Heavenly Demon sat at the highest point of the martial arena and nodded his head.

“There’s a lot of people.”

“There’s much to do, Master.”

“Though I started this, as usual, you’ll have to take my place…”

“No way.”

Ilma cut him off sharply.

“With many people watching, your dignity is important, Master. If the leader of our school doesn’t take center stage at this event, what meaning would it have?”

“Then you should just do it like you did last time from behind…”

“No way.”

“Wow, so direct. But think about it. If I pile on more work, you won’t even have time to go see the puppy, huh? Are you okay with that?”

“…I’ll just finish everything first and then go.”

“Now you’re not even denying it. I’m laughing so hard my stomach might vanish. I need to check if it’s running well.”

“It’s empty. Please be cautious, Master.”

Heavenly Demon grinned. He leaned forward.

“Your puppy might be mixed in somewhere in there… Try to find it in this crowd. Do you think you can spot it at a glance?”

“There’s no one.”

“By identifying it at once, it seems you’ve made progress. At this rate, you might catch up to the main lady within ten years.”

“I don’t think that’ll ever happen, Master. Now, let’s stop the small talk and get to the real tasks.”

Ilma unfurled the scroll.

Written endlessly, it touched the floor and even rolled off.

“…Are you planning to kill the main lady?”

“It’s our school’s official event. We need to do at least this much to claim basic standards. Starting with your grooming, we plan to invest everything we don’t usually do into the martial arena.”

“The main lady is the center of our school. Even if done carelessly…”

“Master. Everyone, including past Heavenly Demons, has undoubtedly done such things. Surely, you know that nothing is more important than appearance when expressing dignity.”

“…….”

“It’s also an occasion where all the Heavenly Eight Martial Artists gather. Since it’s in front of the leader, your dignity must certainly be displayed. Just to illustrate the weight of the position of Master.”

“…Hmm. It’s quite something to see those little brats grow up to be proper leaders.”

“I don’t think that’s something the youngest Heavenly Demon should say.”

“Well, the main lady is, after all, about to rise to the skies.”

“…You’re overdoing it.”

“But didn’t you trust me just for a moment? Huh? Cute disciple.”

“It’s an official occasion. Please don’t pinch my cheek. Such actions are also prohibited during the event.”

“I feel like I’ve had an unwanted marriage because I’ve been pestered so much.”

“Good to know. If I were your wife, things would have been much worse.”

“…I’ve started to miss the puppy.”

“You can see it.”

Ilma rolled up the scroll.

“After the event.”

“…….”

…

Ilma’s house, sneaking out, was empty. The long-absent employees greeted me with wide smiles.

“Captain! You’ve arrived! Did everything go well?”

“Thanks to your concern, it went well. Here…”

I handed out souvenirs I bought from Eungmin one by one.

The blinked, surprised employees received them and all smiled broadly.

“You bought something like this… Haha! That’s very Captain-like!”

“I’ll gratefully accept it. But what is this…?”

“It’s a ceramic doll. I thought it was cute since it’s shaped like an animal…”

“Hahaha!”

Surprisingly, the warriors liked it. Ilma’s maidens and attendants also bowed with broad smiles.

“Thank you, Captain.”

“So cute. I’ll keep it safe.”

The actions I casually did became a trend within the mansion. Ceramic dolls can be found sitting neatly between the pillars.

Not only what I bought, but also other things seem to have found their way here.

Decorations were placed around the cold home everywhere. I liked that very much.

I wondered if Ilma would like it too.

If she didn’t, I’d have to put it away.

But she hadn’t returned even by night. I learned the reason from the maid serving her.

“Ilma said she was too busy to return for a while. She mentioned it would be hard to see her face until at least the event is over.”

It was somewhat disappointing, but there was nothing I could do. I hadn’t even meant to attend the event, so all I could do was wait.

During that time, my conversation partner was the maid, Chu Wol, whom I had talked with several times. She smiled widely and helped me with various things.

Our distant relationship, which had been kept in check and formal, changed after I gifted her the ceramic doll. Now, she spoke to me naturally without looking up at me as if she were addressing a superior.

“Captain. What are you doing?”

“Oh. I’m sharpening my sword.”

“Speaking of which, you carry four swords, Captain.”

