Chapter 90

“Whew, it’s been a while since I ate this well. After all the bland hospital meals, I feel like I’ve been saved.”

Abelin smiled brightly as she chewed the last piece of cake, savoring it.

“Good to hear. But didn’t I keep bringing you food from outside?”

“I’m grateful for that. Even though I’ve gotten a bit better, I wasn’t in any condition to go out.”

“Hmm……?”

Kairon suddenly felt something was off.

Just a moment ago, Abelin, who had been lying in bed in pain, had dashed out of the room faster than when she was perfectly healthy after an embarrassing incident.

Not to mention, the person who was supposed to be lying down just appeared next to him and casually devoured an unimaginable amount of dessert.

“Abelin.”

“Yes?”

“Are you really sick?”

“……I’m not fully recovered yet. That’s why I’m eating so much to recover.”

“What’s with the hesitation? And why aren’t you looking at me while you talk?”

“D-do I really need to look at your face while talking?”

“You’re way too healthy for someone who’s supposed to be sick. I could’ve left you in the hospital and enjoyed my vacation, but I stayed by your side to take care of you.”

“……Thank you. I’ll say it if I’m grateful. Should I get up now? Riana, can you help me up?”

“Sure! Be careful……!”

Abelin struggled to get up, limping.

‘Huh? Didn’t she walk just fine earlier……?’

Kairon’s suspicions grew, but since Abelin insisted she was still sick, he couldn’t press further.

“By the way, why did you leave the hospital? To eat?”

“That too. I need to see Lady Rostia. To the Magic Tower.”

“To the Magic Tower? Did she ask me to come too?”

“No. She only asked for me. Thanks, Riana. I’ll walk on my own now.”

“Are you sure, sis? If it’s too much, I’ll take you to the Magic Tower.”

“I’m really fine. I’ve gotten much better. And she said to come alone.”

“Sis……”

Rostia called me to the Magic Tower to research the Power of Demon.

But why did she call Abelin?

Could it be something bad from when Ronos attacked her……

“I’ll take you.”

“Huh? I’m fine. I can walk.”

“I’m fine too. I’ve been taking care of you all this time, what’s a little more?”

“No, it’s fine. If you have time, spend it with Riana.”

“You’re usually firm, but today you’re unusually firm. Fine. Since you’re so insistent, I won’t force myself to stay by your side. But be careful and don’t fall, okay?”

“Do I look that careless? Don’t worry. I’m much better now.”

Abelin smiled softly and added,

“Kairon, it’s thanks to you. I’ll go ahead now.”

Abelin limped out of the dining hall, still looking pitiful.

Riana, watching her, had a sympathetic expression……

“Hehe.”

……Not at all.

“Why are you laughing, Riana? Abelin got hurt protecting you.”

“Do you want the cold truth or a warm lie?”

“What? Is there something I missed?”

“Even a clueless oppa like you must have guessed. Right?”

“……Abelin isn’t really sick?”

“Bingo! You knew and still asked?”

“But I don’t get it. If she’s faking, she can’t do anything but lie down. Why keep pretending?”

“……Are you really asking because you don’t know?”

“Yeah, I’m asking because I don’t know. I prefer the cold truth.”

“Really, are you sure you won’t regret hearing it?”

“Of course. If it’s something serious, I need to know as a comrade.”

“……Tch, you’re no fun.”

“What? No fun? What do you mean…… huh?”

The moment I stepped out of the dining hall, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Someone who shouldn’t be here, but has no reason to be here.

While I was staring in disbelief, Riana ran ahead of me to the person.

“Uncle Nigelung!”

“Hello, Riana. Long time no see. Have you been well?”

“Of course! Have you been well, Uncle? By the way, what brings you and Kairon oppa to Rostia?”

“Just some business.”

Nigelung, the adjutant of Commander Balthazar.

His background is unknown, but he was the one who firmly stood by Commander Balthazar’s side when the Vanguard was first formed.

Though I haven’t seen him fight much.

But even from the brief glimpses, it’s hard not to notice how skilled he is.

