How to Live as a Genius Knight in a Fantasy World

29.

Sophia left her accommodation impulsively, but she didn’t have a specific destination in mind.

It was originally an area with no connections, and legally an adult, but still too young to enter a tavern alone.

During the festival period, there were lights shining all over the castle, and there were still street vendors around, so she could walk around.

She hadn’t properly had a meal holed up in her room, so she was hungry, but she had hurried out without even grabbing money, unable to afford a decent meal, let alone snacks.

“Sigh…”

A sigh escaped involuntarily.

It was somewhat comforting that the weather wasn’t too cold yet.

Still not wanting to go back to her accommodation, Sophia walked slowly while thinking about what she had seen in Arden.

“So many things happened in such a short time.”

She didn’t realize she was enjoying the same routine every day at Isel Castle, but coming to Arden Castle made her feel like there were incidents happening every day.

“Fighting trolls, getting into arguments while walking, seeing Johan win…”

There was also the incident of fleeing from the ball, but she didn’t want to recall that as much.

“Come to think of it, most of it seems to be connected to Johan. He seemed to be hurt a lot, but is he okay now?”

She remembered his pained expression when she applied the potion.

She wanted to know if his wounds had healed, but there was no one to ask.

Or rather, even if she asked someone, they would probably find it strange.

“Huh?”

At that moment, as Sophia wandered the streets lost in thought, someone entered her sight.

A manly, handsome face, with a strong body that didn’t seem like that of a peer.

The man she had just been thinking about, Johan.

Whether he heard Sophia’s surprised voice or not, he turned his head while scanning the street.

Johan also seemed to have noticed her, his eyes widening.

Seeing the man who had been fighting with bloodshed just a few days ago, she couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

“What a fool.”

Still, seeing him out at night like this made her feel relieved that he had recovered somewhat.

On the other hand, Johan meeting Sophia also felt surprising and joyful.

Seeing a familiar face in a strange place is always special.

“Though I’m not sure if we’re close enough to call each other acquaintances.”

It had already been ten days since he lay in bed.

Checking his status window only once or twice, in a world without a phone, even lying down quietly for recuperation wasn’t easy.

Boredom and restlessness were enemies that modern people, accustomed to stimulation, found hard to face.

His body had recovered to some extent, and unable to bear the frustration any longer, he chose to go out at night.

It was a choice to enjoy the fresh air alone, but he didn’t expect to meet Sophia.

“But why is she alone?”

In Johan’s eyes, which had gone through surprise and joy, a question arose.

Whether Sophia sensed Johan’s gaze or not, she explained with a slightly sheepish expression.

“Oh, I actually sneaked out. I was feeling too suffocated…”

At the unexpected answer, Johan looked slightly embarrassed.

It was an unexpected statement from a girl exuding an air of mystery that didn’t quite match her doll-like appearance.

However, before long, Rohan could understand.

“Yeah, she must still be young after all.”

Despite her appearance, Sophia’s inner self might not be much different from that of an ordinary girl.

Having experienced running away in a past life, Rohan could fully understand Sophia’s rebellion.

However, that didn’t mean he would let her go like that.

“That’s absolutely not going to happen.”

The daughter of the master and mentor, Viscountess Isel.

Leaving her alone on a dangerous night was out of the question.

Even though the street appeared glamorous and safe on the surface, this place was akin to a pseudo-medieval setting.

Even for an ordinary woman, one could never know when trouble might strike. And if she possessed beauty like Sophia’s, it wouldn’t be surprising if there were already those with ill intentions.

“Moreover, being a noble’s daughter, she has value as a hostage.”

It was clear that criminals would be salivating at the opportunity to exploit her vulnerability and even her wealth.

Although Rohan had made up his mind to accompany her, the crucial point was whether she would accept his proposal willingly.

While Sophia was not in a position where she could definitively be considered above Rohan, he also couldn’t disregard her wishes.

He had thought about following her naturally without explicitly inviting her, but fearing she might find it uncomfortable, he gently posed the question.

“So, may I walk with you?”

It was a slightly worried remark, yet to his surprise, Sophia simply nodded her head obediently.

“Yes, that’s fine. I was feeling a bit uneasy being alone anyway.”

With Sophia’s approval granted, the two began to stroll along the unfamiliar street.

Initially silent due to lingering awkwardness, the festive atmosphere and the bustling crowd gradually eased their discomfort.

Moreover, Sophia turned out to be more curious and lively than Rohan had anticipated.

“Oh! These are dolls. It seems like they’re performing a puppet show!”

As if she had discovered something marvelous, Sophia took Rohan’s hand and led him.

Excitedly rushing over, she checked the donation box in front of the stage, then her expression turned crestfallen.

“Why is that?”

When Rohan inquired, Sophia, who hesitated for a moment, spoke up.

“I… don’t have… money… I came out in a hurry…”

With a hint of embarrassment, her voice flowed hesitantly and apologetically.

Despite that, seeing her stealing glances towards the puppet show, he couldn’t ignore her wish.

“I’ll lend it to you.”

“What?”

“Since you don’t have money right now, you can pay me back later. Is that okay?”

Ideally, he would have covered the expenses himself rather than lending, but he chose to frame it as a loan to avoid burdening her unnecessarily.

Upon hearing Rohan’s offer, she momentarily looked dazed, then eagerly nodded with a bright smile.

