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EPISODE 175 – COUNTDOWN (2)
As the heavens knew, the earth knew, and Cordelia knew, Jude was the kind of person who was meticulous in his preparations.
You could say that he always had a plan for everything.
Naturally, there were many times when the situation changed during a battle, so he also had to do some improvisations, but such situations were unavoidable.
Even in battles, he would take out a trump card he had prepared in advance and use it.
And in order to do that, he had to predict all the possible situations and prepare accordingly.
His date with Cordelia.
He had already assumed that it would happen.
When Jude had done some investigation regarding the royal capital, it was not only the Black Moon and Blue Moon that he paid attention to.
What is the best dress shop?
What is the most famous restaurant?
What are the best places for sightseeing?
Is there any place with a lot of attractions that we can go to anytime?
“I know a nearby place where they serve some amazing steaks. Would you like to go there with me?”
First Sword slyly said, and Jude took a deep breath first.
Because he already knew where the best steakhouse that First Sword was referring to.
‘The Shepherd’s Place.’
“It’s a shop called The Shepherd’s Place, and the chef there is amazing.”
Just as Jude had thought.
“It’s like fate that we met here like this, so let’s go there, okay? It’ll be my treat.”
A talk with First Sword.
A meal with First Sword.
If you were a promising swordsman in the center, no, in the SĂ€len Kingdom, you would not refuse it. Rather, you would want to go with him even if you had to be the one to pay for the meal.
But.
Still.
‘Haa
’
F*ck.
Just like what Cordelia always said, him saying  ‘f*ck’ was more of an exclamation than a curse.
How else could he fully express his feelings?
‘We should go.’
We must go.
Because we have to get close to First Sword.
It will be easier for us on the day of the founding anniversary if we get close to him.
‘But why did it have to be now?’
He had planned to get close to First Sword on another day.
And that day was not today.
‘Haa
’
Jude sighed again in his thoughts, and the person next to him lightly pulled his sleeve.
‘Jude, Jude. We should go, right?’
He’ll treat us to a meal.
We have to get close to First Sword anyway.
No, I’m not saying that we should go because he’s treating us to a meal.
Anyway, we should just go with him.
At the words that Cordelia conveyed with her gaze, Jude was silent for a while before he nodded his head.
‘It can’t be helped.’
‘Yes, yes, let’s eat with First Sword today.’
When Jude saw Cordelia’s eyes that seemed to soothe him, he fixed his gaze on her face for a moment instead of looking back at First Sword.
There was a feeling of regret in her blue eyes.
Jude was satisfied with that. He faintly smiled before he turned to First Sword.
“Thank you for your offer. It’s an honor to have a meal with First Sword-nim.”
“Okay, I’m grateful that you willingly accepted it.”
First Sword slyly said again, but they could tell from looking at his face.
‘He’s very excited.’
‘He’s a really sly person.’
He was similar to Jude but also different.
In any case, Jude and Cordelia accepted his offer, and First Sword was delighted and approached the two. He then stretched out his hand to Cordelia.
“Lady Cordelia, may I have the honor of escorting you?”
At First Sword’s shameless offer, Cordelia first turned to Jude before she smiled. She gracefully acted as someone who had lived as a count’s daughter for 17 years.
“It’s an honor that the Sword Saint of Light wants to escort me. But
”
Cordelia glanced at Jude again, giving him a mischievous look before she turned to First Sword and apologized.
“My jealous fiancĂ© is next to me. I hope you understand.”
Cordelia answered a bit cutely, and First Sword chuckled and immediately nodded.
“It can’t be helped then. But Lady Cordelia, you shouldn’t be indulgent with his excessive jealousy. That’s not a good habit, you know?”
“Thank you for your valuable advice.”
Cordelia beautifully responded again, and First Sword stepped back with a pleased smile. His expression seemed to say that he was fine now since he had managed to ‘land a punch’ on Jude.
“Now then, let me lead you two there.”
First Sword turned around and strode forward.
His strides were quite big, so she thought that they should quickly follow him.
