The Genius Son-in-law of the Swordmaster Household—Blessed by Authority

Déjà Vu (2)

'How did she find out?'

Ian constantly questioned himself as he walked down the corridor.

How had Veronica seen through Ian's lie?

'Did I give myself away without realizing it again? Or....'

Was it some kind of special intuition that Hisperion women always possessed?

'Ha... No. The important thing right now isn't why I was found out.'

Whatever the reason, it was already revealed that Ian had some connection to the mercenary called 'Khan.'

'Trying to forcibly deny it here would be the worst choice.'

If he tried to stall awkwardly or pile on more lies, suspicion and misunderstanding would grow like a snowball.

In the worst case, Veronica might mobilize all the information networks of the empire and the family to start digging into Ian's background.

If that happened, Ian's ability to act freely would be hindered.

The time he needed to hunt the Demon Cult and gather strength would instead be wasted trying to avoid Veronica's scrutiny.

'That cannot happen.'

Ian came to a halt.

Rather than leaving an uncontrollable variable unchecked, it was better to confess and turn things into a manageable situation.

'I should come clean. And make her keep quiet.'

There were risks, but Ian concluded that negotiating with Veronica was far more rational.

Just as Ian firmed his resolve and resumed walking—

- Tok, tok.

Veronica was coming down the corridor from the opposite end.

He had just been planning to go see her, so he was in luck.

"So this is where you were, sir Ian."

Veronica smiled, curling her crimson lips.

"I've been looking for you for a while. There's no Yuria here, so you won't be able to escape from me."

Her gaze was like that of a predator who had cornered its prey.

But Ian didn't avoid her.

"What a coincidence. I was just looking for you as well, my lady."

"... What?"

Veronica's eyes widened.

She was flustered.

It was unsurprising—her prey, who she thought would run away, was instead approaching on his own.

"There's something I need to tell you. Please, follow me."

Ian took the lead and walked ahead.

"H-hey, wait!"

Veronica, despite her flustered state, hurried after him, not wanting to let him get away.

Ian brought her to the very top of the tallest spire in Sunshine Castle.

Harsh winds howled, and it was a spooky place completely devoid of people.

"... Hmm, hmm."

Veronica folded her arms and looked around.

"You've brought me to quite a gloomy place. Are you planning to silence me with intimidation or something?"

She lifted her chin and accused him.

"It's no use. Even though my body is weak, I still have enough strength to scream. If there's a commotion here, you'll be the one in trouble, you know?"

"I have no intention of doing such a thing. Please, rest assured."

Ian leaned against the railing and looked at Veronica.

"You asked me yesterday in the corridor. What do I know about Khan?"

"..."

Veronica's gaze sharpened.

"So you did know something. I guess you don't plan to feign ignorance anymore?"

"Yes. Lying would only be a waste of time."

"Oh...?"

Ian took a quiet breath, then opened his mouth calmly.

"I am Khan."

"...!"

Veronica's eyes widened.

Though she had suspected as much, hearing it from his own mouth left her reeling.

"R-really...?"

Veronica, looking confused, pressed her forehead.

"You're seriously saying you're Khan?"

"You already had a sense of it, didn't you?"

"T-that's true, but... I didn't actually think it would really be you..."

Ian responded calmly.

"I've come clean because I don't want any more useless misunderstandings to arise. I thought it would be better to be honest with you and reach an agreement."

"An agreement..."

Veronica wavered, then quickly shook her head to recover herself.

"H-how wise. Yes, just as you said, I was confident. You made the right choice."

She walked up to the railing and stood beside Ian.

"Well done. And don't worry. I have no intention whatsoever of using this secret to harm you. After all, you are the one who saved my life."

"..."

"But..."

Veronica raised her finger.

"There's still a lot I don't understand. May I ask you a few more questions?"

"As many as you like. It's best to minimize misunderstandings, so I'll answer whatever I can."

Veronica paused, organizing her thoughts.

Ian's identity, his purpose, all of it.

She had a mountain of questions, but she should start with the most crucial one.

"First... did Yuria ask you to save me?"

"No."

"... I thought so."

Veronica nodded at once.

She had expected as much.

She and Yuria had lived as strangers for years.

There was no way Yuria would send a knight to rescue Veronica just because she was in danger.

Most of all, Yuria seemed completely unaware that Ian was disguising himself as 'Khan' while working as a mercenary.

"Then, do you have another master? A true backer."

Her eyes narrowed.

Ian answered with unwavering eyes.

"There is no other backer. My liege lord is Yuria and Yuria alone. Forever."

"Oh... Then?"

"Saving you was my independent decision."

"Your own decision?"

Veronica looked blank.

"You mean you traveled all the way to the Frozen Sea in the empire's far north by yourself, just to save me? For what reason?"

"The Demon Cult are my enemies."

"...?"

"I obtained information that those villains were plotting schemes in the empire's north. That's why I went there, to confront them. My connection with you was purely coincidental."

Ian laid out the facts as honestly as possible.

"The reason I disguised myself was to hide my identity from the Demon Cult."

"Huh..."

Veronica sighed.

"So, your goal was to hunt the Demon Cult, and saving me just happened as a side effect?"

Ian nodded.

Veronica stared at him intently.

"There's one more thing I want to ask."

She took a step closer.

"If your goal was just to hunt the Demon Cult, you could have left as soon as you killed them. But you didn't. You treated me and the knights, escorted us safely to the port, and even secured witnesses to the incident."

