ISTV 16

ISTV

Posted by Ali, Released on July 19, 2025

It was the first time in Seila’s body that she had heard such a sincere word of comfort from a man around her father’s age.

‘It’s cheating to say something like that—with a face that resembles Dad’s and with that expression.’

Tears streamed down uncontrollably, regardless of my will.

Lady Arsaquil of the White Palace silently handed me a white handkerchief, and I accepted it with a rather graceful motion, wiping my tears.

‘Meanwhile, Deffelto is just leisurely sipping his tea.’

He looked proud of me.

As if he had no guilt of his own and was simply pleased with maintaining his dignity.

‘And that’s supposed to be my father?’

I patted Themanon’s back, the man who had embraced me.

“But that’s all in the past. I’m happy enough now. My father…”

It irritated me a little to say such a lie.

“…cares deeply for me.”

“He cares for you? In what way?”

“Because he lets me learn swordsmanship. This may be impolite to say in front of Sir Themanon, but the Devernon family tends to look down on swordsmanship.”

“Right. This house treats swordsmanship like some savage, lowly skill.”

I nodded awkwardly.

“But for someone like me, a direct blood relative of Devernon, to be receiving full support in learning swordsmanship… doesn’t that mean my father thinks of me deeply and cherishes me?”

“Hmm… is that so?”

He didn’t seem entirely convinced, but he also didn’t want to argue right or wrong with a child.

Half-satisfied, Themanon got up from his seat and sat down again.

I felt a tinge of disappointment—wanting him to hug me just a little longer.

Then Deffelto’s voice rang out.

“Anyone would think she’s your daughter.”

“If I could, I’d take her with me.”

Deffelto frowned again and seemed to be lost in thought.

Probably figuring out how to annoy his friend.

“What do you think? You don’t have a daughter, right?”

Ugh, that guy seriously…

‘He said I’m welcome to visit the Quaybeck family anytime—that’s a pretty big win.’

Just as important as gaining the favor of many and building a support base was improving my own swordsmanship skills.

If I could visit Quaybeck, the cradle of swordsmanship, and receive various teachings, it would help me greatly.

Back in my room, I spoke to Mary.

“I’ll be visiting the Quaybeck family soon.”

“R-really? I heard there are terrifying ogres living there!”

I couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.

“They say even more horrifying demons live in Devernon. Cunning and terrifying monsters.”

“Th-that can’t be true! Someone as lovely as you lives there!”

“Exactly. It’s nonsense. Same with Quaybeck.”

In this world, where information didn’t flow freely, Mary’s assumptions were fairly typical.

“I’ll be staying for at least a month. Prepare accordingly.”

“A-a whole month?!”

Mary’s face went pale.

Those ogres must have sounded truly frightening to her.

Still, she followed my words well.

“I-I’ll get everything ready, milady.”

And just then—knock knock—a knock came at the door.

Mary rushed over.

“Who is it?!”

“Ahem, this is Themanon Quaybeck, head of the Quaybeck family. If Seila is alright with it, I’d like to have a word.”

Honestly, someone like Sir Themanon wouldn’t need to ask. He could just say, ‘Come out, I have something to discuss,’ and no one would question it.

So clearly, he was being very considerate.

“H-HIIEEK!”

Mary jumped and whispered in a tiny voice,

“T-the king of ogres has arrived…”

Even saying it that quietly, Sir Themanon would definitely hear.

After entering the room, Themanon chuckled and handed Mary a small flower.

Maybe because he was such a large, muscular man, the flower looked especially tiny in his hand.

A white and yellow daisy.

“A daisy. Its flower meaning is peace. Isn’t it pretty? It’s a gift.”

It seemed he was trying to calm the startled Mary.

Wow, what a romantic man.

“Don’t worry. I don’t eat people. I’m quite kind.”

At the ogre king’s(?) gentle smile, Mary stammered.

Themanon shrugged, as if fully understanding her reaction, and said,

“Could you prepare some warm tea?”

“A-all right!”

He was being considerate of Mary, who was probably feeling too uncomfortable and scared to stay in the room.

The more I saw of him, the sweeter he seemed.

“Here, take this.”

“What is it?”

What he handed me was a necklace with a small blue gem.

“It’s a necklace made of blue jade. When you arrive on the eastern continent, it will shine with a beautiful blue glow.”

I actually knew.

This blue jade necklace was something like a formal invitation from the Quaybeck family.

It symbolized permission to travel freely across any part of the eastern continent, which was governed by the Quaybeck family.

If needed, one could also ask for help from both the Quaybeck and their vassal houses—it was a token of privilege.

“With this, your visit to the Quaybeck family will be much easier.”

“I know about the blue jade necklace… Are you sure it’s okay for me to accept something so valuable…?”

“Of course you can! I invited you first, so it’s only right I give it to you. I simply forgot earlier because your father was staring daggers at me.”

Sir Themanon shook his head.

“I don’t even know if he has the right to be jealous.”

“…Huh?”

Jealous?

Deffelto had just been smugly teasing with, ‘You don’t have a daughter, huh? Hehe.’

“It’s nothing. I misspoke. Hahaha!”

After giving me the necklace, Sir Themanon laughed awkwardly and stood to leave.

“Sir Themanon.”

“Hmm?”

“I heard you’ll be returning to the Quaybeck family the day after tomorrow.”

“That’s right.”

Strike while the iron is hot.

Only by living each day to its fullest can one barely survive.

“Then… may I go with you?”

Themanon swung open the door to Deffelto’s office.

“I thought the meeting was over.”

After the Devernon meeting, Deffelto had come straight to his office to catch up on his work.

He didn’t seem thrilled to see Themanon.

Themanon clasped his hands together like he was praying and spoke.

“Then may I go with you, dashing sir?”

“…What are you doing?”

Surprisingly(?) Themanon was mimicking what Seila had said.

With a slight twist, of course.

“It seems your daughter has grown quite fond of me. Wahaha!”

After hearing the full story, Deffelto let out a short, disbelieving laugh.

“What are you laughing at?”

“You really think that child likes you?”

“Why else would she say she wants to come with me in two days?”

“No.”

Deffelto put down his quill and looked quietly at Themanon.

That gaze made Themanon feel a strange sense of unease.

“She said that because it’s efficient.”

“What?”

“Because traveling with you is more efficient and convenient in many ways.”

“You just don’t want to admit she likes me, do you?”

“That’s not it. I don’t believe my brain has turned to muscle, unlike yours.”

Themanon shook his head.

“If you’re jealous, just say you’re jealous, Deffelto.”

“I’d say so if I had anything to be jealous of.”

The gap between the two remained unclosed.

“She’s only fourteen. She hasn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony. Why would such a child talk about efficiency and make that kind of suggestion? You, as a father, really know nothing about your daughter.”

“And you know nothing at all.”

They simply didn’t understand each other.

“Anyway, you’ve given permission, right? I’ll take her with me the day after tomorrow.”

“If it’s efficient, I have no reason to object.”

“Don’t change your mind later, okay?”

“I’m busy. Get lost.”

“I’m not a candle, though?”

Seeing the murderous aura flicker around Deffelto, Themanon cheerfully hummed as he left, while Deffelto glared at the closed door.

‘That fool knows nothing and acts like he knows everything.’

Themanon’s words had seriously rubbed him the wrong way.

‘It seems your daughter has grown quite fond of me. Wahaha!’

Deffelto didn’t pick up his pen again but sat with his chin resting on his hand, deep in thought.