Chapter 66

──Something's off, you know.

Livio frowned and walked through the vast castle, his brows knitted together.

Incidentally, people's gazes were flying at him like arrows, but Livio, despite his delicate features, was a thick-skinned barbarian. He shrugged them off as if there were an invisible barrier. It wasn't that he had an actual barrier; he had been exposed to people's gazes all his life, so being stared at was normal to him. As long as it wasn't hostile, he didn't mind. You know, thick-skinned.

Now, the fact that Livio Nis Warren deeply revered and dedicated himself to protecting Sophelia von Lotus was a well-known story in the nostalgic school and the knights' guild. Whenever people praised him, saying, "To be so passionate for the future queen, what a noble knight!" Livio would think to himself, "Don't call her the future queen," but he was pretty sure no one knew that.

Of course, it wasn't that he disliked the idea of Sophelia becoming queen. He knew very well that she had literally devoted herself to becoming queen or the prince's fiancée. Livio would have supported her with all his heart if she truly wanted to be queen, and he would have declared with all his might that the country would be better if Sophelia became queen.

However, the marriage to a man who didn't cherish Sophelia at all was something Livio couldn't accept. Sigh, complicated male emotions.

Well, that's all in the past. The point is, this man, now known as Livio, was confident that he knew his beloved Sophi better than anyone else in the world. Livio was certain that he cared for Sophi more than anyone else in this world.

That's why, no matter how much Sophi denied it or how troubled she seemed, he could see right through it. Sure, he didn't know much about her hobbies or preferences, but he could definitely read her expressions. After all, he had spent three years just watching her. The experience was different.

"…I might have never seen that face before."

The Sophelia Livio knew always wore a perfect smile, an impenetrable, ironclad smile that never gave others a chance to see her vulnerabilities. But lately, she had started to laugh and cry naturally, which made Livio find her even more adorable and filled with happiness.

Now, Sophi was showing a hint of displeasure in her nostalgic, fully armed, perfect smile. Seeing a face he had never seen before was exciting. Even a slightly pouting face was super cute. But, he couldn't help but wish she would smile genuinely, not with a fake smile. Sigh, men's hearts are truly complicated.

"Here we are."

At the maid's quiet voice, Livio, who had been lost in thought, looked up. Remembering the place where he used to train, he felt a bit nostalgic.

"You've arrived."

"My name is Livio."

"I am Bernardo Finscent."

Bernardo, with his pale blue platinum blonde hair tied back, reflected the sunset and smiled gently. Despite his slightly flashy uniform, which made it hard to tell, Livio could see that he was well-built. Assessing how he would attack and how to take the initiative was almost a reflex for Livio, a remnant of his barbarian instincts. The tingling sensation of his nerves was not unpleasant.

"I appreciate you accepting my impolite request."

"Please, there's no need to be so formal with someone who doesn't even have a family name."

Bernardo's polite and refined demeanor was fitting for someone close to the king. Livio, who didn't know the noble politics of this country, bowed, assuming he was a knight from a prestigious family.

"I am the one who should be grateful. To have the opportunity to spar with a royal guard is something I never thought I'd experience."

His words were genuine. As a warrior, he couldn't allow his skills to dull, and to protect Sophi in the future, he needed all the strength he could muster. For Livio, who hadn't been able to train properly, this was a good opportunity. Plus, the thrill of clashing swords with a strong opponent was exhilarating. Oh, how exciting.

So, Livio, with a slight click of the sheath, drew his sword and stepped forward. The metallic sound of the sword being drawn echoed.

"Then, I won't hold back."

"Sorry if I accidentally kill you."

Ha, Livio licked his lips at the killing intent emanating from the smiling man. To fulfill the wish of that cute girl, he needed to earn this man's approval.

I'll kill him without dying, Livio thought, erasing all other thoughts.

──This is hard to read.

Livio twisted his body in mid-air, focusing on his footing. Feeling an invisible mass under his feet, he used it as a springboard to leap up, gaining momentum.

Bernardo's blue eyes widened slightly, and he took a step back.

Seeing this, Livio raised his sword with both hands.

But. Hearing the sound of pebbles underfoot, he spun his sword with one hand.

──Receiving the sword is a feint. Deflect it.

Livio's senses, which were praised as animal-like, were especially sharp in battle, missing no sound, smell, or movement. Following his instincts, which could even feel the flow of air, he swung his sword from the right.

It seemed his prediction was correct. Caught off guard, Bernardo leaned to the side and received Livio's sword.

