Chapter 22: First Night (2)

Chapter 22: First Night (2)

"...I hope that doesn't happen."

It wasn't just an empty statement.

Did I want Ner's love?

...It wasn't that, not yet.

However, I didn't want to be devoid of love from my lifelong companion.

It wasn't something I could control, though.

Nevertheless, I never forgot from the beginning. That this marriage wasn't for my own happiness.

It was for the future of the mercenary group.

From the start, it didn't make sense for the mercenary group to risk their lives for my personal happiness.

To me, it was just a role given to me.

To ensure the stability and cohesion of the Red Flames, keeping Ner Blackwood settled was essential.

After the war, it became even more crucial for the Blackwood family to support us.

Of course, by subduing monsters alone, they would accumulate a significant debt, but... to put it harshly, keeping Ner as a hostage would solidify that fact even more.

So even if the marriage with Ner wasn't filled with joy and didn't develop into a supportive relationship, there seemed to be no other option.

That was why I didnt want that future.

Regardless of who the other person was, I wanted a happy marriage rather than a sad married life.

Besides that, this was just an assumption.

Maybe eventually she would like me too.

I could find myself falling for her as well.

No one could say anything about the future.

There were instances when one would passionately love someone only to part ways unreasonably.

Sometimes an annoying person became an irreplaceable brother.

All I needed to do was put in my own efforts.

I looked at Ner, who was still rigid.

Fortunately, she must have sensed the sincerity in my words because she no longer held her guard up against me as before.

It felt akin to taming a stray cat.

Taking my time, I slowly approached her.

Even her tail, which had been standing upright, had relaxed slightly.

I picked up the cloth I had placed on her rigid knees.

Ner observed my actions with a slow gaze.

It was quite a peculiar situation.

Despite her intense rejection of me, she showed no inclination to harm me.

Perhaps she held me in high regard.

Despite being hated by her brothers, she sacrificed herself for her family.

Despite those sacrifices, she displayed no willingness to surrender herself to a stranger.

It felt like I was gradually getting to know the woman named Ner Blackwood.

Slowly, I lifted the cloth toward her eyes.

For some reason, I felt the urge to wipe away her tears, even if just a little.

'Is it because we became a married couple?'

Couples hug each other, Couples comfort each other I didn't know if it was due to the words that had grazed my ears and left a mark.

...But thinking that even this small act might burden her, I ended up handing the cloth directly to her.

Ner stared at the cloth I handed her for a long time.

I let out a long sigh.

The conversation ended here.

"...Let's rest now."

With that, I slowly laid down on the bed.

The bed was larger than the one I usually slept in.

"You've had a busy day."

Ner was still on her knees, staring at me, without wiping her tears.

I closed my eyes because it seemed like she would continue to tense up if I kept looking at her for no reason.

Then, I shared the thoughts that had suddenly crossed my mind.

By the way, Im just saying this because Im sure there will be questions.

"Just say that we had a relationship."

"...It'll be easier for you too."

Ner stopped and nodded her head.

Perhaps it would be easier for her to go along with a lie, rather than actually having a relationship.

I opened my eyes and confirmed her affirmation.

"And if possible, call me Berg from tomorrow onwards."

How long had she been sleeping? The sun was high up in the sky.

It felt like the accumulated side effects of not being able to sleep due to anxiety all this time hit her all at once.

She woke up with a refreshing feeling, as if she had finally had a good rest.

However, at the same time, her heart sank slightly.

The idea that Berg would treat her kindly didn't become so familiar right away.

So she slowly raised her upper body.

-Swish.

The blanket that had been covering her, she didn't know since when, slipped down.

...Did Berg cover her?

It was a question she didnt know the answer to.

Ner looked around restlessly.

There was no one in the room.

Berg had already disappeared.

****

"Faster!"

The Red Flames was finishing their final training, raising a dusty wind.

Since tactics, individual swordsmanship, and equestrian training no longer held any meaning, they were pushing their physical training to the extreme.

In many cases, the difference between being able to run one more step or not was the difference between life and death.

At the training ground, the members were constantly running in the same place.

I was watching it from the sidelines.

This was truly the end.

After this, the Red Flames had to focus solely on recovery.

I had to recover and start hunting the leader.

While cracking the whip to motivate the members, Adam Hyung approached me.

So far, he had only shown a sinister smile, but hadnt asked any embarrassing questions.

So now something was coming.

Ber-

"-Later. We're in the middle of training."

Adam Hyung smirked.

You know what Im going to ask you for later. I wanted to talk about the training."

"...Shawn! Don't fall behind!"

Vice Vice-captain! Sa... Save... Ugh...!"

"Instead of saying that, keep running!"

Adam Hyung didn't say anything in response to my nonsense.

He just came over to me silently and stood still.

He stared in the direction I was looking.

And he just stood there silently.

"Well... The weather's nice."

Just staring blankly like this, he was making fun of me.

I was trying my best to hold back my smile at how foolish and ridiculous he was.

Laughing would mean losing.

-Thud.

When I didn't react at all, Hyung pushed me with his shoulder.

I still didnt react.

Hey.

"Hey, you. Hyung is calling you."

Why?

"...Why, you ask."

So?

In the end, he asked.

I let out a wry smile. Hyung laughed out loud too, finally making a big noise.

End of Chapter

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