Chapter 84 : Chapter 84
Chapter 84: House Guest (1)
While indulging in the comfort of the carriage.
Simurtr recalled the previous night.
That is, the conversation with Aran.
“The young master’s sword is in Bahab.”
“Sword? Which one? The five-piece one?”
“That set is at the Holy See. What Bahab has is a single sword.”
“Elder?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“But why didn't she give it back? No one should be able to use it.”
“Perhaps she still considers it to have research value.”
“That bitch is the obsessive type, but I don’t think that’s it. If she judged it to be useless, she’s the type to have thrown it away long ago.”
“Then.”
“A situation where she can’t give it back?”
“They’re a Hero Family, surely it wouldn't have been stolen.”
“She could have sold it.”
***
“Would you like to have a look around?”
Simurtr saw the knight who had carefully opened the door and asked politely. Was it a familiar face? No.
Simurtr looked at the knight’s chest. The first flame.
‘Swelling Flame.’
Bahab’s Swelling Flame, Blue Flame, Crimson Flame, Red Flame. The forefront of the knight orders, listed by strength. Bahab’s greatest military force, which Akarr himself led as the captain.
“Ah, my apologies. I am Renate Noel of the Swelling Flame 1st Squad.”
“I am Simurtr Mectera.”
Respectful language was a waste on Bahab, but I had to consider my position. There was no need to needlessly tarnish Mectera’s name.
“I have heard much about you, Lord Simurtr. The rising star of Mectera. The Duke did not spare any praise for you.”
“You flatter me.”
He was polite, unlike a typical Bahab. And young. He was a talent acknowledged by Akarr and would have been drilled in etiquette.
“The Duke wishes for you to look around Bahab, Lord Simurtr.”
“Sir Noel, yourself?”
“Of course. The order I received is Lord Simurtr’s safety and guidance.”
The Swelling Flame, which borrowed Bahab’s flame, was not a knight order that dealt with such reception duties.
‘And on top of that, the 1st squad.’
It was almost apologetic to compare him to the fellow who had come to greet me in front of the Banquet Castle. The vice-captain of the Red Flame? A rank-and-file of the 1st squad was stronger than such a title.
‘She must have taken quite a liking to me.’
I was receiving VIP treatment from such a 1st squad. Simurtr let out a hollow laugh.
‘It’s probably more so because I’m an adopted son.’
Mectera had a precedent of abandoning adopted sons.
In the most recent period, there was Exa, and even looking back through history, it appeared occasionally.
An adopted son who had not yet learned the secret arts could leave Mectera at any time.
This was the reason Akarr was being particularly obvious.
“That’s great for me. I didn't have a chance to do so at the last banquet.”
Simurtr got out of the carriage.
Akarr was overtly showing his favor.
‘I should live up to this level of expectation.’
There was no harm in building up goodwill.
That way, she would show me the Swelling Flame even one more time.
***
After the war. Bahab had devoured quite a lot of the territories of families that had been wiped out. They had the largest bulk among the Empire’s nobles.
‘Did I ask to see it for nothing?’
I was just lightly skimming the main streets, but the sun was already about to set. If I had known, I would have gone in first. Did I train today? I hadn't. The time felt even more wasted.
“That castle is called The Ember of the Swelling Flame. It is where the talents personally selected by the Duke reside.”
Renate, who had been leading the way and guiding me the whole time, was still full of energy.
‘The Ember… isn’t that Kerekeil Castle?’
It was a land that had been swallowed by Bahab after its family was wiped out. Bahab had remodeled Baron Kerekeil’s castle into a residence, a living quarters for talents.
“Is there anything you are concerned about?”
“No. By any chance, are you also from that Spark… Ember, Sir Noel?”
Simurtr looked at the sky and sighed, then met the eyes of Renate who had suddenly turned around and smiled brightly.
“Pardon? How did you know? That’s right. I lived there until three years ago.”
“No wonder.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s a compliment. I thought the castle looked grand even from a distance, so it was an institution that produces outstanding knights like you, Sir Noel.”
