"Now I understand a little more."
Because this was my second time in the white room, I had learned a few things.
"First, the woman who spoke to me isn't human."
Her tone here was completely mechanical and unchanging. She never answered questions. She simply assessed my aptitude and granted rewards. She was no different from an automated responder.
"Second, no one else can see the orb."
The orb was visible only to me. The moment I picked it up, I was instantly pulled into the white room.
"Third, my connection with Agnes is severed here."
Since Agnes and I had formed a contract, we should be able to communicate no matter where I was, but Agnes gave no response at all.
My guess was that only my mind or soul had been brought to this place.
Finally, I had thought the rewards were calculated based on my aptitude and future needs, but today's events changed that view.
The reward after killing the Sharkrai King and the one I received today after the Sea Serpent were vastly different.
Honestly, they were like heaven and earth.
The previous reward—showing me my own death and giving me a chance to avoid it—was a legendary gift that no amount of treasure in the world could buy.
"Human Seal…"
Compared to that, today's Human Seal was, as the name suggested, nothing special. It wasn't like Sword Emperor or Sword Saint, which granted massive bonuses to swordsmanship. I had no idea why I had been given such a basic sword trait.
*Flash!*
"Ah."
The moment I regained my senses, I was back on the ship. Time seemed to have paused and then resumed—I had returned to the exact moment when Peru was looking for the orb.
"Young Master, did you find the orb?"
"Orb? Oh… I must have seen wrong."
"I see."
I brushed off the question about the orb with Peru and stepped back.
"Agnes."
[What?]
"Did you hear me calling you?"
[What? You didn't call me except when you turned me into butterflies earlier.]
"Really?"
As expected, the connection with Agnes was completely cut off inside the white room. There was something in that place that transcended time and space.
"Let's check once."
While everyone was focused on the Sea Serpent, I decided to look at my status for the first time in a while. I moved to the right side of the deck and opened my status window.
[Name: Yuren Rox]
[Traits: Creator's Eye, Sichuan Tang Clan, Immunity to All Poisons, Celestial Martial Body, Human Seal – 0%]
[Notes: ?]
[Sync Rate: 78.16%]
"As expected, it wasn't a dream. Huh? Wait. The Human Seal…"
Human Seal was a common trait that many knights and soldiers possessed. But I had never seen one with a percentage attached to it.
"It's not an ordinary Human Seal…"
Yet something else caught my eye even more strongly.
"What's with that question mark?"
The Notes section, which had been blank before, now contained a single question mark.
"This world really is full of mysteries."
"Young Master."
Peru approached after finishing with the Sea Serpent.
"His Excellency said we're returning immediately."
"Of course he would."
I had expected we would head back right away, given the risk of more incidents.
As we returned to the island, I felt many eyes on me. Knights including Rekka, the sailors, Colin, and even the Marquis were subtly watching me.
But their gazes carried emotions that were clearly different from before.
Perhaps because of the terror of the Sea Serpent, we returned to Haiwa Island much faster than when we had departed.
"Oh, you're back sooner than expected. Any trouble?"
"There was trouble."
As soon as we disembarked, Clyde, who had been waiting on the island, approached with a smile.
"Huh? Trouble?"
"A Sea Serpent appeared and nearly killed everyone, but the Young Master saved us all and even killed the Serpent."
Peru dramatically exaggerated everything that had happened on the ship to Clyde. To anyone listening, it would sound like I had fought a dragon.
"As expected of the Young Master! After the Sharkrai King, now a Sea Serpent!"
Clyde wasn't surprised in the slightest. He looked at me with complete trust, as if it were only natural.
*Boom!*
While talking with Clyde, the sound of something heavy hitting the sea echoed. They must have pushed the Sea Serpent's corpse overboard because it was too heavy for the ship.
"Wow! Is that it? It's huge!"
As they prepared to move the Serpent's body into the water, an unexpected situation unfolded.
"Young Master."
The knights who had ignored me when boarding now bowed politely as they disembarked, greeting me as they passed.
"Thank you, Young Master."
"Well done, Young Master."
Their eyes had a completely different color from before.
It wasn't exactly respectful, but seeing people who once hated me now thank me felt profoundly moving.
"Hm."
I had expected their attitudes to change, but I hadn't anticipated such a quick reaction.
"Heh, nice."
Peru seemed even happier seeing me receive respect.
"Urgh."
"Aagh!"
"Put some strength into it!"
The Sea Serpent's weight was enormous, so everyone had to pitch in just to drag it ashore.
"Your Excellency. Shouldn't we sell the Sea Serpent corpse to the mage tower? Despite the wounds, it's freshly killed and intact—it should fetch a huge sum."
"Yuren."
"Yes."
The Marquis, discussing the corpse with a wizard, suddenly called me.
"What do you think? Since you killed it, I'll let you decide."
"Sell it to the mage tower and use the money wisely. First, compensate the casualties from this campaign, then use the rest for the soldiers and knights who worked hard when we return to the Marquisate."
At my words, everyone on the island stared at me in stunned silence.
"Are… are you serious?"
"Of course."
The Marquis asked again with a trembling voice if I truly meant it.
Of course I did.
