Chapter 86 : Chapter 86
Chapter 86: House Guest (3)
“That is certainly a bit strange. The Duchess isn’t one to do that…”
There was something that had to be done.
After speaking with Jeremiah, Haryun steeled her heart.
The underground banquet, the partner, the duel with Hejel.
She owed Simurtr for a great many things.
But she herself had done nothing. Her mother had paid that debt in her stead.
‘But he’s just a house guest.’
The debt hadn’t been properly paid.
Today. Only after going to the training ground was Haryun convinced.
This could not be called a reward. He had been accepted as a house guest, and for a month, she hadn't even sought him out. Her mother was neglecting Simurtr…
“You’ve come quickly. Come, sit.”
She had been having such thoughts all along, and was about to go and ask her mother directly, but.
It was bewildering. Haryun thought, looking at the mother before her. Just as Simurtr had said, she had really been summoned.
And it was not long after Simurtr had predicted it. Just as his training had finished.
“Look.”
Akarr handed a document to Haryun, who had just sat down.
“It’s Simurtr Mectera’s report. There’s not as much as I thought.”
So this was his treatment.
Akarr muttered as if disappointed.
“Why are you giving this to me…”
In truth, her interest was piqued.
It was a document that organized his actions by age. It was only one page, and though there wasn't much at a glance, it was still Simurtr's document.
“Wouldn’t it be good for you, his partner, to know?”
Akarr said, emphasizing the word partner.
It didn't resonate much with Haryun. She could say with certainty that the word held no emotion for Simurtr.
“Simurtr has been using the training ground alone. A month has been wasted. I had entrusted matters concerning that child to you.”
Haryun flinched.
All information in Bahab ended up with her mother. Her mother was aware of both Haryun’s and Simurtr’s past month.
“It wouldn't do for you, his partner, of all people, to be like that.”
Haryun.
Only then did she realize what her mother was saying.
“Are you telling me to win Simurtr over?”
“Correct. You are truly my daughter.”
House guest.
The position her mother had offered was not a reward. It was not paying back the price of her life, her debt.
“It will not be difficult. It is not about connecting with Mectera.”
In the first place.
Her mother had no interest in her life or death.
Offering the position of a house guest and encouraging him with The Ember of the Swelling Flame was simply because she coveted Simurtr.
“Simurtr Mectera. It is only with that child that you must associate. If you wish, you may even accept him into Bahab.”
The past month.
The reason she felt her standing in Bahab had risen was simply because she was Simurtr’s partner.
“…I understand.”
The price of her life.
The value of the person named Haryun Bahab.
Now Haryun had to set that price herself, and pay it back.
***
“It is truly difficult for me to appraise.”
Jeremiah had been her guard since Haryun was born.
If he were to appraise Haryun’s value, he could only answer that she was his everything.
“It would be right for you to grasp it yourself, by his side. Not because it is the Duchess’s order, but thinking of it as repaying a debt.”
Though he always called himself an unlearned knight, in Haryun's eyes, there was no adult as splendid as Jeremiah.
“By the way, an investigation… The Duchess must have taken a great liking to young master Simurtr. She is one who is reluctant to conduct background checks, saying it does not suit Bahab’s reputation.”
May I dare to take a small look? Jeremiah said.
A talent that was destined to become a true Sword Master. If one had such talent, their days must also be extraordinary.
Jeremiah held great interest and expectation for the person named Simurtr.
“…No. I want to show it to Simurtr first.”
But Haryun shook her head.
Though she was truly curious, Haryun had not yet read it.
She didn’t want to read it now. She felt that her conscience would not be pricked if she told the person himself and asked for permission.
“That is also a valid point.”
“I’ll try to get his permission.”
“You do not have to read it yourself. It is enough for me to hear it from you, my lady.”
As soon as the sun rose, Haryun sought out Simurtr. A time when she would not interfere with his routine. That is, 9 AM. When he was about to start his training.
“Simurtr?”
An environment as if gravity had been increased.
Simurtr was doing the same training. But it was earlier than the previous day.
Haryun checked the time. It was the same time as yesterday. He had started his training early.
“Should I come back later?”
Haryun asked cautiously. Quietly. She hoped that the focused Simurtr would not hear.
She didn’t want to disturb his training unnecessarily. But it was also a word she had uttered because she wanted to be noticed.
