CH 35

Chapter 35: Flame

“Who are you?”

Return of the Iron-blood Sword Houn...

Once again, the same question was asked slowly as if savoring each word.

Her brain, finally understanding the content, was shaken by shock, but for Ernesta, this situation was just as much of a problem.

She had never experienced being pushed down by a man before. Her heart had been pounding so loudly since earlier that she wondered if something was wrong with it, and her head was so overheated that it even caused her pain.

——What should I do? What on earth should I do?

She had to say something. Yes, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My name is Ermengard,” and pretend that she knew nothing.

But her mouth wouldn’t move. When she was stared at by those fiery eyes, she wanted to throw everything away and beg for forgiveness.

Ernesta closed her eyes completely, as if cutting off everything. For now, she just had to fulfill this role, that was all she needed to think about.

As she tried to open her mouth, the pain in her eyes began to arise. However, Ivan was quicker to drop the next words than to overcome that fierce battle.

“I don’t know…why do I think these things when I look at you?”

Ernesta was dragged along, not understanding what he was saying. Ivan’s blue eyes shone even at a time like this, and his muttered words fell like stars.

“What exactly are you? It shouldn’t be like this… ever since you arrived, I can’t calm down. It’s enjoyable, I think, but I shouldn’t.”

“…Ivan?”

Enjoyable? Did he just say that it was enjoyable?

As she gradually regained her composure, she took a deep breath, and the flames that his blue eyes depicted seemed to waver more than before.

“I can’t do this. I’m on my own… I have to go. Otherwise, I’m gonna… I’m gonna have to…”

His vague words became intermittent, and in the end, his sturdy arms lost strength. Immediately, his broad and thick chest pressed against Ernesta’s stomach, and his golden hair fell over her shoulders.

“What happened?!”

She panicked and peered into Ivan’s face.

As she watched, he relaxed his sharp features and fell asleep with a peaceful expression.

“He…he’s sleeping…”

Ernesta also relaxed and decided to rest her head on the back of his head. His large body was heavy, but it didn’t feel unpleasant even though she was nervous.

As she calmed down, Ernesta realized that Ivan had a faint smell of alcohol. In other words, he had gotten drunk and had come here unconsciously.

It surprised Ernesta that even a warrior like him could get drunk.

“Fufu…”

She giggled and quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

Due to her anxiety, she hardly remembered what he said earlier, but at any rate, it didn’t seem to be a question about her being a substitute.

If it’s true that he finds this enjoyable, there couldn’t be anything more joyful for Ernesta.

She gently stroked Ivan’s hair. His golden hair was much smoother than it appeared, and it felt slightly different from Mikolash’s touch.

Towards the end, it sounded like Ivan’s murmurs were filled with deep anguish. May at least the King’s sleep be peaceful.

“Good night, Ivan.”

❂❂❂

That night, there was an unusually cold wind blowing in Rashtovka.

However, there was no sense of early autumn’s cool breeze inside the tenement, as it was filled with the heat of the gathered brethren. The flames of the lamp flickered, and their faces illuminated by the light were unified by a dark smile.

But there was one man in the midst of them who remained calm and expressionless. He was a young man in his late twenties, with red eyes and a strong will.

The man looked over at the seated men and spoke with a well-controlled voice.

“That’s all about the plan. Do you have any opinions?”

No one raised their hand or objected, and they all nodded heavily.

“Alright then, it’s decided. Let’s show those lukewarm people in the palace what’s what. I don’t give a damn what they think.

With a short burst of energy, the meeting was adjourned.

As the organizer, the man finds the key member among the members who are gradually dispersing and calls out to him.

“Kautsky, don’t start any more trivial fights. It’ll only make them more cautious.”

Kautsky nodded awkwardly. The incident at the founding festival’s celebration banquet seemed to be a regrettable event for him too.

“I understand, Leight. I am also a member of this group. I swear that I won’t take any more selfish actions.”

“Yeah, please don’t.”

Kautsky nodded one more time and left the tenement quietly.

Leight means “summer”. The man died once nine years ago, on the same day as yesterday. Because it was such a hot day, he decided to use a fitting name, Leight.

Alone in the tenement, Leight uses iron scissors to extinguish the flame of the lamp. As he sinks into the darkness, his hair is illuminated by the last light, revealing a reddish-copper color.