Chapter 176: Maids Holding Their Skirts.
Luke merely smiled. It wasn’t a promise. Nor was it a rejection.
Simply.
A vague answer. An uncertain future.
In Luke’s mind. This was the gentlest solution he could think of.
Perhaps she would wait for a few months.
Maybe even a few years. Then, as time passed. She would naturally meet someone she truly loved.
Someone who could remain by her side.
That way she wouldn’t have to suffer the pain of a direct rejection.
Sometimes hope faded more gently than heartbreak.
At least that was what Luke believed.
However the moment those words reached Sophia’s ears—
The tiny flame that had almost gone out. Quietly ignited once more.
A faint sparkle returned to her beautiful eyes.
’I’ll wait.’ She silently clenched her hands.
’No matter how long it takes.’
’Even if it’s ten years.’
’Or twenty.’
’I’ll wait for you.’
That silent resolve settled deep within her heart.
She herself couldn’t explain why she had fallen for Luke.
If someone had asked. She probably wouldn’t have been able to give a clear answer.
Perhaps.
It was because he had protected her from bandits, without asking for anything in return.
Perhaps.
It was because he always treated her with kindness and respect.
Or perhaps.
It was because, unlike so many noblemen she had met before.
When Luke looked at her. His eyes weren’t clouded with greed or lust.
He simply saw Sophia.
And somehow that had been enough for her heart to quietly choose him.
’I’ll wait for you.’ Sophia silently made another promise to herself.
’And one day, I’ll make you fall in love with me.’
If Luke had somehow heard that thought. He would’ve instantly buried his face in his hands.
’One Aurora is already enough.’
’If another woman starts chasing me like this.’
’I honestly don’t know how Aurielle is going to kill me tomorrow.’
After exchanging a few final words.
Sophia and Damien respectfully bowed before leaving the hall together.
The huge doors slowly closed behind them.
Creak.
Silence returned once again. Luke leaned back against his chair.
"Sigh."
A long, weary sigh escaped his lips. Dealing with Sophia.
Surprisingly.
Had been even more mentally exhausting than fighting enemies.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose before standing up.
Turning toward the bandaged "mummy" nearby, he said,
"Osric."
"My Lord."
"I’m heading outside to deploy the watchtowers."
"Send the knight archers to each location as soon as they leave the territory."
"We’ll station them immediately."
Osric respectfully lowered his head.
"As you command, My Lord."
Luke gave a slight nod.
Without wasting another moment. He strode out of the hall. His footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Until...
Silence remained.
Osric quietly watched Luke’s departing figure. For a long while. He didn’t move.
Then, his eyes gradually became moist.
A faint smile filled with both pride and nostalgia appeared beneath the bandages.
He softly muttered to himself,
"Lady Sepharina."
"If only you were here."
"You would have been so happy to witness this."
His voice trembled ever so slightly.
For years, he had watched the Blackstone Highlands slowly decline.
He had witnessed countless hardships.
Countless disappointments.
Yet today again, he could see a future that was rapidly taking shape before his very eyes.
Looking toward the hall’s entrance where Luke had disappeared.
Osric smiled.
"The territory has finally found its wings."
A pair of wings.
Named Luke.
And with those wings the Blackstone Highlands would no longer remain trapped beneath the mountains.
One day it would soar proudly into the sky.
***
"Ahh." Luke closed his eyes for a brief moment and drew in a deep breath.
"Fresh air." A relaxed smile appeared on his face.
The merchant meeting had lasted for several hours.
Without him realizing it. Morning had quietly slipped away.
Now the warm afternoon sunlight bathed the Blackstone Highlands.
Leaving the mansion behind. Luke stepped into the spacious courtyard.
The guards and maids standing nearby respectfully greeted him.
"Greetings, My Lord!"
Luke returned their greetings with a nod.
Then without another word. He activated the first form of the Faceless Titan.
A faint silver glow rippled across his body.
Immediately afterward. He used Form Assimilation.
A low humming sound echoed around him.
Vmmm.
The silver light behind his back suddenly intensified.
The next instant—
FWOOOSH!!
Two enormous silver wings burst from Luke’s back. Each feather gleamed like polished metal beneath the afternoon sun.
With an impressive wingspan of nearly fifteen feet. The majestic wings spread proudly behind him.
"...!!"
The surrounding guards froze.
"What?!"
"W-Wings?!"
Several maids instinctively covered their mouths in shock.
For a split second. The courtyard fell into complete silence.
However the surprise lasted only an instant.
The moment they recognized the familiar figure standing beneath those magnificent wings.
Everyone immediately relaxed.
"It’s Lord Luke."
"I almost had a heart attack." One knight let out a helpless laugh.
Another guard smiled proudly. "As expected of our Lord."
The maids also giggled among themselves, their earlier shock quickly turning into admiration.
"So beautiful."
"They’re shining."
Luke simply smiled at everyone’s reactions.
Then he bent his knees slightly.
His enormous silver wings slowly stretched to their full length.
Fwoooosh Power gathered beneath them. The surrounding air visibly stirred.
Luke looked toward the distant sky.
"Let’s go."
BOOM!!
With a single powerful flap—
The gigantic wings unleashed a violent blast of wind.
Dust exploded outward. Leaves danced wildly through the air.
The force alone sent powerful gusts sweeping across the courtyard.
"Ah—!"
"My skirt!"
"Kyaa!"
The nearby maids immediately cried out in surprise. Their dresses fluttered violently in the sudden wind.
Blushing bright red.
They hurriedly grabbed their skirts with both hands before they could fly any higher.
Some squatted instinctively. Others turned sideways to shield themselves.
"W-Wait...!"
"Hold it!"
Meanwhile.
"S-So white." A few young knights stared blankly toward the fluttering skirts. Their mouths slowly fell open.
For one fleeting moment. They caught a glimpse of something that normally required a trip to a brothel to see.
"..."
Their minds went completely blank.
The next instant—
PFFT!
"Yak!"
"D-Dirt...!"
"I got dirt in my mouth!"