Chapter 17
She pretended to point it out casually, but the reason was clear.
“But this area is a bit…”
“A bit?”
“Isn’t the border defense a little weak?”
“Glutton? What about it?”
Ahil tilted his head, clearly not understanding why Charmant pointed to that region.
Charmant gave a forced little cough.
“Ah, well… I’d like to travel there one day, and it wouldn’t be good if it were dangerous…?”
She knew full well it wasn’t a convincing excuse.
Still, Charmant muttered loud enough to be heard, “Wouldn’t it be good to reinforce security a little?”
After all, Glutton was the place where she had broken through when first invading Ellium.
It was a region of widespread swampland—challenging terrain that likely gave them the illusion of safety. The defense, especially the walls, had been terrible, as if military strength there was an afterthought.
Sure enough, Ahil looked confused.
“That place is all jungle and swamp.”
Charmant quickly added, “Oh? Oh, I like swamps. I suddenly really like it.”
Ahil gave her a strange look as if he’d bitten into something sour, then raised an eyebrow.
“Well, sure. Everyone has preferences. Maybe your taste changed.”
“Y-yeah, that’s it.”
A few more key locations popped into her memory, but she decided to bring them up one at a time—so as not to arouse suspicion.
Instead of digging deeper, Charmant shifted the topic to lighter things, like the banquet schedule.
Ahil, as always, seemed to know everything and answered all her questions smoothly.
When she finally closed the book, her eyes caught the clock.
They had been reading and talking for over four hours.
“It’s getting late. How about we continue the rest next time?”
“It’s already that late? I wouldn’t mind staying up all night.”
Ahil said it casually.
That nonchalant answer flustered Charmant.
All night? Just the two of them? Was he insane?
She lowered her eyes, trying not to show her surprise.
How close were they supposed to be to talk so naturally like that?
Even with her most trusted disciples, she’d only stayed up talking a handful of times.
Besides, unless something went wrong, Bucky should be back soon.
Seiak, in particular, preferred moving close to midnight, given his affinity for darkness.
She needed to be alone before the night got too deep. Staying here overnight would be a serious problem.
“I’m already receiving help from you—I’d feel bad causing more trouble. I’ll read the books you brought me on my own.”
She repeated herself, and Ahil, arms crossed and leaning back, nodded.
“Alright. Can you come a little early on the weekend?”
“Of course, as long as you don’t mind.”
“I actually enjoyed this. See you Sunday, then.”
Charmant blinked, tilting her head in surprise.
All he had done was sit at the table while she read books for hours.
Answering her questions had taken no more than thirty minutes in total.
If he knew who she really was, he might be more than just uncomfortable.
At that thought, the moment when he closed his eyes flashed in her mind like a vision.
“I never expected such a monster to be in Ruentvel. If you were in Ellium, I’d feel much more reassured. What a shame.”
“You don’t belong in Ruentvel. That’s why it’s such a pity. At the very least…”
Come to think of it, what had he wanted to say to her then?
It seemed like it might’ve been something important.
“Um… Ahil?”
“Hmm? You want me to stay longer?”
“No, not that.”
“What is it?”
After a moment of serious thought, Charmant finally asked:
“If you were to come face-to-face with your greatest enemy in life, is there anything you’d want to say?”
Ahil looked at her blankly for a moment, as if chewing on the words, then made a strange expression.
“My… greatest enemy?”
“Yeah, like, say the person trying to kill you—or not you, but someone precious to you. If you were standing in front of them, would there be anything you absolutely want to say?”
Why had she even asked that?
The silly question made Charmant feel flushed with embarrassment.
She waved her hand before Ahil could answer.
“Never mind. Just ignore it. I must’ve read too much—I’m thinking nonsense.”
“Alright then.”
Ahil scooted back his chair and stood up.
He groaned as he stretched, his joints clearly stiff.
That made him feel more human, and Charmant smiled quietly to herself.
As the door opened, the cool night air rushed in.
Watching Ahil step out, Charmant suddenly grabbed him before he disappeared again.
“Wait—um.”
“Hmm?”
“Nothing much. Just… thanks for today.”
