Chapter 109
“Going out this weekend?”
“I have some business to take care of downtown, so I thought I’d… no, I plan to go.”
After contacting Clergy, I went to the Disciplinary Committee room and spoke with Lisa.
“I need to gather the materials required to enhance my weapon.”
“Hmm……”
Lisa stared into my eyes for a moment.
I still didn’t know how she did it, but Lisa could detect most lies just by looking into someone’s eyes.
Of course, it wasn’t because of some special ability; it was simply that Lisa had an incredible sense for it.
Still, since it had become reality, I thought there might be some principle behind it—but I couldn’t figure it out at all.
“…I see.”
Lisa soon nodded.
It made sense; at least right now, I wasn’t lying.
I was really going out on the weekend to get materials to strengthen Mistcatcher.
Of course, the one I’d be trading with was Clergy, the head of the Empire’s largest black market, but I didn’t bother mentioning that.
“You’re going alone?”
“Not alone, I’ll be going with a friend named Serma.”
“Serma? Hmm… is she a girl?”
“Yeah, she’s a girl.”
Lisa fell silent at my answer.
Then, with a slightly pouty expression, she spoke.
“I’ll come with you this weekend.”
“Huh? All of a sudden, why?”
“You expect me to just sit back while you go out with another woman?”
At her cute reaction, I smiled.
“I think I get what you’re imagining, but it’s not like that. The merchant’s daughter I’m meeting is Serma, so I’m just going with her for guidance.”
“Still… it’s bothering me……”
“Noona.”
Resting my head on Lisa’s shoulder, I looked up at her with a smile.
“I’m only going to buy things. You don’t have to worry.”
“…Really?”
“How could I lie to you, Noona? And besides……”
I trailed off for a moment.
Even though Lisa and I had gotten close, saying things lovers usually said to each other still didn’t come naturally to me.
But I couldn’t avoid it forever. So, I closed my eyes tightly and spoke.
“I… I only have you, Noona.”
“…Mmph.”
“Ugh? Noona? Did you just bite me—”
“You’re the one who tempted me first.”
Lisa bit my neck and pressed herself closer against me.
“But we still have things to take care of—”
“Let’s rest for just a bit.”
“…Alright.”
I chuckled helplessly and stroked her head.
Lisa lightly nibbled my neck as she accepted my touch.
“But can’t I really come with you this weekend? I’d like to walk through the streets of the capital with you at least once.”
“Let’s go next time. I’m going there to trade with a merchant. If you suddenly appear—well, if the Lady of the Duke’s House shows up, it’ll scare the poor merchant.”
“…You’re not wrong. Then, next time we get the chance, we’ll go together?”
“Of course.”
Satisfied with my answer, Lisa nodded.
Then she smiled faintly—yet playfully.
“Gideon, be honest with me.”
“What do you mean—no, what is it?”
“You’re still not used to speaking informally to me, are you?”
“…It’s still a bit awkward.”
Even though Lisa saw me as an equal lover, the difference in our status remained.
Maybe that gap was why… or maybe I just found formal speech more comfortable.
Either way, it still felt awkward to talk casually to her.
“Try to get used to it. At least when it’s just the two of us, speak comfortably.”
“Alright… I mean, okay. Lisa Noona.”
“…Say it again.”
“Noona?”
“Again.”
“Li–Lisa Noona?”
“…It sounds so nice.”
Lisa bit my neck harder.
By now, I’d grown quite used to her way of showing affection.
“Noona, do you remember what you drank earlier today?”
“Don’t worry. I’m not after your blood.”
Lisa hugged me even tighter.
“Anyway, be careful this weekend… Gideon.”
“Yeah?”
“If any woman shows interest in you, tell me immediately. Got it?”
“Got it. But… why? What are you going to do?”
“There’s just… something.”
Lisa gave me a faint smile as she looked into my eyes.
I couldn’t help but let out a short, helpless laugh at that smile.
***
“…A teleport scroll?”
“Yes, it’s an item that will transport us directly into the city.”
When the weekend arrived, Serma and I met at the Academy’s castle gate as planned.
As soon as she saw me, Serma, who had arrived first, took a scroll out of her pocket.
“My father gave it to me before I enrolled—he said to use it if something urgent came up.”
“I see. But I wouldn’t say taking me along is such an urgent matter……”
“My father just said we should use the scroll to come quickly and conveniently. He also said he’d give me a new one once we arrive.”
I nodded at her words.
As I’d mentioned before, teleport scrolls were quite expensive.
Normally, it would be a waste to use one so casually—but not for Clergy.
‘For that man, a scroll or two means nothing.’
The city wasn’t that far from the Academy.
Using a teleport scroll for that distance was practically throwing money away, but I supposed if you had too much of it, it didn’t matter.
“We’ll be teleporting soon, so please place your hand on my shoulder. And… wait, Gideon-nim, are you really going to wear your uniform even though it’s the weekend?”
“I don’t really have any proper clothes to wear. I mean, I do have what I wear for Swordsmanship Class, but since I’m meeting someone as important as Mr. Clergy, the uniform would look more appropriate than that.”
“Well, that’s true, but……”
“Speaking of clothes, Miss Serma, you’re quite dressed up today, aren’t you?”
Serma was wearing casual clothes.
Though, “casual” wasn’t quite the right word for what she had on.
