Chapter 55

The spirit dwelling in his sword was convenient. By listening to the wind, he could easily find where she was. Scouring the entire sea had been exhausting enough to make him dizzy, but it was far better than regretting it after losing Lepina.

 

“But it’s about time I graduated from relying on this.”

 

Staying weak forever wasn’t an option. Especially after he broke down crying in front of Piote—he realized it then. To Lepina, he was someone who needed protection. Someone she didn’t lean on.

 

“That must be why she never cried in front of me.”

 

It was like a mother refusing to cry in front of her child—so they wouldn’t feel anxious. Lepina often saw Evan not as an equal counterpart, but as someone fragile, someone she needed to protect.

 

Evan got up from the bed and pulled the blanket neatly over her. Then he scooped a bit more of the medicine he’d used earlier and carefully dabbed it onto her wounds and cracked lips.

 

When he stepped outside, Piote was squatting beside the door like a guard. As soon as Evan appeared, Piote glared daggers at him. Evan smirked. There were so many people glaring at him lately, it was troublesome.

 

“Don’t worry. I’m not touching Lep until she’s an adult—even if I die.”

 

“Who said that’s what I’m worried about?”

 

Piote shut him down instantly. Evan shrugged.

 

“Really?”

 

Piote’s wariness was annoying, but the winner was already decided. That was why Piote ultimately couldn’t push harder. Whatever name they gave to their emotions, Lepina Clies was pouring her affection onto Evan von Weiss.

 

“Thanks. Thanks to you, I’ve decided what path to take.”

 

“What the hell are you talking about?”

 

Piote eyed Evan suspiciously. Evan had grown complacent in peace. He liked the life where she was always beside him, and like a clueless kid, ignored the dangers creeping closer.

 

“I’ve been sitting still too long. That’s why worthless bastards think they can poke at Lep like this.”

 

Piote clicked his tongue at Evan cracking his knuckles with determination. On a day like today, after watching him swing a sword mercilessly and radiate killing intent like this, Piote wanted to shake Lepina by the shoulders and tell her she was a fool for thinking Evan was weak. But she never believed it.

 

‘Seriously… completely bewitched.’

 

Piote shot him a sideways look. Speaking something that murderous with such a relaxed face was a talent.

 

In the quiet night, Evan’s violet eyes gleamed like a predator eyeing prey. Piote didn’t know who the target was, but he felt sorry for them. Lepina didn’t know, but being bitten by Evan had never been a good experience.

 

Back when rumors spread that Evan had weakened from poison, people came after him—and he crushed them, one by one. He never once lost his spot as the top student in the swordsmanship division. His competitiveness was no joke.

 

“…Do whatever you want, but don’t let Lep get hurt.”

 

“As if I ever would. Oh, right—where’s Fran?”

 

“He’s hiding over there.”

 

Fran normally stayed nearby to guard Lepina, but with Evan and Piote around, he kept his distance—more accurately, he was avoiding Evan.

 

Hiding behind a wall, Fran peeked out—only to lock eyes with Evan. Evan’s stare ordered him to step out now. Fran awkwardly emerged.

 

“Uh… well… you see…”

 

“Fran. I told you—if something happens to her, you notify me immediately.”

 

“I… didn’t know we’d be on a ship! How am I supposed to send letters from onboard?!”

 

A decent excuse, but Evan wasn’t listening. His wrist cracked ominously. Fran trembled, trying to run, but there was no escaping Evan’s grip. His scream echoed through the dark hallway.

 

 

***

 

 

I was lying in bed, groaning. It was originally Evan’s room, but I was the one using it now.

 

After the mental stress and harsh days I’d endured, a fever had taken over. Maybe it was because I’d spent days trapped in that cold storage room… and I must’ve forced myself not to get sick while it was dangerous. Now that I felt safe, my body finally gave out.

 

‘I collapsed before Evan did…’

 

After scolding Evan to rest, I felt ashamed. Evan and Piote hovered beside me, looking grim.

 

“…The fever won’t go down.”

 

“And of all times, there’s no physician…”

 

“We need to return to Lyran quickly.”

 

“It’s just a cold. I’m not even coug—cough!”

 

I sniffled.

 

“That wasn’t convincing.”

