Act 31

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The harmony of emerald eyes and platinum blonde hair.

As I saw Linne’s face, adorned with a beautiful visage, I felt cold sweat run down my back.

‘Why is Linne here?’

The Soul Stone currently contained in the jewel box is a material for the resurrection of the Demon God that has not been revealed to the world so far.

Therefore, if she discovers this item, the repercussions are unimaginable.

‘If it gets discovered…’

It means I would be providing a reason for ‘Sword Saint’ to find out that I am a member of the Dawn Society.

Of course, it might just be my paranoia.

Even if she witnesses me possessing the Soul Stone, it’s not like there’s no excuse.

‘I can just say it’s a trophy.’

Still, there’s an if.

Not wanting to take unnecessary risks, not showing the Soul Stone seems to be the wise action in this situation.

“It’s quite frequent, these sudden meetings. Ms. Linne, it seems like fate itself is intriguing, considering you were assigned from the heavens.”

I hid my true intentions as much as possible, behaving naturally as usual.

After all, Julian’s always smiling face doesn’t easily reveal emotions, so she wouldn’t notice my panic.

“……Room 114, Room 114..

Even after hearing the greeting, Linne, who showed no particular reaction, started to double-check the room number and her ticket.

Realizing that this was indeed the right place, her face finally crumpled.

‘You must be wondering, “Why are you here?”‘

“Yes, that’s exactly what I wanted to say.”

“I had business in the border city of Berniden, and I’ve returned. And you, Ms. Linne………….”

As I trailed off, I glanced at the suitcase she was holding. Not only was she carrying it with one hand, but she also had a wheeled case.

The case seemed to be packed with items, as clothes were peeking out.

Judging by the color and design of the clothes that were sticking out, it seemed to be a uniform from the Bayer Academy. Come to think of it, Linne was about to graduate from the academy around this time.

“It seems you might have visited your parental home?”

I muttered my inferred answer while glancing at the jewel box placed on the table.

The jewel box, conspicuously placed on the round table, was indeed eye-catching. Putting it into the bag before she notices and becomes interested was the current priority.

“How did you know?”

“You’ve packed enough to fill two cases, and it’s the changing of the seasons, so it must be clothes.”

“Could have been shopping, you know?”

“Then, would there be a reason to leave the archipelago? The selection is more varied and easier to find there. And…….”

I pointed at the case with my finger.

“Your clothes, they’re sticking out.”

Linne turned her head slightly to inspect the top of the case she was dragging. Upon seeing the white fabric and light blue ribbon sticking out, she quickly tucked them back in.

Linne glared at me as if nothing was wrong, but contrary to her expression, her ears turned bright red, possibly out of embarrassment from her clothes sticking out.

“Mind your own business regarding others’ private lives.”

“If you were offended, I apologize.”

As I responded, Linne started to load her case into the luggage compartment in a cool manner.

‘Now’s my chance!’

I tried to put the jewel box into the bag during this moment, but…

“But this room…………. When I booked, there were supposed to be no other passengers. You’re not stalking me, are you?”

She swiftly turned her head and broached the subject.

Startled, I quickly returned my hand to its original position and smiled as if nothing had happened.

“My train ticket was booked by the secretaries of the Royal Family due to the nature of my work. If anything, it makes me wonder if Ms. Linne is the one following me.”

“Me, following you!?”

“Please don’t overreact… It was just a joke.”

I chuckled softly, but my inner feelings were far from amused.

Had I known this would happen, I wouldn’t have taken out the jewel box, but then again, who could have anticipated such a situation?

Linne looked over disapprovingly.

She scanned my attire and belongings, likely deducing what I had been up to, similar to what I had done earlier.

“You mentioned that you visited the border city of Berniden, perhaps to see the Ascension Festival?”

“I was there on business for the Closed Eyes.”

“For such a task, your clothes are unscathed, and you’re only wearing one sword at your waist.”

Her expression, feigning indifference, was laced with a certain emotion, but I had no time to delve into that now.

“Even if your mission in the slums wasn’t far from the archipelago, Berniden is quite the distance. Wouldn’t your master have advised you to always carry a spare sword in case of emergencies?”

“Oh dear. How could I possibly forget that? However, ‘currently’, I don’t need a spare sword… Ah, but for someone of Ms. Linne’s ‘caliber’, perhaps two or three might be necessary.”

“What… what did you say…!”

“Just kidding. Don’t get all red-faced. I simply forgot to bring my spare swords.”

Hearing my words, Linne grimaced and heavily sat down on her seat.

She then turned her head away from me, indicating she no longer wished to see my face, and stared out the window resolutely.

‘Good. Keep looking outside.’

As I quietly reached out to the table to grab the jewel box without Linne noticing,

“But, is that jewel box yours? It doesn’t seem to match you at all.”

She had already noticed it.

My heart sank as I realized she had taken an interest in the jewel box on the table.

Of course, the box was designed to catch the eye. It was impossible not to notice it lying conspicuously on the table!

