Sharti held a handful of food and stared blankly at Ren.

Every time Karun’s greatsword clashed, Ren’s longsword trembled and recoiled as if it would easily slip away. Ren, who seemed about to fall out quickly, resiliently blocked Karun’s attacks, enduring well. The mercenary members were filled with admiration and cheers. The heat emitted by Ren and Karun quickly stirred up the surroundings.

‘…Things like swords, you don’t have to learn.’

Only Sharti, unable to overcome her awkward feelings, lowered her gaze.

With every swing of Ren’s sword, it stung as if a part of her chest was being cut. Whenever the sharp blade cut through the air, a hissing energy seemed to shoot towards her.

‘For no reason, it reminds me of back then.’

In the dim cave, the man holding a sword stood perilously, vibrating with the smell of blood and a fishy odor all over his body. It was impossible to tell whose blood it was.

Sharti couldn’t forget the turquoise eyes that, despite the rough breaths, twitched with determination for revenge and survival.

‘No! It’s completely different from back then!’

Sharti shook her head vigorously.

The man wielding a sword in the cave was someone who disappeared along with Ren’s memories.

‘Ren would never point a sword at me.’

While not absolute trust, considering Ren’s consistent concern, affection, and consideration, there were aspects that could never be equated.

Ren consistently showed concern, care, and affection towards her. There was no falsehood in his actions, and Sharti naturally accepted Ren’s affectionate protection.

‘Even if I can’t believe everything, I believe in the time spent with Ren.’

So there’s nothing to fear.

Sharti steeled her heart and lifted her head again. She listened to the sounds of the swords clashing, occasionally surprised, and observed Ren’s changes.

The anxious and agitated heart that had fluttered before quickly calmed down unlike before.

And Viretta was watching this scene intently.

“Sha.”

“……?”

At Viretta’s call, Sharti turned her head.

“Ja.”

Viretta forcefully fed Sharti a piece of fruit.

Sharti, looking puzzled, chewed and swallowed the fruit. However, as she feared, small fruits kept slipping into Sharti’s mouth.

‘Grandma should try some too.’

With her cheeks puffed, Sharti extended both arms full of food.

“All right, all right.”

It was just words. Viretta continued to feed Sharti various things.

Sharti diligently accepted without understanding a word of English. The tangy and sweet flavors stimulated her tongue and were delicious.

‘I should keep some and let Virena and Tane taste them.’

Since she had money scattered around to various people, she could probably purchase the food she just ate through the Kropel Mercenary Company.

Feeling satisfied while appeasing her hunger, she thought of Virena and Tane.

At that moment, the residents rushed in, looking for Sharti.

“The patients have just regained consciousness!”

“……!”
Sharti abruptly turned her body, and Viretta, frighteningly, gestured to take care of the food in her place.

“Don’t tell the shithead anything.”

Sharti, who greeted Viretta with a bow, quickly left.

Thanks to Matapju, the mana poisoning had been treated, so now they needed a doctor to check on the patients’ conditions.

As Sharti hurriedly ran, Viretta, who turned to watch her, had a calm expression.

The sound of swords clashing was adding to Viretta’s anxiety.

“…….,”

While pressing Ren, Karun exchanged glances with Viretta.

It meant as Viretta expected. The leaders of the Kropel Mercenary Company also secretly signaled to Viretta.

“…Muscle memory.”

Viretta sighed softly.

Even though he lost his memory, Ren was subtly adjusting his breathing, muscles, posture, and steps with each clash between Karun’s greatsword and his sword.

The reactions and postures ingrained in the body didn’t easily disappear, even if the memories were lost.

Most of the Kropel Mercenary Company, who had faced numerous enemies and swords, had grasped Ren’s swordsmanship.

“Flawless, typical aristocratic swordsmanship.”

With an overwhelming sense of embarrassment, they felt their insides burning.

“Just my luck to pick up something like this….”

That was an existence Viretta couldn’t handle.

Above all, it was already too late for a third party to intervene.

From the moment Sharti saved him and gave him a name, Ren’s destined and tangled fate had begun.

Thud! Finally, Karun planted the greatsword into the ground, signaling the end of the sparring.

“Good. The blade is as sharp as ever, not like a beginner.”

Karun neatly swept back his disheveled hair, leaving a short compliment.

On the other hand, Ren, soaked in sweat, was breathing heavily without replying. He instinctively drew on his body’s memory in response to the energy Karun emitted, risking an overload.

“Where is my master?”

Wiping away sweat with the back of his hand, Ren looked around for Sharti.

“Follow me.”

Viretta took the lead, saying she would take him to Sharti.

“Where are we going?”