"Time has passed so quickly. Our conversation was so enjoyable that I didn’t even realize it. I’m sorry for taking up so much of your time."
[No, I really enjoyed the conversation too.]
I smiled softly and shook my head.
The conversation with Hong Seongjin had ended smoothly without any incidents.
The only things I had gained from it were some embarrassing compliments, golden advice, and the snack and tea I had been nibbling on throughout the conversation.
None of the things I had feared had come true, so what was there to be unhappy about?
From my last meeting with Choi Jiyeon and the family, I realized that there were only kind people in Yeonhwa’s family.
"I’m relieved to hear you say that. I’ll be staying in Siyoram during the Birth Festival, so if there’s anything you need, feel free to come by. And Yeonhwa, you wait for a bit."
"Ugh, why only me... But for the entire Birth Festival? I thought you were just coming to briefly say hello?"
Hong Seongjin, who had been speaking with a kind smile, shrugged his shoulders as he blinked at Yeonhwa.
"My daughter-in-law said I should rest as much as I can. Tsk tsk, my son goes out the moment he arrives, and I get treated like an old man left in the back room... Anyway, I’ll be visiting the head of the Taesan family, so I plan to see him after a long time."
"Ah, Aunt Jia... I guess she’s meeting with Jiyeon unnie by now?"
"...Ah, it’s confusing because her name is the same as my daughter-in-law’s."
Hong Seongjin let out a heavy sigh and shook his head when he heard the name Jiyeon. I too made a strange expression at his reaction.
Choi Jiyeon, Lee Jiyeon.
Their last names were different, but their names were the same. From Hong Seongjin’s perspective, Yeonhwa calling out Jiyeon’s name must have been confusing, almost like a devoted daughter calling out the name of her parents.
‘Come to think of it, Yeonhwa also has a friend named Seo Yul.’
I too had been troubled by the fact that their names were the same.
During the Geobhwa family’s regular banquet, I made a slip of the tongue when I went out to the back garden. I was caught and harshly scolded, and my bottom was sore from the spanking. It was an embarrassing memory.
I couldn’t help but recall that moment and subtly glanced at Yeonhwa. When she caught my gaze, she shivered slightly.
"Uh, uh? Why are you looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong...?"
"...No, not really."
Yeonhwa, looking confused by my gaze, made a puzzled expression. I chewed my lip and turned my gaze away.
Honestly, I was embarrassed back then, but it wasn’t a bad memory. It was actually a good one.
"Wow, to think I’d see that little colt with its leash on, looking all shy. You live long enough to witness such things."
Hong Seongjin, watching us with admiration, shook his head.
"Ah, boy. Today’s meeting was a pleasure."
It was a hint that the meeting was coming to an end. I nodded my head.
Time had passed quite a bit. I should start preparing to take Seo Yul at the mansion to see the festival.
[Ah, could I ask one last favor...?]
I lowered my head politely as I stood up, but suddenly a thought crossed my mind, and I paused halfway through my movement.
"Hm? Go ahead, tell me."
For a moment, Hong Seongjin seemed puzzled by my sudden question, but then he nodded with a kind smile.
It seemed I was indeed being treated well. I sighed in relief and lightly touched the pendant on my neck.
[Could I... see the Bonghwageom? Or... sense it?]
"The Bonghwageom?"
The Bonghwageom, the exclusive weapon given to the head of the Geobhwa family.
It was a weapon that could be artificially created, but it was a magnificent artifact, as powerful as the highest-level relics.
Hong Seongjin blinked, seemingly surprised by my request. But soon, he let out a hearty laugh and placed his hand at his waist.
"Haha! Yes, you held the Bonghwageom of our founder during the regular banquet, and your Geobhwa tainted it. Looking back, that might have been when the peculiar traits of your Geobhwa started to show."
[Ah, that...]
I broke into a cold sweat at his words.
The founder’s Bonghwageom. Back then, the transparent blade of the sword had been tainted by my Geobhwa.
I wondered if it had returned to normal now... I wasn’t sure. But instinctively, I felt that it probably hadn’t changed...
[That... wasn’t my intention...]
"I’m not blaming you, so don’t be so shaken. Didn’t I tell you the family won’t be an issue? In fact, they were discussing the gifting of it, and your daughter-in-law was working on it as well."
[What?]
Gifting? What could he be referring to? For a moment, I felt puzzled, but then my thoughts stopped when I saw the sword appearing from Hong Seongjin’s waist.
"Here, give it a try."
[Ah, thank you...]
A hilt was gently offered to me as I blinked in confusion. I nodded politely and carefully grabbed the hilt.
It was hot.
The Bonghwageom from the Geobhwa family’s main house had been transparent. A sword meant to contain Geobhwa, but it was hollow, unable to hold it.
Hong Seongjin’s Bonghwageom was different.
It had been forged for decades, tempered with Geobhwa, and the blade had cleaved enemies while containing tremendous heat.
As I gently ran my finger along the blade, I could clearly feel the immense fire contained inside.
Though currently suppressed by its master’s words, once released, the mighty Geobhwa would be unleashed in full force.
[Impressive.]
It wasn’t just the strength of the Geobhwa inside that impressed me. This sword was extraordinary, right from its design.
It wasn’t just for slashing and stabbing.
It was a weapon made specifically for the bearer of Geobhwa. It helped bear and store the Geobhwa and control its volatile nature.
