episode_0073

Midsection of the original work.

The story in the central region of the Kravan Empire mostly revolved around a certain sword-wielding individual.

Wrapped in mystery except for being of imperial descent, possessing the Possible Insect attribute, and skillfully wielding a sword.

As the central region’s narrative unfolded, secrets began to unravel one by one. Had all the information about this individual been revealed as we entered the later stages, heading towards the Southern Great Forest?

It had been over three months since the possession, so my memory was a bit hazy, but one thing was clear – the central region itself was a stage set to unravel the mystery of the sword.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Territory, just observing his consistent state of unease provided some answers.

Approaching the sword-wielder, who rarely brought out even his greatsword, I posed a question.

“Why have you been like that since earlier? Is something wrong?”

“I’m on guard because it feels like a meteor might fall. If the news is true, it should be falling soon.”

“…I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Was it resentment towards a high-ranking mage?

No, despite his eccentricities, he was such a good-natured fellow that he wouldn’t pick fights with anyone.

I was curious.

Who could have sent a meteor hurtling towards our group?

While it could easily have been the likes of Gwangleong, that didn’t seem likely. The Gwangleong I knew would have shown himself to our group before unleashing such an attack due to his love for appearances.

So, what did the sword-wielder mean by ‘meteor’?

The term ‘meteor’ was almost unheard of in the original.

Could it be that Gwangleong, cornered to his last resort, was about to use Meteor Strike, or perhaps Beatrice was dropping a giant meteor towards the World Tree?

No matter how much I pondered, the answer eluded me. Shaking my head in confusion, the sword-wielder gazed up at the sky and raised an aura of urgency.

“It’s coming.”

What’s coming?

Following the sword-wielder’s gaze, I saw a huge meteor hurtling towards our group at breakneck speed.

Caught off guard by the impending disaster, I was lost in thought when the sword-wielder urgently proposed a solution.

“Louis? Could you breathe towards that golden spot over there?”

“Oh… Quite an interesting fellow approaching, isn’t it? Hey, Swordbearer! Can I take that on?”

“You can… No, you’ll understand once you experience it firsthand.”

The golden spot grew larger.

In response, the Drakonian Louis unleashed a powerful breath towards it, but…

Kwadddduk –

Only a fierce sound echoed as the golden meteor continued its rapid descent, unaffected.

Soon, a startled Louis attempted to cancel the breath and summon a Flame Sword to intercept, but the golden meteor had already reached her, raising a deafening roar and kicking up a tremendous amount of dust.

Kwaang!!!

Ssshhhh –

As the dust settled, a woman with burning red hair emerged, bearing a fiery sword.

She seemed unmistakably connected to the sword-wielder.

With a mocking glance at Louis’s unconscious and smooth tail, she smirked at the sword-wielder.

“Long time no see~ Our youngest, were you doing well during your runaway?”

“It wasn’t a runaway; it was a journey for true love! If this is a runaway, then what you did…”

“Come at me before you fold your spine.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Almost like siblings, after a brief exchange of harsh words, they began to have a proper conversation.

Discussing events in the Empire during the sword-wielder’s absence, or the remarkable journey the group had undertaken.

Despite their initially tense conversation, they seemed to gradually warm up to each other, easing the awkward atmosphere.

However, this was my misconception.

Because…

Hwoong –

The crazy guy who was laughing heartily suddenly pointed a lance as huge as my torso at my neck.

“What’s this nonsense, nun?”

The startled sword guy coldly spoke and immediately drew out a claymore, but the crazy guy pressured him by mentioning the family rules.

“You know too, right? Our family tradition. We must test if this woman is suitable as your companion.”

“…You’ve done it before, so you should know the procedure well, right? Then…”

“Just a moment.”

In the midst of trying to do something, I halted the woman who was about to become my sister-in-law for a moment and first pushed aside the fierce lance pointed at my neck.

No matter how scary it is, corrections must be made, right?

I began to firmly correct what the mentally unstable guy in front of me was misunderstanding.

“I-I’m not in that kind of relationship with her, am I?”

Without even considering offering rice cakes, who knows how many bowls of kimchi soup they consumed together.

Where on earth did he get the idea that we are in a romantic relationship?

Did I hold hands with him? Or did I link arms with him like lovers do?

Sure, we tried to match compatibility… but only in dreams! That wasn’t reality!