Despite the unnatural stance, Bernardo's ability to withstand Livio's powerful strike was impressive. Even when caught off guard, he didn't receive a single scratch, making Livio feel 30% frustrated and 70% impressed. He couldn't stop the corners of his lips from curling up.

In a pure test of strength, Livio would likely have the upper hand.

Bernardo must have realized this from the first exchange, as he avoided direct confrontations.

Even though he knew this, he would sometimes show a face that said, "I have no choice but to engage," making Livio want to follow along.

The sweet feeling of things going according to plan was so tempting. If you were offered a sugar-laden cake when you were tired, you'd want to take a bite, right? Especially if it was offered by a cute, smiling Sophi, you'd have no way to resist.

Livio almost followed along but realized it was an illusion at the last moment. Sophi's cute smile? No way! If he saw the gleaming scythe of death, he would never be able to call himself a knight again.

Focusing all his senses, Livio observed every move Bernardo made, reacting faster than light with precision finer than a hair.

I'm not good at strategic battles.

Complaining about the repetitive exchanges was pointless. When Livio's sword was deflected, creating distance, he pursued.

Or so it seemed, but he took to the air, leaping high and repositioning his sword.

If Bernardo underestimated him and thought it was just a brute force attack, it would have been easier, but ha, he really is good. Bernardo crouched and loosely held his sword, exuding a confidence that said, "I can dodge from any angle," just like some big, brutish old man.

Livio, who almost let his blood boil, had to calm down.

No, no, Livio jumped even higher.

Then, he heard a "click" as the sword was gripped tightly.

He didn't know if it was an actual sound, but for Livio, it was a signal that the opponent was about to unleash a full-force strike.

"Got it," Livio focused on his feet and kicked the air.

Feeling young, Livio smiled.

──You can't underestimate young people, old man.

Young people use their heads and have a momentum that older people lack. He wasn't just trained by some old brute.

With a sudden dive, Livio approached Bernardo.

But, he aimed for the spot where Bernardo would move to avoid. At the moment his toes touched the ground, he poured all his strength into his thumb and attacked Bernardo.

Caught off guard by the unexpected attack from an unexpected direction, Bernardo lost his balance.

But, as Livio expected, he quickly regained it.

Yes, if you can read my movements, you'll move your foot and prepare for the next move. But, there's no mound of dirt under your feet.

As Bernardo slightly tilted his body, Livio didn't miss the moment.

──This time, I'll really send you flying.

Livio held back his laughter and prepared for a follow-up attack.

When you do something, do it thoroughly. Crush him until he has no will to stand up again!

With the radical and violent family motto, Livio kicked the ground, focusing on his sword and channeling his strength,

"Got you!"

"! Uwah!"

Caught off guard by the sudden stop, Livio's momentum almost led to a passionate kiss with the wall. He quickly kicked the wall to avoid it.

The wall, which received his powerful kick, crumbled with a loud noise, but Livio managed to avoid the collision.

Oh no, what have I done!!!

Livio's face turned pale as he looked at Bernardo.

"Sorry! Can I pay for it?!"

He wasn't short of money, but he wasn't swimming in it either.

To avoid causing trouble for Sophi, having both strength and money was always good. Preventing his skills from deteriorating and not depleting his savings were Livio's priorities.

How much would it cost to repair the castle's training ground?

The men of the Warren family, known for their immense strength, were famous for destroying everything and being a nightmare for the knights' accounting department.

Livio, who had his salary docked countless times during his rookie days, had to think of ways to fight without destroying things.

After a long time of using his full strength, Livio, who had completely forgotten about "not destroying things," was sweating profusely when he suddenly noticed something.

There was an unnatural mound of dirt in the training ground.

Huh? Come to think of it, there was a mound earlier too.

Looking closely, there were holes here and there, and the dirt was piled up in various places. What's going on?

Thinking about it, Livio realized something.

Did I do that too!!!

The holes must have been created by the force of his steps. Remembering how he was often scolded during training, "Don't fly at full strength" and "If you fly, clean up after yourself," Livio looked back at Bernardo, who blinked.

"Sorry, I'll fill it in by tonight."

Bernardo, who had been smiling even during the fight, was now expressionless, making Livio break into a cold sweat as he apologized.

This was another country's castle, and Bernardo was a top-tier guard protecting the king.

If he couldn't leave the country, how would he escape? As Livio bowed his head, he heard a sound like a suppressed breath.