In terms of function, it could be likened to a computer.
Because of that, the design was incredibly complex.
Even the blueprints for such an intricate structure couldn’t compare to the complexity of this one.
As I carefully observed the Bonghwageom, I felt a headache begin to form. It was like a sensation of something scraping against my skull.
‘...The design matches almost exactly. There weren’t many changes. That blueprint was real after all?’
I compared the information in my head with the images of the founder’s Bonghwageom. At first, I had doubts, but it was clear now that it was accurate information.
[Well, I... well, I’ve observed it. Thank you.]
I rubbed my temples and carefully handed the sword back with both hands.
"So, what do you think?"
After returning the sword to his waist, Hong Seongjin shrugged as he asked, a knowing smile on his face.
I nodded as I recognized the sword being absorbed back into the space within his waist.
[It was truly an incredible sword.]
‘When I make one for Yeonhwa later, it’s going to be a hassle.’
Thinking of that future, I already felt a little proud, but also a bit of a headache...
I left Yeonhwa and Hong Seongjin behind, heading back to the mansion.
Woof!
Meow meow!
Heh heh...!
[Oh...]
I arrived at the mansion at a moderate pace. As I opened the front gate, various dogs rushed toward me.
These were now mid-level spirits that had become self-aware, and I had let them roam freely around the mansion grounds.
It seemed that by the time they had reached the mid-level, they no longer wanted to stay confined in space; as soon as I released them, they sprinted around the grounds like flames.
"Your Majesty, you’ve returned?"
As I petted the dogs that had gathered around my feet, Ryo fluttered in from afar, his wings flapping.
[Yeah, I’m back. Anything special happen?]
"Yes, Princess Lee Seo Yul is still asleep, and Queen Artira is in the underground training facility."
[Got it, thanks for letting me know.]
"Hehe..."
Ryo answered clearly from the distance. I gently petted his head with a finger, and he flapped his wings in response, smiling brightly.
Well, I already knew from my observations, but it was nice to hear the report anyway.
It was cute too.
[I'm going to visit my mentor. If Seo Yul wakes up, can you let her know to wait for me?]
"Yes, of course."
Ryo straightened his posture as if he had suddenly become serious and responded. I chuckled and headed down to the mansion's underground area.
Most of the training facilities were located underground.
Because of this, my mentor usually moved between the basement and the first floor, and since I had been with him, I knew the places he frequently used.
As I approached the training area, my steps quickened. I was going to see him soon, but for some reason, I was feeling anxious and restless.
I hastened my pace and arrived at the facility. I pressed the large round button next to the door.
Ding...
"Master."
I whispered softly while pressing the vibrating button, and soon I heard footsteps coming toward the door.
Hmm, is the meeting already over?
"Yes, just finished."
I could hear my mentor’s voice from near the button.
My mentor had participated in the opening ceremony, and I had needed some time to talk to Hong Seongjin, so he had returned to the mansion earlier.
Just hearing his voice made me feel good. But I couldn’t help but pout and repeatedly press the button.
"Please open the door."
Um... hmm... Can you wait for a bit? No, go upstairs and rest for a while. I’ll quickly wash up and come up to you.
A hesitant voice came from the other side of the door. It didn’t open.
I understood his hesitation.
I had the power of observation, and I had spent time with him. That’s why I knew he had been exercising just before, and he was now sweaty and embarrassed to meet me like this, his scent much stronger than usual.
"Hehe... please open it..."
Hmm...
I understood, but I still didn’t want to step back. Normally, I would have respected my mentor’s feelings and stepped back... but right now, I couldn’t help but insist, pressing the button again and again.
I too had a headache. My head was aching from analyzing the Bonghwageom, and I had felt dizzy during the opening ceremony due to sudden mana absorption.
Also, while I had been with Yeonhwa, I couldn’t fully indulge in my spoiled behavior in front of Hong Seongjin...
Ding...
After a brief moment of awkward hesitation, the door slowly opened, revealing my mentor, who appeared embarrassed.
He was dressed in a short pair of shorts and a sleeveless top, his neck adorned with a cooling towel.
Sweat droplets still clung to his hair, and a warm steam was rising from his flushed skin.
"Hehe..."
Without hesitation, I jumped into his arms.
The warm, smooth skin, still damp with sweat.
As I buried my face in his chest, I could smell a stronger scent than usual, making my nostrils fill with it.
[Happiness]
[Softness]
[Moisture]
[Body scent]
"Does... does it smell too bad? Like sweat...?"
"Mmm... it smells so good. I love Master’s scent... sniff sniff..."
"Mmm... Hoo..."
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My mentor, looking even more embarrassed by my answer, sighed heavily, finally embracing me tightly.
In the end, he couldn’t resist my antics and held me close, and I smiled, resting my head on his chest while inhaling the scent.
"Master... let’s go see the Birth Festival with Seo Yul..."
"Sure, I was planning to rest and then go, but it seems I got caught here."
Muttering softly, my mentor shrugged and kissed the top of my head as I cuddled in his arms.
"Heh."
"Mmm..."
Lost in the scent of his body, I noticed the faint smile on my mentor’s face as his lips curled upward.
[Artifact "Purification" expresses jealousy, asking why this blue little guy is a rat again]
[Artifact "Proof of Guardianship" is dumbfounded.]