Chapter 513 – A Moment with the Sage (3)

‘If I come to this house any more, only bones will remain.’

Leaving the sage with her newly smooth skin, he entered the bedroom where his master slept.

Since then, that place had been tormented by the sage several times, squeezed and shrunk in the process. Filling his weakened body with the pill he’d prepared, he entered the room. A sliver of light slipped through the door, revealing Heaven’s open eyes.

“Welcome. Have you finished your task?”
“No, I’ve come to consult the sage for a moment.”
“Consultation, you say? It seemed quite intense for a simple inquiry.”

Heaven asked teasingly. He had thought the magic had been dispelled midway, but he had still heard everything. His face flushed and he lowered his head, prompting Heaven to giggle and reach out to caress his cheek.

“Well, that woman knows everything, so it won’t be bad.”
“Do you know about the sage?”

“She was a benefactor from my childhood. She was also Zodiac’s teacher, and I never thought I would meet her twice; yet here I am, indebting myself to her once again.”

I was aware that she had saved her teacher from the dungeon and taught Zodiac magic. I sat on the chair next to the bedside table and yawned.

“Hmm.”

“Are you sleepy?”

“Yes, a little. I feel drained.”

“Hmm, is that so? Would you like to sleep in your teacher’s arms?”

“…”

Should I?

Heaven pulled up the blanket and made a place for me. That enchanting body line visible under the blanket. The rich scent of peaches filled the air from within the blanket.

I wanted to leap with excitement, but I had to suppress my boiling desire.

“You should rest.”

Heaven was still recovering, and she needed long-term stability as she had died and awakened once. Moving was quite burdensome for her. Heaven tried to get up, and I gently held her shoulders, pressing her back down.

“Ah-ah.”

“Chu, I’ve had enough rest. No, isn’t every day a day off? Let go, let go.”

I gently press the shoulders of Cheondo, who struggles.

“Relax. You need to rest.”
“How can I relax when you, my apprentice, are here? Ugh! Let go of my shoulders.”
“Then I’d better not come until you get well.”
“I’ve calmed down.”
“Pfft.”

I burst into laughter at the quick acquiescence.
Cheondo glares at me, and the more she does, the more I laugh. How much I’ve dreamed of having this conversation. Despite being busy, I wanted to sit here all the time.

“I’m sick and tired of resting, resting, and resting every day. The time you come is my only pleasure.”
“Is that so?”
“So I beg you, will you lie down in bed?”
“What’s that got to do with this?”
“It’s because I’m reminded of the past.”

Old times.
It’s probably a story from our academy days.

After obtaining permission to reside in a student’s house at the academy under Heavenly Demon’s name, they shared a bed for a while. Would it be alright? As Bam cautiously climbed into the bed and lay down, Heaven’s face filled her view.

Heaven grinned and spread her arms wide.

“Embrace me.”

?

“Did you think I wouldn’t know that you secretly held me every night?”
“Gasp.”

Before Bam could utter a word of protest, Heaven’s outstretched arms pulled her close. Their bandaged chests met, and Heaven’s hand slipped under Bam’s arm. Heaven gently nestled her nose into Bam’s embrace and murmured.

“I can smell her scent on you.”

Could it be due to their similar age and atmosphere? It was a puppy-like gesture, as if Heaven were trying to imprint her own scent onto Bam’s body. Upon realization, it seemed as if Heaven was Bam’s martial arts instructor, and the sage was her magic mentor.

Recalling that the sage had performed magic during their intimate moment, Heaven must have been quite stirred up.

“Your body is cold.”

“…Yes, well. It’s winter.”
“Do you dress warmly?”
“I love the clothes that Master made for me.”
“…….”

Heaven’s hands tremble. Her lips quiver, seemingly delighted by my humble flattery.

“When you wake up, I’ll need to make you winter clothes. Just the two of us.”
“Re-really?”

Heaven’s arms, embracing me, tighten their grip.
She hugs me to the point of slight discomfort and presses her cheek against mine.

– Thump, thump.

I hear Master’s heartbeat.
Only after the scent from my body has completely transformed into Heaven’s fragrance does she release me from her embrace.

