272. Engagent Ep – Survivor
“Yup-cha.”
Early morning. Rera Ainar, as usual, ca out to the clearing to stretch before training. She spread her legs wide, stretched her muscles, and placed her palms on the ground.
As she carefully checked her physical condition, she suddenly realized sothing.
Starting yesterday, her condition had been exceptionally good.
Her body felt invigorated, and she seed even more flexible than before, so Rera pressed her waist down further. Even when her temples touched her knees, it felt easy.
‘Did I sleep well?’
Not particularly?
Rera always slept well, dreamlessly. She could fall asleep anywhere, whether there was a bed, blanket, or pillow. Sleep quality never affected her condition.
“Hm.”
Finishing her stretches, Rera swung her upper body up with a punChapter She impulsively tried a sorsault and found she could do two spins with ease.
‘Feels good.’
Rera didn’t think much of it. Whatever the reason, she decided to enjoy it and picked up her sword to begin her training.
The morning was reserved for the basics. She started with vertical slashes, gradually tilting her sword by 5 degrees until the final move was a horizontal slash. She diligently repeated each motion 30 tis.
Once she finished the slashing practice, it was ti to work on thrusts.
She reviewed the motions of lower, middle, and upper thrusts. Next would be pairing up with Ray to practice blocking, pushing, and strength testing. However, Rera was alone in the clearing today.
But that was no excuse for laziness.
Rera practiced her steps alone. She drilled the diamond-shaped footwork, the trapezoidal bracing step, the preliminary T-step for inner leg sweeps, and even the zigzag step for spinning on her front heel.
Haaa… This is boring.
It was dull without Ray.
If Ray were here, they’d occasionally fool around, exchanging sword techniques they’d been working on, and there’d be no ti to feel bored.
Rera finished her training earlier than usual and went ho. She felt so energized today that she didn’t even need to wash up.
“Mom~ Food, please.”
Rera ate with her mother. As usual during the winter, they had pickled radimu on bread, munching happily.
“Dad will be back the day after tomorrow, right?”
“Probably. Unless the hunt didn’t go well… Why? Need so allowance?”
“Huh? Why do you say it like that?”
“It’s just that the only ti you look for your dad is when you’re out of money.”
“Mom! Soone might hear and get the wrong idea. I never did that.”
“Then you must still have so left. You only took an advance two months ago.”
“…Thank you for the al.”
Rera quickly stood up.
She grumbled as she avoided her mother’s teasing smile, defending herself with the thought that it was only because she had bought Ray’s birthday gift in advance. But, it was true—she was out of money.
TChapter So stingy.
Rera decided she’d have to find a way to sneak so more allowance from her mom. She headed to the kitchen to prepare lunChapter She filled a tray with soup and other items, then brought it to Ray’s house. It was Rera’s job to deliver als to the n of the Dexter household when Ray’s mother was away.
“Please eat.”
Ray and Noel Dexter had been in the study since the morning. They seed busy preparing for their trip to Barnaul, a journey that would take at least two months.
“What are you talking about for so long?”
No one answered.
A strangely silent atmosphere hung in the air. Rera had the feeling these two were hiding sothing from her, so she stared at Ray.
“…Thanks, Rera. We’ll enjoy it.”
But all she got was a polite dismissal. They said they’d take the dishes back to the kitchen themselves, leaving Rera to glare with a ‘You’d better explain yourself later’ look before exiting the study.
What’s going on?
She felt tempted to press her ear against the door but stopped herself. Rera trusted that Ray would tell her eventually.
With lunch out of the way and her stomach full, Rera helped with a bit of housework. Cleaning, cooking, and tidying weren’t exactly her favorite things, so she ran errands around Avril Castle instead, doing small tasks for her mother.
Most of the ti, she’d bring sothing to a neighbor, like,
“We enjoyed the ‘Dumpdel’ you made last ti. Here, my mom asked you to try this.”
This exchange of food was mostly repaying favors, swapping bites with the neighboring ladies.
They’d often respond, “Oh, thank you, Rera. I’ll enjoy it. But Rera, you’re of age now. When are you planning to get married?” They had asked her this before, without malice, to which Rera would smile and say, “Once a date is set, I’ll get married.” A casual response.
Usually, that was enough for them to assu she’d handle things in her own ti and say, “Let us know when the day cos.” But occasionally, one of the won would add her two cents.
“What if the groom runs away? Better lock him down soon.”
“Auntie, that’s silly. Why would the groom run away? And what could I do if he did?”
“n sotis get bewitched and wander off. You can’t relax until you’ve had a child. Rember that.”
“Got it. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Though Rera didn’t believe Ray would ever leave her, she humored them. Most of these ladies had husbands who had left on similar ventures, never to return.
“Yes, it’s been a long wait. Here, take this while it’s hot.”
These incidents were long ago, though most of the won had remarried by now. Rera took a steaming dish of ‘Fenaran’ and returned ho. Just then, she saw Dehor walking toward her.
“Oh, Dad! You’re back already? The hunt must’ve gone well?”
Dehor burst out laughing.
“Yeah, there were plenty of gas in the mountains. It’ll be a bountiful winter.”
