Chapter 06
I looked around. Just like the female lead and male leads had mentioned several times in the original story, this place didn’t really suit the name “Ruins of Desolation.”
With dense mountain forests, open plains, and scattered fields…
“Honestly, isn’t this more like a nature park?”
If it weren’t for the dark and creepy atmosphere—basically, if there weren’t any monsters—this place would actually be a great spot for people to move into.
With plenty of trees and stone resources, it would also be easy to develop.
Thinking that, I glanced at Schloitz.
He was looking up at the sky.
One side of his shoulder was soaked. I had opened my umbrella earlier to cover him, but I hadn’t noticed the other side getting wet.
After hesitating for a moment, I stepped closer to Schloitz.
“Lord Procyon, would you like a towel?”
“It’s better to head back to the base and change.”
He said without even looking at me. After checking the sky and the golden pillar nearby, he spoke again.
“Looks like two more will show up. Let’s finish them off and head back.”
“Yes, Lord Procyon.”
I nodded obediently.
Being able to predict where monsters would appear just by looking at golden pillars was something that came from a lot of experience.
Even if I looked at the same golden pillar, all I could probably tell was, “Oh, a monster passed through here.”
Schloitz walked over to the horses and pulled something out of the luggage. I saw that he was trying to start a fire and quickly approached him.
The problem was—I didn’t know how to light a fire. More specifically, I didn’t know how to use the ignition magic tool used outdoors like this.
“…How do you even use that?”
Whenever we went to ruins, the knights in charge always packed the supplies. I’d never had to deal with those tools myself, so this was my first time even seeing it.
“Still… shouldn’t I be the one starting the fire?”
Lord Balrock, why didn’t you teach me something like this?
Should I step in and offer to light the fire even though I don’t know how to use the tool? Or just stay quiet and not interfere?
The decision was taken out of my hands when Schloitz finished lighting the fire before I could even decide.
“Sit.”
He motioned to the ground with a nod, and I immediately sat down.
I thought he’d sit across from me, but instead he dropped down right next to me. I got nervous—a lot more than a little.
When he suddenly reached toward me, I felt like my throat closed up. But all he did was hand me the ignition tool.
“Grab both ends and pull in opposite directions.”
I followed his instructions, and flames shot out from the long, pointed tip. Schloitz took it back from me, as if that was enough.
I blinked.
“You looked like you didn’t know how to use it.”
“I’m sorry. I never learned.”
“Do you know who is supposed to teach you?”
“My direct…”
Direct superior? My voice trailed off.
I didn’t have a senior officer. I held a special honorary position as First Commander—so it made sense.
Technically, Schleuz was my direct superior. There was no one above me except him.
I carefully asked,
“…You, Lord Procyon?”
“Right. I’m the one who taught you.”
Schlooitz closed the cap on the tool.
“Usually stuff like this is for your junior officers to handle. But no harm in learning.”
“Thank you.”
Even as I said that, my neck was stiff. Schloitz was still sitting right next to me.
Well, it would be weird to suddenly stand up and move to the other side. That would only make sense if he thought I was uncomfortable.
Schloitz began inspecting his holy sword, and I felt like I was about to turn to stone from how stiff I was sitting.
But… I guess there was no need to be that tense. Maybe I was just overthinking it.
I pretended to look at the fire and snuck a sideways glance at Schloitz. I really wanted to observe him more closely, but I didn’t want to get caught. I wouldn’t even know what to say if he asked why I was staring.
As I got lost in those thoughts, my courage faded again, and I just looked back at the fire. The flames were warm.
It was just me and Schloitz out here.
The first few times, he had brought knights along because of me, but now he seemed annoyed by even that. The more people you had to protect, the more complicated it got.
“I’m only here because of the Oparts anyway.”
I thought of the broken Oparts clinking in my pocket.
He had shattered them today.
“How is this possible?”
I couldn’t understand. When the first Opart broke, I had vomited blood.
