A few hours later, the Funeer Knights also departed from Marselin. Their destination was the Free City of Bisha, about three days’ ride to the west from here. It was a vital hub for trade, but recently, reports had surfaced that monsters were appearing, hindering the movement of merchants, which had been conveyed through Pavel a few days ago.
As second night of their journey to Marselin, the knights found themselves camping in the forest. They swiftly arranged accommodations, taking care of the horses, preparing food, and engaging in various tasks.
Lee Hwan settled inside the completed tent. Dinner was brought by Ducre. After a hasty meal and a moment of idleness, Lee Hwan overheard the knights chatting, their voices filling the air.
Due to their shared struggle against monsters, the Funeer Knights generally got along well. Lee Hwan was the only one feeling adrift.
Previously, he had made efforts to approach people, but now he realized that it was futile. To them, Lee Hwan remained a foreigner indefinitely.
In retrospect, it might have been for the best. Getting closer would have only added a sense of betrayal.
Lee Hwan stepped out of the lodge. The knights, who had been boisterous, suddenly fell silent. Breaking through the warm stillness, he walked away, and Ducre approached.
“Lord Alexander, where are you…”
“Don’t follow.”
Lee Hwan cut off Ducre’s gentle words without mercy and quickened his pace.
There was no specific destination in his mind. He just wanted to go where they were not. The sense of betrayal toward the people of this world, coupled with emotions he did not want to acknowledge, tormented him.
Lee Hwan’s steps led him to a small stream. It seemed quite distant from the campsite, as the only sensation he could feel from that direction was a faint glow.
Lee Hwan plopped down in front of a large rock. Leaning against it, he could sense the coolness seeping through his thin shirt. It was a consequence of impulsively rushing out of the lodge. Now it was time to peel his back off the rock. Thick fabric enveloped Lee Hwan.
Without sensing any movement, a tense Lee Hwan hastily got up. A surprised whisper reached his ears. It was a familiar voice, just like the familiar strands of silver thread scattered before his eyes.
“…huh?”
Lee Hwan lifted his head. Deep blue eyes were looking down at him. It was an unexpected ambush. Thoughts rushed out without a chance to calm his mind.
“Why are you here?”
The night of the forest enveloped everything, and darkened eyes stared intently at Absalom. Despite the sharp gaze, Absalom continued to move his hands diligently.
“For Lee Hwan to be in a place like this with such attire. You might freeze to death.”
In that manner of speaking, Absalom himself was dressed for the chilly autumn forest. Only now did Lee Hwan realize that it was Absalom who had draped his cloak over him. Thanks to the cloak he had been wearing, it still retained warmth.
After securely fastening the cloak, Absalom finally spoke after a short period of contemplation.
“Why are you in a place like this?”
The question was similar to what had just been asked, but the tone softened, making it sound completely different.
“You said you were going to Marselin.”
“I did.”
“I heard that you mentioned earlier that you are a soldier. Do you happen to know when the monsters in Bisha will be eradicated? Bisha is a place I must visit as a merchant…”
Absalom took a seat next to Lee Hwan. Lee Hwan glanced at his waist. His iconic sword, almost like a symbol, was concealed by his cloak and not visible. The cold was just an excuse, and the real purpose was probably to pretend not to know about it. Thinking this way, a chuckle escaped him.
“Lee Hwan?”
Although he feigned indifference, it was amusing. Was it always like this? How many times had he mocked himself, pretending not to see even when he did? As he pondered this, it felt like his blood was surging in reverse.
The relationship Lee Hwan had cherished so much was meaningless from the beginning.
“The monsters in Bisha will be eradicated soon. I heard that knights have been dispatched.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
He tossed the information like bait, intending to gauge Absalom’s reaction. However, Absalom responded differently from Lee Hwan’s expectations.
“P rff.”
Cyrjibw’r yglfo gfrqbcrf rffwfv rbwfktja lcvloofgfca. Gfrqlaf yflcu atf Zbcrafg Blcu, Cyrjibw jqqfjgfv vlrlcafgfrafv lc atf wbnfwfcar bo atf xclutar.
Off Lkjc vfinfv lcab atf qjra. Pc bgvfg ab mbcmfji tlr lvfcalas, tf tjvc’a yffc fcalgfis ageatoei jybea atf xclutar lc ogbca bo Cyrjibw.
Ktfc kts vlv tf jqqgbjmt wf? Ktf defralbc oijrtfv atgbeut tlr wlcv jiwbra rlweiajcfberis klat Cyrjibw tevvilcu. Zeaafglcu jybea atf mbiv, Cyrjibw, ibbxlcu ja Off Lkjc, jrxfv, “Qts jgf sbe jibcf tfgf, Off Lkjc?”