Confirming Sophia’s agreement, Rohan tossed a silver coin into the donation box.

It was a sum far too large to pay for just one puppet show, yet the puppeteer simply nodded without much ado.

Apparently, they must be making quite a bit of money during the festival.

Already having missed a substantial part of the beginning and with the street puppet show being a simple story depicted with crude puppets, Sophia watched with furrowed brows, fully engrossed as if it were the most captivating performance in the world.

“Oh, it was really enjoyable.”

As the curtain of the short play fell, she made a regretful expression.

Sophia’s next fascination after puppet shows was the lottery booth.

Turning to Rohan with a gleam in her eyes, she nodded once.

Though it was a simple form of lottery where you pay money and choose one of the many boxes to open, Sophia, frowning slightly, eventually picked one after some contemplation.

“I think this one. What could be inside?”

With eyes filled with anticipation, Rohan, trying to suppress a smile that seemed about to emerge, replied, “Well, I’ve never tried this before either.”

Though truly a blunt response, Sophia seemed unconcerned.

“Oh!”

As she cautiously opened the box, a small gasp escaped her.

Inside the small box was a tiny piece of jewelry.

It was a hairpin embedded with small, sparkling stone fragments that could hardly be called jewels.

Despite having lived a life of nobility without any major deficiencies, her face bore a pure joy as if she were seeing such jewelry for the first time.

“…Is it okay?”

Without hesitation, she pinned the obviously cheap hairpin, asking in a soft voice, “Is it pretty?”

At Rohan’s straightforward response, her cheeks blushed.

Whether out of embarrassment or feeling, the conversation paused briefly.

*Cluck-*

At that moment, as if their stomachs demanded to be fed at the same time, the two of them sought something to eat.

Having left the room before dinnertime, both Rohan and Sophia had not eaten.

Their slightly surprised gazes met.

“Growl.”

“hahahaha…”

After a brief silence, they both burst into laughter simultaneously.

“After wandering around so much, I’m hungry. Shall we… go for a meal?”

“Yes, let’s.”

In response to Rohan’s suggestion, Sophia replied with a bright expression.

As it was late, some restaurants were already closing, but the two of them were not anxious.

They strolled through the streets, discussing their favorite foods and the best restaurants they had visited in Arden.

The light of magic lanterns and torches hanging throughout the city walls flickered and mingled.

After a short while, Rohan and Sophia finally found a suitable restaurant.

It was still open, serving a stew that Sophia had found to be the most delicious since coming to Arden.

Both of them had excited expressions at the thought of filling their stomachs, but their hope of dining together was not fulfilled.

“Miss! There you are!”

“Why did you leave the room without a word? The Marquis was very worried!”

After discovering belatedly that Sophia was missing, two maids who had been sweating profusely while wandering the streets finally found her.

“Who is this… Oh! Sir Rohan!”

Realizing Rohan’s presence belatedly, they bowed to him.

“Have you been looking after the lady?”

“Did you two meet after making a separate promise…”

Lisa seemed relieved by Rohan’s presence, while Ellie, on the contrary, doubted Rohan and Sophia’s relationship.

It was true that Rohan had spent some good time with Sophia, but he could hold his ground.

He hadn’t seduced her, nor had he flirted with her.

Just as Rohan was about to answer Ellie’s question, Sophia spoke a beat faster.

“No. I just came out for some fresh air because I felt suffocated, and I just happened to run into Rohan. Ellie, don’t make a fuss about Rohan. He really helped me a lot today.”

Even though Ellie’s eyes didn’t completely soften at Sophia’s explanation, as a maid, she believed she couldn’t pry further into the two’s relationship, so she simply nodded obediently.

“My father is worried, so I should go in now.”

Sophia, who successfully persuaded Ellie, turned her head towards Rohan and said.

Although the abrupt parting left both feeling regretful, they didn’t show any sign of it in front of the maids.

They merely promised with their eyes.

After a brief eye contact, Rohan also left with a cautious farewell gesture, turning his back.

“Regrettable.”

With a thought that came unbidden, Rohan regained his composure.

Despite the significant change in Rohan’s status compared to before, he still found it challenging to let go of his affection for Sophia.

A moral guilt of harboring affection for a young girl due to his humble commoner background.

Nevertheless, Rohan couldn’t deny feeling a strong attraction towards Sophia.

Also, he was looking forward to their next meeting.

His heart was in turmoil, but he knew that some things wouldn’t be resolved no matter how much he pondered.

He had learned long ago from experience that sometimes time was needed.

Moreover, Rohan possessed immense potential, so time was truly on his side.

“Anyway, I missed dinner in the end.”

As he walked to soothe his complex feelings, he found himself already in front of his lodging.

He opened the door with a slight hope, but as expected, there was no proper food left in the dark hall.

“I miss convenience stores.”

The foods sold there might not be exceptionally tasty, but the convenience of being able to fill his stomach anytime, day or night, was a tremendous advantage he realized only after coming here.

“Oh, not eating enough might lead to muscle loss.”

It was a thought he hadn’t entertained even when he managed his body in his past life, but now Rohan was literally living by eating and fighting.

Living in a world where a slight lack of strength could tip the balance, he couldn’t help but be sensitive to his physical condition.

Rohan, lying on his bed with worries, exhaled a deep breath.

Having only rested for a few hours with his body not fully recovered, fatigue still lingered.