Renate Noel was guiding me through Bahab very diligently. It was because of Akarr’s order, not Simurtr’s.
‘It was probably instilled in him at that Spark.’
Bahab’s loyal hounds.
Simurtr recalled the term used to refer to the graduates of the Spark.
The more talented, the more outstanding the ego, the more she liked them, but in the end, the hunting dogs she acquired had to obey.
“You may call me by my name.”
“Understood. Sir Renate.”
A dog would wag its tail with just a little kindness.
Even more so when this person was a talent desired by its master.
“This is one of Bahab’s specialties, grilled seasoned beef. Does it suit your palate?”
‘This isn’t Bahab’s.’
I headed to Bahab Castle after finishing a dinner that had been disguised as Bahab’s specialty.
“She has a lot of work, so you won’t be able to see her today. However, the Duke was looking forward to your early arrival, and to the moment she could greet you herself.”
“It’s an honor.”
Renate said so, and Simurtr casually brushed it off, but.
“You’ve finally come.”
Akarr Bahab was waiting for Simurtr in front of the castle gate. When their eyes met, she smiled bizarrely.
“I came out because I had a moment of free time, and it was just right. Was there any inconvenience on your way here?”
Simurtr looked at Renate and pointed at Akarr. Renate frowned upon seeing the finger, but soon smiled and said.
“It seems the Duke has taken a greater liking to you than I thought, Lord Simurtr.”
Was this staged? Yes, it was. Simurtr was convinced after seeing Renate’s reaction. The only real thing was that he considered the pointing to be disrespectful.
‘She’s the same as ever.’
It was a ploy to win my favor. She was hoping I would feel something overwhelming from Akarr. It would be the reason the Spark graduates pledged their loyalty.
The carrot and stick were clear. She had probably shown this kind of play to the Sparks as well. The Akarr who would watch her own territory’s people die to make them truly revere her authority.
“I didn’t expect the Duke to come out.”
Certainly. Akarr’s intention was successful. It was amusing. To think she would go to such lengths to look good in front of the one she had killed with her own hands.
I looked forward to the moment I would reveal my past life. If I had my way, I would say it now and see that face for myself. What kind of face would Akarr make, I wonder.
‘Hold it in.’
It was instinct. Whenever I saw a traitor, the thoughts of my past life would stir. An obsession that I should do as I had always done would unknowingly rise.
‘I’ve already held it in before.’
Reincarnation. This life had to be more flexible.
I had already set my direction. It wasn’t the first time I was seeing her. And thanks to that, the state Akarr was in now was also ridiculous.
There was nothing difficult about it. Simurtr took a deep breath.
“I look forward to your care in the future.”
Simurtr smiled brightly and clasped Akarr’s hand.
***
Her eyes were hollow.
The area beneath them was dark, and her skin looked unusually rough. It was the result of too many sleepless nights.
“This won’t do.”
It had been a week like this. Haryun, not wanting to face herself, turned away from the mirror.
“Why did he come?”
She fiddled with her face with her wet hands.
It was out of bewilderment, mixed with a hope that this might calm her skin a little.
“My lady.”
“Ah, I’ll be out now.”
Jeremiah’s knock brought Haryun to her senses.
She gently wiped her wet face. Should I take my sword? No. It didn't match her attire. She was on her way to meet Simurtr, who had declared himself a house guest, and he had just arrived.
“He’s staying for a whole year?”
Though she already knew, Haryun deliberately spoke. Jeremiah smiled as if he was enjoying himself.
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
“It’s just so-so. Why would he stay for a whole year?”
“I believe my lady would know better than I. I never imagined that young master Egna would be a Mectera.”
“I was the same. He’s a swordsman. But why would he choose Bahab? Mectera would be the best environment.”
“Only then did I understand his strength. But to think he’s an adopted son, not a direct descendant. It’s truly surprising.”
“That’s right. And he even beat Hejel. But what could he be thinking? What’s so good about being a house guest…”
“I think so too.”
