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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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‘Hmm…’
The match had finally been decided. The outcome, as everyone expected, was Wilhelm’s victory. It was simply inconceivable for Wilhelm of the Rosemound family to lose an archery match.
However…
‘The atmosphere was surprisingly even until the midway point.’
At least, that’s how it seemed to Gwen, who didn’t know much about archery. To be precise, it was even until Wilhelm deciphered Allen’s defense.
‘I have no idea how he broke through it, though.’
As mentioned before, she wasn’t knowledgeable about archery. Instead, she had a friend who was very knowledgeable.
“A Rosemound is still a Rosemound. To think he’d overcome it that way.”
“That way?”
“He twisted the bowstring to put a precise spin on the arrow. That’s how he tricked Seo Yoo Rang’s ability. But it’s not as easy as it sounds.”
Not only was it not easy, but it was definitely not something just anyone could do. That’s why she said a Rosemound was still a Rosemound.
“Putting a spin naturally changes the arrow’s trajectory. So, normally, it’s impossible to accurately target an opponent’s vital point while adding a spin. But Wilhelm calculated all the trajectory changes according to the spin. And not just a consistent spin, but irregular spins each time.”
It was an incredible talent. No, it was the result of Wilhelm’s overwhelming practice combined with his talent.
Of course, that was the level of skill everyone expected from the Rosemound family.
“He’s certainly worthy of the Rosemound name.”
He was truly amazing.
‘Indeed, a Rosemound…’
Gwen looked at Wilhelm. If she wasn’t nearing retirement and if her style prioritized party play, he would have been a top candidate for recruitment.
But that was it.
‘He doesn’t excite me.’
The Rosemound family was certainly prestigious in archery, but that was all. They were a family lacking elements that could defy ‘expectations.’
On the other hand, Allen, his opponent, was different.
‘I thought he suddenly hid his sword and chose archery as a smokescreen…’
His archery had improved significantly in that one year.
At that level, it might be difficult for him to join a high-ranking hero party, but he could be quite popular among the upper ranks of ordinary hero parties.
Was it talent, or had he just practiced an incredible amount? Considering his swordsmanship, she didn’t really think it was just talent.
‘He never stops striving.’
That was only possible with a clear goal. She recalled what he had said to her.
‘He said he would become a high-ranking hero.’
With those words, he had refused to become her disciple. And she, too, had understood his refusal, believing it impossible for him to become a high-ranking hero.
But he had appeared, having become a high-ranking hero.
‘He’s already achieved that goal.’
Then what was his next goal? Was there anything more he could achieve from his current position?
Of course, above high-ranking heroes were Saint-rank heroes, but was that possible?
‘I don’t really know.’
It wasn’t that she thought it was impossible; she genuinely didn’t know.
The recent match was clearly conducted solely with archery, but she, having reached a certain level in swordsmanship, could discern Allen’s swordsmanship in the brief gaps.
‘The last moment.’
Allen had hesitated for a moment. Hesitated about whether to charge directly at Wilhelm. It was only a momentary hesitation, not noticeable in his actions, but she saw it.
Not just because her swordsmanship proficiency was higher, but because Allen still retained remnants of the Reedval family swordsmanship.
‘He’s caught up to me.’
He wasn’t at her level yet. Even if he worked harder, it wasn’t certain he could reach it.
But the important thing was that his current achievements were something that seemed impossible for the Allen she had seen three years ago.
‘I can’t predict him.’
That’s why he excited her. He might still have something hidden. The elaborate creation of the false identity, Seo Yoo Rang, proved that.
‘Excitement…’
She finally tore her gaze away from Allen.
Then, she turned her attention to the fake Allen sitting across the audience, who was looking at Allen with the same look in his eyes as she was. He looked even more exhausted than the real Allen, who had actually fought in the arena.
‘That must be Elsie.’
There was no way she wouldn’t recognize her own disciple. And the fact that Elsie was currently disguised as Allen had a clear meaning.
