Chapter 32…………………………………………….
“Th-this is…”
“Snap out of it, Mas!”
Dodging the massive pincers that slammed into the ceiling with heavy thuds, Sappheiros quickly pulled Adamus to her feet.
Adamus hurriedly looked around.
On the opposite side from them, near the entrance of the cavern, Stephan was avoiding the stone scorpion’s attacks while holding his spear at the ready.
Behind him stood Pantheon, who had summoned a sylph, and Privetina, who had drawn her rapier.
So that’s why Tina’s group couldn’t get inside.
Who would’ve thought a giant stone scorpion like this would suddenly appear?
“Tina, what happened?”
“It just fell from the sky!”
Fell from the sky? That means there wasn’t only one entrance. This is going to draw every passerby over here… seriously!
“Stephan, I’ll send Adamus over to you!”
Sappheiros shouted.
“Adamus. Go to where Lady Privetina is.”
He spoke while avoiding the enormous pincers that filled the cavern.
“When I give the signal, run for the entrance. I’ll follow soon.”
“No! We go together.”
“I’ll finish it quickly. You go first.”
“You’re going to fight something that huge alone? That’s dangerous!”
At Adamus’s concern, Sappheiros smiled.
“Have I ever told you this?”
“Told me what?”
“You’re the first person who’s ever treated me like this, Adamus. There’s no time for this. Trust me, and move.”
Sappheiros gave her back a gentle push.
“You have to come quickly, Ros.”
“I’ll be right behind you, don’t worry.”
Adamus nodded quietly. Right now, she had to follow his lead.
But even after deciding to regroup, moving wasn’t easy.
The stone scorpion, large enough to fill the entire cavern, swung its tail violently from side to side, blocking their path. At the same time, it relentlessly attacked the upper part of the passage where the others were.
Watching closely, Sappheiros gave Adamus a signal.
“Now. Run!”
At his cue, Adamus sprinted across the cavern toward the group.
And then—
“Ah! Aaah…”
She fell.
Her foot had caught on a small rock—likely debris from the scorpion’s clash with Privetina’s group.
“Mas, hurry! It looks like the entrance is about to collapse!”
Privetina shouted desperately.
Adamus pushed herself up, about to run again—
Then, with a deafening roar, rocks came crashing down toward the entrance where the others stood.
“…!”
The sound of stones tumbling down made Adamus scream toward Privetina.
“Tina! Take the glowing stone and go back to the log cabin! If three days pass and we don’t return, then as promised, bring it to the Marquis! Tina! Can you hear me?!”
No answer came back.
“…Damn it.”
It was too late.
Privetina, Stephan, Pantheon—none of them were visible.
Only a mound of rubble blocked the entrance.
“Get a grip, Mas. The golem is attacking.”
Sappheiros grabbed Adamus’s shoulder, pulling her back.
“Stay against the wall. I’ll finish it in one strike.”
“S-sorry… should I help?”
“It’s fine. Just get over there.”
Biting her lip, Adamus pressed herself against the wall.
“Hah—!”
Sappheiros raised his sword quietly, then dashed beneath the scorpion’s belly with a sharp cry.
A blue light danced before Adamus’s eyes.
Huh? W-what was that?
He had only drawn a single vertical line through the air—
Yet the golem crumbled into pebbles, scattering everywhere.
Sappheiros was already deflecting every flying fragment before it could hit her.
Adamus realized then.
From the start, he had possessed the strength to pulverize even three of the Marquis territory’s earth golems without anyone’s help.
He had always protected not only the people of the Marquis’s land—
But their home itself.
You were always fighting while guarding something.
I thought you were a genius already…
But you were far stronger than I ever imagined.
“Are you hurt, Adamus?”
“No… I’m fine. Sorry.”
She shook her head hard, trying to regain herself.
Then she watched, almost prayerfully, as he cleaned his sword and slid it back into its sheath.
“W-what are you doing?”
Sappheiros stammered, flustered.
“Oh, brilliant swordmaster. This lowly mage applauds your magnificent skills.”
“It’s not like you’ve never seen it before. You already knew I was a Swordmaster.”
“I knew, but… I didn’t realize you were this strong. To think I failed to recognize Lord Sappheiros properly… From now on, I shall never dare cross blades with you again, so please, in your boundless mercy—”
“Adamus. That excuse for skipping morning training is way too long.”
Ugh. Sharp as ever.
Adamus pouted.
“So? Did you sense any magical reaction from the golem?”
“If I could tell that instantly, I’d be praised as an Archmage already, Sir Sappheiros.”
