The Sword Master’s Son-in-Law

– Jealousy (2)

He recalled what happened in the quarry while at the inn.

He had injured his dantian from forcibly drawing up energy.

It was fortunate, at least, that the wound wasn’t deep.

Indeed, the strain had pushed me a step closer to Sword Master.

And as recompense, a new sword, even.

One that could withstand my peculiar mana, at that.

It felt as though the world was conspiring in my favor.

Everything in my view seemed bathed in a vibrant blue.

To better appreciate such a world, I opened the window of the inn.

But then–

‘What’s this?’

I witnessed Lily and Asia heading towards the rear of the inn, alone together.

Truthfully, it would be easy to dismiss it as them simply having a conversation.

But I couldn’t.

Lily’s eyes, as she led the way.

The crimson energy around them was intensified.

As though she’d resolved herself to something.

A sudden, ominous thought took root in my mind.

It couldn’t be, I told myself.

Yet, the thought that it *might* be prompted me to hastily follow after them.

And what I saw was–

“So please, I beg you, give him up.”

Asia wore an expression as though possessed,

And Lily, seemingly the one responsible for it.

Lily’s expression grew increasingly fierce.

Instinctively, I shouted.

“Stop, Lily.”

Any longer, and it felt dangerous.

Only then did Lily notice me.

She seemed momentarily taken aback.

While, at the same time, slowly approaching me.

“O-Older brother? Why are you here…? Did you perhaps just see…?”

“…”

I offered no response.

Despite my silence, Lily continued to babble on, as though deranged.

“Older brother’s expression is not good. You seem to be misunderstanding something.”

Lily’s voice began to tremble.

“Yes, Older brother has misseen.”

Lily stood directly before me.

And–

“Older brother, listen closely to what I’m saying. You did not see what just occurred.”

Simultaneously, the crimson energy emanating from Lily enveloped me.

But still-.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened to me.

I wasn’t a fool; I could tell by now.

The illusions cast by the Orcish shaman never worked on me either.

What Lily was doing now must be a type of illusion as well.

‘Mental illusions don’t work on me.’

A conclusion born from experience.

“So, you’re the one who did this to Asia.”

The reason Asia was so blank and unresponsive.

It was because of Lily,

and Lily was even trying to use that ability on me.

I stated to Lily with a resolute air,

“I can’t forget what I saw.”

“Why?”

“Because I saw it.”

I can’t forget.

Your ability doesn’t work on me.

Lily started to become alarmingly uneasy at my words.

Her lips trembled, her pupils darted about wildly.

She kept grinding her teeth, making a “click-clack” sound.

“I said, forget it…!”

Lily approached me.

Then, she gripped my shoulders tightly and began to shake me.

She looked as if she had truly gone mad.

A red aura was visible in Lily’s eyes.

Was that why?

It seemed as if madness had taken form.

Lily shook me like a lunatic for some time.

Then, she stopped.

And shifted her gaze to Asia.

“Right, you’re not the urgent one, Oppa.”

Murderous intent.

Lily glared at Asia.

I could feel a strong killing intent from her.

I hurriedly knocked Lily unconscious.

If I left her like this, I felt like a tragedy would unfold.

Lily collapsed like a doll with its strings cut by my surprise attack.

And before long-.

“Huh…? Why is Arthas-ssi here…?”

Was it because Lily had fainted?

Asia regained her senses.

*

Lily had been confined to the underground dungeon for days.

For a transgression committed.

They didn’t even bother posting guards, just in case.

The guards could have been swayed by Lily, after all.

And so, Lily remained alone in the dungeon.

Lily huddled in a corner of the prison, clutching her knees to her chest.

“…”

Lily thought.

Why had she done such a thing?

She couldn’t understand it.

It was a literal explosion.

As if some emotion within her had detonated.

She recalled Arthas’ expression during his visit a few days prior.

That cold gaze.

Receiving such a look from Arthas.

Her mind grew more and more devastated with each passing day.

And so-.

“I’d rather just die.”

Lily uttered the words, a wish for death.

It wasn’t something she consciously spoke.

Just words that flowed out naturally.

Because Lily felt she’d lost everything.

In the empty underground dungeon.

Lily’s somber voice echoed.

There was no answer to her soliloquy, of course.

But then-.

“Why do you wish to die?”

A reply came.

And in a voice Lily knew so well.

Lily slowly raised her head.

“A, Father…?”

Lord Eiler stood beyond the bars.

“I’ve heard the tale.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“Just… for doing such a thing this time and…”

The wrongs she had committed against her adoptive father.

Lily couldn’t bring herself to speak of them, recalling them now.

Lily could only manage to move her lips, again and again.

She remained like that for some time.

Finally, she spoke.

“I made everyone love me.”

Lily thought.

‘With my power, I was loved by all.’

She manipulated emotions.

She thought this was the biggest mistake she’d ever made.

She couldn’t bear to face her adoptive father, so Lily lowered her head again.

Next would come his recriminations.

She couldn’t bring herself to see her adoptive father’s enraged face.

Lord Ailer spoke firmly.

“You seem to have a tendency to underestimate the mental fortitude of a Sword Master.”

It was the last thing Lily had expected to hear.

With a blank expression, Lily lifted her head.

And looked at Lord Ailer.

“Do you think a Sword Master would be swayed by such paltry power?”

“But…”

No matter how strong a Sword Master’s will, prolonged exposure to her power should have some effect.

Indeed, Lord Ailer had become a good father who granted Lily everything she desired.

