(EP-149.1) Aspect #2

149 – New Aspect #2

Sunday morning.

Those who had experienced waking up on an early Sunday morning would understand.

The unusual tranquility of the cool and still air.

The peacefulness unique to Sunday mornings.

Amidst such peace, there laid a picture-perfect scene between the sheets.

Saegeun, saegeun.

“…….”

Perhaps not wanting to disturb that sleep, even the birds remained silent, and not a single breeze flowed through the window.

Indeed, it was beautiful.

Was the Sleeping Beauty like this? No, I quickly changed my mind.

This was more reminiscent of Snow White, who fell into deep slumber when she ate the poisoned apple.

It was a combination of eerie beauty that didn’t belong to the realm of the living. With that said, I instinctively reached my hand towards her delicate little nose.

Seureuk, seureuk.

At the tip of my fingers, I felt a small breeze, like the flutter of a baby bird’s wings. Proof that Aira was breathing. She, Aira, was still in this world.

A life that would have burnt out like a bright candlelight if it had been the original.

A life only possible because of my hand.

I twisted her fate and brought back the life that was supposed to end tragically. With this being the case, wouldn’t it only be fair for me to claim some ownership of this beauty?

I playfully imagined that I might have a stake in Aira’s life. In a way, I was like a major shareholder of Aira.

“Mhmm.”

Seureureuk.

Aira tossed and turned on her side. Thanks to this, the half-lowered blanket exposed the white and immaculate skin of her chest under her black blouse.

How could a Queen be so defenseless?

I felt a mischievous desire rising within me, but I forcefully suppressed it as I gently parted my lips.

“Aira-nim.”

Seureureu.

Aira’s eyes slowly opened. She blinked her long, black lashes a few times, and said in a drowsy and wistful voice.

“Oh, I see… It was just a dream…”

“What dream was it?”

“Well, it was there in my mind just a moment ago. But, for some reason, I can’t seem to recall it now.”

“I see.”

Dreams were inherently volatile. Even a slight disturbance could cause them to wither like dried leaves blown away by the wind.

Seureuk.

Aira got up and adjusted her clothes.

“But, it was still an interesting dream.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Would you like a change of clothes?”

“Yes. I think I’ll go with Nymph Black for today’s color.”

“Nymph Black, understood.”

Seukseuk.

Aira stretched her limbs and yawned. Her appearance reminded me of Keongkeong, and I couldn’t help but feel a slight affection.

I quickly dressed Aira, who seemed half-awake, and combed her hair gently with a brush.

Aira was like a living doll, accepting my touch without resistance and obediently following along. It came natural to her, as she lived her life without any worry of changing clothes on her own.

Elga, Mirna, and Professor Stella all grew up as nobles.

In the case of Aira, she suited the image of a flower in a greenhouse better than anyone else.

To think that such a girl would end up in the gallows.

I suddenly became curious about what Aira might have been thinking just before her execution. Because the original story was strictly narrated from the perspective of the protagonist, the Hunter.

What did Aira, who didn’t even change her own stockings, think at the end of her life? I didn’t know. I couldn’t even know what Aira was thinking right now.

How did the young Queen perceive the world?

What would I look like in her eyes?

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Aira, meeting my gaze, gently stroked my head and cheeks.

Seukseukseuk.

It felt like a mother comforting a child or an owner petting their large dog.

A one-sided act of interest and affection flowing down from above.

An affectionate gesture without any ulterior motives or hidden intentions…

* * *

Aira and I strolled around the perimeter of Ark.

There were no bustling city streets, only a peculiar Half-Fairy servant and an unassuming path. There was no red carpet strewn with flowers. Yet, merely by walking, Aira turned this old block road into a Queen’s procession route.

─It’s Tarantera.

─Is she on a walk?

As we walked, people who were out early in the morning stopped in their tracks or stepped aside to watch us.

Although this was not the first time Aira attracted attention while taking a stroll, I still couldn’t help feeling a bit uncomfortable from all the one-sided gaze.

Of course, Aira just took all the attention and stared directed at her as if everything was normal and didn’t pay it much heed.

Seureureu.

The wind rustled through Aira’s black ebony hair. She said as she fixed the stray strands.

“Come to think of it, a messenger pigeon arrived from the capital last night.”

“A messenger pigeon from the capital? Was it from Lord Reinhardt?”

“Correct~.”

Lord Reinhardt, Elga’s father and the Prime Minister, who was currently managing the kingdom, sent a messenger pigeon to the Queen.

He could do whatever, but it felt a little strange that he didn’t convey the message through me but chose to send a direct letter to the Queen.

“What did it say?”

“It was a mundane report about the current situation. It mentioned bandit groups causing trouble within the country and the boring complaints of pretentious nobles.”

It was apparently so boring, Aira burned the letter after reading.

… Was it just a formality report?

Although I couldn’t read the content of the letter myself, judging from Aira’s words, it didn’t seem to be a significant issue.

Anyway, since Aira, who was the root of Angmar’s troubles, was away, I assumed everything would be fine.

“And there was also a report about sending reinforcement to the barrier.”

“Reinforcement?”

“It seems that the attacks from the shadow legion on the barrier have intensified a bit. The report mentioned deploying the Lioness’ Golden Army.”

‘I see.’

The massive barrier, situated above the Great Forest in the North, was the first stronghold protecting this civilized society from savagery and brutality.

At some point after Aira’s death, the barrier collapsed, and the shadow legion began to flood the kingdom as well as the entire continent.

According to the original story, around this summer, Aira was fated to be executed. Soon after, the barrier would collapse, leading to the destruction of the world.

The setting was that the rebellions and various incidents occurring everywhere kept the Angmar forces preoccupied, leaving no room to attend to the barrier.

Consequently, the Demon King’s remnant forces, the Shadow Legion, pierced through and the world faced ruin.

On the other hand…

The current situation allowed for easy suppression of the rebellions, and the forces could be fully utilized. It was fortunate that there was room to deal with the unsettling events happening at the barrier.

If it collapsed, everywhere except for Ark would be plunged into chaos.

Unintentionally, I had already played a significant role in saving the world.

The unnoticed hero, Theo Gospel!

Just as my imagination was in full swing, someone blocked our path.

“Excuse me.”

It was a man dressed in golden armor, holding a massive lance and wearing a magnificent tiger helmet. The platinum brooch hanging on his chest was shaped like the Roman Numeral III.

It meant one thing.

He was a top-ranked expert in the Ark’s ladder. If Elga was 5th and Mirna was 6th, then he would be ranked 3rd.

Jolgeurok.

Kneeling before Aira, the man in golden armor addressed her with great humility.

“I am Windmill’s Knight, Verdonas. Your Majesty, the Queen of Angmar. If it is not impertinent of me, I would like to request some guidance.”