Chapter 20: Dinner with the Villain (1)

Avelin was waiting not too far away.

However, as soon as she heard my approaching footsteps, she flinched slightly and sharply turned her head to the other side.

I wasn’t sure why, but she gave off the impression that she was upset about something.

“You’re late.”

“I came straight here right after you stormed off…”

“If you’re late, you’re late! I was waiting, you know.”

Avelin snapped back at me before finally turning to face me.

But for some reason, her face was slightly flushed.

Fortunately, it didn’t seem like she was angry because I was late.

However, that expression didn’t last long.

Avelin stared at me intently before tilting her head with a somewhat worried look.

“Why do you look like that, Kayron? Did something happen while I was gone?”

“What do you mean, ‘look like that’?”

“How can you not know? Do you have any idea how weird your expression is right now?”

“Hmm…”

Without a mirror, I had no way of checking what kind of face I was making.

Avelin pressed again.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Really?”

“…Really. It’s nothing.”

In truth, I wasn’t okay.

Being invited to Commander Balthazar’s house for dinner was making my head spin.

But I didn’t want to go into all the details and make Avelin worry.

If anything, with my thoughts all tangled up, it felt better to move my body and clear my head that way.

“…Alright. If you say so, then I’ll believe you.”

Since I had reassured her twice, Avelin didn’t press any further.

Instead, we simply ran along the perimeter of the training grounds in silence.

Adjusting our pace to match each other’s, keeping an eye on each other’s condition…

For over two hours without a single break.

“Haa… haa…”

Avelin’s breathing gradually grew heavier.

As I ran beside her, listening to the steady rhythm of her breaths, the chaotic thoughts swirling in my mind began to settle.

Perhaps it was because this was just light exercise, so there wasn’t much strain, but even without words, it felt comfortable and even enjoyable.

Considering we could spend time like this together, why did we always end up fighting over the smallest things?

“Shall we stop here for the morning?”

“Haa… haa… I agree.”

As I slowed my steps to a walk, Avelin followed suit.

“By the way, that was impressive, Avelin.”

“What was?”

“You weren’t reinforcing your body with mana, right? But you still kept your form steady the whole time.”

“Haa… that’s nothing. Tomorrow’s training will be even more intense. You may think I did well, but the truly impressive one here is you.”

Avelin pulled out a handkerchief, wiping the sweat from her forehead before shaking her head in disbelief.

“Kayron, you didn’t even lose your breath. And you barely even sweat.”

“Huh, now that you mention it…”

“What kind of reaction is that? You’re acting like some muscle-headed fool who doesn’t realize his own strength…”

She wasn’t wrong.

Even in my previous life, I had better stamina than Avelin.

But now, it wasn’t just a matter of being a little stronger—running nonstop for two hours without feeling the slightest bit fatigued was definitely abnormal.

“Well, anyway, let’s go get lunch. We should probably wash up first, right?”

“I don’t think it’s necessary. I didn’t sweat that much, and I’ll just get sweaty again soon.”

“Not necessary? I feel like I smell a little, though…”

“Let me check.”

Without warning, Avelin stepped in close and sniffed me.

“H-Hey, what are you doing?”

“You said you were worried about smelling, so I’m checking for you. …Yeah, you do smell.”

“See? I should definitely—”

“But it’s fine.”

Avelin casually reassured me, then took another few sniffs before nodding as if confirming something.

“It’s a bit musty, but not a bad smell… Actually, it’s kind of nice.”

“…What does that even mean? How can it be musty but still smell good?”

It felt a little uncomfortable, but since Avelin said it was fine…

As we walked toward the dining hall together, a faint scent tickled my nose.

“You know what, Avelin? I think I get what you meant.”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“You have a smell too. It’s kind of musty… but it’s not a bad smell.”

“W-What…?!”

As soon as Avelin heard my words, she immediately put some distance between us.

“I smell too?”

“Well, you were sweating, weren’t you? Of course, you do. But like I said, it’s not a bad smell, so don’t worry too much about it.”

“Ugh… Should I go wash up now, then?”

“We’re almost at the dining hall. What’s the point now?”

Since it was lunchtime, more and more people started appearing around us.

And as soon as they saw us walking together…

“Oh my, what on earth?!”

“Am I seeing things? Captain Kayron and Avelin-nim… together?!”

Everyone reacted as if they had just witnessed the most unbelievable sight in the world.

“…Avelin, is it really that shocking for us to be seen together?”

