Chapter 129
Alter calmly took steps while supporting Brillie.
Brillie could walk on her own, but she staggered so much that he had to hold her steady.
She usually didn't even touch alcohol, so why was she so drunk now?
'Did she just end up drinking a lot because it's the Harvest Festival?'
With this question in mind, Alter glanced over at Brillie.
She leaned on his shoulder, moving slowly.
Still, since she wasn't making a drunken scene, he felt a little relieved.
'Maybe she has some worries I don't know about...'
"Lord Alter."
"Yes?"
"This is the first time you've seen me like this, isn't it?"
"Uh... it is the first time, yes."
"Don't I look a bit strange?"
"Not at all. Actually, I feel a bit relieved. At least you're not making a scene."
"You really do say the nicest things. Aren't you just too cute?"
"Cute is... um..."
A maid opened the door for them first, and Alter entered the room with Brillie.
Although she ran her hand roughly along Alter's cheek, Brillie quietly followed him inside.
The door closed naturally behind them, and Alter finally reached the bed and tried to let her go.
"You're leaving already?"
"I'll stay a bit longer. Just in case..."
"Can't you stay with me tonight?"
"If you'd like, I can stay until before dawn."
"No. Sleep here tonight."
"Ah..."
Alter was swept up in the moment and ended up lying on the bed.
Brillie hugged his body with both arms, digging in even deeper.
Alter looked as if he was considering something for a moment, then carefully opened his mouth.
"Lady Brillie."
"You're not about to say you don't want this, are you?"
"It's not that I dislike it. I just thought I should ask."
"What is it? Go ahead."
"Is there something bothering you?"
"Hmm... I'm not sure. Maybe I'm the only one who feels rushed..."
"Are you worried?"
"You're always fighting dangerous battles, aren't you? We keep postponing the wedding, too. Is this really okay?"
"..."
Alter remained silent for a while and then belatedly moved his right hand.
He tapped Brillie's back softly and slowly spoke up.
"Everything will be fine. Things are just tangled for the moment."
"Do you really think so?"
"Yes. Don't you think we just need to wait a bit longer?"
Brillie opened her eyes wide and looked at Alter.
She had only meant to complain vaguely, but Alter took even that seriously.
He was younger than her, yet he could be so calm.
"Lady Brillie, let me help you take off your shoes first. Please wait a moment."
"... Okay."
Brillie finally let go with both arms, and Alter began undoing her shoelaces.
He even removed her shoes before climbing back up onto the bed.
"I wasn't exactly at peace either. If we had at least gotten married, maybe I'd feel less uneasy."
"..."
"To be honest... marriage scares me a bit. I'm not sure if I can do well with you after getting married."
"..."
"I still think I lack a lot. I don't have a manly feel, and I'm small, so I look unreliable. If not for the title of the next great mage, I wouldn't even have managed this much."
Alter mumbled as he moved pillows and blankets around. Brillie listened quietly, not taking her eyes off him.
"Sometimes I wonder about things like... I should be the one holding you, but why am I the one being held?"
"Did that bother you somehow?"
"Not at all. You held me to protect me. I just regret that I couldn't do anything."
"You don't feel like I swept you along with me?"
"You can't always wait to get my permission. Sometimes you need to act first; depending on the situation. Also, personally... with you here, I feel my shortcomings have faded a lot."
"Hmm... really? I don't really notice."
"I'm too cautious to make quick decisions, but you decide in an instant and act. So you make up for my weaknesses."
Alter showed a faint smile and made eye contact with Brillie. She hesitated for a moment, then drew a subtle look in her eyes.
"So that's why you just stayed still back then?"
"Back then... what do you mean?"
"We slept together, but you didn't do anything."
"Oh, that time... huh?"
Alter looked puzzled for a moment and then realized what she'd meant.
He really hadn't thought much of it at the time, and had simply wanted Brillie to get a good sleep.
But being told that so suddenly, he couldn't help but get a bit flustered.
"Lord Alter, you pretended not to know when you really did, didn't you?"
"Uh... that's not what I..."
"Can you keep up with whatever I do?"
"Excuse me? What are you planning to..."
"If you know, why are you asking?"
Brillie moved quickly and cornered Alter.
Pressed beneath her, Alter instinctively curled up.
He'd sometimes imagined these situations, but had never expected to be caught off guard like this.
"You... you were waiting for me to make a move first, weren't you?"
"That's not..."
