Chapter 59
“Yes. I placed it on the table beside the bed.”
“While I’m gone, if anything happens, you must blow it immediately, got it? Don’t stall like last time.”
After being nagged so thoroughly, a mischievous impulse suddenly bubbled up. Thermion, uncharacteristically playful, spoke in an offhand tone.
“If I blow it because I miss you, will you come running?”
“…W-What are you saying?!”
Did he wake up this morning determined to tease people? Ailesia couldn’t help but shout.
“My ears are going to fall off! I’m still a patient, you know.”
“Judging by the nonsense you’re spouting, you’re fully recovered!”
“Don’t worry about me—just take good care of the knights. And make sure you eat breakfast properly.”
“Hmph!”
Bang!
“Pfft.”
The door slammed shut so hard it felt like it might break. In the end, Thermion burst out laughing, unable to hold it in any longer.
“I think I finally understand why you tease me so much.”
Seeing someone who was always calm and composed turn red in embarrassment—it was amusing, or perhaps refreshing.
Either way, it undeniably lifted his spirits.
Though now that he’d actually succeeded, he felt a twinge of fear about the consequences.
“…This might be troublesome.”
Judging by how sharply she reacted, he had no idea what kind of revenge awaited him later. For now, she was probably letting it slide because he was injured.
I’ll need to make an effort.
Naturally, Ailesia—completely unaware of Thermion’s resolve—stormed off in a huff before suddenly stopping and turning around with a dazed expression.
“…What was that just now?”
Thinking about it, there was no reason for her to get worked up at all.
She could’ve just deflected it casually, like always—so why had she reacted so sensitively?
It wasn’t like Thermion had deliberately tried to tease her. It was more like an accidental hit.
I’ll let it slide because he’s injured. Hmph.
This was all because she’d seen something strange yesterday. Suddenly grabbing her wrist and saying something like that—how could a devoted fan like her not be shaken?
“Let’s work. Work.”
Thermion had asked her not to overextend herself, but this was an exception.
With one Aura Master laid up in bed, someone had to fill that gap, didn’t they?
“Good morning, Tutor. Have you eaten?”
“I was just looking for you. Let’s eat together.”
“I’m sorry, but we’ll be asking a lot of you today. You should eat a hearty meal.”
“Hey now, that sounds like unfair labor exploitation.”
She happened to run into Kubera as he was exiting the barracks. Trading light banter, Ailesia headed to the dining area with him.
* * *
Half a month had passed since Thermion got back on his feet without incident.
“At this point, we can consider this year’s monster subjugation complete. Everyone’s done well.”
“Woooooah!”
The knights erupted into thunderous cheers at Thermion’s declaration.
At the same time, their gazes all shifted toward the blonde woman standing beside him.
Without question, the greatest contributor to this subjugation was Ailesia. During that time, she had personally slain two additional first-class monsters.
With the apex predator gone, the other monsters had no reason to change their habitats, and the dangerous beast-type monsters were all successfully persuaded by Ailesia to relocate elsewhere.
Thanks to that, the monster wave—which usually felt like an annual ordeal—ended anticlimactically in less than half a day.
“Tonight, we’re having a party. Eat and enjoy yourselves to your hearts’ content.”
“WOOOOOAHHH!”
The cheers grew even louder, shaking the entire base. Since the outpost had been established, the word party had practically never been uttered.
“Don’t stuff yourselves stupid! Anyone who gets drunk and causes trouble will be stripped naked and hung from a tree!”
“Booo! The captain’s killing the mood!”
“What a buzzkill, boo!”
“Shut it, you brats! Don’t act out in front of His Highness! Especially the injured ones—if you get caught drinking in secret, it’s a pay cut!”
Despite his harsh words, Kubera—and the other knights—were all smiling broadly.
With every monster corpse collected without exception—including a drake and two first-class monsters—the results this time were unprecedented.
Just selling the drake’s scales and bones alone would rival the grand duchy’s annual budget. The total profit was enough to run the entire grand ducal territory for over a year.
“Tutor, do you drink alcohol by any chance?”
“I’d drink it if there’s any, heh.”
