Chapter 63: Strengthening The Foundations (1)
Chapter 63: Strengthening The Foundations (1)
Autumn had arrived.
The mansion was beginning to be adorned with autumn leaves, and the garden started hosting fall flowers like cosmos.
Eldrina, the mistress of the mansion, personally managed the garden, ensuring different flowers bloomed each season. The ever-changing garden was one of her prides.
And a new scene unfolded in the mansions training ground.
Although the sun was still high, no one was swinging swords or practicing.
Victors frequent visits had slowly changed their daily routine, marked by relentless sword swinging and running with heavy metal. Now, they had a new concept: playtime.
For Lucia and Siriel, who had been spending their free time either sparring or walking the term playtime was somewhat alien.
They only knew sword fights and wrestling; they didnt know how to play like children. Therefore, they just did whatever Shiron suggested.
From games like tag to simple 2v2 war games. And today, Shiron suggested a slightly special game.
So
Shiron spoke while examining the sharply forged dagger.
Your father wants us to get along?
The dark dagger did not shine even under the direct sunlight above.
Hugo, who had recently returned from an expedition, had gifted it to him; it was made from the remains of a beast killed during the expedition.
Yes.
Victor nodded. Dressed in black martial attire, he looked slightly pale and was sweating profusely. He seemed a bit fragile.
More precisely, he said to form a strong bond Just worried about how your father would feel seeing this scene.
But Victor was a healthy boy who had never been sick. He had regularly consumed various elixirs and remedies from all over the empire since childhood.
It should, should be okay? It seems like Father thinks very highly of you
Victor responded, swallowing his saliva. It wasnt the dagger in Shirons hand that scared him; it was the play they were going to do today.
Shiron swung the dagger here and there, smiling sneakily.
Enough talk, lets prepare. Lucia, you get ready, too.
Sigh.
Shiron spoke to Lucia with a serious face, and she sighed deeply.
Shiron, Lucia, Victor,
In front of them, Siriel, dressed in white martial attire, ran forward with a sword.
Shiron shouted, pressing the dagger to Lucias chin, who was tied tightly with ropes.
Hehehe, you insolent fellow! Where do you think this place is!
Todays play was role-play.
The roles were as follows:
Siriel played the hero Kyrie.
Shiron was the evil wizard.
Lucia was the princess captured by the evil wizard, and Victor was a minion.
Seeing Shirons wicked smile, Siriel, with sparkling eyes, shouted seriously.
You evil wizard! Capturing the princess now! Arent you satisfied with the numerous lives youve taken!
Siriel was very immersed in playing Kyrie. Her sword even shimmered with blue sword energy for a moment, showing how much she was into the role.
Siriel seriously recited the lines Shiron had taught her earlier.
I, Kyrie, vow here. I will pierce the wizards heart with the holy sword and rescue the princess.
Please save me. Oh, hero.
When Siriel spat out the designated lines, Lucia, tied with ropes, spat out the next lines. Her face was so red it seemed like it would explode at any moment.
She was embarrassed by the childish play.
But whether she liked it or not, the play continued.
Victor, playing the role of Minion 1, blocked Siriels path.
He, hehe, hero. If yo-you want to pass here, defeat me first
Victor spat out the prepared lines and was full of cold sweat. He foresaw a future where he was beaten by Siriel, the hero.
Of course, Siriel would not put her true strength into acting. After spending a lot of time with the children of Prient, everyone knew how monstrously strong Siriel was. Victor softly muttered, pleading with Siriel to please hit him gently.
Take this! Heros Reign Punch!
Eek!
Smack!
Siriels ferocious fist forcefully hit Victors chest, and a suppressed groan escaped Victors lips.
Even though Siriel, a girl from the warrior family and the daughter of Hugo Prient, held back, her punch was too strong for an untrained Victor.
Thud-
Victor clenched his chest and fell to the ground as Siriels fist hit him, seemingly in pain, and began to drool. But whether Victor fell or not didnt matter to Shiron and Siriel.