‘So the promise was kept.’
The promise Allen had made to Elsie to meet again. Elsie had looked forward to that promise, and it had motivated her relentless training.
In a way, it could be seen as the promise that had made Elsie who she was today.
‘However…’
She didn’t think it was a ‘real’ promise. She considered Allen to be similar to herself.
If it were her, she would have used that letter merely as a source of hope for Elsie before leaving, something to prevent her from crumbling without her.
Whether she could keep it or not would be secondary.
‘But Allen kept his promise to her.’
Allen revealed his true identity to Elsie. That’s why Elsie was disguised as Allen.
It might have been the other way around, but that would be equally impressive of Elsie. Either way, it wasn’t really important.
‘She looks happy.’
Although she was becoming visibly exhausted in real-time, Gwen could see happiness in Elsie’s gaze towards Allen.
No one would have expected the princess, who had lost her family and barely escaped her homeland with her life, to regain such happiness.
But Allen had done it.
‘I’m a little…’
Envious. She was a little envious of Allen meeting Elsie again, but she was incredibly envious of Elsie’s happy appearance.
‘Someday, I too…’
Before it was too late, she would undo Precociousness, have a child, and live happily in a peaceful place… she wanted to live like that.
‘But, Allen…’
Recently, a variable had appeared.
‘Why…’
She looked towards the empty air.
‘Why won’t my constellation answer?’
Until now, she had trusted and followed her constellation. Although her constellation hadn’t guided her with the Rose Sword, it had certainly guided her on the path to becoming stronger.
And she knew that to restore her family, she had to grow as much as possible before undoing the ‘Precociousness’ trait. That was the only way she could reach a higher hero rank.
‘Even if I want to be happy, I can’t just abandon my family.’
She had even heard from Elsie that a coup d’état had recently taken place in the Lodreim Kingdom.
She wanted to intervene, but if she did, she didn’t know what harm might befall her powerless family. In the end, the only option was to gain more power.
‘However…’
Contact with her constellation had been severed. At this rate, gaining strength and reclaiming her family’s sword were becoming uncertain.
‘He said June of my 33rd year.’
Allen had said that. She didn’t completely believe him, but her own estimated time wasn’t that different. And that time was fast approaching.
‘It’s already the year after next, huh?’
To have a child, she had to undo Precociousness before then. But to do that…
‘Is there only one way?’
She looked at Allen, who was leaving the arena.
‘He might know something.’
Just then, Lyudmila, who had been sitting next to her, suddenly stood up.
“Lyudmila?”
“Wait a minute, I’ll be right back.”
With that, she disappeared behind the audience. Gwen, who had noticed Lyudmila’s gaze since earlier, thought she knew where she was going.
So she sent a look towards Allen, or rather, Elsie, across the audience.
Elsie flinched, noticing her gaze. Gwen spoke with her eyes.
‘What are you doing? Hurry up and leave.’
Elsie then stood up and disappeared from the audience. Since Seo Yoo Rang’s match was over, there was no reason for Elsie to remain in the audience.
Just as she was relieved and turned her attention to the next match, a familiar voice called out.
“It’s been a while.”
No, it wasn’t quite familiar. It had been a long time since she had last heard it, and the tone had matured somewhat.
Still, she knew who the voice belonged to.
“It has been a while.”
He sat down next to her, in Lyudmila’s empty seat. Although his face was hidden under a hood, she was certain it was Allen Blake.
“What’s this? Not a word until now, and suddenly you appear?”
Of course, she was actually glad to see him. But she wanted to tease him a little.
“I apologize. There were circumstances.”
Of course, she knew that. And she understood. So she wasn’t really angry.
If she was slightly annoyed, it was…
“If there were circumstances, then is this okay now?”
That he had come to talk to her despite those circumstances.
“It’s not completely okay, but there’s something I must tell you.”
Something he must tell her?
“What is it?”
“I want to tell you that you don’t need to worry too much.”