“Huh? No, it’s fine. Why?”
It seemed his concentration had not yet peaked.
He withdrew his mana and approached. She felt both sorry and happy. Haryun walked faster to shorten the time it took to get closer.
“I have something I want to say… You started early today. You usually warm up at 9, don’t you?”
If it had been according to his routine for the past month, Simurtr should have just arrived at the training ground and been warming up.
“Ah. I didn’t bathe.”
“Pardon?”
“I have a habit of bathing when I wake up in the morning. But they said the water was cut off today.”
“Pardon?”
Haryun tilted her head.
The water was cut off? Haryun had just washed up and come out. The water supply system was fine.
In the first place, it wasn’t something that broke easily. It was managed by magic, and Haryun had never experienced a water cut-off since she was born.
“What. You’ve washed up? Are the facilities separate?”
They were not. The facilities of Simurtr’s villa and Haryun’s West Palace were mostly connected.
If a water cut-off occurred in the villa, the West Palace should have experienced it as well.
No, in the first place, it should have been fixed before Haryun even noticed. The magicians stationed within the castle were not for show.
“…I’ll go and tell them.”
“Will it be fixed if you tell them?”
Of course it will be fixed.
If a water cut-off had really occurred, it was someone’s petty and shabby scheme.
First the knights, and now even the magicians. Bahab was becoming a new source of embarrassment. How could this be a Hero Family, a Ducal House?
Even if he had boldly demanded the Swelling Flame, it was against just one person.
‘Or was it Hejel?’
That was also a possibility.
The past month. Hejel Bahab still hadn't come out of her palace, but the castle was filled with her followers.
One of them might have shown exceptional loyalty.
“If the villa is inconvenient, you can stay at the West Palace.”
Though Bahab was a ducal house, they named their castles as palaces. It showed how grand they were, and the West Palace was too spacious for Haryun.
“If it keeps up like this, I guess I will.”
Simurtr said nonchalantly.
It made Haryun’s eyes narrow. It took so much courage for some to bring it up.
“What now.”
“…It’s nothing.”
Haryun decided to give up her expectations.
Yesterday might have been different, but now, her worrying had become her mother’s intention.
To Haryun, repaying her debt to Simurtr was more important than that order.
“Mother summoned me yesterday, just as you said. How did you know?”
“It’s all predictable.”
Even if she had changed, she was still Akarr.
It wasn't that difficult to make a rough guess of what was in her head.
“So what did she say?”
But this time, he hoped he had guessed wrong.
‘Who uses a honey trap in this day and age.’
And with a girl who hadn’t even come of age yet.
“She gave me this.”
Haryun took something out from her bosom.
“What’s that?”
“It’s a background check on you. From 1 year old until now. Everything they found out about what happened or what you did, organized by age, is recorded.”
“Wow. There’s something like that?”
Simurtr acted as if he was talking about someone else’s business, his eyes wide.
“There probably isn’t much to see. You? Did you see it?”
“…No.”
“Why? Wasn’t it given to you to see as well?”
“I didn’t want to pry into someone’s past without their permission.”
“There’s not much of a past to speak of. Want to see it together? I’m curious.”
They were facing each other, but suddenly Simurtr turned to the side. As if the posture was uncomfortable, he grabbed one of Haryun’s shoulders.
“My information shouldn’t be easy to get. Did she plant a spy in the main castle?”
Simurtr, who had scanned it, muttered.
He was different from the direct descendants who were known to the outside from birth.
He was an adopted son that even Mectera had kept quiet about, and Janya would have consistently blocked information. And yet, the content was quite specific.
“……”
As Simurtr focused, Haryun also skimmed the content.
‘1 year old.’
Born to Sword Master Orde’s third wife, Anna, a commoner.
Anna died not long after giving birth to Simurtr.
Then, lived alone in a villa until the age of 5. There was no contact with other direct descendants.
“5 years old. To the mansion on Mount Lionelben… Isn’t Lionelben a region far from Mectera?”
“That’s right. That’s why it says exile next to it.”
“Pardon?”
At 5 years old? At the incomprehensible words, Haryun focused on the document again.
Exiled to the mansion on Mount Lionelben.
It was truly exile. He was exiled under the lead of the second wife, Janya.
