ALL NOVEL Chapter 54
Chapter
It’s surprising that there are no dead people. I never imagined I’d have such thoughts in my lifetime.
Clack-clack- clattering carts are advancing along the straight path. The noise of those who have regained consciousness after fainting blends into the everyday sounds around me.
It was inevitable that Yonia’s gaze would fall upon Enok, who was sitting idly on the cart, staring up at the sky.
‘How unexpected.’
I never thought Enok, who seemed to live his life without a single thought, would reveal such intense emotions so openly.
Then again, it makes sense to have many thoughts when death is looming, right? Even so, a confession of love that hot?
Lady Rionne seemed to take it like a child might say to their mother, but from the side, it definitely wasn’t that kind of feeling. When a child harbors such feelings for their mother, that’s just a bit terrifying before anything like incestuous relationships comes into play.
‘Loving someone else is like gazing upon the face of God.’
Who said that? It’s a saying that often comes to mind when I look at Enok. However, what brings happiness to a person can also be a source of misfortune. I mustn’t become a moth drawn to the flame.
Squeak—yelp! Yonia, who was glancing at Enok while blowing a wobbly melody, suddenly trembled.
The melodious tune had a discordant screech interrupt, drawing everyone’s attention. How embarrassing… Yonia quickly lowered her head and stole a glance at Enok’s finger.
‘Lady Rionne is something else…’
Whenever Yonia feels a strange affection for Enok, that ring on his finger loudly announces its presence. It’s not merely noticeable; it feels more like it’s scolding, “What are you doing?”
Is it enchanted with some magic? It wasn’t that I felt any rational affinity toward him.
“Hey, didn’t the Swordmaster say we’d meet again tomorrow? What does that mean?”
Snapped back to reality by Zikfrein’s voice, I noticed he was talking to Enok.
“What does it mean? It means he’ll come again tomorrow.”
“Oh, the Swordmaster has no restrictions on teleportation?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s impressive. I knew there was a sky above the sky, but honestly, he can’t be compared to my father.”
“Yeah. That’s right.”
Whether that was a conversation or not, well… Anyway, isn’t it a good sign? It seemed like Enok had no friends, so how great would it be if he made at least one now?
For some reason, I felt like I was gradually realizing a sense of maternal love.
*
‘Did I desire so much?’
The king awkwardly smiled as he looked at the Swordmaster before him.
“Haha… What’s the matter?”
‘Heavenly Death, you bastard.’
“Young human, I feel quite good today.”
“That’s a fortunate thing, uh… matter.”
“Is it fortunate that my disciple has lost one eye?”
Who the hell said such a thing!? The king desperately held back his legs, which were ready to jump up in anger. Come to think of it, hadn’t I been forced to witness Haken Welt getting obliterated all day long? Those bastards were clearly behind it.
Seeing them get beaten was tough, but I wasn’t empathetic in the least to what it was like to be on the receiving end. Scumbags. They got what was coming to them.
And responding to the Swordmaster’s query was also no trouble.
“I will eliminate any dangerous elements as swiftly as possible.”
“As swiftly as possible?”
“…I will definitely eliminate them.”
“Alright, good.”
With a gentle smile, the Swordmaster strolled through the palace as if it were his own home. Yet the king felt no discomfort towards him. Just watching was enough to evoke admiration.
‘Indeed, is that a High Elf?’
A title bestowed upon an Elf who has transcended species limits, or in other words, has attained Grandmaster status. It certainly carries the meaning of reverence for someone who has achieved such a great level, but on the other hand, it was also a praise for that wondrous beauty.
I don’t know how it is among the Elves, but among humans, that’s how it is. Elves, called the race of beauty from the start, reach a level where their beauty itself becomes a power when they become High Elves.
“My disciple seems to be heading toward the Elf Union; did you know?”
The king snapped back to attention at the Swordmaster’s voice. Did I know? That was a hint that since my disciple is heading towards the Elf Union, he ought to manage what’s in the way accordingly.
“I will handle it swiftly.”
“Hmm, this new king is not just a strong fool; he’s surprisingly good. If everyone acted like this, how wonderful would it be?”
“Haha….”
“I will take my leave then; you take care of business.”
Watching the Swordmaster effortlessly slash through space and vanish left me dumbfounded. That wasn’t something one could accomplish so nonchalantly.
“Sigh…”
The king let out a weary breath as he shouted.
“Hey!”
I must immediately notify the lords of the Elf Union. They must behave accordingly, or I would genuinely be willing to go there with a sword in hand. Although it seemed that the Swordmaster would arrive with a sword first.
