CHAPTER 83…………………………
“So, you’re only sending Linnegrym and Eve?”
“Rey, you need to stay in the capital. Are you planning to abandon the guards and go with them?”
“Of course not, but… then, brother, how about sending some of the Holy Knights with them? I just don’t feel comfortable leaving everything to Eve alone.”
“Rey. You don’t trust me?”
“Of course not. Could you trust yourself?”
Eve didn’t reply. Watching his tightly sealed lips, Reykis raised her chin as if to say, See what I mean?
“It’ll be hard to be away for several days, but I’ll try to talk to him.”
“Good. Linnegrym’s already been attacked once, so the more escorts the better.”
“Even you, brother… I didn’t realize my credibility was this low…”
Eve muttered bitterly as he turned to look out the window. The sight of him, betrayed by the siblings he trusted, was pitiful.
* * *
Ethan, who’d been in the middle of training, had to greet us shirtless when we suddenly showed up.
“The snowy mountains of the Axion clan… is that what you said?”
“Yes. Eve and Linnegrym will be going, and we need additional escorts.”
“Lady Linnegrym is going too?”
“Yes. Linnegrym—Linnegrym? What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean, what’s wrong…”
I pointed at Ethan, my face hidden behind my hands—at his very prominent, very muscular chest.
“Why is everyone just standing here like nothing’s wrong? You’re making me feel like the weird one!”
“Oh, right. Ethan, put your shirt on first.”
“Yes, sir.”
I didn’t lower my hands until he’d picked up his shirt and slid his arms through the sleeves.
“Sorry, Linne. We’ve known him since we were kids, so we’re used to it. I didn’t think you’d be embarrassed.”
“But Lady Linnegrym has already seen me before.”
“What did you just say?”
Eve immediately grabbed Ethan by the collar. The buttons he’d just done up popped open again.
“What kind of nonsense are you trying to pull?!”
“I’m not trying to pull anything. It happened unintentionally.”
“You mean you deliberately showed off your body? You shameless—!”
“Eve! Stop it! I’m the one who saw, why are you mad at Sir Ethan?”
“W-wait… Linne, you asked him to show you?”
What on earth is this divine being saying?!
“Of course not! I fell into the lake, and my clothes got wet! That’s why they were see-through!”
“That’s really all?”
“Yes! I fell into the lake, and Sir Ethan saved me!”
Only then did Eve let go of Ethan’s collar. The poor man’s shirt was now completely wrinkled.
“Ethan, if you ever try anything with Linne—”
“I will.”
“What?”
He’ll what?
Eve and I both froze, staring wide-eyed at Ethan as he calmly continued:
“I mean the mountain escort mission. I’ll take it.”
“Oh, that?”
“What did you think I meant?”
“I thought you were saying you’d try to flirt with Linne—”
“I wouldn’t rule that out, either.”
“What?!”
Turning his back on the fuming Eve, Ethan spoke to Reykis.
“I’ll go.”
“Can you afford to be away from your command for that long?”
“As you know, the vice-captain is more than capable. And given the Axion clan’s status, it would be best if the Captain of the Holy Knights himself were to go.”
“That’s true, but…”
“I can’t in good conscience leave Lady Linnegrym to Lord Eve. As you know, he’s… not the most reliable.”
“Hey, I’m right here! I can hear you! You do serve me, you know?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“You little—!”
Reykis grabbed the back of Eve’s collar as he tried to lunge forward.
“Then we’ll inform you of the departure schedule soon.”
“Yes. I’ll be waiting. Lady Linnegrym, please take care.”
“What’s there to worry about when I’m here?”
“That’s exactly why I’m worried, Lord Eve.”
“Rey! Let go of me! I said let go!”
Ignoring Eve’s struggles, Reykis dragged him out of the training grounds.
“I’ll let Director Nilson know separately.”
“Good. My brother will issue an official order soon, but it’s better if he hears it from you first.”
“Understood. I’ll explain everything clearly. Then I’ll head to work now!”
“Have a good day, Linnegrym. And, um…”
Reykis hesitated, glancing at the sky.
“If it’s alright… may I come pick you up after work?”
“Of course! But aren’t you busy, Lord Reykis?”
“It’s fine. I’ll finish early.”
If Reykis didn’t mind, it was more than fine by me.
“Looks like Rey wants to take extra good care of his first vassal~”
“Shut up, Eve.”
Reykis roughly dropped him to the ground, his ears turning noticeably red.
Wait… was he embarrassed? The Reykis? Because of me?
“…Well then, Linne, do your best today.”
Even as I blinked in disbelief, Reykis awkwardly cleared her throat, called me by my nickname, and ran off toward the Divine Palace.
Eve fluttered after her, waving at me as he went.
“Never thought I’d see Rey embarrassed! What a day~”
His grin stretched from ear to ear as he chased after her, clearly ready to tease her endlessly.
“…No wonder the kids are so cute. They take after—”
“Excuse me?”