Selling the snake for money was far less beneficial than using it to boost the favorability of the Marquis, knights, and soldiers here. In fact, I could see their favorability rising in real time.
"Hahaha! Incredible. I never thought of that. Alright, we'll do it your way. You handle the sale to the mage tower."
"Of course. I'll take full responsibility and ensure we get the best price for the Young Master's noble intentions!"
The wizard I had detoxified earlier thumped his chest confidently.
"Captain."
"Yes."
"Since a Sea Serpent might appear again, stay vigilant for a while. Warn the fishermen and villagers too."
"Understood."
While the Marquis warned the captain about the Sea Serpent, we formed a long, single-file line.
"Then let's head back!"
"Yes!"
Tired, I wanted to use magic to return, but there was a reason we marched back in formation like this.
"His Excellency the Marquis has returned!"
"Wooo!"
"Long live Rox!"
"Young Master Yuren!"
"Well done, everyone!"
As we left Haiwa Island and entered the village, crowds gathered, cheering wildly. The thunderous roar made my ears ring.
"Your Excellency!"
"Young Master Yuren, look this way!"
"Wooo!"
Men, women, young and old—all the villagers waved frantically, shouting.
Seeing so many people cheering like this made my heart race and my chest warm.
The Marquis and knights lightly waved, enjoying the cheers, while the soldiers beamed with smiles.
"Yuren."
"Yes."
The Marquis slowed slightly to walk beside me.
"Doesn't it feel proud and good?"
"I didn't realize people's cheers could feel this wonderful."
"I've fought all these years to protect their smiles and their lives. From now on, you must protect their lives and their smiles."
With that, the Marquis stepped forward again, showing the people a bright smile.
"Young Master!"
"What?"
"From what His Excellency said, doesn't it sound like he's thinking of naming you heir?"
"It was just one trial, you idiot."
I said that, but the Marquis's words and eyes carried deep trust in me.
"Wooo!"
"Sharkrai King Slayer! Yuren!"
"Iron Wizard!"
"Young Master Yuren!"
Perhaps because of the Sharkrai King story, my name was called most often. I waved back at their enthusiastic cheers.
Not just this village—every village in the Marquisate came out to cheer as we passed through like a parade.
"It's definitely different from before."
When I helped Ilia kill the orc warrior, we received cheers in As Castle, but protecting my own land and earning cheers from my own people felt far more fulfilling and moving.
"His Excellency the Marquis has returned!"
"Everyone, line up!"
After days of parading through the Marquisate's villages, we finally returned to the estate. From the entrance, all the servants, soldiers, and knights stood in neat lines waiting.
"Well done!"
"Yeah. We're back."
As soon as we entered the mansion, Kainas, standing prominently in the center like the star of the show, rushed to the Marquis and embraced him.
"*Sob*, I was so worried."
"Hahaha! It's an annual event—what's there to worry about?"
"I couldn't help, so…"
"It's because you're here that I can leave with peace of mind."
"Marquis…"
Kainas hugged not only the Marquis but also Colin and Laon, tears streaming down her face.
"Sigh, they're filming a drama."
I shook my head and headed to my room when the Marquis grabbed my shoulder.
"Yuren."
"Yes."
"Come to my office tomorrow."
"Understood."
His serious expression suggested he had something important to say.
"You all worked hard. Everyone who participated in the campaign will receive a week's leave."
"Wooo!"
"Long live His Excellency!"
"Long live Rox!"
At the mention of leave, knights and soldiers alike cheered.
"Tomorrow we'll hold a festival with plenty of food and drink, so everyone join in."
"Wooo!"
"Long live Rox!"
These people loved drinking like water, so they seemed to prefer the festival over the leave.
Entering the mansion, everything was prepared for bathing. Soaking in the hot tub, I felt all the accumulated fatigue melt away.
That night I fell asleep immediately. The next morning, after breakfast, I went straight to the Marquis.
He looked even more exhausted than yesterday, probably from handling everything since our return.
"You showed me that red butterfly you launched from the ship—its beauty and power were shocking."
"Thank you."
The Marquis still couldn't forget the power and beauty of the Blood Flower Butterfly.
"With an ability like that, it makes sense you'd give up the sword. I'm glad I listened to you back then."
"Yes."
"So…"
The Marquis picked up a book from his desk and walked over to me.
"I'd like you to know the sword."
"Huh?"
"In my opinion, you'll end up fighting many knights in the future."
This novel was a fantasy dominated by magic and swords. Naturally, there would be countless battles against sword-wielding opponents.
"Even if you don't learn swordsmanship, I'd like you to understand it. This swordsmanship manual contains the basics. Read it, then go to the training ground and watch the knights' swords. It'll help you face swordsmen later."
"…"
"This is just advice, not an order. If you don't want to, you don't have to. Consider it an old man's concern."
"Understood."
Moved by his genuine care, I bowed respectfully, took the book, and left his office.
"I appreciate the thought, but can you really learn the sword from a book?"
I had no intention of learning swordsmanship, but out of respect for the gesture, I opened the manual on my way back to my room.
"Huh?"
*Thud.*
I dropped the book in shock.
"What is this…?"