novelEvan D. Sherden, An Encounter. (6)
| ← Ch.272 | Ch.274 → |
After the eve of the festival, the Dungeon Festival finally began. One more day passed, and the second day of the festival was set to begin in the afternoon.
Evan was just laughing breathlessly at Arisha, who kept saying, "I'm Evan's partner today, " and Maybell had come to see him.
"Renail is in Sherden, Master."
"Oh, so that's what happened."
In fact, at a time when the world began to go against the Yo-Ma Great War 3's scenario, there was a good chance that Renail would not act according to the game.
There was a possibility of entering a dungeon other than the dungeon city, and there was also a possibility of her going to Pellati instead of Sherden among the three dungeon cities.
However, she had chosen Sherden, which was farther away, and in doing so crossed the border. Evan was able to take it very naturally, and he felt a little sorry for Arisha, but... that was because Sherden had more to offer than Pellati.
"Since I intervened, Sherden has transformed into an environment optimized for the lives and developments of explorers."
"That makes me a little confused since I was born and raised in Pellati, and Pellati has much to offer as well."
Arisha's lips were pouting, prompting a bitter smile from Evan.
"What's more, there's an environmental problem. Pellati is much more difficult for explorers with its underwater environment. Of all people, Renail is a land-attribute wizard."
"Yes, land properties..."
At the mere mention of it, Arisha seemed to be convinced. The Dungeon Knights also had a wizard who used the magic of the earth, and that was Paul of the junior group.
As a result, she knew quite well about the magical properties of the earth type. It didn't work in the water, but in the Sherden Dungeon, which was surrounded by stones and dirt on all sides...
"You can use topography to kill monsters and dig traps in many ways."
"I'm sure that's true, but... I was wondering about the kind of woman Renail is, since you took the effort of eyeing her out."
"Same old....Oh."
Evan tilted his head at Arisha's voice, who seemed to be in pain, and soon realized this.
"So, you had a similar thought like Maybell?"
"Oh, no. I just thought that even if you had pure intentions, she might get other ideas once she meets you."
Arisha answered, looking away from Evan's eyes. But her 3333 worries were futile. In the first place, Evan didn't really think about coming face to face with Renail.
Renail was a great woman who might connect with the main character, and what if he met her and met the main character head-on?
Evan just wanted to support the main character, but he didn't want to get involved with him!
"Let's put the watch on her, Maybell. Do you remember everything I ordered?"
"Of course, sir. I'll report anything special right away."
Maybell bowed politely and walked away. It was different from the previous day's drinking. Indeed, these days, Maybell has been at a loss. When Evan told Arisha that, she thought for a moment and replied.
"I feel like I'm restraining myself, and so is Maybell."
"Do you finally know how to be considerate of my identity and position?"
"More than that... There are times we all want to act on our desires and impulses, but we know we have to be careful with those moments and be patient at other times."
"Did you plan this with Shine?"
That was exactly the same context as what Evan heard from Shine the other day! Just listening to her, it felt like there was some kind of demon on Maybell, because Maybell would never consider such a thing before.
'Should we hold a purification ceremony? Let me just tell Raihan...' Evan was thinking such nonsense when he heard the door open downstairs, and there was a little commotion.
"Entrance?"
"Someone's here again. Oh... I guess it's Princess Anastasia."
Anastasia was not just any guest. Evan himself got up and headed to the first floor with Arisha.
"Count Evan! I mean, Leader of Astray. Long time no see."
As expected, there stood a mature beauty with long, soft, and wavy hair and brilliant purple eyes like Evan.
"Long time no see, princess."
"Hehe. I've already sent you a letter that I'll be staying a little longer this time. Please take good care of me."
"Haha...."
Actually, it hadn't been that long. Except for when he was catching the Kraken, Anastasia often came to the dungeon city to see if Evan complied with having Shine go on an irregular business trip.
And that wasn't satisfying enough for Anastasia, so she decided to stay a bit "longer" this time. Evan was so nervous that he thought about the 'love story' he had heard from Shine the previous day while drinking and that they might be having a real baby soon.
"May I take you to the drawing-room?"
"No, let's just talk in the lobby. I'm planning to go out with Shine soon."
"I see."
Evan nodded when he heard it and stared at Shine. Shine then replied with a small sigh.
"Uhm...... Arisha is also an honorary member. Today's patrol team is Arisha and me..."
"Then. You were in the same group as Louise, right? We'll have to organize a group separately."
"Louise? That sounds like a girl's name!"
"She's..."
"Arisha."
'Oh-ho, did she not hear about Louise in advance?' When Evan smiled mischievously around his mouth, Shine quickly hit the ball.
"Louise is from the territory of Merdin. And this time, she joined Astray as a disciple of Evan. We're in the same group, we're just talking about the formation of a patrol team for this festival."
"He's so fast..."
