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nEvan D. Sherden. Going to the Hot Springs (3)

nAfter fully enjoying the hot springs, the party came out and changed into a hot spring costume, one of the hot spring village’s specialties.

nIt was a traditional costume that had words on it. Actually, it was like a suit of traditional costumes like the ones from Korea, China, or Japan that corresponded to the real world’s Asia where he himself had lived.

nHowever, even among them, it resembled the Japanese Yukata more.

n‘This is still being maintained. On the fan site, as everyone would have worn it, people were confused of finding out the meaning behind it… It’s a Korean game after all, and many pointed out why they followed the Japanese style Yukata. But now, if you looked at it calmly, Westerners wouldn’t even have been able to tell which country this dress even belonged to.’

nThis was designed by a designer among the production crew, who liked Japanese hot springs.

nThe conjecture was that the high-ranking people liked this color, which was dark and cold, and the designer’s blood and sweat had been poured into programing and crafting such costumes.

nBut no way, this was believed by the people in the real world. Evan felt a strange appreciation while wearing it. He had thought it was a Yukata in his previous life, but now, there were quite a few hints of it being a large Hanbok instead.

n‘Touching it feels amazing… It doesn’t feel like the clothes I wore in the past life, It doesn’t feel like them at all.’

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nEvan also no longer feared about there being a connection between the real world and the game. This was because he had learned that all the civilizations of this world were tied to this world’s circumstances, not the Earth. Then, what was the reason for the development of these clothes?

nWhat could be guessed was that the nobles, who were the first pioneers who created this hot spring town, were not born here, and as it was a humid and hot town, they had to make comfortable and cool clothes that were well ventilated.

nThere were two things.

n“Our Master Evan looks really handsome, no matter what he puts on.”

n“It’s natural because he’s our Master.”

nUsually, Evan and Shine had a lot of fun disagreements, but right now, Shine was appreciating his appearance to the fullest. Rather, in the corner of his mind, he was even a little proud of Evan’s appearance, and the Marquis was a little surprised by his reaction, but soon he laughed it off.

n“But Shine, you’re good enough to match him. You’re also very handsome, just like Evan.”

n“Well, about that. Thank you, Master.”

nShine did not know what to do with the unexpected praise that came from the Marquis. It seemed that the distance between him and the Marquis, which had been awkwardly large at one time, seemed to have decreased a bit.

nMeanwhile, Raihan was nodding his head while carefully touching his clothes.

n“This is similar to Korean traditional clothes. Maybe the people who built the hot spring village are following that country’s trend.”

n“Oh really?”

nNo way, there was someone here who knew what this suit really was!

nIn the Yo-Ma Great War series, he hadn’t yet dealt with such circumstances, so he was very interested in Raihan’s explanation.

nBelois, who wore the same dress, walked towards them.

n“Master, did you enjoy the hot spring?”

n“Oh, Lua. You look like you settled here pretty well… Hmm?”

nBelois’ with her ebony-like hair and pure white skin, which basically suited any clothes well, was wearing a hot spring costume. The oriental charm gave her a special allure.

nAt this point, she was shining like red jewels.

nHer eyes and cheeks seemed to be the hot springs themselves.

nIt could only be said that she had already transcended the limit of beauty. Belois was still only nine years old.

n“Hey, we haven’t finished talking yet!”

nHowever, there was a guy who had been following Belois until now.

n“It is considered impolite to ignore a person in a conversation!”

nHe had bright blonde hair, blue eyes like the sea, and thin little lips, but he was a very handsome boy with clear features, and he also looked similar to Evan.

n“I’m sorry, but I have nothing more to share with you. The person I attend to has come.”

n“I can give you better conditions than whoever you serve now! Who can treat you better than Pellati’s Grand Master, Crow von Pellati! You mean he can be a better owner than me?”

nAt that exact moment, Evan felt the same urge when he played games after a long time. The only thing that could be said about this new guy was that he was just one of the game’s common NPC.

nIn the fantasy novels he had read in his previous life, a woman struck people like these from the moment they appeared. It was almost like a pattern that the moment they first appeared in the game, they were immediately beaten up by the protagonist and thrown to the side!

nBut unlike Evan, this guy wasn’t an extra.

n‘Crow von Pellati… … He was the Grand Master of Pellati family during the fall of the Maddo Kingdom. That means the Pellati family is also here. That’s why the owner of the hotel was so surprised. I would be surprised too if two such strong families came on the same day.’

nWhen Evan said that he was familiar with this guy, he actually remembered seeing this man grow up. He appeared in Yo-Ma Great War 3 and Yo-Ma Great War 4 and was a supporting character with considerable weight, even if he was not a regular. What did that mean?

