Reset Life – Chapter 19

KR Translators:

・StarrySkySailor
・KawaiiKage
・ImmortalInk
・KingPotato
・SugoiSenpai

Chapter 19: You Should Understand When I Speak Nicely (4)

Crown Prince Lymant spoke in a low voice.

“High Priest Damachi was worried that the amicable relationship between our countries might be affected because of you. Considering what I heard at the border today as well.”

I have nothing to say about the second matter. Surely I wouldn’t really become a stumbling block to the amicable relationship between the two countries, would I?

I smiled faintly and said to him.

“I don’t know what the High Priest said, but I can assure you that there is no one in the delegation who wishes for amicable relations between the two countries more than I do.”

“Indeed. Conflict is also a form of interaction.”

A surge of frustration wells up within me.

What fault does Crown Prince Lymant have?

It’s just that I’m the idiot for not being there when that Damachi bastard made the first move. Ugh!

I was about to say that I had no such intention, but the Crown Prince spoke first.

“If you become a stumbling block to the amicable relationship as the High Priest Damachi said, I will remove that stone with all my might, keep that in mind.”

Well, I’m saying I have no such intention.

I gave up on trying to make a good impression for now. Right now, regardless of anything else, I need to clear up the Crown Prince’s misunderstanding. What on earth did High Priest Damachi say to make him say such harsh things?

Then, Levidian spoke from beside me.

“I hear you’ve become quite capable of speaking arrogantly, Orange.”

“Who is this?”

Crown Prince Lymant frowned slightly and looked at Levidian.

I could see displeasure settling on his dignified face. That’s quite similar to the face my brother makes when he looks at me……no, wait!

Levidian?!

“Oh? Have you forgotten my voice as well? It seems the days you spent training at the Hall of Martial Arts were quite trivial.”

She crossed her arms and scoffed at the Crown Prince. I was shocked and tried to stop her, but I suddenly came to my senses at her words. The days he spent training at the Hall of Martial Arts?

Crown Prince Lymant’s expression changed.

It gradually shifted from displeasure to surprise.

He opened his mouth with a doubtful expression.

“Could it be……that voice……Ibi?”

“It seems you finally remember. Long time no see, Orange.”

Levidian lifted her mask slightly and smiled faintly. This confirmed it.

The two of them knew each other. And from the Hall of Martial Arts, no less.

“But……Orange? Is that a nickname?”

“Ah, his original nickname was Lime. From there, Lime Orange. So, Orange.”

Levidian answered my question simply. I could sense something there, so I decided to ask just one question.

“Who came up with that?”

“I did.”

“Ah, as expected.”

“Would you care to explain your comment just now?”

She glared at me, as if trying to press me for something, but I met her gaze with a nonchalant expression, as if I didn’t care. This person really lacks common sense when it comes to anything other than swords.

“Risel, you just had an expression that seemed quite rude……”

“Just let me think what I want. And it seems like His Highness the Crown Prince has been left out.”

“Huh? Ah, right. No greetings?”

Crown Prince Lymant looked back and forth between me and Levidian and asked with an awkward expression.

“Um, what’s……going on? Why is Ibi here……?”

“I’m Risel’s swordsmanship teacher. Other than that, I just dislike noisy things. Anyway, what did you hear from that Damachi person?”

Levidian crossed her arms and pressed Crown Prince Lymant. Since I had explained the situation to her, she was aware that there was a potential division forming between me and Damachi.

As always, there are few who can remain free when she pressures them with her full attention.

Naturally, Crown Prince Lymant had a very troubled expression.

“Well, you see, Ibi. This is a national matter, so……”

“It’s alright. I don’t belong to any country.”

“Um……Could you include me in the conversation, please?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. It’s been a while, Anna. You look healthy.”

“Yes. You finally spoke to me, Ibi-unni. But please don’t bully him too much. He has high expectations for this delegation, that’s why. People make mistakes sometimes, right?”

The woman who was called Anna, who appeared to be the Crown Princess, spoke in a very relaxed manner. It wasn’t that she was enduring the pressure, but rather subtly avoiding it skillfully. The fact that she spoke to Levidian in the midst of all this was impressive.

She turned her gaze from Lymant and Levidian to us and greeted us leisurely.

“Hello everyone. I’m Jirzannain Leajotian. The Crown Princess.”

“Yes. Ah, hello. I’m Arisein Herduke.”

“I’m Sermaila Hind.”

“I’m Turbo Se Maltad.”

“Oh my, you’re all children of noble families. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

How can someone be so relaxed?

Thanks to her, the tense atmosphere that had been taut as a bowstring loosened like taffy. Listening to her slightly slow speech made me wonder if there was anything in the world worth rushing for.

“Sigh, fighting feels foolish when Anna is around.”

Levidian put her hand on her forehead and sighed.

