Louise Merdin, Heed the Calling (2)

The news of Louise receiving a call from Beifeka spread throughout Sherden, Silk Line, and Mana Road. Surely, Evan’s intention was also included in the story. He aimed to firmly establish the causal relationship between Beifeka, Merdin, and Louise before Beifeka put on their tricks, which brought about an unexpected result.

“So, Master Evan took care of the lady named Louise.”

“Ha, I mistook her for an ordinary concubine since she looked weak compared to the other members. She is a concubine that brings forth a territory!”

“Hey, not a concubine but a legal wife!”

“Didn’t you know how many achievements she’s fulfilled during the last incident? I’m not sure, but she surely is loved by Master Evan!”

“As expected from Master Evan. From the esteemed Lady Arisha of Pellati to another esteemed lady from Merdin! The three dungeon cities might be unified under Master Evan!”

Nonsense rumors about Evan increased. Since before, all female members of Astray experienced rumors about being in a relationship with Evan. As Louise’s identity was revealed, such rumors became wilder! And if Evan denied it, that might give an advantage to Beifeka in cornering Louise. So, he couldn’t deny or confirm the rumor, which left him with nothing at all to do.

“Damn.”

Evan’s eyes looked dead as he realized that the rumor had reached its peak. He didn’t want to confront Louise’s emotions as they seem somewhat dark, but…

“What do you think? Shall we stop it? Or leave it be?”

“Based on the course of actions Master has been taking so far, you’ll know the answer.”

Raihan spoke as he was sitting across Evan, sipping on a tea brewed from leaves that were only obtainable in the dungeon’s deep floors.

“Master extremely hates rejecting anyone. Perhaps that is because of his fear of being despised by others…”

“Argh.”

That sure was a creepy yet precise comment. There were a lot of circumstances where Evan was passive in his romantic relationships. The reason behind it was the unforgettable memory from Yo-Ma Great War 3. He was hurt when he was rejected cold-heartedly and was hurt again when he was a two-timer. That was why he was always vague in his reactions to women. Although he knew that such an attitude couldn’t leave a good impression on others, that was the only thing he could do.

“Of course, you’ve become better now.”

“Well…yeah.”

Everything changed when he ignored the game scenario and decided to embrace Arisha. Arisha was thankful to him for having her on board. Evan was able to gain confidence in himself because she firmly told him so. “That might be it. He tried to cut off any light relationships, but he gave up and accepted them once he realized they were serious. Viscount Maybell and Princess Serena were the proof for that. Raihan looked like he had gotten better with words after his marriage, as Evan agreed.

“I may be rude in pointing this out, but…you are someone that’s capable of loving many people at the same time.”

“Sorry. I deserve to die.”

“I don’t want to denounce you, so I won’t comment further on that. What I’m trying to say is about Ms. Louise.”

Raihan emptied his glass. Serpina, who sat quietly by his side, refilled it right away.

“Thank you. Hmm…Master, I’ll get straight to the point. Ms. Louise is obsessed with you. Perhaps love is at its center, but even without it, she would still be obsessed with you. Killing her would be easier than making her give up that obsession.”

Evan gave up.

“But if I bound her only as of the Marquess of Merdin, I’ll get to see her a few times only…”

“And yet, I know that you will treat her well once you marry her.”

Well, Evan agreed to that, too. Was it because he remembered too many tragic death scenes? He could do nothing about his love for a person once he was assured that the person loved him.

“…Do I look like a spineless person?”

“Don’t test my loyalty, Master.”

“Well, you just killed me with your words, didn’t you!?”

Evan grumbled as he drank his tea. Belois spoke quietly as she refilled his cup.

“The conversation that just took place here, never tell it to Diona.”

“Well, that’s given, but…it seems like you are very alerted by her lately, aren’t you?”

“To borrow an expression from Mr. Raihan, ‘It’s the last opportunity to cut her off.’”

Belois pouted her lips and added, “There are too many already.” Evan almost kissed her for she was being too cute, but he remembered that he was with the company.

“Belois may also be perceived as a disturbance to some people.”

Serpina interrupted as she quietly listened to the conversation. Belois sneered and replied back.

“Unnie, you wouldn’t know since you only have one competitor.”

“Wait, it seems like you are saying Raihan has fewer women because he lacks something!”

“Although you are blinded by love…don’t tell me you are trying to compare our Master with Mr. Raihan, are you?”

Since when did they judge a man based on the number of women he could attract? Evan wanted to argue so bad, but Serpina stood up while slamming the table.

“Hmph! My Raihan looks better on photos than yours, doesn’t he!?”

“Both of you…could you give us a moment, please?”

Evan smiled a little and had those two ladies exit the room. Raihan was giggling amid that situation.

“I’m really glad that Belois looks happy.”

“She has always been happy.”

“Well, she might be when she is with you…but I didn’t know if she could treat others openly. She seemed to have changed at some point, so when could that be?”

Raihan laughed quietly. As Evan knew when it happened, he bluntly started to change the topic. In fact, he looked for Raihan for this reason.