Okay, sure, maybe I had overreacted because it was my first time and I wasn’t used to it…
But Schloitz definitely took some damage too when they broke. Yet he always looked completely fine. It was amazing.
“He looked tired at first, didn’t he? How did he get used to it this fast?”
Even after breaking three Oparts today, he looked totally normal. I, the one following behind him, probably looked more exhausted.
I wished I could see Schloitz’s stamina in numbers. Probably something like 999?
I stretched my hands out toward the fire to warm them.
For the past two hours at the ruins, Schloitz had been taking down monsters with way more force than usual.
Because of that, it had rained a lot—plus, there was the overwhelming smell of blood. I had an umbrella, but it was meant for him, not me.
I only rushed to cover him with it after he finished dealing with the monsters. Then I received the broken OOparts.
My role was to hand him new Oparts, give blessings again, and follow him around like an assistant.
“I kind of feel useless.”
Compared to Schloitz, I still looked neat and dry.
At first, I hadn’t even opened my umbrella, because I didn’t want to be the only one staying dry while the Commander was getting soaked up front.
I thought that would look weird.
But after finishing the fight, Schloitz had looked at me and said coldly:
“Don’t show me a stupid face like that, Lady Lefevre.”
Ever since then, I always kept my umbrella up.
I carefully spoke.
“Lord Procyon. Wouldn’t it be better to bring junior officers instead of just me?”
“Why? Are you bored?”
“Not bored… I’m just worried that I’m not being much help during subjugations.”
“Your Holy Sword skills are way better than any of theirs.”
“But I didn’t take down a single monster today.”
“That’s just because I’m better.”
“…”
Schloitz looked up from his sword and clicked his tongue.
“It’s easier to protect just you than a whole group of junior officers. If you’re scared of being alone, ride the horse.”
“I’m not scared.”
“Then there’s no problem.”
“Well…”
Is that true?
“Your job is giving blessings, right? Just focus on that.”
I nodded and replied,
“Understood.”
Still, I felt a little happier, since we had talked quite a bit today.
Schloitz stood up soon after.
Just like he said, two more monsters appeared, and I held the horses’ reins, holding my breath.
As soon as the Opart broke, the monsters dropped dead too.
At least now I was better at covering Schloitz with the umbrella efficiently. Hopefully, his wet clothes will dry faster this time.
After sliding his sword back into its sheath, Schloitz let out a soft sigh.
This time, he actually looked a little tired. Even after breaking four Oparts—whereas I’d passed out for days after just one.
I couldn’t help but admire him.
“How many Oparts do we have left?”
“Two.”
I handed him a fresh Opart. Schloitz pricked his finger with his sword, dabbed it with blood, and slipped the artifact into his coat.
“Time to head back.”
At the same time, he leaned down toward me. His face stopped just in front of mine.
Even though it was already the fifth blessing today, my heart still dropped every single time like I wasn’t used to it.
****
“You’ve worked really hard, Lady Blandea.”
Agnes, the aide, had returned two days earlier than expected.
“Starting tomorrow, I’ll be taking over the Commander’s support duties. I’m sorry for not arriving sooner.”
“It’s okay. No need to apologize.”
“But you really did a lot.”
“Honestly, I did.”
I just smiled instead of answering. Agnes gave a knowing look.
“It was a rough time, since we were so short-staffed. I didn’t expect even Lord Dios to be punished under joint responsibility…”
“Yeah, it’s been busy.”
Not that I spent all day glued to Schloitz’s side.
He didn’t even spend that much time in the office—he had tons of things to check in person.
I just followed him to a few ruins.
Other than that, I mostly sorted documents in his office, checked files in his office, organized papers in his office…
“Lord Rafael said that once his probation is over, he wants to help share some of your duties.”
“We can sort that out later.”
“Yes, Lady Blandea. Oh, right—”
Agnes handed me a small gift, saying she picked it up on her way.
From her smile, it didn’t seem like she had any hidden intentions.
