How to Tame That Gentle Hero - Chapter 9.7

“……”

“As I said before, you are doing well. But that has only delayed the time of imminent destruction, not changed the entire future you will live in. If Eldis does not doubt and distinguish people according to his intuition, and thus easily underestimates human selfishness and fails to realize that the world has both beautiful and ugly aspects… he will become another demon king leading to world destruction until another Sword Master appears to defeat him.”

Resena bit her lip hard. Sernaus continued quietly.

“The black mages are no longer important. Of course, it is necessary to eradicate them so they cannot realize the advent of the demon king. The same goes for Tom Baker. I believe you will handle it well. But what must not be excluded is that Eldis must gain experience from capturing them. The experience of being suspicious of humans and of evil intentions to protect precious people.”

“……”

“Your advice is so useful that it makes Eldis and the people around you feel they’ve reached perfection. But sometimes, with imperfect advice, you must let Eldis directly face dangerous situations. Only then will Eldis realize how he should act. Right now… you’re only making Eldis dependent on you.”

Quietly, Resena looked up at him. Sernaus smiled faintly as if trying to comfort her. But in that smile, there was an indelible sadness.

Although he was a secular god, he had his own affection for humans.

‘Even if he accepts human worship to gain divinity, the fact that he tells me about such principles and tries to persuade me to prevent human destruction speaks of his attachment to humans.’

And that deep attachment must be creating emotions.

“I feel sorry for asking such an important task of you… Besides, you have done well enough so far, so it might be difficult to deliberately create less adequate advice. But don’t forget that sometimes dangerous experiences become the power that helps Eldis grow.”

Sernaus slowly reached out and stroked Resena’s head. Then, three white flowers beautifully formed where his hand touched. Clearly wanting to make her aware of it, Sernaus took Resena’s hand and made her touch the buds with her fingertips.

“But just in case, I’ll give you flowers that can defeat black mages. Each of these three flowers has my power condensed in it and will deliver a powerful blow to black mages. Each one has the power to cause death. So when you need it, when you are in danger, make this flower touch the black mage. Even one powerful enough to summon the demon king will not be able to withstand this power.”

Slowly, Sernaus’s figure began to fade. Resena had something more to say to him, but his hand, which looked faintly sad, just stroked the top of her head.

That emotion seemed to move her heart.

“I believe in you and will wait.”

As he finished speaking, Sernaus’s figure became extremely faint. The white space surrounding him also wavered like a heat haze. Resena unconsciously grabbed the sleeve of Sernaus, but her hand passed right through and missed.

“My lady?”

Hearing the voice, Resena opened her eyes.

And absently raised her hand to touch her hair. When she felt three soft flower buds at her fingertips, Resena murmured blankly.

“…It was real. That Lord Sernaus appeared in my dream…”

And when she raised her hand, the white flower buds were emitting a soft light. After looking at them quietly, Resena got up and placed the flowers in a vase on her dressing table.

“I was worried because you woke up so late. Are you alright, my lady?”

At Del’s words, Resena asked without thinking.

“Ah… What time is it now?”

Del glanced at the wall clock and then turned her gaze back to Resena.

“It’s 3:03 PM now. Did you sleep late? I was going to wake you, but I thought you might have stayed up all night, so I kept waiting. But even if you stay up all night, you usually wake up at noon, but today was different, so I’m sorry, but I came in to wake you.”

“Ah… Thank you, Del.”

After saying “good job,” Resena stroked the flowers on the dressing table. The snow-white flowers emitted a soft light and gave off a sweet fragrance.

“But my lady. I’ve never seen these flowers before?”

When Del asked, Resena answered with a gentle smile.

“Yes. And these flowers are special. They won’t wither, so just change the water, you and the others. Don’t replace the flowers at all.”

“Understood.”

Resena looked at the flowers once more and then entered the bathroom.

“His Highness the Crown Prince will be coming soon, so get me ready right after I shower. I don’t want to be late for our appointment.”

“Yes. I understand, my lady. Then I’ll call the girls in advance.”

“Yes. Please do.”

Hot water poured from the shower. Resena closed her eyes and under the stream of water, she was once again reflecting on her dream.

Sernaus’s blue eyes had reminded her of Vernas. Recalling her face reflected in those pupils that became lighter toward the edges like the bright summer sea, Resena opened her eyes.

‘Besides that, they were eyes I seemed to have seen somewhere else.’

Resena turned on the water stream over her soapy body to wash away all the soap. The mysterious scent of lavender and myrrh emanating from her body made her body fragrance subtle and sweet.

After drying herself and going out of the bathroom to sit at the dressing table, the maids Del had called in advance began to dry Resena’s hair respectfully.

“My lady. You are truly beautiful today as well.”

“Even though we’ve just dried and braided your hair, no one could match your beauty.”

Hearing those words, Resena chuckled, covering her mouth.

“Thank you for the compliment. But I think we need to be a bit quicker. His Highness the Crown Prince is scheduled to come at 4 o’clock.”

“Oh my. Then we’ll work at maximum speed. Girls, did you hear?”

“Yes!”

“Then please stay still like this! My lady.”

Resena looked at the white flowers placed on the dressing table. Noticing her gaze, Del took one and beautifully decorated Resena’s hair with it.

The soft, glowing white matched so well with Resena’s black hair that the maids squealed as they braided her hair and put it up.

“Perfect. I think it would be just right to meet His Highness the Crown Prince like this.”

“My lady. What about earrings? Shall we use these pearl earrings?”

Resena looked at the snow-white pearl earrings in the maid’s hand. These were the earrings that the black mage Zergard had put in her ears. They were so beautiful she wanted to keep looking at them, but unless she knew what mechanism was in these earrings… she couldn’t wear them.

‘Besides, Zergard will no longer be able to infiltrate the mansion.’

They had caught Munira and strengthened the barrier. Because of that, if he tried to infiltrate, the Sword Experts would immediately rush toward Resena’s room. Therefore, Resena shook her head and chose the shining ruby earrings in the other hand.

“These would be better. Ah, there’s a part sticking out here. Could you attach a pearl pin?”

“Yes. Understood, my lady. Is there anything else you need?”

Resena turned around in front of the full-length mirror. She really liked how her ankles were visible between the slightly rising dress hems.

Resena smiled sweetly as she placed her hand over her chest. Though her upper chest was slightly revealed, the seductive yet elegant silk dress with its subtle sheen made Resena shine brilliantly.

“Nothing else. I think I should go out to greet His Highness the Crown Prince now.”

“Yes. I understand. You’ll be hungry, so I’ll bring refreshments, including quiche.”

“Yes. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Del.”

Del’s eyes curved affectionately as she spoke.

“I’m actually happy that I can help you, my lady. Well then, my lady. Enjoy your date.”

Resena couldn’t hold back and chuckled softly.

“Alright. Thank you very much, Del.”