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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 55: Nova’s Day Off (1)
After the Klaus incident was resolved, Cron held a merit evaluation to distribute rewards.
The highest honor for this operation went to Nova.
Thanks to her quick recognition of the threat and swift response, they were able to subdue Klaus completely.
Calyx summoned Nova privately to speak with her.
“You’re the biggest contributor to this victory, Nova.”
“Me?”
“Because you quickly saw through Klaus’ treachery, we were able to win with almost no losses. So—I want to reward you. Is there anything you’d like?”
Nova’s eyes lit up with joy as she fell into thought.
Truthfully, money didn’t mean much to her.
She didn’t particularly enjoy luxury, and she’d already accumulated all the wealth she could ever want.
While thinking over what she could possibly want from Calyx, something finally came to mind.
“If it’s possible… I’d like a day of your time, my lord.”
“A day of mine?”
At his words, Nova nodded.
A lord’s day was surprisingly busy.
He was constantly managing people, giving orders, and dealing with affairs both large and small.
Working closely by his side, Nova understood better than anyone how packed Calyx’s schedule was.
And because of that, what she truly wanted… was to spend an entire day with him.
Calyx paused for a moment, then answered.
“That’s not difficult at all.”
“R-Really?!”
“Of course. If giving a day of my time is enough to reward one of my most loyal retainers—then it's a cheap price to pay.”
At his response, Nova could barely contain her joy, practically bouncing with excitement.
The two of them agreed to spend the next day off together.
A “reward” for Nova, yes—but in truth, Calyx had also been hoping for this.
As a lord, he had few chances to unwind, and no real outlet for stress.
Under the guise of rewarding Nova, he would finally get a break from the constant surveillance of others—just for a little while, to enjoy some freedom.
And so, the promise of their outing—no, their “date”—was made.
＊ ＊ ＊
Nova and Calyx had agreed to meet in Kahran, a city located just north of Cron’s main stronghold.
There were simply too many eyes watching in Cron itself, and as a date spot, the newly developed city of Kahran was far more fitting.
Kahran, a symbol of Cron’s prosperity, had become a thriving social hub thanks to Calyx’s backing and Nova’s planning. It was filled with restaurants, cafes, theaters, and shops—so much so that nobles from neighboring territories came to visit for leisure and socializing.
While Nova had been to Kahran before in her role as the city’s administrator, this would be her first time going as a guest. That thought made her both excited and a little nervous.
She arrived thirty minutes early and waited.
’I really put effort into this… I hope my lord likes it…’
Nova had taken extra care to dress beautifully. Her white hair was immaculately styled, and she wore a violet dress that made her look even more radiant than usual.
She’d even used a special hair tonic—rumored to enhance allure like a serpent’s perfume—that cost 2 silver per drop, just to give her hair an extra shine and softness.
Since they were still in Cron territory, she added a pair of glasses as a simple disguise, just in case.
As she stood there waiting, fully prepared and slightly anxious, nearby merchants began to murmur—
’That’s Nova.’
’Lady Nova is here.’
’Lady Nova, she looks especially lovely today.’
After all, Nova was the heir to the White Merchant Guild, and there were few merchants in Cron who didn’t know her by face.
Around five minutes past the arranged time, Calyx finally arrived.
“Sorry I’m late. Did you wait long, Nova?”
“Ah! N-No, not at all… Kalts, I just got here too.”
Calling him “my lord” in public would’ve been a disaster, so for today, Calyx was going by the alias Kalts.
But honestly, Nova had no time to worry about names.
Calyx wasn’t dressed in his usual formal military attire—he was in a relaxed, stylish suit, more like casual wear than a uniform. He wore black sunglasses that paired perfectly with his silver hair, creating a striking effect.
It was, in a word, Nova’s exact type.
“Shall we go, then?”
“Yes, Kalts…”
And so, Calyx and Nova’s date began.
＊ ＊ ＊
As Calyx and Nova prepared to begin their date, two shadows watched them from nearby.
“La…Lana, are we even allowed to be doing this?”
“It’s fine, Azelle. We are simply ”escorting” our lord. We’re ”not” stalking him and Lady Nova on their date.”
“B-But…”
“The lord is moving. We must move as well.”
In plain clothes, Azelle and Lana followed Calyx under the pretense of protection—which in truth was cozying up to snoop on his date.
