My Strange Savior - Chapter 93

Chapter 93

Norman, who saw Gia entering wearing an outfit he had never seen before, brightened his eyes.

“Are you the stranger from another world?” 

He asked with a kind expression, already having roughly heard the situation from Oscar.

As soon as they sat down, Gia nervously rubbed her palm continuously in response to the sudden question. In Kalion’s eyes, who had not taken his gaze off Gia since she entered, there was concern. Would Gia torment her palm until it bled like that time? Kalion’s attention was entirely focused on Gia.

Perhaps that’s why. Kalion reached out his hand unknowingly. In a moment when she was trying to scratch her palm with her short nails, his hand slipped through the gap.

“Uh… yes.”

With Kalion suddenly grabbing her hand, Gia looked surprised like a rabbit with widened eyes.

“Hehe…”

Norman, who was observing the actions of the two, burst into laughter first, and then Oscar, pretending not to see, turned his eyes away.

It seems like a youthful romance suitable for their age. Norman opened his mouth with a kind face.

“I’m not prying, but I have something I’m curious about.”

Gia, who was quite scared, cautiously rolled her eyes. When she glanced at Kalion, who was holding her hand, she met his affectionate red eyes.

The warmth spreading through Gia’s heart from the gently sweeping back of her hand made her feel much more at ease. Gia straightened her hunched back and looked confidently ahead.

“Yes, I am someone who crossed dimensions with a person named Morrison.”

“I see. That’s true. I couldn’t believe it even after receiving the letter at first. I even doubted whether my old friend Oscar had gone senile or something.”

Norman added a joke to his words to ease the tense atmosphere around Gia. As Norman smoothly led the atmosphere, Oscar, sitting next to him, joined in with a nod.

“Senile? That’s a bit harsh. I’m still perfectly sane.”

“Right, right. We should clarify things for plans, shouldn’t we? By the way, how is the rumor spreading?” 

Norman asked, and a subordinate next to Oscar bowed and stepped forward.

“Yes. It’s spreading as we intended. The word that Gregory is a disciple of Myers, and that dragon’s heart and alchemy are needed even to deal with those who crossed dimensions. People are quite agitated.”

“I see.” 

Norman nodded, listening carefully to the essential information.

“The rumors also mention that if we don’t stop that person, disaster will come, and there are stories of the appearance of the Apheus from legends. Additionally, the news of the defeat of a dragon, guided by Morrison, by Gia and the knights who crossed dimensions is also spreading. It’s likely to spread to the capital soon as if even those who haven’t seen it are talking about it.” 

After the explanation, Norman looked at Oscar as if he found it impressive.

“You’ve been through a lot.” 

“What hardship do I have? It was possible because of the sacrifice of Lady Gia, Kalion, and the knights who followed him.” 

Oscar replied, deflecting credit to others. Oscar looked at Kalion with admiration, and even in his humility, Kalion didn’t let go of Gia’s hand.

“As more people who have seen the bodies of the Apheus and the dragon increase, the rumor will gain even more strength.” 

Norman commented, rubbing his chin and surveying the surroundings.

“I didn’t know the details of the tyranny against alchemists by Your Majesty until you explained it. I believed it was unjust even before you provided the details.”

“Is that so.”

“He, who acquired the title of Great Philosopher, must have displayed extraordinary magic. It’s not just the ignorant common folk who suffered under Your Majesty’s rule.” 

Norman’s voice, tinged with bitterness, made Oscar glance at Gregory, who was clenching his fist.

“Suppressing alchemists and meddling with the seeds… Have you heard the news that people are increasingly buying alchemical products through back channels?” 

“Yeah, I heard that from people in the capital.”

“Even if it wasn’t the tyranny of Dragon and Morrison, the oppression of alchemy was unjust. It was bound to be exposed sooner or later.” 

Norman continued, offering comfort to Gregory, for which Oscar was grateful. Despite Norman’s efforts, Oscar struggled to lift the somber mood.

As if trying to freshen up the atmosphere, Norman suddenly clasped his hands.

“I’d like to go up to the capital and be a support for my old friend, but I’m too old for that now.” 

“If you’re old, what does that make me?” 

“Eh, just a figure of speech.” 

Norman laughed and turned his gaze to Akin and Yuria, who were sitting beside him.

“Instead of this old man, let the young Akin and Yuria accompany you.”

The expression on Norman’s face, as he sent his only successor and forbidden-leaf daughter to the capital, was rather relieved. The decision was made because he couldn’t watch the emperor’s tyranny forever, but he had no regrets.

“These kids know everything you told me. Akin, with a strong backbone in both the political and social circles and Yuria, who is well-versed in the arts, will support you.”

“Just hearing that makes me feel secure.” 

Oscar said, looking at the clever Akin and then shifting his gaze to Yuria. Yuria, a beautiful woman exuding a fresh aura, seemed to be a spitting image of Norman’s wife in her younger days.

“Fortunately, Yuria doesn’t resemble you.”

“What did you say?” 

Norman’s jesting remark lightened the mood.

