Click, clack, neighhhh. The sound of hooves gradually faded, replaced by the neighing of the horse, as if proudly announcing their arrival. The coachman stroked the horse, praising it for enduring the hard journey, before talking to the passenger.
“This is the Empire’s Capital, Crownhall.”
“Thank you. Your driving was excellent, and thanks to that I arrived comfortably.”
“You’re too kind.”
Was it a sign of early maturity?
The passenger’s manner of speaking was somewhat unusual. Had he come from somewhere else far away, or was this the etiquette of someone in a world far above a commoner like himself? There was no way for him to tell.
One thing, however, was certain: somewhere between a boy and a man was a master of martial arts.
It wasn’t as though the coachman was actually a swordmaster who had hid his identity to see such a thing. It was just that during their journey, he had seen the passenger show a masterful move and realized it then.
A reckless wild boar had suddenly charged in front of the moving carriage.
The passenger, who had been sitting in the cabin, instantly leaped forward with a sound like an explosion. With a sweeping motion of his arms, the boar bounced off, sending it tumbling through the air, almost vertically.The coachman was surprised.
‘The movements of those who have mastered martial arts look like magic.’ This was what a regular at the tavern that the coachman frequented would say, almost daily.
Had it not been for those annoying stories of that retired, drunken knight, the coachman might have mistaken the passenger for a Wizard.
Such skill at that age. If that was the case, whatever path he chose to walk, one could easily assume his name would soon be on the lips of many in Crownhall. The capital’s residents were always eager for tales of heroism.
That must be why even that strange woman ‘Pure Knight’ or whatever had also become so popular.
By the time this passenger’s name and alias started going around the capital, the coachman would get another snack to go along with his alcohol. Once, I had a mysterious young man as a passenger ──
===============================================================
“⋯⋯Sssheuuup.”
Envers winced as he felt the sharp pain radiating from his left arm. He had taken some damage while fending off the wild boar on his way here.
Still, he didn’t want to show any sign of weakness after confidently stepping up. So, without even stopping to apply basic first aid, he acted as if nothing was wrong in front of the coachman.
Perhaps it would have been wiser to use Ignition instead of trying out Graft Flowers Onto A Tree.
He was still lacking finesse in executing delicate movements. But regret wouldn’t heal his wounds, so Envers chose to see it as another opportunity to practice.
The capital looked different from how he remembered it.
The main street was broad enough to impress any onlooker, lined with regularly spaced magic lamps. The advanced water and sewage systems, unmatched anywhere else in the world, remained unchanged.
The Empire’s capital, Crownhall, was still state of the art.
So, what had changed?
Most notably, the cleanliness was different. In the past, a casual glance down any unassuming alley would reveal traces of blood or vomit—clear evidence of violence.
Even in the opulent Imperial capital, there had always been shadows, with those living in the light turning a blind eye to such signs.
Parents would pull their children away from secluded alleys, making them promise never to go there again.
Now, as Envers wandered through such shallow alleyways, he couldn’t find such traces.
“It’s so clean⋯⋯.”
He’d heard that the Second Prince, Irid Crown, was deeply concerned with the welfare of the commoners. Was this his work? While the deepest parts of the city might still be dangerous, at least the areas where ordinary citizens lived seemed safe.
It had become a better place to live.
Envers looked around Crownhall, revisiting old memories. Since he was back after a long time, he thought that he would at least bring some presents.
Roderus Hyung-nim really hated sweets. Whenever the ration packs contained sweet cookies, he would complain that only little girls liked them, grumbling that he had to eat them just to get enough calories.
That’s why Envers planned to buy hardtack instead—something bland, rather than sweet. He was sure that there was a store that made flavorless hardtack in bulk to struggling adventurers and mercenaries around here⋯⋯.
“⋯⋯I can’t find it anywhere.”
Had the shop moved? Or had he simply taken a wrong turn? Envers scanned his surroundings, looking for a local to ask for directions.
Amidst the bustling crowd, a scene caught his attention.
On an open second-floor balcony of a dessert café, two beautiful women were enjoying a pleasant moment.
“Hey, Dae-soo, this is so delish.”