Kahran was one of the safest cities in the Cron domain—heavy military presence, top-tier public security—meaning Calyx legitimately needed no bodyguards. Still, Lana, Azelle, and Hart disagreed.
Hart, ever concerned for Calyx’s safety, and Lana and Azelle, both secretly harboring feelings, had insisted on keeping a watchful eye. So off they went, trailing behind.
Nova and Calyx’s first stop was a cafe.
Cafe “Golden Apple” was founded by a patissier who’d studied in Jedo; Nova had even helped with the financing. His apple tarts were rumored to be divine—and she desperately wanted Calyx to try them.
“Kalts, you must try this—it’s the cafe’s signature apple tart.”
“Alright, I’ll give it a try… No, wait—I’ll enjoy this, Nova.”
That slight shift in tone—dropping honorifics for comfort—was Calyx’s second heart-throb moment for her.
’He does have a charm when he gets informal.’
Watching him bite into the tart, Nova beamed.
“This is truly delicious, Nova.”
“Right? I was blown away the first time I tasted it!”
They chatted like a cozy couple, savoring each bite.
Meanwhile, at a nearby table, Lana and Azelle watched and took notes.
Lana murmured.
“So this is how a date is done. I learn so much.”
Azelle, meanwhile, was too busy enjoying a tart of her own to keep it low-key.
She’d sampled countless desserts across Jedo, but this tart rivaled the best.
Nova caught the noise and hushed her.
“Shh! Lower your voice, Azelle—remember, we’re on secret duty.”
Azelle pouted but didn't stop. She was too caught up in the sweetness.
As they all settled into their afternoon, other cafe patrons observed the group with admiration.
’It’s the lord.’
’With his entourage.’
’Should I say hello?’
’I want an autograph!’
Despite the sunglasses and casual wear, Calyx and his retinue were like beloved celebrities—a delightful presence in the city.
Their date at the Golden Apple drew warm smiles and friendly attention from everyone nearby.
＊ ＊ ＊
After enjoying their time at Golden Apple, Nova led Calyx to their next stop.
It was a theater.
“Nova… this place is?”
“It’s Kahran Theater. They’re showing a play that’s all the rage right now. Kalts, are you okay with theater?”
“Ah… I’m fine.”
This theater was also a project Nova had personally vetted and invested in.
The head of the acting troupe performing there was a stage actor who had learned a little magic—just the basics—but enough to spice up the performances with intriguing effects. Sensing potential, Nova had backed the production.
The play currently running, "Monster at Dawn", was generating buzz as the troupe’s first foray into horror theater. It told the story of a family struggling to survive against a monster that appeared without warning at the break of dawn.
To enhance the tension, the troupe’s poster had been designed to be legitimately frightening.
But for Nova, who had been through actual wars, it felt a little… cute.
Still, she was worried.
’I wonder if the Lord will find it fun… What if he doesn’t like it?’
But while Nova was anxious, Calyx was already overtaken by dread.
From his past life into this one, one thing hadn’t changed: Calyx was terrible with horror.
Especially jump scares—anything with a sudden loud noise or flickering visual would throw him completely off.
He wanted to suggest they skip it and go somewhere else. But then he saw Nova’s excited, sparkling eyes—full of expectation.
There was no way he could crush that look.
’If I back out now, Nova will definitely be disappointed…’
So Calyx silently braced himself… and walked into the theater at Nova’s side.
And of course, the two shadows followed.
“Let’s go in too, Azelle.”
“Lana… do we really have to?”
“Of course we do.”
Lana’s firm tone made Azelle’s eyes tremble.
Finally, Azelle confessed one of her deepest secrets.
“I… I hate scary stuff!”
Lana was genuinely stunned.
This was Azelle—the same knight who could purify evil spirits in one blow, the one who made seasoned warriors look like amateurs. And yet… she was scared?
“You’re not making any sense. With your blessing, what could a monster possibly do to you?”
“That’s that, and this is this! They’re not the same!”
Azelle had hated monster stories since she was a child.
Sure—she could fight real monsters, spirits, whatever. No problem.
But being a powerless character in a story, trapped and helpless? That was pure agony for her.
So the two of them bickered in front of the theater until a staff member finally scolded them for making a scene.
After that, Lana grabbed Azelle by the arm and dragged her—defeated and limp—into the theater.
The curtains were about to rise.
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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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