“I can come up with various reasons. Anyway, it’s too much that you won’t be staying long.”

“Don’t act like a child.”

“Stop nagging since I don’t do this in front of others. Anyway, fine, I’ll try harder to change your mind.”

All sorts of splendid things rushed towards Axel.

In stark contrast to the forest where he always wore simple tunic-style tops and long pants, here hung clothes that tailors had put their best efforts into cutting three-dimensionally. Even if it was the same black color and similar shape, the feeling was completely different.

But most of what he wore were comfortable clothes that wouldn’t be a shame to tear in the training grounds. Since the king had knighted him, he had to regain his former sharpness.

However, the king’s knights were not proper sparring partners.

He was, after all, that Axelion. The one who had guarded the northern border from just thirteen years old, facing enormous monsters. The one who had finally pushed back even the rebels.

Some talents never faded no matter how old they became.

The king, watching Axel’s movements, summoned the Marquis of Greer from the north. Having worked with Axel in the northern subjugation force for a very long time in the past, he recognized the ashen eyes at once.

“My goodness.”

“It’s been a while.”

Ives Greer smiled brightly at the casual tone.

“Have you come back out? It’s a joy for the Kingdom of El Sion.”

“As if. I’ve just come out briefly.”

“Just stay outside. Now there’s no one who dares to oppose His Majesty while claiming to support Lord Axelion. His Majesty’s hand has been severe. You should find your rightful place.”

“I’m not sure what the right place is. I’ve always disliked troublesome things.”

At Axel’s dry voice, Ives tilted his head.

“Then why did you come out? It seems His Majesty will keep trying to hold onto you.”

Right. Why did I come out?

Though barely a month had passed since arriving at the royal palace, he was starting to find all of this tedious.

It was true that it was nice to see familiar faces after a long time. It was also good to have a proper environment to use a sword.

But that was it. Why was it more boring than the days in the forest, chopping wood and hunting?

It was annoying to hear the ignorant palace people gossiping about him, and irritating when they approached to speak. There was no chance he would ever eat something he didn’t even know what it was when they suddenly came up and offered snacks.

The worried looks and cautious movements of those who knew better were pathetic. If he had had any ambition, why would he have helped Rainer to the throne in the past?

He had no interest in the shining things surrounding him. Just as the previous king, his father, had said.

‘You have no interest in this country. No, you’re not interested in anything. When what little affection you have wears thin, you’ll abandon the Kingdom of El Sion and leave. That’s why Rainer will become king.’

What did he reply then? He seemed to have simply agreed.

Finally, Axel felt even his desire to see Jade once fading away.

The memory of riding Atilla to meet her at the hunter’s house became blurred. The surroundings that felt sparkling despite the winter day were probably sunlight reflected on the lake water.

Now that he thought about it, it didn’t seem like much of a feeling at all.

Having been stuck in the forest for a long time, he must have found someone he suddenly met from outside interesting.

It made sense. Jade was certainly a person who was enjoyable just to look at. The sight of her bustling around with her small stature.

So it was understandable to be confused. He had moments of stupidity at times when he met Jade. Probably because it was a relatively leisurely winter day.

If Ollie were here now, she would have scolded him to remember all those strange things he did, but unfortunately, she wasn’t here.

Even the king, when Axel came out, rather didn’t bring up the story of Jade.

Whether he was looking for her, or couldn’t find her, or wasn’t looking.

To the king, she was just bait to lure him out.

Axel decided to return to the forest after helping the king with this task even if he didn’t meet Jade.

Axel’s existence would only bring confusion to this kingdom. It was too big a price to pay for such ambiguous, uncertain emotions.

So rather than meeting Jade, returning would let time solve everything. Since the time spent with her was short, it wouldn’t take long to forget.

Axel consciously erased the fact that three months had already passed since he last met Jade, but he had not overcome the memory of her.

Finally, that day arrived.

“Thank you for your help. I feel bad about sending you to a dangerous place.”

“It’s only natural since you knighted me.”

“As I said, there might be resistance. The northern subjugation force has a lot of experience with you, but the western subjugation force knows nothing about you. Those who knew are mostly dead, and they are mostly those who received titles after your name was erased…”

“Then you shouldn’t have made me the commander-in-chief.”

Rainer laughed widely.