‘Life.’
I feel like crying.
*
Rionne teased the king once before crossing back through space. She had returned to her original spot, with only traces of her earlier journey left, but it didn’t matter since she would soon catch up anyway. What was important right now wasn’t that.
‘I can’t help but notice it now.’
She had obliterated the base of Haken Welt. However, she couldn’t capture the head. Where could that bastard be wandering off to while his base is being destroyed?
She had taken care of Master-level fighters close to Grandmaster level, so Haken Welt’s influence had certainly diminished. But without capturing the head, known as Tugi, there wasn’t much significance to it.
Nameless and Tugi. Those two could easily destroy a kingdom. She’d dealt with Nameless, but with Tugi still around, it was impossible not to be concerned.
Especially the absurd regenerative powers that Nameless had displayed. Considering the feeling of magic, it seemed he had made a deal with a devil; thus, it couldn’t be ruled out that the head had done the same.
‘Is he holed up somewhere in seclusion training?’
She didn’t want to randomly run into Enok later. If news came in, she would leap out immediately and sever his neck. Rionne resolved so.
[Don’t make those kinds of statements without managing your expression.]
At Undine’s words, Rionne jolted. She casually touched her lips and confirmed that her mouth was indeed raised at the corners.
“W-well, good things are good!”
Right, Enok even declared he loves me. Our adorable Enok. It’s not that he hadn’t expressed affection until now, but he usually leaned towards being rather blunt, so to hear him suddenly declare love was beyond surprise.
[Geez, how nice.]
“Is that bad? Ah, what’s with you, Undine? Are you perhaps jealous?”
Rionne grinned while teasing Undine. After all, our Enok is undeniably adorable. It’s understandable for a spirit that has yet to hear a declaration of love to be a bit jealous.
[You… no, do as you please. I don’t know anymore.]
Perhaps feeling embarrassed after her inner thoughts were revealed, Undine dashed away. Well, it’s understandable to be envious. Who am I? The only Elf to hear Enok say he loves me!
“Hoho.”
I can’t contain it. I want to hug him and spin him around three times. How could he be so precious? It’s rare to find a devoted child like Enok on the entire continent.
*
“Enok~!”
A day later, Rionne returned. It seemed that she planned to stay a few more days now that she was here, as she naturally perched herself on the cart and pulled Enok into a tight embrace.
“Were you playing with a friend?”
“Friend?”
Did she misunderstand that as a friend? Enok scowled at Zikfrein.
“Oh, Swordmaster! That’s right! I was playing with my friend!”
Not a friend at all; she didn’t even ask him. Enok waved his hand dismissively, but oddly enough, Rionne seemed to take a shine to him.
“Make sure to be friendly with our Enok. As you can tell, he’s a sweet and adorable kid.”
“Oh! So his name is Enok!”
“…You said ‘friend,’ didn’t you?”
“Haha! Not knowing a name doesn’t matter to becoming friends at all!”
Zikfrein even went as far as inviting Enok over to his house.
“If you ever pass by near Demisto, drop by. I, Zikfrein Le Demisto, am a man who repays kindness.”
“Kindness?”
“Kindness for which I owe my life.”
Well, if that’s the case, I nodded in understanding. That guy’s father was a Marquis, right? It might not be a bad idea to engage later on.
Nobility belonging to the fifth class is generally appointed by the king. Titles like Baron or Duke fall into that category.
In the case of Barons and Viscounts, they can be used as mere office workers, so they aren’t necessarily strong, but once you reach a Count, military strength becomes essential. With a Marquis, it’s just about being strong.
By the way, someone like Iris isn’t exactly a noble belonging to the fifth tier. It feels like she merely seized the lordship without royal recognition.
But oddly enough, there are more nobles in this category than those belonging to the fifth tier. They refer to them as Free Nobles, but it is often said that they usually comply if the king calls them.
After all, the king is generally the strongest in the nation; that’s only natural. Kurtaline is the Grandmaster after all. If one misbehaves, their head might just roll off physically.
“By the way, the Ziwei Star… Well, given the Heavenly Death has appeared, it’s only natural to expect that.”
At Rionne’s words, Zikfrein nodded.
“Come to think of it, I was curious, isn’t that guy from Heavenly Death; is it alright?”
Is he being polite or not? Enok gave Zikfrein a strange look. Still, Rionne, feeling pleasantly surprised since Enok had now self-claimed a friend, paid that no mind.
“Are you referring to the madness? For now, it’s alright. I mean, our Enok is growing too rapidly, after all.”