Chapter 624 – Responsibility and Awakening

000

When the morning sunlight coming through the window falls on the eyelids of Cleon lying on the bed, he begins to come out of the swamp of sleep little by little.

Time is an average time that is not unusual even when people start their morning routine. Even so, the slight tiredness that overtakes her body reminds her of what happened in her room last night.

The memory of the act that flashed back little by little, messing around in my head. After recalling them, Cleon could no longer lie still on the bed, and immediately raised his upper body and looked down to his side.

Then, there, Herti, who probably had nothing underneath, was sleeping soundly like a newborn baby, with the blanket covering his shoulders.

“…”

No matter how tempted he was, when the belated regret of not being able to control himself began to rise, Cleon held back a large exhalation, tousled his bangs as if to cover his eyes, and tried to brush them back—

He noticed a golden diamond-shaped pattern on his palm that hadn’t been seen before.

‘Is this… The pattern to enter and exit the Adamantite Mine that was engraved on Herti’s hand?’

Herti’s shape is a little different from hers, but is it because it’s her pattern that was inherited from her, or is her pattern special?

Either way, the wave of magical energy felt was similar, so it seemed that there was no problem with the content or function.

No. More important than that now.

That the situation in this room needs to be sorted out before anyone enters.

That doesn’t mean that last night’s incident will go away, but at least, it will be possible to avoid incurring Quon’s wrath like the three sisters’ attack not long ago.

“This, first of all, cast a purification spell on the entire room… Open the window for the smell… Ah, should I wake Herti up and put her clothes on first…”

In addition, even if you clean sheets or blankets that are wet with various liquids with magic, it is impossible to make them completely clean unless you wash them yourself if odors or stains permeate the material itself over time.

If you hide this somewhere and do something with your own hands…

Rarely flustered, Cleon gets up and first puts on his clothes that have been scattered around him. As he tries to turn his body toward the window, he sees that there are things on top of the small table next to the bed that he didn’t have until last night. .

“…Huh?”

What was there was a finely folded piece of paper and a gift box—a small case that could hold two pairs of rings.

First of all, before opening the case, when I opened the folded paper and checked the contents, I could see that it was a ‘marriage certificate’ used in the East.

“…”

Whoever prepared it, most of the contents were filled in, but as soon as he read the names of Herti and himself written as if it were natural, Cleon could feel a cold sweat running down his back.

“Who the hell did this…”

It would be hard to think that Herti brought it in. No matter how hectic he was, these things were not placed on the bed right before or during the act.

Come to think of it – weren’t their bodies cleaned when they woke up in the morning?

‘Could it be – someone came in and out while I was asleep?’

While pruning through the various possibilities that pop into my head, once I put the report down and open the case next to me—

Seeing that a pair of gold rings of the same design, adorned with brilliant jewels, were neatly placed inside, Cleon quickly put the lid back on.

“…Calia-kun.”

What comes to mind is Herti’s assistant, who is making a V with her fingers with a slightly tired smile. Calia.

She was the only one who could come in and out of this inn, but if she said she was the one who would prepare these things, she was the only one.

The ring, not the paperwork, was probably prepared a long time ago.

Given Hertie’s personality, it wouldn’t be strange if, at some point, he suddenly brought a man with him and said, ‘I will marry this man’.

And the fact that she left these things here is her unspoken request that Cleon also be responsible for taking Hertie’s first place.

Yes, even as Cleon, she intended to take responsibility in some way.

How? If asked, yes, the answer would be that it is the way the parties want – but not such an ambiguous and opaque plan.

Calia, in the surest way-

In other words. They were talking about starting a ‘family’.

‘…That’s the theory…’

To tell the truth, even though Kuondo Layla has a close relationship with him, she has not done anything like a marriage registration because she has no tendency to do so.

Because I thought that when everything related to Adam and Lecia was over, this relationship also needed to be clearly defined and take shape-

Unbeknownst to Quon, he had been collecting the money he was earning from his quest little by little.

In Cleon’s personal safe in Ellesia’s guild office.

Somehow, it feels like the amount of money needed for the safe is gradually increasing as the number of people continues to increase.

“…Cleon-sama…?”

Then she woke up at the sound of a voice calling her and looked at Herti, who lifted herself from her bed.

Her body was covered by her hand holding the blanket, but she was looking in Cleon’s direction with her eyes closed.

Maybe he was still asleep, but he seemed a little dazed.

Then, Cleon catches his breath for a moment and sits on the bed himself, staring at Herti.

As the bed creaked and shook as Cleon sat down, Hertie let out a small “Yeah…” From her mouth, seemingly relieved that Cleon was there.

