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[Translator - Tangrine ]
[Proofreader - Seeker ]
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Chapter 34 - Encountering the Buscard (3)
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing.”
“Is your hand okay? I heard you were bothering Eres and Kaysis again. Don’t overdo it.”
“…Yeah.”
Clyden glanced at Lydis who was smiling across from the carriage then quickly turned his head away.
He opened the window and lit a cigarette.
At that moment, Buscard approached on horseback.
“Hey! I heard you did something impressive! I never would’ve guessed you’d be a player!”
“Ugh... Don’t rub it in!”
As Clyden grumbled at Buscard, Lydis looked at him in confusion.
“Sergeant, how do you know Count Buscard? You seem pretty close.”
“Oh, well… we’re from the same hometown.”
“Your hometown? Aren’t you from the central region and Count Buscard is from the west?”
“Eh? Well, it’s... uh, we went to school together.”
At Clyden’s awkward mumbling, Lydis looked even more confused.
“Count Buscard is an academy graduate, right? Are you also an academy graduate? I’ve never heard that about you.”
“Haha, just let it be! Why are you so fixated on this?!”
“Is that so? Hmm, I see. If you’re that upset, I won’t ask anymore.”
Lydis nodded as if she agreed and didn’t say anything.
Her calmness only made Clyden feel more frustrated.
In the past, Lydis would have charged at him with questions but now she was just agreeing quietly which left him with an uneasy feeling about what the future might hold.
An awkward silence filled the carriage for half a day.
Just as Clyden was about to lose his mind, the carriage finally arrived at the castle.
“We’re here!”
As soon as the carriage stopped, Clyden jumped out.
He looked like a sailor who had just landed on land after a long voyage.
As he stood there with a moved expression, Buscard approached him.
“What are you standing there like a crazy person for? Let’s go! The military command is waiting for the situation report. They’re on communication standby.”
Clyden and Buscard began walking toward the castle.
“Communication? What about the gate?”
“We barely managed to restore the communication, but the gate’s circuits are completely fried. We’re going to have to reinstall all the magic circles to withstand large mana fluctuations, so we probably won’t be able to use the gate for at least a year.”
“Damn it! Does that mean we’ll have to walk back?”
“Well, it’ll only take about two months, so just think of it as a leisurely trip. You can travel with your pretty lover… How lucky for you!”
“Ugh, I’m going to lose my mind.”
“Hehe, first take a shower and head to the communications room for the report. The rumors seem to have spread and all the local nobles are gathering. Looks like we’ll have to hold a ball.”
“Damn it, that’s something only used as filler in novels when the material runs out! Why should I have to do that?!”
“Who do you think they’re coming to see? It’s to see Lady Lydis, the southern beauty! Hahaha, it’ll be quite the spectacle.”
“What?”
“What do you mean, ‘what’? The eldest daughter of the Iron Duke, one of the four great dukes of the Empire. She is known as the 'Flower of the South' for her stunning beauty. If some random guy is sticking around her... Hehe, it’ll be quite the sight.”
“Damn it!”
Clyden scowled as if horrified.
“Seriously, this damn alcohol is the problem. I never intended to do that!”
“Well, the rice has already been cooked so what are you going to do? Just roll with it. You’ve got a great family, you’re good-looking, what’s the problem?”
“Ah! Status is the problem, status!”
“Did the guy who’s concerned about status turn a foreign prince into a pancake?”
“Hmm… has that rumor spread here too?”
“Of course! Who doesn’t know about Mad Dog Clyden?”
“Damn it… Can we skip the ball?”
“You think just because you don’t want to, we won’t have it?”
“Ugh, damn it! Why should I get involved in the nobles’ games?”
After a while of grumbling, Clyden quickly washed up and headed to the communications room.
The report was supposed to be done by Lydis but due to her high status, Clyden was the one the old men felt comfortable delegating it to.
“Wow, is that new?”
“It’s a real-time video projector, installed only in major noble houses and each command headquarters. It’s on standby, so I’ll connect you right now.”
The communication mage fiddled with the console, which protruded from a crystal about the size of a person.
A faint light emitted from the crystal, the images of people began to appear.