She said that, but carefully examined the shattered stone scorpion for anything unusual.
Sappheiros watched quietly, then spoke.
“But Mas… are you doing this on purpose?”
“Hm? Doing what?”
He frowned, stepping closer.
“It’s been bothering me. Why do you call me ‘Sappheiros’ when we’re alone… but ‘Ros’ when others are around?”
Adamus blinked, startled.
Well… because we’re known as fiancés. Shouldn’t we act close?
Was he offended? That I was pretending?
“Ah… okay. Sorry. I’ll fix it.”
“Of course you should. Why make it awkward by saying my full name?”
“…Wait. What did you just say?”
She had been thinking she should start calling him “Sir Sappheiros” properly—
But—
“Between us, don’t make it awkward. Call me Ros even when we’re alone.”
Adamus stood frozen, mouth open.
“And why did you move the ring back to your middle finger?”
“It’s too big for my ring finger. It was my father’s ring.”
“I see. Then I’ll have a new one made that fits your ring finger properly.”
Adamus thought of countless rebuttals—
But none came out.
Ah. So this is what it means to be speechless.
“…You really are something new every time, Sir Sappheiros.”
“What do you mean?”
“At first, I thought you were prickly and unpleasant…”
“…Wait. That’s basically the same thing.”
“What exactly are you saying to your fiancé?”
“You seem to have forgotten how you accused me of being suspicious when we first met.”
“T-that was because I didn’t know you well back then!”
“Well… you still don’t know me that well.”
“Th-then… we have to get to know each other. So why do you keep calling me so distantly?”
Watching him ramble and gesture wildly, Adamus burst out laughing.
“Hahaha.”
“Why are you laughing? Can’t you see I’m serious?”
“It’s funny. You’re always funny. Your face was the funniest, but lately your personality is getting funnier too.”
The more I know you, the newer you feel.
You really feel… alive.
“Is ‘funny’ a compliment in the capital? Then, Mas… you are funny too. Very ridiculous.”
…That last part was unnecessary.
Apparently, Sappheiros had taken her “funny” as praise.
“Haa… fine. I’m funny. I’m ridiculous.”
And honestly, seeing him smile like that wasn’t bad.
No—she was genuinely happy.
As long as you’re happy.
Adamus took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped his forehead, then gently brushed his hair.
Seeing him accept her touch so naturally made her heart twist.
Instead of thinking about leaving…
Her affection only deepened with time.
Whenever those blue eyes watched her, Adamus thought of every shade of blue—
The unreachable sky.
The sea.
Topaz and turquoise.
But in the end, her thoughts always returned to the deep blue sapphire in his gaze.
Yes.
The most beautiful blue in the world to Adamus now…
Was this man’s eyes.
Too beautiful…
Trying to shake away the storm of emotions, Adamus shook her head hard and smiled brightly.
“Sappheiros… that name is the origin of ‘sapphire,’ isn’t it?”
“Yes. The former Marquis personally gave me that name, for an orphan like me.”
The ruling family of Mano had always taken names from gemstones.
Onyx. Corundum.
Especially the House of Mano.
The former Marquis’s name, Kunzite, and the current Marquis’s, Hiddenite—
All gemstones.
“Of course. Our Sir Sappheiros… the most valued retainer of the house. It’s a wonderful name.”
Sappheiros chuckled softly.
“Then by that logic… you truly belong to this house as well.”
“Hm? Why?”
“Adamus means diamond. A fitting name for House Mano. Who gave it to you?”
“Oh… I never told you? My father named me.”
Her father’s name, Dos, likely came from “smaragdos,” meaning emerald green.
“It suits you. Perfectly.”
“Really? I don’t think I have anything diamond-like about me. My hair is wheat-colored, and my eyes are green.”
“You’re strong. That’s why you’re beautiful.”
“Ah…”
Adamus bit her lip hard, looking up as if tears might spill.
A man who says diamonds are beautiful because they are strong…
“Sappheiros. You really are one of a kind.”
“Hm?”
“You seem ignorant about gemstones… but you understand their value better than anyone.”
“…I’m honored.”
That quiet shared smile kept Adamus alive here today, too.
Yes.
I’ll set aside my worries about the future for now.
There’s still so much I must do—
And can do—for this territory.
“Alright! Shall we properly investigate this stone scorpion?”
If there’s a connection between this giant stone scorpion golem and the Marquis territory’s earth golems…
It’ll be a huge clue.
Adamus smiled, rolling up her sleeves.
And a few minutes later—
She silently narrowed her eyes at Sappheiros.
