< Chapter 73 - Merit Ceremony >
Chapter 73 – Merit Ceremony
“ah.”
He slowly opened his eyes and let out a blank voice.
Because I was actually dazed.
“······go······?”
I heard a voice next to my ear, but I couldn’t hear it properly because my head was dizzy.
Cordelia blinked a few more times as her blurry vision slowly became clearer.
“······Ms. Gashi?”
The voice became clearer. At the same time, Cordelia felt thirsty. Her mouth was dry and it was difficult to swallow saliva.
“ha.”
He groaned and exhaled again.
It still felt hazy, but I could somehow see ahead.
A strange ceiling.
But it wasn’t completely unfamiliar. I felt like I’d seen quite a few similar things.
A ceiling that exudes a luxurious and splendid feel.
Where have I seen it?
The Duke of Spencer’s mansion?
Accommodations provided in the palace?
“Miss! Can you hear me?!”
voice.
Cordelia rolled her blue eyes and could see.
Dahlia was nearby, her eyes filled with tears.
“Daria······?”
When I spoke with a slightly slurred pronunciation, I got an immediate response.
“Yes, Miss. It’s me. It’s Dahlia. Are you awake? Yes?”
Cordelia nodded a few times at the strong reaction. Honestly, she was still dazed and didn’t know what was going on, but anyway, she didn’t want to worry Dahlia.
“What······.”
“Water? Just a moment, miss. I’ll get it to you right away.”
Dahlia answered immediately after mumbling, half-hugging Cordelia’s upper body and lifting her up, then picked up the cup with her empty hand.
“Eat, miss. Slowly. Slowly.”
He brought the cup to Cordelia’s lips, who still had a blank expression due to her lack of energy, and slowly tilted it. Cordelia closed her eyes like a baby and drank the water.
Slowly but steadily.
“Phaha.”
Cordelia opened her eyes again after drinking the entire glass of water. She still felt weak, but her dry throat felt a little more refreshed.
“Ah······.”
“Are you coming to your senses?”
“Ugh······.”
“I’ll lay you back down first. Slowly.”
Dahlia whispered softly and laid Cordelia down very carefully. Cordelia closed her eyes tightly once, opened them, and opened her lips.
“ah.”
Aaaah.
after.
It felt like the water I had just drank was flowing through my body.
My vision, which had been blurry, finally became clear.
“dahlia?”
“Yes, Miss. It’s Dahlia.”
Dahlia smiled with tearful eyes and took Cordelia’s hand.
Dahlia’s hands are rough but warm, like a knight.
Cordelia smiled bashfully, feeling somehow happy, and then realized something.
hand.
Dahlia’s hand.
What about Uther’s hand then?
“Uder?!”
Cordelia, who had come to her senses in a flash, shouted loudly, raised her upper body, and reflexively raised her right hand.
The hand that had been holding Yuder’s hand was now alone.
“Uder.”
I remembered.
I remembered.
The last situation before losing consciousness.
After all the hardships, he defeated the Guardian King and exchanged a look-in-the-eye conversation with Yuder.
After spitting out blood in a friendly manner, they held each other’s hands and fell into a deep sleep.
And now.
Uther was nowhere to be seen. This fact greatly disturbed Cordelia.
“Where’s Yuder? Where’s Yuder? Is Yuder okay?!”
As she was about to get up from the bed, pouring out her words, Dahlia quickly reached out and squeezed Cordelia’s shoulder.
He continued speaking with a soft smile, as if reassuring her.
“Prince Yuder is fine too. He is resting in another room right now.”
“Another room?”
“Yes, in another room. Don’t worry, Miss Maia is taking care of it.”
“Maya.”
Yuder’s exclusive maid.
To Yuder, she is not just a simple servant, but is like a real older sister.
“ha.”
Cordelia exhaled again, and Dahlia carefully laid her down and asked.
“Are you calmed down?”
“Huh? Yeah. Uh-huh.”
Although it was an answer that did not seem to be calm at all, Dahlia was satisfied for the time being. She continued speaking while holding Cordelia’s hand.
“It’s really okay. So don’t worry.”
“Yeah.”
Because Dahlia doesn’t lie.
Furthermore, it was Yuder who boasted about swallowing the orb of life whenever he had the chance. Since he was a guy with regenerative powers, he would have been fine if he was better than Cordelia herself, and he wouldn’t have been groaning.
“Whoa.”
thank god.
I’m so, so glad.
Cordelia sighed in relief again and rolled her eyes at Dahlia.