Shiron, laughing like a villain, thrust his dagger at Siriel when Victor fell.
Kyries act defeating my subordinate with one punch, the title of the hero isnt just for show, is it?!
Shut your mouth! Youre next.
Siriel, with the tip of her longsword pointing at Shiron, charged vigorously. The ground dug up under her powerful rush.
Heros Consecutive Slash!
Siriel swung her blunt longsword at Shiron several times. Despite holding back, the slash created a wind from the swords path.
Argh!
Shiron, after feeling the wind striking his face, staggered and fell, playing along with her act.
It was the moment when justice prevailed.
After the brief playtime.
They listened to Siriels feedback while having tea in a gazebo prepared in one corner of the practice yard.
Lucia. Is that how a princess who is caught by a demon should act? You shouldve screamed more!
Siriel, unhappy with Lucias uninteresting performance, glared at her red-haired cousin.
Ill do that next time.
Good, be careful next time. But since Lucia is a friend, Ill let it go this time.
Yes thank you.
Lucia nodded with sullen eyes. She felt embarrassed during the whole playtime.
How can I reveal that Im Kyrie like this? Ive become too embarrassed to reveal it even if Ive become strong.
She had rarely felt this mentally exhausted, even in her past life. It was not this hard even when she faced the horned horse, subjugated the heat dragon Demodoras, or killed the queen of the deep sea.
I shouldve just refused, citing busy training as an excuse.
Late regrets flooded her, but the past couldnt be reversed. All she could do was to rationalize to maintain her crumbling pride a bit.
No, Siriel teared up when I tried to refuse. For a child who likes me this much as an adult, I can do this much.
Lucia recalled the happy face of Siriel. Her face, immersed in the role of Kyrie, was the most serious and passionate Lucia had ever seen.
Siriel was that sincere in acting as Kyrie. She was so sincere that she squealed in delight when Shiron suggested playing the heros role play today.
If only Shiron hadnt suggested this childish play. Wouldnt it be better if we just played tag as usual?
Again, all Lucia could do was rationalize. Lucia sighed deeply and looked at the boy in front of her. The culprit who made foam form in the princes mouth and made her nearly die of embarrassment. He was leisurely sipping tea, unaware of Lucias feelings.
What are you looking at?
Eating two cookies at once, Shiron felt Lucias gaze and spoke to her.
Is there something on my face?
No, theres nothing.
Oh, in that case.
Realizing something, Shiron casually placed his last cookie on the plate.
Here, you eat this one.
Shiron spoke to Lucia as if doing her a favor.
Lucia sent a disbelieving gaze to Shiron.
What do you mean, here, you idiot.
Lucia. Hes still your only brother; your words are too harsh.
Victor, who was watching the bickering siblings, let out an empty laugh. Due to the still sore chest, he hadnt been able to eat a single snack since earlier. Lucia spoke to Victor with a sympathetic gaze.
Dont you have any complaints, Victor?
Complaints?
You just fell foaming at the mouth.
I, I did fall, but I didnt foam at the mouth!
Victor abruptly stood up from his seat, indignant.
He couldnt say anything to Shiron, but he could lose his temper to some extent with Lucia or Siriel. He expected them to have a nasty temperament since they were stronger than Shiron, but from his experience, only Shiron was extraordinary in that sense.
Then
Shiron, with a smile in his eyes, spoke to Victor.
By the way, Victor. Dont you think weve become somewhat close?
Huh?
In my opinion. I think weve become pretty close. Close enough to be called best friends.
Why are you suddenly saying this? Its creepy
Victor responded to Shiron with a stern face. However, he couldnt hide his body language; he lowered his head and fiddled with his fingers.
Taking his actions as a sign of affirmation, Shiron opened his mouth with a beaming smile.
Can I be invited to your house once?
Our house?
Since only you come here, I feel somewhat at a loss. And as a best friend, I should also greet my friends father.
Siriel, the cute one, was here.