Evan D. Sherden Forms a Sub-Party (2)

It was an energetic and strong morning. The training wizard, Renail, rose from her seat with an excited expression.

One of the members of Astray, a mysterious beauty with reddish-black hair…… Belois, the Blood Witch, promised to give her the answer she wanted today.

“She is really strong…”

Renail, who had recalled Belois’ spirit on the festival day, shook lightly.

The beautiful girl was just walking on the street in a normal way (she must have been around the age of 16!). The magic from her body was constantly circulating so that it could be invoked at any time in case of emergency.

The majestic flow of magic seemed pure like the sea. Neatly refined, magic was constantly evolving into something more mysterious, hovering in the arms of a little girl.

Renail was able to get a little realization of the magic’s operation just by seeing it.

“How could she have gained such ridiculous power at the same age as mine? It’s probably because Evan D. Sherden taught you himself…!”

The story of Evan D. Sherden, the second son of the Marquis, who ruled the dungeon city of Sherden, was shaking the whole continent.

His cunning business talent was often overlooked because of his agent Maybell, but aside from that, his achievements were truly remarkable.

The Silk Line noblemen widely knew that the members of the self-reliant Astray Knights had protected Sherden and Pellati from the Demons three years ago and defeated the Kraken, who had just stormed the Silk Line’s Ocean Party.

Three years ago, Renail was also in Pellati on the day of the Demon Invasion.

Although she had been training magic, she could not compete with the Demons in practice, so she was just shivering and hiding with other students in the hiding place in the tower.

‘When I was holding my breath, I was waiting for my death.’

However, at a moment when death seemed imminent, she couldn’t overcome the fear and looked up. With this, she saw a group of red flames embroiling the sky.

With the fear of dominating her, a group of flames had burned the Demon tribe.

This had left a deep mark on her psyche. The throbbing sensation in her heart was a desire for true strength and a yearning.

‘It’s not a playful firework. It’s a real blaze of brilliance and strength. The one that burned all the Demons! Evan D. Sherden must have created that……! I want to learn that power. I want to be a master of the world!’

Of course, Evan indeed summed up many of the beasts in Pellati at once with the power of Heaven’s Press and Heaven’s Step, but it was Belois, no one else, who had created a flame and swept through the Demons.

So now Renail had a minor misunderstanding, but it would not be resolved until someone would tell her.

“Madam, give me breakfast!”

“Twenty copper coins.”

“No, that’s so expensive!”

“If you’re not going to eat, starve!”

Although she dreamt of becoming a great wizard, she was now haggling with the owner of the inn and the main chef for breakfast.

Renail, who had failed to strike a bargain, sighed whilst eating bread that had cracked like a dry rice field, and some soup that looked like a cow had dipped its hind legs in.

“Give me more meat.”

“I swear there is no more.”

Originally she had received help from the tower, but she had consumed nearly half of the money during her trip in the last several months, and the other half was spent on simple protective gear and harnesses.

She regretted not having bought the protective gear. Nevertheless, she shook her head.

‘This is essential to protect your life. Even if I run out of money, if I can join Astray, everything will be fine.…! I admire my thorough preparation and enthusiasm!’

In Astray, this kind of protective gear would be the worst piece of scrap, but of course, Renail did not know this.

It was then that the inn door opened, and she could see someone coming inside. Even Renail, who was confident in her appearance, could see that it was a beautiful noblewoman.

“Oh, you look like a noblewoman. Why do you come?”

“Pretty….”

In the busy morning hours, people who were still inside the inn chattered about her.

She was different from the people here. It often felt like a kind of intense charisma that aristocrats might possess.

“Oh, I know. She joined Astray this time.”

“I heard it, too! Master Evan’s new concubine…… Wow.”

“Oh, you’re really pretty. I mean, you’re so beautiful. I’m sure the knights were picked based on their looks.”

When Renail heard that, she could only nod. Now they could see the metal badge on her coat. It was a badge proving that she was indeed an Astray member.

Comfortable reddish-brown hair wavy around the shoulder, shiny eyes like a gemstone. A beautiful woman with a strong and solid impression like a finely trimmed statue. Transparent crystal earrings that hung only on one ear looked great on her. The high-quality red velvet top and black leather skirt clearly emphasized her body line. The leather belt around her waist was the pinnacle.

However, one surprising thing was that a shortsword had been hung on the leather belt.

“Oh, there you are.”

She was facing Renail. Even knowing that she had an appointment to meet with Astray, Renail was so embarrassed that she ended up making a stupid remark.

“Huh? Me?”

“I was with Belois the other day. You don’t remember me, do you?”

“Oh, well, I see. I’m sorry, I only saw you then….”

In truth, Renail was struggling to speak to her. However, the new member of Astray, Louise, smiled and nodded understandingly at her.

“Belois is beautiful. She’s strong, too.”

“Yes, yes! I can feel the flow of magic is so strong!”

“Belois said that just being able to feel it is enough to be a wizard.”

“Really!”

A deep smile spread around Renail’s lips. What a positive assessment! Then, was she really joining Astray? If she did, it would be goodbye to the soup that tastes like murky water!

“Ahh. Ma’am, can I get a meal here?”

“Huh…?”