I’d cast a million votes in agreement with that statement. There are people in the world who can make the atmosphere around them so relaxed. I’ve come to know a new facet of the world.

However, not missing a beat in the conversation was Levidian’s strength. She put her hands on her hips and said to Crown Prince Lymant.

“Now that we’ve greeted each other, why don’t you elaborate on what you said earlier?”

You’re unexpectedly persistent, Teacher.

Three-quarter time.

Strings, wind instruments, and percussion blend together.

The hems of the clothes of people holding hands and dancing in a circle flutter and lightly rise with each step.

Lightly, lightly.

A ball wouldn’t be a ball without dancing.

After Orange, the Crown Prince, declared the official opening, the music started playing, and the atmosphere naturally shifted to that of a ball. Aila requested a song from Rob-hyeong, and the scholar and the ash-haired lady were dancing gracefully.

Orange, the Crown Prince, and I talked for a bit, deepening our understanding of each other. Levidian, Aila, and Rob-hyeong helped me explain my side of the story and helped Orange, the Crown Prince, understand.

He then apologized for his hasty judgment and said he would review the matter of Damachi and me from various perspectives. Then he had to cower before Levidian, who was furious, saying,”How dare you not trust my disciple?”

After he went to dance with his wife, I asked about the situation between the two of them, only to the extent that it wouldn’t be rude.

She readily nodded and spoke briefly.

“It was about 10 years ago. He came as a trainee at the Hall of Martial Arts. That’s when we met.”

“That’s the part that’s hard to understand……Isn’t the Hall of Martial Arts on the opposite side of the continent? If he wanted to learn martial arts, there’s the ‘Small Forest Shrine’ within Azot……Or if you go a little south, there’s the ‘Shining Plum Blossom Mountain’, isn’t there?”

There are several organizations famous for martial arts on the continent.

They produce individuals called the strongest on the continent, but they are groups of pure warriors who do not interfere in politics.

Two of the most famous are near Azot. The Small Forest Shrine is the largest and is located within Azot. Usually, wouldn’t it be normal to go to a closer place?

“Well, that’s true.”

Levidian nodded and picked up a glass of wine, swirling the red wine inside a few times. Perhaps because she had some wine and other alcohol, her face was slightly flushed.

Should I stop her……? Just as I was thinking that, she continued speaking.

“But the royal family of Azot has a strong image of protecting Lynin. The Small Forest Shrine is a group for martial arts, but……it’s a place that worships the God of War. So, that was excluded. The Shining Plum Blossom Mountain is in the ‘Penkeal’ Republic, and 10 years ago, the relationship with Azot was delicate.”

“So, to the Hall of Martial Arts?”

“Yes. Since it’s on the opposite side of the continent, they probably thought there wouldn’t be much risk. That’s when we met.”

I see. 10 years ago, she would have been my age, and Orange, the Crown Prince, would have been around twelve years old. They were fellow students.

“You were classmates, I see.”

“No. He was my disciple.”

Wait, what did you just say?

“Excuse me?”

“What do you take me for? Someone who made a name for herself with coincidentally acquired skills? I earned my instructor qualifications at the age of twelve. You don’t think you’re the only disciple I’ve ever had, do you? If I count……you’re the one hundred and thirty-fourth.”

After counting on her fingers a few times, she spoke with an extremely refreshing expression. It seems like she counted in units of ten. I didn’t realize it because I’m always experiencing it, but she really is the Sword King.

Now I understand.

The way Orange, the Crown Prince, cowered was definitely the same way I cowered before her.

I nodded seriously.

“I see. Hmm. I understand Crown Prince Lymant’s situation, poor him.”

“Risel.”

“Yes?”

She put down her empty glass, picked up a new one, smiled sweetly, and spoke in the softest voice imaginable.

“You seem to be getting a bit uppity lately. Do you mind if I open your stomach for a moment to see how much your guts have grown? It’ll only take a moment. I’m quite familiar with cutting open people’s stomachs.”

As she spoke, she slightly lifted her skirt. Seeing the dagger strapped to her calf, I understood.

Indeed, the Sword King. She doesn’t part with her sword even at a ball.

But that’s my Iperfect!

“Why is that there?”

“Marlin gave it to me. You’ll lend it to me during the ball, right?”

“When did you two become so close……No, more importantly, is that a post-mortem confirmation? Sigh.”

“You talk too much. Do you want a post-mortem confirmation?”

She took another drink. I’m a little worried because she seems to have had too much.

Her face is quite red……I’m worried that she might say one of those classic drunkard lines.

“Phew, alcohol is surprisingly tasty.”

There it is. Teacher, you really are a bit out of touch when it comes to trends other than swords. Hehehe.

This is not the time to laugh!

Ta-da! Chaeng-!

Just then, a piece of music ended.

The people who were dancing bowed to each other and stepped back. Orange, the Crown Prince, headed somewhere else with his wife, and Aila also returned to this side, escorted by Rob-hyeong.

