Chapter 86

Chapter 86 – Who Are You? (1)

This was annoying.

“Tell me.”

“......”

“Please, tell me.”

“......”

“Hey, fiancé! Are you ignoring me right now?”

“......”

“Oh, come on, why am I the only one being treated differently!”

It was always one problem after another. Watching Winley follow me persistently, I let out a light sigh.

“Can’t you just take it down a notch?”

“Oh, finally, you’re paying attention to me.”

“You asked me to help you get stronger, didn’t you?”

“What? So, you were listening to me all along!”

“Think about it logically. If a fiancé mistreats their partner, what do you think people around us will think? Especially with so many eyes watching.”

Winley had a genuinely puzzled expression.

“What would they think? They’d probably just think we’re a friendly, close couple.”

I shook my head.

“You used to call me crazy all the time, didn’t you? You do realize you’re not exactly normal either, right?”

“Even better! If we’re a crazy couple, people will just think it’s one of those quirky dating trends of this generation!”

What am I supposed to do with her?

“I’m telling you, it’s fine. No need to worry about what others think. I’m already known as that weirdo. You know, the princess who’s obsessed with swords, willing to do anything to get stronger.”

“So what exactly do you want me to teach you? If you just want to be put through the wringer, why don’t you grab a log and run laps like those guys over there?”

At that point, Winley suddenly adopted a serious expression.

“You can see, can’t you? What I’m lacking.”

“......”

Of course I can. The problem is that there’s too much to point out. I looked at her without saying anything.

“Yeah, I thought so. You’re a genius, after all.”

“I haven’t even said anything yet.”

“Show me what I’m missing. Please, I’m asking you.”

Winley bowed deeply, folding at the waist.

“No.”

Of course, I declined flatly. Even if I were to teach her, it wouldn’t be here. What kind of disaster would unfold if I were caught beating up a princess of this country?

“......Please help me.”

Then, from her bowed blonde head came a small voice.

“I’m desperate.”

“......”

I stared quietly at the back of her head for a moment before speaking.

“Why are you in such a rush? You’re already way ahead of most people.”

“You think I’m ahead? Even if that’s true, it’s not enough. You heard the royal knights earlier, right? I was their very first reason to turn back.”

“It’s not your skill that’s the issue, it’s your status. Even if you were stronger, they’d still act the same way.”

“If I were at least stronger than them, I could’ve scolded them and sent them packing while saying, ‘Who are you calling weak?’”

Hmm.

That does make sense.

“If you’re so worried about how people see you, then at least give me some advice. What do you think is my problem?”

“This attitude right now.”

I replied without hesitation.

“......I’m serious right now. Stop joking around......”

“I’m not joking.”

“......?”

“You’re too impatient, like you are now. In everything— your actions on a daily basis, and your swordsmanship.”

“......!”

Winley’s eyes widened in realization.

“Honestly, you’re pretty amazing. You have plenty of talent, you practice enough, and you’re highly motivated. To put it bluntly, there’s not much to teach you in terms of your mindset.”

“......But I’m too impatient?”

“Exactly. You’re always in such a hurry, and that shows in your swordsmanship too.”

I poked a finger at my chest.

“Yeah. I promise.”

The sky was turning dark in the wasteland, just a day or so before we arrived at the Valley of Death.

“Is this our last night camping out?”

It was late in the afternoon, the sun setting low. The massive canyon ahead had finally come into view.

Just then, Marquis Foltaine and Marquis Milon quietly approached me.

“It’s rare to see you two come together. Should I be worried?”

“......”

After exchanging glances, Marquis Foltaine spoke on their behalf.

“Your decision to send back the royal knights was wise.”

“Well, how serious must this conversation be for you to start with compliments?”

“I’m just being cautious. You seem to be overlooking what might come after this.”

Marquis Foltaine chuckled, his eyes darkening as he looked at me.

“Word will soon spread throughout the capital about who you are and what happened here. And if you return with glory, the more ambitious nobles will become wary of you.”

“I’m sure they will.”

In politics, success often invites opposition.

“This country has three dukes.”

“I’m aware.”

“My personal advice is to immediately seek an alliance with Duke Serin once you return.”

Milon nodded, agreeing.

“This is crucial if you want to establish yourself properly in this country in the future, especially given what happened here.”

“You both are forgetting one important detail.”

I pointed off into the distance.

“First, shouldn’t I first make it out of that ‘land of death’?”

“You’ll survive.”

I widened my eyes in surprise. Both of them had answered in unison, as if they were of one mind.

And I have to admit, it felt good. It didn’t matter if their confidence was in me or in themselves. Either way, it was a positive reaction.

“......Then let’s focus on just one thing for now.”

“One thing?”

“Accumulating envious amounts of merit.”

A faint smile crossed my lips.

“That way, it’ll make Duke Serin’s decision that much easier.”

***

We finally arrived at the entrance to the canyon of Black Swan.

“......There are corpses here, too.”

Marquis Foltaine, who was leading the group, spoke in a somber tone. Indeed, bodies were strewn across the ground, even more than before.

There must have been at least a hundred of them.

“It’s truly tragic. Even if this place is neglected, it’s shocking that outsiders got this far without anyone noticing. When we return, I’ll have to deal with the border guards. They probably took bribes.”

Once again, we didn’t find anything particularly notable among the corpses.

‘What in the world is going on here?’

As we all wore grave expressions, someone suddenly shouted.

“O-Over there!”

“......?”

“There’s someone on the cliff!”

“......!”

A clear cry echoed through the canyon. At the entrance to Black Swan, where cliffs towered on both sides, a shadow flickered atop one of the cliffs.

“Good heavens...... how did they get up there?”

“A-Are we sure that’s even a person?”

“If it is, that raises its own set of issues......”

Just as the knights began to murmur among themselves, something unbelievable happened.

Dash! Step, step! Tap, tap, tap!

“......!”

A sight so shocking it would be burned into their memories forever unfolded before their eyes.

“Th-Th-Th-Th-That crazy bastard......?”

They saw a boy sprinting up the nearly vertical cliff, as if it were flat ground, at an incredible speed.

“I’m not letting you get away, you bastard!”

It was Ancelot.

***