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Chapter 19
Derek had also heard directly from Amon about what Erin had done during the subjugation of the monsters.
It was true that the incident had made him see Erin differently.
But… that didn’t mean her sins were erased.
Derek narrowed his eyes and glared at Amon.
“Someone who doesn’t even know honor, engaged to Ferdin? Don’t worry. I’ll deal with her myself.”
Derek still remembered Amon saying those bold words.
But now, Amon’s behavior looked as though he was following Erin instead.
Amon Hedor was nothing more than a man with no sense of loyalty.
Derek scribbled a small note at the edge of the notebook he was holding.
He’d heard that Erin’s swordsmanship was quite impressive—more than expected—but just because one had skill with the sword didn’t mean one was a person of honor.
While Derek was lost in thought, Lillia entered, following behind Amon.
“Where is Lady Asili?” Derek asked.
Amon’s face twisted at the question.
Derek was taken aback again. It was as if he found the lady’s presence bothersome.
“She went to Erin.”
“What?”
“Ever since the monster subjugation, she’s practically been living in Erin Rysus’s room. She’s acting just like Ferdin.”
What on earth did that mean? What connection could Lady Asili possibly have with Erin Rysus?
No, more than that—Amon’s attitude was unbearably insolent.
How dare he show displeasure toward something the saintly lady was doing! Derek couldn’t even imagine such a thing.
Clink.
Lillia, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, set her teacup down loudly.
“You all seem to have grown quite close with her.”
“……”
“Well, it’s a good thing to get along, I suppose.”
Derek stayed silent, only staring down at the teacup before him.
It was Ferdin who broke the atmosphere, as though to remind them not to waste time on pointless power struggles.
“We have to submit a report on the monster subjugation to the Imperial Court. As you all know, what happened there was beyond belief.”
At Ferdin’s words, Amon replied,
“It is strange, that a horde of monsters appeared in the northern forest like that.”
Derek and Lillia added their thoughts.
“The sudden appearance of a Sword Master is also suspicious.”
“It felt like it was all orchestrated by someone…”
Ferdin nodded at their words.
There were far too many oddities surrounding the recent monster subjugation.
If the person presumed to be a Sword Master hadn’t been in the forest at that time, the outcome would have been unthinkable.
Ferdin, sounding weary, spoke again.
“That part will also be reported to the Emperor.”
At that, Amon and Lillia’s expressions darkened. Derek too fell silent, closing his eyes tightly.
Just imagining what kind of unreasonable punishment the Emperor might hand down to Ferdin was dreadful.
Ignoring the heavy atmosphere, Ferdin flipped through the reports on the desk.
Then he frowned at a familiar name.
[Atenze Academy – Schedule of Visiting External Instructors]
At Atenze Academy, Sword Masters would occasionally visit to provide higher-quality education.
For students aspiring to be knights, it was like a dream come true.
During that period, everyone was desperate to catch the Sword Master’s eye, hoping to gain some insight.
And this time, the Sword Master scheduled to visit was the very one most admired by the students.
“An investigation team will probably be dispatched to the forest. And the Sword Master visiting the academy this time is… Duke Asili.”
At Ferdin’s words, the gloomy expressions on Amon and Derek’s faces shifted slightly to expectation.
As knights themselves, meeting Duke Asili was something they couldn’t help but look forward to.
Duke Asili. Lady Asili’s father, and the greatest Sword Master in the Empire.
Only Lillia, who had no interest in Sword Masters, muttered with annoyance,
“The academy will be noisy for a while.”
* * *
Erin stared at the person in front of her.
Not long after Caron left, Lady Asili had entered her room. Blushing shyly, she sat beside Erin’s bed.
Seeing her there made it sink in even more clearly—she had truly changed the future.
It was definitely a good thing. She had completely resolved one of the incidents she regretted most in her past life. But still, she couldn’t imagine why Lady Asili would come here.
“You don’t need to worry about your wounds.”
The lady fidgeted with her hands in her lap as she spoke.
“I don’t know what circumstances you have, but… since you don’t want to tell me, I won’t ask. I only wanted you to know—I changed your clothes myself, Sir Erin.”
She gazed at Erin with sparkling eyes.
Erin found that look overwhelming.
It was as though she was waiting for praise, and Erin finally opened her mouth.
“…Thank you.”
“Are you sure nothing still hurts? I healed the wounds you received from the monster with my holy power. The other injuries, I left alone so they could heal naturally…”
So that’s why my back doesn’t hurt.
Erin realized why her back was fine.
But why…? Wasn’t Lady Asili supposed to dislike her?
At Erin’s gaze, the lady blushed again.
“I wasn’t in my right mind, but… I clearly heard it. You said you would protect me.”
“……”
“Thank you so much, Sir Erin. If it’s not an imposition, may I come visit you often?”
“Don’t you dislike me?”
At Erin’s question, the lady’s eyes widened in surprise, as though she had never even considered the thought.
She exclaimed in an emotional voice,
“Why would I?”
Why would I?
Erin was at a loss for words at such an unexpected answer.
“You and Sir Ferdin are lovers, aren’t you?”
At that, her face twisted for an instant before she smiled again as though nothing had happened.
When Lady Asili smiled, the room seemed to brighten all at once.
“I can’t tell you the details, but… you don’t need to worry about that at all!”
Erin didn’t know how to respond. To say she didn’t need to care about the person who had taken her lover—what kind of sense did that make?
Then Lady Asili started chatting endlessly, holding onto Erin.
She said Sir Erin was so cool, that once she grew a little healthier she wanted Erin to teach her the sword—on and on, without stopping.
Erin almost felt like there was a little songbird perched at her side.
Not knowing how to reply, she only kept saying “Yes” and “No,” but that seemed enough to satisfy the lady.
When she asked, “May I come again next time?” Erin couldn’t help but answer, “Yes.”
Because her eyes were so clear when she asked.
Other than Ferdin, this was the first time someone had looked at her that way.
And just before leaving, Lady Asili leaned in close and whispered,
“Sir Erin, if you ever need someone to talk to, please tell me anytime. Whenever you feel ready to open up. I know you’re strong and steadfast, but sometimes even strong people need someone who will listen.”
Her expression was more serious than it had ever been before.
It reminded Erin of something long ago—something Ferdin had said to her just before leaving on a mission ordered by the Emperor.
“When you’re ready, tell me then.”
At the time, Erin had thought she would tell him everything when he returned. But he never did.
So, contrary to Lady Asili’s hopes, Erin would never open up to her either.
* * *
Erin felt strange.
It was a sense of wrongness.
Because she had changed the future, things she had never experienced before kept happening one after another.
She could no longer postpone her Swordsmanship Department classes, so she was preparing to attend when Caron came into her room.
“Did something happen between you and Ferdin Rexia during the monster subjugation?”
“Why?”
“If nothing happened, then that’s fine.”
Caron’s reaction was odd.
But since she was already running late for class, Erin couldn’t continue the conversation and left.
Her body still felt heavy, but not so much that she couldn’t move.
The Swordsmanship Department graded students through various practical exams, so unless there was a very serious reason, it was best to attend.
Since Ferdin also had excellent grades in the department, if she wanted to accompany him on missions, she had to maintain good results herself.
Besides, the mission Ferdin would depart on in just a few months was one she had to follow.
Keeping top marks in the beginner’s class wasn’t difficult—it was only hard to appear appropriately outstanding.
And when Erin finally attended swordsmanship class again after a long absence, she felt another sense of wrongness.