When Commander Balthazar swept through the battlefield with overwhelming power, Nigelung flawlessly blocked the demons trying to interfere.

Not eliminating the enemy, but using a large shield and a one-handed sword to block attacks with exceptional skill.

When I formed the Black Iron Vanguard, I borrowed a lot from Nigelung’s combat style.

But after the Vanguard perfected the tactic of the defense team surrounding and blocking the enemy while the guerrilla team eliminated them, he stopped appearing on the battlefield and stayed by Commander Balthazar’s side with the guards.

Even on the day I fell, when the Vanguard retreated after ordinary members were slaughtered by the Demon of Wrath.

“Been well, Kairon? It’s been a while.”

“Yeah, I’ve been well. And it hasn’t been that long, less than a week since I left Cressnig. I’ve been enjoying my vacation. But you being here means……”

“Did Commander Balthazar come too? Sadly, no. If he had, he would’ve come to see you and Riana as soon as he arrived in Rostia. He’s that considerate, our Commander Balthazar.”

“……Right.”

It took me a while to nod.

A considerate, dignified, and exemplary commander.

I might have thought of Commander Balthazar that way before, but not anymore.

“By the way, Kairon, are you feeling okay? You don’t look so good. The Commander gave you a rare vacation, but if you look this pale, what’s the point?”

“……I’m fine. Don’t worry. I just ate too much greasy food, so my stomach’s a bit upset.”

“Be careful. But since you’re on vacation, you should eat a lot of good food. Once the vacation’s over, you’ll be back in Cressnig eating bland, mediocre food every day.”

Nigelung tried to pat my back.

I almost dodged, but it would’ve looked strange, so I stayed still.

The pats on my back.

The hand that always felt warm and friendly now felt unbearably awkward.

This must be why they say knowing too much is a curse, ignorance is bliss.

“You’ve grown so much, Riana. You’re starting to look like a lady.”

“Uncle Nigelung, you’ve got more wrinkles.”

“This kid? Can’t you say something nice after so long? Like I’ve gotten younger or more handsome! Why do you call Kairon oppa but call me uncle?”

“No, no way. There’s a big age difference between Kairon oppa and Uncle Nigelung!”

“Even after meeting after so long, you need a smack to wake up, huh? Come here!”

“Hmph, no way!”

Riana quickly hid behind me.

Nigelung, who was about to give Riana a light tap, stopped when he saw me.

“Kairon, you really don’t look well.”

“Why? What makes you say that?”

“I can tell just by looking. It’s understandable after what happened last wave.”

“What happened?”

Riana, who was the only one unaware, blinked.

“Bro, don’t say unnecessary things.”

“Got it, man. I just felt bad for you.”

“What is it, what happened?”

Riana’s face instantly filled with concern.

“Kairon oppa, what happened last wave that’s got you like this?”

“It’s nothing. It’s in the past, and it’s something that could’ve happened anytime. So don’t worry too much.”

“What is it, why won’t you tell me? Tell me too. Don’t suffer alone.”

Held by Riana’s pleading, I had no choice but to explain.

“……It’s similar to before. Remember when I was really heartbroken? It’s like that.”

“Ah……”

Riana, quick on the uptake, understood what I went through just from that.

And she didn’t press further.

“Anyway, what brings you to Rostia, bro?”

“Just some business. Personal stuff. Take care, rest well. See you in Cressnig.”

“Alright. Take care, Nigelung bro. Hope you finish your business well.”

“Since when have I done things half-heartedly? Don’t worry.”

Nigelung smiled and turned to leave.

Then, a sudden thought occurred to me.

“Bro, wait.”

“Yeah? What’s up?”

“There’s something I want to ask.”

“Sure, ask away. What is it?”

I left Riana aside for a moment and asked Nigelung quietly.

“Who told you?”

“Told me what?”

“Who told you?”

Clearly, I don’t have any acquaintances in this city.

Abelin, Rostia, and a few magicians from the Magic Tower.

But……

“Bro, who told you that I was having a meal with Riana at this restaurant, and led you to find us so precisely?”