Anyone can see that we’re just ‘ordinary colleagues,’ so how could he misunderstand?

Frowning and glaring fiercely, only then did the sword guy’s nun start to ponder deeply.

“Uh… uh…”

Soon after making a bewildered expression, he bowed his head to the ground and begged for forgiveness.

“Sorry!!!”

…The first meeting with the sword guy’s family was the worst.

——

“What happened to your Dire Wolf pendant, hyungnim? Did you end up getting scammed?”

“…Yeah, turns out it was a male. So that Lycan guy, he’s stuck in the territory right now, unable to do anything.”

“Hyungnim, you’re truly amazing. I don’t know where to begin praising you.”

“Just stop teasing me. Oh, and don’t go mock the Lycan guy? He’s probably on the verge of suicide right now.”

“That makes sense. His favorite was a ‘male’ Dire Wolf pendant, so he must be quite heartbroken.”

…Are they really from the ‘Passable’ lineage?

The conversation I overheard between siblings as we moved to the territory was enough to confuse my mind.

There were truly no crazier individuals.

No, is it normal to beat a Dire Wolf? How can respecting preferences involve beating an animal?

“Phew…”

Sighing, barely holding onto my dizzy mind, Cecilia approached me and started talking.

“I’m sorry about earlier. Honey was dripping from that guy’s eyes, so I thought you two were lovers.”

“Even so, pointing a lance out of nowhere is a bit much… What if you had died?”

“But you didn’t even bat an eye at that? Hmm, maybe because you’re a witch?”

“… ”

Her nonchalant attitude as she spoke dismissively didn’t sit well with me.

I-I was really scared, okay? My goosebumps were real, I almost freaked out for real!

The reason I didn’t bat an eye was simply that I was too shocked!

Think about it!

A woman you were chatting happily with suddenly points a weapon at your throat!

How would you react? Do you think you could handle it calmly?

No!

Stuttering and realizing the reality afterward is all there is to it?! Maybe someone who received special training might not react that way!

Anyway, I was extremely scared!!!

Looking at Cecilia with a stern expression, she avoided eye contact without saying a word.

She seemed to know she was wrong, but I couldn’t confront her recklessly.

The feeling of the lance still being pointed at my neck was vivid.

Silently hesitating, Cecilia awkwardly smiled and spoke to me again.

“How did you meet your younger sibling? I kept asking, but you never told me.”

“They just barged into my peaceful life. And not just any elves, crazy ones.”

“Oh, that doesn’t sound like a pleasant first meeting. But still, being together must mean there’s some affection, right?”

“No, that brat just keeps following me around. It’s driving me crazy.”

“I see, I see.”

After telling her everything truthfully, Cecilia started laughing cheerfully.

…Did I eat something wrong? Why is she laughing when I answered seriously?

Puzzled, but Cecilia was inscrutable, far from ordinary logic.

Wanting to change the subject, I asked about the incident involving Gwongryong.

“By the way, have there been any recent incidents of young girls being kidnapped?”

“Young girls? Nothing in the north, but there have been rumors of such incidents happening frequently near the south. But why ask…”

“Oh, it’s quite a serious matter. The entire empire could be at risk.”

“…Could you provide more details?”

If an ordinary person had spoken, it would have been a joke, but the one speaking now was none other than a witch.

Cecilia dropped her playful demeanor and began to address me seriously, and since there was no harm, I explained the situation.

As per the original work, I had to acknowledge the power of the empire and the support of the Pasible family.

When the conversation ended, Cecilia sighed heavily, grasping the hilt of her sword.

“Damn it, this idiot… I thought he brought a priest, but what disaster is this!”

“It’s okay, Lady. We’ve at least crossed halfway.”

“Do you see that as halfway, you moron? And you’re a hero, this guy? He may be my brother, but I didn’t know he’d be such a pushover!”

“Well, isn’t the beginning half the battle? Then we must have crossed halfway, right?”

“Ugh, you imbecile… I’ll stop talking.”

Exhaling deeply, Cecilia released the sword’s hilt and approached me with a predatory expression.

Then, she chewed on her lip and growled as she asked.

“Just one thing I want to ask, Witch.”

Fiddling with the handle of the massive lance on her back.

“Do you have feelings for my brother?”

She urged me to answer.