NOVEL NEXT WORLD After a long while, both Doje and Namgoong Cheon seemed to have made it a mission to drink their hearts out.
Of course, I couldn’t just sit by and not drink myself.
Since they were both heavy drinkers, by the time I was finally freed from their clutches, it was well past the hour when business usually ended.
Namgoong Cheon was sprawled out, snoring away, while Doje was hiccupping and babbling nonsensically.
“Whew.”
“Um, you okay?”
I really drank a lot today.
At first, the Sword Saint, sitting next to me, glared at the two. But as time went on, her gaze kept shifting back to me.
It wasn’t too strange, considering we had downed dozens of cups together.
Yohwan, who brought us the drinks and snacks, had even mentioned to drink in moderation, so it was no wonder the Sword Saint was worrying.
“Uh… hic! So, the Moonlight Technique is the Moonlight Technique, and one is one… but… gack! Would there be two?”
– Grrr… cough cough. Hic…
Doje, mixing up the wine and water cups and rambling, and Namgoong Cheon, half-passed out and snoring.
I was feeling a bit dizzy from drinking too.
“I’m fine.”
“Hmm… doesn’t look fine to me.”
“Really, I’m okay. More importantly, I think we should get the seniors upstairs. And I’m really fine.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. But we need to call someone…”
Since it was late, Jeomsoi and the rest had already gone to bed. Yohwan, who was the last one lingering, took a couple of drink containers upstairs before heading off to sleep. So, it was up to me to get Namgoong Cheon and Doje upstairs.
“Oh dear.”
They really had drunk a lot. I was wobbling from the drunkenness, and the Sword Saint effortlessly steadied me while glancing at the two.
“…What’s going on?”
“Yikes.”
The two, who had been so drunk they could’ve been mistaken for furniture a moment ago, suddenly snapped to attention.
“Did I just feel a killing intent…?”
Doje looked around while Namgoong Cheon, who had been deep in slumber, was now wide awake.
They looked at us with dopey expressions and then broke into smiles.
“Wow. So you’re a true drinker after all, huh?”
“Yep, guess it’s true you can’t underestimate him when it comes to drinking.”
The Thunderbolt Sword King, grinning from ear to ear, scanned the area. Seeing him looking for more drink containers, the Sword Saint let out a sigh.
“How about you stop drinking and just go to bed? You clueless idiots. You might be able to shake off your drunkenness with your inner strength, but Yu Wol can’t.”
“Oh ho! Child, do you know who I am?”
“Uh, the elder whose behavior should match his title, right?”
“Is this place really where we’re establishing a proper order?!”
Clears throat “You see, I’ve helped enhance Hongryeon’s skills, so let’s not be too harsh here.”
“Before you say anything worse… get upstairs right now.”
The Sword Saint growled, seemingly straining to hold back anger, and eventually the two stood up.
“Tomorrow too?”
Even while going up, Doje pretended to raise a cup, grinning at me, and I smiled back, shaking my head.
I had my own schedule and couldn’t keep indulging.
“I’ll cover the drinking costs, so you two enjoy.”
“Tsk. Guess there’s no helping it.”
There was no pressure. Just a hint of disappointment.
But considering I stayed here for a few days, Doje insisted tomorrow wouldn’t be the end and headed upstairs.
So, it was just me and the Sword Saint left in the inn, and I stood up to gather the plates and empty drink containers.
“I’ll handle it, so please have a seat.”
“Thank you. I’m feeling a bit dizzy myself.”
It’s been a while since I’ve had a drink like this. The Sword Saint, smiling as she sat across from me, raised her hand.
At that moment, empty plates and wine bowls floated up into the air. It was the result of her incredible inner strength at play.
“Oh…”
“Do I just let this in?”
“Just send the plates inside; you can move the wine bowls to the backyard.”
Following my instructions, the Sword Saint moved calmly. Thanks to her, the cleanup was done quickly. I just needed to wipe the table a bit and I’d have the kids do the dishes tomorrow.
After closing the inn’s door, I sat down on a chair in the backyard with a pipe in my mouth.
The Sword Saint, who had trailed closely behind me, squatted in front of me, looking up.
“I thought it had been a while since it was just the two of us.”
