Chapter 29
To be honest, I wasn't that curious. Cadet Ekinesia Roaz put on a puzzled expression out of courtesy. I was grateful that she was looking out for my reputation, and more than anything, I felt a debt in my heart for having killed him.
"I know a few geniuses. The most representative one is our Captain, who is now up in the clouds. We were roommates back in the academy."
Baraha didn't join their conversation and remained silent with a thoughtful look. Dietrich glanced at him, rubbed his chin, and chuckled.
"He's a genius too. Anyway, after watching these geniuses, I've noticed they all have something in common."
"What is it?"
"Geniuses are all crazy. And they reveal their craziness in their own ways. It's a world that a mediocre person like me can't understand, so I just have to accept it. Like your outfit."
"...Is that a compliment that I'm a genius too?"
"Oh, you understand well. You're a wonderful crazy person."
Sir Dietrich laughed cheerfully and patted Eki's shoulder. I wasn't sure if it was a compliment or an insult. When Eki subtly distorted her face, he winked.
"Well, apart from being crazy, I think you look good in that dress anyway. That's what I wanted to say. I like it because it's pretty. So let's be friends in the future, Cadet Ekinesia."
[Isn't that the guy who's going to be the Giosa Owner of Leming Giosa soon? The Leming Giosa guy has unique tastes.]
'...Is this what he was like...?'
I didn't know because I only remembered his desperate side clearly. Eki couldn't hide her bewildered expression and retorted.
"...Sir Dietrich, I think you're quite a genius too."
"Is that an insult? Hey, you're quite good at applying things, aren't you? Still, thanks for calling me a genius."
Dietrich chuckled and lightly tapped the back of Baraha's head, who still had a serious expression.
"Ouch, Sir Dietrich! What are you doing!"
"Cheering you on to do well. Do well. Then I'm off."
Dietrich, who had stirred them up, left the spot. Baraha rubbed the back of his head and sighed. After Dietrich's figure completely disappeared, he turned to Eki. Then he bowed his head.
"Sorry."
"You didn't do anything to apologize for, Senior."
"I was trying to help, but I was short-sighted. I didn't think about what would happen to your reputation."
"It's okay, I don't care about that."
Eki smiled and shook her head. Baraha was trying to help not because she was a 'lady,' but because she was a Squire junior he was teaching. Knowing his sincerity, I didn't dislike it. Baraha, seeing her smile, grinned mischievously and crossed his arms.
"Then, should I keep helping?"
"No, not that."
Eki refused without hesitation. Apart from not caring about rumors, there was no need to intentionally create bad rumors. Especially when it involved others. Baraha chuckled and pointed to the side.
"I'm going to set up my and the Vice-Captain's barracks over there. Come ask if you don't do well."
"Yes, thank you."
"Then, good luck."
After Baraha left, Eki was left alone. She finished setting up Yuriene's and her own barracks. She had learned from Baraha during her probation period, so it wasn't difficult even though she was clumsy. And if she used Mana here and there, she wouldn't lack strength.
After finishing setting up the barracks and unpacking her luggage in her barracks, it was midnight. It took quite a while because she had a lot of clothes and accessories.
Eki finally took out a neatly folded cloak from her bag. A dark blue men's cloak with no special features or patterns. Yuriene had covered her with it in front of the fountain. She placed it on her lap and stroked it. A ticklish sensation lingered around her shoulders.
[Is that Yuriene's?]
"Yeah. I have to return it..."
I still had it because I didn't dare to call him out and meet him separately to return it.
She held the cloak and slightly lifted the fabric of the barracks entrance. There was no light in Yuriene's barracks right next door. He had moved inside the canyon and started a meeting as soon as he arrived, and it seemed the meeting hadn't ended yet.
'I should put it in his barracks. Before he comes.'
I would be close to him from now on, but I still wanted to minimize encounters as much as possible. She looked around again and quickly entered his barracks.
Even though it was May, the weather was cold in the north, so the fabric of the barracks was so thick that not a single ray of light could penetrate it. Even Eki, who could see clearly with just the faint moonlight, couldn't see well.
But even if I couldn't see, I couldn't help but know. Her senses weren't so dull that she wouldn't know someone's presence in such a close and narrow space.
Yuriene was inside the barracks.
I didn't know because the lights were off and I only checked the outside. I was less careful about the inside because I had set up the barracks myself, although Baraha had led it. Besides, it was difficult to notice Yuriene's presence if he was quiet without moving.
All excuses. She was careless. She should have checked the inside before entering.
Eki stopped abruptly at the entrance of the barracks. Even though she had entered carefully, there was no way he wouldn't know she had entered. Nevertheless, there was no movement or sound from inside for a while.
I just have to say that I came to return the cloak. But thinking that Yuriene was beyond the invisible darkness, I couldn't open my mouth. Eki clenched the cloak in her hand. Why does my head go blank like this when I'm in front of him?
