How to Tame That Gentle Hero - Chapter 8.10

“Ah, my lady. So you receive and process reports from the guild every day? My father processes guild reports every other day… It’s certainly advantageous for the guild to receive reports once a day.”

“Then I have a question too. When you gave orders to eliminate the high-ranking black mage this time, how did you anticipate the opponent’s moves in advance?”

“Well…”

As Resena slowly explained, the listeners continuously expressed their admiration. When she reached the part about how she had made deductions after hearing that a prince was coming to the shop, one young lady was so moved that she even applauded.

“You’re truly amazing. It wouldn’t be easy for anyone to make such deductions.”

“Your brilliance is admirable, my lady. Ah, if it’s all right with you, would you join me for a cup of tea and tell me more about the situation at that time?”

When the young Marquis Grant spoke, other young lords who had been quiet jumped in.

“I’m very curious about that part too… Could you visit the Clare Count’s residence sometime? If that’s inconvenient, I’d like to visit the ducal residence to talk with you. Please, accept my earnest request.”

“Wait, I spoke to the lady first. Please respect the order.”

“What order? This is about which proposal the lady chooses to accept. Order is meaningless.”

“Sigh, this is…”

As it seemed like a fight might break out, Resena looked toward Renard, who was some distance away from her. She sent him a desperate look, but Renard was also surrounded by a crowd of people, so it seemed impossible for him to rescue her.

“Viscount Alken Rawley is entering!”

At that moment, another prey appeared before people’s eyes. Resena quickly walked toward Alken, excusing herself briefly as a means of escape. But when people followed her in droves, Alken’s eyes widened at the sight of Resena, and he soon curled his hand and smiled.

“My, Resena. You look quite busy.”

“Alken. Please save me.”

As they exchanged whispers, they couldn’t avoid the bright, eager gazes of the people around them. Because of this, Resena pulled at Alken’s sleeve while breaking into a cold sweat. Seeing this, Alken’s eyes curved prettily and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

“Excuse me. I need to discuss something with the Duke’s daughter regarding a previous matter, so I ask for your understanding for a moment.”

“Ah…”

“I wanted to talk more with Lady Resena…”

“How disappointing. When do you expect the conversation to end?”

“Well, I just arrived not long ago. It might take a while. If you’ll excuse us.”

Successfully escaping with Alken’s escort, Resena went with him toward the balcony. After entering the balcony and closing the window, Resena leaned against the wide window, visibly exhausted. And then she let out a deep, troubled sigh.

“Hahaha. Why didn’t you entertain them a bit longer? They all gathered because they like Resena.”

“I already entertained them enough. If I had continued any longer, my mouth would have fallen apart.”

“Hahaha. So it was difficult for you. Well, being the center of attention is certainly tiring. You did well.”

As Alken laughed refreshingly, a slight smile appeared on Resena’s tired face. Noble etiquette included not showing a tired expression to the person you were dealing with, but Resena was at the moment when she was barely controlling her facial muscles… Since her exhaustion was about to show, she was relieved by Alken’s help.

“You’re late, Alken. What were you doing that made you late? Did you wait for the right moment to rescue me like this?”

At her teasing words, Alken just chuckled. He glanced up at the stars in the night sky and answered.

“I was delayed because I was talking with His Highness the Crown Prince. It was originally scheduled for 4 o’clock, but the conversation ran long, so I sent a messenger bird to let you know I would be late.”

“Hmm… What did you talk about?”

Alken crossed his arms and continued in a gentle voice.

“Now that the black mages outside the empire have been dealt with, His Highness said it’s time to completely root out the black mages within the empire. He said a large-scale operation will be launched soon.”

“Haven’t you been catching a lot of black mages domestically until now? Since I revealed that the background of the black mages was apostate priests, you’ve been arresting them in great numbers, haven’t you?”

Alken answered with a faint smile.

“That’s true, but the leader of the black mages hasn’t been caught yet, so His Highness said this is the opportunity to root them out completely. …?”

Alken frowned for a moment, then quickly composed his face. Then he approached Resena and bent his head toward her ear. When Resena looked at him questioningly, he whispered softly.

“…It seems that Lady Resena has a mouse following her. I sense someone eavesdropping on our conversation.”

“…!”

“Stay still. I’ll identify the face right away… Please answer my question naturally in a moment.”

“….”

As Resena closed her mouth, Alken slowly lowered his head. Then, with his eyelids slightly lowered, Alken made eye contact with a gray-haired man inside the window. At a glance, the hair and eye color resembled Eldis quite a bit, which surprised Alken slightly, and he immediately raised his head from Resena.

“So, His Highness asked me to inquire if you would be willing to cooperate.”

“Of course, I’m willing to cooperate. In what way did His Highness ask for cooperation?”

Alken stepped back one or two steps from Resena and then continued.

“I’ll tell you about that later. I’ll send a messenger bird, so please respond when you receive it.”

“I understand, Alken.”

Alken was silent for a moment. After some time had passed, Resena also looked up at the sky.

Seeing a comet falling with its long tail made her feel somehow soft inside. Although someone had apparently eavesdropped on their conversation earlier, Alken would handle that well, so she enjoyed this quiet moment in her own way.

“Resena.”

“Yes, Alken.”

Alken smiled faintly and spoke kindly to Resena.

“More people will gather around Resena from now on. Young ladies, young lords, and the gazes of everyone who envies Resena’s abilities will be focused on you. But don’t worry. Resena will be able to handle it well even in the midst of all that.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yes, I do. Much better than Resena herself thinks.”

They looked at each other. But soon, they both looked up at the starry sky. Watching another comet draw its tail and fall, Resena spoke.

“But I do need people to help me. I couldn’t do it properly if there weren’t people by my side helping me. In that regard, Alken, can you always respond when I ask for help?”

He answered with a full smile.

“Of course, I’ll help you anytime. Besides, achieving merits by helping Resena is one of my wishes. And I find it pleasing when each of Resena’s ideas proves correct.”

“Alken…”

“Being beside a genius is, in some ways, one of the elements that can make one feel jealous. But rather than that jealousy, I’d prefer to be immersed in the joy of living in the same era, watching that genius.”

“….”

“Resena. You are close to being a genius advisor. Following your thoughts will continue to be a pleasure for me, but as your acquaintance, I hope you never stop.”

“Alken.”

“Whatever situation you face in the process, people who think like me will assist you, so never give up. Besides, people with genius like Resena are the stars that change this era to be a happier one.”

‘Alken…’

He truly is a good person. Really. Resena looked down at Alken for a moment, but he just gazed up at the stars with a refreshing smile.

And soon the clouds cleared, and the moon revealed itself.

The round moon indicated that it was close to a full moon now. Resena closed her eyes and made a wish.

Please help me completely prevent the destruction of the world.

And give me the strength to live among kind people like Alken.

And…

‘Vernas…’

If I could hold his hand together with Eldis, this heart split in two would continue to draw a circle of happiness.

‘But if that’s impossible, I…’