Sigrid - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Arcana

Veramood was reading a personnel report. 

‘Why are you doing something you haven’t been doing?’ was the thought of Nas, the vice commander of the squad. Veramood did not say anything, so he did not ask anything. He just handed out the letter he brought to Veramood.

“The bill for the loss of clothes, please send it to your house, not here.”

“Huh? Bill? Where?”

“This, the violet boutique.”

“Huh? We don’t use that place?”

Confused, Veramood ripped open the envelope and took the bill out. 

[Silver Button: 4]

“Ah.”

He didn’t think she really wouldn’t let it go.

“Stingy.”

“Yes?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Veramood then roughly shoved the bill into his pocket. “How many aura users are there who are coming to our squad?”

“Other than Captain and I, there are four people in total. The two of them lived close was nearby. How can you not know this?”

“I know, I’m just asking to confirm.”

“Let’s say that you are.”

“I found an aura user.”

Nas face showed he was interested. “Have you recruited him?”

“Yeah, i have, but i got rejected.”

“the other recruitted him first?”

“No, I was the first. But, the reason for rejection is a bit funny…. She’s young and pretty, but the way she’s thinking is like someone living 200 years ago.”

“It might felt discriminatory that I constantly use different word, but is that person a woman?”

“Yes.”

“If it’s a female aura core user, she’s the first one.”

“Yeah, and, just turned twenty.”

Nas couldn’t help but be surprised hearing that. It was because that fell within the scope of genius.

“I want to recruit her in before the 2nd and 3rd squads’ fight.”

“It’s not a fight, it is a battle increasing the friendship.”

“That or that.”

“Well, that’s right.” Nas meekly admitted. 

The Imperial Knight was divided into eight squads, each squad had its own command system. However, they still had their own ranks. The 1st squad was the strongest, and it was a de facto unit under the emperor’s side. In fact, in case of an emergency, the 1st squad leader has the authority to give orders to all squad leaders. And 2nd and 3rd squad were the ones who hated seeing this the most. As a result, they were not on good terms. In the regular sparring held once a month, they always did their best to somehow try to beat the 1st squad. Which of course, 1st squad was also doing everything they could to win. This kind of bad rivalry was not uncommon between them. It was long-established since Imperial Knight was created.

“I’d like to bring her here before the other squads take her.”

“Then why did she reject you?”

“She hasn’t decided yet who she would serve as her master.”

“Oh, that’s a novel answer.”

“Right?”

“Yes.”

‘That’s a good rejection phrase,’ was what was repeated in Nas’ head. It was a hassle to refuse to be scouted without hurting the other’s pride, but saying that phrase, there would be no problem.

“I have to say that the interesting part of it is that it is sincere.”

Veramood murmured while closing the report. ‘So square.’

“There isn’t a tree that doesnt’ fall after being tried to hew down ten times, right?”

“Well, I’m sure that would be annoying. Cheer up, captain.” Nas replied with a smile in his eyes. 

***

Bang bang—

The maid named Mary ran down to the front door after hearing the sound of knocking on the knocker. The young lady newly introduced by Master Morris was gentle, she did not talk too much, no wage arrears. Basically, she was the best lady for an employer. So, of course, Mary also opened the door with the attitude of the best employee.

“Welcome.”

“Is this the house of Sir Ankertna?”

“Yes.”

“It’s Lunatil, Imperial Knight’s Captain.”

“Please come in this way.” Mary guided Veramood to the drawing-room with her best posture she could think of. Although maybe she dressed a bit colorful to mimic the behavior of a knight, she thought at least her walk should be a bit similar to it.

There was no other sound besides their walking in the house. 

The house that used to be so simple was now decorated well. It was obviously thanks to the help of Marisuez and Rowen Green that Sigrid finally thought of the interior of her house. 

After looking around the house, Veramood sat down on the sofa. 

After a while, Sigrid walked into the drawing-room with a dissatisfied face at a glance.

“I came here without an invitation, sorry.”

“It’s an apology that doesn’t even feel like you’re sorry, but I accept it.”

“Then, let’s get to the point, I’ve read your personal report and evaluation.”

“….”

“Can you not not see me with that kind of look? as if I committed an illegal activity? Hey, I have the authority.”

“It isn’t like that, but… would you like some tea first?”

Just because the other person was not polite, it didn’t mean she should be unpolite too. 

“Great.”

“Mary, please give us some tea.”

“Yes, my lady.” 

As Mary retreated, Sigrid took a seat across from him. 

“How are the wounds?”

“The cracks were treated by the healer. Bruising takes time.”

“No, the core.”

Oh, then Sigrid nodded her head. “The core is fine too.”

“Is it still?”

“Yes?”

“Is it still in my color?”

Was this person like this? The Veramood Sigrid knew was not like this. He was an incisive, ferocious, violent, genius, and unusually sarcastic person. This kind of ‘sexual harassment’ was out of the ordinary. 

“Yes, it is still there.”

Why did he even ask even though he knew? Sigrid was a bit annoyed. She knew Veramood had good “eyes”. There was a saying that his eyes were strange. He could see or read the flow of someone’s aura. That was why the position of her aura core was easily identified by him. 

“It would be rude if I ask you to show me.”

“If you know, don’t say it out loud.”

“Ah… Sigrid is a bit difficult.”

“Don’t even call me by my name.”

Veramood smiled while leaning his upper body on the sofa. His red and blue eyes were full of playfulness. He was wearing a black slim-fit suit. But it was a very ambiguous outfit to even call it a formal suit. His outfit was mixed between leather and fabric. From his neck to his hand, except his head, there was nowhere to see his bare skin, but somehow he was more like a gangster. 

On the contrary, although Sigrid wore a baggy shirt and a trouser, and with only wearing slippers at that, she exuded the atmosphere of being a ‘knight’.

And Veramood was curious about that. 

‘Is it because she has an upright posture?’

“So the thing is….”

“Yes.”

“You said you haven’t decided your master yet.”

“Right.”

“Then, why don’t you join the Imperial Knight?”

“Why is it connected like that?”

“Because the Imperial Knight is in the center of the imperial palace.” Veramood smiled vigorously. “You could see and check all the people who could be your master.”

Sigrid took a deep breath. What he said was right. The 2nd knight order could only enter the second area of the imperial palace. If she wanted to know more about the key figures of this country, at least, the easiest way was to have a position that gave her access to be closer to those people. 

As Sigrid was thinking, Mary and another maid came with a tray. They put down the teacups and napkins, poured tea, and then backed off. 

Veramood slowly drank the tea while Sigrid thought silently

“I think I need more time to think about this.” Sigrid held up a cup of tea, waking up from her thoughts. There were things that she hadn’t finished yet. Besides, joining Imperial Knight made her uncomfortable, since it was the same step like she did in the past.

“As you please.” Veramood replied lightly. 

‘I didn’t think you would decide it right away anyway.’

Veramood got up from his seat after having finished the cup of tea. “Then, I’ll get going.”

“Yes, take care of yourself.”

“Don’t you usually hold the guest on?”

“Do you want to be held on?”

“No…, I mean, how could you say that so frankly? My my..”

“You’re the one who asked such a blatant question first.”

 “Don’t be like this, too tiring, enjoy your life.” Veramood slightly waved his hand and left the front door.

Sigrid sighed deeply.