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Chapter 47
At Bloody Mary Castle, there was no way anyone could hear what was happening in the village.
Thok, thok.
The clash of wooden swords echoed throughout the training grounds.
The 3rd Division’s training field was blazing hot as usual, but the atmosphere was different from before.
Just a few days ago, none of the apprentice knights who used to mock Dochev dared utter a word.
They simply swallowed their pride and watched silently, holding their breath as the two sparred.
Dochev’s metallic inhale was short and sharp, followed immediately by Moldorf’s precise strikes.
Bang—!
The sound of the wooden swords colliding was no longer light or hollow.
Each clash carried a force that seemed to shake the ground.
“…His movements are so fluid.”
One apprentice muttered, covering his mouth.
“That’s the infamous reckless prince, right? 1-Star?”
“That was until recently. Now he’s 4-Star.”
“4… 4-Star? What do you mean 4-Star! When!? How!?”
A nearby knight corrected him.
“Hey, I heard today he’s 5-Star. He awakened again in no time.”
“Wh-5-Star!?”
It had only been a week.
Just a week.
The faint energy that once lingered in his body had completely transformed.
Calluses had formed on his palms. His sword moved smoothly, yet faster than the eye could follow.
His movements were no longer the mockingly dubbed “reckless” motions the knights had laughed at.
“Haah!”
The moment Dochev pushed off the ground with his toes, it felt as though he vanished.
The apprentice knights simultaneously widened their eyes and whispered,
“The speed… insane!”
“How did he get like that in just a week!?”
Thwack!
Dochev’s sword grazed Moldorf’s side. Even while stationary, it was a clear strike.
The training field stirred for a moment.
But Moldorf didn’t flinch.
Instead, his gaze twisted slightly.
“Your movements have become more precise.”
At those words, Dochev smiled subtly.
And in that instant, whoosh!
Moldorf’s sword flashed like lightning, a trajectory even shadows could barely follow.
“Be careful.”
Dochev didn’t retreat, but pressed forward instead.
Bang!
The swords collided midair like thunderbolts.
The wooden splintered with a deafening crack.
Sand from the ground scattered upward.
“When did he get like this?”
“He went into the notorious Kernhol, right? He took down Krekbear’s neck there and suddenly changed. No, actually, I saw him every day, and he kept growing dramatically.”
“He took Krekbear’s neck?”
“That’s what they say.”
“Is that even possible? A 1-Star knight?”
It was a known fact: he was 1-Star when he entered Kernhol.
Yet now, the power and speed he radiated could threaten even 3-Star knights.
From that day onward, no one in the 3rd Division mocked Dochev anymore.
On the contrary,
“I envy him. He has it all.”
Such words were even being whispered.
“What’s there to envy? I couldn’t do that. Could you train like that? Holding a sword day and night?”
“No, it’s not just the swordsmanship; he has a beautiful wife too.”
All the apprentice knights watching Halara could understand.
Silky hair, fair skin, a smile as warm as sunlight.
Her beauty had been the talk of the 3rd Division for three days, and rumors even reached the 2nd Division.
Despite all the commotion, Halara didn’t show herself while the knights fussed.
Even if they wanted to ask when she would appear again, the only person able to talk with Dochev was Moldorf.
“But I’m not into common women. The saying goes, beautiful is three years, noblewomen are eternal.”
“You forgot her face already? Your words change so fast?”
“Think rationally. Don’t you feel the same?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then choose. A common woman as if a goddess descended or a fair, noblewoman. You get a knight for the latter.”
The apprentice struggled at the serious question.
“But—!”
“Everyone! Snack time!”
A clear, cheerful voice.
“…I choose the first.”
Amid the sweaty men, the goddess entered carrying a basket of snacks.
After searching the warehouse for several days with Junel, I finally found Dochev.
“You’ve changed your hair; it suits you.”
Dochev had cut his hair, revealing the thick eyebrows and clear, deep eyes previously hidden by long bangs.
On the path to the 3rd Division where Dochev trained, under the glaring white sunlight, he swung his sword beautifully.
Isn’t it said that the protagonist is sculpted by a god?
Sweat-soaked, the thin shirt clung to his body—it was more perfect than any sculpture.
‘Maybe it’s not that bad.’
Perhaps because I hadn’t seen him these past few days while searching for the legendary swords, or because Dochev, the true gem of the sword family, was wielding the sword flawlessly, he seemed especially radiant today.
“Ah, right. I can’t just stand here staring.”
I entered carrying the basket of snacks.
“Snack time, everyone~!”
The crisp voice drew everyone’s attention.
After grueling training, snacks were essential, and the best of all was fresh treats.
So, I had prepared them.
“Halara.”
Dochev ran over and grabbed the basket from me.
“It’s been a while.”
“It hasn’t really. I set it up just a few days ago.”
“Has it been that many days? What is this?”
“Snacks.”
“For me?”
At such a blatant question, I awkwardly nodded.
“It’s touching of you.”
“I heard you’ve been training day and night. How could I just lie around in the room?”
“Don’t just lie around. I heard you weren’t at the annex.”
So he came looking for me.
Actually, I had been too busy these past days sneaking around the mansion’s warehouse to find the legendary swords.
“Don’t overdo it. You must’ve overdone it again.”
I never understood why he kept saying not to overdo it, but it really did seem like Dochev was the one overexerting himself.
After all, in just a few days apart, his body had become dramatically more solid.
“I’ve been eating and sleeping all the time. Lying in bed so much that my back started to hurt.”
“I went at 6 a.m., but you weren’t there.”
He came early.
“…Maybe it was urgent.”
At that, his expression stiffened instantly.
So that’s why he had come to see me…
“Why did you come?”
He probably had no particular reason.
He seemed to hesitate mid-sentence and closed his mouth.
“I know everything.”
“Know what?”
“You came because you missed my food.”
Once someone tastes my cooking, it’s unforgettable.
And especially Korean food.
“Don’t worry. I brought a special treat today.”
I linked my arm with Dochev’s, pretending to be friendly.
Wow, my eyes didn’t deceive me.
Ropes? Iron?
Those aren’t normal arms.
‘The protagonist really is the protagonist. One hit and I’d die.’
Even without his sword, he seemed unbeatable.
And with the legendary swords I brought, he would be unstoppable.
“Why are you smiling so gloomily?”
“Me?”
“You were smiling while stroking my arm. Do you like my body that much?”
“Haha, of course not.”
Did his inner thoughts just slip out?
I quickly ended my laughter and stepped into the training grounds.
And I greeted Moldorf, who bowed politely.
“Long time no see, Commander.”
“Greetings.”
“Sorry for interrupting training. I brought some snacks because you’ve been working so hard…”
I reached to take the basket from Dochev’s hands.
“I brought it…”
Huh?
But Dochev was standing rigid like a lamppost, not letting go of the basket.
“Why aren’t you letting go?”
I asked in a soft voice.
“Isn’t this for me?”