“Are you facing any difficulties?”
“The trials are quite tormenting. It’s consuming all my time.”
“Well, if you’re tired, rest here for a while.”

Each word is filled with affection.
As I hold Master’s hand, I press it gently as if giving a massage, and speak.
The more this happens, the less I understand certain truths.

“But Master, is it appropriate to act this way with someone who isn’t even a lover?”

Even though she showers me with such affection, her heart remains unyielding. Cheondo averts her gaze.

“…It’s the affection found in a mentor-disciple relationship.”

As if it could truly be affection.

“You mentioned having someone, right?”
“Yes, I do.”
“If they knew, they would be quite jealous. Not only did we share the same bed, but we even embraced each other.”
“They’ll understand.”
“Your faith in them is remarkably deep.”
“…Are you mocking me?”

Cheondo inquired in an uneasy tone, her temper subtly flaring. Her faith in the person she loves is incredibly strong and steadfast. Knowing that her heart used to belong to me, I’m not sure how I should react.

Actually, I was the man she used to love. There’s no way she would believe me, and honestly, I don’t want to admit it either.

“…Si-heon? It seems I may have lost my temper a bit.”

When I didn’t respond, Cheondo asked again.

I closed my eyes, grasped Cheondo’s unsure shoulders, and gently embraced her.

Cheondo still harbors feelings for my past self,

“I love you, Teacher.”

I yearn for more of my teacher Cheondo’s heart.
Though I might have been her first experience in the past, she was also my first as a teacher.
In truth, I fell for her slowly.
And I needed to uphold the promise made with Cheondo in the dream atop the tower.

-If you return to that world, please let me be the first to fall in love.

Cheondo’s face turned an ashen hue. Unable to find words to respond, she hesitated before finally letting out a small sigh as if accepting the inevitable.

“That, Si-heon… Don’t we have Zodiac?”
“I will take responsibility. All of it, once it’s over.”
“…Is that something someone who just enjoyed themselves with a sage should say?”
“Yes.”
“…You’re even crazier than I thought.”

Cheondo wore a conflicted expression, and at some point, she began pushing my chest instead of pulling it with her hand.

The situation and timing were far from ideal,
but when would we ever discuss this again?

“I have someone I like.”
“I will like you more than that person.”

This was true.
I felt more yearning now than I did in the past, and I had never harbored such feelings for Cheondo during our childhood.

“What does that have to do with anything? I don’t even care about your feelings. I’m the one who likes you…”
“How long have you known that person?”
“…I don’t know.”

Cheondo tightly shut her eyes in response to my bold words. Sweat trickled down her face.

“Then that person must have already forgotten about you, their teacher–”
“That’s not true!”

The moment I was about to press on like a storm, my face froze at the sound of Cheondo’s outcry.
Upon reflection, that must be a cherished memory for Cheondo. Did I push too hard?

“Don’t speak so harshly. Regardless of our priest-teacher relationship, even if you have feelings for me.”
“……”
“No matter how dear you are to me, I won’t tolerate insulting that person. I believe we’ll meet again someday.”

I can’t even remember their face,
Only intuition remains.

“Is that so?”

I never thought I’d envy myself.

Nevertheless, I’m satisfied.
For a brief moment, I saw my teacher as a woman, not merely as a mentor.
If it had been a normal situation, I would have been scolded for such nonsense.

“I apologize, Teacher.”
“…As you should.”

An awkward atmosphere.
In the ambiance that was usually like a priest with Heaven, it seemed that a slightly different relationship was forming.

It’s fine to leave things as they are for now.
In fact, I feel relieved after being honest with my emotions.

“I’ll return to my work.”
“All right. Don’t worry too much. It seems my emotions have grown a bit sensitive.”
“No, Teacher.”

It was the first time I had broken my own principles.
I wanted to be honest about it, as it was an emotion I had held onto for a very long time.

Thanks to that, my resolve strengthened.

-Thunk.

Upon closing the door, the sage, now dressed, laughed teasingly.

