37 – Spreading Fame (3)

Gibson Blackwood has been less anxious lately.

Many things within the manor were finding their place.

The forest, which had been attacked by monsters and eroded by magic, gradually regained its original appearance.

Those who were knocked out by the vanished hope rose up one by one.

The crying stopped, and the laughter increased.

All of this was possible thanks to the sacrifice of Red Flame Team and Ner.

He hopes that his daughter is holding up well and continues to work to prosper his estate.

-Thump.

‘Father, this is me.’

A slightly urgent-looking voice came from outside.

Gibson nodded and led his eldest son, Gidin, into the room.

“Come in.”

As soon as Gidin entered the room, he said to Gibson.

“A guest has arrived.”

“A guest?”

During his busy schedule recently, Gibson pondered for a moment to see if he had forgotten something.

But no matter how much I searched, there was no prospective visitor.

“You mean someone is coming to visit us?”

“This is the Celebrien family. We are currently confronting our soldiers at the borders of Blackwood’s estate.”

As much as Gibson had maintained smooth diplomacy with the Celebrien family, he did not feel uneasy about their sudden appearance.

I just wondered why he had come in such a hurry.

Gibson, who had been troubled by the problem of the Blackwood estate for a while, did not know much about the circumstances of other families.

…Even so, it seemed predictable. Perhaps, for the same reason as Blackwood, Celebrien acted so radically and hastily.

Gibson nodded and said to Giddin.

“Bring the guests.”

Gidin nodded his head.

.

.

.

.

As time passed, Gibson watched the elves enter his mansion.

It was a different look from the usual Celebrien Elves, who always dressed themselves up with a noble appearance.

He looked a little rushed, and his expression didn’t have any room.

As if they had driven their horses in a hurry, there was no wagon to be seen, and there were no various servants.

Instead, the head of Celebrien, Ascal Celebrien, appeared on horseback with only a few escorts.

Large stature. Skinny body. A young and handsome face.

It was a strange phenomenon that Ascal, who was hundreds of years old, looked younger than Gibson.

Gidin, who brought the elves, got off the horse first and brought Ascal in front of Gibson.

Ascal lightly touches my forehead and lowers her head.

“Blackwood Ball.”

Gibson was polite, folded his tail, blinked a couple of times, and was greeted in the manner of werewolves.

“Elder, why are you here…”

“…”

Ascal Celebrien gritted his teeth.

It was the emotional expression of this old elf that Gibson had never seen before.

As much as Gibson hadn’t lived less, he couldn’t help but be surprised.

“…Could we talk in a minute?”

Ascal asks.

Gibson grasped the seriousness of the situation as he looked at Ascal, whose arrogance had disappeared. The reason was clearly predictable.

As he was also in the same position, he nodded.

****

Entering the room alone, Ascal let out a long sigh.

Gibson asks his guest over a cup of the proper tea.

“What happened?”

Gibson has known Ascal since he was born.

It is said that both his father and her grandfather have known Ascal.

As such, regardless of her status, there was respect for Ascal.

It was like watching a wise man.

Since such a sage shows his emotions with such a serious expression, even Gibson can’t help but pay attention.

“Gibson. Our territory can’t withstand the demonic attack.”

In her personal space, Ascal was more comfortable speaking.

Gibson wasn’t uncomfortable with that. Since she was an Ascal who called herself Gibson from a young age, she felt more awkward and uncomfortable raising her words.

“I’m still holding on… But I need a solution. Soon everything will collapse at once. The world capital will of course… Be attacked by monsters.”

World Tree.

At that word, Gibson nodded his head.

The world tree was as sacred as the five gods the elves believed in.

They believed that if the World Tree died, the world would also perish.

“I need help. Can you send some soldiers from House Blackwood? I promise I won’t forget this grace, even after hundreds of years pass by.”

As usual, Ascal would have said that we should protect the World Tree together.

But when Gibson saw the elf elder swallowing those words, he knew he was very careful with his words.

He is not forcing his beliefs on others. He seemed even more desperate.

“…”

Even though everything was going as expected by Gibson, he didn’t answer easily.

Since there is no race as noble and prestigious as the elves, Gibson also wanted to help Ascal.

But even Blackwood couldn’t afford it.

It’s only been a few weeks since I’ve been trampled on by monsters.

This wouldn’t have happened without Ner’s sacrifice.

From noble mtl dot com

Looking at Gibson who didn’t answer, Ascal sighed.