“For reasons…”

I absentmindedly fiddled with the sword. The sword Ear Sword Bai Ya, which worked hard this time, didn’t particularly say anything even when I pulled out another sword.

Having spent time together, it knew not to get lost in another sword’s charm.

In that case, I should tame the Black Pearl next…

But first, I had something to do. It was essential to gather the energy that was rampaging after ascending to Huaxing. Finishing one before tackling another would be much preferable than piling on multiple tasks.

“It seems Chu So-juh is busy.”

“I’m not busy. The task assigned to me is to assist you, so this is practically my main duty. Isn’t there anything else you want me to do?”

“Not really…”

“Hey. Still, please assign me something. I am your maid, after all.”

“…Um…”

I thought it over but didn’t come up with anything.

“Then…”

“Yes?”

“How about having a meal together? It feels a bit lonely eating alone…”

“A meal?”

“Yes.”

“…Puhaha.”

After laughing for a while, Chu Wol snuggled up to me with a gentle smile and sparkling eyes.

“If it helps the girl, I’m all for it. Is there anything you want to eat?”

“I’m fine with the usual.”

“Still, I’ll make various things for you. After all, there’s a reason why Ilma introduced me to you.”

“What reason…?”

“Because I’m the best cook among all the maids!”

With a pride that filled the air, a staggering amount of food filled the table.

So much that we couldn’t finish it all. Luckily, reinforcements arrived at the mansion.

“Master!!”

A red-haired girl abruptly stopped in front of me.

“Roh? Where’s the Master?”

“Ilma is absent. She said she wouldn’t return until the event is over.”

“Really?”

Wolhyang glanced around at me, then casually sat down. Chu Wol’s eyes sparkled.

“It’s been a while! Wolhyang! You’re still alive?”

“It’s our little cutie Chu Wol, huh? Have you been well?”

“Yes! I’ve been doing well!”

“Do you two know each other?”

Wolhyang sniffled, looking emotional.

“When I was tossed around by the Master, our Chu Wol was the one who took care of my meals… Sigh… I seriously thought I was going to die back then… but a warm meal saved me…”

“Hehe. It was nothing.”

“Let me try some of the food… Hmm?! Chu Wol, do you want to set a date? When would be good?”

“Anytime is fine!”

As Wolhyang laughed and chatted, she fell flat on the floor. Chu Wol got up to clear the table.

A breeze blew. As the wind rustled, Wolhyang stretched.

“Ah, this feels nice… The fragrance of the Master is even better… Hey, why did you sneak out back then?”

“My identity shouldn’t be revealed.”

“Really? That makes sense. So you’re also not participating in this event?”

“Probably not.”

“Hmm…”

Wolhyang turned a bit and slowly crawled closer to me.

Placing her head on my knee, she lay out flat.

“Hey, did you know? Many great people are coming to this event.”

“Who do you mean by great people?”

“They are reportedly gathering the three leaders at once. It might be the last gathering of the leaders before the next Heavenly Demon is decided. So it’s natural for people to gather. The event, intended to commend accomplishments, has turned into a sort of festival atmosphere… People interested in noble houses and authorities are all joining in, I hear.”

“It seems it grew much larger than anticipated.”

“Right? That’s why they summoned someone from the Blood Sea Organization, including me, who will guard the martial arena… I wonder who will come?”

“Is there someone you hope would come?”

“Not really. If I had to say, I’d like Seongsik to come… but he probably won’t. Sigh. What a shame… He’s the type who could mix with us…”

“No Blood Sea members would want to mingle with a leader like you.”

A soft voice slipped in from outside the mansion.

Wolhyang raised her head and then lowered it again.

“Strikeout.”

“Excuse me, Miss. If you can hear me?”

A girl with purple hair crossed her arms. She had a familiar face, so I put my hands together.

“Myo senior.”

“It’s been a while… huh?”

Myo Ye-rin.

The Blood Sea member who rescued me from the Sma Clan scanned my body from top to bottom.

“…What are you? What did you do that… Wow. This doesn’t make sense. How did you get there with this kind of talent? Even meeting the extreme requirements of Cheongeop and Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique… how many life-or-death situations did you cross?”

“I raised him.”

