The Duke seemed calm yet not quite calm in a peculiar way.

What could it be? What disturbed him? The whistling by the soldiers was embarrassing but not to the extent of upsetting me. Rather, it felt like they were trying to encourage me, who was awkwardly revealing my real face for the first time.

Having experienced ridicule and mockery for a long time, I would have been the first to notice if there was such intent behind the soldiers’ whistling.

But it wasn’t like that…

The Duke’s comment about the whistling being brazen left the knights exchanging embarrassed glances.

“Anyway, gentlemen, you have all done a tremendous job fighting a life-threatening battle so far from the South. But above all, I am truly glad that you have survived. I sincerely thank you all.”

“No, Your Grace! We are the ones who are truly grateful!”

“Brand is right, Your Grace!”

The knights all spoke up. The Duke, with a worried look on his face, stroked his face with his large hand.

“The whistling… maybe it’s because… my ears have become sensitive since I was poisoned. Let’s pretend it didn’t happen.”

Some knights looked concerned, while others smiled again.

But Arcadia looked at the Duke as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.

“Then, since we need to set off again tomorrow, everyone should rest well.”

The Duke left a bit hurriedly.

Once the Duke was gone, Arcadia, seemingly forgetting I was still beside him, grumbled.

“What’s with him?”

Arcadia asked, and Mobi answered.

“Indeed. I remember seeing His Grace like that once when he was very young.”

“When he was very young?”

“Yes. Before you started serving His Grace. He went somewhere with the former Duke, his father, and for a few days, he was just like that… as if he was jealous of something.”

“Jealous? Nah, Mobi General, you’re losing your touch. To me, it seemed like he was just sulking because I pushed this lady too hard.”

“Hmm. Anyway, His Grace is a gentleman, haha.”

“General, I’m a gentleman too.”

Arcadia narrowed his eyes.

Arcadia, with his cold blizzard-like eyes, becomes a loyal puppy only in the presence of the Duke. Even the Duke, who I thought in my previous life was perfect and noble, has such unfathomable aspects.

‘Humans are indeed diverse.’

I would never have known these things if I hadn’t returned.

They gently filled my heart with warmth.

My barracks were modest and cozy. A comfortable bed, a small wooden table, a single-layer drawer for storing things, and a small stove.

But there was no mirror.

I usually didn’t miss having a mirror since I had nothing to reflect on. But now that I had a new mask, I wanted to see my appearance.

Ergo gave me the mask he had just made, saying I should wear it until the final one is completed. He had prepared two molds, so he could finish the final work with the other.

I was grateful.

My heart fluttered with anticipation at the thought of my changed appearance.

It was a strange feeling I hardly ever experienced.

‘Will I look okay with my real face revealed?’

Suddenly, I remembered the small spring I had seen yesterday while fetching water. It was so clear that I could reflect my face in it.

I decided to go there, not only to see my face but also to wash off the dust from the duel.

Wearing the incomplete half-mask, I took a small towel and headed to the forest behind the barracks.

But I hadn’t gone far when I ran into Arcadia.

Feeling a bit embarrassed for having purposefully lost to him and causing him trouble, I greeted him. But he stopped me as I was about to pass by.

“Esdel.”

“Yes?”

Now he calls me by my name.

He looked at me hesitantly, an unfamiliar expression on his face, but his eyes were serious.
“Are you feeling better?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Was he concerned about my condition and hanging around near my barracks?

As I pondered, he opened his mouth.

“Good. I wanted to ask you something.”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

He hesitated before speaking.

“…Have you ever fought an assassin?”

A chill ran down my spine.

Had my fear become a reality?

My fingertips grew cold with tension.

During the duel with Arcadia, there were two moments when I thought ‘Oops’.

The first was when I pressed my body close to his shoulder to avoid his sword. Entering the range of the sword makes it harder to be attacked – a reflex action I used.

When the Black Insect attacked Arcadia, I had pressed myself against his shoulder to stop the insect’s attack.

The second was when I ducked to avoid Arcadia’s sword and pushed the hilt towards his abdomen, not the blade.

Again, it was a reflex from not wanting to kill, something I had done during the fight with the Black Insect.

‘Did he recall the Black Insect’s attack?’

Unable to respond, I just stood there, and he scratched his head.

“You don’t have to look so surprised.”

“…….”

“You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you? I’m pretty sure about that.”

“Why do you keep saying that?”

“….Huh.”

He let out a small laugh when I panicked.