My Strange Savior - Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Spencer knew it was a legend, but he couldn’t help but bring it up. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense.

Whether he was awake or dreaming. Even if he stayed up for several nights, sprinting along with the determination to save the members, it didn’t make sense. The sensation of black fur was still vivid in his grip.

“It might be hard to believe…”

Looking at Kalion immersed in deep thought, Spencer’s voice softened inside.

“Apheus? What’s that?”

Unlike Kalion, who seemed to know something, Gia, who didn’t know anything, asked.

“It’s a mythical creature and a symbol of the Shenanigans, passed down through generations in the Morreta territory.”

Kalion woke up from contemplation and kindly explained to Gia.

“Myth?”

“Yes. It’s a legend that has been passed down since before Shenanigans settled in Morreta, telling the story of a sacred cow living in the Hagria Mountains that saves the people in a crisis.”

At the mention of the word “legend,” Gia’s eyes widened. 

Why are there so many legends here? Even dragons are said to be from legends. Considering that, they appeared too frequently. Well, dragons do exist, after all. Then there’s ample room for the existence of this Apheus cow.

“It was a story handed down like a legend, but I never thought it was true.”

“Do you believe it?”

After saying it himself, Spencer reflected, perhaps thinking it sounded absurd.

“Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense for you to come down from the mountain in just two days. Joseph couldn’t descend the Hagria Mountains at that speed either.”

Spencer scratched his head at the mention of Joseph, but Kalion, who had no intention of resolving that curiosity, kept his mouth shut.

“Joseph?”

“Oh, he’s around. Someone who knows this mountain well. Said to be under the lord.”

“Is that so?”

It was Gia who answered Spencer’s question. Spencer nodded at her explanation.

“Well… Thank you for believing, anyway. I thought I was going crazy alone.”

“Isn’t it more absurd for someone who crossed dimensions to deny it?”

“Who dares to deny you.”

To lighten the heavy atmosphere, Gia made a joke, but only Kalion took it seriously.

‘What?.’

She didn’t intend to provoke such a reaction. Kalion’s red eyes burned even hotter as if to say that there was such a thing.

“Ah, no, it’s not like that… It’s harder to believe that… well, something like that.”

Gia, sweating profusely, tried to explain her words while looking at Kalion, wondering why she was doing that.

“If there is such a person, please tell me.”

Wouldn’t Kalion’s gaze have been less intense if that person were present? Gia turned her puzzled face away from Kalion and glanced at Spencer without him noticing.

‘Why is your commander acting like this.’

‘I don’t know either?’

The two exchanged silent opinions with their eyes meeting. Quickly raising her hand in case Gia misunderstood why Kalion was angry, Spencer interjected.

“Oh, no, there’s no such person.”

The fact that Gia came from another dimension was known not only to Oscar but also to all the members of the knight order. If she had denied it, she would have done so immediately. Just in case Kalion might catch an enemy, Gia quickly added some flattering words.

“Ah… Even you initially thought it was unbelievable. And you acted like a crazy person.”

“Hmph. Well, that’s…”

Kalion, in response to Gia’s rebuttal, coughed awkwardly and avoided eye contact.

“As the commander, I was trying to ascertain the truth.”

Gia shrugged at Kalion’s elaborate explanation.

“Um… Do I need to inform Lord Oscar about the appearance of Apheus?”

In the peculiar atmosphere, Spencer hastily intervened between the two. It was indeed not appropriate to intervene between a couple. With eyes reddened from crying, Spencer asked Kalion.

“I will convey that message.”

“Yes.”

“Spencer, you’ve suffered a lot. Take a break now.”

Kalion quickly got up from his seat and stood up. Spencer, following suit, glanced at Gia, who was sitting nonchalantly, without any understanding.

“Huh? Aren’t you coming?”

As Kalion, who had been acting as if he was about to leave the barracks immediately, stood still, Gia looked asked as if she didn’t understand.

“It’s almost mealtime.”

“Food? Is it already time to eat?”

Excited by Kalion’s words, Gia jumped out of the barracks. Kalion, who skillfully sent Gia away, looked awkwardly at Spencer, who was left behind, and then walked outside.

Seeing the disappeared couple, Spencer secretly lowered his head. 

Should he be thankful that his heavy heart was slightly lifted, thinking about Rockt’s sacrifice? Spencer raised the corner of his mouth in response to the subtle and ambiguous relationship between the two people.

“Commander… You’ve been through a lot.”

Although Spencer hadn’t spent much time with Gia, he had observed her closely and knew that she was not experienced in romantic relationships.

No, it couldn’t be helped. Gia, who slept comfortably among the knights, all of whom were men, was pitiable even considering the clouds over the commander’s future.

‘He claimed to have no interest in women, but this is a big problem.’

Kalion, known for being cold even in social circles, seemed to be reaping what he had sown.

“Commander…”

Spencer cheered for the commander in his heart.

“Stay strong…”

However, despite his words of encouragement, Spencer’s voice, lacking confidence in the success of the two, echoed weakly inside the barracks.

* * *

Gia headed towards the place where the delicious smell wafted. 

Following her, Kalion’s stern expression softened.