“Did you dance well?”

“Yes. Rob-oppa’s skills are quite impressive.”

“What are you talking about? Aila helped me a lot. I would have stepped on her feet several times without her.”

“Hee, that’s nice……”

Levidian, who was listening to the conversation, said casually while swirling the liquid in her glass. Then Aila looked at me and Levidian and pulled my arm.

“Risel, wait a minute.”

“Uh, why?”

She dragged me to a table a little distance away. She made sure we were far enough away and then asked abruptly.

“You didn’t leave Ibi-unni as a ‘wallflower’, did you?”

“Wallflower? Ah.”

A wallflower refers to women who stand near the wall at a ball without dancing. In other words, it refers to a poor lady who has no partner and is unpopular.

When I remained silent, Aila glared at me.

“Hey, you, do you know how upset Ibi-unni would be?”

“Huh? No, was Teacher the type of person who cared about that?”

“Sigh, this kid doesn’t know anything. You know what? Women who dress up and come to a ball all want to dance at least once. Ibi-unni is no different. So, go and ask her to dance.”

Aila poked my chest as she spoke.

I turned my head and glanced at Levidian.

The black-haired woman in the pearl-colored dress exuded an innate beauty even with her mask on. Her flushed face and ears added to her cuteness.

Ah. I realized.

Regardless of whether she wanted to dance or not……it would be a shame for such a beautiful woman not to dance.

But Teacher hates being treated differently based on gender.

I carefully voiced my concern.

“But, you know, if I ask, I feel like she’ll get angry……”

“Are you really going to pretend you don’t understand? You, do you know how much courage a person like her has to muster to do something she normally wouldn’t? It’s to the point where she can’t even express that hope without someone’s help. How can you be so sharp when it comes to important matters but so clueless about these little things!”

Smack!

“Ouch! My shin……!”

As I writhed in pain from the surprise attack, she readied (!) another kick with a vicious expression.

“Are you going or not?”

“I’m, I’m going. Ouch……”

I quickly turned around, limping.

Aila’s exasperated voice reached my back.

“Ugh, you should understand when I speak nicely. Men are so……”

The last part of her words stings more than anything else, you know.

I approached Teacher, who was talking with Rob-hyeong.

Just then, new music started playing, and I adjusted my clothes. Of course, I also dusted off my shin that Aila had kicked.

“Ahem. Hmm. Excuse me, Teacher?”

“Yes? What is it, Risel?”

They went up. The corners of her eyes and the end of her words went up simultaneously.

I feel like my heart is being squeezed.

Ah, why am I like this?

It’s not like it’s my first time asking someone to dance!

“Um, would you like to dance?”

“What? What did you just say?”

Ugh! The air instantly freezes over.

The chill is so palpable that I feel like the surrounding air will freeze white.

But I gathered my courage and extended my hand.

As politely and sincerely as possible, to her.

“If you don’t mind, would you dance with this unworthy disciple?”

“Seriously?”

“Of course, My Lady.”

She sighed softly and lowered her gaze. Then she handed the glass she was holding to Rob-hyeong and, still with a stiff expression, looked at me and said.

“Alright. I accept.”

Phew, I’m saved!

With a graceful gesture, she placed her hand on mine. I lightly took her hand, and we walked towards the space where people were dancing.

After taking a few steps, she spoke.

“Risel, there’s something I need to make clear.”

“Yes?”

“This is me reluctantly accepting because you asked. Do you understand?”

Glancing at her, I saw that she was holding her head high, her eyes slightly closed, and had a haughty expression. However, I didn’t miss the fact that her ears were completely red.

I smiled faintly and said.

“Yes. I understand.”

“Do you really understand?”

Soon, she asked with a sullen expression, and I smiled at her answer and put my hand around her waist. She placed her hand on my shoulder, and the distance between us became what could be called close.

The faint scent of powder and perfume, along with a subtle smell of alcohol. And her flushed face hidden behind the mask.

Feeling somewhat joyful, I said with a smile.

“You know how to dance, right?”

“Are you looking down on me? Alright. I’ll show you my skills. Can you keep up?”

“I might not be able to when it comes to swords, but I won’t lose when it comes to dancing. But you seem to be enjoying yourself quite a bit.”

I spoke playfully, and for a moment, she had an irritated expression.

Then she quickly turned her head and said curtly.

“W, Who’s enjoying themselves? This is me reluctantly dancing because you asked. Do you understand?”

“Yes, yes. I understand perfectly. Let’s start then.”

“Honestly, do you understand? Oh my!”

I led the step, holding the waist of the cutely grumbling woman. With a competitive expression, she started to move her feet and body, following my steps.

And so, we danced to the music.

Perhaps this will be remembered as a lighthearted break before the busy and serious schedule begins.

Well, it would have been perfect if I were a little taller.

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