“Really? Hehe, then… Dad, could you give so allowance?”
“Huh? Is that all you have to say to your dad, who’s back from a hard hunt?”
“Since when do you ever struggle on hunts? I know you just stand around with your arms crossed, doing nothing.”
“Oh, look at this. She thinks so little of a Grand Warrior. Then no allowance for you…”
“Ack! Wait! Dad! Father! You know I always love and respect you, right? Here, I even brought so snacks for you to go with your drink.”
“Yeah, sure.”
Dehor scoffed.
However, seeing his grown daughter acting cute was so rare that Dehor couldn’t help but ask why. After listening to her excuse, Dehor asked incredulously.
“Isn’t Ray’s birthday a long way off? It’s in the sumr.”
“Early! Early sumr.”
“Oh, co on. Early sumr or sumr, it’s still winter now. And didn’t you get a lot of money last ti? What did you spend it on already?”
“These things. This one’s for .”
“Leather straps? Why would you pay for sothing like that? I could’ve made those for you…”
“Oh, please. You think the ones you make are the sa as what a professional leatherworker makes? These fit perfectly in my hand. Plus, it’s a gift for Ray—would you use sothing uncomfortable just because your father-in-law made it?”
“Well, well. What a devoted wife we have here. They say raising daughters is a thankless job. I’ll talk to your mom about your allowance.”
Dehor was genuinely annoyed. He turned on his heel to head back inside, but Rera quickly called out.
“Hey, don’t be like that. Wait a second. And also... I’m going to Barnaul with Ray, so I need travel expenses.”
“To the capital? Why?”
“For a morial visit.”
“...I see.”
Dehor rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a mont. He then turned and walked briskly toward Ray’s house.
“Dad, you’ll give the money, right? And the leather strap—it’s sothing I needed too…”
Rera continued to chatter behind him, but Dehor strode across the empty living room and entered the study where Noel was. Ray was there too.
With Dehor’s towering presence almost brushing the ceiling, the study felt cramped. It was as if Rera, who had followed him in, wasn’t even there.
Ray and Noel Dexter were sitting at the desk. There was an empty rocking chair, but knowing it would likely break under his weight, Ray tried to offer his seat, but Dehor shook his head.
“You’re back already?”
“Yeah, the hunt went well, so I ca down early. Ray, you’re going for a morial visit, right?”
“...Yes.”
“Good. You’ve made up your mind. That’s comndable. It must’ve been a horrible ordeal, but a man has to shake it off. You’ve been through a lot.”
“......Yes.”
“Haha! Stand tall and proud! It’s a bit late to say this, but your mother was a remarkable woman. She was my friend, after all. So, go well with Rera. And, let’s see... I heard you have an uncle in Barnaul? Rera, make sure you greet him properly. Don’t worry about travel expenses.”
“Hold on. Dehor, let’s talk for a mont.”
“Hm? Why?”
“Rera... Never mind, you two step outside.”
Rera and Ray were ushered out by their fathers. Perplexed by their strange behavior, Rera gave Ray a sideways glance and asked,
“What’s going on? Is it because of the trip?”
“What else would it be?”
“That doesn’t seem right. And why is my dad involved?”
“...Actually, I was going to ask him to co with us.”
“What?? My dad? Why?”
“Well... you know, just because.”
“What’s that supposed to an, ‘just because’? How’s my dad supposed to go? Don’t you know he’s a Grand Warrior?”
“Haha... Yeah, I figured. I just thought I’d ask. To be honest, we’re not going alone. My dad’s coming too.”
“Well, of course. You’re going to pay your respects to your mother. But my dad doesn’t have any reason to join us.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I guess I got a little carried away with the travel plans.”
“???”
What is he even talking about?
Rera thought Ray was being evasive. anwhile, inside the study, a flurry of curious questions and answers was exchanged.
Ray was called into the study multiple tis. It wasn’t until dinner that Dehor finally erged, calling the family together to announce a surprising decision.
With his enormous axe slung over his shoulder, he declared with a serious expression, “Honey, I’m going to the capital for a bit.”
“Why?” Rera and her mother asked in unison. Dehor offered a flimsy excuse.
Since Ray’s family was traveling, he decided to tag along to visit a friend in the capital. But Rera knew there was no way he had any friends in a place he’d only visited once, nearly twenty years ago.
Why are these n acting so strangely? ─ Rera’s question lingered as preparations for the journey moved quickly. Dehor obtained permission from the village chief, Noel Dexter borrowed a carriage from the lord of Avril Castle, and Ray sohow managed to bring along a black stallion.
A few days later, they departed Avril Castle. Rera’s unanswered questions lingered, but she caught a hint of what was happening from her father and the other Grand Warriors’ farewell words.
“Pray that I can pass the trials ahead.”
“…The cups of ale won’t decrease. May you face harsh trials and return as a great warrior.”
Rera realized that the won’s advice was only half correct. n could indeed be drawn to strange things, but it seed having children didn’t change that.
But Rera did not know.
The real reason Dehor was going was for his daughter’s sake. Nor did she know that her father wouldn’t return ho.
As the carriage departed, Rera beca the sole survivor of their group.
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