Chapter 70
Chapter 70
“Is it really all right not to inform the public?”
After securing the two swords, we left the Temple of Darkness.
Petra had obtained a sword, yet she seemed to harbor lingering regrets about the temple itself, repeatedly glancing back with a wistful voice.
According to her, announcing the discovery of the Temple of Darkness would attract tremendous attention from the academic world.
She even emphasized that, after a formal investigation confirmed this place truly was the Temple of Darkness, great honor would surely follow—but to me, it was a story with no particular benefit.
“I’d rather avoid getting tangled up in unnecessary matters.”
When I answered with a shrug, she sighed as if to say that was just like me, then nodded in agreement.
Perhaps we had spent quite a long time inside, because when we emerged, the setting sun at day’s end greeted us.
If we hurried back, we could still make it before the Academy’s curfew, but the carriage that was supposed to be waiting for us was nowhere in sight.
“…It ran off.”
I had clearly paid extra and asked them to wait until evening.
Whether they withdrew because night had fallen or returned with another customer, one thing was certain—we had been left stranded.
Although Sepahal Temple was classified as a tourist attraction, it was located on the outskirts, far from the city center.
Walking back was unrealistic, and at this rate, we would have no choice but to spend the night outdoors.
‘The equipment is in my subspace pouch, so I’m fine, but…….’
When I glanced at Petra, she wore a troubled expression.
It seemed she hadn’t even considered staying the night out.
“…I remember there being an inn nearby that takes in travelers.”
She said she wasn’t entirely sure since she’d only passed by years ago.
It wasn’t far, so we headed in that direction, and fortunately, just as she said, we found a small cluster of inns still open for business.
Built beneath a small stone hill, the inn complex was surrounded by fences with guards standing watch.
As a result, the price was more than double elsewhere, but fortunately, money was overflowing to the point of being wasted.
We each took a separate room.
I had half-expected a clichéd turn of events where only one room remained, but unfortunately, the inn was quiet and empty.
After washing off the dust and sweat from the temple, we finished a light meal and returned to our rooms to rest.
Still, since I had gone through the trouble of coming out, it felt like a waste to go straight to bed, so I went back down to the lobby.
Perhaps because it was night, only a few people were drinking in the dining area.
In the tranquil, medieval-style inn atmosphere, I too felt like having a drink, so I paid the owner and took a bottle.
When I stepped outside the inn, the lukewarm summer night air brushed against the tip of my nose.
From time to time, a cool breeze blew, and the sky was perfectly clear—ideal weather for a night walk.
Sitting on the hillside above the inn complex and looking up at the two deep-blue moons hanging in the sky, the alcohol went down easily.
As I drank, thoughts of my hometown suddenly surfaced.
My parents, who were probably still working, and the friends I met during hard times, clinking glasses and comforting one another.
My fellow editors who struggled together while sharing our grievances, and the authors I had no choice but to care for, whether I liked them or not, simply because they were under my charge.
How had the story changed back in reality now that I had come to this world? Had I been processed as missing, or had I never existed in the first place?
I hoped no one was grieving.
That thought made my mood sink slightly.
And so, I drank straight from the bottle, soothing my loneliness alone.
Even so, I was no longer alone here either.
Nearby were Parsi, and Alice as well.
Sword Saint Yohanel, hailed as the strongest in the world, and Archmage Chris had taken my side, and even after coming to the Academy, I had made many connections.
But why did this hollow feeling, as if a hole had been punched through my chest, refuse to disappear?
“Ts.”
As I clicked my tongue at the bitterness, I noticed someone leaving the inn and heading my way.
Soon, the moonlight chased away the shadows, and glossy red hair swaying in the night breeze came into view.
“Why are you sitting here alone, looking so pitiful?”
“…Your language is getting rougher.”
“It’s too late to punish me for blasphemy now, isn’t it?”
Petra shrugged and sat beside me, leaving a bit of distance.
Then she took the bottle I was drinking from, poured some into a cup, and carefully took a sip.
“…Is this your first time drinking?”
At my surprised question, prompted by her cautious manner, Petra shook her head.
“Of course not. Children of noble families receive that kind of education from an early age. Still, it’s my first time with this sort of alcohol sold in places like this.”
Perhaps it was stronger than she’d expected, because she slightly furrowed her brow.
I wasn’t a particularly strong drinker either, but it seemed just a bit higher in proof than soju.
“…Looks like you really like it.”
I tilted the bottle again and spoke toward the sword hanging at her waist.
The sword, as red as her hair, was named Crimson Lotus.
When I told her earlier, Petra had smiled faintly and nodded, saying it was a name she liked.
Even now, the fact that she had brought it along to a place like this meant she must have taken quite a liking to it.
“Yes, I really do like it. I’ve received many gifts from many people, but I’ve never been this happy before.”
She smiled softly, genuinely pleased, lightly swinging her feet in the air.
Thinking that was enough, I turned my head and went back to admiring the moons.
“…Shall we spar once?”
“Spar?”
At the sudden suggestion, my eyes widened.
Petra looked at me and spoke with a serious expression.
“I know you’re hiding something. What happened today must have been a test for me as well.”
She seemed to be under a strange misconception.
When I fell silent, searching for words, she nodded and stood up.
