CHAPTER 48………………………………..
“Currendum, huh. My suspicion is strong, but it’s a shame there’s no concrete evidence.”
“I’m sorry.”
At Hidenight’s words, Sapheiros quickly bowed his head. Adamas also lowered his in acknowledgment from beside him.
“Your Grace, how about searching the Currendum estate? If you permit it, even tonight…”
Adamas spoke as if he could easily scale the walls of the Currendum estate at any time.
Hidenight shook his head.
“No. Even with just this, we’ve already achieved something remarkable. Let’s keep this matter among ourselves until we find undeniable proof.”
“Yes….”
“Don’t make that face, Adamas. And Ross, you should smile too! You’ve accomplished something truly commendable. You brought back results beyond expectations from the desert expedition, and then you distinguished yourselves in the battle that followed. I am very proud of you. Hold your heads a bit higher and smile with confidence.”
Hidenight had gained a lot from this battle.
It was a great victory achieved without spilling a single drop of blood.
When he first heard that the Robiana army had taken position in the Ushi Plains, he felt as if the sky had collapsed.
Upon hearing the bell, the vassals swarmed like bees, threatening that they would not join the battle without proper reward, pressuring him, the Marquis.
In particular, Onyx’s family head, Onyx Romel, openly demanded a stake in the Emerald Mine.
Onyx was bad enough, but even more outrageous was Currendum.
The head of the Currendum family, Currendum Mage, sent a brief letter notifying that he could not participate in the battle due to poor health.
How much must he have underestimated me not to even show his face?
As Hidenight hesitated, wondering whether to bow and encourage the vassals to fight, Sapheiros, having run across the desert, spoke:
“If you hear that I am dead, you should bow to the vassals. But until then, there’s no need. I will protect Mano.”
“If you die protecting Mano, it means nothing. Surely you’re not still unaware of that!”
“…I’m fine. Adamas will protect me.”
Remembering the trust Sapheiros placed in Adamas, Hidenight smiled slightly.
Hidenight had always worried.
If he failed to leave an heir, what would become of the Marquisate?
Could Sapheiros protect the Marquisate among such fierce vassals?
Ross alone wouldn’t be enough. He’s not cut out to be a Marquis. But…
Hidenight’s warm gaze fell on Adamas and Sapheiros.
“Thank you for returning safely. I also have some good news.”
“Hello, Adamas. The weather is nice today.”
In the morning, with the sun hanging high, Adamas met Privetina under the tent of the Emerald Mine, having returned after some time.
“Tina! Oh my! Let me hug you.”
Adamas embraced Privetina tightly, who had come pulling a one-wheeled cart full of magic stones.
“Tina, sit down for a moment. I have something to tell you.”
“Sure, that’s fine. It’s just break time anyway.”
Privetina moved the cart to the side and sat next to Adamas.
The great victory in the recent battle had changed many things.
Most notably, the Marquis had begun to manage the territory more actively.
In truth, the victory was just an opportunity.
It seemed the Marquis had been waiting and preparing for such a moment.
He sent people to the capital to sell the magic stones collected to secure funds for the Marquisate.
It wasn’t a one-time sale; through a contract with the capital’s guild, Heliodor, he secured a continuous supply of magic stones and attracted a substantial investment.
This also allowed him to completely settle debts within the territory, especially with the Onyx family.
Hah, Marquis, very nice!
Even the guild’s name is perfect!
Adamas thought of the yellow sunlit chrysoberyl, struggling to keep his smile from rising.
With financial relief, Privetina’s activities within the Marquisate also improved.
No longer needing to watch Onyx’s every move, the young but talented Privetina was accepted as a squire in the knights.
Privetina herself was full of enthusiasm.
She insisted that she was no longer the Onyx heiress and asked everyone to call her Tina.
She positively accepted being involved in the mine operations, saying it would improve her physical strength, which would later benefit her swordsmanship.
Adamas did not stop her.