“Is Dahlia okay?”
“Me?”
“huh.”
Dahlia was also in the banquet hall for a while.
“It’s okay. Count Chase protected everyone.”
“Father?”
“Yes, you not only supported the collapsing palace with magic, but you also defeated the zombies and traitors. If the Count hadn’t been there, many people would have died or been injured because of the collapsing palace.”
Cordelia smiled slightly at Dahlia’s explanation.
Because Count Chase was proud.
“Still, you’re not hurt anywhere?”
“No, there isn’t. So you don’t have to worry.”
“Yeah, don’t worry.”
When Cordelia smiled bashfully, Dahlia smiled back.
“But Dahlia.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“How long have I been asleep?”
“Two full days.”
“huh?”
Cordelia was so surprised that she asked back without realizing it.
Two days?
Not half a day or a day, but two days?
“Yes, I was so worried because you didn’t wake up for two days. People around you said you were just too tired to sleep, so it was okay… But still, it’s not normal to sleep for two days straight.”
“I know.”
Cordelia nodded and looked back at herself.
She was wearing a comfortable white one-piece dress that was reminiscent of a patient’s gown, but had no particular design.
“I’ll just check for a moment.”
Cordelia spoke briefly, closed her eyes and examined herself.
I could get a rough idea of the condition by lightly circulating the horsepower.
‘My magic power is depleted.’
Perhaps, when the last lightning bolt of the divine punishment was fired, all the magical power inside the body was released.
Add to that the physical fatigue, and it was understandable that he slept for two days straight.
“Are you okay?”
“Oh, it’s okay now.”
Normally, the magical power would not have been recovered after sleeping for two days, but thanks to the increase in angel rank, it seemed to have been recovered somehow.
“Dahlia, what about the others?”
It wasn’t just Yuder who was worried.
There were so many people to worry about.
So much so that I didn’t know who to ask first.
Thanks to that, Dahlia smiled and answered Cordelia’s somewhat awkward question.
“First, I will speak to the royal family.”
“huh.”
The most important people in this fight.
“Your Majesty the King and your three queens are all safe. Crown Princess Daphne, Prince Dion, and Princess Darien are also safe.”
Cordelia breathed a sigh of relief at Dahlia’s explanation.
In fact, I was a little skeptical as to whether Crown Princess Daphne, whose right wrist had been blown off, was really safe, but in any case, her life was not in danger, so it was all good.
‘Since I’m royalty, I guess I can use a lot of recovery magic to recover.’
The severed wrist would have been at the scene too.
“What about your father? With your father.”
Instead of answering Cordelia’s question right away, Dahlia just laughed and asked teasingly in a subtle voice.
“Miss, is this your father? Your father?”
“Oh, father is father, why?”
Dahlia giggled as Cordelia answered with a slight blush.
“miss.”
“why.”
“Can I pinch your cheek? You’re so cute, I want to pinch you.”
“no.”
“Why? Because it’s Prince Yuder’s?”
“No, that’s not it! Why is Yuder here!”
“Well, you’re my father, right? But, you’re saying yes unconsciously?”
“No, right? My cheeks are mine. They’re not yours.”
“Then can I pinch you?”
“No! Why are you saying that!”
When Cordelia got annoyed, Dahlia chuckled again.
“Our little girl is so cute.”
“Dahlias aren’t cute at all.”
“Really? Really, really?”
“Uuuuuu… Why are you doing this to me? Huh?”
When Cordelia asked with a tearful face, Dahlia answered with a bashful smile.
“It’s because I like you so much. And you’re so cute. It’s not my fault, it’s your fault. Who said you were that cute?”
“Dahlia has become strange.”
Why is it like this today?
When Cordelia was at a loss, Dahlia laughed one last time and then straightened her expression.
“Anyway, let’s stop here and get back to the main topic. Do you like that, too, Miss?”
“I hate Dahlia.”
“I like you, Miss.”
Because I’ve been really worried for the past two days.
I couldn’t tell you how happy I was to open my eyes like this.
Dahlia continued, caressing Cordelia’s hand.
“Count Bayer and Count Chase are both safe. You both have contributed greatly to this fight.”
Count Bayer defeated one of the traitors, Jeilgeom, and Count Chase saved everyone in the grand hall.
If even one of the two had been missing, a disaster would have occurred.
“Haa… That’s a relief.”
I hope your father is safe.
To be honest, I was worried because it was Jeilgeom’s opponent.