“Here it is. …Are you okay?”

“Yes. I have a bit of a tingling sensation on the bottom… But I don’t think it’s so bad that I can’t walk.”

Herti blushes as if she’s a little embarrassed to say it herself.

Then she reached out from between the covers and fumbled across her bed.

Likewise, find Cleon’s hand lying on the bed and grab it.

“Yesterday, before I went to sleep, I somehow delivered a pattern…”

“Ah. Saw. I think there is no problem. Then, did this allow me to enter the adamantite mine?”

Herti, who nodded her head at Cleon’s question, became the usual upper-class face and spoke to Cleon.

“Yes. If Cleon-nim can explore the mine himself… I’m sure it won’t be difficult to find traces of Gaios.”

“I hope so.”

“I will never do that. That’s right, Cleon-“

Herti said that, then she shut her mouth for a moment, then shook her head and smiled a little awkwardly.

“Yes. No. Here, let’s say ‘female sense’ and ‘feeling as a top owner’.”

Watching Hertie finish her own story without trying to say something about her, Cleon also feels something wrong with her, but asking her about something she doesn’t want to talk about is probably not a very desirable act.

When there was an awkward silence between the two of them, it was Herti who spoke first.

“…—The Five Elements Festival is over. After Cleon-nim finishes all the preparations to be completed in this eastern country. Adam – You will leave this country for the decisive battle with the father of all things.”

“Ah… That’s how it will be.”

And it was really coming into the not-too-distant future.

“I’m sure it will be a dangerous journey that cannot be compared to what you experienced in Asteris.”

As if Hertie was worried about Cleon, she darkened her complexion while holding Cleon’s hand.

“——It’s something I was determined to do. Because it is the mission I have decided on.”

“…”

However, Herti, who confirmed with his words that Cleon’s will was unwavering, her face brightened slightly as if she was relieved.

After seeing Herti’s expression, Cleon tried to get up from his seat as if the pressure was gone.

“…What? Either way, it’s first to deal with what’s right in front of you right now. So, get ready and go to the mine-“

“Cleon.”

However, Herti’s voice called him to stop his actions.

She leaned her body slightly forward in the direction of Cleon, took his hand with both of her own, brought it to her mouth, and kissed the back of her hand.

Her soft lips slightly adhered to each other, and then the blanket slung over her shoulders slid down and landed on the bed.

“…I’ll be waiting for you. From Cleon. The day you finish everything and come back safely.”

Hertie smiled bashfully as if she was a little embarrassed.

“Ah, haha… I guess it was a bit early? The Five Elements system isn’t over yet.”

At her words, Cleon felt as if something was pounding in his chest.

Because I’m an adventurer – and I have work to do.

It is regrettable to break up with someone, but I have repeated that breakup by promising to meet again someday.

It is also true that there was a relationship among them that could not be sorted out only through the meeting at that time.

I won’t say that I don’t feel responsible for all of them, but there may have been no time to feel the loss of parting thanks to the people who remained around me.

But – not for those left behind.

That’s why, in Elesia, in the academy, and in the royal capital. All those who remain there.

Cleon needed to be more appreciative of the fact that the ties he had created were still continuing because they cherished their ties with him.

And – taking responsibility for something, if any.

It was just not possible to postpone it.

Cleon then turned her head as if she had made up her mind, reached out her hand, and picked up the ring case that was on her desk.

“Herti.”

And, this time, from Cleon’s side, he called out her name and carefully raised her left hand.

“Yes yes?”

Hertie, who was a little bewildered by Cleon’s sudden action, soon felt something cold on her ring finger.

After rummaging through the archives in her head for a moment to figure out the identity of that unfamiliar thing- the next moment.

‘Puong!’

Her face turned bright red in an instant, just as she would hear it.

“Hey, Cleon-nim. This-“

“Sorry. Originally, I had to prepare… But now, let me swear by this. If you make a deal with Adam, I will definitely come back.”

At Cleon’s words, Hertie nodded her head, feeling the feel of the ring in her trembling hand.

As for Herti, she thought it would be okay as long as there was a presence engraved in her belly, and the words and memories she said to each other, but-

Even so, if there is any evidence of a promise between the two of you in any form, you will be able to feel the traces of each other’s presence closer.

Hertie snuggled into Cleon’s body, and she buried her face in his shoulder.

Because she was overjoyed and didn’t want Cleon to see her messed up face.

Cleon carefully turned her arm behind her back and grabbed her embrace.

Little by little, but let’s repay the relationship we have received.

Thinking so, Cleon turned her head and looked up at the top of the desk.

‘The marriage certificate is…’

And, one more proof of the oath that still remains.

