Chapter 72

A Brief Respite (1)

I returned safely to the castle.

Although it was the middle of the night when I arrived, Ashel and Riff were awake and came out to greet me at the entrance with the butler.

"It's a relief that you've returned safely..."

Ashel said with a genuine look of relief.

Given her usually composed demeanor, her reaction was quite intense, which made me nod in surprise.

After all, they had come in a rush, led by the Black Lin Captain and the other nobles, and dragged me away.

Riff, standing beside her, fidgeted for a moment before bowing deeply and speaking.

"I'm sorry. It's because of us..."

"It's fine."

In the end, it was all a result of my own choices, so I had no intention of blaming the Riff siblings. I didn't regret it either.

Well, if I had really been in mortal danger, I might have regretted it, but everything turned out well, so the important thing was the result.

As we entered the castle, Gulpiro and the butler appeared, having been woken up late.

"It's a relief that you've returned safely, 7th Lord. I thought something major had happened."

I told them that everything was fine and that all the issues were resolved.

Gulpiro seemed very curious about how everything could be fine after killing a lord, but there was no need to explain the entire process.

After roughly sorting out the situation, I returned to my room, threw myself onto the bed, and went to sleep.

The next day, I woke up late in the morning and had breakfast while thinking.

'It feels like it's been a while since I've felt this relaxed.'

According to the Grand Lord, the conference in the neutral country would take place about a month later.

The 6th Lord's issue was resolved, so there was nothing particular to do for the remaining time.

I needed to head to Sainthea for the next goal, but the timing was awkward.

With the Mysteries obtained and my power-ups, my safety and position as a lord were now relatively stable.

I had successfully achieved the first goal of surviving in this world.

Of course, my physical abilities were still at a normal human level, but that couldn't be helped unless I accumulated mana.

'Hero, and the successor...'

I chewed the meat on my fork while thinking about the next goal.

The main story of the game.

The tasks I needed to accomplish in Sainthea were directly related to the main story and the fate of this world.

It sounded grand, and it was indeed grand.

Because I had to find the next successor of the Holy Sword to prevent the Demon King's resurrection and safely bring her into contact with the current hero.

Of course, this was something I had to do no matter how much I disliked it.

'Otherwise, the world would end, and there's nothing I can do by running away.'

After all, I could only survive if the world remained intact.

In any case, the main storyline that I had been progressing through while playing Rasa was exactly that: an adventurous journey with the hero and the successor.

Now, without the system or a convenient guide, I had to do everything from start to finish on my own.

The problem was that I had a rough idea of the context but no concrete plan.

'The road ahead is steep, really.'

Since I had to meet the successor and the hero first, worrying about it right now was meaningless.

Still, I should try to find them as soon as possible, considering the butterfly effect of my actions so far.

I finished my thoughts and focused on the steak in front of me.

Then, a sudden thought came to me, and I asked the butler standing nearby.

"Is the wyvern that the 1st Lord's party rode still in the castle?"

He replied.

"No, it returned on its own."

...Returned on its own?

I was momentarily puzzled but then thought it wasn't strange.

Wyverns were called intelligent creatures for a reason.

'Wyverns...'

Still, it would be nice to have one.

Seeing some lords ride them made me realize their usefulness. They would allow me to move around quickly.

Now that I had the Mysteries, I didn't have to worry about falling off and dying.

Wyverns were almost the only means of flight in this world and the fastest mode of transportation.

They were incomparably strong, swift, and intelligent compared to other ordinary monsters.

However, they were so rare, and capturing or raising them was almost impossible. Due to their 'picky nature,' almost no one actually rode them.

If I wanted a wyvern, I would have to go to their habitat myself...

'But I'll think about that after the conference.'

The timing was awkward, so I couldn't move right away.

Clank.

After finishing my meal, I got up from my seat.

In any case, I planned to stay in the castle and rest for the remaining time.

I had been traveling around, so I deserved a break.

***

Even with a break, my life didn't change much. I just lived a bit more relaxed.

I read books, had conversations with Gulpiro, and occasionally checked on Rigen.

"You said you didn't plan to stay in the castle for long."

"That's right. This crowded and spacious place just doesn't suit me. I'll leave as soon as Rigen fully recovers."

I casually mentioned to Gulpiro.

"Have you ever thought about taking on an apprentice?"

He blinked, surprised by the sudden question.

"An apprentice? I've never really thought about it. But why do you ask...?"