“Well then, let’s give the young friends who will lead the empire in the future some space to talk.” 

“Sure.”

“Are you still crazy about wine?”

“Talking about it makes my mouth hurt.”

“Still the same.”

Smiling, Norman and Oscar, who had risen from their seats, continued chatting as they walked away. As the two left the room, a lingering stillness settled in the remaining space.

Akin, seemingly inheriting Norman’s sociability, turned toward Gregory and Gia with a friendly smile.

“I haven’t had a chance to greet you properly. I’m Akin Petra. Gregory, and Gia, right?”

Although not overly formal, the greeting was not casual either. It was a polite greeting, fitting for a clean gentleman. Gregory responded with a proper noble’s courtesy.

“I am Gregory Shannon, the grandson of the Shannons.”

“I heard you are a direct disciple of Myers. Impressive achievements for your age.”

“You flatter me.”

As Gregory replied with courtesy, Akin’s eyes shifted to Gia, signaling it was her turn.

“Uh… um. I’m Gia.”

Slightly bowing her head in a sudden greeting, Gia’s awkwardness was not lost on Akin, and even Yuria, who was about to unfold a fan, quickly covered her mouth.

Akin’s eyes rolled in every direction, and Yuria, who knew Gia’s personality, was the only one maintaining a serious demeanor. 

“Uh… Lady Gia.”

“Can’t you just call me Gia?”

“Oh, is that so?”

Why unnecessarily attach titles to names? Gia, unfamiliar with the formalities of nobility, blinked innocently.

“How old are you?”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

Surprised by the bold question about his age, Akin stammered. Despite dealing with numerous people in social circles, he had never encountered such a direct and assertive woman before.

“I’m twenty-two.”

“Same age as Kalion.”

As Norman and Oscar left, Gia, feeling a bit more at ease, leaned against the backrest of the sofa. In the Eastern Etiquette Country, age was like another class for a person. Therefore, she was the oldest person in the room right now.

Akin was unsure how to respond to Gia’s straightforward reaction. She was indeed peculiar, like her attire. Although he knew she came from another world, seeing her act so clueless, Akin couldn’t help but sweat.

Gia’s mannerisms resembled those of a raw mercenary. In other words, she seemed ignorant, as if she had learned nothing.

Unsure of how to handle Gia’s unbridled behavior, Akin glanced around as if seeking help. Gia, sensing his discomfort, bit her lip. Did she make a mistake? With lowered eyes, she cautiously approached Kalion’s ear.

“I shouldn’t asked him to call me ‘sister,’ right? Did I say something wrong? Oh, maybe I shouldn’t have said anything?”

The world Gia had come to had a more complex social hierarchy than she had anticipated, and accordingly, the etiquette was intricate. It seemed inappropriate to casually address each other as an older sister or younger brother, as she might have in her original world. 

Come to think of it, she felt a slight pang of guilt for unconsciously using informal language. When Gia inquired with a puzzled expression, Kalion turned his head.

“Yes. Addressing each other informally, using terms like older sister or younger brother, is strictly prohibited. Familiarly calling someone by their name is also not allowed.”

So many things that were not allowed. Gia pursed her lips in dissatisfaction. Kalion, not wanting Gia to form friendships with other men, emphasized the forbidden actions and added a touch of jealousy.

“Ah… I’m sorry for speaking informally. As you know, I know nothing about this world. Um… La-Lady? If you could exclude the strangeness from it, I’d appreciate it. Should I just call you Mr. Akin, then?”

“Yes… Yes. Please do that. Oh. This is my younger sister, Yuria Petra.”

Since Kalion had already greeted them, Yuria tilted her head arrogantly toward Gregory and Gia. It was an etiquette to be observed when addressing someone of a lower class. Yuria, who only adhered to that extent, closed her lips in a prim manner.

Although Yuria had secretly anticipated Kalion’s arrival, she still looked at the two intertwined hands with curiosity. Why did they seem so close? Yuria, the flower of the social circle forming the mountain range alongside the princess, narrowed her clear eyes.

“I’ll excuse myself first.” 

Gregory said, clearly tired of useless formalities, and stood up abruptly.

“Why? Leaving early?” 

“Yes.”

“Where are you going? Aren’t you going to eat?”

“To preserve the dragon’s corpse perfectly, we need to replenish the mana stones.”

“You’ve been through a lot.”

“Not at all.”

Gregory’s response flowed calmly as if not a drop of blood would be shed even if stabbed. Why were both of them reacting like this to that woman? With a clear look, Yuria scrutinized Gia.

She seemed like an ordinary woman with nothing special about her. The black, rough top and pants wrinkled her forehead, and her behavior, completely unaware of etiquette, seemed uncouth. The only thing special about her was that she came from another world. 

That seemed to be the only noteworthy thing. 

Speaking informally on such a topic and getting along so casually with the last remaining authentic alchemist, Gregory. 

“Oh, Gia. Can we meet separately later in the evening?”

“Yeah, sure.”

When Gregory requested some time, Gia readily nodded. As he left the reception room, Gia waved her hand gently at Gregory.