“If you truly doubt it, then unleash your power on me, just once.”

“…I don’t want to.”

“I said, do it.”

“…”

Lily met Lord Ailer’s gaze.

And wished with all her might.

‘Please, just leave me alone and go.’

But—

“What sort of scheme are you plotting, precisely?”

Lord Ailer was unfazed.

Lily couldn’t help but be astonished.

Surely, the crimson aura emanating from her had permeated her adoptive father.

But—he didn’t move as she wished.

“Your ability has no effect on me.”

“But…”

Then, it made even less sense.

Lily was loved and free more than anyone else.

And therefore, she was happy.

But all of this was an illusion created by her own power.

Or so Lily had thought.

But why wasn’t her adopted father moving as she willed?

“Let me tell you a tale of long ago.”

“A tale of long ago…?”

“The story of when I found you. Did you think you were controlling me even then?”

“…”

There was no way she could have been in control.

Her ability was weak then.

So weak, she hadn’t even realized it existed.

It was a power that had gradually strengthened with the passage of time.

So back then…

There was no way she could have been in control.

Lord Eiler drifted back to that time, a wistful expression gracing his features.

To Lily, it seemed he yearned for those days.

“Your crimson hair was just like mine when I was young.”

“Crimson hair…”

Hair that blazed like fire.

This shared hair color often led others to mistake Lord Eiler and Lily as blood father and daughter.

“Well, it wasn’t just your hair. You also possessed talent. The kind of talent fitting for the Crimson Flames Mercenaries.”

Mana that burned like fire.

Back then, Lord Eiler saw Lily’s entire being as a representation of the Crimson Flames Mercenaries.

That was why he decided to adopt her.

And-.

“Seeing you grow up so well brought me great joy.”

“Joy, you say…? That’s just a phantom I created…”

“Hahaha, you just saw it yourself, didn’t you?”

Lord Eiler turned a fond gaze towards Lily.

“Your ability is useless against a Sword Master.”

“Then, truly…”

He really did love her.

“It isn’t just me. All the members of the Crimson Flames Mercenaries adore you. Some even hold romantic affections for you.”

Again, Lily wanted to deny it.

The members weren’t Sword Masters.

It was all a phantom created by her ability.

“From the beginning, your ability can’t draw out sincerity. The hearts of the members are filled with genuine emotion, so don’t entertain such foolish thoughts.”

Lily’s tears began to flow.

The reason her jealousy had exploded.

Was because she had believed all the affection stemmed from her ability.

And so, Lily wept uncontrollably.

*Click-* *Creak-*

A familiar sound.

It was undeniably the sound she had heard when Lily was first thrown into the prison.

Lily looked at Rodailler, flustered.

The door stood open.

“Let’s go now.”

“What is this…?”

“Well, the Sword Saint’s granddaughter is rather kind. Kind enough to release you upon my request.”

Rodailler paused for a moment.

“However…”

He couldn’t bring himself to say it.

For this would be the first harsh word he ever gave his daughter.

“It would be best to give up on your love.”

He had shown her far too many unsightly things.

Lily knew it too well.

Give up.

She didn’t want to resign herself.

Lily had been about to say she’d rather stay imprisoned,

Until she could turn Arthas’s heart.

Sensing her intentions, Rodailler spoke gently.

“As a father, let me offer a piece of advice: there are countless men in this world. And you are, indeed, blessed with remarkable beauty. You could have your pick of fine men, whenever you desire.”

A clumsy attempt at encouragement.

As those words seeped into Lily, she wept once more.

Except this time, she sobbed openly in Rodailler’s arms.

It was Lily’s first heartbreak, ever.

*

Frankly, I was bewildered.

I had sent Rodailler’s commander the truth about what Lily had done.

Soon after, Commander Rodailler arrived.

And then—.

“I will apologize in her stead.”

Commander Rodailler knelt before Asia and me.

Commander Rodailler, the leader of an entire mercenary band.

Furthermore, a Sword Master.

A man who wouldn’t even consider his own honor, kneeling.

And the object of that kneeling was the granddaughter of the very person he so deeply resented.

Asia wore a troubled expression.

No doubt I looked the same.

To receive such an apology from Commander Rodailler, it felt incredibly awkward.

“I promise she will never cross your path again. I beg you, show my daughter mercy.”

Never to cross our path again.

Thus, Commander Rodailler swore.

Was it because of that vow?

Or perhaps, Lord Ailer’s sincere apology?

Asia helped Lord Ailer to his feet, accepting his apology.

“…I forgive you.”

Naturally, Lord Ailer’s gaze shifted to me.

I nodded silently.

In any case, Asia was the greatest victim.

Since she had accepted the apology, I didn’t see the need to hold a grudge.

And so, Lord Ailer headed toward the underground dungeon where Lily was imprisoned.

Even after Lord Ailer left, Asia remained quietly silent.

Then, she looked at me intently.

And then—.

“Thank you, as always.”

She offered her gratitude.

Seeing the sincerity in Asia’s eyes, I decided against making light of it.

Just as I was about to say it was nothing—.

Asia moved.

Toward me.

And—.

“I don’t think I can offer anything more than this right now.”

A fleeting sensation, both moist and warm, brushed against my cheek.

Asia had kissed my cheek.

Flustered, I stared at Asia.

Asia, with her back turned to me, spoke.

“It’s… a thank you. And, well, you can misunderstand it to some extent, I suppose.”

Perhaps ashamed of her actions.

Asia kept her gaze fixed out the window, avoiding my eyes altogether.