‘Jude?’
At Cordelia’s gaze that seemed to be laughing, Jude narrowed his eyes and suddenly grabbed Cordelia’s hand.
“Let’s go, Princess.”
His face was a bit different from his usual sly face, as he now had a face like that of a child whose innermost thoughts had been revealed.
Cordelia tried to hold back her laughter and then nodded.
“Yes, my jealous fiancĂ©. Please escort me~ okay?”
She acted a bit cute and teasing at the end, and Jude walked forward instead of answering, so she finally laughed out loud.
Jude’s earlobes were burning red.
“Ah, I’m starting to like First Sword all of a sudden. He’s a nice uncle.”
Jude did not respond to Cordelia’s monologue, nor did he say anything.
No, he did react a little. Because he slightly strengthened his grip on his hand that held hers.
‘How cute.’
Cordelia giggled and adjusted her fingers in Jude’s big hand before she looked in front and saw First Sword looking their way.
The man who seemed to be somehow excited until now was standing there with a very annoyed look.
Why?
What’s wrong with him?
Cordelia stepped forward instead of asking him.
The clean and cold night air of the royal capital seemed to be hot today.
***
The Shepherd’s Place was clearly a place that deserved its reputation for its food.
The moment she took a bite, the steak seemed to melt in her mouth.
‘Delicious.’
Cordelia’s steak consumption speed slightly became faster, while Jude habitually analyzed the kind, part, and degree of roasting of the steak.
And First Sword looked at the two before saying.
“It’s delicious, right? This steakhouse is the best one in the royal capital. It’s a place I visit often when I’m in the royal capital.”
“Yes, it’s really delicious. Thank you very much for introducing it to us.”
When the happy Cordelia cheerfully answered, a satisfied smile spread on First Sword’s face.
He had fun ‘attacking’ Jude, but a girl’s smile that was as beautiful as a flower was more enjoyable.
“Anyway, eat as much as you want. I can afford all of these.”
Cordelia slightly turned red at First Sword’s suggestion, and she nodded her head.
The serving size wasn’t that big, but she wanted to eat at least one more plate of steak if it had tasted as delicious as this.
‘And it’s free too!’
Given the very luxurious atmosphere of the restaurant, it was clear to her that one plate of steak was ridiculously expensive.
‘Maybe that’s why it tastes better.’
Because she was eating meat that was paid for by First Sword.
Cordelia happily put a cut of steak in her mouth, while Jude focused a bit more after seeing Cordelia’s appearance.
He had to analyze the taste of the food in this store as much as possible.
‘A near-perfect copy.’
Let’s do this.
It had been a long time since Jude gave his all in utilizing his talents for such a meaningless purpose.
When they had finished eating to some extent, First Sword was the one to talk first.
“It’s a bit sudden to bring this up, but
 are you really a swordsman?”
Jude replied with a calm face instead of being embarrassed to his question.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Ah, don’t worry. I won’t take away the prize given to you just because you’re not a swordsman.”
“But it’s true. Jude’s master is also a swordsman.”
Cordelia spoke from the side, and First Sword looked at her instead of Jude and said.
“Well, you’re right. Landius-nim is originally a swordsman.”
Originally.
At First Sword’s sullen remark, Cordelia smiled a bit.
‘He was a real swordsman in the first episode.’
A powerful swordsman who wielded a huge sword energetically.
But how did he end up like that now?
‘Please don’t let Jude become like that.’
It’s good if he becomes strong, but if he becomes that huge
 please, no

As Cordelia suddenly began to pray in her mind, First Sword looked back at Jude and asked.
“So, how is GaĂ«l doing?”
“He’s fine. He’s doing well.”
First Sword was in his early 30s while Gaël was in his late 20s, so it was hard to say that they belonged to the same generation because they were about 5-6 years apart in age.
But as the Girin of the Sword School, First Sword was already acquainted with Gaël because they met at a previous Banquet of Swords.
“I see
 that guy should really get married though.”
It was rare for a count’s eldest son to be not yet married despite being in his late twenties.