The knights politely offered Ailesia drinks. Those who had fought alongside her during the drake battle, in particular, showed an attitude bordering on reverence.
“I apologize for greeting you so late, but thanks to you, I survived. Truly, thank you.”
“I was completely out of it back then. Suddenly, a rock the size of a house appeared in midair, and then—boom!”
“We’ve always been grateful to you every time we returned from a mission, Tutor.”
The knights who had once been distant when she first arrived now bowed their heads without hesitation. With every word came another refill of her glass.
“Aren’t you drinking a bit too much, Tutor? Please have some food too.”
“Thank you.”
Ailesia’s face lit up at the sight of the steaming barbecue. The whole roasted meat seasoned with just salt and pepper was delicious, but above all, it was the atmosphere that made it special.
“Tutor, let me pour you a drink.”
“You already poured one earlier. Go back to your seat.”
“Do you seriously keep track of all that, Senior?”
Rebecca, who had grown noticeably friendlier, stuck close to Ailesia and attentively looked after her.
She introduced other knights so Ailesia wouldn’t feel awkward, and if anyone tried to push too much alcohol on her, she cut them off sharply.
She even brought over firewood and thick blankets, asking if Ailesia was cold—looking more like a guard knight escorting a noble lady.
“These people are really fired up…”
“What’s wrong with that? They’re all adorable.”
“A-adorable?”
“Did you see that young knight earlier? His face was beet red, and his hands were shaking when he poured the drink.”
“Young…?”
The youngest was twenty-three. Was she serious? Rebecca looked dumbfounded, but Ailesia only chuckled softly.
“Oh, look—the cutest guy just arrived.”
“…You mean His Grace?”
“He’s the youngest and the most handsome. You don’t know, Rebecca—when our Thermion sulks, his expression is so cute.”
At this point, it was less irritation and more outright amazement.
Rebecca downed the drink in her hand in one go, as if it perfectly expressed her feelings.
“You drink alcohol?”
Thermion asked with mild surprise as he sat down near Ailesia. Seeing her drink strong vodka from a rough wooden cup felt unfamiliar—yet oddly fitting.
“I enjoy all kinds. I’m not picky.”
“You didn’t drink the wine that came with the meal, so I thought you weren’t interested.”
“I can’t smell like alcohol in front of Ellie. Kids are very sensitive to smells.”
For the past few months, she’d practically abstained from drinking, since Eleonora refused to leave her side until right before falling asleep. It wasn’t difficult—she wasn’t particularly attached to alcohol.
Honestly, she could erase the smell with magic if she wanted. But it was a matter of mindset.
“You’re not drinking?”
“I’ll pass. Someone should stay sober.”
“You really are a good lord.”
“…All of a sudden?”
“You’re saying you’ll stay clear-headed while your subordinates get drunk. Am I wrong?”
Both of them flinched at her words. Thermion felt a little embarrassed, as if he’d been praised too openly, while Rebecca suddenly felt foolish for drinking without thinking.
“Hey, I wasn’t scolding Rebecca, so don’t react like that. An Aura Master can sober up instantly if needed, right?”
“That’s true, but…”
Knowing their lord hadn’t even taken a sip made her conscience sting. Seeing her like that, Thermion let out a small laugh and patted Rebecca’s shoulder lightly.
“Honestly, you worry too much. If even you start acting like that, how are the others supposed to enjoy themselves? I don’t particularly like drinking anyway, so don’t mind it.”
“…My apologies, Your Highness.”
“Oh right, Thermion. I heard from Rebecca earlier—if you finish this year at the base, your assignment changes, right?”
“Hm? Sir Senberk, how long have you been stationed here?”
“It’ll be five years this coming January.”
“Then it’s time for a change. Base duty is usually two and a half to three years, but Sir Senberk applied for an extension and stayed on.”
“Yeah, so about that…”
The knights who had been crowding around earlier were nowhere to be seen. The moment Thermion appeared, they’d all quietly slipped away, reading the room.
After confirming there were no eavesdroppers, Ailesia casually broached the topic.
“Can I recommend a new assignment for Rebecca?”
