DMHS 46

Frederick kept stirring the pot and he continued to speak.

“The next place we reach is beyond the grassland, the Forest of Creation. The Fourth Tower is hidden inside the maze in the forest. What I know is a story handed down in the forest.”

“Is there something mysterious in the forest?”

“According to rumor, the maze in the forest exists to protect it.”

“Wow. Then it must be something very valuable. Could it be gold and silver treasures hidden by people in the old days?”

Frederick raised his eyebrows and he made a playful face.

“No. What is hidden in the forest is a ‘tomb.’”

The princess waved her hand and she frowned.

“Who hides a tomb?”

“Of course it is not an ordinary tomb. It is the tomb of the elves who became extinct long ago.”

“Hero Betias is also an elf.”

“That’s right. The protagonist of this old story is also Betias. People usually call Betias a ‘Dark Elf.’ But those who like to argue had doubts. Stories about elves have been handed down from long ago, but the only mention of a Dark Elf is Betias.”

“Come to think of it, what is a Dark Elf? Is it an elf with black skin?”

“So people thought. Maybe Betias was not a Dark Elf, but a ‘Half Elf’……”

The soup was almost ready. Frederick reduced the fire with magic and he sprinkled pepper on the finished soup.

“According to the story, Betias was a half-blood born between an elf and a human. She was rejected in human society and she went to elven society, but there he also suffered terrible bullying.”

“That is impossible!”

“It is very different from the legends we know. Maybe that is why this story is only told in this region.”

Frederick ladled the soup into a wide bowl.

The princess was still deeply absorbed in the story.

“But what does being bullied have to do with the elf tomb? Are you saying all the elves died because of Betias?”

“That’s right. Betias, who had been bullied for a long time, finally set fire to the forest where the elves lived. The fire burned fiercely for more than a month, and all the elves living in the forest burned to death. To hide her crime, Betias created a new forest and she built a monument inside the maze.”

“That is still impossible. It is a lie.”

“I think so too. It is a groundless story made up to catch people’s interest. But was it not entertaining while you waited for dinner?”

The princess smiled brightly and she picked up her spoon.

“Thank you, Mister Frederick.”

The princess gathered the companions in front of the fire. The dinner menu was vegetable soup, well-baked bread, and sausage.

Kian ate the food that was seasoned just right again today, and he glanced sideways at Frederick.

‘He might be more normal inside than I thought.’

Throughout the selection tournament Kian had confirmed Frederick’s twisted side. That was because he had constantly shown off his arrogance, rashness, and foolishness.

Kian did not forget that Frederick tried to have someone burn the signed paper.

‘It was surprising that he calmed down after losing the duel.’

But it was not so surprising. People were like that by nature.

If you peeled off the shell of self-obsession, you found an inner side that you did not expect. If you looked only at the essence, maybe there were no truly bad people in the world.

‘Anyway, old stories really are fascinating.’

Compared to the ‘history’ that appeared on the kingdom’s exam and was groundless, this one was almost close to the truth.

‘When I go to the Fourth Tower, I should meet Betias too.’

When he thought of the old friend he had not seen for a long time, his heart grew heavy. All the more so because their last meeting had not been good.

‘Can I persuade Betias?’

He raised his head and he looked up at the sky. Unlike his troubled heart, the sky was clear without a single cloud.

Kian gazed for a long time at the stars that beautifully filled the night sky.

***

“Lord Lucien, you seem to have grown taller.”

At Kian’s words, the companions each added a comment.

“Oh, it is true.”

“Lord Lucien was still growing after all?”

Lucien shrugged at the princess’s question.

“I don’t know.”

Looking closely, his face had also changed a little. His jawline became slimmer and his eyes became deeper. Thanks to that, his youthful look disappeared and now he looked old enough to hold an adult ceremony.

Daisy carefully examined Lucien’s clothes.

“Could you lift your arms a little?”

When he raised his arms, the shortened sleeves rode up.

“When we enter the village, we must buy some clothes first. If Mr. Walter saw you walking around like this, he would be upset.”

“That works out well. Right ahead there is a village. It is the closest village to the Fourth Tower.”

Just as Frederick said, the companions soon arrived at the village. Considering it was in the middle of the grassland, it was quite a large village.