‘Is this good enough?’

Watching Gia happily enjoying her meal also lifted Kalion’s mood. For Gia’s sake, and for the sake of seeing her eat well again, Kalion had asked Joseph to bring her food as often as possible on the descent.

Thanks to the master who had brought a cart full of supplies, they had some decent food during the journey. Seeing Gia opening her mouth and looking around, Kalion gently took her wrist to guide her without causing pain.

“This way.”

“Yeah!”

Her voice, already lively, became even more energetic. Unstoppable. Kalion, not knowing whether he was smiling or not, led Gia to the assigned barracks.

“Why not eat outside instead of going in?”

Even to Gia’s question, Kalion only smiled without saying anything. Frustrated but thinking there must be a reason for Kalion’s behavior, Gia obediently followed along.

“We can have dinner here tonight.”

“Oh. That’s good since there’s a barracks.”

It’s better to eat inside the barracks than outdoors in the cold wind. Gia agreed, sitting down in a chair and swinging her legs.

“A delicious smell.”

Every time Gia’s bottom lifted, the makeshift chair squeaked. Kalion, too, sat down and reached out to set the table.

“I’ll do it.”

As Kalion’s hand was uncomfortable, Gia took the initiative.

“Be careful of the thorns.”

The supply table wasn’t smooth, and the finish was rough. Kalion cautioned Gia about the possibility of thorns in the wood.

“Thorns?”

Gia, holding the light table with one hand, tilted her head at the mention of thorns. She wore an expression of curiosity, wondering.

“Even if thorns aren’t very painful, it’s better to be careful.”

Goodness… when had she ever heard someone caution about thorns? Perhaps when she was very young. Cautioning about insignificant thorns. Gia momentarily thought she might have misheard.

“It probably won’t hurt much.”

“Still, it’s better to be careful, right?”

With a tone like comforting a child, Gia pursed her lips.

‘I’m older, you know.’

Thinking inwardly, Gia, wanting to avoid worrying Kalion, handled the table carefully.

As soon as they set up the makeshift table, the meal was delivered to the barracks. As the table was being set, a broad grin appeared on Gia’s face, as if to say when had she ever complained about a meal.

“Oh… amazing.”

“Since it takes a long time to transport with a dragon, unlike us, they brought a lot of rations…”

Before Kalion finished his sentence, Gia moved quickly. Seeing Gia enjoy her meal, Kalion couldn’t help but smile.

“Enjoy your meal.”

“You should eat quickly too.”

With each bite, Kalion couldn’t take his eyes off Gia, who expressed her enjoyment with various expressions.

“Is it delicious?”

He couldn’t resist asking.

“Yeah. Totally. No, it’s incredibly delicious. Try this.”

Gia tore a piece of roasted chicken with her fork and presented it. 

Kalion, feeling uncomfortable, graciously accepted. Before Gia, who had kindly spread the meat for him, could put it on the plate, Kalion’s head bowed.

“Uh…”

“It’s delicious.”

Kalion, who had taken a piece of meat from Gia’s fork, lifted the corners of his mouth in satisfaction.

At that expression, Gia bit her lip, feeling strangely warm in her cheeks.

“Is it… delicious?”

“Yes.”

She hadn’t expected Kalion to casually accept her fork. Gia’s head seemed as if it might be planted on the table. Her hand, spreading meat as if the chicken in front of her was her nemesis, moved fiercely, seemingly trying to hide her embarrassment.

‘Why is he suddenly eating directly from the fork? What’s going on?’

She had intended to put it on the plate. However, unintentionally, the fork that had touched Gia’s lips grazed Kalion’s.

‘May… be uncomfortable because of the hand.’

Still, Kalion eating gracefully didn’t seem bad to Gia. Without saying anything, she continued to cut the chicken with the fork. The chicken, seasoned just right with soy sauce and salt, tore easily and tenderly.

“There…”

Gia presented only the chicken meat to the plate. Kalion, lifting the plate filled with meat, nodded appreciatively.

“Eat a lot.”

“Yes. Please enjoy your meal.”

“Uh… Uh.”

While Gia ate somewhat clumsily, Kalion watched her elegantly. Gia, observing Kalion eating, bit the end of the fork.

‘What is this…?’

The usually firm material of Kalion had become incredibly soft and tender. Sensing the change in Kalion’s atmosphere, Gia, feeling something strange, rolled her eyes. A handsome man being so gentle—it felt like cheating.

‘He must be popular, right?’

Naturally, her thoughts shifted to Kalion’s dating life.

‘Does he have a girlfriend, by any chance?’

Well, with that face and attitude, wouldn’t it be strange if he didn’t have a girlfriend? 

Gia imagined Kalion being surrounded by numerous women confessing their feelings to him. It wasn’t surprising; it seemed quite natural. It looked like normal courtship activity.

She had never heard Kalion talk about having a girlfriend. He wasn’t the type to flaunt his personal life.

Unable to resist her curiosity, Gia cautiously asked Kalion, who was focused on his meal.

“Kalion.”

“Yes.”

Kalion, passing food without showing any remnants in his mouth, answered calmly.