"Don't make excuses. You said so yourself—you're too cautious to make decisions. So if I do it for you, that's enough, right?"
Brillie leaned her right hand on the wall and gazed down at Alter.
Her pure white hair spilled across the bed, and the small body looked quite shrunk.
Her dark blue eyes were more dazzling than ever, shaking his heart for no reason.
"Wouldn't it be better to hear my opinion, at least in times like these...?"
"I'll listen. What are you going to say?"
"If your judgment is clouded by alcohol..."
"You really think I could say these things with a clouded mind?"
"There's no rush, it wouldn't be too late even after we're married..."
"What if it gets postponed again? Will we just go ahead with it then?"
"Um... uh..."
Alter looked up at Brillie, quite tense.
Through her black hair, he could see her amber eyes piercing straight through his heart.
The faint smell of alcohol drifted over, and he wondered if he might be the one getting drunk instead.
"Whatever I do here, all you have to do is follow along. I'll take responsibility, so don't worry."
"I'll take responsibility, too, but isn't it still... a bit too soon...?"
"Is timing really that important? It's all already decided, isn't it?"
Brillie replied firmly, then began undoing her collar.
Alter, unable to hide his shock, reluctantly turned his head away.
"Br-Brillie. Maybe you should calm down a little?"
"You know what? I've never been more calm in my life than I am now. You're the one who made me feel this way."
She undid the last button on her jacket and tossed it aside.
Then, after catching her breath momentarily, she went to touch her shirt collar.
"Let me ask one thing. Do I look scary to you?"
"You don't. It's just... I'm a little surprised."
"You could push me away, but you aren't. Why is that?"
"Because I shouldn't. Isn't this something we'll have to face eventually?"
"..."
Brillie stopped and suddenly realized how far ahead she'd gone.
Even though she was being forceful, Alter made no move to resist.
He simply persuaded her with words and quietly accepted her presence.
"I made a little mistake. Sorry..."
"It may have been a mistake, but there's no need to apologize. Is that really all there is between us?"
"That's..."
Brillie mulled over the words, then slowly drew back.
Even if it had been an impulsive act, it meant he shouldn't forget they'd promised to get married.
Once they were wed, even this kind of behavior would probably become routine.
"I just thought it was a bit early, but I was prepared for it. Even if it was embarrassing, I don't want to say you did anything wrong."
"I understand what you mean. So... let's stop here."
Brillie buttoned her shirt as she lowered her gaze.
The mood had calmed, so she just glanced around awkwardly.
Maybe it was best to send Alter away for now.
"How about heading back?"
"No. I'll sleep here tonight."
"What? But..."
"This time I'll be stubborn. You're the one who asked me first."
Alter spoke calmly as he took Brillie's hand. She hesitated, but reluctantly accepted his touch.
'He must be doing this on purpose for me.'
Brillie finally turned her head to look at Alter.
If he really left now, she'd be swallowed by self-blame.
But just by staying by her side, he soothed her troubled heart.
'He called being too cautious a weakness... but maybe it's a strength after all?'
* * *
From the empty air, a brilliant yellow streak of light flashed and extended in a slender line.
The yellow arcs spread in succession, then touched the ground.
Then, with a thunderous crash, they devastated the surrounding area.
"... Pathetic. Did you really lose to such beings?"
A massive form hovered in the air, scanning below.
Human corpses were scattered everywhere, and none had managed to reach him.
The weak could only crumble, while the mighty—as he was—always held the upper hand.
"Or perhaps they just haven't arrived yet? If they killed a dragon, they can't be that weak."
Of Hazlodein's seven dragons, Mwin the Thunderstorm casually discharged electric currents.
Lightning storms rained down from the sky, engulfing the surface below.
He had invaded for his own reasons, but he couldn't afford to forget there were powerful enemies as well.
'The source of the world is said to be hidden somewhere around here.'
Mwin the Thunderstorm had received information about this from Lailnetia the Devouring.
If he could only find the font that sustained this world, he could return to Hazlodein's realm.
Furthermore, with the source's power, he'd gain overwhelming might, so they wouldn't be able to exile him again.
'I don't know what the real intention is... but it doesn't matter. I just need to achieve my goal.'
Though he doubted Lailnetia the Devouring, Mwin the Thunderstorm had no choice but to act.
No doubt he was being used, but the information wasn't false.
In that case, he would seize the world's origin at all costs—and claim his revenge.
'If I destroy everything, the origin of the world is bound to reveal itself.'