Chapter 122
Nahun and Seere had been staying on the 15th floor for a while. Nahun had come to Seere’s room.
“Where did Cecili go?”
“She went to study. She needs to know the structure of this place.”
While the two were staying, Cecili, who had to handle all the chores, was busy figuring out the structure and rules of Jepar’s castle.
“Somehow, Cecili looks the busiest.”
“Yeah.”
In contrast, Nahun and Seere were quite relaxed. After all, Jepar had only told them to stay there for training. There was nothing to do when they weren’t training.
Nahun asked Seere.
“How was it?”
“Huh?”
“I mean, what was it like going up against Jepar.”
Seere blinked. Then she spoke a bit more seriously, with a slightly subdued expression.
“Jepar was strong.”
“Of course.”
“If we had fought with the intention to kill each other from the start, I wouldn’t have stood a chance.”
“Did you feel helpless?”
At Nahun’s question, Seere looked straight at him. And she answered.
“No.”
“Then?”
“It was fun.”
Seere, saying this, had a smile creeping onto her face.
“I’m curious about how much closer I can get next time.”
Seeing Seere like this, Nahun thought, ‘She really doesn’t disappoint, being Seir’s child.’
She enjoyed competition. Unlike most ordinary people who would try to evade a massive wall in front of them, she would charge right into it, even knowing she couldn’t overcome it yet.
And she learned and realized a lot from that. Nahun advised Seere.
“Don’t forget that feeling, and learn a lot from Jepar.”
“Yes.”
She would probably have much more to learn from Jepar than from him right now. Nahun knew that, while Seere was currently an impossible opponent for him, Jepar was not.
He seemed like a rival that, with a bit more effort, might yield better results in battle. Though he was a tall wall, it felt like there might be a way to overcome it.
‘What unexpected fortune.’
If Nahun were to impart that kind of teaching to Seere, she needed to polish her skills a bit more. She had to be at a level where she was somewhat of a match for him.
But with Jepar now able to play that bridge role, he found it to be a very favorable situation as a mentor.
“Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“Is this situation alright with you?”
“What do you mean?”
When Nahun asked back, Seere chuckled lightly. There was an interesting nuance in her laughter, but also a hint of bitterness. Sometimes, when she acted so indifferent, it was clear she didn’t view him as a woman at all.
‘Still, I need to make her aware.’
If one keeps chopping at a tree, eventually, the massive trunk will fall. Seere deliberately brought this situation into conversation.
“We’re… alone together.”
“What does that matter?”
Aha.
It seemed her teacher was aware of the situation but was trying to play it off as if he didn’t. As if he were acting nonchalant, as if it were really nothing at all.
Seere had no reason to act as Nahun intended. No, she shouldn’t. She couldn’t concede that much.
If she stepped back now, it would only serve as a precedent that could justify Nahun’s shameless behavior in the future. Seere acted more boldly.
Seere slowly crossed her legs. Then, lightly touching her lips with her finger, she spoke in a slightly higher tone.
“Um, so you’re saying it’s alright?”
“Is there a problem? We used to be alone like this in the office all the time.”
Seere laughed softly.
“Really, you don’t know?”
“Yeah.”
“I guess I have to show you directly that it’s different from then.”
“…What?”
Seere stood up. When Nahun took a step back, feeling a sudden wave of anxiety, Seere gracefully approached him.
He naturally held the doorknob and said.
“Ahem… Now that I think about it, I think Jepar mentioned wanting to see you.”
“Heh, that couldn’t be.”
“Why not?”
“When the duel was settled, it was supposed to be announced through Cecili.”
Nahun’s excuse was not convincing. While Nahun stood still, flustered at having his lie revealed, Seere had already moved closer to him.
“So, teacher, you have no schedule at all right now.”
“……”
“But why did you lie? If you’re alright being alone with me… you wouldn’t have any reason to avoid me.”
“Because you’re saying strange things.”