“Count Bayer is strong. The First Sword… I don’t think he was pushed back one bit against that traitor who was going to tear you to pieces.”
Dahlia’s voice was a mixture of emotions.
When talking about Count Bayer, he showed pride as if he was already a member of the family, and when talking about the First Sword, he showed open hatred.
‘It seems like it’s pretty much known.’
Well, it’s already been two days.
The parties involved would have already exchanged information and figured out the general picture.
‘Still, it’s a bit… shocking.’
I never thought that the best swordsman would be a traitor.
‘I really couldn’t imagine it.’
He also showed his favor to Uther and Cordelia several times.
More than anything, the fact that there was no particular story about a traitor in the original work was significant.
‘There was no talk of him being a traitor.’
Since the actions of the first swordsman actually existed only as background settings, there were many parts that could be somehow fitted in.
‘Hmm… Based on the circumstances, it’s possible that he didn’t die from the Seven Great Calamities, but rather faked his death.’
And after that, like the other traitorous Ten Swordsmen, he might have changed his name and become a mine.
“Whoa.”
Either way, it was an incredibly uncomfortable story.
Furthermore, after hearing Dahlia’s story, it seemed as though the first sword had run away.
“What about your sister? What about Uncle Gale?”
Instead of answering Cordelia’s question right away, Dahlia pursed her lips and spoke in a cautious tone.
“First of all… Adelia is safe. She’s very tired, but she’s not particularly hurt.”
Cordelia was relieved to hear that Adelia was safe, but this time she didn’t breathe a sigh of relief.
Because, in the flow of the story, it seemed like there was something wrong with Gail.
“Prince Gale… is not in danger of dying.”
“Life…in?”
“Yes, you were quite… badly injured. You were badly injured all over your body… and you lost your left arm.”
Cordelia blinked.
Because I didn’t understand it right away.
“Oh, your left arm?”
“Yes, regeneration is impossible… I think I’ll probably have to get a prosthetic arm.”
The situation was different for Princess Daphne, who was able to secure her severed wrist and even suture it right away.
First of all, the discovery itself was late, and the damaged area itself was so large that suturing was impossible.
“Hey, wait. Wait. Sister and uncle were outside the palace. There was no way they could get hurt in the first place······.”
That was it.
Because I realized it while we were talking.
“The royal road. The royal road was also attacked.”
At Cordelia’s words, Dahlia nodded with a pained expression and continued her story.
It was a story about the royal capital that suffered even greater damage than the royal palace.
“oh my god.”
I thought I had prevented the Black Moon terror attack, but I didn’t expect an even bigger accident to occur.
‘Did I do something wrong?’
Should we have just let the Black Moon carry out its terrorism?
If that were the case, wouldn’t the devil’s hand have attacked the royal capital directly?
My head was in disarray.
I couldn’t decide on an answer right away.
“There was a lot of damage, but we were able to overcome it. In particular, the efforts of Belkian, one of the five heroes of Paragon, were great.”
Cordelia’s eyes widened again at Dahlia’s words.
Because an unexpected name popped up.
“Hey, Belkian? Necromancer Belkian?”
“Yes, Lord Belkian.”
“oh my god.”
Just as the direct attack by the Devil’s Hand was unexpected, so was the assistance from Belkian.
Who would have thought that the arrangements I left in the Temple of Life would be of help in this way?
‘Hey, wait a minute. So you came looking for the pink bomb?’
In the first place, that was the only reason Belkian came to the capital.
‘Ugh… My head hurts. But at least it was worth it.’
He did a lot of things to prevent the royal family massacre.
Among them, there were cases where it was harmful, such as the betrayal of the First Sword and the direct attack of the Devil’s Hand, but there were also cases where it was helpful, such as Velkian and Rogue Master Gun.
‘In the end… you have to do your best.’
Because no one could know how the results of their efforts would work out.
I was just trying to do everything I could to get the best results.
‘Haa… I really have a lot to do.’
Somehow the fight ended, but there was so much to do that it was like cleaning up.
‘I have to meet Belkian too, and check up on Scarlett too······.’
By the way, is Lucas okay? There didn’t seem to be any major problems at the Grand Ballroom, so he should be okay, right?
“miss.”
“uh?”
When Cordelia, who was in the middle of thinking, suddenly raised her head and answered, Dahlia smiled brightly and said.
“Would you like to go see Prince Yude?”
“Uder?”
“Yes, he’s still asleep, but I think he’ll feel a lot of relief if he sees that you’re safe.”
