The Sword and The Dress
Chapter V45

The Sword and The Dress (Volume 4) – Chapter 5

Translator: Nezu

Editor: Daed

***

“By the way, Captain, we’ll have to stay at the inn for three days, okay? You weren’t able to sleep well at the last inn we stayed in.”

He had no problems sleeping in the carriage or when we’re camping outside, but not when we’re staying at an inn. Even if I could catch the demon king right away so we could leave immediately, we still had to stay at an inn for at least two days. Will he be okay?

I was wondering if I should let him sleep on the carriage when I felt strange gazes fixed on us—to be more accurate—on me. What’s their problem?

“Why are you all looking at me like that?”

“…Please pay no heed.”

“Yes, don’t mind us.”

“Sigh, Captain’s quite… Ah, no. I’m just talking to myself.”

“…Give him space… No, nevermind.”

“Tsk tsk.”

…I don’t know why but somehow I feel irked. This kind of situation didn’t only happen once or twice. They’re always talking like they know something the Captain and I don’t. Are they ostracizing us now? In the end, I couldn’t stand it anymore and asked them directly.

“You don’t have to look at us with that expression that says ‘we don’t have to know’. Just tell us what’s wrong.”

See, they’re exchanging glances again like they’re embarrassed or something! Use your words. Tell us what’s up! 

Iner stepped forward and spoke.

“That’s because Sir Roel, to Sir Rizar—”

“Saintess!”

“Iner-nim!”

Cain and Tess immediately stopped her when Iner tried to say something. Ortzen and Clauen also looked flustered.

“You don’t have to hide it from them. They’re both grown adults.”

“But still… It’s still too early to tell them.”

Tess added. “He’s right, it’s still too early. We can tell them at least after we get back to the Capital! What if something really happens if I tell them now? Sure, it’ll be hard for now, but we’ll be in trouble if Siegfried-nim finds out later! He’ll go crazy! I’m sure he’ll hold us accountable.” Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ NøᴠᴇlFire.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

What does Sieg have to do with whatever this is? What is it, really?!

Iner raised a brow at Tess’s reply.

“The thought of that person going crazy makes me want to say it more.”

“Oh, please, hold back the urge to do that! No matter how bad your personality is….”

“What did you say, Sir Testa?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

Iner glared at Tess, and Tess shut up at once. But I want to know!

“Inertia, I’ll take care of Sieg so just tell me.”

“Well, I would love to but everyone’s against it.”

“But isn’t this about me?”

“It’s about Sir Roel and Sir Rizar.”

“Whether they’re against it or not, what matters most is the opinion of the person involved. So go ahead and tell me.”

Iner turned to look at Captain Jullius.

“Does Lord Rizar want me to tell her?”

Of course he does—

“No.”

…What?! Wait, did he just say ‘no’? Did he? It wasn’t Cain or Tess just pretending to be him? I looked back at Captain Jullius, surprise written all over my face.

“You don’t want to know? Even though it’s about us?!”

He nodded, looking shy for some reason.

“I’m not really curious.”

“Why?”

“…Honestly, I think it’s better that you don’t know.”

What? It’s better that I don’t know? Why does it sound like he already knows what Iner is going to say?

“Oh, don’t tell me you already know? You already know why they’re acting like that?”

“…”

Captain nodded hesitantly.

What? Really? He does? How?! Why?! My hands inadvertently grabbed him by the collar. Because of our height difference, it looked like I was clinging on to him.

 “But how? You really know? So what is it about?!”

“…I don’t want to tell you.”

“But I’m the only one who doesn’t know! Even you, Jullius, know what it’s about!”

The heck, why am I the only one being left out?! I glared at the people around me. Anyone who met my eyes, except Captain, looked away. Even Iner! What the heck, what aren’t they telling me?! I took a deep breath when I realized that my teeth were clenched. 

Calm down, yeah, let’s calm down…

“Jullius!”

“Uh, yes.”

“Tell me.”

“No.”

“Ah, why not!”

“Roel, do me a favor please, can you just let it go…”

He looked at me with a pleading look in his pale gray eyes. Damn it, those make me feel weak… And Captain rarely asks me for a favor. Eventually, the hands grabbing the Captain’s collars loosened.

“…Fine. If you don’t want to tell me, then I won’t ask you anymore.”

“Thanks.”

“But still… No, nevermind.”

