Evan D. Sherden, An Encounter. (7)

A patrol team of Belois and Louise attracted the attention of countless people.

“Oh, it’s Miss Belois, isn’t it?”

“Master Evan isn’t with them today.”

“There’s another woman here.”

It was not because Belois, who was known for always going with Evan, was not with him, but rather because Belois and Louise’s appearance was truly exceptional.

“Oh, she’s so beautiful. Do you mean she’s Master Evan’s mistress?”

“If only it was another potbellied aristocrat, but I have nothing to say against Master Evan’s concubine.”

“If you’re a noble like Evan, you can have about ten beauties next to you as well.”

“The girl beside Ms. Belois is just as pretty. Is she a rookie, seeing that she has the Astray Knights badge?”

“What are you talking about? She’s probably his new concubine.”

“Be careful not to get in her ears, you crazy bastard. All of the Knights are like monsters when it comes to power.”

Along with the joke that it was clear that Astray chose members based on their appearance, there had been occasional whispers that could be very unpleasant to hear.

In the meantime, Louise herself was so nervous that she could not even feel the eyes of the people around her. It was because of her companion, Belois.

“Do you know the structure of the city?”

“I’m learning slowly. But still, everything is…”

When asked by Belois, Louise replied, shuddering.

So to speak, the current situation seemed to be a one-on-one interview with a senior executive at a company. If you said something wrong, you might get fired from the job, let alone dream of becoming a full-time employee!

Evan was going to bring Louise into the senior circle and as a full-time employee, but there was still anxiety for her. Her tough life had made her incredulous.

“I see.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll keep track of everything as soon as possible.”

“No, it’s definitely important, but… you’ll have a lot more to do now, so don’t rush.”

The Ironwall Knights and their soldiers mainly handled the city’s security. The Dungeon Knights of Astray’s role was a group of armed forces that protected the city from the threat of war and from the outside.

What was urgent for Louise right now was to increase her strength, which was significantly lower than other members. Belois opened her mouth.

“But it’s a good opportunity for the two of us to come out like this. I’ll patrol today and train you for a short time. We need to be aware of the danger zones inside the city.”

“Well… thank you!”

Fortunately, she didn’t seem to want to bully this girl. Rather than bothering her, she was trying to help her adapt to the Knights actively!

Louise bowed her head to Belois with considerable relief. There was no trace of the pride of a high aristocrat in her. It resulted from being born a high-ranking aristocrat, fleeing the city in an air raid by the Demons, and trying to hide her identity and somehow survive.

The most important value for her was to become stronger, not status. To claim that she was from Merdin, the first thing to do was recover Merdin, which was occupied by the Demon tribe, by her skill before trumpeting her name.

“I was worried at first, but that’s a relief.”

“…What?”

Looking at her like that, Belois honestly put her heart into her mouth.

“I was worried when I heard that there was a survivor of Merdin and that she was a direct line. This is because, in our knights, we don’t care about the status of aristocrats.”

“Oh… you thought I might not be able to adapt.”

“Hmm. That’s a very refined expression. Fortunately, the Marquis of Sherden does not feel lowly about it, but most aristocrats don’t even want to stay in the same place as the common people.”

Louise nodded as she heard the words. One can see it first-hand by looking at Serena, who was the King of Silk Line’s first daughter. She was exposed to other members without any problems.

“As I said, when I introduced myself, I abandoned my name. You don’t have to think that I’m an aristocrat when dealing with me.”

“…You’ll get stronger in no time.”

“Thank you for the compliment. But….”

Somehow, while praising Louise’s attitude, Belois’ expression had grown a little dark. Knowing that it was better not to inquire openly, she asked reflexively.

“But what’s wrong? You don’t look so well. Did I do something wrong?”

“No, it’s not your fault.”

Belois bit her lips. Louise fully proved herself to be a normal human being who was not corrupted with aristocratic conceit with her current conversation, and Belois was annoyed with it.

‘I can’t have him even if I want him so badly.’

Belois had hoped that Louise would have been a typical aristocrat.

Then Evan wouldn’t have accepted her. He would never have thought of bringing her up to join the Knights.

‘Even if you don’t think of her as a noble, she’s training to be strong to get back Merdin.’

Louise would grow up with Evan’s support. And if she were to really recover Merdin, then she would be the Marquess of the new Merdin. She had legitimacy, and she would have a natural status.

Louise herself said that she had abandoned her identity, but it would not simply disappear by abandoning it. It was her place all along. Naturally, she would be able to take her place again after she would get her city back.

‘If she gets Merdin back, and she becomes the Marquess, then she might want Evan…’

Evan couldn’t easily give up those who liked him. Belois could easily imagine him welcoming Louise as his wife.

Would Belois still be on par with her then? How could she be Evan’s wife, even though she was a close associate of Evan’s?

“Be-Belois?”

“…”

Before she knew it, Louise was looking at Belois. She looked a little scared. Belois shook her head to shake off all the negative thoughts. Did she even think of something while looking at her? Louise suddenly spoke up.

“Well, for me, he’s a teacher. So, uh… take it easy.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, nothing’s wrong, of course.”

Belois sighed internally, listening to Louise’s answer. She was confident in mind control, but it was pathetic to be easily caught.

As two beautiful women, Mirole and Louise, joined the Knights in a row, it was hard to calm down. However, in the end, this was also because of Evan.

