that had been bearing down on me like a blade dissipated as if it were a lie.

Feeling a mix of relief and disappointment as the significance of the recent battle, for which I had prepared for death just moments ago, seemed to fade away.

‘Is it because I shed so much blood?’

As the certainty of no imminent threat to my life settled in, my body relaxed from the strain, causing me to collapse backwards.

Pushing myself to the limit by simultaneously using enhancements on my body and aura, I felt a sharp pain throughout my entire being, as if needles were piercing me.

Upon seeing me fall, Rachel, who had been taken aback, checked my condition, confirmed that there was no serious harm to my life, and then immediately turned her anger towards the Marquis.

“To attack a guest formally invited to the Astrea Marquis without any warning, and to leave them injured like this, how could you! My father always taught me that strength should be used in the right way!”

‘Rachel’s personality itself may have influenced her actions, but perhaps she was also influenced by the Astrea Marquis.’

Her unwavering determination to protect others, even in life-threatening situations, was a sight I had never witnessed before in reality or even during my time at Sungyong Academy.

The Marquis Astrea, who lightly patted the back of his head with a slightly awkward expression, had no room for rebuttal to Rachel’s words.

“Nevertheless, you are not burned or dead, so everything should be fine. Stop being angry now. I have my pride too-”

“A person with dignity would not openly engage in such behavior!! Ugh…”

“There was also the incident during the entrance exam, and I asked you to investigate personally. How could I not be interested?”

Seeing Rachel express her anger so intensely was a first since becoming a reality, and even at Sungyong Academy, I had rarely seen her lose her temper.

‘Nevertheless, it seems the Astrea Marquis cannot do anything against his daughter.’

Just moments ago, I had been overwhelmed by his power and had felt both despair and admiration. Now, seeing him scolded by Rachel, he seemed somewhat like a man being scolded by his daughter.

Deciding that continuing the conversation would not be beneficial, he approached me deliberately, smoothed his voice, and introduced himself.

“Ahem. I am Raymond Astrea. I currently oversee the Astrea Marquisate and hold the title of Empire’s Best Swordsman, ready to deploy to the front lines when needed.”

“As you probably already know, I am Yukal. I am a first-year student in the Magic Department at the Ardent Academy.”

From the conversation between Rachel and the Marquis, I had a rough idea of the current situation.

Given the rumors that had spread throughout the empire about my use of swordsmanship tricks during the entrance exam, it was no surprise.

During the academy attack incident, Rachel had briefly returned to her family, so upon hearing about my abilities and the suspicious individuals announced as academy security, they had likely created this scenario to test me.

‘Caught in the Astrea Marquis’s blatant trap to draw out my true abilities.’

Firstly, considering that I was flustered by Rachel and introduced myself first, it may be judged that I revealed my skills, but I couldn’t definitively determine my relationship with Syniria’s Black Moon or my destination, so I decided to keep an eye on things.

Far away, it seems certain that a magician is bringing Victor.

“The test is too intense.”

Soon, Claire opened the door from the carriage and ran towards me.

She looked very worried, her face pale, and immediately cast healing magic on my wounds.

After wiping away the blood from my eyes, she… hugged me tightly.

“My wounds haven’t completely healed yet, so it might hurt a bit.”

Blood will stain her clothes a little.

Nevertheless, she buried her face in me, unable to contain her tears any longer.

“Yukal, I thought you were really dead. I haven’t even properly conveyed everything yet.”

“It’s okay. I’m alive right now because of you casting healing magic on me.”

She cried even more bitterly at my words.

Feeling her concern for me, I embraced and comforted her for a while.

Astrea Duke, who had endured until now to become a witness, discreetly turned his head and watched us.

He seemed ready to intervene if Rachel exploded at any moment.

Fortunately, when Helena got off the carriage, the situation was somewhat resolved.

Claire also seemed genuinely surprised.

“I greet the Empire’s great pillar.”

Helena showed considerable respect, unlike her usual self.

While she displayed a different demeanor to me, Claire, and Rachel, to others, Helena acted as a lovely princess.

“I guess she judged that she wouldn’t get away with mediocre acting in front of the Duke.”

The Duke greeted Helena lightly, inquiring about her well-being.

Helena, not as skilled as Claire but capable of healing magic, politely greeted him, then helped Claire cast healing magic on me.

“There are many women here. It can’t be helped if heroes are attracted.”

It seemed like the Duke said something unnecessary from behind… probably just a mood thing…

As time passed, the once charismatic knight seemed to lose his charm and felt more like a neighborhood uncle.

Victor, who had been talking to the magician from afar, rushed over upon seeing my injuries, creating a brief commotion that was quickly resolved.

The Duke boarded another carriage he had prepared with his attendants and departed.

Rachel seemed to want to travel with him, but due to Rachel’s firm attitude of not leaving guests behind and her apparent readiness to get angry again, she hurriedly boarded her own carriage and fled.

The storm-like disturbance passed in an instant, and two carriages bearing the crest of the Astrea Duke family headed towards the Duke’s residence.

*

Although Claire and Helena received simple treatment, Rachel insisted that we should reach the Duke’s residence for proper care, and in agreement with Claire, the carriage continued without stopping for camping.

After traveling day and night to treat my wounds, we finally arrived at the Duke’s mansion after about a day and a half.

“They really rushed non-stop at an incredible speed.”

The relentless forced march was so intense that even the enchanted horses were struggling, as I could sense midway through the journey.

Upon arriving at the Duke’s residence, I asked Claire not to forget and requested her to buff the horses for stamina. The horses, after receiving Claire’s buff, collapsed almost as if dead when the magic wore off, but they did not lose their lives.

For a while, I should focus on eating well and resting to recover, but something feels off.

“Without Claire’s buff, I would have definitely died.”

I was soon carried inside the mansion and treated in a room that resembled a medical facility.

The wound wasn’t too deep to begin with, just a bit of bloodshed, so with the combination of healing magic and medicine, the wounds seemed to heal rapidly.

While receiving treatment, I couldn’t help but naturally recall the confrontation with the Marquis that had taken place less than two days ago.

“He was truly formidable.”

Even though I staked my life and did everything I could, it was still far from enough.

If it had been a real enemy instead of Marquis Astraea, I would have perished.

Despite my determination, I was inwardly fearful.

It reminded me of the powerlessness I felt when I first encountered Cineria while hunting goblins in the mountains shortly after the possession.

Although much time had passed since then and I had thought I had grown stronger, I still keenly felt my inadequacy compared to those outside the norm, being swayed by changes in the main scenario and realizing once again how lacking my strength was.

“Nevertheless, things turned out for the better. It proves that coming here wasn’t a wasted effort.”

While facing different pressures from Cineria and Iris, I am convinced that just as with Marquis Astraea, or even more so, I will eventually become strong enough to overcome what seems like an insurmountable obstacle now, as long as I have my sword by my side.

I came here to protect everyone, taking each step with that goal in mind.

Since the healer mentioned that I could resume activities fully tomorrow, I decided to rest deeply today and give my best effort from tomorrow onwards, considering the golden opportunity given.

Clutching tightly onto the sword that was not broken but rather split in half, I made my resolve.