Chapter 35
As if trying to help my squished self, Sion gently pushed Kundeman back and spoke.
“Have you been well?”
“Of course! Though I’ve felt a bit lonely since I hadn’t heard any news about you.”
“My apologies.”
Kundeman grinned beneath his mustache.
“Well, no news is good news, they say. But it’s been almost six years—what brings you here without even sending word?”
Sion dismounted and replied,
“Let’s talk inside.”
We entered the blacksmith’s shop together.
“I came to have my sword worked on.”
Sion took the sword from his back and handed it to Kundeman.
“Oh ho, it’s been a while since I’ve seen this one.”
Kundeman accepted it skillfully and examined it carefully. A trace of distant nostalgia lingered in his eyes.
“Hmm, you’ve maintained it quite well. At this condition, it won’t take long.”
“I’ve sharpened the blade regularly, but permanent wear from training was unavoidable.”
“That’s how it is. As the wielder trains, so does the sword. Back when Sienna was a trainee knight, practice swords in the arena would break almost daily. This one is in pretty good shape, all things considered.”
“…I see.”
A faint smile appeared on Sion’s face.
It was tinged with both bitterness and longing.
“Wait here. I’ll finish quickly.”
Kundeman disappeared into the back with the sword.
Soon, the steady sound of hammering echoed from beyond the wall.
I poked my head out from the folds of Sion’s robe and asked,
“Sion, by Sienna… you mean your mother, right?”
“Yes. Kundeman used to be a knight as well. He trained alongside her.”
“Ohh, I see.”
After some time, the hammering stopped, and Kundeman returned.
The once-scratched blade now gleamed like new.
“I’ve sharpened it well. It should last you a good year.”
“I see.”
“…By the way,”
Kundeman changed the topic.
“It seems something has come up after six years to make you bring your sword in. May I ask what it is?”
Sion accepted the sword and answered,
“I’m planning to take an entrance exam. I’ve received an offer from the First Knight Order.”
“……!”
“If I become an official elite knight, I’ll be assigned to the frontier.”
“I see. So that’s how it is.”
As a former knight, Kundeman seemed to grasp everything from just a few words. He nodded, then broke into a wide grin.
“If Sienna were here, she’d be very happy, young master.”
“……”
“To think you’d receive an offer from the First Knight Order at such a young age—it reminds me of my own youth—”
“…We should be going.”
Sion shook his head lightly, cutting him off.
Kundeman looked at him with a playful smile and warm eyes.
Like an uncle gazing proudly at a beloved nephew.
For some reason, that look made me feel warm inside, and I spoke up.
“He may act like that, but Sion’s actually embarrassed deep down.”
“Ah, I know that well. I’ve been watching him since he was eight—”
Kundeman suddenly froze mid-sentence.
His gaze slowly dropped… landing on me, sticking my head out from Sion’s collar and resting my chin on it.
“…???”
His eyes widened dramatically.
I giggled at his stunned expression.
“Nice meeting you, even if it was brief, mister blacksmith. Thanks for being so kind to Sion.”
“…At this rate, there won’t be a single person in Luxior who doesn’t know about you.”
With a long, resigned sigh, Sion left the shop.
I smiled brightly.
“But he’s someone you trust a lot, right? So it’s fine.”
A moment later—
Kundeman came out, scratching the back of his head, and called out as Sion mounted his horse.
“Take care of yourself, young master! And if you can, send word once in a while so we know you’re alive!”
“I will, if I have the time.”
“Just like mother, just like son. That cold personality of yours is exactly the same.”
Ignoring the complaint, Sion replied,
“You seem lonely in your old age, Kundeman. Why not get married before it’s too late?”
“Hah! You think dating is easy at my age?”
Kundeman waved his thick arm as we moved farther away.
“At least bring me some good news, young master! I’ll be looking forward to it!”
Without turning back, Sion casually waved a hand.
Though it had been six years, it was a very Sion-like farewell—simple and restrained.
Somewhere in the main building of the Grand Duke’s castle.
Genebia Lilo knocked carefully.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Who is it?”
“Common priest Lilo.”
“Come in.”
Genebia stepped inside.
It was the office of High Priest Bashram.
However, the interior was far too spacious and luxurious to belong to someone devoted to a religious life.
Of course, Genebia didn’t show it.
“I greet you, High Priest. I am Genebia Lilo, a common priest newly assigned to the Luxior Grand Duchy.”
