Chapter 202: To the Kingdom of Keortia (3)

Chapter 202: To the Kingdom of Keortia (3)

<Is it, is it tomorrow right away, Hamel-nim? If you continue moving like that, you might truly collapse.>

Kran was startled.

―No, no. Lucion has collapsed before! He might collapse again.

Ratta suddenly jumped up and shouted energetically.

Soon, checking where Lucion was, she ran over and rubbed her head against his.

―Did you have a good sleep, Lucion? Hehe.

“I can’t keep you waiting.”

Lucion said as he petted Rata.

<I’m fine. I’ve waited for ten years, so a little more time here won’t make a difference. Why don’t we depart in a week?>

“A week is too late.”

<If you’re going to say that, then why did you make excuses for me?>

“You’re quite stubborn, Kran. Is it because it’s morning?”

<No. I’m simply frustrated with Hamel-nim for neglecting his well-being. Frankly, even a week seems rushed to me.>

“Then in two days.”

Lucion quickly realized that he had only been thinking about himself and changed his words immediately.

Kran must be equally tired.

<While you’re at it, you might as well take more time to rest.>

“This isn’t something to negotiate over.”

<I’m not bargaining; I’m speaking objectively. Even if you were healed by Miella’s magical item, your injuries were severe. You need to rest...>

“And that’s why, Kran.”

<Excuse me? What do you mean by that?>

“Why aren’t you asking me why I was hurt?”

<If I ask, will you tell me?>

At Kran’s cautious question, Lucion chuckled.

“Thanks.”

<That’s nothing worth thanking me for. Honestly, when you say something like that, it makes it... hard for me to push back.>

“There’s someone trying to kill me. I still don’t know who they are.”

<Is that why you’re pushing yourself so hard?>

[No.]

―No, Ratta knows.

Russell and Ratta answered together.

“I’ve never pushed myself, Kran.”

<I understand. So your efforts aren’t related to that person.>

[That’s right. He’s quick to catch on.]

―That’s right. Kran is smart!

Russell and Ratta, who were playing along, seemed particularly annoying today.

<Then, let’s meet in two days.>

“Hold on, Kran. Have you spoken to Brother Heint yet?”

<No, not yet.>

“Alright. I’ll see you in two days.”

Lucion set aside the communication device.

‘What should I do during these two days of waiting?’

With the feeling of restlessness surging through him, Lucion sighed, having long forgotten the sensation of relaxation.

‘Ah!’

Suddenly struck by an idea, Lucion’s eyes widened.

* * *

For a day, he remained quietly at home.

He didn’t leave his bed except for eating, mindful of his father and older brother’s watchful eyes.

His father and Brother Heint visited him, perhaps concerned that he might be bored, while Brother Carson hardly left his room at all.

Hume, absorbed in his books all day in his own room, indirectly mentioned a ‘dream.’

When he spoke of a dream that went beyond the border, Lucion couldn’t help but think of the ‘Kingdom of Keortia’ he was going to.

The next day, to give the idea that the imperial knights were visiting Cronia, they left with a hasty farewell in the early morning.

Without even getting a chance to bid farewell to Heint.

“Don’t be disappointed, Lucion. The entire imperial knights returned worrying about you. Heint also asked me to take care of you.”

As Carson’s voice came from behind, Lucion flinched.

“Are you certain you don’t want me to accompany you?”

“It’s just a light stroll; you really don’t need to come, brother.”

Lucion faced Carson at the front of the main gate.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

After saying this, Lucion walked away with Hume to a place out of Carson’s sight, then used shadow movement to head to where Zamad was.

Wearing his mask for the first time in a long time, Hume transformed into Rental and waved at Zamad.

“Good day, Mr. Zamad, the new blacksmith.”

Zamad, who had been about to strike with his hammer, abruptly stopped.

“I almost miss that talkative mouth of yours from when we first met.”

“Come on, why would you miss that?”

“You do get labeled as shameless quite often, don’t you?”

“In moderation.”

Lucion chuckled and extended his hand.

“I’ve come to collect it. Please hand it over.”

“You really worked hard. You’re the first to forge a weapon that can withstand the power of Rental. Thank you. Now, Rental can finally protect me and defend herself.”

The craftsmanship in shaping the weapon was truly remarkable.

Zamad smiled broadly even though he knew he had been taken by surprise.

Having confirmed that he could still create better weapons, as a blacksmith, there was no greater compliment.

* * *

“I’ve prepared only the most delicious dishes since I didn’t know what you would like.”

Anthony, the butler of Cronia’s household, said with a smile to Miella.

“T-thank you.”

Miella visited Cronia as a friend, just as Lucion wanted.

In fact, since they had met at the auction house, it felt completely natural.

Although there was no reason for it to be uncomfortable, the mere mention of Cronia made her tense.

However, within Cronia, the reality differed from the rumors.

Just by being Lucion’s friend, the large and heavy gates of Cronia opened easily, and everyone welcomed her, treating her as if she were a princess.

It was so overwhelming that she felt like she wanted to leave at that very moment because it was hard to adapt.

After Anthony left, Miella let out a big sigh and turned to Kran, who had accompanied her as a butler.

“I’m so nervous I feel like I might faint. I’m really here at Cronia. The Cronia that is said to be difficult to enter!”

Her teacup trembled in her hands.

“I...”

Before Kran could reply, the door opened.

“Don’t be anxious; just make yourself at home.”

Lucion entered with a smile.

“I’m a bit late. It wasn’t a special occasion, but I had a small debate on whether to dress up or not.”

Lucion sat down with a tired expression.

“So, who won?” Kran asked, intrigued.

“I did,” Lucion replied, casting a glance at Kran as if to say, ‘Isn’t it obvious?’

“Y-You didn’t dress up?” Miella expressed her surprise.

“I’m sorry. I guess I look pretty bad. If I had known this would happen, I should have dressed up a bit before coming.”

Suddenly, both Miella and Kran fell silent.

Kran seemed to be holding back his anger as Lucion tilted his head slightly.

Bethel nudged Russell, silently urging him to speak on her behalf.

Russell let out a sigh and spoke lightly.

[Lucion, don’t go around saying things like that, you’ll only get yourself in trouble.]

Even under Lucion’s questioning gaze, Russell refused to elaborate.

To dispel the awkwardness, Lucion changed the subject.

“Let’s head out now.”

“So soon?” Kran asked, surprised.

“We need to visit the Chefran mansion, reassure my father, and then depart.”

Despite his words, Lucion casually popped a macaron into his mouth.

“Ah, shall we grab a bite before we leave?”

Miella and Kran exchanged glances, then burst into laughter.

Lucion now appeared more his age.

* * *

“How is your health?”

Once the carriage left Cronia, Miella finally felt comfortable enough to ask.

“As you can see, I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine. You’re just forcing yourself to move.”

Hume, seated beside him, immediately refuted Lucion’s claim and continued, “You still have a slight fever. The doctor recommended at least two weeks of rest.”

“Hume, are you going to keep at this? I’m moving because I can,” Lucion retorted, giving Hume a sharp look.

He wasn’t made of steel; how could he force himself to move when his body resisted?

“That’s precisely the issue. Not recognizing why that’s a problem is the real problem,” Hume sighed.

“I had a feeling this would happen.”

Immediately, Kran furrowed his brow.

“If you hadn’t said that, I would have insisted on moving in a week regardless.”

“Mr. Hamel, I’m telling you this just in case.” Miella pulled out a necklace and shook it.

In an instant, everyone fell silent, turning their attention to her.

“Is it completed?”

When Lucion asked, Miella nodded.

“Sunbeam is not omnipotent. However, it remains the only remedy for you, Mr. Hamel.”

“What about side effects? I haven’t noticed any so far.”

In response to Lucion’s question, Miella shook her head.

“I wouldn’t call it a side effect, but if your body requires 100 units of regeneration to heal, even with Sunbeam, it never surpasses 70, leaving 30 untreated.”

‘The regenerative power is better than I thought?’ Lucion was amazed.

“This is a chronic aspect present in all light-based powers, including Sunbeam. I’m working on overcoming it. In any case, please accept it.”

As Miella handed over Sunbeam, Lucion felt a rush of excitement the moment he received it.

“But, Miella, do you think I’m acting this way because I trust Sunbeam?”

“Isn’t that the case?” Miella appeared surprised.

After a moment of thought, she playfully threw out a question.

“Or do you perhaps enjoy being in pain?”