‘Your charm goes too far. Such a bad person…’

Belois knew very well that the high elf was infatuated with Evan. Everyone in the Knights was sure, and that this noble girl, who called Evan a teacher, also recognized him as an attractive person.

‘You’ve already been attracted to him on the first meeting. I know how you feel. It was the same for me.’

Just as Louise had read a little bit of Belois’ mind, Belois also had a rough idea of why she had insisted on calling Evan a ‘teacher’.

“Louise, you can’t control a person’s mind. I can’t do that either.”

‘Perhaps you’re no different.’ Belois swallowed the aftertaste in her mouth. Louise, who couldn’t read her thoughts, replied with a stiff look.

“I didn’t mean it that way. I’m just saying that you, Belois, don’t have to worry.”

“Yes, I understand. Oh, just in time, the people you need to know…”

If one were to drag this topic on for a long time, you would only reveal your dark inner thoughts. Belois thought and tried to turn her head to find another topic, and just in time, she saw Eloa of the Phoenix Guild standing on the other side of the street.

“…Mmm?”

“Oh, Belois! I just wanted to meet you guys.”

“Wow, that’s the real Astray!”

“It’s really nice to meet you, seniors!”

A little girl wearing a ponytail, with a much darker blue color than Eloa’s said.

“I’ve always wanted to see you! Half the stories about Sherden were about Astray! So, if you’ll excuse me for seeing you for the first time!”

She ran straight to Belois, bowed her head, and listened. She was extremely cheerful, confident, and so anxious that she tried to hide, but couldn’t resist.

“Please, let me join Astray!”

Renail, the main heroine of Yo-Ma Great War 3, was there.

* * *

Meanwhile, at that time, Evan was busy enjoying a date with Arisha.

“Evan, hehehe.”

“You planned this beforehand, haven’t you?

“Come on, come on. Ahhh!”

Evan couldn’t overcome Arisha’s anticipative expression while holding the bread baked with honey at his mouth, so he opened his mouth a little and bit it, acquiring some honey on his lips in the process. Honey also fell from Arisha’s eyes, looking at it.

“I’ll clean it up for you.”

“It’s okay. I have a handkerchief.”

“There’s something better than a handkerchief.”

Arisha’s lips came up, and stole his lips before he could say it was okay. Not long, but not short. Perhaps this was the first kiss she had ever had on her lips.

He seemed a little surprised whether it was done on impulse, but soon a pleased smile spread on his face. His cheeks were tainted a little red.

“Huh, I did it.”

“Where is your face of ‘nobility’ now?”

“Evan, everything in the world is important. And for me now, the face of the aristocrat is not that important compared to your touch.”

She was definitely not this active before, but how did she change like this? Was this also a Maybell phenomenon? Evan didn’t feel so bad about it, though.

“It’s delicious. I think there’s still some on your lips. Can I have some more?”

“Hey, cut it out. People are watching.”

Evan protected himself from the fairly strong push and instead wiped the honey from her mouth. Arisha grumbled and ate the bread gently.

“Well, well… This side is good too.”

“Anyway….”

“But Evan, I guess you and Belois already kissed.”

“Kpphh!”

Arisha had always stabbed him at such unexpected moments. Evan, who heard her question, coughed and felt embarrassed, looked back at her, and Arisha spoke casually.

“Your guard wasn’t this loose before. You’ve given me access because you’ve already kissed Belois once or more. Am I right?”

“…Yes.”

Evan had become a bastard no matter how he answered. It couldn’t be helped because he was actually a son of a gun.

When Evan finally bowed his head and admitted this, Arisha shook her hands as if she didn’t care.

“I was the one who interfered between you and Belois in the first place. Thank you for letting me into your heart. So don’t be sorry for no reason. If you can afford it, please love me more.”

“I, you, ugh….”

“Evan, I love you.”

“You…!”

‘You said you were too embarrassed to say this! ‘

Arisha clasped her arms and clung to him.

“I’m going to get a clear score when we’re alone. I’m a bit intense today, right?”

“Yes, you are definitely on fire.”

Evan said this, but he changed his posture and pulled Arisha closer. A young smile deepened around Arisha’s mouth.

Eyes were pouring around, but people who remembered Evan walking down the street yesterday, and the day before yesterday, and the day before were just nodding their heads.

“It must be Arisha’s turn today. She suits him very well.”

“They’re engaged. That’s normal.”

“I can’t believe you changed your partner every day and dated with confidence, you’re really a master, Evan. He’s doing things we can’t even imagine! I shudder at that, and yet I admire it!”

There was a lot of noise here and there. Evan raised his head to say something to the bad guys who were watching Evan’s date/patrol instead of enjoying the festival.

“Uh.”

“Listen.”

“Uh, uh…”

“I discovered him.”

“Discovered who? What are you talking about, Evan?”

He had caught sight of a tall, yet young-looking boy.

There was no room for doubt. The moment he saw him, he felt sure of this.

Although the appearance could be set differently by customizing users, he was nevertheless certain. This was because his appearance was set by himself in the past.

“Uhhhhhhhh…”

But why, as much as Evan, he seemed surprised to see Evan.

The expression ‘shock’ was appropriate for his expression now. An expression that seemed to have come to know something beyond belief.

“Oh, so…”

Evan felt embarrassed, but he opened his mouth to respond to common sense.

“Sigh.”

The boy had then passed out. He fainted on the spot and didn’t get up for a while.

This was Evan’s first meeting with ‘Must Save’, the main character of Yo-Ma Great War 3.