Bashram, lounging in his chair while reviewing documents, glanced at her lazily.
“Ah, so you’re the subordinate the temple sent.”
“Yes.”
“What was your name again?”
“Genebia Lilo.”
“Age?”
“I’ve just turned nineteen this year.”
“Your parents?”
“I don’t have any.”
“Any connections in the North?”
“No.”
“…Hmm, I see.”
Bashram narrowed his eyes.
Hmph. I can already size her up.
From her messy curls and plain appearance, she was clearly someone with no family, no backing, no connections—just a pitiful sacrifice sent to this cold frontier at a young age.
For some reason, her shabby appearance reminded him of his own past—when he’d been pushed out by politics and exiled here ten years ago—and he took it out on her.
“Hmph. According to the schedule from the temple, you were supposed to arrive days ago. Where have you been until now?”
“My apologies. On the day I arrived, there were unforeseen circumstances—”
“Late from the start, failure to report, and excuses I didn’t ask for. I’ll record your conduct during the handover period as unsatisfactory.”
“…Understood. I will improve.”
Genebia clenched her fists inside her sleeves to maintain her polite expression.
Ah, I’m so sick of this.
It was always like this.
No matter where she went, people were the same.
Even this so-called High Priest in front of her was nothing more than a corrupt official—someone who had been expelled from the grand temple long ago for political scheming and corruption.
They’re all hypocrites—stepping on the weak while clinging to the strong for their own gain.
“Tch. Young priests these days… Let me warn you—during the handover period, you’d better stay sharp. This Grand Duke’s castle is no easy place.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Genebia answered respectfully.
As one of many orphans taken in by the temple and barely becoming a priest with mediocre divine power, there was nothing she could do against an unfair world.
All she could do was survive—by not offending those in power.
Otherwise, I won’t be able to eat. I won’t have a place to stay.
She had children at an orphanage she supported with her meager salary.
She had to endure.
“Are you even listening?!”
“Yes, of course, High Priest. I will take every word of your invaluable advice to heart.”
“Tsk. So slow-witted.”
“I sincerely apologize again for the delay in reporting due to fulfilling higher orders.”
“…? Higher orders?”
Sensing his anger had subsided, Genebia added politely,
“Did you perhaps not receive the letter? I understand that a letter was sent to you a few days ago by Young Master Sion Luxior from the annex.”
Bashram’s beard twitched.
“…The young master from the annex? Sent something to me?”
“Yes.”
“Ahem, ahem!”
Trying to hide his fluster, Bashram rummaged through the pile of letters on his desk.
“Now that you mention it… something did arrive. But why would that young master give orders to a mere common priest like you?”
“He instructed me to stay at the annex for a while and monitor his health.”
Since mentioning me was forbidden, Genebia gave a vague answer.
Bashram frowned and asked cautiously,
“Has the Grand Duchess been informed of this?”
“Yes, I’ve been told she has.”
“…Hmm.”
His expression turned uneasy.
Having already grasped the complex political situation of the castle, Genebia deliberately looked at him with innocent eyes.
“…Very well. You may go.”
Clearly unwilling to get involved, Bashram waved her off irritably.
Glad to be dismissed, Genebia bowed quickly.
“Yes, I will return next week to report.”
As she turned to leave—
“Wait, priest,” Bashram called out.
She quickly pasted a polite smile over her blank expression and turned back.
“Yes?”
“If you want to live comfortably in the North, choose your side wisely. Make sure you know whether the line you’re holding onto is gold—or a noose.”
“……”
“Getting involved with that young master from the annex won’t benefit you, me, or the temple at all. And don’t let your actions cause trouble for the remainder of my term. Understood?”
“…Yes. Thank you for your advice.”
Genebia bowed deeply and finally left the office.
“Haah—!”
Letting out the breath she’d been holding, she muttered irritably,
“So basically—if I don’t want to clash with the Grand Duchess, I should stay away from that illegitimate young master.”
Objectively speaking, it wasn’t wrong.
But it’s already too late.
Even before entering this fragile, dangerous place, she had already taken the wrong first step.
Somehow, she had ended up living with that young master from the annex—
—and a very strange fairy.
“…How did things end up like this?”
With another deep sigh, Genebia trudged forward.
Her mind was filled with complicated thoughts—
but strangely, her steps toward the annex didn’t feel heavy at all.
