Chapter 62

Surprisingly, Linus stayed quiet for a whole month.
It made it easier to focus on training, but it also made me uneasy.
Why was he doing nothing?
Laila said he was probably waiting for something.

“Probably whispering to that woman of his—hoping for the great spirit’s last bit of mercy.”

That was likely true.
That arrogant man only ever listened to his woman.

“Your dear brother’s staying quiet too. Looks like the threat worked.”

“Tell Nelson I’m sorry.”

“He already heard the full story—and said he felt sorry for you.”

Nelson was hiding in Blake’s shadow, keeping watch.
The moment Blake said anything stupid, Nelson had orders to end him.
He was just following Laila’s orders, so he had nothing to feel sorry about.
Still, I didn’t need to argue and ruin her attempt to make her underlings look kind.

Surprisingly, Blake was keeping his word.
Not that he realized doing so was basically betraying Father and Grace.

“Still, this won’t last. You’ll be moving with us starting tomorrow. We’re leaving Redamas.”

“Where are we going?”

“Everything we’ve found nearby is junk. Honestly, I don’t even know why we need something like a 3-day love potion…”

“…Want me to tell you how it was used in the novel?”

“…”

“Still, earrings that let you talk from a distance or mirrors that show the past—they’re useful, right?”

“Useful how? Planning to lie in a field and watch home movies together?”

Laila was always blunt.
Not that I thought those items would be super useful either.

“You said to use anything I remembered…”

“I did. Anyway, they’ll sell for good money. What matters is, the important items aren’t near Redamas—they’re in the Kelligria Plains. We have to get the ancient relic ‘Lamsa,’ which supposedly has the power of the wind spirit, and the ‘Blessing of the Archangel’ in the northern region of the Mariv River.”

“If we’re going to Kelligria, can we stop by Dagreba on the way?”

“It’s on the route, so yeah—but if that’s your hometown, it’s risky. The Head surely knows.”

“It’s where Grandma’s buried. If I can claim the inheritance she left me… it would be great. Father said it’s a Seymour family heirloom.”

I didn’t know exactly what it was—but if Father was panicking about me getting it, it had to be valuable.
Laila didn’t seem thrilled about it but was clearly intrigued when I said heirloom.

My father, the Marquis Seymour, was a top-level mage—one of the best in the royal circle.
And the Seymour family was both ancient and wealthy.
They wouldn’t call just any treasure a family heirloom.

“You can beat a 6th-class mage, right, Laila?”

“You’re terrible at provoking people. Just ask straight.”

“I want to visit Grandma’s house. Please.”

“…I don’t know whether to call you shameless or just pride-less…”

I used to live on pride alone.
Enoch would laugh if he heard that.
But I had already shown my worst sides to Keith—there was no pride left to keep up with Laila.

“You’ve already seen me drenched in sweat, snot, tears—and even throwing up on the dusty ground.”

“Every single day.”

“So what am I even pretending for?”

“You’re cute, so it’s fine.”

“…”

“Fine. I’ll consider it. More weapons are always good.”

Laila reached down to help me up off the ground.
Then, as always, she stared at me for a few seconds… and turned away.

Dragging what felt like lead-weighted legs, I returned to the lodging.
I needed a shower, but I was too exhausted.
I didn’t want to collapse onto the bed in this state, so I sat under the table near the window.

Then I heard a knock, followed by Enoch’s voice through the door:

“I’m coming in.”

Before I could respond, the door swung open.
I was too drained to protest, so I just looked up at him.

Enoch frowned when he saw me crouched on the floor.

“Why are you sitting on the floor when there’s a perfectly good chair?”

“I’m dirty.”

Enoch marched over and pulled me up by both arms.
Like a weed being yanked from the ground, I was planted into the chair.

“Furniture is meant to be used.”

“But I’ll get it dirty.”

“Then we’ll get a new one.”

He sighed and stared at my face for a long moment, then muttered through gritted teeth:

“You told me not to interfere, so I won’t say anything.”

“…You’re saying something right now.”

“Damn it. You’re not even fighting on the front lines. There’s no reason for you to be pushed this hard. You’re supposed to support us from the back—magic, spirit work. This is just her bullying you.”

That made no sense.
Even after just a month of training, I knew protecting someone in battle wasn’t easy.
Everyone goes for the weakest link.
At the very least, I needed to be able to defend myself.

And if I didn’t just want to pretend I could fight like Jang Hyunji, then Laila was right—

“Power only becomes yours if you can actually use it.”

She said she didn’t need flashy moves to kill someone.

But instead of arguing like a child, I responded more calmly.

“My stamina’s getting better.”

“You mean you’re getting beat up regularly.”

“Can’t say I’m not trying to please her…”

“I never said that.”

“But it’s what you meant. You’re right.”

Enoch looked puzzled.
Now that I’d let go of my envy toward him, I could finally see his expressions clearly.

I used to think he was just cold and mean—but actually, he was hot-headed and expressive.
Right now, he looked furious.

So I changed the subject.

“You said we’re leaving tomorrow.”

“…Yeah. Do you know how to ride a horse?”

“…Nope.”

“Ride with me, then.”

I was just grateful someone was willing to let me ride with them.
As long as I didn’t slow anyone down, I didn’t care.
Enoch didn’t look thrilled, but I was too tired to care.
I let my head droop.

Then I heard his voice from above: