Chapter 108: Preview
“…You just did it and it worked…? Do you even realize how absurd that sounds?”
If Hoyeon explained something, Anya would immediately ask how it was possible. Then, when she explained that, Anya would demand to know how that worked.
Unlike last time, their conversation kept spiraling into an endless chain of questions.
Honestly, this was probably the normal reaction. Maybe I was the odd one for setting aside understanding and focusing on how to make use of it instead.
If I had to summarize Hoyeon’s explanation in a single sentence, it would be: ‘I don’t know why, but when I do it, it works.’ Anya, on the other hand, was still stuck on figuring out why.
Thinking about it, it really was bizarre. There was a time when I seriously considered the possibility that Hoyeon unconsciously disrupted magic formulas around her. In fact, even now, she still did.
There were a few exceptions—things that functioned properly—but I had no way of knowing what would be nullified and what would remain intact.
“Ugh…! I’m telling you, I don’t know! How am I supposed to explain something that just works when I do it?!”
“…Sir Dogeon, not that I doubt Lady Hoyeon, but… is there really nothing she’s keeping from us? This is just too unbelievable.”
“There isn’t. Which makes it even more confusing. If she doesn’t know, how could we?”
“…That’s true.”
Eric, perhaps weary of his lover’s unproductive back-and-forth, turned to me to see if I had any insights into Hoyeon’s secret. But even if he asked… I couldn’t answer what I didn’t know.
I asked her questions every day, slowly piecing together information, but there was still so much I didn’t understand about her—especially from an objective standpoint.
Her words often sounded convincing, but considering what I knew from the original story, it was clear that the East wasn’t some flawless utopia.
An entire nation moving toward a singular goal, as if brainwashed. People willingly offering themselves as sacrifices…
“…Sigh, fine. I’ll believe you. So you’re saying, ‘It just works when you do it.’ Right?”
“Wait, what’s with that tone…? You sound like you’re only reluctantly believing me.”
“Well, because it still doesn’t make sense! ‘It just works’—do you even realize how ridiculous that sounds to someone hearing it?”
“Argh, fine! I’ll explain from the beginning again!”
Their seemingly endless debate only came to an end when the in-flight announcement signaled it was time for lunch. Though neither of them seemed upset, they looked utterly drained, as if they had finally given up on convincing each other.
“…Let’s just agree to disagree. Lady Hoyeon, you say it worked because you did it, and I’ll accept it based on my own reasoning… If we keep this up, we’ll never reach a conclusion.”
“…For everyone’s sake, let’s do that.”
Hoyeon, evidently exhausted from Anya’s relentless questioning, flopped against me, lightly tapping the back of my hand with her tail.
It wasn’t hard to figure out what she was asking for. As I gently stroked her head, she twitched her ears in satisfaction, as if regaining some energy.
“…Ugh, how am I supposed to explain something that just works when I do it…”
She muttered in frustration, but even I had to admit that she lacked an understanding of others’ perspectives. Still, I was sure she had at least tried to explain.
"You worked hard explaining. But Lady Hoyeon, sometimes, making up a convincing lie is better. Even when you tell the truth, there are people who just won’t accept it."
“…You say some really creepy things so casually.”
Was that creepy? I didn’t think so.
In human relationships, well-placed lies were an essential tool. Hoyeon would understand that eventually.
“Creepy? No, that’s just how people are.”
I’ll save the deeper conversation for later. First, we should eat.
I naturally led Hoyeon toward the dining area. The crowd was bustling, but as soon as they noticed Hoyeon, they parted like the Red Sea, making it easy for us to find a seat.
“Eating a meal while looking down from the sky… This is quite a rare experience.”
Hoyeon, clearly unfamiliar with this, gazed out the window in awe. Since she seemed so impressed, I decided to tease her a bit—partly out of curiosity.
“With all your advanced technology, do you not have airships in your homeland?”
“There’s nothing this slow.”
Ah, so they do have them. And fast ones, too.
I couldn’t help but wonder just what kind of place the East really was.
In the original story, the only things I remembered about it were related to medicine, so I had no way of knowing how advanced their technology actually was.
Then again, since the quality of the novel had gone downhill in later parts, I might have skimmed over or forgotten important details.
Still, I didn’t recall any mention of airships or teleportation devices.