nIt meant that he was a character who did not die in Yo-Ma Great War 3 by the official settings! Unlike Evan! Was it because he was the eldest son? Looking at it now, Evan was mistreated compared to him since he was younger.

n“Crow von Pellati, it’s been a long time.”

n“What the hell… Uh, what.”

nIt was then that Crow von Pellati found that the Marquis of Sherden was also present there. Although Belois was pretty and he had been fooled for a while, he wasn’t originally stupid.

nThe dungeon city leader located in each country communicated with others quite frequently, and he also knew the face of the Marquis Sherden.

n“So it is, Marquis D. Sherden. Excuse me. I didn’t know the Marquis was here and raised my voice like that… I’m really sorry.”

n“I would like to hear about the reason for raising the voice rather than all this. What’s wrong with this member of our family? If she made a mistake, please tell me.”

nAt that moment, Evan witnessed in real-time how the face of Crow von Pellati changed with horror. He wasn’t even a junior noble, and he had angered the Sherden family, who was said to be the strongest masters of the dungeon city of Sherden!

n“Oh no. She didn’t make any mistakes. I just saw the pretty child and became curious and asked a few questions.”

nEven if Belois really did make a mistake, he wouldn’t have dared to question her in front of the angry Marquis.

nWhen Evan saw Crow von Pellati waking away, he nodded satisfactorily.

n‘If there was a protagonist in my position, who could even dare to talk like that to Belois? I would probably have crossed the promised line, but I’m just an extra that might die if I stabbed hit by a knife.’

nHe remembered now that he was still only an extra.

nUnlike Evan, who was nothing but a mere extra, Crow von Pellati grew into a great magic swordsman later.

nHe had extraordinary qualities from a young age. Instead of going against him like a fool and seeing the ugly results, Evan decided to leave it to his father, who was in power. He thought that it was almost like a shortcut to get the job done!

n“Our Belois is an outstanding child despite her young age. If you’re enchanted by her beauty, then I can understand. But you wouldn’t be rude to women from now on, would you?”

n“No, of course! Our Mana city men, regardless of their status, do not engage in such manners toward women!”

n“I am relieved to hear the answer. As expected, Pellati’s descendants are growing well.”

nThe Marquis’ smile was shown in such a threatening fashion that Crow couldn’t breathe properly and stepped back.

nBelois looked thankfully at the Marquis. She bowed, returned to Evan, and bowed her head to Evan this time.

n“I sincerely apologize for bothering you by being caught up in petty disputes despite having the duty to protect you.”

n“It’s okay, Lua. You really are pretty. In my life, countless things like this will happen. Are you going to apologize to me every time?”

n“…Thank you for the compliment, Master.”

nEvan had praised her without hesitation.

nThe words had made Belois’ blush even more. Shine was stunned and looked at Evan, but Evan had no real awareness of what he had just said.

n“Well?”

nAnd because of that, Crow asked the Marquis about Evan.

n“Marquis, who is that child…?’

n“Oh, this is my second son. Evan, say hello. Crow von Pellati is the eldest son of Count Melto von Pellati, who rules the dungeon city. He belongs to the Pellati family of Mado.”

n“Yes, father. Young Master Crow von Pellati, nice to meet you. I am Evan D. Sherden, the second son of Marquis Sherden.”

nEvan was polite, neither too much nor insufficient while thinking, ‘This is the courtesy of the nobility.’ Crow looked at Evan.

nFor a moment… they both stared at each other.

n“I am Crow von Pellati. Thank you very much, Master Evan. By the way… Is that child your servant?”

n“Yeah. She is my direct subordinate. Do you have any business with Belois?”

n“This… Well, honestly I do. She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve seen in my life, so I can’t stop looking at her even though I know it’s rude. That’s why, if the Marquis allows me…”

nAt that moment, Crow von Pellati posed confidently and stretched out his fingers towards Evan!

n“May I ask Evan Master for a duel over Miss Belois!”

nEvan thought about it. Maybe this guy was a character created about 20 years ago? Were there other people with such an old thinking pattern and behavior? Or was he here from another game?

nIt was so absurd that Evan rolled his eyes and finally burst into laughter.

n“Uh Hahaha! A duel! Hahaha! It’s funny, it’s so funny! Even if you can’t win her heart, you can say that you are manly after this!”

n“Marquis Sharedon, if you would not allow it…”

n“No, I will. Evan, uh, go ahead.”

n“… What?”

nEvan felt thunderstruck. He was stunned as he wondered why the Marquis had made such a harsh decision, as the Marquis didn’t realize how terrible a mistake he had just made.