It was the tone of a person who had already made quite an excuse. Evan, who wanted to play a light and pleasant trick, turned away with awkward whistles while conniving something against Shine.
"Merdin...? Was it something like that? I've got a rough idea."
The weight of the name Merdin was too heavy to question in conjunction with Shine's relationship. Anastasia sat on the couch in the lobby with a shameless look on her face.
Soon, Diona came with tea. Evan sat across from her, raising a teacup, coughing loudly.
"I can't believe you're leaving soon. Let's keep it short. Are you serious about staying in Sherden for a long time?"
"Yes, that's what Evan always said. Important things are going to happen in Sherden. I don't intend to leave my loved one in this dangerous place while I'm alone in the safe countryside."
"Of course."
Her motivation to take such direct and bold action was apparently due to Evan's 'foresight' and not anything else.
Evan understood. He himself knew best that his actions and words weighed heavily. Of course, he didn't mean to denounce her behavior for being so rash.
It was true that there was no need to worry about the land for now because the Brotherhood Corporation was already deeply located in the Menaton Land, and witches were currently staying in Menaton, as well.
"However, it's not very good for the succession of the duchess..."
"I don't want to break the agreement with Count Evan. My brother is in no position to look elsewhere, especially because of the last Ocean party."
"Ah."
Come to think of it, that had happened.
No one thought Matthew's clothes would have been a catalyst for Kraken, but the Kraken that appeared on the sea was indeed particularly obsessed with Matthew.
Everyone on board saw the scene clearly, and Matthew had to take the unpleasant stigma even though he was not at fault. There were even those who thought he was possessed by the Demon Kings's power!
"He seems to be trying everywhere to make up for the stigma, but it doesn't seem easy. Even those who swore allegiance to my brother are being alienated."
"So why was he wearing that?"
Evan might have sympathized with Matthew if he had a good relationship. In fact, in this case, he rarely did anything wrong!
If there was anything wrong with him, he just had a hopeless sense of choosing clothes!
"Thanks to my brother's stupidity, I've got my freedom to move here and there. Master Evan is concerned that my actions may alienate the Duchy, but I don't know. I am confident that the Menaton Land will succeed the Duchy without too much strain if it is run smoothly."
Furthermore, Anastasia added, "Really, if the great things that Master Evan said in Sherden happens, I can expect my name to rise just by helping out."
Anastasia talked about things that Evan never thought of. She was fully receptive to Evan's words and coordinated accordingly for the future. Evan grinned and answered, "Whoo, Princess Anastasia hasn't been playing all these years."
"I just rolled my head in many ways to be with Shine."
Anastasia has indeed changed a lot, including showing her self-interest proudly. Did love change her? Evan nodded his head, not hiding his cheerful heart.
"Okay. Princess Anastasia is an honorary member of Astray while staying in Sherden."
"I'm here to be with Shine. For that, I'll use all the power I have, for the whole dungeon city."
"That's all we need. I'm excited to see what unfolds then, Lady Anastasia."
"I am too, sir."
Anastasia and Evan exchanged names and shook hands briefly.
"Well then. Shine, let's go see the festival."
"No, wait, wait. I need to get back to the group.... Hold on!"
As soon as she really finished talking, she jumped up, forced Shine's arm in her arms, and went out.
"Uh... Master, that person? She was a very beautiful woman..."
Because she had only heard Anastasia's name and showed hostility, Louise, who had been hiding until now, appeared and asked Evan. Evan replied with a bitter smile.
"She is Shine's girlfriend. And from now on, an Astray member. Be polite to her."
"There's more to be said than that."
"If you've heard all the other information, you'll know. You don't have to put your head into the succession fight of the Duchy of Leonine, do you?"
Indeed, he left Arisha, who nodded with a sulky look, and Evan told Louise, who still had a look of uncertainty as to what was going on.
"Now that's the case, I'll have to change your team...... Don't make that face. I'll organize it with someone I can trust."
A candidate was a patrol group of three women who had not become partners with Evan.
Belois, Serena, and Mirole. The three were among the particularly strong members of the Order. There were definitely too many in the group when there were four, so he was going to split them in two.
"Hmm. Alright. Mirole and Rey are in the same group, Lua and Louise are in the other. You don't have any complaints, right?"
"Ms. Belois? Uhh....."
In fact, if Louise had to choose from the three, Serena would have been better because of Belois' usual words and actions. She was scared to know what the other girl was thinking.
"Lua is stronger than Shine in terms of magic. Don't worry too much."
"No, I wasn't worried about it..."
"Okay, when we're all set, shall we start patrolling?"
"Oh, no, sir, it's... Ahhhh."
Louise couldn't bear to say no to Belois. Belois, who had come close, was looking at her still, blinking her bright red eyes.
"Then... I look forward to your kind cooperation."
"Oh, Ahhh."
On the third day of patrol, Louise left the headquarters in despair. There was a damp breeze blowing in the sky.
| ← Ch. 272 | Ch. 274 → |