STM 168

It was only then that I realized I had been too caught up in my own thoughts. But Tairok didn’t ask me what I was thinking about. Instead, he questioned my taste in food.

“Is that so good?”

I looked down at my plate, where his gaze had landed. My fork had dipped in diced pickled radish. It was the precious chicken radish the Adeye family had sent me.

These were all the benefits of Doctor Kim’s stay at the Kun estate in the capital. The portal connecting there and this location allowed for the rapid delivery of fresh food.

“Of course. This is all thanks to your Grace. Thank you for allowing Lantuya to stay at the Kun estate.”

Even in response to my thanks, his usual smile didn’t appear. Instead, his eyebrows quirked slightly.

“I heard you went to see your younger sister this morning too?”

“Yes. She’s regained consciousness, but she still have breathing problems and her movements are still difficult.”

“Then if there’s another accident at the mansion, she might be the first to die.”

What the hell are you talking about? As I glared at him, Tairok’s gently smiled. His gaze was sharp, though.

“My mansion isn’t safe. It’s the imperial capital. It’s where the four great divine beast families reside, so it wouldn’t be surprising if it were attacked at any time.”

Ah. I shook my head, feeling sorry for overreacting.

“But that’s the safest place. Right now, there’s no place more trustworthy than Kun.”

I spoke without thinking, but Tairok just stared at me. It occurred to me belatedly that my words might be an embarrassing confession. It was true, but it was embarrassing. I averted my gaze and added curtly.

“Of course, I had to overcome countless attacks from Your Geace that threatened my life before this trust could be built.”

Unlike me who was showing off, he suddenly stood up and grabbed my hand across the table before pulling me towards him.

“I’ll comfort you until you feel better. Even a hundred times.”

He kissed my fingertips as he spoke. His words and actions were sincere, but I was a Korean used to eating kimchi. It felt too much.

The food here was already greasy. And the look in those eyes made me want to go to bed right now. I resolutely pulled my hand away.

“It was in the past, what’s the big deal? Pushing me off the cliff with your foot is something I’ll never forget, but I feel nothing now. It’s true.”

Then I pushed the plate of pickles in front of him.

“I will accept your apology through this.”

Tairok’s gaze slowly drifted to the plate. As a Tubain who only knew greasy meat, I expected him to hesitate, but surprisingly, he speared it with his fork and ate. A crunching sound echoed, followed by a sigh of appreciation.

“Sine.”

I immediately shook my head at the nuance that it was nothing special.

“But it feels refreshing.”

He raised his eyebrows, not understanding. Then he reached for another dish placed before me: vegetables marinated in olive oil.

“It’s a grass that tastes like oil.”

“No, it has a refreshing and savory taste.”

“……How long have you been brainwashed?”

“It’s been 29 years, you fool,” I muttered to myself, then pulled the plate back towards me. “If you’re not going to eat it, then it’s fine with me. I can finish it.”

“Was Adeye Lantuya also brainwashed in the same place?”

Pause. My fork stopped in mid-air at the unexpected question.

“……The same place?”

“You both have similar eating habits. To be exact…”

Tairok added while cutting his share of meat with a knife in an elegant motion.

“You’ve both changed since coming back from the dead. Now that I think about it, your personalities have changed, too. You suddenly become smarter, like completely different people.”

“Everyone looks different when they get well after being sick. And she was always smart.”

“You?”

“……No, Lantuya.”

Fortunately, I had previously heard from Mo about Lantuya in Lu’s memories. As a child, Lantuya was an ordinary child. But compared to the dimwitted Lu, she was practically a genius.

I tried to hide the lies within the truth, but I couldn’t look Kun in the eye properly while answering.

I was uncomfortable with his constant questioning. But I had so many things on my plate that I couldn’t even ask him what he suspected.

He said he’d close the Eye of Hell, but he made that decision without knowing my background. To him, I might as well be an alien. I deliberately changed the subject.

“Isn’t there something more important than our taste in food right now?”

“Nothing. The only thing that matters right now is that you eat well.”

“Since you’ve confirmed that I’m eating well, that’s enough.”

I asked seriously while chewing the pickled radish as if it were nothing.

“Sarne and Montaine will undoubtedly join forces to keep Your Grace in check. They’ll undoubtedly hatch some crude scheme, just like when they lured me into a party.”

“Not Montaine. I heard that Kilu went into hiding.”

Went into hiding? It couldn’t because that shameless person vanished out of embarrassment.