“What kind of nonsense is that? Anyone who has ears knows the rumor that you were imprisoned for over six months.”

“Aha! You’re climbing up! Myo head. Have you grown much?”

“…I just wanted to say it’s nonsense. I don’t want to cross hands with you. I don’t like losing battles.”

Myo Ye-rin sighed.

“Anyway, Sister, the Master called for you.”

“The Master?!”

“Yes. That’s right. Are you going now or…”

“What are you doing? No guidance?”

“I knew you’d say that.”

Myo Ye-rin tapped my forehead.

“I don’t have a hobby of ruining other people’s reunions, so let’s get going.”

“Reunion… you mean?”

“Can’t you see over there?”

I turned my head. There was someone else standing by the door.

A girl, hesitant at crossing the threshold.

Though her face was covered by cloth, I recognized her in an instant. If I didn’t, who would?

I jumped up and rushed over, hugging her.

“Whew! Are you dating her?”

“Hey, let me…”

The girl I embraced flinched in surprise. A hint of a smile appeared on her lips, slightly visible beneath the cloth.

“…What a passionate welcome. Oh, brother…”

“How long has it been since we met… It’s only natural.”

I removed the cloth. Her face shone bright, and the embarrassed eyes avoided my gaze.

Underneath the white eyes bloomed a beautiful flower.

Baekmae.

“Have you been… well?”

“How about you?”

“I…”

She frowned.

In an instant, discontent burst out.

“Master is such an unreasonable person, rolling me around endlessly. It’s the path I chose, but seriously, it doesn’t make sense how he’s rolled me around so much… I can’t even tell if he’s my Master or not anymore.”

“Haha! Myo head! Is that how you raise someone like you?”

“…I’ll see you later.”

“Let’s go for now. I need to charm the Master. Even if I mess up, I can always fix it later.”

“Say that once you’re dead.”

Wolhyang and Myo Ye-rin disappeared. I looked down at her in the now quiet residence.

Her demeanor was different from before. Her aura was also different. It was evident she had worked hard, with magical energy swirling throughout her body.

Did she change from the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword to another sword?

“There’s a lot to talk about, huh?”

“Indeed… But how long will you hold me?”

“Oh, sorry. I did it without realizing…”

“W-Well, it’s okay to keep holding me. Yeah…”

Baekmae turned her head away, slightly annoyed.

“Have you eaten?”

I glanced back. After confirming there was nothing there, I shook my head.

“I haven’t.”

“…You definitely have.”

“Just not with you.”

“Seems like you’re getting quite cheeky.”

“Maybe I’m just excited to see you.”

“Are you really that happy to see me?”

I laughed at the persistent questioning.

“If I’m not happy to see you, then who would be?”

“…Well, that’s true. Yeah. Hmm. Hmm…”

Baekmae covered her mouth. Suppressing laughter, she asked in a muffled voice.

“Then let’s go eat. Is that okay?”

“Of course. What do you want to eat?”

“First, let’s have a meal… and then I want to go to a place selling a lot of snacks. Don’t worry about the route getting tangled. I’ve already checked everything out.”

“Oh. Just a moment.”

Suddenly remembering something, I went into my room.

I brought out the dagger I had cleaned after visiting Fengma Cave.

“…What’s this?”

“There were all sorts of incidents, but at one point, I happened to visit Fengma Cave. This is what I brought back from there.”

“Fengma Cave?! No one can easily enter that place in our school?! Wait, did you bring this for me?!”

“Exactly.”

“Whew…”

Baekmae gingerly touched the sword.

“Well, it is pretty.”

I could see her lips fluttering, which was amusing. Now, she didn’t care to hide her laughter as I slightly inquired.

“Do you like it?”

“To some extent, yes.”

“Good to hear.”

I patted her head. Looking at her reminded me of my deceased younger sister.

They were previous companions who shared joys and sorrows, so it would be a lie to say I wasn’t happy.

She didn’t shy away from my hand either. Even if she turned her head, when I withdrew my hand, she would grab it back.

With that, I gave her several gentle pats on the head.

After a few touches, she finally smiled without any thought of hiding it.

“There’s a lot to say. Let’s go. I know a good place. There are rooms, so we can eat comfortably.”