Cordelia nodded without realizing it at Dahlia’s words.
“Yeah, I miss you.”
The answer also came out unconsciously.
And Dahlia laughed bashfully at that answer and stood up. It was a joke that she could have made fun of, but for now, she prioritized Cordelia’s feelings.
“Come on, miss. It’s right next door, so it’s not too far.”
Dahlia helped Cordelia up, took out a large shawl, and wrapped it around Cordelia’s shoulders.
“Well, is this enough?”
“Yeah, honestly, it’s not a situation where I can pack clothes.”
Cordelia gently pulled at the shawl around her shoulders and left the room with Dahlia’s support.
Judging from the decoration and structure of the hallway, it seemed to be the main palace and not a annex.
“This way.”
The knight of the Count Bayer family who was guarding the door opened it for her, and Cordelia entered the room, suppressing her slightly pounding heart.
“miss.”
“Maya.”
Maia’s face became half pale due to the mental anguish she had endured over the past two days.
But she smiled, seemingly relieved that Cordelia was safe, and pointed straight at Uther.
“Your Majesty is also safe. He has not yet awakened, but… he is said to be in no danger of dying.”
Unlike the usually straight-laced Maia, there were some awkward aspects to her speech and content, but Cordelia didn’t care. Without realizing it, she took a step forward and approached Uther.
‘This idiot.’
When I saw his face, I couldn’t help but curse.
It had to be that way.
Because I was angry.
At the same time, I felt so relieved.
“Haaah······.”
Cordelia let out a long breath and collapsed on the bedside, looking down at Uther.
His face was pale and he didn’t look to be in good condition, but judging from his even breathing, he didn’t appear to be in danger of dying.
“The Count said that you have overworked yourself and are now exhausted. But he also said that your life is not in danger and that you will soon wake up.”
Cordelia nodded at Maia’s explanation.
Since she was there, she knew better than anyone what had happened to Yuder and why he couldn’t wake up.
‘Six questions······.’
It wasn’t just because I was overdoing it that I ended up lying in bed like this.
He couldn’t wake up because of the aftereffects of forcibly opening the door.
‘Stupid idiot.’
He used to brag about his good physical strength every day.
He used to act like he was so smart and brilliant.
Cordelia felt her vision becoming blurry again. Tears shed without realizing it ran down her cheeks.
‘It’s because of me.’
Because it was Cordelia herself who came up with the idea of opening the meat gate.
It was also Cordelia herself who pushed her way into Uther’s hands.
“Oh, it’s okay, miss. You’ll wake up soon.”
“Yes, my lady. Count Bayer said the same thing.”
As Cordelia began to shed tears, Dahlia and Micah, both flustered, quickly spoke to her.
Instead of answering, Cordelia bit her lip and sniffled, then nodded.
Because it naturally occurred to me what Uther would say if he were awake now, and what he would say to Cordelia herself.
“Miss, aren’t you going to the market?”
“Yes, Miss. You woke up after two days.”
When Cordelia calmed down a bit, although she was still sobbing, Maia and Dahlia spoke again.
And Cordelia realized.
I’m telling you, I’m really hungry.
Maybe it was because I realized it anew, but I was so hungry that my stomach was growling.
“Come this way. Since you woke up after two days, I’ll prepare some soft things for you.”
Maia smiled brightly as she guided Cordelia to the table and left the room, returning with a tray of snacks.
Water mixed with soup, bread and juice.
It was a very simple meal compared to what I usually eat, but perhaps because I was on an empty stomach, my mouth started watering.
“Eat.”
“thank you for this food.”
Cordelia, who had just said this, picked up her spoon and looked back at Uther.
When I was actually about to eat it, I was concerned about the udder.
‘Wake up quickly. Okay?’
Let’s go eat something delicious together.
Cordelia muttered something a little childish and then focused on her meal again.
And a few minutes.
It was about the time that Cordelia, who had emptied the soup, gulped down the juice-mixed water.
“Cordelia, you’re here.”
The door opened and a handsome man appeared.
It was a face that resembled not only Count Chase, who I had seen many times, but also Adelia.
And Cordelia realized.
The fact that I had completely forgotten about the man in front of me.
“ah.”
“ah?”
Edward Chase.
He is the eldest son of Count Chase and also the older brother of Cordelia Chase herself.
A man who was present at the banquet hall and attended the ball, but for some reason, I couldn’t remember him.
“I feel like I have a really sad feeling about something.”
“Oh, no way. My brother is safe too. Yeah, yeah. That’s a relief. My brother is safe too.”