“My goodness, I can’t imagine you under someone else. Especially if it’s the army! Anyway, from now on you’re just Sir Leon. Leon Vaintz.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“But, why don’t you ask?”

Axel slightly tilted his head.

“About what?”

“You know, the person who drew the vegetation map. You clearly took the bait I threw, but after that, your interest disappeared?”

At the words referring to Jade, Axel blinked slowly. Had they found her now?

“Have you found her?”

“What if I have?”

After pondering for a while, he answered simply.

“I would be grateful if you could pass on the things I give you.”

After all, they were her belongings. She would be happy to receive them, especially that mushroom he almost died digging up.

At the unexpectedly empty answer, the king sighed deeply and grumbled.

“Ah, really. It’s the same here and there.”

It was unclear what he was referring to, but Axel didn’t feel much desire to ask. He simply left a greeting and withdrew.

It didn’t take long to reach the Enardi region in the northwest. That was because the king had assigned three transfer mages. Rainer was always eager to provide maximum convenience for Axel.

But they had to ride horses to some extent, and Atilla, who hadn’t been given much attention lately, seemed displeased and kept twisting his body as he ran. He jumped around, taking directions as he pleased, but Axel naturally didn’t fall off.

“Atilla.”

Stroking the horse’s mane as it snorted, Axel spoke softly.

“We’ll return to the forest soon, so don’t worry. Then you won’t need to be confined.”

He had promised to help the king just once. This subjugation was divided into two schedules, so he would be done after firmly establishing the first foundation.

He vowed there would absolutely not be a second time. The purpose of coming out had faded away vaguely.

He would not meet Jade.

Atilla seemed to calm down a bit at his master’s voice. Then the horse and person began to run as if they were one body. It was a movement worthy of being called a knight.

Finally, entering a building with large structures and a garden that wasn’t properly decorated, knights who had already heard about Axel’s participation flocked to him.

“My goodness, Ax-, no, Sir Leon! Have you been well?”

“Are you coming back?”

“Just one sparring match, please! Have your skills rusted?”

Knights whose faces showed only slight traces of time passing but whose actions remained the same clung to him and whined.

Axel coldly shook them off as he moved.

“Let go.”

“What about Atilla?”

“Outside.”

“That one was really cool. I must go see!”

An older knight ran out with a frivolous movement. While watching with a bewildered gaze, someone appeared to rescue him from his predicament.

“Stop it now. Sir Leon, this way.”

Axel sighed as he finally met Ives.

“Did you spread rumors?”

“I only told one person, but that one told three, and those three told five. So all the former northern subjugation force members know now. Haha!”

“The worst…”

Ives burst into laughter at his fed-up face. His face with deep wrinkles around the mouth looked hearty.

“They say love and joy can’t be hidden.”

“That’s a bit different from what I knew.”

“Please let it slide.”

The space they entered with calm steps was quite spacious, but there was nothing in the center except a round table. Axel stood near the round table and properly looked around.

There were some people with familiar faces here and there, but most were unfamiliar. It seemed true that many families had been replaced when the king reorganized the country after his name was erased.

“Sir Leon.”

Turning his head at the long-unheard voice, there was Grace Tanner smiling.

“I can only say… it’s been a very long time. Have you been well?”

The woman’s black eyes were wet with some emotion.

Axel slightly furrowed his brow. It was true that they had grown up together in the northern subjugation force for a long time, but there was nothing to warrant such intense emotion.

“I lived peacefully.”

Despite the indifferent short answer, Grace Tanner smiled brightly.

“I’m glad. I haven’t been doing so well though.”

Should he ask about this, or not?

If he asked, it felt like some troublesome thing would happen, and if he didn’t ask, he would seem rude. While he was pondering, a loud noise came from the entrance.

“Why aren’t you sitting? Has your eyesight gotten worse? Or have you been poisoned?”

The high-pitched voice carried a strange tremor that sounded both aggressive and excited.

Axel turned his head.

A man with light hair color. Even though he was wearing a cloak, one could tell his body was thin and lean. Because of that, he looked tall and slender. Perhaps due to his pale white skin, he had a boyish feeling about him.

While his voice clearly sounded sharp, his icy blue eyes were carefully looking somewhere as if watching someone. Somehow, he even looked pitiful.

Only then did Axel turn his gaze to the person next to him. And their eyes met.

For the first time in a very long while, he was startled and his breath stopped for a moment.