Chapter 69
“Actually…”
Luwen hesitated, glancing at the perfume oil in my hand before slowly speaking.
“After completing the semester, I had about a week free, so I went on a monster subjugation mission with Honorary Duke Cromwell. The money came from selling the byproducts we obtained then. I earned it through legitimate means, so you don’t need to worry.”
…What? Which point should I focus on? That he went with the Honorary Duke? Or that he went on a monster subjugation mission?
To be able to buy such an expensive item with just a week’s earnings, how much did he… I had been living so carelessly without knowing this.
It’s a knight order led by none other than a Sword Master. It would be on a completely different level from ordinary monster subjugation. The proof is in my hands. Even though I’m ignorant about subjugation settlements, I know that one can’t earn 20 gold in a week. It means they encountered monsters strong enough to yield high-value byproducts.
‘Since he wasn’t a significant character in the original story, I can’t even guess how things might turn out on this side.’
Realizing I didn’t know the future, my heart suddenly started racing. Everything I’ve done so far led to sending Luwen to the academy and meeting Cromwell.
‘Wasn’t it the fear of unforeseen butterfly effects that scared me when I tried to change my father’s death? Why did I overlook that? This could have resulted in Luwen getting seriously injured or even dying.’
A chill ran down my spine as if I had witnessed the Grim Reaper about to swing his scythe.
In reality, it’s all just imagination. I know that… I also know it’s just excessive worry, but still.
‘But that doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous, does it?’
The thought that I could have received terrible news while casually reading letters made me dizzy.
I placed the perfume oil on the table and hid my hands underneath. The tips of my cold fingers started to tremble. Even trying to clench my fists to calm myself didn’t work; I just couldn’t settle down.
“…I’m not happy with a gift bought with money earned dangerously. Besides, you didn’t tell me anything about this.”
“Young master, I’ve become much stronger than you think. There was no danger. Please believe me.”
Luwen’s voice softened. It seemed he was trying to soothe me, but I wasn’t going to let it slide. I needed to make it clear that he shouldn’t do such dangerous things behind my back in the future.
“This seems like it would cost over 20 gold? How can I not worry when you earned this much from just a week of subjugation?”
My smile must have looked strained. It was hard to control my expression.
I know Luwen wants to become stronger. It’s true that the stronger he becomes, the safer he’ll be. But things could go wrong in the process. Didn’t Luwen in the original story almost lose an arm while training alone? Even though it wasn’t severed, he was left with a permanent disability. It was the result of his obsession with getting stronger. That’s the kind of person Luwen was.
He could become much stronger than in the original story without having to go to such dangerous places. So I needed to put a stop to this now.
“Don’t go to such places anymore. If it’s difficult for you to refuse Honorary Duke Cromwell’s offer, I’ll convey the message for you.”
“But…”
Fearing that continuing the conversation might shake my resolve, I shook my head and cut him off. I already know the reason well enough. That he wants to become stronger to protect me. But that shouldn’t be a reason to go to dangerous places.
‘There’s no guarantee he’ll return safely next time.’
The vivid image of Luwen’s death kept haunting my mind.
Damn it. Why does it keep coming to mind? If only the dream would come to mind, but the problem was that the scene of Luwen dying kept repeating. Each time, it felt like my nerves were being gnawed away.
While I was dying of worry inside, Cromwell had taken Luwen to such a dangerous place. Anger towards Cromwell surged within me.
“I’m disappointed in the Honorary Duke. I thought he was a good person because you liked him, but I didn’t know he was someone who would take a student to dangerous places.”
My tone came out sharper than I intended. I hadn’t meant to be so harsh, but my boiling emotions made it hard to control myself.
‘Just say you understand, Luwen.’
I felt like it would be okay if he did. If he said he wouldn’t go to dangerous places. That he would never volunteer for subjugation teams again.
However, instead of answering, Luwen quietly stood up. His shadow stretched long across the table. The perfume oil I had placed on the table was swallowed by his shadow.
‘I wonder what kind of face he’s making right now.’
I was curious but didn’t want to see, so I kept my eyes lowered and didn’t move. I just watched Luwen’s wavering shadow.
Soon, the shadow disappeared from the table.
“Young master.”