nIf it was like that, Evan had no choice but to refuse! He didn’t want to be hooked up because of bad luck. Evan shook his head firmly, biting his lips.

n“No, I am sorry, but I will refuse. Belois is not some property. We can’t dare compete for her life.”

n“Well, then, if I win the duel, we will let her be free! Then I will ask her if she will come to me again. If so, wouldn’t both sides be able to respect her!”

nEvan was surprised Crow came up with that!

n“You shouldn’t hurt each other, and we won’t allow the use of weapons and mana. It will be a bare-handed duel. Is that okay with you?”

n“Of course, I am still learning self-defense.”

nThe Marquis thoroughly changed the rules of the duel. However, seeing Crow confidently respond to the Marquis’s words as he clenched his fists, it seemed to Evan that he had learned a lot of fighting skills.

nAristocrats of the Mado Country were physically trained from a young age.

nCrow had a good spirit and did not seem to be lazy in his movements. The Marquis thought so and nodded.

n“Okay, then start.”

n“…What?”

n“Evan, please be gentle. The opponent is not the Knights’ Commander.”

n“What?”

nAs Evan was thinking of a way to further refuse the duel, people stepped back from side to side, and a fighting area was set up automatically!

nThe opponent was staring at him. He was at a reasonable distance from Evan while in the basic martial arts posture!

n‘Oh, I’m ruined. If I say I can’t do this now, I feel like I’ll only accumulate more bad luck.’

nEvan cleared his mind quickly. ‘Let’s settle it then.’

nAs the Marquis said, the duel had to be fought bare-handed without the use of any mana.

nThe Marquis was also watching them, so the probability of Evan actually dying had converged to zero. It could be said that it would be more dangerous if he was assaulted by the Commander of the Knights.

n‘If that’s the case, I can’t do nothing about this anymore.’

n‘It would be nice to have someone to compete against after a while! There must be quite a lot of levels of existence that I have accumulated so far. It doesn’t matter if I’m was an extra. I would not be beaten around by a supporting character, who was not even the protagonist!’

nMoreover, if he lost, Belois would be mad for trusting in Evan and would leave him… He really didn’t want to think about that. He believed that there was such a relationship between them that it could not be easily broken.

n“… Good. No matter who wins or loses, if the choice is still with Belois then it will be fine.”

nAfter such countless thoughts, the moment he decided to fight, Evan’s mood changed. It was as if a dragon, who had been quietly sleeping, had woken up from his slumber. It was such a breathtaking atmosphere!

n“…You must be quite strong too. Ah yes, I wasn’t wrong about you.”

n“Huh.”

nHe hadn’t even taken a proper posture yet, but immediately felt that the air around him had frozen. Raihan was surprised, and even the Marquis was surprised by Evan’s strong momentum.

n‘Evan is still 11 years old. How come he has such energy… It’s only been a little over a year since this child officially trained in fighting skills!’

nEven the Marquis, who wasn’t facing Evan, felt that way, so how would Crow face him? Suddenly, Crow felt a sensation of his own heart being plucked, and he faltered.

n‘What!?’

nNevertheless, he didn’t step back. It wasn’t because of pride, but because he believed that Evan couldn’t be stronger than himself.

n‘I have already practiced fighting skills for three years. Even if I have to fight someone younger than me, for I really like that little girl, I have to do it!’

nIf he had been able to read Evan’s thoughts,

n‘I can’t do this. It’s the first time I’ve ever done something like this..!’

nHe would have thought otherwise!

n“Then here we go!”

nCrow, who took the lead, ran slowly. Evan was guessing about what he wanted to do, but looking at his expression, it really seemed like that was the fastest speed he could come up with.

nFor the first time, Evan came up with a possibility.

n‘Isn’t this child’s physical ability not very good?’

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nAnyway, at that speed, avoiding an attack from him was not difficult.

nCountering it and hitting him back at the same time was not so hard. If it hurt him, it only meant that he was really weak, and if it didn’t, it would be fine anyway.

nHe would have to deal with him differently depending on which of the two happened to be true… Either way, he was unlikely to lose.

n“I will take it head on.”

nEvan took a step forward lightly against Crow, who was running towards him. Crow’s fist swung through the air.

nBreak!

nEvan gently hit his back with an elbow after he slipped out to the side. It was a flank fallout following an elbow attack that was perfect enough to be admired by even the Knights’ Commander.

n‘Which is it? Is Crow hurt badly enough, or not at all?’ Even though he was nervous, Evan opened his eyes and looked at him.

n“What?”

nAs his gaze fell on the floor, he was confused to find Crow lying unconsciously.

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