Chapter 84
“Just in case, we should layer another defensive magic circle on top.”
They needed a mechanism to minimize damage when the Evil God awakened.
“Shall I help?”
Raven’s green eyes shimmered beneath the water.
“No need. I’m not old enough to need help yet.”
Galph, who had just pushed Raven out, struck his staff against the ground. A blue light rose over the surface of the water, forming a perfect circle, which he began to fill with lines—both straight and curved.
“Is everything okay?” Evelyn asked, her face filled with curiosity.
Raven replied, “Yeah. So far, nothing seems off.”
He thought the current setup should be stable for at least ten years.
“You probably don’t need to worry too much.”
“Really?”
But why do I still feel uneasy?
Evelyn couldn’t shake the anxiety in her chest as she watched the magic circle being completed. A foreboding sense coiled around her, like the Evil God might break free from the seal at any moment.
Raven was probably right… but that didn’t mean she could let her guard down.
Rumble—
Suddenly, something collapsed somewhere beyond the snowy mountain range.
Elliot stepped in front of Evelyn protectively. Raven also gripped his staff, ready for an enemy to appear.
“Could something have happened to the ruins?”
Evelyn asked, concerned by the sudden disturbance that occurred right after the Tower Master completed the magic circle.
“No. I doubt it’s related to this,” Galph replied, then gestured for everyone to return to the castle.
✦✦✦
“We’re supposed to say we caught that thing?”
Back at the ruins, Leonel stared at the monster Evelyn had pulled out and barely managed to speak.
“Was it too strong a monster?”
She had teamed up with Raven for the first time in a while, and maybe they had gone a bit overboard.
The trainees who had been practicing nearby flocked toward the monster’s remains in amazement.
“Sir Barrett! With your skills, you could totally take something like this down!”
Jeffrey burst into hearty laughter and clapped Leonel’s back enthusiastically after inspecting the monster.
Having been trapped in the ruins together for over a week, the Northern knights had become quite close with the Barrett knights.
Leonel’s friendly nature had also helped bridge the two groups.
“You’ve made the fastest progress of anyone in the training ground,” Jeffrey added, proudly pointing to Leonel as he addressed the Grand Duchess.
“Really? Hey, want to spar with me?” Evelyn asked.
On the way down from the mountain, Elliot had handled every monster they encountered.
Though he hadn’t seemed like he’d step in, he ended up dealing with them all before anyone else could react. Thanks to that, the others had descended the snowy mountain in peace, as if out for a stroll.
And so, Evelyn’s body had been itching for a little action.
“Sure,” Leonel nodded, curious about both his sister’s growth and his own.
As soon as they agreed, the knights quickly formed a large circle.
“Should we switch to combat mode?!” a junior knight asked, raising his hand.
“It’s just a spar between knights. Leave it,” Elliot said, stepping back with his arms crossed, ready to watch.
Srrrng—
Evelyn drew the Holy Sword. It glowed with a heavy, restored radiance.
[Heehee! But is it okay to take me out here?]
‘Everyone here already knows I’m the Hero, so what’s the problem?’
Besides, the Barrett family likely didn’t even know what the Holy Sword looked like.
Evelyn thought boldly.
She’d gotten so used to the Holy Sword while fighting in the snowy mountains that no other weapon felt as natural.
[Great! Let me show off my skills!]
‘No, no. Keep it reasonable. That’s my brother!’
[Oh, really? So I can’t slash him?]
Of course not!
Evelyn panicked and briefly debated whether to put the sword away, but Leonel had already drawn his blade.
“Here I come.”
Nod.
Usually, the lower-ranked fighter was allowed the first move, but—
“Evelyn—! Whoa! Wah!”
Clang!
Cling!
Crash!
“Ooh, not bad,” Evelyn said as she suddenly closed the distance and slashed.
Leonel barely blocked her strike and panted heavily. It was the first time since waking up that he had faced her sword directly.
He hadn’t expected such a gap in their skills. His competitive spirit flared.
Saying he hadn’t adapted to his new body was just an excuse. He simply hadn’t yet drawn out its full potential.
