NOVEL WEB Chapter 43
It was the dim light of early dawn, before the sun had even thought about rising.
Alesia stepped out of her room.
The moment she emerged from the shadowy manor into the silence of the morning, a faint sense of relief washed over her.
A cool breeze carrying the scent of the forest swept by—reminding her of something in the distance.
The training grounds.
There, even at this ungodly hour, stood a man with his shirt off, sprinting through the morning mist like he had all the energy in the world.
“Didn’t you accumulate enough fatigue? Can’t sleep?” Alesia asked casually.
“Ah, but Holy Maiden, didn’t you preach grandly about avoiding work while drunk? You look like you’ve slept soundly,” the man teased.
As Luke paused near Alesia, his tone took on a playful edge, “And here I thought you’d been busy seducing every available bachelor in town.”
“You know what they say—don’t conduct business while intoxicated. Besides, some wise older sister warned me: if you waste your first night foolishly, you’ll regret it later,” Alesia shot back with a smirk.
“And furthermore…” she continued, “Do you really think I’m so desperate for men that I’d go after someone who’s still crying?”
“Crying? Are you talking about Ruel?”
“That’s how it seemed to me.”
It wasn’t just because of his gloomy, melancholic expression. There was more to it than that.
“Originally, the duties of a holy maiden are less about combat and more about providing aid and comfort.”
“So…?”
“Well, I noticed he hasn’t been sleeping properly for a while now. So, I tucked him in nicely. When someone’s mental state is unstable, rest becomes crucial.”
“Are you not tired yourself? At least Ruel and I had horses to ride; you were walking or running alongside us the entire time.”
“That was part of my training! Besides, I trust my stamina. After making mistakes too many times due to exhaustion during critical moments, I learned the hard way.”
Despite her casual tone, there was depth in her words that made them harder to probe further. Still, unless Alesia decided to open up, Luke had no real reason to pry.
“Seems like you’ve taken quite a liking to him, huh? The way you stick around him…”
“I mean… when I look at him, there’s this aura of holiness, almost like an inexplicable charm.”
“What are you talking about now?”
“It’s true! His face fits my type, and he seems fragile, like someone who needs protection—but deep down, his core values are solid, his skills impressive, and his heart pure.”
Still…
“He seems submissive, which makes me wonder if his home environment wasn’t exactly nurturing.”
“Isn’t that typical for noble children? Especially when their parents place high expectations on them.”
“If only he could handle those expectations. And… haven’t you noticed? Sometimes Ruel stares at strange places. Why do you think that is?”
“Maybe he’s just lost in thought?”
“Nope. He sees things others don’t. You know how such kids are treated? It must’ve been tough for him, silently suffering inside, filled with anxiety and self-doubt.”
Alesia shook her head as if dismissing bitter memories…
“Oh.”
“What?”
“Hangover.”
She clutched her head.
“Why didn’t you stop drinking sooner?”
“I paid for my drinks! Anyway, isn’t this supposed to be one of those big moments where the bartender steps in? When will they ever help?”
“That’s the bartender’s job. Besides, it’s almost a holiday—who cares about these trivialities? If I wanted to drink, I would’ve just said so.”
“Caught ya red-handed?”
Their conversation spiraled back into meaningless banter.
“Anyway, I got a feeling.”
“A feeling about what?”
“Ruel.”
He deeply concerned her.
No, not just that…
“There’s this weird mix of attraction and unease. Like, if I leave him alone, something might go terribly wrong.”
“That sounds more like sympathy or maternal instincts rather than romantic feelings, doesn’t it?”
“I haven’t given birth yet, so spare me the nonsense. Also, once he grows up, I guarantee Ruel will become far better-looking than either of us.”
“Even so, won’t he still be shorter than both of us? Are you sure about that?”
“…You’re killing my vibe here. Height isn’t everything, you know?”
“Unfortunately, for a guy, it kinda is.”
Luke wasn’t short by normal standards, but compared to himself—a relatively tall man—and Alesia, whose build resembled his own, the comparison felt redundant.
“Still, Ruel never looked at me with those rude eyes you guys did.”
“What kind of looks did we give you?”
“Big, strong, warrior-like… like ‘man, he can take me down in one hit.’ Or ‘better not mess with him.’”
“And what about Ruel?”
After pausing briefly, Alesia responded hesitantly:
“…Beautiful?”
“Are you delusional? Or wearing rose-tinted glasses?”
“No, seriously! Just his face alone is quite handsome!”
“…That’s hard to argue against,” Luke admitted, feeling a pang of sadness. How unfair life could be sometimes.