“Ahem, nothing. Shall we get going?”
Now I was starting to feel embarrassed. Watching Reykis’s retreating figure for a moment, I turned and headed toward the Administration Office with Rail.
* * *
“To the snowy mountains of the Axion clan?”
Clang. Nilson dropped the instrument he was holding, staring at me in disbelief.
“Yes. Lord Lunaris will be issuing an official order soon… Director, is your jaw alright?”
“Forget my jaw—you should be worried! You’re going to the Snowy Mountains, how can you be so calm?”
“It’s just a work trip. My workplace is changing, not my job—”
“Of course it’s different! It’s the Snowy Mountains! You must not realize how terrifying the Axion clan is!”
“Um, excuse me?”
“Was it ten years ago…? Yes, I went on a business trip there once.”
“Oh, was that when—”
I lowered my voice and whispered into his ear after glancing around.
“—because of the young divine beast who was shot by an arrow?”
“So you already know. Yes. I was the deputy to the previous head of administration back then.”
Nilson shuddered at the memory.
“We braved a freezing winter blizzard to get there, and I’ve never felt such hostile stares in my life. If we hadn’t saved that young divine beast, they would’ve buried us in the snow! You weren’t around back then, but all I could do was pray. If that little one hadn’t opened their eyes right before we froze to death… I wouldn’t be standing here now. The gods saved us.”
“I guess the arrow missed any vital spots. And no secondary infection—how fortunate.”
Nilson narrowed his eyes. Did I say something wrong?
“Anyway, be careful. The cold will bite to your bones, but the gazes of the Axion clan will chill you even more. Even you must not let your guard down!”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be careful.”
After reporting to Nilson, I returned to my seat—only for my seniors to swarm around me.
“Linnegrym, where are you going?”
“Something about snowy mountains? Up north?”
“You’re not going alone, right? Who’s going with you?”
“Why are you going?”
“One question at a time, please. Yes, I’m going to the Snowy Mountains.”
Loren raised her hand high.
“Who are you going with?”
“With Lord Eve.”
“Need an assistant by any chance?”
“An assistant?”
Loren nodded enthusiastically. Clearly, this wasn’t really a question.
“How about taking me? You can’t order a divine being around as your helper!”
“Well, that’s true…”
Somehow, hearing it from her made me feel strange.
“I promise I won’t be a burden! I’ll stay quiet and follow orders exactly!”
I could trust Loren. As an academy valedictorian, she had a sharp memory, excellent adaptability, and a real passion for learning.
“Then how about taking me instead?”
“Hey! What’s your problem?!”
“I want to learn too!”
“Then me as well!”
“Me too, Linnegrym!”
Hands shot up all around me—it was chaos. Just as I was wondering whom to pick, Loren sealed the deal:
“You’ll be staying on the mountain for days. Don’t you think having at least one other woman would be a good idea?”
That settled it.
“Alright, Loren. You’re coming.”
“Yeeees!”
Loren pumped her fist in triumph.
“I’ll do great, Linnegrym. You can count on me!”
“I do, Loren. So actually—”
“Hm?”
“I need help making the medicine we’ll bring to the mountains. You’ll need to memorize the effects, combinations, and preparation methods for all the herbs. You’ll have to explain them yourself.”
“O-of course! You know I was top of the class!”
“Reliable as always, Loren. Shall we start by gathering the herbs?”
“Let’s go!”
Brimming with enthusiasm, Loren followed me to the greenhouse—only to collapse an hour later, sprawled on the ground.
“Hah… hah… I can’t… go on…”
Herb gathering requires more strength than you’d think. Having only ever studied indoors, Loren had neither the experience nor the stamina.
“You can head back first, Loren. We’re almost done.”
“But I can’t just leave you here alone…”
“It’s fine. You’ve already helped a lot.”
That wasn’t just flattery—she’d done her share well, just a bit slowly. Her basket was filled to the brim with herbs.
“Please take these back to the office and start preparing them.”
I told her to return to the office, not take a break.
Loren stared at the heavy basket, then shook her head determinedly and stood up.
“Alright! I’ll get them cleaned and sorted! I won’t be beaten by a little physical labor!”
“Thanks, Loren! I’ll follow soon!”
“Okay! Don’t rush!”
Her legs were trembling under the weight as she walked away, but she still waved back at me. Watching her unsteady steps, I bent down again to finish my share.
As I dug into the soil, a shadow fell over me.
I gripped my trowel tightly—then a rough, familiar-sounding voice came with heavy breathing.
“…Your Highness?”
When I turned, there stood Helion, running a hand through his disheveled hair. He seemed out of breath, as if he’d rushed here.
“What kind of herb were you looking for, to come running like this?”
“It’s not the herbs.”
Helion pressed the back of his hand to his mouth, catching his breath.
“I came to see you, Linnegrym.”
He said it plainly, almost breathlessly, his face slightly flushed.
