Chapter 31. An Uncomfortable Meeting
The combination of emerald eyes and platinum hair was simply enchanting.
The sight of Rinne's beautiful visage made cold sweat trickle down my back.
'... Why is Rinne here?'
The Soul Stone currently hidden in the box is a material necessary for reviving the Demon God, unknown to the world until now.
Should she discover it, the repercussions would be unimaginable.
'If she finds out...'
It means I'd be giving the 'Sword Saint' a lead to discover I belong to the Dawn Society.
Of course, it might just be my paranoia. Even if she saw me carrying the Soul Stone, I could justify it.
'I could just say it's a trophy.'
Still, there's always a chance.
Not wanting to take unnecessary risks, I decided that not showing the Soul Stone was the best course of action in this situation.
"We seem to have quite a few unexpected meetings like this. Lady Rinne, it feels like even the heavens are causing these chance encounters, don't you think it's a peculiar fate?"
I hid my true feelings and acted as nonchalantly as possible.
Anyway, Yulian always wore a smiling face that never revealed his emotions, so she wouldn't notice my anxiety.
"... Cabin 114, cabin 114...."
Even after hearing my greeting, Rinne began confirming her ticket and the cabin number again.
Once she recognized that this was indeed the correct spot, her expression turned sour.
"You must be wondering, 'Why are you here?'"
"Yes, that's exactly what I'd like to know."
"I had some business in the border city of Vernidn. What about you, lady Rinne...?"
I trailed off, glancing at the suitcase she carried. Not only was it held in one hand, but she also dragged along a wheeled case.
Judging by the colors and designs of the clothes poking out, they seemed to be the uniform of the Bayer Academy.
Now that I thought about it, Rinne was on the brink of graduating from the academy at this time.
"Did you perhaps visit your family?"
Mentioning the plausible reason derived from observing her suitcase, I discreetly eyed the jewelry box on the table.
The box, conspicuously situated on the round table, was notably eye-catching. My priority now was to stash it away before she noticed it and grew curious.
"... How did you know?"
"It looks like you packed enough luggage to fill two cases. Since the seasons are changing, they're likely clothes."
"I could have gone shopping, you know?"
"In that case, would there be a reason to leave the capital? The capital offers more variety and availability of goods. And besides...."
I pointed to the suitcase with my finger.
"Your clothes are sticking out."
Rinne slightly turned her head to check the top portion of her suitcase.
Seeing a white cloth and light blue ribbon peeking out, she quickly tucked them back inside.
Though she pretended nothing was amiss, she glared at me intensely, her earlobes turning a deep red from embarrassment at her exposed clothing.
"I'd appreciate it if you stayed out of my personal affairs."
"Apologies if I offended you."
As I responded, Rinne nonchalantly began lifting her suitcase into the luggage compartment.
'Now's my chance!'
I seized the opportunity to discreetly slip the jewelry box into my bag.
"But when I reserved this cabin, there weren't supposed to be any other passengers. You're not stalking me, are you?"
Her abrupt words startled me, and I hastily retracted my hand, feigning a casual smile.
"My train tickets are usually procured by the imperial secretariat due to my work. Could it be that you, lady Rinne, are the one following me?"
"F-following you!?"
"Please, don't overreact... I was joking."
Even though I chuckled softly, my inner feelings did not reflect that lightheartedness.
I should not have taken the jewelry box out at all. But honestly, this situation was beyond my control.
Who could have predicted this sudden turn of events?
Rinne appeared displeased as she scrutinized my attire and luggage, seemingly trying to deduce what I'd been up to, just as I had done earlier.
"You mentioned travelling to Vernidn. Were you perhaps there to see the Ascension Day?"
"I was fulfilling a 'Blind Eyes' mission."
"For such a mission, you're well-dressed, and you've got only one sword at your waist."
Despite her aloofness, her face hinted at some emotion. However, I lacked the luxury to probe into it.
"If your previous task was close to the capital, that's understandable, but Vernidn is quite a distance. Didn't master always stress the importance of having spare swords for emergencies?"
"How could I forget such advice? However, 'at present', I'm in a realm where backup swords aren't necessary... Though for someone of Lady Rinne's 'level', having several might be wise."
"... Wha-what...!"
"Kidding. No need to get upset. I merely forgot to bring spare swords."
With a scowl, Rinne plopped into her seat.
Hmph.
Turning her head sharply toward the window, she conveyed that she didn't want to see me anymore.
'Good. Keep looking outside.'
I discreetly reached out for the jewelry box, ensuring Rinne wouldn't notice.
"That jewelry box—does it belong to you? It doesn't suit you at all."
She had already set her sights on it.
Her curiosity about the jewelry box on the table made me inwardly curse.
