A brief silence ensued.
The person who entered the study laughed.
"Hahaha. Hey, Adrias. What's with that expression? It looks like you saw soone you don't want to see? Well, at least you didn't fail to recognize like last ti, so you passed!"
"Indeed, it's Salem."
Even though he had changed his appearance, I almost failed to recognize him again.
But why is Salem here?
Could it be that the person who was in conversation with the Head of Everlast was...?
"Salem? You an Salem Yedidia?"
Lucia's soft voice ca from behind at that mont.
I forgot that Lucia was there and made a mistake.
Lucia, who was behind , pushed her head slightly forward and glared at Salem.
"Yes, I'm Salem Edidia. Are you William's daughter? I've heard about you a few tis. You're indeed beautiful."
Even though his true identity was revealed, Salem confidently nodded his head.
He seed like one of the world's strongest beings without a trace of fear.
At that mont, the sound of soone running and a voice ca from outside the study.
"Your Highness Hagendal! Please wait a mont!"
It seed that the person was using the pseudonym "Hagendal."
Salem went back outside and faced Lord Hollington, who had just arrived at the study, with a smile.
"Sorry William. They've already uncovered my identity. You don't have to call Hagendal."
"Ah, well..."
Hollington, who arrived at the study a little late, glanced alternately between Salem and us with a surprised expression. Then he looked at Salem with a reproachful look.
"You promised to co quietly..."
"Haha. Sorry, I got excited when I heard Adrias was here. Right, Adrias?"
"Are you aquainted with His Excellency?"
"Ofcourse! We have a very special relationship!"
What should I say?
Although Salem was a person involved in a halfway affair, he was also a wanted criminal in the Empire. His relationship with Viscount Hollington was certainly not ordinary, but affirming it would lead to various complications.
"He is my life's benefactor."
That should be enough.
If we seed too close, it could be dangerous. In reality, we weren't that close.
"What? We're just on such good terms?"
Why was everyone so obsessed with our relationship today, starting with Lucia?
It was probably just a joke, but still.
Unexpectedly, Salem's appearance surprised a little, but I felt more glad than scared because he had shown kindness to . Especially, the mana wave he taught was still useful, so I felt grateful.
"Anyway, what were you doing here? Are you two dating?"
"We were conducting research."
Despite my response to Salem's words, Lord Hollington stepped forward with an angry look and glanced at Lucia. Considering Lord Hollington's temperant, any man who ends up with Lucia in the future would likely have a tough ti.
"I've disrupted the relationship between you two youngsters, haven't I? William. Let's go out and have a drink like old pals."
"Yes, yes? Um, I had an appointnt with Lord Cromwell..."
"Oh my, if you're so oblivious, you'll be resented by your daughter."
"Uh, it's not like that..."
The two of them seem to be having quite a confrontation.
As I looked on with surprise, Lucia interjected, "Is it true that you are Salem Yedidea? The devil chasing the truth?"
"Yes, why? Can't believe it?"
When Salem asked, almost cutely, Lucia replied boldly, "Yes."
"What's it to you?"
"What do you an, what's it to ?"
"If you don't believe it, then so what? Do I have to prove it to you?"
Lucia seed montarily taken aback by Salem's characteristic gruff tone.
Seeing that, I eventually stepped in, "Salem, anyway, what's going on here? Is this okay?"
"Who would recognize ? Business is done, and I've co down to the mortal world after a long ti, so I should enjoy so entertainnt. Hey, William, let's go to the pub quickly."
"Um, that's..." Lord Hollington sent a knowing glance, seeming uncomfortable.
I shook my head helplessly, "I'm fine. I still have so research to do with Lucia, so it's okay to postpone the contract a bit."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
After all the commotion, Salem took Lord Hollington and left. That nonchalant personality of his will probably never change until the day he dies.
"How far did you go?"
"Senpai, is that person really Salem Yedidea? I still can't believe it."
"If you don't believe it, then don't. And there's nothing good about getting close to him."
For so reason, Lucia seems quite interested in Salem.
It's fascinating to see her, who usually doesn't react much to anything, showing such a response.
"Shall we continue?"
.
.
.
.
Continuing is damn impossible.
Once my concentration was broken, I couldn't make any progress whatsoever.
Finally, Lucia and I went outside to liven up the atmosphere.
"Lucia."
"Yes?"
"Is this research related to that redy you ntioned before?"
Lying on the grassy field on a small hill in front of the castle, I asked. I knew the reason since I had played the ga, but I never directly asked her about it before, so I took this opportunity to inquire.
"Yes."
"What is that redy? What do you want to use it for? If I know, I can set a clear goal and help you properly, don't you think?"
"Do you want to know?"
"Huh?"
Lucia smiled with almost closed eyes, basking in the warm sunlight.
"No, I don't want to tell you."