Luwen approached the sofa where I was sitting, knelt on one knee, and looked up at me. Then he took my hand that I had hidden under the table and placed it on the armrest, covering it with both of his hands.
“Your hands are cold.”
He got me. How could I avoid looking at him when he was looking up at me like this?
“I couldn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d be shocked like this. You can throw away the perfume oil if you want. If it’s something that will make you worry every time you see it, it’s better to get rid of it.”
Luwen’s smile was infinitely kind and deep. It was genuine in a way that I could never imitate.
“…That wasn’t my intention.”
“But you’ll worry. I bought it hoping you would sleep comfortably. If it can’t serve its purpose, it’s meaningless. Your peace and health are the most important things to me.”
“Then, will you not volunteer for subjugation teams?”
Somehow, I ended up asking like I was whining. Still, wanting a definite answer, I waited without adding anything more. Luwen just smiled quietly.
What’s this? Why is he just smiling without answering?
“If I say that I don’t want to change my decision because it’s a choice for your sake, will you be upset?”
“Yes. I’ll be upset. It’s too much to ask me not to worry.”
“But young master, look at me. I don’t have a single scratch.”
“It might not be the case next time.”
If he doesn’t yield even when I’m opposing this strongly… it might be hard to stop him.
“Knowing that you’re waiting for me, I’m confident I’ll return safely.”
Luwen is the type to do something without fail if he judges it necessary. I liked Luwen’s straightforward and stubborn side, but right now, it was nothing but vexing.
“…”
“Young master. Please. I wish you would allow me to become stronger for you.”
I wanted to ask if he would still do it even if I didn’t want him to. But that would be… just a childish tantrum. No different from a child crying and screaming in a store to buy a toy they like.
‘He’ll go on subjugation missions even if it’s not with the knight order anyway…’
The academy regularly sends students on monster subjugation missions too. The only difference is the level of monsters compared to those led by a Sword Master. Luwen always ranked first, so he’ll go next time too.
‘What if he can’t concentrate properly because he’s worried about my opposition?’
If that happens, he might get hurt. Even if it’s a weak monster, its claws and teeth won’t suddenly become soft just for Luwen.
After calming down and thinking it through, it seemed better to let him go with peace of mind rather than opposing.
“You want to go this summer too, right?”
“Yes. I would like to.”
“How big is the scale? Is it just a few students joining Cromwell’s knight order? Or do they hire mercenaries too? Is there a medical team?”
“There are mercenaries, and there’s a medical team too. I was the only one from the Swordsmanship Department. Ah, I think someone from the Medical Department participated too.”
Judging that the more details he provided, the higher the chance I would allow it, Luwen willingly shared the information.
So it’s a large-scale subjugation team with even the Medical Department participating…
“Of course, I didn’t actually see the medical team since I had no reason to go there.”
It seems he wanted to emphasize once again that he wasn’t injured. While I was lost in thought for a moment, he slipped in that unnecessary comment. Perhaps because his thoughts were so transparent, Luwen still looked cute to me. My hand habitually rose to pat the child’s head.
“Did you enjoy it so much that you want to go even if I oppose it?”
“When I participated in the subjugation team as the academy’s student representative, I experienced and learned a lot. Of course, training is important, but what you learn in actual combat is different…”
As if feeling sorry for being stubborn, Luwen trailed off and gave an eye smile. He looked a bit shy but much more at ease.
Well. Whether it’s something he wants to do, have, or eat. Whatever it is, I raised him to demand it confidently. After all, I wanted to give Luwen everything he wanted.
‘I’m worried, but it’s not like I’ll just sit back and do nothing, so it should be fine…’
Having thought of my own solution, I had the composure to look at myself objectively. What if I hadn’t had that dream?
The answer came quickly. I would have certainly agreed when Luwen asked. Just as I always have.
“Promise me one thing.”
“Anything.”
“Swear that you’ll return safely. Then you can apply for the next subjugation team.”
Luwen’s eyes widened. I was glad to see a glimpse of his younger self. A smile formed without even realizing it.
“Is it really okay?”
“It’s not okay, but… because Luwen wants it.”
Luwen stood up, crossed one arm over his chest, and bowed formally. It was a knight’s oath.
“I will always return safely to your side, young master. Because that’s where I belong.”
