“Do not forget. We are here to protect the continent from the threats that loom over this land. Our only focus is that single objective.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Renee, who had been listening from the sidelines, suppressed her laughter.
✦ ✦ ✦
Knowing very well what Vera must be thinking inside while speaking as if he were an agent of justice, holding back her laughter was no easy task.
✦ ✦ ✦
“I am here as a servant of the Lord, and not to mediate between your issues. I am here to protect this land built by my Parent.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera’s following words gave himself legitimacy and explicitly expressed his superiority over them.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Do not disappoint me.”
✦ ✦ ✦
As the lengthy speech came to an end, the conference hall was enveloped in silence.
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera deliberately sighed.
✦ ✦ ✦
Then, with a hint of fatigue in his voice, he glanced around the room one last time and added.
✦ ✦ ✦
“...This atmosphere doesn’t seem ideal for continuing the meeting at the moment. Let’s all gather our thoughts and reconvene in two hours. I will listen to the reports then. Saint.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Yes.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Renee stood up from her seat.
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera took her hand and turned away.
✦ ✦ ✦
Clack.
✦ ✦ ✦
Clack.
✦ ✦ ✦
Unbeknownst to them, the two had smiles on their faces as they walked away with the sound of the cane.
✦ ✦ ✦
“You con artist.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Back in Elia’s barracks.
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera chuckled at Renee’s comment.
✦ ✦ ✦
“It was necessary.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“That’s very heroic of you.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“It’s not entirely incorrect, is it? If someone has to be called a hero at this point, it’s probably me.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Doesn’t saying that make you feel embarrassed?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“It’s a fact. For a leader, there’s nothing more important than knowing one’s place.”
✦ ✦ ✦
In the unfinished corner of the barracks.
✦ ✦ ✦
The conversation ended as they watched the paladins work.
✦ ✦ ✦
Renee playfully tickled Vera’s palm, which she had been holding, and spoke.
✦ ✦ ✦
“You really have a way with words. Is it because you’re the King of the Slums?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“How could I possibly compare to Miss ‘I’m not Saint’? It’s far too early for me to reach the level of self-control that Miss ‘I’m not Saint’ has attained.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Ugh...!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera laughed.
✦ ✦ ✦
Though she tried to tease him somehow, her weak defense reminded her that she still had a long way to go.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Try harder.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“...Just wait and see.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Well.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera’s head turned to Renee’s ear.
✦ ✦ ✦
What followed was a whisper of provocation.
✦ ✦ ✦
“The one who should wait and see is you, especially at night.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Renee’s body stiffened.
✦ ✦ ✦
Her face flushed deeply, and her clenched fist began to lightly hit Vera’s forearm.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Are you crazy? What are you talking about in public?!”
✦ ✦ ✦
“I’m not sure what you mean, but if you keep raising your voice like this, the rumors you’re worried about will definitely spread like a wildfire.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Agh!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Renee covered her mouth with her hand.
✦ ✦ ✦
Even while doing so, her furrowed brows clearly displayed her anger.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Just wait and see. Really...!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera laughed lightly at her muttered words.
✦ ✦ ✦
Then, he looked at her, feeling more comfortable now.
✦ ✦ ✦
‘As expected...’
✦ ✦ ✦
He liked this ridiculous banter.
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera was pleased with this childish fight that washed away all the unpleasant disputes and head-throbbing political issues.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”
✦ ✦ ✦
They closed the distance.
✦ ✦ ✦
Renee, puckering her lips, warned Vera with folded arms.
✦ ✦ ✦
“If you keep behaving badly, the Lord will punish you.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“I should pray to Lushan then. I am his Apostle, after all. He’ll stop the Lord’s punishment at least once.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Isn’t the Lord stronger? So that wouldn’t work.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“What kind of childlike logic is that?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Nevermind, whatever”
✦ ✦ ✦
Renee chuckled and then continued speaking.
✦ ✦ ✦
“At least I made you feel better, didn’t I?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Were you comforting me?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Then, do you think I was arguing with you?”
✦ ✦ ✦
Indeed, it was a moment when their hearts connected.
✦ ✦ ✦
The trivial argument that came from Vera, who was troubled, and Renee, who wanted to comfort him.
✦ ✦ ✦
The both of them burst into laughter at the same moment, and the twins and Rohan, who were setting up the tents, saw it all.
✦ ✦ ✦
“What the hell are they doing? Hey twins, what’s Vera doing instead of helping here, huh?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Rohan is disgraceful. Love is a blessing.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“True. Marek blesses them. He is a great person. Rohan doesn’t bless, so he’s a petty person.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Rohan’s expression crumbled.
✦ ✦ ✦
Ignoring Rohan’s response, the twins continued to set up the pillars of the tents.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Marek is good at setting up pillars. Impressive.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Yes, Marek sets up pillars well. The top ones, and the bottom ones.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“If you set up the pillar well, you’re the older brother. Marek is the older brother.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Yes, Marek is the older brother.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Rohan felt like tearing his ears off.
✦ ✦ ✦
He didn’t want to hear any of it. Neither of the incessant nonsense from the twins nor the laughter from Renee and Vera in the distance.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Go to hell...!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Smack!
✦ ✦ ✦
The pillar was driven straight into the ground.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Rohan also sets up pillars well. He’s full of youth.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Yes, Rohan is a lonely youth...”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Shut up!”
✦ ✦ ✦
A loud shout of frustration echoed through the barracks.
✦ ✦ ✦
It undoubtedly belonged to a lonely middle-aged man who was drowning in his sorrows.