My Strange Savior - Chapter 119

Chapter 119

Gia, with her light body, descended gracefully and gazed at the magnificent palace. 

From the appearance alone, it was evident that money had been spent lavishly. 

Don’t be intimidated. Gia reaffirmed herself, shaking off the tension as if making another promise.

“Let’s go.”

“Yeah.”

Following Kalion inside, a person who seemed to be a court official came out to greet them.

“Have you arrived?”

“Yes.”

He, who appeared older, glanced at Gia. It seemed like he was curious about the foreigner who seemed to have come from a different world. All eyes in the palace glanced at Gia at least once.

Feeling awkward, like being a monkey in a zoo, Gia moved her body just as the court official stopped in front of a large door. Holding the ornate door handle, he stepped aside, allowing Kalion and Gia to enter.

“He is waiting.”

Following Kalion, who walked confidently inside, Gia moved her body. The epitome of splendor seemed to be showcased here, overflowing from the reception room to the inner chambers.

Admiring silently, Gia, trying not to show her excitement, looked at a man sitting upright with a proud posture.

“I greet the sun of the Empire.”

Following Kalion, who greeted comfortably, Gia also awkwardly nodded.

“Welcome.”

There was strength in the soft tone. He must be the emperor. Even without words, Gia could feel that he was the emperor. Even in a small gesture, a sense of ease could be felt.

“Please, have a seat.”

At his suggestion, Kalion and Gia sat side by side on the sofa.

“We have tea made from the tribute Toyla tea leaves from the Etran Kingdom. Would you like to have some?”

The emperor smiled and poured tea himself. Gia hadn’t said she would eat, but the teacup was filled nonetheless.

The emperor’s eyes, containing curiosity, scrutinized Gia. He must have been curious about the foreigner from another world. The gaze seemed to hold a purpose beyond pure curiosity, and it bothered Gia.

“You came from a different world with someone named Morrison.”

‘Tastes awful.’

Gia, who was sipping bitter tea, set down her teacup in response to the Emperor’s statement.

“Yes.”

“What kind of world do you live in? I heard there’s something like a plague spreading.”

In response to the Emperor’s question, Gia continued the conversation with hesitation.

“Yes. A virus called the zombie virus has spread, and the world I knew has almost collapsed, with the human population dwindling as if facing extinction.”

“A zombie virus. I heard that when people get infected, they don’t die but move around, is that correct?”

“Yes. They don’t die but instead become living beings that end up devouring others. It leads to a state without reason.”

“How did such a gruesome thing spread?”

The Emperor clicked his tongue. Despite not knowing that her father had created the virus, the Emperor sharply pointed out the cause. Gia’s shoulders twitched at his words.

“Perhaps it’s the desire of someone who wants to overcome the disease.”

Gia awkwardly smiled and offered her defense.

“That desire brought about harm.”

Even though Gia knew that she, too, was indulging in that obsession to achieve eternal life, she continued calmly without a change in her expression. Gia ignored the Emperor’s audacity and kept her composure.

The Emperor took another sip of tea. Gia’s mouth had dried up. It seemed like the Emperor was reproaching her. Why did she have the greed to create such a thing?

“I heard the one who spread it came over with you. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“You were chasing him and crossed dimensions together.”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

Questions about Morrison continued. Gia obediently answered the Emperor within the limits of what she knew. The Emperor’s eyes narrowed as he questioned her as if confirming what he already knew.

“Why did someone like that come to this world and disrupt the order here…”

The displeasing voice of the Emperor sounded like a reprimand. Just by coming from the same world, Gia couldn’t shake the feeling of being a sinner.

“Still, it’s fortunate that you came over here. If not, we might have faced destruction like your world under the influence of someone like Morrison, and we wouldn’t have known anything.”

The Emperor, who was examining Gia’s peculiar attire, began discussing the future direction.

“Is this Morrison formidable?”

“Yes. I don’t know the reasons, but he seems to have become even stronger coming to this world.”

“I’ve heard you’re quite strong too. Has he become stronger than you?”

“Yes.”

The wrinkles on the Emperor’s forehead deepened at Gia’s response.

“The Empire is determined to exert all efforts to capture him. So, the assistance of an outsider like you who came from another world is crucial.”

“I also intend to capture him.”

“That’s reassuring.”

The Emperor surprisingly asked sensible questions. There was no criticism of why such a thing was allowed to come here or any words persecuting Gia.

Turning his head this time towards Kalion, who was sipping tea, the Emperor spoke.

“Ah, Lord Kalion.”

“Yes.”

“I intend to reward your comrades who defeated the dragon and contributed.”

“I appreciate it, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor’s words about the reward sounded quite benevolent. It was a different aspect from the Emperor Gia had heard about from Kalion and Oscar. It seemed one had to act like a sycophant to engage in politics.