No wonder, given its conspicuously eye-catching design.
How could she have missed it when it was prominently displayed on the table?
"As it appears, it's a box holding jewels."
"... Jewels? I didn't think you were into that sort of thing."
"Yes, unlike some, I have a taste for the classic."
Deliberately provocating her to divert her attention, I hoped she would glance away so I could casually stash the jewelry box.
"Hmph."
As anticipated, Rinne turned her head toward the window in obvious displeasure.
Now's the time!
I eagerly reached for the jewelry box.
Feeling the box's hard texture against my fingertips brought me relief. I hid it underneath the table, out of Rinne's sight.
'Now to tuck it safely in my bag—'
Click—
But my relief was short-lived. As the train jolted on the railway, the box lid opened, and the Soul Stone fell out.
And of all the places for it to fall...
'... shit.'
Rinne's lap.
All my efforts to conceal the Soul Stone had been in vain.
The crimson Soul Stone, radiating a magnificent aura, lay resplendent against her startled gaze.
This sight left me flustered.
'Damn it...'
Rinne had found out about my Soul Stone.
I had expected it to be discovered by Hayden Reich's side at some point, but not this soon.
If Rinne reported this to the Sword Saint's faction, their suspicion was inevitable. From now on, what should I do...?
"Sadly, if this was something you cherished, it should've been scratched on the floor."
Fortunately...
Her tone suggested she hadn't realized the 'Soul Stone's' true nature yet.
Yet, sensing its unusual aura, she narrowed her eyes, examining it closely.
'Is she sensing something?'
As various thoughts flashed through my mind, Rinne placed the Soul Stone back on the jewelry box with apparent disinterest.
"It seems related to your task. Take care of it."
Her indifferent voice was music to my ears.
I liked that, at times like this, she wasn't interested in me.
***
"Lady, please allow me to carry your luggage."
Upon the train's arrival at the capital, and not wanting to remain with Yulian for a moment longer, Rinne swiftly exited the compartment.
As she was about to hand her luggage to a servant, she recalled Yulian's earlier words.
"Ah, just a moment."
After the reminder from Yulian, Rinne thoroughly checked her cases again.
Thankfully there were no clothes visibly sticking out this time.
"I have a carriage ready to take you straight to the academy dormitories."
"Yes, thank you."
Thanking the servant, Rinne handed over her luggage.
Clack, clack.
Distinct footsteps from behind caught her attention, prompting her to glance back.
"Traveling for long durations by train is quite the ordeal. Better than by carriage, though."
It was Yulian, who had shared cabin 114. He emerged through the open door, displaying the poise typical of someone from a distinguished family. Even though his usual behavior and remarks had tarnished that elegance.
"Indeed. With an irritating fellow passenger, it felt like hell to make it this far."
"Did it? I found the company of a conversation partner quite pleasant."
Feigning innocence as if we hadn't shared the same compartment, Rinne's brow furrowed but she refrained from commenting.
Showing anger would only gratify him further.
"Well then, I'll be off. I hope we meet again."
With a smile that inspired wariness in anyone who saw it, Yulian left with only a suitcase in hand.
As his figure gradually faded into the distance, a part of Rinne wished it would vanish completely, but her pride wouldn't allow it.
"Sir Yulian."
The soft-spoken mention of his name made Yulian pause and turn back to look at her.
Though his eyes were hidden behind slit-eye lids, his expression bore the same semblance as during the confrontation with her mentor, the Sword Saint, yet now it somehow felt more human.
"Thank you for what you did in the slums. Had it not been for your strength, I would have been in considerable trouble."
Rinne hadn't expected she'd ever express gratitude. The shift was likely due to witnessing his journey at the 'Dusk Flame' forge.
He was a vile man and utterly untrustworthy.
However, in swordsmanship alone, he was sincere.
And as such, extending respect as a fellow swordsman seemed justifiable.
"Why thank me for such a trifle? Aren't we fellow 'disciples'?"
"No, we're not. You were expelled by our mentor, weren't you?"
While extending respect and wielding affection were separate matters. Rinne firmly demarcated her words at his mention of them as disciples.
"How cold-hearted..."
With a serene smile, Yulian walked away from the station.
For a moment, Rinne watched his retreating figure before addressing the servant.
"Alright, let's head out."
"Yes, lady."
Boarding the carriage that had been held at the ready, she watched the station's scenery recede into the distance.
As reddish lantern light washed over her, the sight unexpectedly brought back the memory of the jewelry box Yulian had carried.
"... That jewel, have I seen it somewhere before? It seemed somewhat familiar."
"Pardon? Lady, what did you say just now?"
When the servant reacted to her mutterings, Rinne waved dismissively, claiming it was nothing.