“It’s exactly as you see, a box containing jewels.”

“Jewels, you say? Had no idea you were into that sort of thing.”

“Yes, unlike some, I happen to enjoy more classical hobbies.”

I provocatively spoke to distract Linne’s attention elsewhere. If she took the bait and turned her gaze, I could slip the jewel box away while teasing her.

“Hmph.”

Just as I expected, Linne turned her head back to the window, looking as if she didn’t want to see me anymore.

Now was my chance!

I reached out for the jewel box.

As I felt its solid texture, relief began to wash over me. Only after I moved it under the table, out of Linne’s sight, did I feel a small surge of triumph.

‘Now to just put it in the bag…’

Click!

However, that feeling of triumph was short-lived. The train jolted violently, causing the jewel box to open and the Soul Stone inside to pop out.

Of all places, the Soul Stone fell onto…

‘Damn it.’

Linne’s lap.

All the efforts I had made to hide this Soul Stone seemed to have been for naught in that moment.

The magnificent red Soul Stone, displaying its tremendous presence on her lap, and Linne looking down at it with shocked eyes. I couldn’t help but feel utterly bewildered by the sight.

‘Damn…….’  

I was discovered by Linne to have the soulstone.  

I had anticipated that Hayden Reich would notice eventually, but I did not expect to be found out this quickly.  

If Linne reports this to the Sword Saint, it’s evident that their suspicions would be aroused. Now, what to do——  

“It’s a pity, if it was something you cherished, it should have suffered a scratch when it fell to the ground.”  

Fortunately.  

Judging by Linne’s tone, she hasn’t fully grasped the existence of the ‘soulstone’ yet.  

Nevertheless, perhaps feeling the unusual aura emanating from the soulstone, she started to squint her eyes and inspect it closely.  

‘Is she sensing something?’  

While various thoughts flooded my mind, Linne, seemingly uninterested, placed the soulstone back in the jewel box I was holding.  

“It seems related to this mission. Take good care of it.”  

Her indifferent voice.  

This is when I like you best, when you show no interest in me.  

***  

“Miss, let me take your luggage.”  

As the train arrived at the province, Linne, not wanting to spend another moment with Julian, quickly left the compartment.  

And, just as she was about to hand over her luggage to a servant.  

“Ah, wait a moment.”  

Reminded of something Julian had said in the compartment, Linne started to scrutinize the case again, checking if any clothing was protruding. Fortunately, nothing was noticeable.  

“A carriage has been prepared so you can head straight to the academy dormitory.”  

“Yes, thank you.”  

After thanking the servant, Linne handed him her luggage.  

Clop clop.  

The sound of footsteps on the metal stairs was heard from behind as she turned her head to look back.  

“Taking the train for such a long time is quite a task. Well, it’s better than a carriage, though.”  

Julian, who had shared compartment 114, appeared at the open door.  

True to his noble birth, his steps carried a grace, despite being dimmed by his usual conduct and speech.  

“That’s true. Moreover, having an unpleasant companion made the journey here feel like hell.”  

“Is that so? I had someone to talk to, so it was somewhat better for me.”  

Linne frowned at his feigning as if they had been in different compartments, but she didn’t say anything.  

Getting angry here would only please him.  

“Well then, I shall be going. It would be nice if we could meet again later.”  

With a smile that could instill vigilance in anyone, Julian, holding just one bag, began to walk away.  

His retreating figure.  

Linne earnestly wished that this would be the last she saw of him, but her pride wouldn’t allow it.  

“Sir Julian.”  

As she quietly called out his name, Julian slowly turned his head to look this way.  

His eyes narrowed, not showing his pupils.  

It was the same expression he had when he had drawn his sword against the ‘Sword Saint’, but somehow, it felt more humane now than before.  

“I am thankful for what you did in the slums. If you hadn’t been there, I would have been in much trouble.”  

Linne herself hadn’t imagined she would say such things. Perhaps, the change in her feelings was due to witnessing his footsteps in the forge ‘Dusk Flame’.  

He is a scoundrel of a man, not to be trusted.  

But in swordsmanship alone, he is sincere.  

So, she thought it acceptable to show some respect as a fellow swordsman.  

“Why make a big deal out of such a thing? Aren’t we from the same ‘alma mater’?”  

“No, we’re not. You were expelled by the master, weren’t you?”  

Having respect and harboring goodwill are separate matters. Linne drew a strict line at the mention of being alumni.  

“You are harsh……….”  

With a faint smile, Julian began to walk away again, leaving the station.  

Watching his back for a while, Linne then turned to the servant.  

“Let’s depart as well.”  

“Yes, Miss.”  

Boarding the carriage that had been prepared, she took in the departing view of the station.  

The reddish light pouring from the street lamps reminded her suddenly of the jewel box Julian had.  

“That jewel, have I seen it somewhere before? It seemed slightly familiar.”  

“Eh? Miss, what did you just say?”  

When the servant reacted to her muttering to herself, Linne waved it off as nothing.

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