Chapter 9 – To Paulstein (3)

Coming out onto the terrace, Jade thoroughly looked around the interior of the villa.

The atmosphere of the villa was heavy as they were about to embark on a war.

Whether it was the soldiers, maids, or butlers everyone appeared nervous.

-The atmosphere is so heavy.

-There's nothing they can do about it. Their superficial power is clearly inferior.

-Even though there are two secret weapons.

Celestine stuck her mouth out.

Even if it was depressing, they were way too discouraged.

They should know Lloyd and Laney didn't rush over just to die.

-Secret weapons are secret weapons only when they're kept a secret. They would just be weapons if they were found out. And, the other side should've also prepared some of their own secrets. Well, maybe not since there's such a huge comparison in power.

-Even if they do, it doesn't matter. The Crown Prince has Jade on his side!

-That's definitely huge.

Elestra smiled brightly.

Although Aus and his troops appeared nervous, Lloyd and his group appeared completely fine.

Even if their fighting force was 10x less than the enemy, they knew their overall power was great as well.

“They also have 300 all-around warriors with them.”

-Still, Arelia is the strongest among them.

“That's true. It seems she's a War Chief.”

-With her powers, it's not surprising for her to be at that level.

Celestine mumbled with her arms crossed.

Although she didn't like Arelia, her skills were the real deal.

Gyyooonng.

Hwid rolled itself into a ball feeling the cold night air then stared at Jade as if it wanted something.

“It's not good for you to eat so many beef jerkies.”

Different from what he was saying, Jade pulled out a beef jerky from his subs.p.a.ce item.

It was a beef jerky made with the best quality beef available.

Ggyoo!

Hwid's nostrils opened and closed as it smelled the peculiar smell coming from the jerky.

It was getting excited just from smelling it.

“Here, make sure you chew on it well.”

Ggyoong!

Quickly biting onto the beef jerky, Hwid slowly chewed on the meat just as Jade told it to.

It was experiencing the taste and texture of the meat thoroughly before swallowing it down.

“Why didn't I think of beef jerkies when I have spirits with me.”

-It's probably because you were only focused on the freshness of the meat. The meat is good for Hwid, but the blood is also beneficial for it.

“When we get back next time, I'll turn half of the meat into jerky. I'll also pack some of the Black Drake's scales since they can all be sold for money.”

He wasn't short on money, but because he was quite poor in his other world, Jade had a strong desire for wealth.

There was nothing wrong with having more money.

Knock knock knock.

At that moment, the sound of knocking could be heard.

Feeling the nervousness from the knock, Jade smiled and walked towards his door.

“Isn't it quite late for you to be coming to a man's room by yourself, princess.”

“You don't see me as a woman anyways.”

“That's true. Please come in.”

“You don't have to openly acknowledge it you know.”

Laney quietly grumbled.

However, thanks to Jade coldly drawing a line with their relations.h.i.+p, Laney's nervousness instantly melted away.

“I heard everything.”

“I said it for you to hear.”

“I remember your personality wasn't like this before.”

“It means I've become that much more comfortable with you. I've experienced many things and have been embarra.s.sed in front of you as well.”

“Please forget it.”

Jade smiled as he firmly spoke.

As he did, Laney stuck her lips out.

She also had some elf blood in her, yet she felt that Jade was looking down on her.

“It happened too recently for me to just forget about it.”

“Rather than the amount of time, I think one's state of mind is more important. Anyhow, what brings you here at this time.”

“Do I have to get straight to the point?”

“Nothing good will come out of you staying here longer than needed.”

“For me? Of for you?”

Laney provocatively asked Jade as she watched him shrug his shoulders.

It felt like he was treating her like a child.

“Hm. Let's say it's for both of us.”

“Hu!”

Laney made a dispirited expression.

Although he said those words, she instinctively felt that he was leaning towards the latter.

“Are you really nervous?”

“……..Is it obvious?”

“It'd be weird if you weren't. Furthermore, this will be your first war.”

“…….Will we be able to win?”

Laney's expression quickly changed.

Her fake mask tore off and her true emotions revealed itself.

“Are you scared?”

“In the event of a defeat, we're all going to die. To be honest, I'm fine since Lloyd and I will die if we lose. However, for Sir Heinze, Steven, Arelia, the War Elves, and the soldiers – they'll become nothing more than victims.”

Laney's shoulders began to shake.

She appeared to be afraid, and seeing this, Jade understood why she came to him instead of Heinze.

'It seems like she's looking for something else.'

It wasn't that he didn't get to date because he was poor. But, because he was poor, he was quick-witted compared to others.

However, Jade did not show it.

Instead, he thought of the words that Laney needed to hear right now.

“Princess.”

“Yes.”

“You can't escape death. Every living thing will eventually die. This holds true for elves and even dragons. The timeframe we get to live may be different, but we all eventually meet an end.”

“……That's true.”

“At the same time, everyone can decide on the location of their death. Just like you princess.”

Badump! Badump!

With Jade's words, Laney's eyes grew wide.

His last words left a lasting impression to her.

“There are people who run away at the face of war. However, there are people like Aus as well. People who stick to their loyalty knowing they're going into a losing battle. And, to those people, I believe there's only one image you should be showing.”

“I'm glad I came here.”

“I'm glad I could be of help.”

“Once you're done with everything, are you going back to the Great Forest?”

Looking more stable compared to earlier, Laney carefully asked.

She was showing she didn't want someone like Jade to leave.

Even though Arelia had come to help, she and her group of War Elves were bound to go back to their home.

That's why Jade was a necessity for her and Lloyd.

“That's what I'm planning on for now since that's the only place I can return to.”

“How about staying at the royal palace?”

“Aren't you thinking too far into the future when we haven't even cleared the civil war?”

“Isn't that the same for you? Are you planning on returning back home because you're sure we're going to win the war?”

“Touché.”

Jade smiled but didn't deny it.

No matter how amazing the numbers looked on the second prince's side, Jade didn't think he would lose.

It was the same for his two spirits as well.

“I hope you can give staying at the capital some thought as well.”

“Alright.”

“I'm going to get up now, since just as you said, it's not good for a grown man and woman to stay in a room together this late at night.”

Laney stood up before Jade could even respond.

This was her way of keeping whatever pride she had left.

“Sleep well.”

“I wish I could.”

Laney confidently walked out of the room and smiled.

A moment after, she took the maid that was waiting in front of the entrance and disappeared beyond the pa.s.sage.

-She's such a fox.

-Agreed.

-You must be careful. Women are all foxes! Especially Arelia!

As soon as the room door closed, the two spirits began to chatter.

They were constantly talking as if they were his sisters.

However, Jade let their words flow in through one ear and out the other.

He was already aware of what was going on even before they said anything.

“I'll be able to see it tomorrow.”

Jade walked back out onto the terrace and looked out toward Viscount Alan's territory.

Completed – Chapter 9 (3)