As Gia silently vowed not to be fooled by appearances, the Emperor’s persuasion continued.

“You’re currently staying at the Bowers Duchy.”

“Yes. Thanks to that, I’m staying comfortable.”

“Instead of that, how about staying at the Imperial Palace?”

“The Imperial Palace? No… I’m fine.”

“Is that so?”

The Emperor didn’t insist, perhaps considering it just a suggestion.

“Now that spring has arrived, the annual hunting competition is scheduled to take place. The hunting competition will last for two days, followed by a two-day banquet honoring the goddess of spring. It’s planned to continue for a total of four days. Will you also participate?”

“Me?”

“Yes. There seems to be a great curiosity about outsiders who have crossed dimensions. Many people, not just commoners but also nobles, are eager to see your strength. After all, nobles are still human beings, aren’t they?”

The Emperor continued with an unwavering expression, as if representing the opinions of nobles even though he seemed entirely uninterested. Unable to refuse outright, Gia awkwardly raised the corner of her mouth.

“Shouldn’t capturing Morrison be the priority?”

“Anyway, it will take quite some time to refine the dragon’s heart to create a weapon. It might take more than a month, at least. Isn’t that right, Lord Kalion?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“Oh, we won’t be able to see Lord Kalion’s hunting skills this year. What a pity. Ah, how about you represent Bowers instead of Lord Kalion?”

“Me?”

Gia, surprised by the unexpected suggestion, blinked and glanced at Kalion. Kalion subtly nodded his head, not visible to others.

“Well, then, it would be an honor for me.”

It wasn’t much of an honor, but if she had to endure it, she would. Gia, who had come prepared to kneel even up to her knees for Kalion, nonchalantly accepted the seemingly insignificant hunting competition.

“We’ll get to see the skills we’ve only heard rumors about.”

“It’s, it’s not that remarkable.”

In the anticipating gaze of the Emperor, Gia lowered her hand.

“By the way, your attire is unique. It seems like a place where even women can have social command.”

“Yes. Just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean someone will protect you. You have to protect your own life.”

As if it were a gathering to resolve his curiosity, the Emperor asked various questions about the different world. Since there was nothing she couldn’t answer, Gia smoothly continued to respond.

The face-to-face meeting with the Emperor, which had flowed so smoothly that it made her forget her nervousness, concluded without any significant incidents.

She couldn’t remember what she had said. Did she speak well? Did she come off as rude? Gia frowned as soon as she left the audience chamber. She wanted to cling to Kalion, but there were too many prying eyes around.

She recalled the advice of a duke who suggested keeping their relationship secret for a while. Feeling the urgency in Kalion’s warmth, Gia pinched his fingers.

“You did well.”

“Really?”

Kalion whispered so that only Gia could hear. Unable to engage in affectionate gestures in the Emperor’s palace filled with the Emperor’s people, Kalion cautiously tapped Gia’s back of the hand twice.

Gia’s expression seemed as if she barely survived the fleeting warmth. When did she become accustomed to such things? Without realizing the variety in her emotional expressions that emerged after meeting Kalion, Gia let out a sigh.

“Really… I can’t even remember what I said.”

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

With Kalion’s reassurance, Gia moved her steps outside the palace, still sulking.

“It’s a relief.”

“Haven’t I told you that you would do well?”

Gia pouted, emitting a cute sound of dissatisfaction. Kalion’s red eyes conveyed warmth toward Gia’s adorable tantrum.

In the past, Gia might have acted as if the emperor and everything else were beneath her notice. Such a Gia seemed different now.

The playful and carefree Gia of old, who would brush off every situation as if it were a joke, was nowhere to be seen. She approached everything with seriousness, and there were moments when she seemed cautious, and afraid of making mistakes. In response to her conscientiousness, Kalion chuckled softly.

The Gia that Kalion had once known seemed like someone who could easily leave. If something went wrong, she used to come out saying, ‘What’s that got to do with me?’ But now, she conducted herself with a sense of responsibility, as if she were someone who had decided to live properly as if each day were the only day to live. 

Kalion felt a satisfied heart, thinking that it might be because of him that she changed.

But Kalion couldn’t bring himself to take the lead. Although they had decided to keep their relationship a secret until they captured Morrison, he couldn’t hide the affectionate glances filled with warmth whenever he looked at Gia. 

Even in situations where they faced the Emperor, Kalion had to exert extra effort to suppress the affectionate glances and concerns directed at Gia. If he momentarily let his mind wander, Gia quickly filled that space.

Every time Gia’s hand trembled with tension, even with the Emperor standing before them, Kalion’s hand involuntarily twitched as well. He couldn’t help but think how warm her slender fingers would feel if he were to entwine his fingers with hers. 

Unable to resist the desire to bring comfort to Gia through his warmth, Kalion’s hand couldn’t stay still.