episode_0119

At least I learned one thing.

The fact that if an orc wanders outside alone, they could fall prey to the elves.

“Well, though the elves mainly target exceptional orcs, even male creatures in general are at risk, so you should be careful.” “That’s right. Especially you—you’re an especially dangerous type among the elves.” “Me?”

When Lissielle said that while looking at me, I was puzzled.

“Most of the underlying reasons for the elves’ behavior stem from their belief that other races are uglier than them, which is why they desire orcs. But if someone is more beautiful than them, the story changes.”

Gulp.

Lissielle sipped the tea Cheongju had made, her lips loosening as she spoke.

“Truly a blessed gift, no matter how many times I see it. Anyway, to return to the topic—elves have a certain temperament, and you’re in danger because of it.” “What kind of temperament?” “They fall in love too easily.”

Ermé answered my question.

“Among their own kind, elves may acknowledge those more beautiful than themselves, but they believe no other race could possibly surpass them in looks. That’s the underlying mindset of elves.” “But if someone with a face more striking than theirs appears, they’d be shocked, right?” “Exactly. Like when Lissielle first saw you and was so stunned she immediately started courting you—” “Y-You! Can’t you just shut up?!”

So, my well-crafted appearance is extremely dangerous.

I made a mental note to be especially cautious around elves.

I looked at Lissielle.

Unlike her, I’d also met another candidate.

That one had confessed to me too.

“Sometimes, when I look at you, it’s like you carry common sense that feels completely out of place in this world.” “…What nonsense are you spouting?”

Maybe it’s because of his age.

Old Man Vulcan’s insights are sometimes impossible to ignore.

“That’s right. Yuseong just trained in the mountains.”

Ermé dismissed Vulcan’s words as nonsense.

And then—

“That guy definitely looked at me like I was the sky when we first met.” “Maybe it’s because you were petty and refused to teach him swordsmanship?”

To think someone could become another person’s sky just through swordsmanship—yet he wouldn’t pass it on.

Even Ermé, of all people.

‘How foolish.’

—No, it’s not like swordsmanship is some kind of investment.

‘Isn’t it worth investing in?’

—…

The Holy Sword seemed at a loss for words.

This is why medieval folks are hopeless. Making a fuss over something as simple as a sword technique.

—Do you even realize that every swordsmanship you’ve learned is a secret technique?

‘Hmm…’

The Holy Sword spoke as if the techniques I’d mastered were far more impressive than I thought.

I slowly climbed into the carriage.

Holding the fidgeting Cheongju, I entered, followed by Ermé, Veronica, Clara, Lissielle, and Vulcan.

“…Is it really okay for one person to take up three seats?” “Should I step out and drive the carriage instead?” “Well, at least it’s spacious.” “But who’s going to drive…?” “The coachman was supposed to arrive, but he’s running late.” “Coachman?” “Yes, one you know, Yuseong.”

Ermé smiled brightly.

The only coachman I knew was Diago.

Why would Diago be here…?

“Hahahaha! Guess I’ll be imposing for a bit!”

Ah, so he is coming.

As the Crown Prince climbed onto the carriage, Ermé grinned as if things had gone exactly as she’d planned.

“Truly the Witch of Gold…”

Vulcan spoke as if his skin was crawling.

“Don’t speak ill of sweet Ermé.” “Does that brat look sweet to you?”

At my words, Vulcan looked flustered. When I glanced at Ermé, she giggled and smiled.

“Honestly, what can I even do? She’s my disciple. Ugh.” “…”

Vulcan rarely showed irritation.

Suddenly, I remembered her face from the past—when she’d threatened people with gold coins, wearing a sinister smile.

Like a shadowy mastermind pulling the strings behind the world.

—That’s her true nature.

‘No… I trust Ermé.’

—Don’t be fooled by her act!

Ignoring the Holy Sword’s desperate protests, I turned my gaze to the Crown Prince.

“Don’t worry. Our rather unfortunate-looking Diago will handle the driving.” “Unfortunate-looking?” “Well, he’s not quite handsome enough, and among us, he’s the least attractive. So, ‘unfortunate-looking’ fits.” “Wow.”

That was downright cruel.

Diago’s face twisted in anger at the Crown Prince’s words, but he quickly gave up.

“Don’t worry. Diago’s gotten off easy compared to what he’s done.” “Ah, if that’s the case.” “What’s with that relieved expression?”

When I nodded, Diago looked like he was about to explode.

Without another word, I silently mouthed Holy Sword at him.

Diago immediately shut up and went to sit in the coachman’s seat.

—Well, from your or my perspective, it’s fine.

‘But still, while transporting the Holy Sword, even if I could help someone, the fact that the person in question was a demon and nearly got me killed…’

That felt a bit excessive.

He’s a good kid, sharp in politics, but his mission execution skills leave something to be desired.

‘The kind of guy you have to view with suspicion the moment a mission starts.’

That was my assessment of Diago.