Her eyes flashed with persistence.

"That's unrelated to demon-hunting. Why go that far?"

"..."

Ian was silent for a moment, then quietly replied.

"There's no other reason. Simply because you are the daughter of the Heavenly Sword Lord."

"What does my father have to do with this?"

"He is my benefactor. He took me in when I was young and gave me opportunities to grow quickly."

Ian looked at Veronica with a calm gaze.

"I couldn't stand by just knowing that the daughter of my benefactor was in danger. It wouldn't be right. So I saved you. That's all."

"..."

Veronica blanked out for a moment.

'Rightness...'

It seemed like such a long time since she'd heard that word.

She'd spent her life up to now surrounded only by hyenas chasing profit.

She realized that she, too, had subconsciously become steeped in their ways and forgotten the meaning of 'right.'

"... Heh."

A soft laugh flowed out from Veronica's lips.

"That's amusing."

Her gaze changed.

The wariness faded away and, in its place, a deep interest began to grow.

"I think I understand what kind of person you are now, Ian Greysel."

With a mysterious smile, Veronica stepped closer to Ian.

Ian, feeling a slight chill, instinctively stepped back half a pace.

Veronica took another bold step forward.

"You... You're too close, lady Veronica."

"I know."

Veronica spoke from almost close enough for her breath to reach him.

"Would you consider becoming my knight, Ian Greysel? I can promise you the best treatment."

"... I must refuse. I am Lady Yuria's knight. Let's pretend you never asked."

"Hmph. I figured you would refuse. It was just worth a try at an unattainable fruit."

Surprisingly, Veronica backed off without resistance.

"People like you never bend even with a sword at your throat, once you've chosen your liege lord."

She shrugged her shoulders.

"However... Yuria seems unaware you're doing such dangerous clandestine work, doesn't she?"

"..."

When Ian fell silent, Veronica grinned mischievously.

"I thought so."

"There was a reason I couldn't help but keep it secret."

"Hmph. For a knight who talks about rightness, you're rather naughty."

"... That's why I want to make a deal with you, my lady."

Ian replied earnestly.

"Please keep my secret. Lady Yuria would only worry if she found out. She tends to be overprotective of me. If she knew, it would be hard for me to move freely or to deal with the Demon Cult."

"Hmmm."

Veronica folded her arms and gazed up at Ian.

"Well, that's not a hard request. I'll keep your secret."

"Thank you."

"But, there's one thing you seem to be mistaken about."

"...?"

A smile played at Veronica's lips.

"Do you really think Yuria is the only one who worries about you?"

"...?"

As Ian gave her a puzzled look, Veronica retorted sharply.

"You're the one who saved my life. Isn't it stranger for me not to worry about my benefactor running around doing dangerous things?"

"Ah."

Veronica's gaze turned sincere.

To her, Ian was no longer a stranger.

"Young master Ian."

Veronica extended her hand.

"Don't draw a line, saying it's not my business. I have no intention of getting in your way. But—"

Her eyes twinkled.

"If you need help, don't hesitate. I promise to mobilize all my honor, titles, connections, and strength to support you completely."

"... What?"

Ian was bewildered.

According to his past-life memories, Veronica had always been extremely calculating.

For her to promise him unconditional support, asking for nothing in return?

"Even if you help me, there's nothing you really stand to gain, though?"

"Hah!"

Veronica snorted in disbelief.

"What kind of person do you take me for! Don't treat me like a mercenary!"

She shook the hand she offered.

"This is pure goodwill, meant to repay my benefactor. Are you going to shame my hand out of embarrassment?"

"... N-no."

He couldn't help but take her hand.

Ian cautiously reached out and took Veronica's hand.

Veronica beamed.

"Well done. It's nothing new, but I'm glad we could meet again like this. Khan—or rather, sir Ian."

"Just call me Ian, please."

"Alright, Ian."

For some reason, the handshake lasted longer than usual.

Veronica didn't let go of his hand, gazing deeply into Ian's eyes.

Ian felt a strange sensation.

Even though it was just holding hands, it felt as if his entire palm was being slyly licked.

'... Did this really end in a fair agreement?'

He felt somewhat unsettled, but swallowed the feeling.

At any rate, it was a warm conclusion.

He even gained a powerful ally, with a promise of full support.

But Veronica's inner thoughts were far darker than Ian's.

'Khan. It's unfortunate that you're already loyal to someone else...'

Veronica whispered behind her smiling face.

'But I haven't given up on making you mine yet.'

If she couldn't win him with simple temptation, there were still plenty of other ways.

'If I win over Yuria, then you, her knight, will naturally become mine as well.'

And this unconditional support—

Though it was justified as repaying a debt, deep down, the truth was...

'For someone like you, who values rightness, my favors will only feel like debts. I'll stack up those seemingly innocent favors, until one day you can never refuse me anything.'

Veronica was even ready to risk her life for Ian, to create that debt.

Because only then would Ian, one day, be willing to draw his sword and risk his life for Veronica.

'Slowly. Like clothes getting soaked in a gentle rain.'

Eventually, she would make him hers—a knight in all but name.

'He's worth it.'

A man with historically unparalleled talent and loyalty, even greater than Yuria.

Veronica strengthened her grip on his hand.

'I'll never let you go.'

In Hisperion, the competition to win over Ian was just as fierce as the struggle for heirs to the family headship.