He only mentioned to Sapheiros and the Marquis that the labor should be adjusted so that young Privetina wouldn’t be overworked.
“I’m a little disappointed. You’re staying at the Marquis’s residence now, right?”
“Yes. The Marquis gave me a room.”
“Right… the log cabin was… well, a bit much. Cold at night, and the food wasn’t plentiful…”
“No, it’s not that…”
Privetina blushed, trailing off.
“I just feel a little awkward being in the middle of a romantic couple.”
That’s not it, Tina.
Adamas shook his head at her cute imagination.
“Still, if we stayed at the log cabin, I could spar with Sapheiros once in a while.”
“That’s true, but we have Stephan.”
“Stephan?”
“Yes. Surprisingly reliable. He promised to spar with me every evening.”
A smile bloomed on Privetina’s face.
“And he listens to me too. Much more well-mannered than I expected.”
A promise, huh. She had insisted on sparring as a condition to accompany him in the desert.
Is this how a prince treats a lady? Surely he has no ulterior motives… Although, the younger brother does seem more likable than the elder.
‘Ah! Could it be!’
Could it be… that she’s destined to become a great swordswoman?!
Adamas recalled Stephan’s prophetic abilities.
Trying to steal the Marquisate’s talent? Hmph. Impossible! Even while being pursued, still so greedy!
“Tina, let’s live together in the Marquisate for a long time.”
“Huh? Ah, yes.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“You’re already doing well.”
“No. I didn’t recognize our future great swordswoman. You deserve more respect.”
“Haha, I’m just a squire at most. Or does Mars see me as Onyx Privetina?”
Privetina’s voice dropped.
“Who? Me? If I saw you as Onyx, you wouldn’t even be here.”
Adamas gazed steadily into her brown eyes.
“Tina. Sapheiros manages the magic stone mining, but that doesn’t make me any less significant.”
“Then why do you keep giving me more praise than I deserve?”
“Because I know your value will become even greater than it is now.”
The future will change.
Onyx Privetina did not leave the Marquisate. The future in which she became the Mercenary King was unlikely to happen.
Still, Adamas knew. No, he could be certain.
“Tina, I don’t have Stephan’s prophetic powers, but I can still see your future.”
“My future?”
“I saw it. A new star born under the black night.”
So…
“Have confidence, future great swordswoman!”
“…Ah, yes.”
“And no matter how handsome Stephan is, don’t be swayed easily!”
“Huh? W-what do you think I am!”
Privetina jumped up, shouting.
“I’m not… that easy a woman.”
“Of course, naturally.”
“My first impression of you was awful. Though you’ve been better now…”
“Y-yes?”
“I’m not going to be won over just because I have a nice face and can fight well.”
…Ah, already messed up.
Adamas sighed at the unnecessary disappointment.
“Oh, break time’s over. I should get going.”
“Tina! Finish your sentence. What’s your relationship with Stephan!”
Adamas didn’t answer and could only wave helplessly as Privetina walked away, her dress swaying.
“Hey, what are you doing? Work. Stop playing around.”
At that moment, a shadow fell overhead.
Sapheiros, who had gone to the wall construction site, returned to the magic stone mining site.
“It was break time! How’s the wall coming along?”
“Not even halfway yet.”
“It would be perfect if it’s finished when the guild arrives.”
“That would be impossible.”
Sapheiros wiped sweat from his forehead.
September. Evenings were quite chilly, but the heat still dominated the daytime.
“Wind.”
Adamas summoned a small breeze over Sapheiros’s sun-reddened forehead.
A gentle smile appeared on Sapheiros’s closed face.
At that moment, Adamas remembered what Privetina had just said:
‘His first impression was awful, but now he treats me well. He’s handsome and can fight, but I won’t be won over…’
“Sigh, the easy one was me.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
Under the sun for half a day, Adamas smiled, placing a hand on his forehead.
Thinking once again how unnecessarily handsome Sapheiros was today…
