Chapter 22
Baron Diezo, who had received the investment funds, sent regular letters updating me on the progress.
“Today, we recruited workers for the salvage operation. Today, we secured a salvage ship. Today, we are heading east with the workers. Today, the ship was launched into the sea.”
Thanks to this, I could keep track of everything without missing a single detail.
However, Lucas seemed to think that this wasn’t the truth. I had subtly advised him that the Baron must be fabricating these reports just to reassure me, which he naturally found suspicious.
“Well, from his point of view, it’s only natural,” I thought.
Even though Lucas strongly doubted Baron Diezo, he didn’t stop me. After all, this was ultimately my test. Lucas was a rule-abiding model subordinate. He knew better than anyone that his role was, at most, that of an aide.
“If it were Siche, he would’ve worked behind the scenes,” I mused.
If it were Baratheon…
“He’d probably have gotten all emotional over the story and insisted on investing not ten billion but a hundred billion gold.”
To reassure Lucas, I raised my voice, emphasizing the strong trust between Baron Diezo and me. That only seemed to make Lucas more uneasy, but the Baron was deeply moved, tears streaming down his face like chicken droppings.
In response to my fiery display, Baron Diezo continued to send earnest letters. Time passed quickly in the meantime.
Hedin, who had wanted to spend a few days focusing on personal training, hadn’t contacted anyone even after more than two weeks.
“Is his training not going well?”
I recalled my master once saying that someone could go mad if their mana went out of control during solo training.
“Could it be Hedin?”
If there was even a chance, I couldn’t stay idle. Hedin was the person who had saved my life. I had encouraged him to train privately to help him, but if that had backfired, it would be a disaster.
“I need to go check on him.”
Hedin had taken a short leave to train alone at the Mist Knights’ dormitory. Since it was inside the Winter Manor, it wasn’t a problem to visit him briefly. As long as I didn’t leave the manor grounds, no one would stop me.
I walked as if taking my usual stroll, heading toward the knights’ dormitory. By this time, the knights were training, so I already knew the dorms would be empty.
I strolled leisurely down the corridor, sensing no presence. I didn’t know exactly where Hedin’s room was, but I knew I would feel his energy if I walked close enough.
Sure enough, after a short while, I felt a faint energy leaking from one room. Even a trained knight wouldn’t notice it if they couldn’t sense mana.
“Hedin, are you in there?”
I approached the room and knocked, but received no response after several attempts. Something was clearly wrong.
I didn’t hesitate and opened the door. The lock was in place, but using magic, it was no obstacle.
“Ugh!”
As soon as I stepped in, I felt an enormous surge of mana. The source was Hedin, collapsed on the floor.
<His body couldn’t withstand the intense power. It must be because he gained it too suddenly.>
Blanche, who had followed me, hovered over Hedin to examine him.
<There’s a violent energy surging inside his body. We need to stabilize it for him to open his eyes.>
Blanche perched on Hedin’s head, pecking at it with her beak. Despite the extreme pain, Hedin didn’t react.
“Hedin!”
I rushed to his side. Observing him, I realized exactly what had happened.
“That’s it.”
I had experienced something similar in my past life. I had trained recklessly to surpass my master, growing impatient with the hardships he imposed, and ended up in this exact state.
<A tremendous power flooded into my body that I couldn’t control, and I lost consciousness.>
When I woke up, a week had already passed. My master didn’t speak a word, only brushing the sweat-soaked hair from my face.
“…I’m sorry.”
“What are you apologizing for?”
“I caused an accident trying to outdo you, Master.”
“Again?”
“Again… I troubled you with another accident.”
“Again?”
“Uh… is there something else I should apologize for?”
My master lightly tapped my cheek and sighed deeply.
“Don’t worry. You can’t beat me anyway.”
“…If you put it like that, then it means I caused the accident!”
Back then, my master had forcibly guided the chaotic energy in my body, showing it the proper path.
<I’ve never manipulated someone else’s energy before.>
I had only received guidance from my master, never actively touching someone else’s power.
<But…>
I looked at Hedin, unconscious. If I left him like this, he wouldn’t wake up. I had to take the risk.
“Alright.”
I decided and placed my hand on Hedin’s chest. Closing my eyes, I channeled my energy into his body. Hedin’s energy repelled the intruding force with tremendous force.
I carefully controlled my energy, preventing myself from being swept away. The chaotic energy within Hedin followed the path I created.
<It’s working!>
Because my power was stronger than Hedin’s, it succeeded. I carefully moved along the path I opened inside his body, making one circuit after another.
Gradually, the chaotic energy settled into place.
<But this is incredibly exhausting…>
Sweat dripped down my face. My master had made it sound so simple. Had he gone through this process to awaken me as well?
<I didn’t realize back then, Master!>
I finally removed my hands from Hedin, giving silent thanks. The threatening energy that had filled the room was now contained within him.
<The worst is over.>
Having guided the energy along the proper path, Hedin’s body could handle the rest. All he needed now was time.
<Hmm, I can sense your energy from him.>
Blanche muttered discontentedly, seeing me collapse from exhaustion.
<Why won’t you share your energy with me, my king? I want a trace of you too!>
“You’re fine as you are.”
<Then I’ll go berserk. Will you share your energy then?>
“What? If you go berserk, I’ll just abandon you. Why should I clean up that mess?”
<The people never abandon the king. The king never abandons the people. So why would my king abandon me? A Demon Lord must care for his people.>
“Ugh! I already said I’m not becoming a Demon Lord! If you say that one more time—”
<The Demon Lord. You wanted to hear it so badly, right? I can say it as many times as you like: Demon Lord, Demon Lord, Demon Lord…>
“…Hey. I didn’t say to continue.”
<But you told me to say it again. You’re my king, yet you contradict yourself. That’s a bad habit, my king.>
“Ha… this is insane…”
I never imagined I’d go through this struggle even after reincarnation. Trying to reason with such an infuriating creature gave me a headache.
“Ugh…”
As I clutched my throbbing head and sighed, I heard Hedin groaning beside me.
<Right, this isn’t the time.>
He wouldn’t wake immediately, but there was no reason to linger here.
<Let’s leave before we’re noticed.>
A few days later, Hedin returned.
As expected, he had surpassed another level and become a Sword Master—the second Sword Master in the Mist Knights after Baratheon.
The entire Mist Knights order erupted in celebration. They held an all-day drinking party in Hedin’s honor, which is why he didn’t come directly to see me upon his return.
“I’m sorry for returning so late, milady. From today, I will guard you once again.”
“Huh? You’re going to continue as my guard?”
I thought that, given his abilities, he would be assigned elsewhere.
“Uh?”
Hedin’s face turned pale at my reaction, surprised.
“If it’s because I returned too late…”
“No, Hedin, you’re a Sword Master now. It’s a waste of your abilities to guard me. You have more important duties. There’s nothing more important to the Mist Knights than your safety.”