“They look expensive, just from one glance.”
“They’re a gift from my father for my admission. I don’t know how much they cost, but… since my father bought them, I doubt they were cheap.”
“If someone who didn’t know you saw us, they’d probably think you’re the noble and mistake me for a commoner.”
“That happens more often than you’d think. Wealthy commoners and poor nobles… more common than people realize. Surely, Sir Gideon, you’re not poor, are you?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at her question.
“I have enough. Just enough to get by comfortably. I simply have no interest in flaunting wealth or indulging in luxuries for show.”
“Every time I talk to you, you really do strike me as unusual. Phew, anyway. Let’s get going now.”
Serma lifted the teleport scroll.
“Place your hand on my shoulder… yes, alright, here we go.”
As soon as Serma tore the scroll, the light bursting forth swallowed us both.
The capital of the Arium Empire—Lysquare.
As expected of the imperial capital, the city’s scale far exceeded that of any other region.
Even Lysquare Academy took its name from this city.
‘Though, the Academy itself is actually located outside the capital.’
Lysquare Academy was about a twenty-minute carriage ride from the capital.
According to the setting, the Academy was simply too large to be built within the city limits.
So, while it was called Lysquare Academy, it technically wasn’t inside Lysquare itself.
Regardless, the capital city of the Empire—Lysquare.
‘Seeing it in person… it’s even more magnificent.’
It was my first time seeing the city with my own eyes, after only ever viewing it in the game.
My impression of it… a quintessential medieval fantasy metropolis.
It looked exactly as I had imagined when I played.
A typical city, yet incredibly splendid in its own way.
I couldn’t describe it precisely, but the vastness of this city exuded a kind of dazzling brilliance.
And at the heart of that brilliance stood——
“Why do you keep staring at the Imperial Palace?”
“Huh? Oh, I was just fascinated.”
“Is this your first time seeing it?”
“The first time seeing it in person, yes.”
“That’s surprising. To think someone who owns a sword that can only be obtained from the far eastern end of the continent has never seen the Imperial Palace before.”
“I just never had any particular connection to Lysquare.”
I responded casually so I wouldn’t seem too curious or out of place.
Apparently, I had been too obvious in my fascination.
But I couldn’t help it—the city was simply too grand and beautiful.
Pretending to be indifferent was difficult in many ways.
‘I should ask Lisa to give me a tour sometime later.’
Lisa had grown up in the Balmuth family mansion, so she would surely know the city well.
As I admired the scenery, Serma and I continued walking through the streets.
How long had we walked?
Serma eventually led me toward a building.
“Sir Gideon? Why did you suddenly stop?”
“…This is the place?”
“Yes, it’s quite a famous restaurant in this district. Expensive, but well known for its refined and delicious course meals.”
Just as Serma said, the building looked elegant and luxurious.
And, it was quite familiar to me.
If I remembered correctly, this was the place where players met Clergy in the game……
“Aren’t you coming?”
“Oh, right. Let’s go.”
Following Serma toward the building, I discreetly checked Mistcatcher at my waist.
I had brought it just in case—and it turned out to be the right decision.
‘Still, if I’d known it would be like this, I should’ve worn my Swordsmanship Class attire instead of my uniform… sigh.’
I had a feeling I might ruin another uniform today.
Anyway, as I followed Serma inside, the interior radiated an air of refined sophistication.
“Ah, Miss Serma, you’ve arrived.”
The waiter at the counter greeted her with a bright expression.
“Mr. Clergy is upstairs. And the person with you… would he be the companion I heard about?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Understood. Please head to the second floor—to the window seat, where Mr. Clergy always sits.”
“Got it. Sir Gideon, please follow me.”
As I followed Serma up the stairs, I quickly scanned the dining area.
There were people of all ages—men and women alike—and at a glance, the place looked like nothing more than an ordinary high-end restaurant.
If I hadn’t already known about this place from the game, I wouldn’t have suspected a thing.
“Phew.”
I exhaled quietly.
I recalled the time I had encountered Clergy in the game.
And mentally organized the choices that would soon present themselves.
“This way.”
Together with Serma, I headed to the table by the window.
There, a middle-aged man was already waiting.
He was short and plain-looking like Serma, but his build was sturdy.
“Oh, Serma. You’re here. Must’ve been quite the trip. And the person beside you… you must be Sir Gideon?”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Clergy.”
“The pleasure’s mine, Sir Gideon. Please, have a seat. I’m sure we have plenty to discuss—let’s take our time over a meal.”
“A meal, huh… Mr. Clergy?”
“Yes?”
“Normally, I’d have sat down to eat right away. The food certainly looks good. But… I find it easier to move on an empty stomach.”
With that, I drew Mistcatcher.
At my action, Clergy chuckled softly and narrowed his eyes.
“Oh… when did you notice?”
Though his tone remained polite, his voice now carried an unmistakable threat.
“I must’ve underestimated you, Sir Gideon. Then again… anyone who knows my identity is, of course, not someone to be taken lightly.”
“…Let’s postpone the meal and finish business first.”
“Hahaha! Bold of you. Perhaps you’re even more interesting than I anticipated.”
Clergy raised his hand with a smile.
Then, as he snapped his fingers, countless red dots surrounded me—
The Attack Prediction Skill had activated.
I cursed inwardly and swung Mistcatcher.