WFMW 56

Chapter 56

Stop Laughing

Only after I had completely finished my stew—scraped the bowl clean, even—did Sidor stand up, saying he’d clear the dishes.

Honestly, I hadn’t meant to eat that much. But somehow, having Sidor sitting beside me made me eat more than usual.

If I get straight onto the carriage like this, my stomach’s going to slosh around.

I decided to walk a bit to help my food settle and began pacing lightly around the group.

The knights spoke to me easily, without the stiffness I’d expected.

“I’ve heard becoming a mage is very difficult, yet you’re already so young and skilled. That’s impressive.”
“Did you enjoy your meal, mage-nim?”
“Don’t go that way, please. Some of the horses might bolt at the sight of a stranger.”

While the knights cleaned and packed away the dishes, they began checking over their weapons again.

Watching them polish and inspect everything so carefully, my curiosity got the better of me.

“Do subjugation battles usually take place around this time of year?”

If it wasn’t strictly necessary to do it in summer, wouldn’t it be better to hold it in a cooler season?

One of the knights replied politely,

“When summer comes, monsters enter their mating season. They need energy to breed and often attack villages to get it. That’s why the four knight orders of the Empire unite to deal with them before they cause too much harm. That’s what we call the subjugation battle.”

“I see. So, kind of like catching mosquitoes?”

“Mosquitoes…?”

The knights looked baffled by my comparison, so I explained eagerly.

“Mosquitoes only suck blood for about a week before laying eggs. Before that, they live off tree sap and nectar.”

“Ah, really? I always thought they lived off human blood all the time, since they bite so much.”

See? Makes sense now, doesn’t it?

But as I went on, I realized there was a flaw in my own logic. I frowned and propped my chin on my hand.

“Although… monsters attack people even outside their breeding season, so maybe it’s not the same. Mosquitoes that don’t drink blood are actually beneficial—they help with pollination.”

“I don’t think that’s really the issue here.”

Then what is the issue?!

I wanted to argue my point further, but the knights kindly but firmly ushered me back toward the carriage.

“We have to prepare for departure, mage-nim. Please rest for now.”

That was fun though. I backed away reluctantly.

We’ll be together during the subjugation, so I’ll get another chance to talk to them.

The thought cheered me up, and I hopped lightly back toward the carriage.

When I got there, Sidor was already leaning against the carriage door, arms crossed, waiting for me. His thick eyebrows arched slightly.

“You seem to get along well with others,” he said, sounding oddly irritated.

“They’re all very kind,” I replied cheerfully.

“You said you wanted to see monsters.”

So now he was annoyed that I’d been chatting instead of monster-watching?

I puffed up my cheeks in protest.

“Why are you being so grumpy?”

“Grumpy?”

“You’re snapping at me. It doesn’t suit you at all, you know?”

“Me?”

Sidor frowned as if the idea was absurd—then, in a low murmur, he said, “…You’re right. Maybe I am.”

Before I could even process the sudden shift in tone, he reached out and brushed my hair aside.

A small leaf fell from his fingertips.

Only then did I realize he’d just been picking something off my head. My cheeks flushed pink.

After tidying my hair, Sidor lowered his eyes and gave me a calm, unreadable look.

“I thought you’d rely on me a lot,” he said quietly, “but you’ve been doing everything on your own. It’s a little disappointing.”

That only made my face burn hotter.

Calm down, heart. He didn’t mean anything by that.

Don’t read too much into one casual comment.

I was never good at reading people’s feelings—if I tried too hard, I’d only misinterpret everything.

He’s probably like this with everyone. I’m just the only one who gets flustered.

He didn’t seem to care much about personal space, stepping right into mine like it was nothing.

But I couldn’t seem to get used to that closeness.

Please, don’t come so close to me.

Most of all, our relationship was supposed to be a secret. So why was he being so openly gentle?

As I watched him warily, Sidor frowned slightly.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

If I told him not to get too close, he’d probably just nod and apologize for overstepping. He was kind like that.

And yet… the words wouldn’t come out.