“Well, I…”
He found the presence beyond the barracks detestable. Yet, on the other hand—
Pat.
Something lightly touched his shoulder.
“Sorry. It’s a bit cold.”
It was a voice with an air of sophistication. When Lee Hwan turned slightly, he saw a small head and long silver hair that had touched his shoulder. Absalom’s arm crossed Lee Hwan’s back, spreading more warmth.
Lee Hwan abruptly stood up. He attempted to throw off his cloak, but it didn’t go as planned. Discovering the hidden clasp, he tried to force it off.
“I have something to say.”
“Later…”
“It’s about the locations of the relics.”
The hand clutching the clasp paused. Lee Hwan looked down at Absalom and then sat back down.
“Speak.”
“I mentioned at least five, right? Currently, I’ve confirmed the locations of four relics. Based on current estimates, we might be able to confirm up to six.”
Absalom stopped speaking after that. Anxious, Lee Hwan urged, “Even those four…”
“There are conditions.”
Absalom had wiped away all traces of his usual smile, revealing his true colors. Lee Hwan found himself tensing unintentionally.
At that moment, a white hand gently cupped Lee Hwan’s cheek. Despite the prior mention of cold, it was a warm hand. Deep indigo eyes, so close that they almost touched his nose, stared intently at Lee Hwan. A shiver ran down his spine, sensing the scrutiny reaching the depths of his soul.
“Whatever happens.”
Absalom’s voice, in contrast to his androgynous face, was deep and low. The velvety tone flowed quietly, tickling Lee Hwan’s ears.
“Promise to dress warmly, eat well, sleep well. If you promise to do that, I’ll tell you.”
It was an unexpected statement. Although Absalom’s hand withdrew, Lee Hwan’s head remained fixed. He looked at Absalom with eyes filled with suspicion. Surprisingly, Absalom seemed genuine.
‘What are you up to?’
Lee Hwan struggled to maintain a neutral expression, but suddenly a realization struck him. While Lucian thought he had Lee Hwan completely in his grasp and showed vulnerabilities, Absalom did not. Hence, he was playing this role of sincerity and concern.
“Is that enough then?”
Lee Hwan smiled lightly, just as he had done with Lucian. In response, Absalom softened his gaze.
“Yes, that will be enough.”
There was a somewhat wistful quality to his smile. The dragon seemed to possess exceptional acting skills.
“But it seems like that’s not possible today, so I’ll tell you the location of the relics later.”
“What…?”
Absalom stood up. Lee Hwan followed suit, feeling a bit disoriented.
“Your complexion is not good, and your skin feels rough. The reddish-purple circles under your eyes—dark circles, right? And not to mention your clothes.”
“What are you talking about now?”
“Wear well, eat well, sleep well. I’m telling you that none of these three things are being fulfilled right now.”
“Hey, Absalom.”
Lee Hwan growled in a low voice. As he approached, Absalom raised both hands in a calming gesture.
“There’s no need to be so impatient; the relics won’t run away. Or… is there another reason you need to move urgently?”
Lee Hwan suddenly snapped back to reality. How long had it been since he decided not to let emotions take over when he felt excited? He took a step back from Absalom.
“I must have been too impatient. I’m sorry.”
“You’ll know everything soon, so just wait until then.”
Lee Hwan hesitated but eventually spat out, “I’ll go now.” Absalom widened his eyes for a moment, then smiled warmly.
Since a considerable amount of time had passed, it was time to return. Lee Hwan calmly removed the brooch this time, and the cloak, once held in place, smoothly slid down his shoulders.
Lee Hwan handed the cloak to Absalom. Absalom gracefully accepted it, and a faint blush appeared on his snow-white cheek.
“Lee Hwan, you’re warm.”
“…I’m leaving.”
Lee Hwan turned away and walked briskly, feeling the sharp gaze of Absalom on his back.
As he walked a certain distance, Lee Hwan abruptly stopped, torn between reason and emotion, feeling a tumultuous clash within.
He knew logically that he was alive now. The abyss he had fallen into no longer existed, and both Lucian and Absalom had not betrayed him yet. However, the memories of the pain from that time continued to stir conflicting emotions within him.
Would it have been easier if he had been a proper saint, someone who could embrace and forgive everything?
“What kind of divine messenger is this?”
Once, he had wished to become the perfect messenger of Yela, the savior knight. He believed that if he could perfectly embody that position, everyone, including Lucian, would be happy.
However, it seemed that he was nothing more than a mere human. Lee Hwan twisted his lips in frustration.
