episode_0073

The next day dawned, and upon hearing that the injuries had fully healed in the treatment room, I could finally make my escape.

‘Ah, feeling stiff.’

No matter how good the facilities were, the treatment room was more uncomfortable than I had imagined.

The bed was hard, and the smell of disinfectant lingered so strongly that it made my head spin.

‘Nevertheless, since I’m mostly recovered, I can ask the duke to inform the sword.’

If I could obtain that power and identify the difficulty level and weaknesses of the main scenario calculation method, I could save and protect everyone.

Guided by a servant, as we moved towards the dining hall and opened the door, the scene I anticipated unfolded before me.

The duke sat at the head, with Rachel and the rest of the party seated beside him.

Victor and Claire, who seemed hesitant about the luxurious meal, were discreetly guided and assisted by the servants in how to eat and observe proper etiquette from behind.

“Welcome. Although your body may not have fully recovered yet, eating well will speed up the healing process.”

The first to greet me was the duke.

Although I quietly opened the door to avoid disturbing the meals of others, there was no escaping the duke’s notice.

The expressions of the other attendees brightened upon confirming my condition was alright.

Especially Claire, who seemed on the verge of tears even though my injuries weren’t severe.

‘It’s just a little blood; I’m fine.’

Still, I was grateful for her concern and care.

After a light bow, I sat next to Claire and added, “I will instruct the servants to prepare a special nourishing meal for you since the meal is almost finished. If there is anything specific you’d like to eat, feel free to ask.”

“I appreciate your consideration. However, I had requested to eat the patient’s meal in the treatment room beforehand and then come out. Instead of that, would you grant me an opportunity to have a separate conversation?”

As I requested a private audience, the demeanor of the duke, who was holding a knife and fork, changed slightly.

While earlier he had been closer to a father figure trying to be as comfortable as possible in front of his daughter and her guests, now he seemed to reveal the aspect of a knight in his role as the duke.

“Since the meals of the others are nearly finished, please wait a moment. Once they are done, would you stay a while longer?”

Although I felt sorry for Claire and Victor hurrying to finish their meals due to our conversation, it was an important matter, so I hoped they would understand this one time.

As we finished our meal according to our own pace, even Helena, staying true to her style, the others quickly vacated the dining hall, leaving only the duke and me behind.

Finally, the duke, who had been holding back all the attendants and knights, spoke up.

“So, what is it that you wanted to tell me so urgently that you had to keep everyone else waiting? You know you could have finished your meal and spoken to me separately.”

“I judged that time was short, so I acted accordingly. I will make sure such a thing does not happen again in the future, so I hope you won’t be too angry.”

Having spent very little time at the Ardente Academy with Rachel, opportunities to dine together were rare. She seemed a bit annoyed at being interrupted during our first meal.

‘There’s nothing to be done. It was uncertain how many hours it would take to wait properly for a conversation with the duke.’

Since I hadn’t spoken first, I had no regrets about potentially wasting part of this precious time.

Despite having no equipment, the pressure I felt was incomparable to when attacking a carriage.

Under the duke’s pressure, my hair was almost blowing in the wind.

Nevertheless, as I had faced Syniria and Iris before, I was not nervous enough to make mistakes.

After taking a deep breath, I brought up the words I had been thinking about since hearing from Rachel that Duke Astraea wanted to see me.

“I would like you to personally teach me the sword.”

In response to my words, the Duke just gazed at me silently.

After some time had passed, the Duke spoke slowly.

“I can teach you the sword. There are those who have come seeking instruction from me throughout the empire. However, they all promised to remain loyal to the Duke of Astraea until their dying breath and became part of the Duke’s faction.”

“…”

“Though you did not directly mention it, I interpret your words as a request to be taught the sword without becoming part of the Duke’s faction. Am I merely indulging in excessive imagination?”

“…No.”

‘Not so easily dismissed.’