“I’m sorry. But you’ve both done so much for me that I couldn’t refuse.”
“Hmm. It’s not like I want to chain you down or anything. You must have your own circumstances.”
The Sword Saint slowly shook her head. But perhaps disappointment was unavoidable.
I looked at her and lightly lifted her to sit beside me.
Maybe it was because she was squatting with her legs crossed, but she seemed to stiffen awkwardly when I did that.
The pleasant scent from her long navy hair still lingered in the air, wrapping around me as I hugged her from behind.
Hmm. This smells nice.
“What kind of perfume do you use?”
“Uh, I just use what the kids give me.”
“It has a nice fragrance…”
I slightly lifted the hair that fell from her shoulder and brought it close to my face to take a whiff.
“Oh. Uh?”
“It really is nice. Na Yerin, maybe it’s because your lovely scent mixes with it…”
“This… this is a bit… um, unexpected.”
“Oh. My apologies.”
“Hmm. It’s not… not an offense. It’s just… I wasn’t prepared for that.”
I often did this with Chaejin, and perhaps because I had drunk too much, I was struggling to hold myself back. I smiled at the flustered Sword Saint.
“Well… can I do a bit more?”
“Thank you. But…”
“Hmm?”
“Have you calmed down a bit?”
“Calm down… Ah, it’s not that I’m angry. It’s just… I’ve been thinking that if I’m sitting right next to you, I shouldn’t be too concerned about those others, or that maybe they are drinking so much they can’t even have a proper conversation with me. Just some thoughts like that.”
Isn’t that basically being angry?
I looked at the Sword Saint, and she pouted her slightly plump lips.
“I’m just feeling a bit off today, too.”
“That’s understandable. I get it. And I’m sorry.”
“Hehe. You’re always trying to understand me. Others just think, ‘Oh, that’s just the Sword Saint.’”
“No matter how strong a person is, they’re still human at their core, right?”
“Haha. True. But most people only see the ‘extraordinary’ outside, not the ‘human’ inside. Huh. That’s why a doje and Namgoong Cheon show their ordinary sides in front of you.”
The Sword Saint smiled warmly, leaning against me.
“Strong people are often lonely. They’re misunderstood and find it hard to understand others. But you’re different. Your strength may be weak, but you always try to understand us and have a deep understanding of many things.”
“I understand a lot in many ways.”
“Is that so?”
“Perhaps it’s because in front of you, even the superhumans feel ordinary. At least, I do.”
The pleasant weight resting on my shoulder grows stronger. I gently wrap my arm around her shoulder, and the Sword Saint leans into me even more happily.
“Really. With just one word from you, my heart races, one action brings a smile, and just a gesture can make my face turn red. It makes me feel like an ordinary woman.”
“Hmm…”
“I never imagined such a thing would happen in my lifetime. You truly are an incredible person.”
“Aren’t you overpraising me? It feels like you’re trying to make me blush.”
“Hehe. Caught me? I sometimes want to see your surprised expression too. And… you’ll see it soon enough, right?”
The Sword Saint gently takes my hand. As she sways our interlaced fingers, she gazes at me with a serious expression.
“I’ll be right by your side.”
“I see. Thank you.”
“By the way, you look sleepy. Shouldn’t you be going to bed soon?”
“I have a few things to see to…”
“What are you doing when you can barely stand? Come on, let’s go.”
The Sword Saint, who lightly picked me up, walked slowly. When we arrived at my office after climbing the stairs, she laid me down on the bed and quietly sat down beside me.
“Sleep well.”
Her small hand rests on my forehead. The cool touch feels nice, and I can’t help but smile, while the Sword Saint moves her hand to gently stroke my face.
“It feels nice. Your hand is cold.”
“Hehe. If you want, I can do this every day. Well, I could also help in other places if you want.”
She swallows slightly as she laughs, and I smile back at her.
Ugh. I’m so sleepy.
My face feels so refreshing that drowsiness gradually washes over me.
I hear the Sword Saint saying something as I drift off to sleep.
*
I wish we could have spent more time together today.
Now that I’ve stepped down from being the Chief Minister, I wanted to get closer to Na Yerin as herself.