Gwen’s eyes widened slightly, which was rare for her. Of course, it was exactly what she needed to hear. But she hadn’t expected Allen to say those words to her.
“What do you…”
“There are many ears listening, so I’ll tell you the details later.”
He was right; this place, crowded with people, wasn’t suitable for a secret conversation. But that was just the surface meaning. She saw the hidden meaning beneath it.
‘Is he trying to use me?’
To speak despite many people listening meant that it either didn’t matter, or… that it was a lie. Allen was about to lie to her. But not to deceive her, but to deceive others who might be listening.
‘Fine, use me as much as you like.’
Those words he had spoken to her weren’t a lie.
‘You don’t need to worry too much…’
It meant he would help her somehow. In other words, it was a proposal to become comrades. She decided to hear him out.
“Then tell me, roughly at least.”
“Yes, first, I’m planning to head to the Central Archipelago. But before that, I still have things to do in Hailen.”
“That means…”
“Yes, I’d like you to go to the Central Archipelago first and lay the groundwork. Let’s talk in detail there.”
There was truth and falsehood mixed in his words.
‘It’s true that he’ll head to the Central Archipelago later.’
So he was asking her to go to the Central Archipelago first. Perhaps the family sword she was searching for was also related to the Central Archipelago.
‘And it’s a lie that he has things to do here.’
He was probably planning to go somewhere else under the identity of Seo Yoo Rang. And she had a good guess as to where.
‘The Lodreim Kingdom?’
It was the place with the most unsettling rumors recently.
He was probably trying to divert attention by spreading false information about Allen Blake heading to the Central Archipelago before going there.
‘So this is it for now?’
She had grasped everything he had said. But there was still one last step.
“By the way,”
she said. She wasn’t the type to trust others easily. Especially someone like him, who was skilled at using others.
‘Can I trust someone like him…?’
It was a decision she would normally make on her own.
But she asked Allen, “Can I trust you?”
Allen replied, “It doesn’t matter if you don’t. But I want to help you, and I want to believe in you.”
She didn’t sense any falsehood in his words. Although she wasn’t one to blindly trust, this time was different.
‘Regardless of whether I can trust him or not…’
She wanted to trust him. Not just because Allen Blake was her only remaining hope. Not because she had other feelings for him.
‘Because he is Allen Blake.’
That was the only reason. It wasn’t about his achievements. It was about his actions up until now.
‘He hasn’t been acting solely for his own benefit.’
Although she didn’t know the details, Allen wouldn’t have been very strong immediately after parting with her.
Despite that, he had risked his life to defeat the Demon Lord near the village. And he hadn’t just saved Erciara. He had introduced her to Gwen and given her hope through a promise.
She liked those actions of his. Gwen Reedval was cold-headed, principled, and valued justice.
So she wanted to believe in Allen Blake, just once.
“Then I’ll trust you too.”
With that, she became his comrade. It would take some time before they met again, though.
“Thank you.”
With those words, he stood up. She asked him one last question.
“Are you leaving?”
Just like in the spring two years ago. Just like in the spring of this year. Was he leaving again?
“Yes.”
He affirmed her question. But he added, “But I’m sure we’ll meet again.”
It was a promise.
“Alright, I’ll see you at the Central Archipelago.”
Gwen’s expression still seemed impassive. But she was definitely smiling.
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‘It was nice seeing her again after so long.’
I recalled Gwen’s face and voice, which were the same as three years ago.
The time I spent talking with her was short, but it was definitely enjoyable. It was a shame that we had to part ways again.
‘But does this conclude things with Gwen?’
Gwen was also one of the people greatly confused by the severed connection with her constellation.
Resolving her confusion and bringing her in as a comrade was also one of the goals of this competition, and it seemed to have ended quite successfully.
‘Then there’s one thing left.’
I checked the match schedule again as I headed towards a different seat, not the one where Lyudmila was.
‘It’s almost Yuseora’s turn, huh?’
I had briefly revealed my true appearance. There was one last thing I had to do in this form.
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