“What strange things did I say?”
As Seere played dumb, Nahun replied with a hint of irritation.
“Weren’t you the one who said you would directly show me how it was different from before?”
“I was just stating facts!”
Nahun watched Seere’s expression as she approached him. She was smiling brightly, but a clear, dark desire lurked beneath. It was an unsettling gaze, one that wouldn’t be surprising if that desire were to be expressed at any moment.
Nahun sighed and brushed away Seere’s hand as she tried to wrap her arms around him.
“Ah…”
“Seere.”
Then Nahun spoke in a slightly serious tone.
“My attitude toward you won’t change just because you act like this. If you keep making things uncomfortable, I’ll have no choice but to avoid you.”
“…Are you saying I’m making you uncomfortable?”
Nahun realized he had slightly misspoken.
“That’s not what I meant. It’s just that your behavior keeps saying things like this…”
But it was already too late. Seere was puffing up her cheeks. The habit she had from her adolescent years of showing displeasure at Nahun was still alive.
“I had no idea I was making you uncomfortable. I’m so sorry! From now on, I won’t even casually talk to you!”
“No, Seere. That’s not what I meant…”
Seere seemed to take great offense. She quickly turned away, leaped onto her bed, and covered herself with the quilt. In the process, a pair of horns peeked out from under the blanket.
“……”
Nahun wore an uncomfortable expression. And Seere, lying down under the quilt, quietly awaited his response.
‘Now…’
Seere thought that by showing this sulky appearance, Nahun would come to comfort her. But to her surprise, he acted in a manner completely contrary to her intentions.
The door creaked open. Nahun then stated.
“Alright, I’ll wait until you’re feeling better. It might be better for you to be alone for a while.”
“…!?”
Seere quickly kicked off the quilt and sat up, but Nahun was already closing the door. With an indifferent click, it shut. Seere stared blankly at the door.
“Teacher…?”
Nahun stood there for a moment after closing the door. Then he sighed deeply and muttered.
“…This is right.”
#
In the midst of a busy day, Cecili returned from figuring out what was needed on the 15th floor of the Demon King Castle. She had brought a tea set, intending to serve Seere, who she guessed might be waiting alone in her room.
However, upon entering the room, she was taken aback.
“Ugh, sniff, haaa….”
“…Your Majesty?”
Cecili dashed toward Seere, who had curled up, her head buried in her knees, sobbing quietly.
Sniffling.
Cecili rushed forward, nearly dropping the tea set as she climbed onto the bed, arms spread wide to offer her embrace.
“Your Majesty, come here!”
“Ugh, Cecili…!”
Seere, seeming to feel devastated, rushed into Cecili’s embrace and cried uncontrollably. Cecili wrapped her softly curled tail around Seere, holding her close.
As Seere gradually calmed down from Cecili’s comforting presence, Cecili asked her.
“Why are you crying so much? What happened?”
“…Sniff, it’s my teacher….”
“Nahun?”
Seere shared her woes, sniffing and stammering. Cecili listened quietly for a moment, then said.
“You don’t need to rush, Your Majesty.”
“Sniff, did I do something wrong?”
“Not exactly. It’s not that anyone has done wrong to the point of having to argue over it, but if Your Majesty truly wishes for Nahun….”
Cecili sincerely advised her.
“It might be better to approach slowly. Not too overwhelming.”
“…Was I too hasty?”
“Well, how would it look from Nahun’s perspective?”
“But….”
Seere explained why she felt a bit rushed.
“What if he suddenly leaves again?”
“…I know well that Your Majesty waited for Nahun for eight years. But Nahun still views the young Your Majesty as familiar, so a sudden change in demeanor might feel overwhelming for him.”
“……”
“And didn’t Nahun say himself that he wouldn’t leave? So take it easy.”
Cecili smiled gently as she said this.
“Your sincere heart will surely be rewarded someday.”
Seere lifted her head slightly. Then she asked Cecili.
