At the time Judom who couldnât fight satisfactorily while carrying Farahâs body, was trying to break free from being cornered by the dead, a woman came and helped them. She was that woman right now on their doorsteps.
This beautiful woman possessed a dark blue hair tied in a ponytail, a figure one would make a woman jealous to have, and a beauty that could captivate any other man in the world.
After she saved Judom, he asked to return the gratitude to her, but the woman only said that she would meet them once again once Farah had woken up, and left without saying another word.
But even if Farah would wake up one day, how would she know where and what place were they residing? Because even Judom didnât know where to go since that day.
But here she came, uninvited. Moreover, she came shortly after Farah woke up.
âFirst of all, I would like to greet you a well-deserved good morning, Princess Farah.â
She approached Farah and lightly bowed in front of her.
âThat way of speaking, you knew this girl was a royal princess?â
âI do. I also live in ăVictoriasă after all.â
âIn this country? âŠ. I find it hard to believe.â
It wouldnât be strange for a beauty like herself to be rumored amongst the people. For Judom who had lived in this country for a decade, such rumor should have reached his ears.
âYou donât have to cautious about me. I saved you both becauseâŠ.I just felt like doing so.â
He could only express a bitter with regards to her statement and inquired her further.
âWe are really grateful for saving us back then. But who in the world are you?â
âI donât mind answering that question, but I must ask you not to get surprised by it, is that alright?â
At the mention of her words, Judom glanced at the elder besides Farah, and they both nodded.
ââŠyou have my wordâ
The woman grabbed a book from the bag tied on her waist, and handed it to Judom.
âIsnât thisâŠ.the ăAdventure of Tyn Cal Weiklă?â
âAh, I also know that book. My mother used to read me this story when I go to bedâ
âSame here. I once read it when I was a child. It was a sad story, but I could somehow relate myself in the story.â
âI agree. The author of the book wrote a very heartfelt storyâ
âIndeed.â
(TL Note: Iâve used XCrossJâs translation of ăăăŁăłăŻă«ăŽăĄă€ăŻă«ăźćéșă in chapter 58)
While Judom and Farah were reminiscing their impressions about the book,
âOh my~, if you praise it to such an extent, even I couldnât help but get embarrassed about it.â
âEh? What are you talking about? Weâre praising the author of this book you know?â
âI know, thatâs why I feel embarrassed about it. Because that book is my work after all.â
âŠâŠâŠâŠeh?
âH-haaaaah!? W-what did you just say!?â
Judom was too surprised that he asked her in a loud voice while Fara and the elder had hardened in their place as if they saw something out of their dreams.
However, the woman didnât stop smiling.
âLike I said. Iâm the author of that book.â
âNo way! Youâre too young to be the author! I read that when I was a kid! A KID! Weâre talking about 30 years or more! A-and besides, old man, when have you first read this book?â
When Judom asked the elder, the person returned it with a nod.
âLet me see. It was probably more than 50 years ago.â
âSee! 50 years! No matter how I see it, you are at leastâŠ.in your twentiesâŠâ
Then, Judom began to stare at the woman quietly.
ââŠdonât tell me, you arenât a human?â
At the mention of those words, Farah made an expression as if she wanted to ask the same question. The life span of a ăGabranthă and ăEvilaă were certainly longer compared to that of a human being.
âBut your physical outlook is exactly like a humanâŠ..are you a Half then?â
He couldnât find an ear or a tail of a ăGabranthă nor could he find a horn or traces of wings on her like that of an ăEvilaă
Thatâs why, he judged that the woman was a Half-human. If so, even if she was apparently a ăHumasă appearance-wise, if the blood of another race flows into her veins, then that explains her long life.
However, the woman shook her head.
âNo, Iâm a genuine ăHumasăâ
âHah?â
âButâŠâ
âHm?â
âLetâs just say Iâm a human being with a slightly different dispositionâ
The smile she expressed was not the usual but was a fragile one mixed with sorrow and loneliness.
ââŠI see, then I wonât bother trying anymore. So what you mean to say is that you have a longer lifespan compared to us normal human beings? Alright.â
Judom felt like he was about to step into something he shouldnât know, so he decided not to pursue about the topic of her race.
ââŠyou really are a kind man.â
The woman felt Judomâs anxiety and expressed a gentle smile towards him.
âBut how do I say it. Even though you are my senior, your appearance doesnât seem to be. Please pardon me for the honorifics.â
âUfufu, sure. You have my permission.â
The woman beamed a delighted smile like a usual girl you could see anywhere. It seems this woman carried something heavy deep inside, but Judom thought not to inquire further than this.
âLet me properly introduce myself once again. My name is Marquis. Marquis Bluenote.â
âTo think I would meet the well-known ăFaceless Authoră Marquis-dono⊠this long life of mine sure was worth it.â
Although the elder was praising the woman,
âP-please stop with that. Iâm not a God. B-beside Iâm not very fond of that nickname.â
âWe canât help it you know? No one exactly knows who or what Marquis looks like. Iâve heard that those books donated at the bookstores and libraries were reprinted again and distributed to the market.â (Judom)
âT-thatâs because I do not write for money. Iâm glad though that many people are reading my bookâŠâ
âBut thatâs also the reason why we only know the name of the author. Thus, ăFaceless Authorăâ(Judom)
âUuuâŠâ
As if to show her discontent towards that name, she dropped her shoulders in disappointment.
âAnyway, enough about. Still remember what you said to us back then?â
ââŠback then?â
âThe time when you saved us.â
ââŠah.â
âFirst, I understand that you just saved us on a whim. I wonât bother about it for now. What I do want to know is how did you find this place and where have you known that Farah had woken up?â
While Judom screwed up one of his eyes as he asked this on Marquis, the latter only responded with a smile.
âAnd if I tell you I was just passing by around here?â
âThatâs possible, I told my subordinates to let you in once you came.â
âThat seems to be. I wouldnât have gotten here easily if it wasnâtâ
Judom had informed his subordinates guarding the shed about her appearance, and instructed them to let her pass once she arrived.
âThatâs why you guys, go back to work.â
When Judom said so, they could hear panicked footsteps leaving somewhere behind the door Marquis entered awhile ago.
âThose guysâŠgood griefâ
âUfufu, thatâs natural. Because they were cautious about me and followed me until here.â
Even though he could do something about it by himself if trouble came up, but Judom didnât say it.
âWell, they were probably curious as to why is a beautiful woman like yourself wants to get close to me?â
âAra? Thatâs quite an honor. For the companions of the ăImpact Kingă to think of me in such a way.â
Marquis made a glad-looking expression in face of his words.
âAnyway, enough about them, letâs go back to what IâŠâ
âYou are wondering how I knew of this place, am I right? And also, how I knew that Princess Farah had woken up⊠thatâs because I foresaw where you would likely go. Does this suffice as an answer?â
ââŠ.Huh? What do you mean by that?â
Judom inclined his neck as if to show his lack of understanding regarding her spoken words.
âItâs as she says Judom.â
The elder opened his mouth while quietly watching Marquis.
âWhat do you mean, old man?â
âHavenât Maquis-dono said it awhile ago? She foresaw it.â
âW-wait a minuteâŠdonât tell me..â
âItâs as you think. This woman is a clairvoyant.â