In Order to Meet You, Beloved - Chapter 25

EPISODE 25

“Well, if it’s Count Elan…?”

But instead of asking that, Cordelia changed the subject, and Noah, feeling a sense of discomfort from Cordelia’s expression, chose not to address it and let it pass.

“He’s the lord who governs this city. He was also my former client.”

The person who requested to capture the lives of the city’s people on canvas. Usually, people commission works related to history, religion, or portraits of themselves, but they don’t often want to preserve the scenery of the city they govern.

When the guild first received the commission, many colleagues were hesitant about the contract. Although the payment was ample, it didn’t contribute to their reputation, and the conditions he set were quite demanding.

Noah was the only one who showed interest in the commission. This was possible because, unlike other colleagues who had to worry about making a living, his situation was different.

In reality, the lord was very satisfied with the final product, and Noah also remembered it as a pleasant project, making it a positive experience for both sides.

Since Noah had worked on the project for quite some time and had interacted with the lord, he could gauge the count’s personality to some extent. At least, he didn’t seem to be the type to abuse his power.

“Still, thanks to you, it all worked out well.”

“It’s not because of me, but because of you, Cordelia.”

“Hmm?”

“The change in that man’s attitude started after he saw this face.”

Noah lifted his head a bit more to meet Cordelia’s gaze. Her eyes were a vivid blue, like the color of the sky.

Suddenly, he thought, was his eye color like this?

“For example, do you know Lapis Lazuli? Only the pigment made from that gemstone produces such a vivid blue color.”

Suddenly, recalling what Noah had just said, Cordelia lightly fanned her flushed face.

Blue eyes are quite common, so what?

At that moment, a small child, about waist-high, brushed past Cordelia. Feeling a chill, Cordelia unconsciously touched her waist. The small dagger, leather belt, and…

Gone.

Realizing her money pouch had disappeared, Cordelia turned around. Seeing the small figure blending into the crowd and moving away, her legs automatically ran toward it.

“Hey, stop right there!”

“Cordelia!”

Even as Noah, startled, followed behind, Cordelia ran with all her might. Although it was a small amount compared to her wealth, she didn’t like being a victim.

As she turned into a quieter street, the child slipped into an alley between two buildings on the left. As she rounded the alley after the figure, she saw the child standing with his back turned in the dead-end alley.

“You little-!”

How dare he steal from someone’s pocket? He’s got guts.

Muttering such thoughts as she approached, the child turned around.

The child’s plain brown hair covered his face, but his eyes, with a hint of purple, stared straight at Cordelia.

Despite the child’s seemingly dull appearance, the sharpness of his gaze felt as piercing as a knife to Cordelia, and she instinctively came to a halt. There were about five steps between them.

The child’s small lips moved as he spoke.

“Are you more vulnerable to provocation than I thought?”

The calm, high-pitched voice that asked the question, as if surprised at how easy it was, touched Cordelia’s nerves. Although it was a pleasant voice, it felt strangely eerie. Cordelia placed her hands on her waist, skillfully maintaining her vigilance.

“Who are you?”

He was not an ordinary human. Cordelia soon realized that the sounds around her had disappeared. Having frequently been with Lyneth, she could guess what this sensation meant.

It was magic. She was now within someone’s barrier. With this realization, she became aware of the sensation of the gloves she was wearing.

“Looks like… you’re not a priest, are you? Then are you a wizard from another country?”

The child, who had been observing Cordelia with a blank expression, answered.

“My master wishes to see the woman you’re with.”

“So, you’ve separated me from her?”

When she blurted it out without hesitation, the child fell silent once more. It seemed he was good at keeping quiet about unfavorable matters.

“This is ridiculous. Do you think separating me is all there is to it? I’m not the only guardian.”

Cordelia wasn’t entirely without faith in her own abilities. With guards present, she knew they wouldn’t take her away easily. Realizing the possibility that she might be taken hostage to lure her companion, she felt a chill.

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to use me as a hostage to bring her here.”

“It seems your mind is quite sharp.”

“This is incredibly rude!”

Cordelia exclaimed in disbelief at the child’s dry tone.

“Will you come along willingly?”

If she went along willingly, it would mean she was a fool, a complete fool.

More importantly, she needed to return as soon as possible, considering Noah’s situation. It was crucial not to give the impression that she was trying to escape.

Regretting her fiery temper for the first time in a while, Cordelia chose to make a decisive move rather than showing agitation.

“Hey, kid. I know you’re a wizard. But do you think I would have followed you blindly without a shred of trust?”

As she spoke loudly, a slight look of tension appeared on the child’s face. And at that very moment, Cordelia lunged toward him as if to tackle him.

***

“Who are you?”

While running aimlessly in pursuit of Cordelia, Noah stopped upon seeing men blocking his path. The violet cloak fluttered around their feet before slowly descending.

“Our master wishes to have a conversation with the young lady. Will you come with us?”

Although the words were polite, there was an unspoken pressure. Moreover, it seemed far from coincidental that they appeared right after Cordelia had disappeared.

The cloak made it hard to discern any distinctive features of their attire. There were about six or seven of them. If it were his original body, Noah might have considered fleeing, but in Cordelia’s body, he lacked the physical stamina he expected.

‘Could that little kid earlier be…?’

“I have no intention of following ruffians who don’t reveal their status or intentions. First, identify yourselves.”

Noah responded coolly and glanced discreetly behind him. The guards he had assigned to Cordelia would be following soon. He needed to buy as much time as possible.

“When you ask such questions, my master instructed me to say this.”

“What?”

“‘Since you’ve already figured it out, why bother asking?’”

‘Then I’ll see you in Rite.’

Although he didn’t want to admit it, he had to. The silver hair flashed through his mind as he heard the words. The mocking voice seemed to linger in his ear, causing him to shake his head in annoyance.

“Right, I see…”

As if lost in thought, Noah let his words drag out before answering, deliberately appearing flustered.

“Why did you separate me from my party? Do you understand that this could become a diplomatic issue?”

“He said he doesn’t wish to harm you.”

“That doesn’t make the rudeness disappear.”

As he hesitated, trying to retreat, one of the men leading the group grabbed Noah’s arm.

“Please excuse the rudeness.”

“Let go of me!”

Noah tried to pull away from the grip, but he couldn’t match the rough strength of the man. If it were his own body, he might have managed, but given Cordelia’s body, he found himself stumbling.

As Noah seemed to relax and prepare to comply, the man began to lead him more gently. But the moment the man’s grip weakened, Noah used all his strength to push the hand away.

“Ugh!”

The man cried out in pain, clutching his hand. Did he hit him that hard? Noah’s gaze shifted to the hand that had just held him.

Seeing the small dagger embedded in the man’s hand, Noah took a step back, and the men standing behind the man all drew their swords.

“Oh dear.”

Noah’s back and head collided with something wall-like. As he slowly turned around, he saw the face of someone standing firm behind him.

Short, jet-black hair, and sharp features, looking to be in his mid-thirties. Broad shoulders and a notably large frame, with calloused hands gripping his shoulders.

“What are you men doing to a woman? Don’t you have any sense of propriety?”

The smooth voice sliced through the silence. Despite the smile and crescent-shaped eyes, the man’s navy-blue eyes looked chillingly cold. Standing close, Noah felt the stark contrast more vividly.

“Don’t interfere with our business. This is our matter.”

“Interfering with someone else’s business? How disappointing. So heartless, too.”

No matter how seriously they spoke, the man seemed nonchalant, as if he was only half-listening.

“Hello, young lady. It’s been a while.”

The face smiling at him with familiarity made Noah murmur, almost to himself.

“…Uncle?”