“Hearing you say that makes it feel even more shocking.”

Avelin shot me a sidelong glance and muttered in a grumbling tone.

“How did I end up training with you in the first place?”

“What? You’re the one who asked me for help. Don’t act like you forgot now.”

“I was joking, obviously.”

Avelin grinned, clearly satisfied with how flustered I looked.

“I don’t hate it, though. I really don’t…”

But the real problem came the moment we stepped into the dining hall.

“Welcome, Captain. We’ve been waiting for your arri—Huh?”

“Avelin-nim, over here! The entire Silver Guard has been standing by, eagerly awaiting your arrival—What?!”

The Black Iron group had been waiting for me, while the Silver Guard had been waiting for Avelin.

“What is the meaning of this, Captain?! Why are you with that ill-tempered woman?!”

“How disgraceful! This is blasphemy of the highest order! Avelin-nim, please, come this way at once! If you stay any longer, you may get stained by his filth!”

The Black Iron and the Silver Guard each tried to pull their respective leaders back to their sides.

Both Avelin and I were caught off guard by the sudden commotion, completely bewildered.

“What the hell is wrong with you guys? Didn’t Plymouth tell you anything?”

“We didn’t hear a word, sir!”

“Avelin-nim, please, you must escape! His brutish ignorance might rub off on you!”

“T-That’s not…! It’s a misunderstanding!”

…Wait. Haven’t we been in a situation like this before?

But I wasn’t in the mood to entertain their nonsense today.

“Enough already, you idiots. Move aside!”

“Waaah—!”

With a casual flick of my arm, I shook off the soldiers clinging to me.

Then, without hesitation, I grabbed Avelin’s hand and pulled her away from the crowd.

“Eh? Ah—!”

“Just leave those fools be and let’s eat. We still have more training to do this afternoon, remember?”

I was about to lead Avelin to get our food, but the Silver Guard quickly stepped in to block our way.

“Kayron, you brute! Let go of Avelin-nim at once!”

“Unhand her! We cannot allow your uncultured barbarism to taint Avelin-nim!”

“…Oh, for crying out loud.”

The Silver Guard was practically foaming at the mouth, determined to get Avelin back from me.

But I had no intention of letting this nonsense escalate any further.

Time to give them a dose of reality.

“So tell me… which one of you actually thinks they can beat me?”

“Th-That’s…”

“Go ahead, take her from me. I’ll accept your challenge. But if you lose… you take full responsibility.”

At my bold declaration, the Silver Guard hesitated.

And as I strode forward with Avelin’s hand still in mine, they had no choice but to step aside, unable to stand in my way.

It wasn’t until we reached the food line that I finally let go of her hand.

“Well, now we can eat in peace. You good, Avelin?”

“……”

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

For some reason, Avelin stood there, head lowered, not moving an inch.

She didn’t respond to my question, just stared down at her hand—the one I had grabbed so suddenly.

“…This is unacceptable.”

“Huh? What is?”

“I never gave you permission to hold my hand!”

“But thanks to that, we got out of there, didn’t we? It all worked out, so what’s the problem? Just focus on eating.”

Ignoring her, I picked up a plate and started filling it with food.

“Maybe because the wave is coming tomorrow, but the food actually looks better than usual today. What do you think?”

“Ugh…”

Avelin, who had lifted her head slightly, just stared at me for a moment before letting out a long sigh.

“Haa… You really are an idiot.”

“If I hadn’t pulled you out of there, your subordinates would’ve been basking in the ‘noble scent’ of your sweat by now.”

As I spoke, casually loading my plate with food—

Thud!

“Urgh!”

Avelin slammed her head into my back.

It didn’t hurt, but since I was holding a plate, the sudden attack nearly made me spill my precious meal.

“What the hell?! Why are you attacking me all of a sudden? What did I do wrong?”

“Not knowing is an even bigger crime! Telling a lady she smells like sweat so bluntly is just plain rude!”

“I told you, it wasn’t a bad smell! Besides… wait, what did you just say? Who’s the ‘lady’ here…?”

“Say one more word and I’ll bash your head in with this tray.”

“…I won’t say anything. Let’s just grab our food and sit down.”

Faced with her deadly threat, I had no choice but to shut my mouth.

But Avelin always tells me I can’t lie.

So how am I supposed to explain this?

The truth is…

As we walked together, her scent—her deep, lingering scent—

Had faintly wrapped around my senses, too.

-- The End OF The Chapter --

 

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