“You like anything drenched in sugar. I dislike it because I find it to be overwhelming; every bite feels like my sides are getting fatter.“
Despite her complaints, the fork in her hand continued to lift the cake to her mouth without pause.
“Come on, Dae-soo, worried about your waistline? That’s deceit, deceit I tell you! You’re making fun of me! You’re so slim⋯⋯ Look, lemme see.”
“⋯⋯Don’t just put your hand under my clothes whenever you feel like it!”
One woman was petite, with pinkish-red hair and eyes that gleamed like rubies. She was leaning in excessively close to her companion across the table.
The other had long, flowing vermilion hair that fell to her waist and fox-like eyes. She was also surrounded by a strange cold aura that caught Envers’ eyes.
It wasn’t romantic interest—his heart was already dedicated to someone else. It wasn’t mere curiosity about the opposite sex, either. It was something more⋯⋯ there was something else there that intrigued him.
So, Envers decided to approach them for directions. He raised his voice from beneath the balcony and called out to the two women.
“Over there! I need some directions!”
“⋯⋯Here we go again. I’m sorry, but neither I nor Kim Ruru are interested in love, friendship, meals, or any other kind of social interaction with──”
The woman with the vermilion hair turned, clearly annoyed, ready to chase away yet another man trying to flirt with them while pretending to ask for directions and⋯⋯
“⋯⋯⋯⋯!!”
She was so startled that she jumped nearly three centimeters in the air, then quickly turned her head, covering her face. Her heart pounded like a drum, and cold sweat began to bead on her skin.
Envers Redburn—the younger brother she had exiled from the family with her own hands so many years ago. Although quite some time had passed, there was no way she wouldn’t be able to recognize his face. They were siblings, after all.
She had heard that he was doing well at the Academy, so why was he here⋯⋯?!
Calm down, just breathe.
There’s no way he could recognize her. Roderus had completely transformed herself using the fantastical powers of Metamorphosis. There was absolutely no way he would identify her like this. But if that one in a million chance occured⋯⋯.
Roderus’ poor soul would face a societal death.
Kim Ruru tilted her head as she saw Roderus who had suddenly turned her entire body. Why was she, who had become a veteran at kicking away men trying to hit on them, acting so flustered today?
“Uh, Dae-soo, what’s wrong? Are you choking? Should I get you some water?
“⋯⋯Don’t—don’t use my name. Don’t call me by my full name.”
Envers might make the connection between Oh Dae-soo and Roderus due to the similar pronunciations.
“Why, what’s wrong? If you don’t like him, should I beat him up and chase him away?”
“No, it’s fine. Just⋯⋯ just please stay still.”
“I have a lover, so do not worry! I’m really just looking for directions. Do you happen to know what happened to the Giant King Whale Bakery that used to be right in front of this place?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Deep breaths. Steady now.
Roderus barely managed to calm herself and decided to provide accurate information quickly. She was hoping to send away her brother, with whom she had reunited after a long time, before he could suspect anything.
“The Giant King Whale Bakery made an official deal with the mercenary guild⋯⋯ and relocated right next to the guild, sir.”
“I see. I am back in town after a long absence, and I thought I would bring a gift for my brother I have not seen in years. That was why I was looking for it. Thank you for the information.”
“⋯⋯No, no, no need to. No need to mention it. Kuk⋯⋯.”
Did she really have to mimic a young lady’s speech pattern to avoid being recognized? Every second he talked like this he could feel the post-nut clarity hitting him, but it was better to speak like this than getting caught.
Seeing this, Kim Ruru’s eyes flared with jealousy.
Her sharp mind quickly pieced together the situation:
1. Oh Dae-soo
2. She had turned away and blushed the moment she saw this boy for the first time.
3. She started speaking in a soft, feminine manner that she would have rather died than use before.
To Kim Ruru, these were all flashing signals⋯⋯.
But instead of a green light, it was a glaring crimson red. There was no way she was going to let this tan-skinned, vermilion-haired bully steal her Dae-soo away.
Oh Dae-soo and Kim Ruru had been maintaining a pure relationship. One was aware of it but hadn’t acted, while the other was oblivious and equally shy.
