◈ 281. [Side Story] Fall Festival (2)
“Your Highness!”
Serenade got under the carriage with the help of the escort.
Naturally, that escort was Serenade’s faithful subordinate, Elise, surrounded by a swordsman the size of a house.
“You had a lot of trouble getting here, Serenade.”
I welcomed my guests with open arms. Serenade and Elise bowed slightly to me.
Elise had an expressionless face underneath her dark blue hair, but she looked at me and lowered her eyes slightly.
Seeing how well you look, you must be doing well.
The serenade that raised the waist gave a bashful laugh.
“sorry. It was a little later than expected as we paved the way from the imperial capital to the Crossroads here.”
I beg your pardon?
You said you came down while doing road maintenance? Those rough mountain roads?
‘I thought it would take longer to arrive than I thought, but it didn’t.’
These people came to work in an unbelievable amount of time… … !
I looked at the personnel at the top with a new gaze. Somehow, they start to look like warriors of the reversal.
“The national road project was carried out by our corps. And the road maintenance has not been completely completed, but only the most basic stage of construction has been carried out.”
Serenade pointed to the wagons behind her.
“Still, there won’t be a big problem with magic stone distribution. If you give us permission, we can send the magic stones of the Crossroads to the ecliptic from tomorrow.”
“You really worked hard, Serenade. thank you.”
As I congratulated her, the serenade wiggled her fingers in embarrassment.
“No, no. It’s something I promised you. You don’t have to thank me.”
“Ughhhh… .”
Yes, you say that, so why am I ashamed of myself… … .
I was embarrassed and scratched the back of my neck. It was at that time that a somewhat dreamy atmosphere was about to form.
“This this… .”
Evangeline, who was trembling next to me, muttered as she looked up at the serenade with a shocked face.
“This mature, sophisticated, and beautiful woman could not… … ?”
“Oh hello. Evangeline. This is a serenade. He is the owner of the Winter Silver Merchant.”
I also introduced Evangeline to Serenade.
“Serenade, this is Evangeline. He’s the heir to the Countess of the Crossroads.”
“Nice to meet you, Evangeline. The girl is said to be serenade. I wish you well in the future.”
Serenade bowed first to show her respect. It was a greeting of perfect etiquette, without any gaps.
“It’s nice to see you too, Serenade-nim! however!”
Evangeline, who glanced sideways between me and the serenade, asked straight away.
“Actually, when I was living in Hwangdo, I read a lot of magazines with gossip about the two of you!”
“… .”
I raised my hand and touched my forehead.
Come to think of it, Evangeline said that when she was in the academy at the Imperial Palace, she collected, read, and scrapped all sorts of scandalous magazines related to me… … !
“There were all kinds of speculations about the two of you! I was so curious that I couldn’t even sleep! Please answer me openly!”
Evangeline threw a super fastball at Serenade.
“What exactly is the relationship between the two of you?!”
“yes? oh so… … .”
Embarrassed and hesitant, Serenade carefully looked at me and muttered with a slight blush.
“… Could it be your ex-girlfriend?”
Then Evangeline, her eyes wide open as if they were about to burst, squealed.
“Ex-Girlfriend?!”
“… .”
… No, since you say that, how come you sound like an EX-rated girlfriend?!
“I mean, I dumped someone this pretty, senior… ?”
“No, that’s why it’s not cold, but it’s true that it’s cold.”
As I stumbled, the trembling Evangeline suddenly punched me in the shoulder.
“You flirt! Bad Guy-!”
Why are you hitting me man?!
***
“Thank you so much for coming in person, but a serenade.”
manor house. drawing room.
After serving simple refreshments and sitting down, I asked Serenade.
“are you okay? There won’t be a lot of work to do in the ecliptic. You don’t have to come until these changes come… … .”
“In the ecliptic, the business of the Winter Silver Merchant is all stable. Alberto was of great help in the new business connected with the imperial family.”
It was nice to hear about Alberto.