“Have you experienced something like that too?”
“Yes?”
“It sounds like you have some experience….”
“…Well, perhaps.”
Cecili’s gaze shifted slightly, as if she was recalling a memory from long ago, and Seere briefly fell into thought.
“Thank you for sharing, Cecili.”
After coming to a conclusion, Seere spoke. Cecili smiled brightly at her words.
“I’m glad my insignificant words could help.”
“I’ll take it a bit more… calmly.”
As she thought about approaching slowly while being thoroughly prepared, Seere began to gather external magic.
#
Nahun was out in the training ground on the 15th floor. He was there to shake off the tangled thoughts cluttering his mind. The training ground Jepar had set up for him and Seere was quiet and ready for use.
While holding his sword and staring blankly at the sky, a sudden dark mist began to swirl next to Nahun. Then, three small massus magically appeared.
“Poo.”
“Moong.”
“Peep.”
Seeing the three small, adorable massus, Nahun casually remarked.
“I didn’t call you out.”
“Pupup.”
“Moong.”
“Peep.”
“Why are you causing a fuss this time?”
When Nahun spoke with irritation, the massus glanced at each other and then turned to Nahun.
“Poooo.”
“Moong.”
“Peep.”
“What are you saying….”
Nahun usually understood their words through their gestures and the surrounding context. However, now he couldn’t make heads or tails of what they were saying.
The massus started to move around as if they were frustrated. Their antics made Nahun frown deeply and yell.
“Get back in.”
The three massus, startled, quickly scurried away. They were quick on the uptake, able to interpret the mood well.
After the massus vanished, Nahun returned to staring blankly at the sky until he suddenly sensed an approaching presence and turned his head.
Nahun willingly lowered his head. The limping figure approaching him was the ruler of this place.
“Your Majesty Jepar.”
“I didn’t expect to find you here in the training ground at this late hour.”
“I just came out to get some fresh air.”
“I happened to come by after seeing you too. Hmm….”
Jepar stroked his chin, then continued.
“It seems you have a concern.”
“…Is it that obvious?”
“It was quite clear. But you won’t tell me what’s bothering you, will you?”
Seeing Nahun’s expression, Jepar had already predicted his actions. Nahun apologized in a manner that conveyed his unease.
“It’s just that it’s a delicate matter to discuss.”
“Is that so? Then while I won’t be able to hear your worries, I do know one good solution to your dilemma.”
“Really?”
Jepar clenched his fist.
“Just move your body. That usually clears the clutter.”
“……”
“I contacted Lezargie today. For you two, that is. He mentioned he wants to come and talk in person.”
“Truly remarkable insight.”
Nahun looked up at Jepar.
“I too have obligations to fulfill in this exchange.”
“That’s right. It’s great that you understand quickly.”
With that, both Nahun and Jepar fell into silence. They almost simultaneously vanished from the spot.
Boom────!!!
A massive shock and thunderous noise echoed in the training ground. However, that sound didn’t leak outside. Jepar had set up barriers in the training area long ago, not wanting any interruptions.
From the moment he spotted Nahun, Jepar had planned to engage him in a confrontation. And he was immensely satisfied with the outcome.
“Yes… I was right to think this!”
“……”
Jepar’s right fist and left fist were firmly caught in Nahun’s grip. At a fast and unpredictable timing, his knee, which had aimed to flip the situation, was blocked by Nahun’s foot as well. He had been cut off from the beginning.
Jepar spoke with delight in his voice.
“You are the true secret weapon of the Debata side! What in the world are you?”
Nahun did not respond. He merely stared blankly at Jepar. Jepar could hardly contain his rising competitive spirit.
He was facing someone who showed no signs of tension, even with Jepar right in front of him. In fact, every move Jepar had made earlier had been completely thwarted.
And that was well-anticipated.
“I told you before.”
Nahun replied simply.
“I am the teacher of Seere von Debata.”