Having just finished her prayer, Cordelia softly answered when First Sword spoke as if he was worried.
“He’ll be married soon. With my sister.”
“I see, your sister
 Wait, what? GaĂ«l is getting married? And with the Golden Yaksha
 I mean, with Adelia?!”
When First Sword asked in surprise, Cordelia smiled again and nodded.
“Yes, with my sister.”
The Golden Yaksha.
The Hell Witch.
All of these referred to Adelia Chase, the 7th commander of the Royal Guards Magic Corps, and that was why it made First Sword laugh.
“That’s really amazing. That GaĂ«l lad would be marrying Lady Adelia
 How did he win over her?”
First Sword murmured low, and the other two stared at him with a slightly surprised face.
Because they did not expect First Sword and GaĂ«l’s connection to be that close.
“Well, congratulations anyway. Please tell them that my congratulations.”
“We will.”
Jude politely answered, and First Sword returned to his usual idle posture before he spoke again.
“As I’ve said before, one of the main reasons I chose to stay was because of you two. I feel like I have to stay in the royal capital when I see you two.”
“We also want to be close whenever we see First Sword-nim.”
Cordelia spoke in a charming manner, and First Sword smiled in satisfaction.
“Yes, maybe it really is fate. To begin with, I really like the two of you. Aren’t you talented geniuses?”
“I’m flattered.”
“I’m not that much.”
First Sword laughed at Jude’s humble response, and he said as he buried his back in the chair.
“Have you heard it from Cornwell? I had gone to the empire and met some monsters.”
“Yes, we’ve heard about it.”
“Maximilian de Avis and Leon Gadreel.”
Jude and Cordelia narrowed their eyes at the two names mentioned by First Sword.
Because they had already expected to hear those names.
Even among the playable characters made up of geniuses, one was the owner of a monstrous talent who was the true protagonist of Legend of Heroes 2, and the other was a sword genius who could face such a monster.
“In my life, I had seen many people who were called geniuses, but it was my first time meeting someone like them. What surprised me in particular was their strength that didn’t fit their age.”
First Sword himself was strong right now.
But what about in ten years?
What about in twenty years?
“Even if we’re the Ten Great Swordmasters or Sword Saints, we’re still human beings in the end. We have no choice but to get weaker as we get older. In the past, the Lord Protector boasted of an outstanding strength among the Ten Great Swordmasters, but the present him is not as good as he used to be.”
First Sword continued to ramble before he ended his words with a bitter smile. He looked at Jude again and said.
“I don’t know if Cornwell has already said this, but I’m quite excited about you. The kingdom should also have at least one monster, and not just the empire.”
Jude nodded at First Sword’s words. He responded with a serious face, as if he wanted to meet First Sword’s expectations.
“I will do my best.”
“Ah, darn it. If it weren’t for Landius-nim, I would have taken and made you my disciple.”
“Thank you very much for your kind consideration.”
“You’re really polite.”
First Sword chuckled again before he stood up instead of continuing their conversation.
“Anyway, we’ve had a good meal, and I’ve said hello, so this unwanted guest will show himself out. I’d like to stick with you until you go home, but
 uh
 what do you think?”
“Thank you for your thoughts.”
Jude made a stiff smile, making First Sword laugh loudly.
“Yes, it’s natural for you to decline it. Anyway, see you next time. Lady Cordelia, see you next time too.”
“Thank you for the meal. I look forward to seeing you next time.”
“Me too.”
First Sword greeted Cordelia back in a theatrical manner, and he turned around after greeting Jude for the last time. Jude then stared at the back of such a man.
First Sword.
The Sword Saint of Light.
A bright, energetic, mischievous, and cheerful man.
As Jude continued to stare at First Sword, Cordelia asked in a low voice.
“What is it? Is it because he may leave without paying?”
“There’s that too.”
Anyway, he was one of the most important characters in their quest.
“Ah, he paid it.”
Cordelia said while Jude nodded his head. It was only then that he looked back at Cordelia.