The old butler, who was in charge of the detached palace, seems to be leading the second act of his life at the Winter Silver Merchant.
“I entrusted Alberto with the general management of the Hwangdo Trading Company. He’s been in charge of household chores for the imperial family all his life, so he’s really meticulous about his work. The connections are wide… … If you were better than me, you wouldn’t be better. And if it’s necessary, just contact Seo-eung Jeon and that’s it… … .”
At the top of Winter Silver, there is Jeon Seo-eung (傳書鷹), a communication system using eagles.
Right now, a few of them also came with the upper rank procession that came this time. If there is an urgent business, you can contact me through that.
But no matter how much it is, the top state must be in the ecliptic, at the end of this southern world… … .
“which… .”
The serenade’s voice trembled slightly as she lowered her eyes and stirred the teacup with a spoon.
“Alberto told me to go where I want to go… by pushing.”
“… .”
Ooooh! Since a while ago, the atmosphere has been filled with affection and subtlety! I mean, I don’t have much tolerance for this! Ash Kim! Hurry up and get some work done instead! It’s your first love!
“… and. More than anything.”
Then Serenade’s face became serious.
“There is something I must tell the prince directly.”
I blinked. what to say to me?
Serenade took a deep breath with a determined expression, looked straight at me with a straight silver gaze, and slowly opened her mouth—
“Ah.”
I was about to say something, but I turned my gaze to the side. huh? I saw that too.
“… ah.”
Lucas was standing at the entrance to the drawing room.
With that big size, he hid himself outside the door, sticking his head out inside the door, and was watching this side of him.
Hey big dog! Do you think that would hide your size!
“Long time no see Sir Lucas! how have you been doing?”
The serenade waved and greeted first.
Embarrassed, Lucas rolled his blue eyes to look at the atmosphere awkwardly, and then gave an embarrassing bow.
“… long time no see. Serenade girl.”
“Why are you doing that there? come in It’s Your Highness’s escort.”
“ah… So that’s… … .”
Lucas glanced at me. I also broke out in a cold sweat.
“… That escort job… … May I resume, sir?”
Lucas, who said that, still had bandages wrapped around his body.
After the battle, he was not properly treated and was left in prison for a week. It will take a few more days for the injury to fully recover.
“You’re not feeling well yet. Take a few more days off.”
“but… .”
“Uh huh. Don’t overdo it.”
“… I understand, lord.”
Lucas looked like a dog in the rain abandoned by his owner, then stumbled around and left the drawing room… .
“hmm… .”
Serenade looked at Lucas’ back as he disappeared and asked with an awkward smile.
“Sir Lucas, the mood has changed quite a bit. Originally more… … .”
“No, that’s it. Mmm.”
I was embarrassed for nothing, so I gulped down my tea and briefly explained what had happened.
That this battle was quite dangerous That that Lucas was exposed to danger as the war situation became imminent, that he almost lost his humanity forever and turned into a beast… .
Even the fact that I was scolded a little severely so that I would never use that method again.
After that, it was an awkward situation for the next few days. I said it honestly.
“Isn’t Your Highness Sir Lucas the escort who has been with You since he was very young?”
After hearing the story, Serenade thought for a moment and then gave me a soft voice.
“Is it so… Should I have disciplined you even with a hand-judge?”
“I almost lost him forever.”
Lucas is the main character of this game.
It is an indispensable existence for future attacks, and at the same time a valuable ally.
Even though I warned him not to use the dangerous double-edged sword called Beast Flower, such a guy wielded it at will and almost stabbed himself.
“I needed to put the brakes on that rampage.”
In the future, the battle will become more intense.
Lucas might do something even more dangerous if he doesn’t apply the brakes now. So it came out strong.
“Above all, serenade. This is a fortified city. I am the commander of the military camp here.”
With a heavy heart, I looked down at the teacup in my hand. My face is reflected on the swaying surface of the tea water.
“We need hierarchies. No matter how loyal a knight is, if he continues to disobey me, he must be punished.”