The roads where carriages could pass were neatly paved, and the shop owners came outside to attract customers.

Unlike the places they had passed until now where people were rare, there were many people going back and forth along the roadside.

“Usually the villages near the Magic Towers are prosperous thanks to the byproducts from the towers. And though we came by circling from the direction of Chronos, if you come down from the north it is not far from the nearby city.”

After traveling for days through deserts, grasslands, and remote places, everyone became excited when they faced the bustling crowd.

Frederick was busy looking at the magic tools displayed everywhere. The princess was also distracted by the candies and chocolates sold on the street.

Their steps kept slowing down. In the end, Kian pointed at a suitable inn in sight.

“Since we came to a village after a long time, shall we take some time to prepare? Everyone, look around the places you need, and let us meet at the inn this evening.”

The replies came back as if they had been waiting for it.

“Good. I will accompany the princess.”

“Then I will go buy the magic tools I need……”

In an instant, everyone scattered, and only Kian and Lucien were left on the street.

Kian already had a store in mind, so he pulled Lucien along.

“This way.”

Kian stopped in front of a shop with the sign ‘Poinsettia Boutique.’ Through the glass window, a dress decorated with dazzling jewels caught his eye.

Clink

The bell on the door made a sound. The boutique owner, who had purple lipstick on, appeared.

“Welcome. Are you looking for something to wear?”

“I am looking for clothes for this person here. We do not have time for tailoring, so please bring something ready to wear.”

Kian pointed to Lucien who was following behind him. The boutique owner’s mouth opened wide.

“Oh, impossible. An angel has descended! My goodness, how can this be?!”

“Yes……?”

“Everyone, come out! An angel has come into our shop!”

As soon as the owner finished speaking, the ones who were sewing inside came stumbling out.

They had looked lifeless, but the moment they saw Lucien, they gained new life. Their faces filled with energy and they began to chatter.

“When is the deadline?”

“Pick from ready-made clothes? I already have dozens of ideas in mind.”

“Can we prepare formalwear instead of travel wear?”

The boutique staff began rushing busily all over the place.

Before long, a mountain of clothes piled up.

Kian was at a loss, not knowing which to pick up first. But unlike him, Lucien grabbed the set on top and went into the fitting room.

Lucien came out wearing basic traveler’s clothes that also allowed for movement. The boutique staff all let out a sigh.

“Ah……”

“Of all things, you wore that one.”

Unlike the others that reflected their desire to dress him up, the last one was literally just comfortable clothes for traveling.

But maybe because it was new clothes that fit his body perfectly, it looked good on him in Kian’s eyes.

“You look great.”

“I will take this one.”

“I will pay.” Kian quickly went to the counter.

“After our marriage I realized I have not given you anything proper. So these clothes will be my gift.”

Lucien looked down at the clothes with a blank face.

“Then I cannot wear it.”

“Yes?”

“When you wear clothes they get worn out. How could I wear it when it is too precious?”

The unexpected reply left Kian speechless. But even if he wanted to give something other than clothes, nothing came to mind.

‘The truth is, something that promises eternity feels too heavy.’

He could not give an accessory that would never change over time. He wanted to give something that later on they could look back on and say, “ah, that was back then.”

In the end Kian said whatever came to his mouth.

“But I like it. Because you are wearing something I gave you, I finally feel that Lord Lucien is mine.”

Of course, it was the wrong thing to say. Speaking without thinking had never ended well for him.

“……”

“……”

“……”

The noisy boutique suddenly went quiet. The staff covered their mouths, exchanged glances, and slipped away to the back.

Kian felt cold sweat run down his back.

“No, what I meant was……”

Lucien took Kian’s hand with a moved expression.

“I will wear it.”

“What I was trying to say……”

“I can just buy several and rotate them. From now on I will only wear the clothes you buy me. How much would it be if I take all the ones on display here?”

“Ah…… you said you were married. I am touched by the deep love between you two, so I will give you the best discount possible. I will also gift you couple outfits so your partner can wear matching ones.”

“You go change too.”

Kian was pushed into the fitting room. Inside hung ceremonial clothes, the kind one would wear at a banquet.

“Ugh.”

He wanted to step outside right now and take back his words.

‘But if I do that, he will be disappointed.’