And from what she had described, it didn’t sound like the perfectly controlled utopia she had made it out to be, either.
I wanted to dismiss her words as nonsense, but she had personally traveled outside and seen things for herself. So I couldn’t completely ignore her claims.
…Well, I’d find out soon enough. Eventually, I would follow Hoyeon to the East and uncover the truth for myself.
Whether I’d be able to stop the war… that, I didn’t know. But if I could, I hoped I would.
“Is that so? Then take this opportunity to enjoy the pleasure that comes with taking things slow. Didn’t you say your homeland lacked entertainment?”
Technically, she had said they had entertainment, but it wasn’t widely available. Instead, it was stored away in something called the Philosophy Vault…
When I asked what that was, she explained it was a storage for ideas too valuable to discard, yet too impractical to put to use.
Most of the space, apparently, was filled with entertainment-related content.
“I suppose that sounds nice. Speaking of which… what do you plan to do once we reach the forest?”
“What else? We made a promise, remember?”
I wonder if she brought it.
In the original story, the destination of this trip wasn’t the Elves Forest, so I had no idea what we would actually find there.
Would we just wander through the forest and admire the scenery…?
“…R-Right…?”
Hoyeon, still fully conscious, seemed a bit embarrassed.
Come to think of it, there was something else I was curious about.
“Ah, Lady Hoyeon. By the way, what did you tell your guards?”
Their job was to protect her, so they would surely try to follow somehow. But considering the distance… how exactly would they keep up?
“Hmm… Oh, them? I told them to run.”
“…Excuse me?”
“With their abilities… Ah, right. It should take them about two or three days. There won’t be any obstacles to slow their march, so it shouldn’t take too long. But what about you? What did you do about Yeonho?”
…They’re just running the whole way?
The shock barely had time to settle before I realized something—if Hoyeon’s ridiculous stamina wasn’t just her personal quirk but a trait of her entire race, then… maybe this wasn’t so strange.
Still, they’re seriously just running that whole distance?
“…I packed him in my luggage. I made sure to bring plenty of feed and water, so he should be fine…”
If my assumption was correct, then this continent’s chances of winning a war without divine intervention were looking increasingly slim.
How the hell were they supposed to win?
“Well then… I’ll be looking forward to it.”
The way Hoyeon smiled at me, full of hidden meaning, sent a small chill down my spine.
What exactly was she planning this time?
***
“…Lady Gloria. Are you sure it’s alright to leave your jurisdiction?”
Ethan asked in a concerned tone, looking at the blonde woman.
“Yes. I came to the academy because of Stefania. And… Ethan. Do you believe in intuition?”
“Intuition…?”
“Yes. That tingling feeling. My instincts are telling me… something is going to happen in the Great Forest.”
Ethan was the type to act based on solid evidence rather than intuition, so he found it difficult to relate to her words. With a hint of dissatisfaction, he asked again.
“What if nothing happens?”
“What do you mean? Then none of the academy students will get hurt, and I’ll have a lovely time resting in the fresh air of the Great Forest. There’s nothing bad about that, is there?”
Faced with Gloria’s carefree smile, Ethan gave up on arguing. She was his superior, both in rank and status.
As one of them basked in leisure and the other in discomfort, a bright, cheerful voice rang out.
“Lady Gloria! Ethan! I brought tea! It won’t taste good if it gets cold, so drink up quickly!”
“You seem quite excited, Cecilla. Is it because we’re heading to your homeland?”
Unlike Ethan, who remained grim, Cecilia was practically floating with happiness.
“Yes! I’m thrilled to introduce my friends to the people I miss so much!”
She was so excited that, in her enthusiasm, she nearly spilled the tea. But somehow, she managed to steady herself and awkwardly handed them their cups.
“…Ehehe… Ahem. Um, Lady Gloria? How is your condition?”
It was obvious she was trying to change the subject to cover up her mistake. The other two exchanged amused smiles.
“Well… I’d say I’m doing alright. I haven’t tested it, but I think I can swing a sword again. Though, I’d rather not have to.”
“Please don’t overexert yourself. Your wounds still haven’t fully healed.”
Though Ethan chided her, Gloria only took it in stride, as if she found even that amusing.
“…Hm, this is a bit off-topic, but… how far along are you two?”
“…I must have misheard.”
“…Huh?”