“Hah.”
Jeremiah let out a hollow laugh.
This young lady.
This wasn’t a conversation. They were just taking turns talking. Haryun was being so obvious that even the straightforward Jeremiah could notice.
There was an answer she wanted, and she wanted to hear it. But Jeremiah could not utter it.
“Isn’t it so? They say it’s the reward for saving me. Mother is being too much. How can that be a reward? He’s just a simple house guest. And why would Simurtr…”
He had never thought the day would come when this young lady would speak ill of the mother she so admired.
‘Mectera and Bahab.’
Though they were comrades-in-arms and fellow Hero Families, their relationship was so bad that they considered each other’s territories as forbidden lands.
The last banquet was extremely unusual. Mectera had never once responded to Bahab’s invitations.
‘It must have been even more unusual for that young master to have participated in the underground banquet.’
Such a Mectera had disguised himself as a Harkinwagen and saved the bloodline of the hostile Bahab.
Why? He had heard that his brother had been kidnapped, but Jeremiah found it hard to accept.
‘There’s no reason to go out of his way to protect her.’
If he wanted to save his brother, he just had to do that.
There was no reason to use the escort he had brought along to hide Haryun. But Simurtr had even pretended to be Haryun himself.
“Sir Jeremiah.”
“Yes, my lady.”
He had saved her at the underground banquet, declared himself her partner at the Banquet Castle, and even defeated the troublesome Hejel.
Thanks to that, for the past week, Hejel had not come to see Haryun.
“How do I look? Don’t I look a bit strange?”
Jeremiah let out another laugh.
It was an understandable reaction. If one person had done all that, and if that one person was a man, it was only natural for feelings to stir.
“You are as beautiful as you have always been.”
“Really?”
“I am certain.”
Haryun’s expression didn't change, but Jeremiah knew that it was a smile.
‘It’s a hasty judgment.’
Feelings had arisen, but they had not yet ripened. One could not declare that the fruit would become love.
Mectera and Bahab. It was still premature to worry about their relationship.
“Thank you. Sir Jeremiah.”
The 5th floor of the central palace. It was the floor where Akarr’s office was, and Jeremiah could not climb the rest of the stairs.
Only Haryun had set foot on the 5th floor. Akarr hated it when unpermitted people came up to the same floor, and today, Jeremiah was not an invited person.
“It’s nothing. I will be waiting.”
“Ah, no. Today, you don’t have to…”
Haryun blushed.
Akarr had summoned Haryun for Simurtr’s sake. Haryun was to be in charge of guiding him around the castle.
When the business in Akarr’s office was over, Haryun would be with Simurtr.
“Understood. Then I will take my leave.”
And she didn’t want to add any unnecessary people to that meeting. Jeremiah had noticed Haryun’s feelings.
“……”
Haryun took deep breaths repeatedly as she walked down the corridor. She calmed her heart and opened the door.
“I don’t know if it was an adequate amusement.”
“It was enjoyable. I didn’t have a chance to see the territory last time as I came directly to the castle.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Your impression of what you saw?”
“It had a different charm from Mectera.”
“Was it not to your liking?”
“It was new and good.”
Though I had interrupted, Akarr didn't even glance my way. It was my mother’s habit not to stop her work due to someone’s intervention.
But Haryun knew that it was different when it came to the heir, Hejel. Her treatment had changed since the Banquet Castle, but it wasn't a huge change.
Haryun looked at her mother with resentful eyes, then looked at Simurtr.
“I didn’t expect someone from the Swelling Flame to come in person. It didn’t seem like Sir Renate was a knight suited for such miscellaneous tasks.”
“Is it not the path to welcome Bahab’s benefactor? It is only right to treat him accordingly.”
“A benefactor. Wasn’t the price already paid by becoming a house guest?”
I thought it would be just great. Being alone with him was quite an ordeal. Simurtr replied with a smile.
The way her neck was exposed, it seemed as if she was begging to be cut down right away.