“I’ve heard that the king’s destiny draws women to him, even if he doesn’t want it. Seems just right.”
“…”
“Each one is precious, right? Am I one of them?”
“Yes. If you reveal your hidden intentions, you could truly love.”
“Then I’ll have to try even harder.”

Alba ignored my previous words and offered the freshly brewed elixir to me.
Accepting it, I lightly embraced her and bowed my head to express my gratitude.

The burden of my dreams would be remedied by this.
After biting off the cork and opening the lid, I swallowed the contents within.

As I drank, another question came to mind.

“Now that I think about it…”
“Yes~ What is it?”

Since Hyunja always addresses me as noona (older sister), my curiosity grows.
My teacher, Cheondo, is 29. So how old is the sage?

“How old are you…?”
“What?”

As soon as I mention age, her eyes turn icy cold.

“…Shall I go then?”
“Take care. Before that, hug me. Just for five minutes.”
“Uh, sure. You didn’t shower?”
“Do you dislike me when I’m covered in sweat?”
“It’s not that I don’t like it, um.”

The realm of a woman’s heart was vast and deep.

* * * * * * * * * * *

As soon as I returned to the throne, I found myself with much to do.

The primary goal was preparing for the invasion of the demon of trials.
We devised plans to evacuate the residents and trained and mobilized soldiers under Hong Yeon’s command.

At a time when saving as many people as possible was crucial, the time a platoon could spare was extremely valuable.

[Artifact? It’s overflowing with decay. There are a lot of magical stones recently brought in from the tower. Well, since some towers have ceased functioning, the price will rise soon.]

A renowned artifisher in the artisan district secured the maximum amount of artifacts through outsourcing to Seri and other craftsmen. War weapons used by the state could be plundered from destroyed nations. The collapse of China itself was too abrupt, and although a provisional government was established under Ginkgo Biloba’s guidance, their rate of expansion was slower than ours. Political issues would be addressed gradually.

“There are still many tactical artifacts remaining. Most of them are made in China, and they’re in poor condition, so they can’t be used immediately.”

“Is there a shortage of talent again?”

“That’s the situation.”

I swept my forehead upon hearing Gu-seul’s composed report.

Absorbing China’s power as the nation falls is advantageous, but the chronic issue of not being able to utilize various strengths due to a lack of talent persists.

“Well, it’s not that there aren’t any professionals in this field. You know that, right?”
“There just aren’t enough of them.”
“Right. There’s an education deficit. There’s no one to teach. With the outbreak of war, countries became so insular in terms of technology that it’s difficult to entice a sage. Try to make use of that vast knowledge.”
“Yeah, they won’t be swayed by something like this.”

There’s a reason they are on my side, and yet not on my side.
Most of the chronic problems our faction faces could easily be resolved with the help of the sages.
The world’s top magicians, scholars, and technicians are akin to using a cheat code in a game.
The issue is that the sage won’t assist me in this manner.

Tactical magic, hidden away by numerous Mage Towers and provided exclusively to the militaries of select nations?
We cannot harness it.

Artifacts amassed by guilds, and mercenaries who’ve endured hardships in various environments, possessing great strategic value?
I can’t use them.

Countless war weapons forged with China’s enormous capital?
I can’t repair them due to a lack of skill.

Even internally, there’s an ever-present threat of rebellion, and externally, there’s constant scrutiny from the entire world.
It’s even more regrettable that I’m not merely standing idly by.

“It’s being repaired, but it’s still disappointing.”

– Thud.

The door suddenly opens. Today is the day an unanticipated guest arrives.

Gu-seul sets the report aside and clears her throat.
From a playful friend who would discreetly tease during conversations, she promptly transforms into a composed secretary.
Regaining my senses, I address the man and the young girl standing at the door.

“Arm, I guess you couldn’t fix it? A.B.”
“…….”

The man who stiffens the corners of his mouth as he looks at me.
ATU… They’re part of a third faction, just like us.

Reflecting on what I did to Shiba last time, it wouldn’t be unjust to tear out my innards and set them ablaze…

“I have come to see Your Majesty. Our queen is eager to have a conversation.”

Now is the moment when emotions must be set aside.
I asked him, feeling my mouth go dry.

“And the reason?”