Because if I said it and he really did start keeping his distance, I knew I’d feel strangely lonely.

So instead, I shook my head.

“It’s nothing.”

“…?”

Sidor tilted his head, but I didn’t explain. Instead, I opened the carriage door myself.

Just as I was about to climb in, he spoke again in a serious tone.

“You won’t have to face any monsters directly, so don’t worry too much.”

He must’ve thought my hesitation meant I was nervous about fighting.

But his words shocked me.

“What? I won’t see the monsters?”

Why else had I come all this way?

I could’ve stayed in the capital with Grisha, making magic potions in peace—but no, I came specifically to see monsters up close!

And now he was saying I wouldn’t even get to face them?

Absolutely not.

“I came to observe monsters! I even brought a ton of paper and pens for note-taking! I guarantee the information I record will make even Academy scholars kneel in awe!”

I declared my intent with fiery passion.

Sidor, arms folded, listened quietly and then asked dryly,

“And what if the monster bares its teeth and charges? You can’t even jump properly.”

“I—I can too!”

“Show me.”

Jump? That’s easy.

I crouched slightly and leapt with all my might.

And the moment my feet left the ground, I realized—I’d never actually practiced jumping before in my life.

Hop.

Sidor stared at me in silence. Then his shoulders began to shake.

“…Can I laugh?”

“If you laugh, I’ll cry.”

“Then cry.”

And with that, Sidor burst out laughing. Loudly.

I had never seen him laugh so hard since I’d met him.

Apparently, neither had the knights. They all turned to stare, eyes wide.

“Wow, the Commander’s laughing.”
“What in the world…?”

Of course, that only made me more embarrassed. I pounded his side with my fists.

“Stop laughing! Stop!”

But he couldn’t.

He held his stomach, laughing so hard his voice hitched. When he finally wiped tears from his eyes, he managed to say between breaths,

“Sorry. I’m sorry.”

“You’re awful.”

“I can’t help it. Just picturing you jumping like that—I could laugh for three years straight.”

“Please forget it. Right now.”

At my desperate plea, Sidor only started laughing again.

I gave up.

Fine. Laugh. Go ahead. I’m glad my suffering brings you joy.

Still, my determination to observe monsters remained firm. Poor physical ability or not, I wasn’t giving up.

Folding my arms, I proposed brightly,

“Then you can just carry me and jump. That’s easy for you, right?”

“You’re serious?”

“I really want to see them up close!”

“This isn’t some kind of picnic…”

He sighed deeply—but in the end, nodded.

“…Fine. I’ll do my best to carry you through the battle.”

“Thank you!”

I knew he’d agree eventually. I grinned from ear to ear.

After traveling for the same amount of time it had taken to reach the last stop, we arrived at a quiet city.

While the knights underwent identification checks at the city gates, Sidor tapped lightly on the carriage window.

I slid it open, and he explained calmly,

“We’ll be staying here for tonight.”

I had assumed we’d travel non-stop until we reached our destination, but apparently, there were rest stops along the way.

That made it feel a bit like a trip, and my eyes sparkled.

“Wow, are we staying at an inn?”

“An inn? Hardly. We’re on official duty. We’ll stay at the lord’s castle.”

“Oh, right.”

So it wasn’t a vacation—more like an expedition.

The city gates opened, and our carriages rolled in. Citizens lined the streets, watching the knights march in formation toward the castle.

No one even looks surprised. I guess they’re used to this sort of thing.

I peeked out of the carriage window, glancing at Sidor—when suddenly a child pointed at me and shouted,

“Wow! It’s a princess!”

“Princess?”

Well, surrounded by knights escorting me, I must’ve looked like one.

Sorry, kid. I’m not a princess.

To avoid further misunderstanding, I ducked back into the carriage like a startled mole retreating into its burrow.

After passing through another gate, we entered the lord’s castle. Sir Jacques opened the door for me.

“Please pull your hood low, mage-nim.”

“Yes, of course.”

Right. Showing my face to the knights was one thing—but letting unknown nobles see it was another matter entirely.