"What? Why?"
"If I tell you, you'll dislike , won't you?"
In an instant, her expression turned bittersweet, and she got lost in a sad smile.
But the fleeting expression made wonder if I had misunderstood her.
'There's no way I misread it.'
I felt sorry for Lucia for no reason.
There was no one who could understand the disease she carried alone.
As the only person in this world with a rare and incurable illness, she must have developed a defense chanism that prevented others from approaching her emotions recklessly.
"Lucia."
"Why? Again. If you set the mood like that, do you think I will tell you?"
"I... Recently, I've had many challenging monts, but I've also been happy. I have a family waiting for , and there are people I've bonded with at the academy, like you, Vivianne, and others. It's a life I could never have imagined before."
When I was Kim Jinhwan, my life was solely focused on missions and achieving goals.
Most emotions were suppressed as I was rely a machine deployed for operations.
But after coming here, I realized sothing.
That I'm not a machine.
I am a human being with genuine emotions.
Despite the burden of knowing the secrets and future of this world, every day felt enjoyable.
The drive for self-improvent, Amy's letters about her new challenges, the relationships with playable characters who truly live and breathe - I was grateful for it all, beyond belief.
"So, everything in my life is precious to . I don't want to lose it. That's why I struggle even harder. Even if I have to sweat and struggle to protect these precious everyday monts, I still find joy in it."
Lucia maintained her silence and listened quietly to my story.
Though her eyes seed drowsy, I knew she was awake.
"That's why there will never be a ti when I'll dislike you. I guarantee it. Even if everything in this world betrays you, I won't leave you alone. Ah, did I go too far?"
I chuckled lightly, feeling that the atmosphere had beco unnecessarily heavy.
Lucia continued to pretend to be asleep and didn't respond, but it didn't matter.
I just wanted her to understand my sincerity, so I spoke one-sidedly.
Clatter, clatter.
"Sir Cromwell!"
Suddenly, Lord Hollington's carriage returning to the castle ca into view.
I waved my hand and got up from my spot.
"Lucia, you're also soone precious to . Just rember that."
.
.
.
.
Adrias Cromwell left imdiately after concluding the contract.
As Lucia watched him leave from her room in the castle, she recalled the words he had said.
'He won't leave alone...'
Her face flushed without reason.
How could he say sothing like that without even a change in expression?
However, precisely because of that, his words resonated deeply in her heart.
She realized she didn't know much about Adrias Cromwell.
Apart from being the Count of Cromwell and having a younger sister, she knew nothing else. She had never been particularly interested, but this recent incident piqued her curiosity.
She wondered how he had lived, what he was like as a child, and how he beca a Count at such a young age.
'I think he doesn't like sweets much, but what does he enjoy eating? Does he like at?'
As her curiosity about Adrias surged, a myriad of thoughts flooded her mind.
Lost in her thoughts for a while, Lucia was awakened by the sound of a servant knocking on her door.
"Miss Lucia, the master invites you to have a al together at the dining hall. How should I relay the ssage?"
Lucia, who always had her als in her research lab or her room, decided to go down to the dining hall after a long ti.
Her father would probably know more about the Cromwell family, right?
As she headed down and replied that it was fine, she was surprised to see an unexpected guest in the dining hall.
'Salem Yedidea.'
He was still here, not planning to leave yet?
Salem was seated with her father, presumably planning to dine together until dinner.
"Lucia, I didn't expect you to co out, so I couldn't tell you in advance. Lord Hagendal decided to join us for the al. Is that okay?"
"Yes, it's fine."
Though she already knew Salem's true identity, she walked to her seat without showing any signs of unease.
Lucia was secretly pleased with the situation. She wanted to ask Salem about their encounter and him, as he seed quite connected to Adrias.
"Lucia Everlast."
Before she could ask any questions, Salem spoke first.
"I heard you have so talent in magic. Is it true?"
"Just a little."
Her response was sowhat vague, as she didn't have much interest in magic itself. Learning magic was rely a ans for her to research her redy.
"When I see you, it reminds of soone who used to be my disciple."
"Your disciple?"
"Yeah. He ran away because he couldn't climb further, though."
While talking, Salem raised his arm and started creating sothing with magic.
It looked like sothing shining blue, resembling a star.
"Ah..."
Lucia was srized by the magic as if she were enchanted, and Lord Hollington watched with an expression of curiosity, wondering what was going on.
"Do you know what this is?"
"Mana."
Lucia answered in a single breath as Salem smiled and tossed the star-like creation into the air before catching it.
"Ah! It's, it's dangerous..."
"You seem to know exactly what this is."
While Lucia looked anxious, Salem had an expression of interest as he observed her.
Then, he held the star he created in his hand and leaned closer to her.
"Lucia Everlast, would you like to try being my disciple for a mont?"
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