“If it weren’t for Evelyn, I might’ve chosen that kid too.”
The holy sword continued to chatter about Elliot.
“Honestly, when he was young, I thought he was an apostle sent by the gods because of his looks. But turns out he’s just this guy’s descendant.”
“What do you mean just my descendant?! Take that back right now!”
“He takes after you, that’s why he’s mediocre!”
The holy sword and the will of the former hero began to argue.
“Both of you, stop. And allow Elliot.”
[…]
When Evelyn firmly interrupted them, both fell silent.
“If it’s really impossible, then I’ll give up. But Elliot could be a great asset.”
The fact that neither of them said no outright meant there was room to push.
Evelyn lowered her head with a slightly sulky expression.
Come on, give in. Just say yes.
“Ahem. Since this isn’t a space made by the gods, I can allow it. But there’s no guarantee that human will stay loyal to you.”
“Elliot would never betray me.”
“Don’t trust people completely.”
Evelyn paused at the former hero’s bitter voice. True, not everything written in history books is the truth.
“He tried to recruit me as soon as I became a hero, for the sake of the North. He always works hard to protect the North. He said ending the war is his goal.”
“Do you think the Grand Duke would be satisfied with just that?”
“I don’t care if he becomes stronger than me. As long as someone defeats the evil god, it’s enough.”
“What do you think being a hero even means?”
The former hero sighed.
“Try teaching Elliot. You won’t be disappointed.”
“Even if you regret it later, I won’t help you.”
“Got it! Thanks for the permission!”
That was as good as a yes. Evelyn beamed and bowed.
“While you’re here, want to do a little training?”
“…Not if it takes as long as last time.”
She hesitated but agreed. Now that Elliot had been approved, she couldn’t refuse something that was for her own good.
“One hour of outside time should be fine.”
At the former hero’s words, the holy sword buzzed excitedly.
“It’d be great if you trained more often! Or killed more monsters!”
“I’ll be going on a subjugation soon, so hang in there.”
The holy sword required monster blood to fully awaken. Only after a certain number of monsters were defeated would it regain its true form.
“I don’t think I can wait until the next one.”
“Then I’ll go up the snowy mountain alone.”
To appease the grumbling sword, Evelyn promised to climb the snowy mountain herself if needed.
“We’re starting?!”
Clang!
The moment the hero spoke, Evelyn blocked an invisible strike.
“Urgh!”
Her wrist throbbed. Even sparring with Elliot didn’t hurt this much. What kind of magic had the hero used? Each strike pushed her to her limits.
“Focus properly. Don’t just react to what you see — you have to feel every movement.”
Evelyn gritted her teeth at the teasing voice of the former hero.
“You’re at that level now, right?”
“I said I’m barely hanging on! Wah!”
She almost lost a leg.
“That’s dangerous!”
“I told you to treat it like real combat. You’re not here to learn basic swordplay — you need to be ready to die.”
Or she might actually die. Evelyn steadied her breathing and lifted the holy sword again.
“I’m supporting you, so trust me more.”
“You’re way too loud!”
“Left, Evelyn! Left! Now up!”
Her ears rang. Couldn’t it speak more quietly? Why couldn’t ears be trained like muscles?
She still hadn’t gotten used to the sword’s shouting.
Trying to block the incoming blows, she flinched every time it shouted.
“Still lacking in training. You shouldn’t hesitate, no matter the situation.”
“Evelyn! I chose you as my hero, you can’t lose to attacks like this! It’s simple!”
Both of them — just please be quiet.
Evelyn calmly parried the increasingly fast attacks. Her movements noticeably improved, and the former hero’s will floated in the air, satisfied.
⋯
“What are you doing, Tinya?”
Returning from work, Seril tilted her head when she saw Tinya crouched by the bed.
“It’s a watch Lady Evelyn gave me, but I think it’s broken.”
“What?!”
Tinya looked distraught as she fiddled with the watch, trying to fix it.
“She gave it to me as a gift when she debuted in high society.”
Seril, taking off her coat, approached. The watch, adorned with a glittering gold chain, looked expensive and well-maintained.
“There’s a craftsman in the estate who can fix it!”
There weren’t specialty stores like in the capital, but there was an old man who could fix various things.
“Really?! Let’s go during your time off! I’ll buy you something tasty!”
Tinya beamed with joy at the thought of getting it repaired.
“Oh! Or should I drop it off when I go out on an errand soon?”
“Would you? That’d be a big help.”
“Of course. I’ll have plenty of time when I go out anyway. Enough time to leave the watch.”
Seril accepted the watch.
“It’s so pretty.”
“It’s precious. Lady Evelyn often gives gifts far beyond what we deserve.”
Tinya watched Seril holding the watch, her eyes filled with warmth.
“She never forgets to show gratitude.”
“She really doesn’t. Don’t tell anyone, but she gave me a hairpin recently too.”
Seril opened her vanity and showed a small sapphire-studded pin.
“Oh, I haven’t seen that lately — so she gave it to you.”
“Was it something she used for a long time?”
“Yes. She’s treasured it since she was young.”
Tinya looked at Seril with envy. Receiving something so cherished from your master was a sign of deep trust.
“Wow. I never imagined she’d give me something so precious.”
Tears welled in Seril’s eyes.
She had been worried if she could serve a noble lady from the capital — and a hero, no less — properly.
But all that worry had been for nothing.
“Tinya, I’m jealous you’ve served Lady Evelyn since childhood.”
“Hehe. But we’ll be together from now on. What’s it matter?”
The two shared laughter, chatting warmly about their kind mistress.
Two days later.
Raven raised his head proudly and asked,
“All done?”
“Raven, you really are a genius.”
Evelyn couldn’t take her eyes off the garden and muttered in awe.
She had only asked for a few extra useful enchantments, but after talking with the gardener, Raven had magically set up everything the garden needed.
Even watering was handled by magic now.
“I didn’t expect you to plant all the flowers and trees too.”
“The knights helped with that.”
It should’ve been the servants’ job, but once the knights heard that mages were entering the ruins soon, they jumped at the task.
“They asked for a short break out of nowhere.”
Evelyn stifled a laugh, guessing the knights didn’t want to be the only ones struggling inside the ruins.
Their physical abilities had improved, and their swordplay had sharpened.
But even as they enjoyed that, they were eager to know when the mages would go in, insisting they couldn’t be the only ones getting stronger.
“You won’t want to come out once you’re in there.”
“That good?”
Evelyn, knowing Raven’s curiosity, nodded. His golden eyes looked calmly over the new garden.
The view from the reception room was beautiful.
It was said to be even more stunning from the Grand Duke and Duchess’ bedroom above, but this was already more than enough.
The symmetrical layout made for a pleasant walk and created a calming atmosphere.
“You even made the holy sword’s spot feel open and spacious.”
She had only shared a rough vision with the gardener, but he exceeded expectations.
“Seems like he had a lot bottled up.”
Even Raven, who rarely showed much emotion, looked mildly exasperated.
“He stayed up all night watching us work, constantly suggesting tweaks. I’ve never met someone more relentless.”
“The gardener?”
“Yeah. He’s worse than any mage I’ve ever met.”
Raven frowned. Thanks to him, the work that should’ve ended last night stretched into the morning.
The early-arriving knights who brought in trees only made things worse.
“Anyway. Can we enter the ruins now?”
Raven’s question was met with Evelyn’s nod.
“While you’re at it, how about going in with the Grand Duke’s mages?”
Evelyn’s suggestion made Raven’s eyes widen.
What was she planning?