“Oh! It’s connected! I am General Raitus, a commander under the Imperial Army High Command. State your affiliation.”
“Loyalty! Sergeant Clyden, from the Imperial Army’s Civilian Assistance Special Force!”
“Is everyone safe? No injuries?”
“Yes. Everyone is fine but as you can see, I’ve injured my right hand.”
Clyden raised his bandaged right hand to show them, but the figures in the video didn’t even glance at it.
They all sighed in relief and muttered amongst themselves.
“Sergeant! This is an order! Since the gate is unusable, you must sacrifice your life to bring
everyone back safely!”
“But... I’m injured—”
“Remember! Even the smallest scratch means your future is over! No, don’t come! We’ll send a convoy to you so wait until they arrive! If anything happens, you’ll regret it!”
"What I'm saying is, I'm a patient."
Clyden waved his right hand in protest, but they ignored him and just kept talking and left.
“Damn it, this is ridiculous!”
Just as Clyden was about to lose his temper, he saw Sigarus on the other side of the crystal.
Sigarus smiled at him.
Clyden quickly saluted upon seeing him.
“Loyalty!”
“Well done. I need to report to the Emperor, so tell me everything that happened in detail.”
The man beside Sigarus seemed to be preparing to take notes.
“Yes. After we used the gate in Farid City, the emergency circuits activated and...”
Clyden began reporting on the events since they had used the gate, recounting the thousands of goblins they had encountered.
How Lydis had been in a life-or-death crisis and how he had risked his life to save her.
He also mentioned meeting the Orc Elves and punny Elves, and that he had met a dragon due to a stupid mistake.
He also explained in detail how he had dealt with the dragon, who had become enraged at having his territory invaded.
He recalled the situation like he swore on his life, honor, and soul that he had no intention of harming the dragon.
Touched by his sincerity, the dragon allowed their group to leave unharmed.
“Hmm… Is that all?”
“Yes! The Green Dragon Alphaid used teleportation magic to send us to the Stonewall Count’s territory and as you can see, here we are.”
“Hmm……”
When the stenographer indicated that the report was finished, Sigarus dismissed him.
“Now, the lies for the report are all done, tell me the truth.”
“Truth?! Everything I said earlier is the truth!”
Sigarus smiled coldly at Clyden’s words.
“Do you want to die?”
“Ugh, actually the thing is...”
Under Sigarus’ icy threat, Clyden finally began to confess what had really happened.
Of course, he kept quiet about his relationship with Alphaid.
He explained that the dragon, being a peculiar and lazy creature, hadn’t bothered their group because it was too much effort.
For some unknown reason, it took a liking to him and granted him incredible strength in his right hand.
“Oh! To have gained the blessing of a dragon—impressive!”
“Blessing of a dragon?”
“You don’t know? Anyone who receives a gift from a dragon is essentially considered one with the dragon. Hurting that person would be seen as an attack on the dragon itself. So, looks like you’ve got yourself a solid background.”
“Oh... I never knew that was the meaning behind it. Haha, does that mean there won’t be any more fools bothering me now?”
“Hmm... Well, that’s one thing. But was there anything interesting with Lydis, that little kid?”
“Huh? Interesting... what do you mean?”
Clyden hesitated and gave a slightly uncomfortable look.
Sigarus looked at Clyden with a sly grin.
“You little rascal! Don’t pretend you don’t know. The rumors are all over the place!”
“What? Really?! I mean... yeah! It was the alcohol! That damn alcohol made me mess up! I swear there were no other intentions! Please believe me! I... I’ll be going now!”
Clyden scrambled out of the communications room in a hurry.
Sigarus watched him leave with an incredulous expression.
“What? I was just poking around, and he really messed up?”
Clyden walked grumbling to his room.
“Damn it! Even though rumors spread quickly, it has already reached the command headquarters by this morning! This is way too fast!”
“What’s so fast, Sergeant?”
“Huh! Ah… well, I... hahaha!”
Lydis appeared out of nowhere and made Clyden nervous.
He gave a troubled smile.
She hesitated as if she had something to say, then said hesitantly.
“Well... Sergeant, I heard that Count Stonewall is holding a welcome ball tonight.”