When Cordelia quickly laughed and said, Edward narrowed his eyes as if he was suspicious, but fortunately it was only for a moment.
He sat down in front of Cordelia, who had started to sweat without realizing it, and looked back at Uther before looking at Cordelia again.
“First of all, as your blood-related brother from the Count Chase family, I’m really glad you woke up safely. I was really worried.”
“Yeah, thanks, oppa.”
I’m so, so sorry I completely forgot.
Edward narrowed his eyes again as Cordelia smiled awkwardly, but this time it didn’t last long.
“And… as a noble of the Kingdom of Seilun, I would like to express my gratitude. You and Yuder protected this country. You have truly done a great service.”
Edward, who had said that, even lowered his head.
“Oh, brother?”
“I am so proud that you are my brother.”
At Edward’s words, Cordelia blushed with shame and joy instead of embarrassment.
And deep in my heart I felt a great sense of satisfaction.
You did it again, just like you did in the wild land.
You did a good thing for everyone this time too.
“Hehehe.”
Edward chuckled as he found Cordelia’s shy smile very cute and continued speaking.
“Then let’s get to the point. Cordelia, I have good news and good news. Which one would you like to hear first?”
“uh?”
Good news and great news? Choose between them?
When Cordelia blinked as if to ask what he was talking about, Edward spoke again.
“Good news and great news. I leave it up to you to decide which one to hear first.”
What kind of nonsense is this?
But if you think about it, Edward was originally this kind of character.
“Uh… Then I want to hear the good news first.”
“Well, that’s an excellent choice.”
“Yeah.”
I don’t even know what I chose, but I guess it’s good.
When Cordelia smiled awkwardly, Edward spoke right away instead of wasting time.
“Gail’s condition is improving rapidly. She will probably wake up tonight or at the latest by tomorrow morning.”
“really?!”
“Oh, really. So don’t worry too much. I’m planning on getting you a prosthetic arm, something really simple.”
If Adelia was a practical combat-oriented magician, Edward was a research-oriented magician who specialized in creating magical tools.
If it was Edward, and no one else, who made the prosthetic hand, then it was trustworthy.
“Haa… I’m so glad.”
“Yeah, that’s fortunate.”
Edward smiled happily and waited for a moment so that Cordelia could fully focus her attention on the second piece of good news.
“Are you ready to listen now?”
“Huh? Yeah. I want to hear it.”
Second good news.
When Cordelia smiled brightly and gave him an expectant look, Edward suddenly stood up and bowed to Cordelia.
“Edward Chase of the House of Chase, Countess of Chase, meets His Highness the Viscount Chase.”
“uh?”
Cordelia blinked blankly, then quickly sat up from her seat.
“Count Chase?”
“Oh, Viscount Chase. Since you have done great things, isn’t it only natural that you should be promoted?”
That was right.
He had really, really accomplished great things, so he deserved to be promoted.
“Wow, Viscount.”
Count Chase.
Not Baron Chase, but Viscount.
“Hehehe.”
Cordelia smiled happily, and Edward giggled, then lifted Cordelia’s hand slightly and kissed the back of her hand.
“Count Chase, Crown Princess Daphne has already informed us that she will personally conduct the awarding ceremony.”
“is it so?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
When Edward came out as a theatrical performer, Cordelia also responded as if she was performing a play.
And a few seconds.
Cordelia asked back, her eyes wide.
“Now, wait a minute. Count Chase?”
“Yes, Count. After your promotion from Baron to Viscount, you will be promoted to Count again.”
Because he saved the lives of not only the king and queen, but also their children.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was a true hero of the nation, so it was only natural that he be promoted to the rank of count.
“Wow, Count. Then what about Yuderdu?”
“Oh, you are Count Bayer.”
Count Chase and Count Bayer.
The count and countess.
“oh my god.”
Cordelia, who had sat down again, smiled faintly with an expression that seemed to indicate that it was a dream or reality, and Edward then lightly pinched Cordelia’s cheek. Scarlett continued, slightly surprised by the softness that she acknowledged.
“But Count Chase.”
“Yes, Prince Edward Chase.”
“I have better news.”
“uh?”
Any more good news here?
As Cordelia’s eyes widened, Edward smiled like a mischievous child and brought his face closer.
He whispered in a small voice in Cordelia’s ear as if he were Yuzu.
Third good news.
Cordelia’s face showed both surprise and joy.
&
< Chapter 73 - Merit Ceremony > End