“…I see.”

Gibson opened his mouth accordingly, as if to make an excuse.

“…Elder, we really want to help too. However, it’s hard because it’s been a while since we’ve escaped from the monster’s attack.”

“A monster attack?”

Recently, the exchange of information has become slower as the monsters’ offensive has intensified.

As Gibson, I thought that Ascal would know the story of the monster that landed in Blackwood Manor, but since he didn’t know, he continued his explanation.

“Recently, we were also having a hard time with the boss. Didn’t you see the ruined forest on your way?”

“I saw the view, but…”

“Blackwood also went to the brink of extinction. If you weren’t lucky, you probably wouldn’t have met me now.”

“…That was such a difficult thing. I’m sorry I didn’t notice.”

“No. Everyone is in a difficult situation.”

Ascal remained silent for a long time, then inhaled and asked.

Even Gibson knew he was going to ask.

“…But how did you get out of that danger?”

“I called the human mercenary.”

“…Ah. Human mercenaries.”

Ascal let out another breath, disappointed at what Gibson had said.

Gibson asked the reason for the sigh.

“Why is that?”

“…We can’t afford to call in the mercenaries. So far, no mercenary group has accepted the request.”

Gibson described the case of Blackwood.

“Even Blackwood didn’t have much to offer to the mercenaries.”

“…?”

“…Even though I had to give up one of his children.”

“…The mercenary corps received people as compensation?”

“Yes.”

Ascal was surprised by that fact, but he also wiped his mouth bitterly.

“…That’s too bad. No, I should say I’m glad that Yeongji was saved.”

“…”

“Who gave it up?”

“This is Ner. My youngest daughter.”

“…Nerra. Was it the kid who liked our Arwin?”

“It must have been.”

Gibson felt strange seeing Ascal remember such a trivial fact.

At the same time, she remembered Ner and smiled.

However, the ensuing words only deepened Ascal’s sigh.

Gibson again asked the reason for his sigh.

“Elders?”

“Oh, sorry. I keep sighing.”

“No. I understand. Because I was in that position until recently.”

Ascal frowned and said.

“…It bothers me that I am a human, not any other species. We were prepared to make sacrifices, but I don’t know if we’ll see results worthy of those sacrifices.”

“Are you talking about the mercenaries?”

“…That’s right.”

“If it’s about skills…”

Gibson pondered for a moment, then shouted loudly at his door.

“Gidin! Are you there!”

Returning reply.

‘Yes.’

“Come in for a moment!”

At the same time, the door opens and Gidin enters.

Gidin greeted Ascal in his own way.

“Gidin here went out to battle with the mercenaries. It would be more accurate to listen to Gidin about your skills.”

Ascal nodded and looked at Gidin.

“Gidin, can you tell me about the mercenary?”

Gidin blinked his eyes for a moment and paused as if thinking of something.

Soon he answered in a powerful voice.

“It is certain that they are more systematic and well-trained than any other mercenary group. Even the elder will know this as soon as he sees the mercenaries.”

“There is no point in being systematic. I’m asking about your skills. They are asking if we can protect our world tree.”

“…”

Gidin kept his mouth shut. He looked at his father for a moment.

Gibson nodded his head, and Giddin let out a long breath.

And this time he spoke in a cautious voice.

“…That mercenary corps… This is the story of the vice-captain.”

“The vice-captain?”

“He is the person my sister and I are connected to. He is also the person who leads Joe, the leader of the mercenaries.”

Seeing Gidin turning his horse, Ascal prepared to open his mouth.

Ascal wondered if it was okay to trust them.

He wished that he would answer the questions quickly.

“Horse-“

“- A monster.”

But Gidin whispered first.

In Gidin’s muttering voice, there was a gentle trembling like that of a girl who had seen a ghost.

“I have never seen anyone fight like that. How do you create that kind of movement…”

Ascal looked at Gidin, the eldest son of the Blackwood family.

Ascal knew the meaning of such praise given the nature of his race.

Gidin also said that he was a general who was praised in the society of werewolves. That’s why he had high regard for being the vice-captain of the ‘Human’ mercenary corps.

“…I’ve never met the dragon race’s best warrior, Gale-sama…But I think this vice-captain has a talent comparable to that.”

Ascal felt strange but snorted.

“…There’s no one like Gale. I, who lived hundreds of years, guarantee it. Didn’t even the hero learn from Gale? So, don’t mention Gail’s name carelessly.”