Of course, I want to be friends with my colleagues. Being rigid is not my style.
But when necessary, it must be clearly imprinted.
That I am a person with the right to live and die on the front lines here.
“I understand what Your Highness is saying.”
Serenade smiled softly at me.
“But isn’t it also the law of the military camp to reward achievements even if mistakes are punished?”
“… .”
It was a theory. I’m at a loss for words.
“Sir Lucas must have made a mistake this time, but he must have made a major contribution in this battle.”
“Um… .”
You were the MVP of this stage, Lucas. Hit the enemy’s main force and pulverized it alone.
“There are times when harsh punishment is necessary, but what moves people’s hearts is a few warm words in the end.”
“… .”
“Even if Sir Lucas’ actions were slightly out of line, they would all have been for Your Highness’ sake. Since you punished him first, please take good care of Sir Lucas’ heart.”
yes i know According to Lucas, he did it with sincerity.
And of course you have to be reconciled. I can’t stay in such an awkward state forever.
‘however… dick that… … .’
It’s pretty hard to reconcile after a fight… … .
According to my original personality, I would first bow my head and apologize, but the reason I scolded Lucas this time was not me personally, but my judgment as a frontline commander.
As a superior, he punished his subordinate officers.
I cannot be the first to apologize for punishing you even for the sake of military discipline on the frontlines. this is the army
‘but… To be honest, I feel like I’ve been scolded too badly… … .’
As the serenade said, Lucas wore beast shoes in this battle, but he was also the stage MVP who killed the most monsters. I deserve to be praised with an award… … .
‘Ah! It’s hard! Become a commander!’
I covered my face and groaned. Seeing me like that, Serenade covered her mouth and laughed out loud.
“If you tell me, you will do well.”
“huh?”
“A person who is worried will eventually go in the right direction, even if he gets lost.”
the right way the right way
It’s not just the scolding of Lucas, but the sum of all the choices I’ve made so far… … Am I really on the right path? Was it the right path in the first place?
There is no certainty.
just don’t stop Even if you look back, you take a step forward.
Toward the destination called Clear, which shines dimly in the distance. somehow By any means.
***
The Winter Silver Merchants bought a building in the city and set up a branch.
A signboard reading ‘Wintersilver Upper Crossroads Branch’ written in fancy handwriting is being put up.
A lot of workers are sticking to the building, as well as the exterior walls, as well as the interior repair work in an instant. One real power of action is ignorantly fast.
“Your Highness entrusts us with two things. Magic Stone Distribution and… … .”
Serenade, who was watching the building being repaired, glanced up at me and asked.
“It was a tourist city plan, right?”
“that’s right.”
“We brought in talented architects, so we can start building the hotel soon. After examining the site, I will instruct you to make a bird’s eye view.”
She pressed her thick lips with her index finger while making a serenade sound.
“And the fall festival… It’s already that season. Since when?”
“two days later. They say it’s open for a total of three days.”
“You said that the traditional events of Crossroads are martial arts competitions and dance festivals.”
Serenade crossed her arms and tapped her fingertips on her forearm, deep in thought with a serious face.
“The natural scenery is very nice… . There are many empty lots in the estate… … . Under these conditions… … .”
It is a motion that is like flicking an invisible, intangible abacus.
It was interesting to watch her thin, white fingers move rhythmically, so I watched.
“Dramatic change is impossible as the deadline is tight, but… Still, I will try my best.”
Eventually, as if the calculations had been completed, Serenade smiled at me.
“Let’s slowly and steadily make Crossroads the best tourist city in the South! This fall festival is the first step in that plan!”
“huh… ? That’s right!”
Here, I felt something was a bit out of focus.
No, the tourism city plan I was trying to promote was… It was just a plan to build a hotel with a casino, fill in the minimum tourism points, and snag SSR-SR heroes who are bewitched by it.
It seemed that the upper lords of Wintersilver had other, bigger plans.
I laughed ha ha. No matter how many tourists come to a remote place like this at the end of the world… … ?
