Chapter 119

Chapter 119

When Ian opened his eyes again, the two were sprawled out on the ground in a cross shape. Despite the mess of snow and mud, what was worse was their condition. The nosebleed that wouldnt stop was proof enough.

Beric. Are you alright?

Wow, damn, this hurts. It hurts!

Good. You seem to be okay.

It hurts, I said!This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

But at least Beric could express his pain, whereas Barsabe could only curl up and groan. The mishandling of her magical powers was a critical mistake. The most significant issue was the rapid depletion of her strength, making it impossible to continue the fight properly.

Ian approached her to subtly check on her condition.

Are you crying?

Who? Whos crying!

She was indeed crying. Barsabe was shedding tears in frustration. Her lips chewed furiously, as if trying to hold back her sobs, but it didnt seem to be working. Ian frowned slightly and asked,

The daughter of Petreio? You were the one lurking around the mansion since yesterday.

Yes. So kill me now. If not, I will come back for you someday

Barsabe couldnt finish her sentence. The shock of her fathers sudden death was enough to drive her mad, and to be defeated in such a manner before she could exact her revenge was the ultimate humiliation. She was supposed to be a knight of the Royal Guard, albeit still in training.

So did Morlin say it? That I killed Petreio.

Ian immediately realized who had leaked the information to Barsabe. Morlin, the old man from the administration who had survived the turmoil in Gale thanks to the protection of the gods. Perhaps they would see him at the New Years celebration.

Morlin? That old geezer?

Let me make this clear, we did not kill Petreio.

In fact, the opposite was true. They had brought him to the mansion after he had tried to kill himself by crushing his face with poison and had not treated him. The act was intended to extract a confession, but in the end, they bore no responsibility for Petreios death.

It was your father who tried to kill us first, and it was also your father who chose death to protect his lord and his honor.

Lies!

Why do you think its a lie?

My father, my father would never

You thought he wouldnt leave you behind?

His words seemed to have hit a nerve. Barsabe started to sob, tears rolling down her cheeks. It appeared he had been a decent subordinate and not a bad father either.

Barsabe. Be clear. If you swear to complete the mission your father could not, then it is right for you to kill me. But if you seek to avenge your father, you are mistaken.

Petreio acted on his convictions and made his decisions accordingly. What could be a more honorable death for a knight than fighting fiercely in their appointed role? The grief felt by the family is another matter entirely.

If you are a knight, then you should be able to understand Petreios final actions.

As a knight, or in the spirit of one.

Barsabe stared blankly at the ground, sniffling. The saliva she swallowed tasted strongly of blood. Ian, sensing that Barsabe had calmed down, continued,

Do you trust and follow Morlin?

No.

On the honor of a knight?

Yes.

If she had affirmed trust in Morlin, she would have been deemed an enemy.

It would mean that Morlin sent a spy to kill him, confirming the intention to complete Petreios unfinished mission. But since she claims to walk a different path

Maybe theres some use for her after all.

Ian checked his pocket watch and looked back at Beric. He was dusting off his dirtied clothes and wiping off blood, just as Ian was. With the noise they made, it was only a matter of time before the guards arrived.

But it is true that Morlin told me that Ian, who came from the border, killed my father.

Barsabe staggered to her feet, still glaring at Ian. However, her gaze was no longer filled solely with the intent to kill. It was a look that hovered between suspicion and distrust, melting into something less hostile. At least, the will to kill Ian seemed to have dissipated.

I see why Petreio would have said such a thing.

Prompted by the ladys urging, the tailor quickly gathered her wits and brought out a lineup of mannequins. To Beric, they all looked the same, but Ian meticulously examined each outfit.

Bright is in fashion, but Beric is hard on clothes, so lets go with something darker for him. Ill take white. I like this design here.

Your eye for style is impeccable, the madam complimented, bowing slightly with a satisfied smile. It wasnt just flattery; Ian had chosen the most popular design in the boutique, which also happened to be made from the most expensive fabric.

And for the dinner?

You might want to consider this line here.

And what about the other options?

Viviana sipped her tea, observing Ians selections. It wasnt that she was prejudiced, but Ians behavior was undeniably unusual given the context. It was peculiar how naturally Ian, who had primarily operated in the changing deserts, selected clothes compared to the seasoned young nobles of the social circles.

This one and this one? Whats the difference?

Berics reaction seemed more natural, questioning the difference between button shapes or linings. Ians skill in comparing such details was remarkable. Although Viviana had offered her assistance, it turned out to be unnecessary.

Lets go with these.

Ian chose a complete set, including a top, trousers, coat, shoes, and gloves, glancing at Beric. It might not have been the perfect fit for Beric, but it seemed sufficient for an appearance at the royal court.

Thank you. The total comes to five gold coins.

Considering the monthly income of an average commoner was around one gold coin, the price was astonishing. Berics mouth fell open in shock, but Ian gracefully wrote a cheque and nodded in agreement. Romandro, who had been quietly observing, stood up to add something when Ian made his move.

Swiftly, Ian wrote down eight gold coins. It was a tip for the tailor who had assisted with the fitting, a kind of showmanship. Given that this boutique was frequented by the central nobility, the tailor would surely share tales of Ians generosity after they left.

Please ensure a fine finish on these.

Absolutely. Leave it to us.

It was essential to leave a favorable impression while also showcasing the wealth and generosity characteristic of nobility. Better to be seen as a nouveau riche than just another country bumpkin from the borderlands.

Well done.

Romandro had risen to convey just that. Seeing Ian handle the payment so smoothly, he subtly gave a thumbs up in approval. Ian, constantly checking the mirror, noticed Beric feeling awkward in his new outfit.

Beric, give that back to the madam and change into the new clothes. Well take a stroll around the shops and then go retrieve your sword.

Do I have to wear this now, Master?

Yes, you do.

Ahhh. Whens the New Years celebration again? This is really nice. I like it.

Beric, glued to the mirror and continuously admiring himself, prompted nothing but laughter from Ian and Romandro as they exchanged amused glances. Thats when it happened.

Boom!

What? Again? Something exploded again!

At the sound of a loud bang outside, Beric instinctively peered out the window. However, Romandro and Viviana remained calm, recognizing it as the fireworks from the palace signaling the upcoming New Years celebration.

Ladies and gentlemen, please dont be alarmed. This is the palace signaling the start of the New Years celebration period. Look up at the sky. Soon, it will be as if snowflakes of pollen are falling, creating a beautiful spectacle.

Prompted by Vivianas words, Ian joined Beric at the window to look outside, intrigued by the notion of such an opening ceremony from a century ago in Bariel.

Wow, its true!

The blue sky was embroidered with countless particles of pollen, glittering in gold, pale pink, and white, cascading down like stars. It was then that Ian realized why this spectacle was absent in his own era.

This is magic too.

With the decline of magicians, such displays had become impossible. It was a light signaling the true beginning of the New Years celebration.

Boom!

Oh! There it goes again!

Beric hopped excitedly, turning towards the source of the sound. But that direction was

Isnt that towards the forge?

Yes, thats the direction.

I see black smoke. Do you see it too, Ian?

Smoke? Ian turned his head, puzzled, and then noticed the wisps of black smoke rising.