It was only natural not to casually reveal one’s training methods or techniques to outsiders or invest time unnecessarily.

Although showing a demeanor that did not quite suit me, the Duke’s ability to deduce that from just a few words I uttered proved that he would not have risen to his position based solely on brute force.

“There may be ways other than what I have suggested. If you choose this path, I promise to dedicate more time to you than in the former case.”

‘Not become a Duke’s retainer and yet such an option exists?’

As much as I tried to think otherwise, I couldn’t help but be astonished by what the Duke continued to say.

“Marry Rachel. By doing so, as a member of the Duke’s family, I can pass on everything to you.”

The sudden proposal of a surprise marriage left me feeling dizzy.

While there was some fondness in Sungyong, it was limited to personal story viewing, recruiting comrades, and changes in attitude towards me. I hadn’t even considered the dating system.

‘Isn’t marriage something that should involve the opinions of both parties rather than being done alone…’

I could sense Rachel eavesdropping behind the door, which the Duke would not have noticed.

Unable to bear it, Rachel burst into the room, her face flushed with anger.

“Father, what on earth are you talking about!! Marriage out of nowhere!”

To bring up marriage without even considering the opinion of the person who dislikes it to the point of raising her voice so much.

‘Is Duke Astraea really someone without blood or tears, as it seems.’

Despite Rachel’s interruption causing a commotion, I firmly ordered her to leave without eavesdropping, and the conversation continued.

“So, what do you think? I did not bring up this matter lightly. Your talent has played a significant role, but it’s not the only factor. I have taken into account all your actions up to now and even your daughter’s situation.”

“I’m sorry, but that seems difficult. Specifically, it is impossible before graduating from the Ardent Academy.”

In negotiating with Syniria in the past, we had agreed to renegotiate our positions regarding her and me before her graduation, and until then, she would not belong elsewhere.

However, I could speak about other matters.

“His Lordship must have attacked the carriage while concealing his identity for a reason. There were unidentified individuals announced as special security personnel during the Academy attack, and since they were in my vicinity, he must have attacked to ascertain their relationship.”

Upon hearing the news, suspicions about my relationship with Heukwol were inevitable. When I approached the carriage and saw Heukwol 4 nearby, I was convinced there was some kind of connection.

“I only traded with them to protect the Academy, nothing more, nothing less. I can assure you of this much.”

Knowing the danger posed by the Duke, I don’t think Synelia from Heukwol 4 is close enough to overhear, but it seems safest to limit the conversation to this extent.

“Moreover, from my perspective, I considered it a real battle and truly risked my life once to save Rachel’s life. Shouldn’t you teach me in return?”

Closing his eyes at my response, he eventually replied, “Very well. If you answer just one final question of mine, I will teach you how to wield a sword.”

‘What question could it be?’

If asked about Heukwol or Synelia, I cannot respond.

It would put me in a difficult position if he inquired about that.

Anxiously, I listened to the Duke’s following words, but the unexpected question that came out was so absurd that my tension dissipated.

“Who do you think is the most beautiful person you’ve ever seen in your life? Even if you can’t reveal the name, you can describe their appearance roughly.”

‘Really? What’s going on?’

The talk about many women just before boarding the carriage last time, and now this question from Duke Astraea, is surprisingly frivolous.

Even in such a serious setting, I couldn’t hide my momentarily bewildered expression.

“I haven’t particularly thought about that… Do I really have to answer that?”

Observing my flustered reaction, the Duke nodded with a satisfied smile, prompting me to continue.

“No, that should suffice. Let’s begin.”

Naturally, rising from his seat, the Duke seemed content with something. Following suit, I stood up as well.

“Ah! With our Rachel around, there’s no way an old lady like that would catch anyone’s eye.”

It seemed like the Duke muttered something quietly, but I didn’t catch it properly.

‘It feels oddly chilly down my spine.’

With a sense of unease, I left the restaurant.