There was no such intention from Akarr, but to Simurtr, it was no different from a trap.
‘A dead-end shortcut.’
Being Bahab’s house guest was such a path.
One year. And in her own home at that. I would let my guard down someday, and that would be the fastest shortcut to killing Akarr.
‘But that’s the end of it.’
It was a shortcut that led only to Akarr. There were more traitors. If I stayed in Bahab and killed Akarr, I could no longer operate.
If Akarr died in Bahab Castle, the culprit would naturally be Simurtr, who had just come to live in Bahab.
‘I’d be chased, and caught.’
Killing Akarr in a short period of time meant a surprise attack, which was the same as saying Simurtr was still weak.
‘There’s no need to rush.’
I had realized that from my last meeting with Akarr.
There was no reason to be hasty. Simurtr was growing stronger quickly, and the traitors would still be enjoying their prime even after a long time had passed.
There was no need to be disappointed by the unlikely event that they would become so weak that my revenge would be in vain.
“It would have been so if it were any other family than Bahab. By the way, Sir Renate. You two must have hit it off. He’s not a child who easily allows his name to be used.”
“Is that so?”
It happened as soon as I flattered him once.
Simurtr smiled and swallowed those words.
He had been so focused on Akarr that he hadn't even noticed Haryun had entered.
‘I don’t have to acknowledge her, but I can at least look at her.’
No matter if the person I was facing was a hero, couldn't I glance away for a moment?
A new person had entered a space where there were only two of us. I even opened the door loudly on purpose.
‘What the.’
The resentment that had been directed only at Akarr now extended to Simurtr as well.
Haryun’s narrowed eyes shot towards the back of Simurtr’s head.
“Right. Now we must decide where you will stay. How about The Ember of the Swelling Flame? Various talents are gathered there, so there won’t be a single boring day.”
“Isn’t that far from here?”
“For a mere human, perhaps, but for us, it is not so far.”
It was a distance one could cover within an hour if they put their mind to it.
“Does the Duke go there every day like that?”
“Hmm? No. Due to work, I cannot go every day. Going once a month is the most I can do.”
Of course you would.
The Ember of the Swelling Flame. It was a place to tame talents, and too frequent contact would lead to familiarity.
The illusion she had so carefully instilled would crumble before their ideology was even complete.
“Then there is no reason for me to stay there, is there? I came to see the Swelling Flame.”
“I never said I would teach it to you.”
“But you did say you would show it, did you not?”
“Whether you are at The Ember of the Swelling Flame or here, the opportunities to meet with this Duke will be the same.”
“If that is the case, I would much rather stay here. I heard there are quite a few empty villas that were expanded after the war.”
“That is so.”
“Since I’ve come to Bahab, isn’t it right to stay at the main castle if possible? If I’m going to be far away, what’s the difference from being in Mectera?”
“That is also true. Yes.”
Akarr finally turned her gaze.
It had always been resentful. But strangely, it wasn’t now. Haryun met Akarr’s eyes calmly.
“It will be more comfortable to be with your partner. Haryun, the West Palace. Guide him to the empty villa near you.”
“Yes, Head of the House.”
“You may call me Mother. This is not a matter of work now, but a welcome for your partner, is it not?”
“Yes, Mother.”
These were words that could not have been heard before Hejel was defeated by Simurtr.
Haryun’s standing, though not by much, had certainly changed. But she wasn't particularly happy. The number one contributor to her rise in standing. Haryun scanned Simurtr with cold eyes.
***
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
As they were going down the stairs side by side, Simurtr spoke to Haryun. Haryun saw that smile.
“Been well?”
Her excited heart sank completely. No, it had disappeared long ago. From the moment Simurtr had mentioned the Swelling Flame, Bahab's secret art.
“Don’t tell me you became a house guest because of the Swelling Flame? To learn Bahab’s technique? A Mectera?”
“Is it that obvious?”
Simurtr smiled vacuously.
“Yes, very.”
That, to Haryun, was just as unpleasant as her own standing.