It’s frustrating because I really wanted to know but I don’t want to force him. I’ll hold back for now. I could at least do that for him. Instead of clenching my fists, I grabbed Captain Jullius’ hand and smiled.

“Let’s leave organizing the luggages to these people and go out to have fun. When I came here before, I saw a few good bakeries.”

I’ll feel better if I eat sweets.

***

The meeting place with the demon king was on the outskirts of the Black Desert. Though it was called ‘Black Desert’, its sand grains were not so much black as they were gray. It got its name from the story that tells about a goddess who drove demons out to the ends of the continent and burned the earth black. However, what once was a black color faded over time. It certainly looked like gray ash now.

We stopped about a few minutes away on horseback from the meeting place. Unlike the desert, this place was a dark brown of land where trees and grasses grew quite well. However, gray grains of sand carried by the wind could still be seen. I heard that the desert’s area was gradually increasing because of the sands being carried around this way. I wonder if this is true.

“We won’t be able to take cover if we go closer to the desert,” Ortzen said as he looked around, mounted on his horse.

“Though it would be better if we were a bit closer… Saintess-nim, can you still check from here?”

Iner closed her eyes. Well, I guess checking is no easy feat. After a while, she finally opened her eyes and spoke.

“I’ve picked out the mana of thirteen beasts, but I didn’t sense any mana belonging to that of a demon.”

“Then let’s just continue to check from time to time and try to approach for now.”

We continued to advance forward, albeit slowly this time. By the time the surrounding vegetation became sparse and the grayness of the land became more apparent, Iner finally uttered the answer we had been waiting for.

“I sense a demon. But the level of its mana is weak.”

If it’s a demon with a weak mana then, without a doubt, it’s him.

Ortzen looked at Iner and asked, “Only one?”

“Yes. There are no other demons nearby. However, I sense a medium-sized beast roaming around.”

Everyone looked at me with a concerned expression.

“It’s no problem if it’s only a medium-sized beast. But if it’s bigger than that then I’ll have a hard time dealing with it with a dagger.”

Large beasts were usually killed using spears. It differed depending on what type of beast it was, but it was still hard to slay a large beast even with a long sword as most of them could only be defeated by thrusting more than half of the blade. In other words, it would be hard for me to defeat such an opponent with just my dagger now. 

Captain’s worried expression became even darker.

“Bring Calitus with you.”

“No, I’m good. Unless it’s a small beast, it’s better to just run away. I can escape on horse then meet up with you. Even if I can’t escape, I can simply dodge the attacks and stall for time rather than attack with a heavy sword.”

Besides, most of the skills that I have learned from Iner were skills to fend off the enemy. Unlike before when I still had armor, a shield and a sturdy body, I could no longer simply take on the enemy’s attacks. 

“But…”

“It’s okay. It’s not like this is my first time dealing with a beast. There aren’t any large beasts to begin with. I can fight a medium-sized beast, and it’s easy to escape if I struggle, so you don’t have to worry.”

I’ve had more experience than the Captain… so I won’t lose. Sure, he had dealt with beasts for a long time when he had crossed the Black Desert. However, for the last few years, I’ve faced a lot more. Faced with my successive persuasion, Captain Jullius simply sighed and nodded reluctantly. 

Then Ortzen advised, “Try to be amiable and kind at first. However, if you think cooperation is impossible, then you will be compelled to retreat. Please try as much as you can.”

“I understand. I will.”

I’m actually not confident. Ortzen took out a little mouse-like thing from his pocket and gave it to me.

“Take this with you.”

“What’s this?”

“It’s a flare. Pull the tail, throw it into the air, and it will explode. I’ll make sure that the Saintess keeps an eye on you, but we never know what will happen. If you feel like you’re in danger, please send us a signal right away.”

“Alright.”

Did Sana make this? I took the mouse-like thing, put it in my pocket, and rode the horse alone, feeling the concerned eyes on my back. Since we had almost reached the desert, the surrounding area became empty after a while. The horse’s hooves sank down into the desert’s soft, gray sand. At this rate, even if I tried to escape, the horse wouldn’t be able to sprint.

As I looked ahead, I saw a figure with a gray robe standing huddled near a long rock in the distance. Is that him? What was his name again? I forgot again.

As I slowly approached, he took off his robe’s hood and looked at me.

He was certainly that demon king but his green colored eyes were shaking with anxiety. At that time, I had completely smashed half of his face but now it was completely restored. I alighted from the horse and greeted him.

“Hey, long time no see.”

***

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