Huh? Curious, Livio slowly raised his head to see Bernardo covering his mouth, looking away, and shaking his shoulders.

Oh dear.

"…Mr. Finscent?"

"Ah, ahaha, are you serious?"

"Huh?"

Serious about what? Is he really angry and scolding me?

But, Bernardo was probably laughing, so he wasn't angry?

Tilting his head slightly, Livio asked, "Huh?" and Bernardo burst out laughing.

"Stop it, you big guy, are you a child?"

"Sixteen."

"Sorry, a child."

Yes, unfortunately.

Livio thought but didn't say it, puffing out his cheeks as Bernardo laughed out loud.

"Ah, funny. I haven't laughed this much in a long time."

"Sure thing."

"Haha, sorry. I didn't mean to mock you."

Well, that's fine. Livio understood but didn't like being laughed at, especially the kind of warm, patronizing laugh from adults.

Frowning openly was Livio's way of protesting, but it only made adults laugh more, leaving Livio confused.

"You're popular with older people, aren't you?"

"Well, I don't think I was disliked."

"Probably not."

What does he mean? Tilting his head, Livio made Bernardo laugh again.

Deciding to let it go, Livio's attitude seemed to be understood, and Bernardo laughed even more.

"Haha, no, you kick the air and fight in a way that makes me want to use magic. Your movements are so unsteady that I almost used magic, and you're just so adorable. Haha, it's funny."

Ah, Livio remembered Bernardo's gestures.

"Sometimes, you tried to cast spells. You could have used them."

I'm confident I could have cut through, but I didn't say it.

As Livio sheathed his sword and tilted his head, Bernardo laughed and sheathed his sword, saying, "Just kidding."

"Are you going to stand there and take it? The training ground will be destroyed."

"Ah."

Right, no time to laugh, Livio's face tensed up. Bernardo looked up, ran his hand through Livio's messy hair, and laughed. He was treating him like a child!

Frowning, Livio couldn't say anything because of the guilt over destroying the training ground.

Accepting Bernardo's large hand, Livio made him laugh again.

"Since I asked you, don't worry about it. It was fun."

"…About that matter."

Bernardo smiled.

"That person is my life, my pride. Please, I beg of you."

He bowed respectfully.

Being laughed at and having his head patted would make him look childish if he got angry. Sigh, he wasn't a baby.

Livio placed his hand on his chest and bowed his head.

Polished by suffering and sorrow, he wanted to be as beautiful as his beloved, always.

"I humbly accept."

As Bernardo straightened up, Livio slowly raised his head.

Bernardo's soft smile was genuine.

"Thank you, Mr. Livio."

But, "Mr. Livio" after treating him like a child? That's just mean.

Livio pouted.

"Call me Livio. It's getting ridiculous."

"Ah, are you upset?"

"No, I'm not. …It was fun sparring with you, Mr. Finscent."

Hmph, Livio raised his chin, and Bernardo laughed, saying, "Call me Bernardo." Being on a first-name basis with the captain of the royal guard, Livio had come a long way.

He wondered if it would cause trouble later but decided it was his problem. If trouble arose, he'd carry Sophi and run away.

"Can I ask for another sparring session when I return?"

"Next time, show me some magic."

"I'll ask Adolphus for permission."

Does that mean it's okay to destroy the training ground? That's what the permission is for.

It probably won't be approved, Livio thought, smiling.

"…Can I ask one more thing?"

"Yes."

What is it? Livio tilted his head, and Bernardo smiled.

"Even though you're involving us in your affairs and making such an impolite request, why are you coming along?"

Well, that's true.

Livio didn't have a particular attachment to this matter, and he thought he had fulfilled his duty to the king. But, Eleonora was still under a curse, so saying goodbye here would be too abrupt.

"It would be unsatisfying to leave it halfway… Plus, Sophi seemed to want to go."

"…Is that all?"

Sophi, who was serious and responsible, wouldn't choose to part ways.

The adorable face she made when Livio asked to accompany her! If he could see that face, he would do anything and go anywhere.

The reason Livio wielded his sword hadn't changed at all.

"Do I need another reason?"

What a strange thing to say, Livio tilted his head, and Bernardo's eyes widened. Then, there was a "thud."

It was a small sound, but Livio heard it clearly and looked around.

Bernardo, who didn't notice, called out, "Livio?"

"No, I heard a sound… Ah."

At the end of Livio's gaze, a person was crouching.

No matter the distance or the circumstances, he couldn't mistake it.

Crouching behind a pillar was Sophi.

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