After an extremely anxious time, there was a quiet movement. Yuriene lit the lamp. The flickering vermilion light flared up and filled the inside of the barracks.
"Cadet Ekinesia."
After calling her, Yuriene didn't continue right away. A hesitant feeling. His gaze glanced past her and lingered in the air for a moment, then slowly returned to her. The light of the lamp flickered like a flame in his calm eyes.
"...What brings you here?"
His voice was subtly lower than usual. Eki inhaled as if freed from a spell and held out the cloak.
"I came to return this... I'm sorry for returning it late."
Yuriene silently stared at what she held out. He, who had been standing by the lamp, approached her. With each approaching step, her heart pounded.
Yuriene took the cloak from her hand. His fingertips brushed against hers as he took it. Even though it only brushed slightly over the glove, the sensation was clear.
He held the folded cloak and looked down at it. Because he wasn't looking at her, Eki was able to calm down gradually. The tension flowed down like sand.
She looked at Yuriene. He, who was dyed in the light of the vermilion lamp, seemed a little more heated than usual.
His lowered eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings each time they blinked, and the blue eyes beneath them rippled like a stormy sea. His lips twitched as if he wanted to say something, then closed as if holding back and swallowing.
All those signals clearly meant one thing. He's nervous.
'...Why?'
I felt like something was giving way. Until now, she had never been calm in front of him. But now, for the first time, her heart was calm.
I finally see. How nervous he is in front of her. It was strange that I didn't know, he was so careful.
Just as she became as sensitive as a needle tip when she stood in front of him, he was also cautious as if groping for a mirage when he was in front of her.
The experience felt very long, but it was actually a short silence. Yuriene finally opened his mouth.
"Did you just come to return this?"
"...Yes."
Did there have to be another reason? I couldn't figure out what he was thinking when he said that. Eki hesitated and added.
"Ah, thank you for the sweets and ginger tea last time..."
"...Did those help you?"
"Yes. Very much."
At that answer, Yuriene raised his head. He looked at her, and smiled brightly, so brightly that she flinched in surprise.
Her heart pounded at how softly his eyes and mouth relaxed. Can a person smile so defenselessly?
If she hadn't been the object of that smile, she would have thought he was in love.
I might be mistaken if I faced him a little longer. If it hadn't been for the suspicion that he knew about the erased past and the things she had done, she would have fallen into delusion at this moment.
Eki hurriedly turned her head away from him.
"Excuse me, Captain. I'll be on my way."
"Cadet Ekinesia, wait a moment."
Yuriene hurriedly called her as she turned around. Eki stopped, holding the fabric of the barracks entrance. Her sensitive senses vividly felt the hand that had come close as if to grab her shoulder going down without touching her. He asked quietly.
"...Have you ever encountered a Monster?"
It was a rather sudden question.
In the days when she was wielded by the Demon Sword, Monsters would appear in every ruin that Ekinesia passed through. But since the Demon Sword's purpose was to kill humans, it didn't deal with Monsters separately.
Eki became familiar with Monsters thanks to her experiences when she overcame the Demon Sword and gathered Giosa. In particular, one Giosa was sucked into a 'Node,' so she had a hard time bathing in Monster blood.
Of course, as the noble lady 'Ekinesia Roaz,' she had never experienced such a thing.
"I've seen them before."
Eki answered vaguely. A weak sigh was felt from behind. He said quietly.
"Monsters have many unique ecologies. Many things are different from dealing with humans. Have you learned about that?"
"...To some extent."
"If so, that's fortunate, but..."
Again, a hesitant look. I was curious about what kind of expression he was making, but I was afraid to turn around. If I saw the same expression as before again, the emotions that had been broken in the past might be revived.
That was an insult to him, whom she had killed and destroyed with her own hands. If I had any shame, I shouldn't do that. Eki bit the inside of her cheek.
"Cadet Ekinesia. From tomorrow morning, the subjugation party will be divided into two to sweep the top of both sides of White Raven Canyon. Since there are many Monsters in the center, we will clear both sides and take a day's rest, and then, excluding the cadets, the Giosa Owners will stand at the forefront to break through. The Squires are not excluded. So you will also participate in subjugating the center."
Yuriene quickly conveyed in a stiff tone. He took a deep breath and continued.
"I don't doubt your sword... but since Monsters are unpredictable creatures, I hope you will be careful not to stray too far from my side."
"You don't doubt my sword? Have you ever seen me use a sword?"
This point bothered me more than his cautious concern. Had he ever seen her sword since her regression? There wouldn't have been a chance, would there? Wasn't that why she had asked for a duel? How can he say he believes it?
Eki finally turned around and stared at him. Yuriene answered coolly after a short silence.