Contrary to her expectations, however, Louise sat in the opposite direction from her and ordered a meal from the innkeeper. The owner of the inn also felt embarrassed.

“We don’t have good meat here…”

She repeatedly checked to see if the soup would be all right, but Louise just nodded with a bitter smile.

“I know. I have a lot of experience, so don’t worry.”

“Oh, I see.”

The innkeeper shuddered inwardly. Renail then asked Louise, trying to ignore the scream of tension and fear in the kitchen.

“Well… if you’re with Astray, you’ll eat a lot more delicious things than this.”

“Of course. The teacher gives us good food every day… No, because we eat the same thing the Master eats.”

“Master Evan!”

Renail cheered whenever Evan was mentioned. Louise stared at Renail with a slightly bored look. This was because she didn’t know that she would react so blatantly.

“Do you eat the same thing? Do we have meals in the same place as him?”

“Yes.”

“Ahhhh!”

The high-shrill cheers that only a middle school girl who went to her favorite boy idol’s concert would make, knocked on Louise’s ears.

“Here’s your meal, knight. It’s going to be terrible compared to what you usually eat…”

“It won’t be terrible, thank you.”

The inn owner, who grasped the situation roughly through his conversation with Renail, trembled whilst preparing the food.

It was the same price as Renail’s, but Louise’s soup contained several large chunks of meat.

Renail stared at the innkeeper, but then she turned to the kitchen, ignoring her gaze. She then looked back at Louise whilst holding back her anger. This was not the time to be obsessed with a few pieces of meat.

“Well… Why are you eating this here if you’re in league with Evan?”

“It’s related to what I’m going to tell you from now on.”

Louise began her full-fledged explanation, eating the usual soup that didn’t fit her elegant atmosphere as if she was feeling quite familiar with it.

“As you know, joining Astray is not that simple. Of course, I think you’re talented enough, but… You can’t just choose a partner who has the greatest talent. You understand this, don’t you?”

“Oh, yes… of course.”

Renail nodded with an expression that stated that she didn’t understand at all. That was because it was a well-known fact that Louise had joined Astray as soon as she entered the city.

Some even said that Louise was the woman Evan secretly raised to avoid people’s eyes, but only a few believed that. So, of course, Renail’s point of view was forced to think that Evan wanted something from her.

“What should I give him? Faith? Well… I’m ready to do anything. If he wants it, at least my head and body.”

“My teacher doesn’t like that. So I hope you don’t put those kinds of words in your mouth.”

“Oh, I’m sorry!”

However, Louise’s reaction was quite different from what Renail expected. Surprised by her youthful spirit, Renail hit her head reflexively against the table.

Louise sighed and continued, recalling her appearance only a few days ago.

“He wants to take a moment to watch you. Now that he figured out your qualities, he’s going to look into your personality, direction of growth, and the mindset of attacking the dungeon, and I’m here to have a dungeon party with you.”

“Well, you mean me?”

“Yeah. You’re just in time because I have to get into the dungeon….”

If Renail or Must Save hadn’t appeared, she could have entered the dungeon with a light heart under the protection of her teacher…

Louise, who had thought about it, soon shook her head. She didn’t think she could be a fool to Evan forever.

Evan had prepared everything she needed in order to grow up. It would be terrible to ask him to guide her into the Dungeon.

In an environment that fed on everything, there was no way to achieve proper growth. Evan had made the right choice for Louise.

“With a knight.”

“Of course, they’ll provide some support. I will also provide tips on magic training, new magic, and items necessary for exploring dungeons. You’re a backup member of Astray.”

“Reserve Knight!”

‘What a beautiful echo! I am not even an official disciple yet, but you’re going to teach me about magic, which means I’m almost a disciple!’

Renail’s mouth was wide enough to reach her ears.

“Thank you very much! I’d like to thank you, knight……!”

“You know, I’m an apprentice. We’ll keep seeing each other, so you can just call me Louise.”

“Well, I’m 16. Your age…?”

“18 years old.”

“Then I’ll call you Eonni, Louise.”

“…Yes.”

The sound of an older sister was not that bad, Louise thought so reflexively.

“So, Eonni, if you’re having a party with me and I’m qualified to join Astray, are you going to accept me formally then?”

“Of course. My teacher promised me.”

“You’ve been calling Evan ‘teacher’ for a while… Are you working with the Master yourself?”

Louise nodded carelessly to the question. Upon doing so, she could see Renail’s eyes glistening.

“Boo, I envy you! Do you have the talent of being a great wizard? You’ll be my madam when I get into Astray!”

“Huh…? I just use a shortsword and a shield.”

‘Isn’t this kid thinking something about the teacher?’ Louise, who came up with such an idea, replied with a sour look. However, Renail was not daunted.

“Oh, I see. Well, he fostered Sherden’s soldiers and knights. He is perfect in many ways.”

“Uh, yeah, yeah.”

“Anyway, I look forward to your kind cooperation, Eonni! Magicians and shield inspections are good combinations, and I’ve been struggling to find a good party member……!”

The party was complete, and there was nothing more to do now than to prepare the items needed for the dungeon.

At this, Renail stood up and said, “Let’s go to the dungeon,” but Louise shook her head with a serious look.

“There’s still one left.”

“…What?”

Renail was just bait.

Must Save was the main catch.