I never expected that an unforeseen interruption would occur here.
Doje and Thunderbolt Sword King. I never thought they would keep Yu Wol from us.
To be honest, I was angry, but I’m a generous woman.
The Sword Saint thought she could smile and understand this much.
So, she sat next to him and casually drank some alcohol, which made it clear.
Doje and Namgoong Cheon.
The renowned figures in the world, both reaching the realm of superhumans, displayed an ordinariness in front of Yu Wol that was akin to that of common people.
Perhaps Yu Wol’s greatest ability could be that—having a huge heart to embrace so many things.
That’s why both she and Hongryeon and Chaejin, three superhumans, might have fallen for him.
The Sword Saint chuckled as she affectionately stroked Yu Wol’s face, which was within her reach.
Seeing him peacefully asleep made her smile.
She traced her fingers over his dry lips, slowly brought her face closer to feel his breath, and carefully checked if he would wake up.
Swallow.
She gently pressed her lips against Yu Wol’s.
With that electrifying thrill, the Sword Saint shivered a little and soothed her regret of not being able to spend that time alone with Yu Wol today.
I soothed the regret of not being able to.
My chest felt warm, and my body tingled.
A bit more. Just a bit more.
Ah, do you know?
How much I’m holding back.
How long I’ve been waiting for the day we get married.
How desperately I long for the day when I can confidently pick the sweet and beautiful fruit that is you.
So you were in the wrong.
So please understand this much.
Muttering to myself, I licked his lips and even gave them a slight suck, until the Sword Saint suddenly snapped back to reality.
This is really dangerous.
The Sword Saint placed her hand on her racing heart.
No matter how you spin it, this isn’t right to do to someone who’s asleep…
She subtly glanced at Yu Wol. Seeing her own saliva-slick lips made her mouth water without her even realizing it.
Right. This isn’t my fault. It’s Yu Wol’s fault for making me ache like this every day.
So just a little more…
Stealing his lips again and again, savoring him, the Sword Saint was breathing heavily when she leaned in for another kiss.
“Hmm?”
“Yikes?!”
Startled by Yu Wol suddenly opening her eyes wide, I stumbled back. Yu Wol, who had been staring at me, slowly sat up.
“Did you not sleep well?”
“Uh… Well, why are you already up?”
“…The sun has risen. It’s almost time to start the morning business.”
“After drinking so much yesterday? How about sleeping a bit more?”
Has it really become this time already?
The Sword Saint looked out in shock. Seeing his face, touching it, and having stolen kisses…
Who knew time would pass so quickly over just that?
“Whoo. Good times always seem to pass by so fast.”
“Doesn’t that just mean it was enjoyable? Hmm. Did I drool while sleeping…?”
After wiping her lips with a handkerchief, Yu Wol tilted her head. Her lips seemed a bit swollen.
As she absentmindedly touched her lips and chuckled, she subtly turned her eyes towards the Sword Saint. Trying to act calm but with a bright red face, rough breath, and shiny lips.
Since there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with her body, it probably means it was just a kiss.
This much shouldn’t be a problem, so let’s move on.
When Yu Wol didn’t say anything further, the Sword Saint let out a sigh of relief.
She thought to herself, ‘I must not have been caught.’ Feeling secretly delighted, she reached out her hand to Yu Wol.
Without hesitation, he took her hand.
As Yu Wol and Jeomsoi prepared for the morning business, the Sword Saint observed them closely. After all, she was going to stay at the inn, so she couldn’t just sit idly.
If she’s going to help him later and enjoy a cozy life together, she better play the role of the innkeeper well.
Of course, the Sword Saint thought she would handle it just fine and couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Hehehe…”
“What’s with that creepy laugh?”
“Don’t mind me.”
The Doje, who had only been sipping vegetable soup and poking at the Hwanghwa, said, sounding displeased, and the Sword Saint replied coldly.
Right. Let’s let the Doje’s grumpiness slide. The important thing is Yu Wol.
So, she gazed at him happily.
“Attention! Yu Wol has received the Emperor’s decree!”
Upon seeing the numerous imperial soldiers gathered in front of the inn, she frowned.
Suddenly a royal decree?
“…Ah.”
No way.
No way.
Finally!