The Crown Prince beamed as he stepped into the carriage.

“Hmm, it seems a bit cramped in here.” “Then I’ll step out.”

Vulcan made a move to stand awkwardly.

“Cheeky. No need. The uninvited guest here is me, after all.”

A golden light flickered in the Crown Prince’s eyes.

Then, the carriage seemed to expand.

—Oh? To think he can wield the imperial power like that. Impressive.

The Holy Sword sounded impressed.

My eyes widened as I stared at the Crown Prince.

I couldn’t help it.

The interior of the carriage had grown at least three times larger than before.

—As expected of the imperial family. A man with no talent for magic or swordsmanship, yet blessed with bloodline alone. No wonder he’s the Crown Prince.

‘Bloodline?’

—Yes, bloodline. A hereditary gift. The ability to manipulate space is a signature trait passed down through the imperial lineage.

As the Holy Sword finished speaking, the Crown Prince smirked.

“Surprised? You’re making quite the stunned face. Guess pushing myself was worth it.” “Pushing yourself?” “Well, maintaining it semi-permanently takes effort. Spatial magic is incredibly useful, but if mishandled, it can cause massive casualties, so it requires meticulous control. If this spatial expansion were to collapse midway, half the people here would die.”

In other words, he was confident in his control—hence why he’d done it.

—That won’t happen. He cast it carefully and firmly, likely because of Vulcan.

‘Carefully and firmly, huh.’

—No, it’s not just that. He made it so no one can interfere with it. As a mage, he pursued perfection.

‘…?’

—Hmm… Explaining this is a bit tedious. Let’s start with this: Hereditary gifts. Unlike other abilities, they don’t affect lifespan.

‘Really?’

—That’s why the imperial family, generation after generation, focuses on mastering one thing—whether swordsmanship or magic—while prioritizing their bloodline abilities. Time and space, creation and destruction—starting with one of these, the dreams of all, is only natural.

‘But?’

—That Crown Prince… He’s dabbled in many things, but last I saw, he had considerable expertise in swordsmanship too.

‘…?’

—He’s far more cunning than he appears.

‘Well, he’s the Crown Prince. Of course he’s cunning.’

—…What you see isn’t everything. He’s not actually weak, and he seems to have reached a master-level in swordsmanship.

‘Master, huh.’

—…It’s ridiculous to explain this based on your standards, but a Level 5 in a single field barely earns the title of master. Among them, those who wield sword aura are the true masters. Anyway, despite that, he flawlessly executed spatial distortion like it was magic.

‘…’

So, in other words—

The Crown Prince is far stronger than he appears.

‘He doesn’t seem that threatening, though.’

But what I’d just witnessed felt different.

The power to manipulate space.

Just how much could be done with that…?

‘Hm?’

Suddenly, something flashed in my mind regarding space.

—What’s with that look?

‘Hold on.’

Silencing the Holy Sword, I studied the carriage the Crown Prince had expanded using spatial magic.

What is space?

A fleeting bolt of lightning. If I could grasp it, something would change.

‘It’s not like I’ve ever had anything like this before.’

I sank deep into thought for a while.

But in the end, I couldn’t seize the answer.

I let out a heavy sigh internally.

‘Guess I’m not cut out for the genius path.’

I’ve always been the type to rely on the system, using cheats to get by.

Someone who prefers easy rewards isn’t going to have some grand epiphany.

Lately, I’d started thinking I was exceptional—had I really started believing it?

A bit embarrassed, my face flushed.

—No, the way you’ve been performing like a monster so far—that is an epiphany.

The Holy Sword pretended to console me while sounding smug.

Yet, I sensed a strange unease in its tone.

Was it because I was feeling down?

Uncharacteristically, I felt a mix of complicated emotions.

—You’re good at stealing things from others, aren’t you? Space isn’t an attribute you’d normally handle. The power of creation and destruction, time and space—it’s a force granted only to a select few.

‘Right, I’m a thief. Stealing is…’

Wait.

Stealing?

A sudden thought struck me, and I blankly stared at the space.

Spatial expansion stretches space.

So, what if I stole space?

—Hmm…?

I looked outside.

Lost in thought, I hadn’t even noticed the carriage had stopped.

When I opened the door and stepped out—

“Finally, you look like you’ve realized something?”

Vulcan was watching me with tired eyes.

“Just a moment.”

Cutting off Vulcan, I turned to Ermé.

What is Jeoltu?

It steals from the opponent.

On a whim, I imagined stealing the distance between Ermé and me.

I moved my hand.

For a moment, my hand vanished, and I felt myself grasping something.

And then—

Whoosh!

“Wh-What’s going on?”

Ermé’s flustered face came into view.

The only difference was—

We’d been 10 meters apart.

Now, she was right in front of me.

‘…’

I stared at Ermé.

I’d never been this close to her before. Looking at her this closely, her eyes seemed slightly red.

—Wait, did you just—

‘I think I stole it.’

Space, that is.