“As you know, Hyung…when Louise’s party comes back from the dungeon, they have to participate once more. And you need to be with us this time. We plan on defeating the Demon King.”

“I’m ready.”

“Are you sure? …Both of them are pregnant.”

“There is still time; it will be enough. And by then, both will be in the stable period…”

Raihan shrugged before continuing.

“And we will be done in a day for this task too.”

“Hell no! I was really lucky with the Volcanic Desert, so I was able to finish it quickly, you know!?”

“So. is the Demon King stronger or weaker than the phoenix?”

“We-weaker…”

Evan had to accept his defeat. Raihan gave a relaxed smile and accepted his victory.

“So, you don’t need to be sorry for me. Both of my wives are important, but the person whom I need to protect first is you, Master.”

“…Although I appreciate your words, if someone else hears about it, I believe some weird rumor will start to spread.”

* * *

As Louise’s party and the Junior group were stuck in the dungeon, the Senior group and Name’s party fulfilled their tasks as Astray Knights. Supposedly, the burdens on Name’s party had grown bigger due to the expedition to the Volcanic Desert. Still, thanks to the swift completion of the expedition, there was much free time, and Evan used it to guide Name’s party.

“I don’t understand! I don’t!”

“Even if you don’t, just swing it like this! This is what it means to kill something!”

“I am tired of following the damn orders…so, why are my abilities growing at a speed that even I don’t understand!?”

Name and his members received Evan’s special training during their times of defiance, so they were really noisy. But it didn’t last long.

“Master shines the most when he beats…no, I mean, teaches someone.”

“It’s because he’s got a lot of wome-…I mean talents.”

“Did you just try to say women?”

“Shut up, Shine.”

Two months’ worth of time was very precious to the Senior group. It was their last preparation before the battle with the Demon King. They swung their weapons wholeheartedly, practiced magic, loved their lovers, hunted slimes, played with their lovers in bed, fulfilled their duties as knights… played with their lovers beside the bed, hunted slimes. And Mirole and Maybell drank alcohol together. Diona seemed to join in later. Evan was uneasy with them gathering together, but he couldn’t stop them.

“Wow, Master! Your necklace is shining!”

“At last? It sure took its time.”

And after a month passed, one of the two jewels in Miraseul’s necklace started to shine. Now there was just one more jewel left in the necklace that didn’t. What would happen once it did as well? All of the Senior group members, who were stuck with Evan in hunting slimes, waited for that moment to come. Another month passed, and they had summoned and hunted endless numbers of slime in a vast area with Name’s party onboard; nonetheless, the last jewel didn’t shine. Instead, the Astray Junior group returned after completing the dungeon.

“Whoa, outside at last!”

“We are now maxed level as well, Commander!”

“Vice-Commander, I’m glad that you’ve returned safely!”

People would sneer when they saw that children of fourteen and fifteen years old had completely conquered the dungeon. And Evan didn’t announce it because he knew about it. Instead, he sparred with the members of the Junior group 1v1, and he was satisfied.

“With this, you can run away from the Demon King.”

“I just hope they won’t hunt down monsters on their own.”

And a day after that, Louise’s party also returned. They had completed the dungeon and reached the max level. It was uncertain, but it probably was the period with the most number of dungeon conquerors. Evan spoke keenly.

“Regardless of the numbers, it’s actually the first time there have been people that cleared the dungeon for the first time, Master.”

“Ah, you’re right.”

“Master.”

Louise’s eyes were sparkling as she left behind Save’s party to report to Evan.

“I was previously informed by the transmitter that an envoy from Beifeka had arrived.”

“Yup, Louise. Like you said. We have the opportunity. A chance to take back Merdin by yourself.”

“Aaaah…!”

Louise’s obsidian eyes sparkled passionately. Evan noticed the insanity that dwelled in them.

“It’s all thanks to you, Master!”

Evan smiled bitterly at her words.

“Nah, I just prepared the stage. You have to perform well from now on if you want to be recognized as the rightful owner of Merdin. Are you ready for it?”

“Dancing on the stage which you’ve prepared, absolutely.”

Louise answered without hesitation.

“I’m confident that I’ll do better than anyone else on the stage. I won’t let you down, Master.”

“Sure, I feel reassured.”

“And so…”

In her timid voice at the end, Evan realized Raihan was right.

“After reclaiming Merdin…I want a reward from you.”

“Reward.”

“Yes. I feel too shy, so I can’t say it now, but I want to know that I’m loved by you, Master…”

‘I can’t refuse this girl.’

Perhaps he would get hurt by refusing her.

“I will do my best so…including, what I’ve done before…”

“All right.”

Evan smiled. He had no choice but to smile.

“I’ll do as you please.”

Louise was excited by his words, and she nodded. Evan faced her stunning smile and decided to wear another layer of armor for his stomach, just in case. The next day, Evan brought the entire force of the Astray Knighthood, excluding Name’s party, and left Sherden.