"It's nothing much. I know a young alchemist with exceptional talent."

Fortunately, Gulpiro seemed interested.

"Who is it? An alchemist in this city?"

I nodded.

"The owner of the Alkimas workshop in this city. I hope you'll visit him when you feel like it."

"Hmm... I see. Since the 7th Lord mentioned it, I'm a bit curious."

That's how I mentioned Scarlet to Gulpiro.

I hoped their relationship would develop positively as master and apprentice.

Once, while taking a walk in the castle, I came across an unexpected scene.

A few soldiers were gathered in a corner of the outdoor training ground, playing chess. They had a few coins stacked on one side.

"Uh? Huh!"

The soldiers quickly stood up and saluted upon seeing me.

I gestured for them to continue and looked down at the chessboard. I was surprised to see soldiers playing chess.

"Keep playing, don't mind me."

"Y-Yes, sir!"

I tried to watch how they played, but the soldiers were so nervous that they couldn't even move their pieces properly. It was as if their lives were on the line, not just money.

In the end, I let them go and returned to the castle.

'Chess...'

Well, in this world, chess was the only board game.

Feeling a sudden interest, I had the butler prepare a chessboard and pieces.

Actually, I was quite good at chess.

I had often spent time with my younger brother, who had a wide range of hobbies, since I was young.

The first person I thought of to play chess with was Ashel.

"..."

Ashel, who had come to my room upon my call, looked bewildered at the chessboard on the table.

I gestured for her to sit opposite me.

"Do you know how to play chess?"

"Yes, I do, but..."

Ashel seemed surprised by the sudden chess game but sat down obediently.

She said she had learned from her peers when she was a squire at the Grand Lord's castle and had played a few times.

'A beginner, then.'

Still, it wasn't bad.

Playing with a beginner was also fun, as I could teach while playing.

"Let's play casually. Don't feel pressured. I'll teach you if you don't know something."

"Yes..."

Ashel answered with a strange expression.

I gave her the white pieces and took the black ones.

The game began as Ashel moved her piece first.

After a few dozen minutes,

"..."

I stared blankly at the chessboard, where my king was completely trapped by Ashel's pieces.

The game had turned against me in a flash.

'What...?'

Why is she playing so well?

She said she hadn't played much.

As soon as I moved my piece after a long deliberation, Ashel moved hers and said,

"Checkmate."

"..."

I acknowledged my defeat with a stiff face.

"I lost."

Embarrassment washed over me.

I had even offered to teach her if she didn't know how to play, and I had been thoroughly defeated.

"Good game."

Ashel said cautiously, reading my mood.

Of course, it only made me feel more embarrassed.

I remained silent for a moment, then asked, puzzled.

"Are you really saying you've only played a few times?"

"Yes."

Ashel answered with an awkward smile.

Given her character, she wouldn't lie about something like this.

So, this was really the skill of someone who had only played a few times?

'Is she a genius?'

The fact that Ashel was good at chess was something that hadn't come up in the game.

I had thought she was a character who was good at physical tasks but not much else. Why had I thought that?

Anyway, there was no one in the world who could admit the skill level of their opponent after just one game.

"Let's play one more game."

"Understood."

And the second game ended even faster than the first.

The third game followed immediately.

***

"..."

Ashel looked at the 7th Lord, who was staring intently at the chessboard from the opposite side.

She felt like laughing for some reason and bit her lip to hold it back.

She rarely saw him so focused, even in her usual interactions with him. He seemed to be putting his heart into the game.

'...Such a mysterious person.'

What was his purpose, and what did he want from me?

At first, she had constantly thought and doubted.

But now, all those doubts were gone.

She had spent a considerable amount of time with him, enough to understand his character.

He had risked conflict with a lord to save two strangers and was even taken to the Grand Lord's castle.

Yet, he returned as if nothing had happened and continued his usual life.

Ashel vaguely guessed the heavy burdens he must be carrying on his shoulders.

Perhaps playing chess like this, seemingly meaningless, was a way to lighten the heavy atmosphere around him.

Sometimes he was cold, but other times, his kindness and warmth were evident. She liked that side of the 7th Lord.

'...'

Liked?

Ashel was startled by her own thoughts and shook her head.

'What a pointless thought...'

When she looked up, the 7th Lord, who had just finished his move after a long deliberation, was looking at her with a puzzled expression.

"It's your turn."

"Ah, yes."

Ashel immediately moved her piece.

"Checkmate."

"Ah."