UHWKT 21

Chapter 21

“Robert, and even now… it feels like he’s putting more effort into my estate’s affairs than necessary.”
“Is that a problem?”
“Do you perhaps have an interest in me?”
“Are you insane?”

What is he even saying?
Isn’t this completely absurd?
Robert hadn’t said anything wrong. This man was like a narcissist at the end stage.

“Sorry, but I can’t accept you. And if by any chance you secretly harbor feelings for me, I suggest you sort them out quickly.”
“Out of curiosity… has no one ever pointed out your excessive self-love, Your Highness?”
“My greatness is an objective fact.”

Unbelievable.
It didn’t feel like this when I was writing. How did it end up like this?

“They say children don’t turn out as parents wish…”
“What did you say?”
“Let’s go back quickly. There’s already a mountain of work, and we can’t afford to waste time here. I’m hungry.”

Then hurry up and think about something.

“If only I could get him to listen, maybe I could persuade him… isn’t there a way?”
“There’s a way to lead him along.”

Has this man gone mad?

“Will it work?”
I glared at Caius.
He chuckled.
Ah, he was teasing me again. He looks serious most of the time, but sometimes cracks ridiculous jokes.

I fell into thought again.
Originally, Damon would come a year later, after Lucifenia estate was partially destroyed by the mastermind and the black magician, saying he’d protect Caius.
It was the desperation of not wanting to lose even Caius that moved him.
That was quite a memorable scene.
Ah… even thinking back, the novel was really well written.

“What exactly are you thinking?”
“That I’m pretty amazing.”
“You’re delusional.”

Do you even understand the author’s mind?
You brat, knowing nothing.
I clicked my tongue inwardly and got up. Caius’s oblique gaze followed my movement.

“Can’t be helped.”
I brushed the dirt off my skirt.
“There’s only one way, isn’t there?”
“Did you come up with a good idea?”

I know Damon’s temperament well.
A knight who has lived earnestly his whole life won’t be swayed by sweet persuasion or flimsy tricks. It would only backfire.

“I’ll speak honestly. We need Sir Damon Nielson.”
“You think I haven’t said that?”
“You probably first offered extravagant treatment or a high salary, Your Highness.”

Caius pressed his lips shut.
I knew this would happen.
He’s competent in many ways, yet utterly hopeless at handling people.
Well, if he were perfect at that too, he might have taken the male lead’s spot instead of Fabian. A supporting character can’t be too competent.

“I’m saying don’t try to hire Sir Nielson, but ask him. Honestly, say it has to be him. That he is absolutely needed. Understand?”

For over eight years, Damon had been drowning in guilt alone. Asking him to take on the same task would only instill anxiety along with guilt.
But if Caius, his precious student and the only survivor of that day, ‘asks’ him to protect the estate, he could never refuse.

Of course, for Caius—who had lost his entire family and was in a perpetual state of struggle with the world—even asking would be difficult.

“You didn’t keep insisting on needing Sir Nielson just for the sake of it, did you? Weren’t you trying to ease his guilt?”
Without realizing it, I reached out and lightly patted Caius’s head.
He’s kind of pitiful when you really look at him.

“I know this feels awkward, but try it. Sometimes honesty is the best weapon.”
Understand, my precious one.

“…What?”
“Hm?”

Caius looked at my hand.
A moment of silence fell.
Sensing something was off, I quickly withdrew my hand and gave his back a little push.

“Alright, now go.”

Why isn’t he moving?
Is he a rock?

“What about you? Leaving me here alone?”
“You two are having an honest conversation, I can’t be in between.”

I’m a writer who knows when to step in and when to step out.
But Caius didn’t move, as if nailed to the spot. His narrow eyes stayed fixed on me.

Finally, he smiled.
“Are you running away?”
“I’m not.”
“Good. But you really have no interest in me, right?”
“Go, alright?”
“Make sure to sort out your feelings.”

Annoying, really.
If I return safely, I’ll add a side story that’ll embarrass Caius to death.

“I’ll be back soon.”
“Take your time.”
“I’ll be back soon.”

No, I won’t.
Eight years of conversation won’t end quickly. I expect Damon will come out with him around sunset.

“I’ll stay here.”
I stomped my shoes on the floor to make a point. Caius reluctantly moved, though still skeptical.
I smiled brightly at him.
“Fighting.”

Of course, I didn’t intend to stay nailed there.
Once I saw Caius call Damon and enter the cabin, I turned around. I wasn’t fleeing—I planned to survey the forest for a while.

The western forest was the continent’s largest wetland. Stretching across the continent, its narrowest part was still larger than most kingdoms.
And wetlands like this were full of rare plants and herbs found nowhere else—truly a “sanctuary of life.”

Since I was here anyway, I decided to set a few teleport coordinates and take a look around. Living in this world for nearly a year, it wouldn’t hurt to know useful resources.

“Let’s see… what herbs grow in a wetland?”
I could think of Mansurian and Blue Gomari.
Both were rare, sensitive to temperature and humidity, impossible to grow artificially outside a huge wetland. But if grown well, they could be used as a universal antidote or magic enhancer.

“Let’s see…”
Being careful not to get lost, I set teleport coordinates at appropriate spots. I stayed nearby so Caius wouldn’t chase me far.

Carrying a basket and alert, I suddenly stopped.
“Hm?”

A familiar-looking plant appeared a short distance away. Technically, I’d never seen it, but its appearance was familiar.
A long stalk held deep pink cherry-like berries at its tip. Around it, a soft golden glow shimmered.

Wait… what am I seeing?
“No way.”
Impossible.
Why is this here? It’s more likely to get struck by lightning than this.

I rubbed my eyes, closed them tightly, and opened them again. Still there.

“…Mom, sh*t.”
I couldn’t help but curse.

I hurried toward the plant. Up close, it was unmistakable. The herb I knew.

“It’s real.”
Ilawune.
Extremely rare, reportedly growing once in a hundred years, with unknown habitat and season—a truly legendary herb.

There’s only one magical potion you can make with it.
The Elixir.
It temporarily unlocks a user’s power beyond limits, allowing them to release absolute strength for a moment.

In the original story, Leoni used it to restore a continent partially destroyed by the mastermind.
And now, the raw material was right in front of me, intact.

“What… is this?”
Is this allowed?
Why is the boss of herbs appearing now? Isn’t this a world-building error?

Shaking off the shock, I snapped back to focus.
Wait…
“Maybe… I can go back?”

Theoretically, a wizard who drinks the Elixir releases immense power—enough to open and close a dimensional gate for a moment.
A dimensional gate.
And I happen to be a wizard.
The ingredient is right here.
I know the recipe.
Though it takes two months to make and half a year to mature, that’s still faster than the timing when the divine beast appears.

To obtain the “Stone of Longing” in Lucifenia estate, I’d have to assume the worst-case scenario: fight the mastermind with my life on the line. But here, that wasn’t necessary.

My legs gave way and I plopped down.
“…Jackpot!”