It was a simple statement, but both corners of Ahil’s lips lifted in a smile.
“You asked what I’d say to my greatest enemy earlier, right?”
“I told you to forget it.”
“It was a fresh question. I gave it some thought.”
“…”
She had said to forget it, over and over again, but now her eyes were full of anticipation, fixed on his lips.
“Well, I don’t think anyone’s capable of killing me.”
Right. He was strong.
The fact that she’d won that day had been nothing short of miraculous. Everything had lined up perfectly.
Charmant nodded in agreement.
Then Ahil Duff opened his mouth.
“If someone really did want to kill me, wouldn’t I just shout the worst curse imaginable? Like, $*@^#, for example.”
Suddenly hit by the obscenity, Charmant’s eyes flew wide open.
Was that even a real curse?
But what followed surprised her more.
“How’s that? I used one of your favorites. Not bad, right?”
Did those words really just come out of his mouth? From that handsome face?
Unbelievable.
Charmant looked absolutely horrified as she shoved him away.
“That was a mistake. Just go already.”
The disappointment settled deep in her chest.
Somewhere inside, she had hoped he’d say something like: You had no choice. I don’t blame you.
It was a selfish hope. A desperate way to ease her guilt.
Ahil let himself be pushed and laughed heartily.
“Alright, I’ll go.”
“Good.”
He looked at her intently and spoke suddenly.
“Make sure you really live by your choices. That’s what I’d say. I haven’t lived in a way that earns enemies.”
Then he added with a smirk, “Wouldn’t it be a waste to waste your strength on someone like me?”
“…”
Charmant stood frozen, unable to reply.
“Just a thought. Lock up before bed.”
With those warm parting words, Ahil vanished like he always did.
Charmant stared blankly at the space where he disappeared.
“…”
A stubborn eccentric. A surprisingly kind eccentric.
No matter how she looked at it, he was a strange man.
Desire, by nature, has no end.
Even with great power, one seeks more and more.
To gain more power, to conquer more, or to protect more—desire only grows.
Hadn’t she once been like that?
Blinded by power, she’d become Rakan’s dog.
Indeed, a weirdo.
She let out a self-mocking laugh and turned to close the door—when a sharp whistle cut through the dark sky.
Joy spread across Charmant’s face.
She spun toward the sound.
“Bucky.”
Right on time, Bucky had returned.
A pitch-black shadow, darker than the night sky, descended steadily toward her.
Charmant lifted her arms, steady and strong.
If she staggered again, Bucky would sulk.
Grrr—
Perched on her arm, Bucky extended one leg. A small note was tied to it.
“Did the elves tie this on?”
Grrk.
Charmant chuckled and untied the note.
“Did they treat you well?”
Bucky flapped his wings so strongly it nearly knocked her off balance.
It seemed he had been thoroughly pampered during his stay.
Sending Bucky had definitely been the right call.
Charmant opened the door and let Bucky go in first, then followed behind.
After giving him water and some food, she sat next to him and opened the note.
Even though she had only asked permission to visit Soro Forest—fearing that stating her true purpose would get her flatly rejected—she was curious what they had said.
What kind of response would they give?
As soon as she read the contents, she burst into laughter.
Two people.
So simple, yet so clear.
It meant she was welcome to visit Soro Forest.
And that no more than two people could come.
“Same as always.”
Charmant rubbed Bucky’s head affectionately with her fingers.
“Good job, Bucky. They said we can go.”
Grrr—
A pleased hum came from deep inside Bucky’s chest.
And the person she’d bring was already as good as chosen.
Ahil Duff.
He wasn’t just any magician—he was the Tower Master. Traveling to Soro Forest would be no trouble.
Bringing him wasn’t just a matter of his request—it would also help in stopping Ruentvel.
The elves’ value wasn’t just in their connection to Halslake.
Their bows and arrows were ten times stronger and lighter than normal ones, prized treasures among all races.
The elves of Soro Forest, like Halslake, were obsessed with collecting the world’s treasures and enhancing their own.
They were essential to Ellium.
Since I already have some history with them, I should be able to get closer faster in this life.