 

Piote and Evan exchanged looks. My attempt to reassure them failed miserably. I took my medicine and laid back down. Evan pulled the blanket up to my chest.

 

“Oh, Lep. There’s someone who wants to see you.”

 

“Huh? Who?”

 

“Apol. The mercenary captain.”

 

“Oh…”

 

“Do you want to see him?”

 

“…Yeah. I’ll talk to him.”

 

A little later, Apol entered the room and immediately knelt before me without a word. Unlike before—when he’d begged me to understand because his comrades had been captured—he offered no excuses this time.

 

“I’m truly sorry.”

 

“You can lift your head.”

 

“But…”

 

“I would’ve done the same.”

 

Apol raised his head. I meant it. I made a choice too. I didn’t know their exact circumstances, but I told Ben to steal the herbs and run. I chose Evan without hesitation over a passing connection with them.

 

“You did it for someone precious. There’s nothing to feel guilty about. Look—everything turned out fine. Your comrades are safe too, right? Don’t cling to the past. If you insist, we can just call it breach of contract and you can return the full advance payment?”

 

“…That would be natural. I’ll pay the penalty fee as well.”

 

I grinned and waved my hand. Evan, watching from the side, drifted closer. Since Apol had betrayed me once, Evan clearly couldn’t bring himself to see him kindly. His cold gaze followed Apol until he disappeared.

 

“Are you really okay?”

 

“Yeah. I would’ve made the same choice for you. You’re more important to me than anyone else.”

 

“…Me too. I’ll put Lep before anything. Even if it costs my life.”

 

“What?”

 

I stared at him, shocked. Evan just shrugged, refusing any argument.

 

“If I lose you, I don’t have a reason to live.”

 

“W–wait! No, that’s not—!”

 

He said something terrifying with an innocent face. I was speechless. I was happy he cared so much for me, but…

 

‘Is this right? Once Evan recovers, he’s supposed to end up with Elena… The more we talk, the more…’

 

Once Evan made a decision, undoing it was nearly impossible, and the conversation fizzled out vaguely.

 

 

***

 

 

After days of suffering, I finally stepped onto solid land. I still shivered thinking how close I’d come to never reaching it. No matter how quietly I lay on that ship, seasickness and fever tormented me, and with limited medicine, the misery dragged on. I was still coughing and sneezing nonstop.

 

“Evan, you’re really okay, right?”

 

Leaning on someone who was worse off than me made me feel even guiltier.

 

“I told you. Stop worrying.”

 

“But—”

 

“Lepina!”

 

A familiar voice echoed. I lifted my head. The people who’d cried their eyes out through the video crystal were right in front of me.

 

“…Mom, Dad…”

 

“Thank heavens… you’re safe.”

 

Her voice was hoarse and broken. My mother bit her lip hard, holding back tears. Her complexion was terrible—she must’ve been sick with worry. My father looked gaunt too, stubble covering his unshaven jaw.

 

Evan nudged me from behind. I ran straight to my parents—only to be met with my mother’s fierce smack to my back.

 

Smack!

 

“Ow—!”

 

“I told you to be careful! Over and over!”

 

“Your father thought something terrible happened to you! Do you know how worried we were?!”

 

“I’m sorry…”

 

She held my hand tightly. Piote and Evan approached.

 

“Piote, you’ve done well. And Lord Evan, thank you for risking yourself to save our daughter.”

 

My father patted Piote’s shoulder, then gave Evan a polite bow. Then he snapped back toward me with a stern expression.

 

“You’ll stay home and reflect for a while. You need to understand how much worry you caused.”

 

Fair enough. I nodded quietly.

 

“We should take Lep to a physician immediately.”

 

“…?”

 

My father looked at Evan in confusion.

 

“She caught a cold.”

 

“Bring the doctor! And the carriage, now!!”

 

Before I could greet anyone, I was whisked away in a carriage at lightning speed.

 

 

***

 

 

After seeing Lepina off, Evan instructed the coachman: “To the Information Guild.”

 

The coachman obeyed without surprise. When the carriage reached a narrow alley, Evan stepped out and walked with steady purpose. He grabbed the guild door, but it was locked tight.

 

“Phil.”

 

At his word, the door burst open with a bang. Everyone inside jumped to their feet in alarm, but when they saw Evan, their faces went pale.