‘… Let’s just have it for now. I’m not a citizen of the Eastern country, so I can’t show it anywhere…’

It was put on hold for surprisingly realistic reasons.

001

After that, somehow get Herti back to her mansion unnoticed by the others, and she leaves her room promising time to leave for the mines.

“Good morning, Lord Cleon. Did you sleep well last night?”

At some point, Calia, who had been waiting in front of her room, was standing with her hands together, looking at Cleon.

“Ah, Calia…”

Being in her deathly gritty mood, she couldn’t seem to get her gaze right.

And, from her point of view, she seems like nothing, but somehow, compared to yesterday, she seems a little more thorny.

“…Thank you.”

That said, she wanted to thank her first.

Clearly, for Calia, Cleon would not be a satisfactory partner for Hertie.

Being an adventurer is, so to speak, close to a mercenary, and the perception of adventurers in the East is no different from that of the Kingdom.

Amryong Sanghoe, the boss of a group that controls the economy of a country, has a formal marriage relationship with such a person.

Not only Calia, but also characters from other Eastern countries would not be able to accept that easily.

“No. No need to thank me. I just hoped that Herti-nim would not become Prince Cleon’s ‘passing relationship’.”

Calia speaks as if she doesn’t agree with Cleon’s gratitude, while she never erases her rational expression.

“Because you seemed to be taking a one-night stand for granted, like Princess ‘Riomes’.”

Cleon felt the blood drain from his face without saying a word to return.

Although I was a little shocked that the perception was comparable to Riomes more than anything else.

“…But. You know. Herti is always pure and sincere. For him, Prince Cleon will definitely be the first and last relationship. I won’t tell Prince Cleon to cut ties with the people he’s been up to now-“

As Calia said that, she took a step towards Cleon’s place, raised her head from directly under his face, and looked up into Cleon’s eyes.

The tip of that hand gently stroked the ring that Cleon was wearing on the ring finger of his left hand, the same design as Hertie’s ring.

He must have confirmed that he was wearing the ring he had prepared.

“If the day comes when you neglect Miss Hertie… I will never be able to forgive Lord Cleon. Please, keep that in mind.”

Those eyes, the sharpness of their eyes, were a bit harsh for a mere secretary.

It was to the point where I could feel the stabbing in the back, like an invisible blade.

“…Ah. I’ll definitely keep that in mind. Rather, Calia. Are you really- a simple secretary…?”

At the words of Cleon who asked such a question, Calia stopped saying nothing for a while, then smiled at her, then returned to her usual self and walked away from her Cleon.

“Well? I don’t think you’re the kind of person who likes digging into women’s secrets.”

“…”

At her words, Cleon didn’t say anything for a while, but then nodded in agreement with her words.

“If you say you are going to the mine with Herti, I will entrust Prince Cleon to escort you to the mine. Normally, I accompany you, but…”

While saying that, Cleon confirmed that he could see the tip of the shiny blade from his sleeve.

002

When Cleon, who had been freed from Calia’s threat, trudged back to the inn where the group was staying, Lyla appeared at her front door, waiting for Cleon with her arms crossed.

“Where have you been since this morning?”

“To Herti. I decided to go to the mine.”

“I thought so… Two people came into the barrier last night, it was Hertigo… And the other was Calia?”

Cleon nods at Lila’s words.

“What. Herti seemed like that yesterday- but you couldn’t have done it with Calia, right?”

“No. She… Seems like she wants me to take responsibility for Herti. This…”

As Cleon says so, she shows her ring on her ring finger, and Layla looks at it for a moment, then blushes and ‘huh-huh’, raising her voice both with interest and without interest.

“A wedding ring…? If you usually carry a dragon ring, how many rings do you have to wear?”

“… Come to think of it.”

“What? It doesn’t matter because we’ve been imprinted by Cleon. It lasts longer than a wedding ring.”

Layla says she doesn’t envy her at all, but she glances at the ring.

“…I’ll go see you later. One for Quon and Lyla.”

“What? What’s up haha! Well, there really is no need for that, but if Cleon says so~! Oh, it doesn’t have to be a ring! Because her fingers will run out~”

Cleon gave her a wry smile as she watched Layla blush at his proposal, as if she couldn’t sway her pride.

Lila, who had been fanning her face, took a few deep breaths to calm her down, and then she spoke to Cleon.

“Then let’s say I’m going to the mines today… Before that.”

Then, if you turn around and look around the back of the hallway – the room at the far end.

“Follow me, Cleon. Because Lilim, the sleeping princess, has woken up. I did something deeper than a kiss, isn’t it too late to get up?”

The reason for waiting for him at the front door was to tell him.