“Struggling against just one Executor can’t mean I passed that test. Come on, stand up. I’ll prove my worth by clashing with you using everything I have, just as you desire.”
In the eyes looking down at me, it seemed as if crimson flames were flickering.
Seeing that, I smiled faintly and asked,
“…That sounds like you’re saying you’ll make yourself mine of your own accord.”
“Since we’re already engaged, isn’t that for the best? I think it’s better than forming a relationship over honor or power.”
Petra provoked me, asking if I lacked even that much courage.
I laughed at that.
This was exactly why I liked her.
There were many attractive women in this world, but none as proud and resolute as she was.
Having made up my mind, I brushed myself off, stood up, and faced her.
“Coming here with you today was a good choice.”
“I’ll make sure you never change your mind.”
I drew the sword I often used from the subspace pouch tied at my waist.
“…You’re not using Excalibur?”
“That’s my trump card. It’s not something I reveal lightly.”
Since I had used Excalibur inside the temple, I told her about it.
Anyone who wielded a sword couldn’t possibly be unaware of Excalibur’s legend.
Petra expressed her astonishment at the fact that I had become its owner.
Perhaps that was why her attitude was like this now.
“streuende Rosen(Falling Rose Petals).”
Holding Hongryeon upright, Petra whispered softly.
It was the same swordsmanship she had used against the Executor, but perhaps having advanced through that battle, the momentum radiating from her entire body was sharper and heavier than before.
A crimson aura gathered around Hongryeon.
That vivid aura illuminating the darkness stirred my own excitement.
Shwaaaaak—!
A red flash cleaved through the darkness, leaving a long trail as it surged toward me.
Her words about clashing with her full strength were no lie—she launched clean, no-frills attacks aimed squarely at my vital points.
Grrrrip.
I tightened my grip on my sword.
In response, a deep blue aura wrapped around it, countering hers.
At the sight of my true power for the first time, her eyes narrowed.
She seemed to be gauging my momentum, but unfortunately, my level was higher.
Tudadadada—!
In a single breath, dozens of thrusts rained down across my entire body.
Alice might have struggled considerably, but I wasn’t inferior in speed.
Kang—!
Fragments of red and blue aura scattered through the air as all her attacks were blocked.
When I flicked my sword, signaling her to put in more strength, Petra leveled her blade parallel to the ground, honing its tip sharply.
“Spenn(Shupen)-.”
Boom—!
A shockwave like a spear thrust tore past my ears.
By the time her blade tip reached right before me, the displaced air was already pressing down on my entire body.
I didn’t deflect it this time and instead went on the offensive.
Sword Saint Style Secret Art: Cut (切)
Petra’s blade was certainly sharp enough to push the air itself backward.
But I severed the very space surrounding it, rendering her attack meaningless.
“Ugh?!”
One misstep, and even her own body could have been caught up in my strike and torn apart—a dangerous situation.
Petra hurriedly withdrew her sword and reset her stance.
The gap between us had already become clear, yet, just like inside the temple, she showed no sign of giving up.
Whether it was the exhilaration of casting off the shackles that had bound her, or the determination to keep her declaration of clashing with her full strength, I didn’t know.
Either way was fine with me.
Shwaaaaak—!
To block my sudden advance, her Hongryeon lashed out like a whip.
I lightly deflected it, and with the recoil, as she staggered as if about to fall, I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into my embrace.
What followed was instinctive.
I was captivated by the flames blooming in Petra’s eyes under the moonlight.
Drawn to that light like a moth to a flame, I brought my face closer to hers.
“……!”
A light kiss followed.
Petra froze, too startled to even think of pushing me away, but soon she relaxed into me and quietly closed her eyes.
It seemed tonight would be a long one.
The next morning.
Turning my head at the awkward air filling the rattling carriage, I saw Petra’s face, steadfastly gazing out the window.
Since boarding, she hadn’t looked at me even once, but the ear exposed between her hair was as red as her locks.
As soon as dawn broke, we boarded a carriage and departed for the Academy.
The holiday lasted through today, so we still had time to spare, but she said she had matters she needed to attend to.
Even so, after getting into the carriage, Petra neither spoke to me nor met my eyes.
“Pet—”
“…Please.”
When I called her name first, Petra cut me off and spoke ahead of me.
Still staring out the window, she murmured,
“Just give me a little time. This is my first time with something like this.”
“Shy, are we.”
When I teased her lightly, she finally glared at me with a flushed face.
I raised both hands in surrender, and Petra turned her head back toward the window.
Last night, right after the spar ended, I had been swept up by the mood and pulled her into my arms.
If it had ended with just a kiss, there’d be no reason for her to be that embarrassed.
But Petra had been swept up by the moment as well, and we returned to the inn and shared an intimate night together.
Waking up early in the morning in the same bed gave me a strange feeling I couldn’t quite put into words.
It seemed Petra felt the same way, as she looked thoroughly flustered.
Still, that too was a familiar sight.
In the original story, she had said she didn’t know how to truly love someone and couldn’t accept it for a while.
Compared to then, she seemed better now, which was a relief.
And so, we returned to the Academy.
It was just a one-night outing, but it felt like we had made a memory we wouldn’t forget for a long time.