And then it immediately skipped to 9 years old.
A tutor was dispatched to the place called the exile mansion. A magician, not a swordsman.
‘Why?’
Haryun did not open her mouth.
She was already sorry for reminding him of the exile. Even that Hejel wouldn't have asked why a magician had come here.
“Her name is Meram. She’s a magician who likes me.”
A woman? For a moment, Haryun bit her lip.
Why am I curious about that at a time like this?
‘16 years old.’
Again, the age skipped by a large margin.
From 9, it immediately went to 16. The content was the longest. The things that happened at 16 were overwhelmingly more than all the previous content combined.
“Entered after killing a formal swordsman of the 3rd Sword Order. Assaulted the third child, Beden Mectera, and was transferred to the Execution Head and acquitted. Starting from this point, the 6th Head of the Sword Aran Lubeil’s particular fondness for him is evident. Wow.”
There was a spy.
There were expressions that could not be written without a spy.
‘Selection Ceremony.’
Achieved the highest score and was recognized by Mectera.
‘First mission.’
Unable to be confirmed due to the Information Bureau, but coincides with the date of Andre Koitro’s death. Presumed to have been killed under the circumstances.
Clashed with the Jabad Knight Order. According to witness testimony and collected information, as well as his known martial prowess, presumed to have annihilated them single-handedly.
Then, upon returning, he presented the head of the Knight Order, and the second wife, Janya, was imprisoned…
‘What is this.’
Haryun was at a loss for words.
Unconventional. Simurtr, having entered Mectera, was truly walking a path of only unconventionality.
‘He went to Degrate too?’
It wasn't written in detail, but Mectera had been considering war. And yet Simurtr had participated in that vanguard.
“Black Tower?”
Reading on, Haryun’s eyes stopped at that part.
The culprit behind the Black Tower’s collapse. It was different from what was known to the world. Simurtr, who had been kidnapped in Bahab’s place, had arrived at the Black Tower, and had brought it down on his own.
“Ah. You can’t divulge that to the outside. It’s something I’ve already arranged with your Duchess.”
Akarr, a trustworthy subordinate.
And Haryun Bahab.
It was likely that only a few people in Bahab would know of this content.
As long as she wanted to take in the talent named Simurtr, Akarr would not divulge it to the outside.
‘Well, this much is.’
Simurtr nodded his head.
Bahab’s intelligence network was surprising, but there was nothing particularly troubling.
Doubts about his achievements. Simurtr had once stated that it was self-taught. Mectera, who had exiled him, had been suspicious but had accepted it.
‘Presumed to be self-taught with the cultivation method bestowed by Mectera and the swordsmanship books in the mansion.’
That was the conclusion Bahab had reached regarding Simurtr’s achievements. Simurtr looked at that part with satisfaction.
As expected. Unlike Aran or Semenu. Akarr had not guessed the connection between Exa and Simurtr.
Having killed him with his own hands, he was convinced that there was no connection.
‘He really didn’t know.’
At that moment.
Haryun was also looking at the same line as Simurtr.
Presumed to be self-taught, and has not received any particular education from Mectera to date.
‘It probably is? I haven’t really been educated in Mectera.’
When she had asked about the training method, that was what Simurtr had said. She had thought he was hiding something. But Simurtr really didn't know.
Because he had been exiled at 5 and was ambushed at 16, and only then was he recognized by Mectera.
Because he had been living and fighting alone all this time.
“…You.”
When Simurtr took his eyes off the document and lowered the hand he had placed on Haryun’s shoulder.
Haryun was still looking at the document. She flipped it back and forth as if looking for something.
Only after checking the blank back page did she shift her gaze to Simurtr.
“You were 16? Not 18?”
“Ah.”
Simurtr’s actions in the document went up to 16. Moreover, the collapse of the Black Tower.
That incident had happened just two months ago.
“Right. Bahab must have gotten my age wrong.”
“What are you talking about. The Black Tower collapse is an event that happened this year.”
“Exactly. It should be written as 18, not 16.”
“Be honest. I won’t say anything.”
“Maybe it’s because my birth was registered two years late.”
That lie no longer showed any sincerity of trying to deceive someone, but.
Haryun, though she found it vexing, did not say it.
‘Struggling because of Hejel?’
My mother doesn’t care about me?