He left Hoiga alone? I heard Hoiga is locked up in the library of Duke Kilu’s residence.”

“How did you know?”

I answered honestly under his gaze.

“I have a lot to repay Hoiya. Especially in Adeye.”

The one who gave me the information was Solongo, whom I met in the morning.

“Now that we’re on the subject, let me make this clear. Hoiga is my responsibility. I’ll handle it.”

I told him so earnestly, but Tairok smiled as if he were seeing the bold ambition of an elementary school student. My pride was hurt, but his eyes sparkled so brightly that I couldn’t bring myself to argue. Damn, his smile was so cute. I lowered my gaze to my plate and patted my food with my fork.

“But I don’t think Kilu would have given up on Hoiga already.”

“That’s right. Because he’s still worth using.”

“Then what could possibly be happening? There’s nothing more important than a rival family like Kun using a divine beast’s power.”

“Apparently there is.”

Tairoj responded dryly, but his gaze was as cold as a sharp blade. What could be more important than a rival wielding the power of a divine beast? Tairoj, like me, seemed to be lost.

“Then what about Sarne?”

“They must already be starting to plot a trick.”

I was puzzled by his attitude of not caring much.

“Shouldn’t we prepare?”

“For what?”

He added casually.

“I’ll strike first.”

“When?”

I moved the fork while asking the question, then stopped. A short answer was heard.

“Today.”

‎

‎

‎

“She woke up for a moment and then fell back asleep.”

After breakfast, I rushed to see Doctor Kim again, but once again, all I could see was her asleep. Solongo quickly added to comfort me.

“They say that the medicine is strong, so she’ll be sleeping longer for now.”

So, even if I came to visit, all I could do was watch her sleep. Even though I understood Solongo’s meaning, I couldn’t agree. I felt like I had to at least see her sleep. She looked almost dead. She was already thin, but this accident made her seem even thinner.

“You have to eat well.”

As I muttered absentmindedly, Solongo seemed to remember something and brought up the subject.

“Baron Owick said the same thing.”

“Oh, how is she?”

Baron Owick had been staying at the Adeye residence all along, so I belatedly worried. Fortunately, Solongo’s expression brightened.

“The annex where the baron primarily resided was near the greenhouse, so it was not damaged by the recent fire. She said she still had work to do and would remain at the Adeye residence. Of course, we have maintained strict security and guards.”

“Good, well done.”

I praised her and asked her just in case.

“Do the Kun family members make it obvious or anything?”

“…….”

“Why?”

“I wondered if you were asking sincerely.”

Of course I was. Kun and Adeye were on such bad terms. But Solongo’s words brought out an uncomfortable reality I’d forgotten.

“There is not a single place in Tubain that would neglect the family of Salvation.”

… … Damn it. I cursed inwardly. Now, I felt like I had reached the pinnacle of a grand farce, a farce that would deceive the entire Tubain people.

“There’s no need to feel uncomfortable. At least in Sarne, where Salvation is desperately needed, they’re probably at a loss as to what to do.”

“Yes, I guess I’ll just have to waste some more time hesitating.”

I looked around and told her about Kun’s plan to attack Sarne.

“It will take time for the troops to move, but if even just the vanguard can use the portal, we will be at war with Sarne within a week.”

It would be nice if Sarne would bow down before war broke out, but the ill-tempered Grand Duke Sarne would not back down easily.

The best way would have been for Black Bear to suddenly appear and slap Grand Duke Sarne in the face. Of course, this wouldn’t have been easy either. After all, Black Bear had begun training late in life, a process that required years of training since childhood.

However, she seemed to possess remarkable patience. I put my worries aside and revealed the real reason I’d come to see Solongo.

“What about Sidro?”

“He’s ready to be sent to the temple at any time.”

What I wanted was to be able to manipulate him perfectly like a puppet, and I trusted Solongo.

“Good. Now all we have to do is gather the rest of the characters.”

The reliable Solongo gave a reassuring answer this time too.

“Just give the order now. I’ll set up the stage and assemble everyone needed.”

“No, it’s not time yet.”

I spoke firmly and paused. Huh? Why was I so sure it wasn’t the right time? I don’t know why, but it felt like I’d just touched something flying by at precisely the right moment.

“Lord Lu, what is it?”

I shook my head and focused on the situation.

“Just keep it ready so it can be executed at any moment.”

“Yes, just give me the order whenever you want. I’ll show you exactly what happens if anyone dared attack Adeye.”