T/N: Welp, Im back from my second week of finals. I literally had to test for almost 8 hours straight on Tuesday, with only a two minute break in between two of my finals in which I had to run to my next testing room whilst scarfing down a sandwich on the way. Im past the hardest part though, so updates should be back to normal unless sothing really hits out of the blue.
Another week or so had passed since the supply officers visit.
And, the weekly papers had brought news of new developnts in the Western Front.
The 7th Legion, led by Ignition Ygrett, had taken the capital of Palvan in just three days, just as Elric had predicted.
Well, it would have been more accurate to say that she had burned it to the ground.
Her magic had roasted and reduced the centuries-old city to ashes.
Now, only seven kingdoms and one empire remained fighting on the frontlines, making the situation even more urgent, but there was one place where such affairs were considered a distant thought.
It was Wiven.
Its chilly today.
In contrast to the urgent developnts in the Western region, Wiven had a leisurely air about it.
There was not a single major event to speak of, save for the occasional bustle of outside rchants carrying designated trade goods to the area.
With the arrival of winter, the residents of the territory were busy gathering firewood and maintaining various machinery that had been neglected over the sumr.
Portmans mansion was in a leisurely ti as they only had to solve major problems that the residents themselves could not solve.
Elric was no exception and enjoyed the tranquil tis.
It seems like the fireplace is running low on firewood. Should I bring more?
Well, if it wouldnt be an inconvenience, would it be alright to keep it as it is? Its difficult to concentrate on work when its too warm.
They were currently in the Portman study.
Elric had asked as the room had been filled with a chill that made it necessary to wear a coat indoors, but Tyria had just shaken her head and replied in the above manner.
She had chalked it up to an issue of concentration, but Elric wasnt entirely convinced.
It seems like you enjoy the cold.
If youre feeling cold.
No, its fine. Im not particularly sensitive to changes in weather.
Elric had lived a life where, even in the extre cold when the ground was frozen solid, he would still huddle and sleep on the bare ground. Thus, this level of coldness didnt hurt Elrics body, it was just enough to get a little chuckle out of him.
She had asked him out of concern, and was only happy to hear and accept his answer.
If you get cold, let know. I can get more firewood for you.
Yes.
Tyrias white skin had taken on an even paler hue in the light of the winter.
The tip of her nose was slightly red, and her lips were even redder. They provided a stark contrast against her skin.
Amidst this, it occurred to him that the fur cloak draped over her shoulders seed quite old.
Elric let out a hollow sigh.
It all seems a bit boring.
With all the major paperwork done for now, all that remained was the minutiae of paperwork.
It was sothing she could handle on her own, and yet the reason Elric was in the office was due to Tyrias advice to establish a habit of coming and going. So, besides observing her, what else could he possibly have to do?
Therefore, naturally, his mind wandered.
It was about a certain feeling hed had on the day of the supply officers visit.
He had felt a pit form in his stomach at the thought of her going through the sa thing that had happened that day alone when he was gone.
It was a feeling that hadnt quite subsided yet, and it still tornted Elrics mind.
And it was still a small ripple, for now.
However, the ripples were quite annoying to ignore, and Elric often found himself struggling within the sa thoughts.
Of course, him pondering about it didnt an that the answer would co easily.
For that reason, Elric repeatedly sighed and observed her with his chin resting on his hand. In the midst of it, he suddenly raised his head and t eyes with Tyria.
Hmm
Elric was taken aback.
Tiria asked.
Is there sothing you need?
It felt too awkward to say that he had just been looking at her.
And so Elric hastily blurted out an excuse.
No, I was just looking at your fur cloak.
Oh, you an this?
Tyria patted the fur cloak.
Its a cloak made from the hide of a monster. It was given to as a gift from the residents of the territory about seven years ago.
Oh, did they?
Yes. A beast from the back mountains had descended on the village, and there had been so damage to the houses. That year, the residents went on a hunt, and the hide from the beast they hunted beca this cloak.
It was a nostalgic na.
The Beast of the Back Mountains it brings back old mories.
Elric chuckled, breaking him from his trance.
I rember that, back then, I was always talking about wanting to see the monsters.
Behind the Wiven Territory was a massive mountain range with peaks reaching well into the double digits.
The mountains were densely forested, steep, and off-the-beaten-path, so an ecosystem that nurtured monsters was naturally ford.