“…Maybe so. But even that vice-captain’s subjugation record is close to 200.”

“What?”

“And seeing that skill, I don’t even think it’s a lie. If you are looking for a mercenary to subjugate the boss, I will recommend that mercenary.”

A long silence lingers at Gidin’s words.

Askal stood like that for a long time wondering what he was thinking.

And the voice of the elf elder who opened his mouth soon contained determination.

“…There is no other choice. What is the name of this mercenary?”

“This is Red Yeomdan. We are based in Stockpin.”

Ascal nodded and turned around.

I could see his urgency.

“Thank you, Gibson. Gidin, you too.”

Gibson said, getting up from his seat.

“I wish you good luck.”

****

Two weeks have passed.

Ner and I were getting to know each other day by day.

There was still a certain wall.

To live like a normal married couple, it seemed like we would still have to wait a long time.

Still, there was a comfortable atmosphere between us, and sometimes laughter flowed.

I was getting to know the charms of Ner one by one.

She also started not looking at me anymore, so she showed herself more freely.

“Ner. I have been.”

Ner comes running to me after training.

“Berg! If you used a rag, I told you to put it in some water!”

The everyday life of a noble lady nagging her about laundry.

Those words that would have been nothing if it were for someone else, become interesting when Ner says it.

“I took it out for another use.”

“How can you use it one more time when it is so dirty? Really…”

“Couldn’t you give me a little welcome?”

This is the position that came after the hard training. I also complain lightly.

“…”

Ner blinked his eyes, turned his head, and said.

“…Are you here?”

I handed her the treats she hid behind her back, smiling at her.

Ner’s ears perk up and her tail wags.

“Uh…? Berg, that…”

“Honey Pie. Said I like it I want someone to make it.”

Her snack in a small frame.

Ner came over to me, hesitantly, blinking her eyes with anticipation in her eyes.

“…Really mine? You?”

“I don’t eat these things because they are sweet.”

“Ah…Really? Would you like a bite anyway?”

You can tell from the look on his face that he said it out of courtesy. I can tell from the fact that I’m already worried because I don’t know what answer I’ll spit out.

I walked over to her, unable to reach her.

She said, setting her snack down on a nearby table.

“No. You eat it all.”

At that answer, her tail waggled again.

It seemed like he knew why werewolves would sit with their tails on their backs.

It would only be embarrassing to show emotions like that. It didn’t matter as long as I was laughing right now.

I took a wooden fork from the kitchen and put it next to the pie.

Ner was sitting in his seat waiting for me.

“Thank you.”

What Ner said when he handed over the tableware.

I smiled and nodded.

And I started to appreciate Nere, who was sitting across from me and enjoying a pie.

“…I’ll take care of the mop rail with this.”

Ner playfully recalled what he had said earlier. I burst into laughter again.

Nerdo realized that his joke worked, and began to eat the pie with a smile.

Actually, when we’re together like this, we don’t feel uncomfortable with each other, so there’s no problem.

The problem arises when we have time for each other.

Then my head gets complicated.

Perhaps it is the same for Ner.

Recently, she has been sighing more frequently without me noticing.

It wasn’t once or twice that I saw Nere sighing while walking around the house, and the fortress let out three or four heavy breaths before falling asleep.

I could vaguely understand.

She must be having a hard time in her own way.

Leaving aside the fact that he married someone he didn’t love… Stockpin was a village centered on the human race.

She is so different from the area she lived in.

Because they are aristocrats, the standard of living is different.

Also, she realized that she had nothing to appease her boredom.

It’s okay because I have training, meetings with executives, and all my friends are here, but Ner just sits at home all day.

I need to be by your side, but you can only smile a little.

I didn’t know how many worries she had that she didn’t talk about.

I’m sorry that I’m holding on to these dissatisfaction, but I’m grateful that she endured.

But I don’t know how she will change in the future.

It was the heart of watching an active volcano.

I hope that her emotions, which will come out someday, will explode within my reach.

I didn’t even think that I would be able to live a smooth life without any conflict.

At some point, a problem will come up that needs to be pointed out.

Depending on her culture, there may come a moment when she has to be forced to do something she doesn’t want to do.

“…Delicious?”

“Yes.”

But for today at least, she spent her time with her and her smile.

Maybe you need to find a suitable solution for a smooth marriage.

She seemed to have to think of a way to get closer to her, a way to cherish each other.

Because that’s what a couple is like.

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