Chapter 17
I stared quietly at Suon’s cold, hardened face.
‘How is it that even when he’s serious and angry, he’s still that handsome?’
Then I tilted my head.
‘But… why is he angry?’
In the original story, Suon Luxear rarely got angry at anyone. In fact, it was rare for him to show any emotions at all.
No matter how urgent or frustrating the situation, he always maintained his taciturn, cynical demeanor—that was his signature charm.
So seeing him quietly directing anger at me like this felt quite unexpected.
‘Wait… could it be… he’s worried about me?!’
…No way.
As sad as it was, I knew my favorite character better than anyone.
Suon wasn’t the type to worry about someone he’d known for less than a month.
If anything, he was probably concerned that I might mess up something extremely important for the North.
‘Hmm, I guess I should reassure him a bit.’
I flashed a confident grin. Suon, still wearing a stiff expression, slightly raised one eyebrow.
“Alright, if you’re that worried, Suon, I guess it can’t be helped.”
Stretching my arms and legs like I was warming up, I said,
“To avoid another incident like last time, I’ll just have to fully recharge my energy before we leave.”
“…What?”
The moment I finished speaking, I shot toward Suon’s face like a flying squirrel.
“…!? What are you—!”
And then I smacked right onto his left cheek, pressing my entire body against it.
“……!!!”
I could feel the muscles in his face stiffen.
At the same time—
Ding—
Event Helper: Contact with your favorite detected! Fangirl energy is being recharged! ^0^b
‘Heaven.’
Through my arms, legs, and cheek pressed against Suon’s face, I could feel my energy replenishing.
I had used my fangirl skill earlier to break out of the cage, so some energy must have been drained back then. Charging up before heading out was definitely the right choice.
‘Yep, definitely not doing this to satisfy my personal desires or anything.’
After a short while—
I peeled myself off Suon’s face.
“Alright. Energy fully charged!”
Suon staggered slightly, bracing himself against the terrace door.
Garen stepped closer and cautiously asked,
“…Are you alright, Young Master?”
“……”
Suon said nothing, but I could practically feel his inner turmoil radiating from his back.
‘Yikes, looks like he’s still not used to my touch.’
Well, it couldn’t be helped.
For the sake of my fangirling, Suon would just have to adapt.
“Alright then, I’m off!”
I cheerfully called out to his back.
At that moment, Suon spoke.
“…Wait.”
“Hm?”
Composing his complicated emotions, Suon regained his calm expression and said,
“I’ll go with you.”
“…!”
“Waaah~!” I flew over and patted his left shoulder.
“Good choice, Suon! That’s the spirit!”
“……”
Looking slightly drained, Suon quietly put on his stealth robe and gathered his sword.
Soon after, we silently left the annex.
About an hour away from the Grand Duke’s castle
At the edge of a nameless forest—
In the middle of the dark, silent woods, numerous bundles of cargo were piled up.
Rough-looking mercenaries and men who appeared to be the merchant leader’s subordinates stood guard around them.
“…Two, four, ten, twelve… roughly about twenty,” Garen whispered after counting.
“Whoa, twenty? That’s more than I expected. Maybe we should rethink the plan—”
“We approach and strike at close range.”
Suon said it plainly. Garen nodded as if used to it.
‘Ah, right. My favorite is insanely strong.’
I sighed in relief, remembering that obvious fact a bit late.
Soon, Suon and Garen split up, approaching from opposite sides like a pincer attack.
As they got closer, the voices of the merchant’s subordinates could be heard.
One older man seemed to be the aide who had sent the letter.
“-Are you sure that bird safely reached the merchant leader?”
“I told you it did! Why do you keep asking such ominous things?!”
“It’s just… the merchant leader is taking too long. He should’ve arrived by now…”
“…M-maybe the forest path slowed him down! Stop saying weird things!”
They were clearly growing more anxious as time passed.
‘Of course you are. The letter you sent is currently sitting in Suon’s pocket.’
Then—
Swish—
“…!”
Suon stepped into the shadow of the mercenary leader.
He moved like a wild wolf blending into the darkness.
And then—
Shing—
“…Hm?”
By the time the mercenary sensed killing intent and turned—
It was too late.
Slash—!
“…Kuhk!!”
That was the beginning.
“Ambush!!!”
“Damn it! How did they find this place?!”
Clang! Slash!
“Argh!!”
“Ack!!”
“Gah!!”
The battle didn’t last long.
In what felt like a mere instant, the mercenaries were already sprawled at Suon’s feet like sacks of grain.
Watching a real northern knight’s combat with my own eyes, I stood there in shock, covering my mouth.
“Holy…”
It was simply—
insanely cool.
“So cool…!”
“This side has been handled as well.”
Garen approached, dragging along the only surviving aide.
“P-please spare me…!”
Kneeling and trembling, the aide begged.
I flew in front of him and threatened,
“Hey. Answer my questions properly. Got it?”
“H-huh?!”
His eyes widened at my sudden appearance.
“Hey! Answer me!”
I clenched my fist.
“Y-yes! I will!”
“These goods here—were they originally meant for trade with the North or not?”
“W-well, you see… we were attacked by bandits right after entering the territory! We just managed to recover them—”
“Cut it out. We’ve already read the letters between you and your boss. You were caught red-handed.”
“…That can’t be…!”
Realizing the situation, his face fell into despair.
I pretended to punch him.
“Boom! Bam! Want me to finish you off right here, huh?”
“P-please spare me!!!”
He broke down.
“I have a wife and children back home! I was just following orders! This was all the merchant leader’s plan from the start!”
Conveniently, he had zero loyalty.
“Fine. I’ll spare you. But you’re going to the castle and confess everything.”
“…What will happen to me?”
“What do you think? Prison. Better than dying, right?”
“…Ugh…”
He lowered his head.
I searched his inner pocket and retrieved the first letter sent by the merchant leader from the castle.
It contained instructions to keep the hidden goods safe.
I rolled it up and tucked it into Suon’s clothing.
“Alright—evidence of conspiracy and the crime scene secured!”
“Garen, take care of things here. We’ll return to the castle and report the situation, then request knight reinforcements.”
“Yes, understood. I’ll secure the scene and bring the witness.”
“Good.”
It was finally time to bring this matter to an end.