***
“Haa, I’m happy. It was really delicious.”
Around 30 minutes after First Sword was gone.
After drinking tea followed by dessert, Cordelia left the restaurant and patted her stomach with a very satisfied face.
“Ahem, it definitely seem to be a bit bigger than usual.”
“What did you say? You wanna die?”
“I didn’t say anything. Anyway, it was delicious. Let’s stop by that place again next time.”
“Hmm
 rejected. It’s too expensive. Wastefully spending money is a sin.”
She had been surprised in seeing the price tag on the menu when they had ordered dessert.
They had eaten it because First Sword had paid for it, but Cordelia had no intention of eating it if they had asked her to pay for it.
“You’re a strange frugal woman, you know that?”
“It’s not that I’m strange, but it’s you who is weird, Jude. You waste your money on luxurious stuff. I do buy items, but I don’t crazily spend my money on clothes and food.”
“So items are okay?”
“Items are okay. Because it increases my combat power. Which is directly related to my life.”
At Cordelia’s argument that was more reasonable than he expected, Jude nodded his head, prompting her to speak cheerfully.
“Moving on, I have decided. I’ll be the one to manage our money later.”
“Later?”
“Yes, later.”
“What later?”
“Huh?”
“I mean, later. What do you mean by later?”
Cordelia blinked at Jude’s question.
She had to do that.
Later.
After everything was over.
To be more specific

“L-later is later, and later is somewhere in the future. Anyway, let’s go see the night view. Yes, yes, the night view. The night view. Yes, I’m excited to see it.”
Cordelia spoke gibberish as her face turned red.
Therefore, Jude snickered before he said.
“Okay, but there’s a place we have to stop by in the middle.”
“Stop by?”
“Yes, I did talk about the third crime of Pink Bomb, right?”
“Yes. Ah, so you’re sending a notice?”
“That’s right. After all, it would be hard to come out at night when we’ve entered the palace. Considering the rest of our schedule
 and so on, we’ll have to send a notice today, rob them tomorrow, and meet Princess Daphne the day after tomorrow.”
“How busy.”
“Because that day is just around the corner.”
The time after the 300th founding anniversary ball was over.
The time after it had reached its peak.
“Okay, so tomorrow is also the day we’ve decided to meet Scarlet. What’s our goal this time? What are we going to steal?”
“We’re going to raid the headquarters of the Black Moon that’s disguised as a shopping complex. Our target is the Black Moon’s terror plan for the day of the founding anniversary.”
“Eh? Was there something like that?”
“Yes, it’s this.”
Jude naturally responded as he took out some documents in his enchanted chest pocket and showed them to Cordelia, who looked at him with wide open eyes.
“Hey, Jude, the second son of Count Bayer. Is that thing you are holding the Black Moon’s terror plan?”
“Yes, Lady Cordelia, the second daughter of Count Chase. It’s the terror plan that you’ll be stealing from the headquarters of the Black Moon.”
“I’m going to steal it, but you’re already holding it?”
“Yes, the important thing is that we made everyone believe that we seized the terror plan of the Black Moon in their headquarters, and not the fact that a terror plan existed in the first place.”
It was the same trick they used in Langesthei.
False evidence.
But those documents contained real information that could put the Black Moon into deep trouble.
Cordelia shifted her gaze to the documents in Jude’s hand before she looked back at Jude again.
“Jude.”
“Yes, Cordelia.”
“You’re a really, really bad guy.”
“Isn’t that good? Aren’t you attracted to bad guys?”
When Jude shamelessly retorted, Cordelia looked at him as if she heard something ridiculous, but she soon widely smiled. She grabbed Jude’s arm and answered.
“I primarily like good guys.”
“Primarily?”
“Yes, primarily.”
Cordelia spoke quite haughtily and gestured with her chin, and Jude got up right away.
“Then let’s go, Milady.”
“Yes, Milord.”
To be a righteous thief again today and tomorrow.
To turn the Black Moon and the Lord Protector upside down again.
The fantasy couple walked forward in a close manner