***
The knight order, known as the Funeer Knights, subdued the Manticores threatening the Free City of Bisha and returned to the imperial palace. When they set out, there were thirty-two members, but only twenty-four returned. It was the lowest return rate since the establishment of the Funeer Knights.
All members of the Funeer Knights held equal positions. However, being a group confronting monsters, the one closest to the commander was Lee Hwan.
After conveying the situation to Crown Prince Charles immediately upon their return, Lee Hwan was promptly immersed in military affairs. People speculated that he, burdened with responsibility, was striving to become even stronger.
Already in the fourth day of wielding his sword in the training grounds, Lee Hwan inwardly scoffed when he heard the rumors. The real reason was quite different.
Lucian, groomed delicately like a flower, never set foot in the training grounds where the stench of sweat was overpowering.
Nevertheless, as there was a slim possibility, Lee Hwan sent flowers to Lucian every morning through the messenger. To put it plainly, it was a gesture akin to courting. Thanks to this, since returning, Lee Hwan hadn’t even caught a glimpse of a single strand of Lucian’s golden hair. It was a rather satisfying outcome.
On the sixth day, right after finishing breakfast and wielding his sword in the training grounds, Lee Hwan was approached by a herald from the Crown Prince’s Palace.
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince invites you to join him for lunch.”
Quickly freshening up and wiping off the sweat, Lee Hwan eagerly headed to the Crown Prince’s Palace. As he anticipated, the Crown Prince ordered him to eradicate the monsters. It was the opportunity Lee Hwan had been waiting for.
The preparations for departure were swiftly underway as soon as the orders were given, thanks to the well-coordinated movements set in motion. The night before leaving the palace, Lucian visited Lee Hwan. It was an encounter he had been avoiding under the guise of being busy.
After both finished their meals, they found themselves having tea. Lee Hwan, handling the tea set left by the servant, looked at Lucian, who seemed to have a pale complexion.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
If there was any discomfort, he planned to use it as an excuse to send him away. Instead of answering, Lucian pointed to something on the table – a deep blue glass vase.
“Could you please move that?”
Whether it was an excuse or not, when Lee Hwan placed it somewhere else, Lucian’s complexion seemed to improve.
“Didn’t you like that color?”
Most princes born in the empire, following the Emperor with sky-blue eyes, also inherited the same eye color. However, Lucian, resembling his mother, had green eyes. He regarded it as a symbol of humble birth and compensated for what he lacked by embracing the color blue. Even the scent he used, forge-me-not, was chosen because the flower is blue. By now, it seemed like an obsession.
For Lee Hwan, it was a statement without much significance. However, Lucian’s behavior was peculiar. He, who usually held himself confidently, seemed uneasy, even shivering from his shoulders to his head.
“What happened?”
“Just a dream… Anyway, the color blue is bothering me now.”
“A dream?”
Lee Hwan sensed that the story was about to unfold and had no choice but to ask. Let’s get through this night, he promised himself, gathering all his patience.
Surprisingly, Lucian’s reaction was unexpected. He bit his lips with a pale face. Then, abruptly standing up, he approached Lee Hwan.
“Lucian?”
Lee Hwan stood up cautiously, feeling no negative energy like anger or hostility from Lucian, but it was better to be careful.
Lucian’s subsequent actions might have been spontaneous. He pulled Lee Hwan’s waist and buried his face in Lee Hwan’s chest. However, Lee Hwan stiffened and remained unresponsive to this seemingly trivial gesture.
“Why, what’s wrong?”
Lee Hwan hoped that his current trembling could be attributed to the sudden affection of a lover. Managing his body, which seemed to move on its own, he lowered his gaze, revealing Lucian’s disheveled golden hair. He barely managed to raise his arm.
Lee Hwan’s arm encircled Lucian’s shoulders, and Lucian pressed even deeper, a soft sound escaping his rosebud-like lips.
“I had a strange dream.”
“What kind of dream?”
“A dream of being killed by a dragon. Odd, right? Knowing it’s a dragon without ever having seen one.”
“…Dreams are often like that.”
At Lee Hwan’s words, Lucian released his grip. Smiling, he withdrew from Lee Hwan’s embrace.
“Right? Dreams are always like that.”
Instead of the scent of forgot-me-not, a different fragrance brushed Lee Hwan’s nose.
***
May you continue to have that same dream every night for the rest of your long, miserable life Lucian. It’s the least that you deserve.
Seconded
+1
+2 !
+3
I hope it’s like I expected and the dragon has real feelings! (ᗒᗩᗕ) I’m afraid of trusting the dragon! And poor Lee, having affection/friendship for someone and discovering that person doesn’t harbor good feelings, it’s so painful, betrayal, and the worse is that you can’t simply torn appart those affections