“And his figure? I put so much effort into maintaining it! My arms aren’t bulky, my legs… well, they’re decent too, though it’s hard work keeping them trim.”
Thinking about it made her chest ache. In situations like this, sometimes it’s best to let things slide.
“Anyway! He treats me like a proper woman, so why wouldn’t I fall for him?”
“Or maybe his appearance simply matches your preferences, and you’re rationalizing it to make yourself feel better?”
“That’s…sadly, hard to deny.”
Pointless chatter aside, through these conversations, they gradually understood each other better.
Being acquainted with a member of the lord’s family also meant gauging the general atmosphere of the household.
For Luke, building a rapport with the holy maiden was rewarding in itself.
Of course, neither Luke nor Alesia intentionally engaged in such interactions with ulterior motives.
Luke gave a half-hearted cheer.
“Let’s see how things go in this short period. If everything works out, I might even offer my blessings casually.”
====
Definitely.
“…”
Awakening just before the nightmare began, he found the outside world unusually bright.
‘I barely closed my eyes for a moment.’
Ruelde opened his eyes right before someone barged through the door. Despite this, the sensation of having rested deeply lingered, calming his previously overly sensitive nerves.
In the quiet morning, birds chirped faintly. Carriel steadied his breathing, focusing inward to assess his condition.
Though techniques involving mana control or breathing exercises eluded him, using awareness and willpower allowed him to check his physical state effectively.
With practice, this method became reliable enough to gauge his overall condition.
“…”
Previously, this process would’ve been chaotic due to exhaustion, but now, it seemed he had truly rested well.
Exiting his room, a passing servant directed him to the washing area and informed him about breakfast timing.
Stepping outside the mansion, a well appeared nearby. Though seemingly distant, the sound of flowing water suggested abundant water resources in the vicinity.
Recalling lessons from the academy, he realized cities often formed near such rich water supplies, though it hadn’t struck him until now.
‘How obvious it all seems now that I’m here.’
While washing his face and dampening his hair, the length started bothering him.
‘Should I tie it up?’
Too short to bind neatly and too long to ignore—it was irritating.
…Perhaps he should just cut it all off?
Ellie’s gift, the robe doubling as a cloak, proved incredibly convenient. Its durability amazed him when a wolf’s claw failed to tear it during a previous encounter.
‘And the sword too.’
Despite cutting through flesh and muscle, it remained undamaged, refusing to bend.
His original two-handed sword, needing repairs, had become impractical. Though he possessed it, disposing of it soon seemed inevitable—not that he cared much for it anyway.
Returning to the mansion—
“Good morning?”
Dressed casually yet tidier than yesterday, Alesia greeted him. Her attire, a pale white priestess robe with subtle golden embroidery, clashed horribly with her usual style.
Moreover, the ill-fitting garment accentuated her curves awkwardly, especially around the chest, creating an unsettling impression.
Additionally, the white robe lacked undergarments, making the whole ensemble slightly ridiculous.
“What’s wrong with it?” she questioned defensively. “This is the only thing that fits me right now!”
Oh, so visiting the church caused this predicament.
Her crimson eyes revealed mixed emotions of dissatisfaction and exasperation.
“Clothes may change, but the person remains the same. To me, Alesia is most charming just being herself.”
“…”
Silence followed.
“You speak so beautifully. Had you softened that last word, I might’ve fallen for you again.”
Such bold declarations!
They exchanged light-hearted banter for a while. Following a servant’s cue about the early start of breakfast, they moved towards the combined living and dining area.
At a rectangular table, half the seats were already occupied.
“Indeed! Behold the illustrious Guardian Saint!”
A middle-aged man with neatly trimmed brown hair and a full beard stood up, his voice booming. Despite not dressing formally for guest receptions, his reddish-brown attire with purple accents radiated elegance and sophistication.
Alesia forced a smile in response.
“Lord Baron. While I appreciate your compliment, I am, first and foremost, a woman.”
“Ha ha! Whether woman or man, what does it matter! No knight compares to Lady Alesia!”
“…I’m not an official holy knight, so even that praise feels excessive.”
“With the body of a saint and the spirit of a knight—why shouldn’t you be proud?!”
“But….”
Why couldn’t he grasp the simplest meanings?!
Frustrated, Alesia sighed.
“Father, please calm down.”
“Calm?! How can I when I’m meeting a knight among knights? It’s a joyous occasion!”
His voice boomed across the room.