“Ah, yes. I heard that too. But I’ve never been to a ball so I plan on just resting in my room. My hand is still injured, so it’s a little uncomfortable.”
“I... I see. Then rest comfortably, Sergeant.”
Lydis turned around with a sullen expression at Clyden’s words and walked away.
Clyden suddenly felt guilty, he scratched his head with his left hand.
“Hey! I will go and take a look so make sure to dress nicely!”
Lydis turned around quickly, gave Clyden a happy smile then quickly composed her expression.
“Ahem! It’s not for you! As the noble daughter of a duke’s family, I have to maintain my dignity, so I have no choice but to wear it!”
“Yes, yes.”
Clyden sighed and entered the assigned room, collapsing onto the bed.
Thinking about his relationship with Lydis and the unknown dangerous beings targeting his life, his head started to throb.
After a long period of pondering, he eventually fell asleep without realizing it.
When the maid woke him up as night fell, he groggily got out of bed.
“Damn it, do I really have to go?”
Clyden looked at the outfit prepared by Buscard with a perplexed expression.
After a moment of hesitation, he sighed deeply then changed his clothes and looked in the mirror.
Dressed in black pants, a black shirt, and a soft white coat made from an unknown material, walked to the ballroom guided by the maid.
After stopping the butler, who was about to announce him loudly, he quietly slipped into the ballroom and hid in a corner and quietly observing the scene.
“Whew, there are many people.”
The ballroom was bustling with people.
In the center, men and women were dancing gracefully, while on one side, elderly nobles were enjoying drinks and chatting.
On the other side, women of all ages surrounded Eres and Kaysis.
A group of handsome men gathered around Lydis, trying to get her attention.
“Whew, tsk. Is it because of the main attraction? She looks breathtaking when dressed up…”
Clyden looked at Lidis and whistled without realizing it.
She was wearing a softly glowing green dress, her silver hair elegantly pinned up, and she looked truly captivating.
She smiled and chatted with them, occasionally scanning the crowd.
When her gaze landed on Clyden hiding in the corner, she smiled brightly and pushed through the men to approach him.
“Sergeant! When did you arrive?”
“Well... just now...”
Clyden coughed and avoided her gaze.
Sensing his unease, Lydis frowned slightly but then spoke.
“You haven’t had dinner yet, right? Wait, I’ll bring you some food!”
“Ah, you don’t need to do that…”
Clyden tried to stop her, but she had already disappeared toward the food.
As soon as she left, the eyes of everyone in the room turned toward Clyden.
It made him feel uncomfortable, as all attention was on him now.
She was already the center of attention at the banquet hall, and yet she approached the man first with a smile and spoke to him.
People looked at him with curious eyes wondering who that man could be.
“Who’s that guy? He looks so ordinary.”
“Could it be that he’s the infamous Clyden? The one they say is rude and uncivilized?”
“What’s his connection to Lady Lydis?”
While people whispered about him, Lydis came back with a plate of food and handed it to Clyden.
The onlookers stared in shock at the scene.
“Wait... what?! Lady Lydis personally brought him food! Incredible!”
“Oh my God! Could they be lovers?”
“Damn it! What makes that guy so special?”
The elderly gentleman simply stared at Clyden and Lydis with astonished eyes, but the young men looked at him with a gaze full of hostility as if they were ready to devour him.
As he felt their hostile stares, Clyden couldn't help but bristle in response.
“Hmm? Something wrong, Sergeant?”
When he handed the plate of food back to Lydis, she looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“Ah, how am I supposed to eat with just one hand?”
“Ah! I see now. My mistake. Let’s go to the table. You can eat there.”
Lydis tried to lead Clyden to the table but he shook his head.
“I’m right-handed, so I can’t eat well with my left hand.”
“Is that so? Hmm…”
Clyden snickered as Lydis made a worried expression.
He looked around at the men and said as if to tell them to listen.
“What’s there to think about? Just feed me.”
“Eh?”
“Come on, ah~.”
Clyden opened his mouth as if asking to be fed.
Lydis looked around embarrassedly before secretly putting food in Clyden’s mouth.
“Hmm… It’s even better when you feed me!”
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[Translator - Tangrine ]
[Proofreader - Seeker ]
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