“Fight properly. Do your best,” Evelyn said, raising her sword again, as if she could see right through him.
Leonel slowed his breathing, recalling the time he had spent training in the ruins.
He could do this.
His posture shifted gradually.
Evelyn smirked as she noticed his weight shifting to his lower body.
She recognized this sword style well—it was her favorite.
She, too, lowered her stance, ready to charge. As silence settled over the training ground, the two dashed toward each other at the same time.
Claaaang!
A sword flew into the air.
“Huff!”
Thud.
“Brother?!”
Leonel fell backward from the impact. Alarmed, Evelyn rushed to catch him.
“Ughhhh…”
How embarrassing.
Leonel groaned, covering his face.
“Pfft. You’re not hurt, right?”
She had adjusted her strength during the clash, so he shouldn’t have been injured. But Evelyn checked him anyway, unsure how to react to his response.
“Uuugh…”
“Ahahaha!”
The knights burst into laughter at the sight of Leonel groaning on the ground.
“He’s not bad,” Raven muttered dully as he watched the spar.
“We should start preparing to return. You can always spar again at the Grand Duke’s training grounds,” Jeffrey said, starting to organize the area.
The knights quickly packed up. The temporary camp hadn’t been bad, but everyone missed the fresh air and the outside world.
And so, the two groups left the ruins in different directions.
“What on earth did you do to end up like that?”
Evelyn tried not to laugh as Leonel stood flustered under the Princess’s stern gaze.
Princess Isabelle had graciously appeared to welcome the Barrett knights back.
She’d apparently met with Northern nobles during her absence, but it wasn’t clear whether she had gotten what she wanted.
“Well… when you’re fighting monsters…”
Leonel looked rough, especially after the sparring match with Evelyn. His disheveled state didn’t help with the Princess’s scowl.
He genuinely felt like he’d done something terribly wrong. And to make it worse, the Princess seemed to be in a very bad mood.
“Hmph, well done,” she said curtly, glancing at the knights before turning on her heel and disappearing inside.
“Go wash up and pay your respects to the Princess,” Evelyn nudged her brother gently.
She wasn’t entirely sure why, but it just felt like the right thing to do.
Earlier, when she had returned and greeted the Princess alone, the atmosphere had been fine.
But after the Princess saw Leonel, her mood had soured drastically.
“Me? Why?” he asked sincerely, completely clueless as to why he needed to apologize.
“It’s a woman’s intuition. Just do it.”
Evelyn pushed her brother firmly, warning him that if he didn’t want bigger trouble later, he’d better listen to her now.
✦✦✦
“These days, all we hear is news from the North. You must be pleased.”
Count Barrett raised his glass at the viscount who had just greeted him.
“Haha. Well, a parent’s only joy is their child’s success.”
“But this isn’t just success. Your daughter’s a Sword Master! And didn’t the Grand Duke promise you some magic stones as well?”
The man lowered his voice as he asked. Count Barrett found it amusing that someone who already knew everything kept asking again and again.
“Well, somehow I ended up receiving a bit of support.”
“How did you raise your daughter so well?”
The viscount couldn’t hide his envy as he clinked glasses with the Count.
“I know a very promising investment opportunity—care to hear it?”
“My son manages all the Grand Duke’s sponsorships. Telling me won’t do you any good,” the Count replied flatly.
Evelyn had made the right call. If Leonel hadn’t taken over managing the sponsorships, the Count would be dealing with far worse now.
He was proud of his son, who had run off to the North with that authority in hand.
Thanks to that, the Count could deflect all the investment proposals coming his way.
“Didn’t you once say my daughter was ominous?”
“Ha-ha, me? Of course not.”
He remembered perfectly. This same man who once avoided even being near his daughter was now wagging his tail for money—it was laughable.
“Is it true the Grand Duke is completely smitten with the Grand Duchess?”
“How would I know? I’ve never seen it myself.”
The Count added casually, “But according to my son’s letters, gifts pour into the Grand Duchess’s chambers daily, and he dotes on her so much she doesn’t even lift a finger.”
He glanced around and noticed people perking up their ears. With a sly smile, he said no more.