Another man intervened, sturdy in build but noticeably overweight. Though younger, his neatly combed brown hair mirrored the baron’s, giving him a pleasant appearance. His attire matched the baron’s style closely.
Only Luke remained dressed casually.
“I see your sanity slipping. Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Raia Baronesse, current steward of the Baronesse estate. And these are my children.”
As the baron alternated glances between the saint and Carriel, he nodded subtly, prompting the stout man to begin his introduction hesitantly.
“I am Ludhi Baronesse. Modestly managing various tasks on behalf of my father within the Baronesse domain.”
“Can my introduction be skipped?”
Embarrassed, Luke waved off the need, but the baron snapped.
“This impudent youth!”
“Stop nagging about manners already. We’ve known each other for ages; formalities feel unnecessary now.”
“They may know each other well, but what about our esteemed guests from the Edenlevan Legion? Is this mere decoration?”
“In that case…”
“I require no further introductions. Formal greetings were exchanged upon arrival.”
Common compliments describing someone’s skin as snow-white or jade-like paled in comparison to this reality.
Her complexion was eerily pale, almost marble-like, contrasting starkly with her snow-white hair, creating a surreal presence.
“Now that my supervisor has arrived, my duties can finally commence.”
His crimson eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. Slightly parted lips revealed pointed molars, adding an eerie touch. Yet, his overall dark ensemble, intricately embroidered with red threads, exuded sophistication rarely seen even at social gatherings.
The red rose pinned to his chest drew immediate attention, quickly dissipating initial discomfort.
“Our esteemed Great Saint Alesia of the Irene Doctrine, bearer of the title ‘Guardian,’ I hope you’ll kindly oversee my well-being.”
“Without saying, you’ll receive care.”
“As long as you perform your duties competently.”
“All for the sake of preserving artful integrity.”
He grinned warmly.
“I belong to the Edenlevan Legion’s Blood Sharing Family Peace Association. Always contributing to humanity’s stability and prosperity across the continent. Ah, forgive my tardy introduction—I’m Fielbar Asubnara.”
Standing from his seat, he approached Alesia and Carriel, offering a small square object.
“Please accept this card.”
Alesia accepted it nonchalantly, though visibly familiar with such exchanges.
“…”
“You too.”
Glancing at Alesia, Carriel reluctantly took the card.
“It serves as identification. Present it whenever you meet Edenlevan Legion branches, buildings, or affiliates, and you’ll surely receive courteous assistance. Connections hold immense value!”
Effortlessly smooth yet genuine, his performance avoided any hint of superficiality. Balancing professionalism and approachability wasn’t easy, yet he executed it flawlessly.
“Then, shall we conclude with an introduction of the young lad beside the saint? Feel free to omit it if uncomfortable—the decision rests with Lord Baron.”
“…”
Pausing briefly to gauge the baron’s reaction, Carriel responded lightly.
“I am Ruel. An alias, but currently serving as a squire, your discretion is appreciated.”
Left hand behind, right resting on the shoulder, bowing slightly without lowering his head, left leg slightly forward.
“Pleased to meet you. Here, titles matter little, so don’t burden yourself unnecessarily. That you’ve earned respect from my son and the saint speaks volumes of your capabilities and character. Regardless, we have no intention of treating you poorly, so set such worries aside.”
“Thank you. Please speak freely.”
“Excellent. Then I shall!”
With that settled, the baron moved on.
“Shall we fill our stomachs then? Fielbar, you…”
“I’ll enjoy my prepared beverage beforehand. Please dine at ease.”
At that moment, a pale-skinned boy, likely the man’s personal attendant, appeared unnoticed, uncorking a bottle. Pouring a deep red liquid into a glass placed atop the table.
“Is this sufficient?”
“More than enough!”
Savoring the crimson contents with evident delight, the pale man seemed genuinely thrilled.
“My anticipation grows! I yearn to witness firsthand the great deeds accomplished by Fortress Carriel! Eat quickly, everyone! Hurry! Hurry!”
He radiated pure joy.
Edenlevan Legion.
During the Demon King’s invasion, they were the first demonkin to betray their kind, siding with humanity and the continent’s alliance. Their contributions rivaled even the dragons’.
Casually gazing upward, Carriel caught Alesia’s eye from beside him.
“Food’s ready! Dig in, dig in! A full belly feeds the soul!”
Bread, cheese, boiled eggs, and various large cuts of meat graced the table.
Though heavy for breakfast, Carriel seemed unaffected. Watching Baron Raia encourage the staff to carve and distribute the meats onto individual plates, both Carriel and Alesia naturally joined in the meal.
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