And, monsters were one of the indispensable enemies in a group of childrens knight play.
It was the sa for Elric and his gang.
As the village troublemaker, whenever the adults were away, Elric would take the children and head to the mountains to search for monsters.
I think I only saw one once
He rembered unexpectedly seeing a wolf several tis the size of an adult male, and then running away in a panic.
The funny thing was, despite experiencing such a terrifying encounter, he had kept going up to the mountains to look for monsters.
Co to think of it, it was a wonder that he was still alive.
Well, no. Thats not sothing I should be surprised about.
Perhaps the reason he hadnt seen a monster again was because of his teacher.
He had lived in the middle of the mountains, so it was highly likely that, due to his personality, he would have cleared all nearby monsters in his vicinity.
Now that he thought about it, his teacher used to frequently cook and feed him oddly flavored at, which he now knew was probably monster at.
It was quite an addictive flavor.
He initially tasted only bitterness, but as he kept eating the at, there would beco tis when he longed for that taste because there was nothing else like it.
It was the sa on the battlefield.
Whenever nostalgia for his hotown rose, that bitter taste would co back to him.
Elrics mouth watered.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Tyria staring at him intently.
Um, I apologize. Was I too caught up in my own thoughts? ntioning the monsters in the mountains reminded of old friends. Ill stop dwelling on mories now
No, its not that.
Her gaze dropped.
Her deanor was strangely different from the usual, but Elric couldnt quite put his finger on what was unusual.
He tilted his head in confusion.
It was at that mont.
Thump
My lady, here are so new docunts.
Aldio strode into the office and shoved a waist-high stack of papers onto the desk.
Elric was stunned.
W-Whats the reason for all these docunts?
Nothing major, just a large quantity of demands from the residents of the territory that were backlogged and left to accumulate for a while.
This many demands?
Elric was suddenly filled with dread.
If the paperwork had piled up to this extent in a relatively small territory like Wiven, what happened in the scope of larger territories?
It occurred to him that, perhaps, being a noble was a much more challenging task than it seed.
Of course, his misconception was quickly dissipated.
I dont have to go through all of this.
Tyria explained.
I just skim through the minor things. The reason I gather and read through these demands is to understand the state of affairs in the territory. It helps grasp what types of demands are prevalent and which goods are in high demand. This way, I can ensure the smooth operation of the territory.
Ah, so that was how they did it.
Elric chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.
You scared to death. I thought that we would have to go through each and every one of those docunts.
We are masters, not servants.
It was a clear expression of intent.
In the midst of talking to him, Tyria swiftly flipped through the docunts she had received and pulled out one sheet.
Of course, there are also tasks that we have to personally handle ourselves.
Thats
Tiria handed the paper to Elric.
Elric read the contents and his eyes widened.
Monster hunting?
It was a request for help with a monster wreaking havoc from the back mountains.
Furthermore, it was also a request signed by an entire village a little ways from Wiven.
The details stated: Wolf-type monster, about the size of a house,
We should inquire about it. In situations like this, its faster to take matters into your own hands and approach the village chief to hear what he has to say about the matter.
Tyria stood up from her seat.
And Elric followed suit, sowhat unsteadily.
Shall we go together?
Your presence wont be necessary.
She was going to leave him behind.
Puzzled, he soon realized why.
Her gaze was fixed on his knee.
Elric chuckled softly.
Dont worry, Im in much better shape than when I first arrived.
But if a monster were to appear
You would just have to carry whilst running away, right?
Tyrias expression hardened.
Even though Elric didnt know the exact reason why, it was clear from her deanor that she wasnt happy at the mont.
Elric resented his light-hearted banter, and he was suddenly overco with a sense of injustice.
Everyone loves it when Elvus does that.
Elvus Grayman liked to make these kinds of self-deprecating jokes in the company of won his own age.
As a result, the young ladies would feel awkward, but they would also blush and nod their heads in response.
Why did he succeed wherein Elric didnt?
Elrics head hung low in frustration.
It was just a joke. Lets just go.
Uh, okay.
Yet, Elric didnt know that,
In Tyrias mind, not understanding the joke, she had imagined herself carrying him while he groaned. And then, due to her frail stamina, both of them would end up becoming prey to the monster.
Until he had told her that it was, Just a joke, Tyria had seriously contemplated getting in so physical training into her routine.
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