Haryun found herself quite laughable.
She laughed self-deprecatingly. Someone had lived through even more hardship than this and was still so confident and strong.
***
“So. Is that all she called you for? Did she say anything else?”
“…No.”
“Really?”
“I told you, she didn’t.”
Win Simurtr over.
The word was win over, but didn't it mean to seduce him? That’s why she kept mentioning partner.
‘How can I say that with a straight face.’
This side was already sorry that Simurtr was living as a house guest as a reward for saving her.
Not until after she had repaid the debt, but for now, Haryun had no intention of saying that fact, even if it killed her.
“I don’t think so.”
Simurtr looked at Haryun.
She called her just to give her this useless piece of paper and that was it? Akarr wasn’t that kind of person.
If that was really all, she would have had someone send the document to the West Palace.
“Just tell me. Before I go and ask her myself.”
“…Do you know what ‘bellows-work’ is?”
“Of course I do. What swordsman doesn’t know that.”
A sword was like one’s own life. A bellows was an indispensable tool in a smithy.
A swordsman with a severe obsession might even watch the birth of a sword they commissioned at a smithy from beginning to end.
“Does Bahab make their own swords?”
Suddenly mentioning bellows-work, Simurtr couldn't help but have such a thought.
“Pardon? No, no. What are you talking about. We are not a family of blacksmiths.”
At Simurtr’s misunderstanding, Haryun jumped up and down.
Where does he think this is? What a reckless remark to the Hero Family Bahab.
“It’s not something to deny to that extent, is it? Artisans are such splendid people.”
I felt like trash after retorting.
“I think so too.”
“Then why did you look so disgusted?”
“I didn’t.”
“You did.”
“Stop!”
When they talked, she always got reeled in.
Haryun cut off Simurtr’s words.
Bahab’s bellows-work. Naturally, it had nothing to do with a smithy.
“We call it bellows-work when a direct descendant of Bahab steps out into the world.
Bellows-work refers to the process of a direct descendant building achievements outside of Bahab.”
The footsteps that a direct descendant of Bahab builds.
Hejel, who had recently had his coming-of-age ceremony, had done bellows-work earlier and more than Haryun.
“This year, Hejel eliminated five Doom Species worshipers in the Black Land. It is an achievement Hejel Bahab made at the age of 19.”
“They compete for the position of heir with the content of their bellows-work?”
Went to the Black Land at 19, killed five Doom Species worshipers. Such a footstep would have been recorded.
And that would play a decisive role in Bahab deciding the heir.
“Yes. Of course, there are other factors, but that will be the biggest part. It’s the reason Hejel regularly leaves Bahab.”
“That bastard is really something else. How scared must he have been.”
To the point of keeping his younger sibling in check. Simurtr let out a small laugh.
Perhaps that was the reason Hejel was appointed as the heir. A petty person who pretends to be broad-minded. Wasn’t he just like Akarr?
“If the price for that petty act is being the heir of Bahab, wouldn’t it be more than worth enduring?”
“Is that so?”
To Simurtr, a hero was not an object of admiration. He also had no particular feelings about the power of Bahab. It belonged to an enemy he would one day destroy.
“Of course.”
But it was not so for Haryun.
She was born in an era of peace and grew up listening to praises of heroes as lullabies. She was the child of one of those heroes.
“You. Do you want to become the heir that much? The Duke?”
“I am Haryun Bahab.”
Just as a carrot dangles and tempts a horse in front of it, for Hejel or Haryun, Bahab had been there since birth.
They resolve to one day surely obtain the carrot. They consider it natural to run for it.
They don’t even dare to doubt what they have seen since their vision opened.
‘A puppet of the Swelling Flame.’
Was it brainwashing? Or education?
Or was it a natural greed possessed from being born in such a position?
“…Right, go ahead. Do your best.”
He didn't bother to distinguish.
In the process of killing Bahab later.
If Haryun tried to interfere, Simurtr would willingly kill her.
“Yes. That’s what I intend to do. So, I have been given a bellows-work this time.”
“That’s great. Go and do well.”
“She told me to take you with me.”
“Who.”
“Mother.”
“That bitch… the Duchess? I don’t want to.”
“If we successfully complete it, she said she will show me the Swelling Flame.”
“Then we have to do it.”