If you asked how far they’d gone, the answer would be that they’d only held hands, fingers interlocked, during a rainy day. But now that an external threat had appeared, a fierce, possessive instinct boiled up from deep within Kim Ruru’s heart.
Now was the time to be bold.
“Hey you!”
“⋯⋯You talking to me?”
“Yeah you! Dae-soo is mine so don’t even think about it! I’ll make it clear⋯⋯!!”
Like a territorial beast marking her claim, Kim Ruru grabbed Oh Dae-soo’s wrists and pulled her close, pressing her face into Dae-soo’s neck.
“Wha—wait, Kim Ruru! Hey⋯⋯!!”
Smooch.
Without opening her lips, she sucked in, leaving a deep kiss mark on her neck. Oh Dae-soo was so shocked she felt as though she’d been hit over the head with a hammer, twisting her body in utter confusion. What on earth was happening?
Experiencing such a physical assault for the first time, Oh Dae-soo’s brain blue screened.
“Kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss.”
“N-no, stop⋯⋯!!”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Envers, witnessing the scene unfold from just meters away, concluded that Crownhall had indeed become much more open-minded these days. He awkwardly cleared his throat.
“Hmm, enjoy your beautiful love. I shall not bother you any further.”
“I’m telling you to stop, Kim Ruru⋯⋯!!”
“Te-tell me you only love me!”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
He quickly escaped from the scene where a lily flower1 was blooming.
Envers then proceeded to the Mercenary Guild building and successfully bought the hardtack2 he was looking for. While he was there, he also picked up a dagger and a bottle of wine.
If there was an opportunity, he wanted to have an honest conversation with Roderus Hyung-nim over a drink.
He walked.
As he drew closer to the mansion, a heavy darkness descended upon his heart. Old wounds resurfaced, painting the sky of his mindpitch black.
But on the darkest night, the moon must rise. There was no hesitation in Envers’ steps.
And after passing through a long, winding road, he arrived at the front of the mansion. Not a single thing had changed about the Redburn mansion. The flag flew on the rooftop, roses bloomed in the garden, and a guard stood at the main gate.
“There were no guests expected today. Who are you?”
“I am Envers Redburn. Since the blood of Redburn flows through my veins, I have the right to enter.”
The guard’s eyes filled with disdain.
“Young master⋯⋯ Envers. Now I recognize you. With a body that can’t even handle Mana properly, do you really think you have the right?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
“If you ran away like a sick dog, you should have just lived like one. Returning like this only proves you’ve got no shame. Returning like this only proves you’ve got no shame.”
Ting.
The guard tossed a gold coin to the ground.
“If you’re here to beg for money, take this and leave. Young master. There’s no place for incompetents in Duke Redburn’s family.
“⋯⋯Haah.”
Yes, that’s right. This was the kind of place it was.
Envers bent down to pick up the coin. But just as he reached for it, the guard’s boot came down, pinning his hand to the ground.
Above his bowed head, he could hear the mocking laughter. Here, mere bloodline was not enough to command respect. Power, and what one had done for the family with that strength, was the true measure of hierarchy.
The Demonic Cult was no different. He had heard that the Demonic Cult strictly followed the law of strength.
“In that case, it’s you who should be bowing.”
“Hmm.”
“The guard is the face of the household. By failing your duty and insulting a guest, you’ve brought disgrace to the Redburn family. And⋯⋯.”
Creak.
Envers’ trapped hand began to move upward. Slowly but surely, the boot was lifting.
The guard was surprised and pressed down with all his weight, but even then, Envers’ hand continued to rise. And then, in an instant.
Bam-!
The world flipped.
It happened in a heartbeat. The guard’s entire body twisted midair. His legs flailed upward, and his head plunged down.
He couldn’t understand what had just happened. It was a martial art he’d never encountered, and he only vaguely understood that his own strength had been used against him.
Before the guard could fully process what had happened, Envers’ kick smashed into his face.
Smack-!! Craasshh!!
Propelled by an incredible force, the guard crashed through the main gate of the Redburn mansion. Creak . The shattered gate groaned as it swung open.
“I am the stronger one, so shouldn’t you be bowing down? Commoner.”
Through the broken gate, Envers Redburn, Namgung Cheonghwi, walked through confidently.
He had returned.