After leaving Cynthia's office, I let out a breath. Honestly, I was grateful for the job she had given me.
After all, in the post-wedding arc, Keith's presence was quite important. He would be the one to face the evil necromancer, getting injured while protecting Leyla—until the main character, Leyla, finally awakened her holy power for the first time.
I thought I wouldn't be part of that arc anymore, since I was no longer Leyla's knight. But this unexpected job might give me the chance to keep an eye on how the story unfolds.
I couldn't let the plot drift too far off course!
Let's review the timeline again. According to the novel, the necromancer makes his appearance five days from now.
I didn't even know Leyla's condition at the moment—the last time I saw her was during the insignia ceremony, which was two weeks ago. Surely nothing could have happened in that short span, right?
Still, I needed to prepare for Cynthia's job. But the man beside me seemed ready to teleport again.
"Stop, Epsilon! Let's just take a carriage this time! Why do you always have to teleport? I'm just a regular human, you know." I protested.
"Relax. I won't teleport." His reply surprised me. Then… why were we standing out here in this wide-open courtyard with no carriage in sight?
Epsilon put a finger to his lips and whistled loudly. I looked up—and froze.
What the hell?
"We'll ride this," Epsilon said as the feathered creature descended.
G-Griffin…
I swallowed hard.
Then I remembered a small detail from *Twtsh Epsilon did indeed have a favorite pet, and he kept it at the magic tower.
"Come on, get on." Epsilon had already mounted the griffin and extended a hand to me.
What, you think I'm scared?
I grabbed his hand and climbed on behind him. The creature's back felt soft, but strangely uncomfortable to sit on.
I haven't even ridden a horse before, and now I'm doing this.
"Hold on tight…"
"Wait—"
Before I could grab anything, the griffin took off. Instinctively, I clung to Epsilon, wrapping my arms around him tightly. I just hoped he didn't mind a muscular guy like me hanging onto him for dear life.
"Wait, can you tell it to fly slower…" I muttered, eyes squeezed shut.
"Are you scared?"
What do you mean, 'am I scared'? Of course I am! Damn it, I'm terrified of heights…
"If you hold on, you won't fall," Epsilon said. "Besides, why do you keep your eyes shut? It's a shame if you don't look at the view. I've seen it plenty of times—but what about you?"
"I-I feel like I'll fall if I open my eyes… and whose idea was it to ride a griffin anyway? You always choose the most extreme methods."
"What can I say, I'm a mage. And time is money. I prefer efficiency," Epsilon replied smugly.
"Just open your eyes, Keith. I promise you won't regret it."
Slowly, I opened them. And before me spread a breathtaking view. Come to think of it, I'd never seen this world from above before. It was stunning—the first time I'd ever witnessed such a vast, sweeping landscape.
"Beautiful, isn't it…" Epsilon glanced back at me. "I told you you wouldn't regret it. Be grateful—if it weren't for me, you'd never see something like this. That's why you shouldn't waste your life cooped up at the estate, only mingling with your sword."
I smiled, still gazing down at the scenery. "You're right… without you, I'd never have seen this. Thank you, Epsilon."
Epsilon quickly turned back around. "…Idiot."
The griffin lurched because of it. "Hey! Careful, stop shifting around!" I shouted, patting his back.
I'm still freaking out here—sit still, damn it.
And so, our journey to the North continued, with the two of us bickering all the way.
------
We finally arrived in the Northern territories. Of course, the moment we crossed into this climate, the griffin could no longer fly. The howling snowstorm was too strong, forcing us to continue on foot.
'Cold…'
Even with thick clothes on, the chill pierced through, sinking into my bones. Each breath I exhaled turned to mist, vanishing into the wind.
"Up ahead, we'll officially enter Helming's domain. I think with just your insignia, we'll be allowed through. Naturally, Xerta wouldn't dare turn away a guest from the Kingdom," Epsilon said, his tone calm.
'Look at him—acting like everything is normal despite this extreme weather.'
"Come on…" Epsilon extended his hand. "With this short distance, surely you won't mind teleportation, right?"
I glanced at his hand. The tips of his fingers were bluish. "Are you okay?"
"What do you mean?" He tilted his head, clueless.
"If you're cold, you can wear my coat." I clutched the warm fabric around me.
"Oh… no need. It's just a biological reaction. I have high cold tolerance, but yes, my fingertips do end up like this."
"You sound like you're lying," I said flatly.
"No… what would I gain from lying?"
I eyed him with doubt. Epsilon was always like this—even in the novel. In TWTSH, there was even that one chapter where he gave his scarf to Cynthia. After that, he disappeared from the story for several chapters. Only later was it revealed he'd fallen sick.
'So he can catch a chill after all…'
I took off my coat and draped it over his shoulders. "Don't get sick. If you fall ill, your teleportation could malfunction. That would put both of us in danger."
"You're stubborn. I already told you I'm fine. What if you freeze and start complaining to me later?"
'Damn, it really is freezing…'
But outwardly, my face remained calm, betraying nothing. That was one of Keith's strengths, after all—keeping his expression neutral, never overreacting.
I gripped Epsilon's hand. "Let's teleport."
"…Fine," he replied.
A glowing magic circle spread under our feet. In the next instant, we were standing before the northern gates. The guards at the entrance staggered back, eyes wide at our sudden appearance.
"I request entry," I said quickly, presenting the insignia the king had given me. The two guards exchanged uneasy glances.
The crunch of wheels on packed snow sliced through the crisp air. A dark carriage, its crest glinting even from afar, lumbered closer. It was from the royal family.
"Keith…!!" Nicholas leaned out of the window with excitement, waving at me.
'Nick? What the—how?'
The carriage stopped at the massive gate. The two guards stiffened at the sight of the royal insignia painted across its sides.
"Let them in. They're with me," Nicholas told the guards.
"Yes, young master," they responded in unison.
"Come, Keith, Epsilon. Get in," Nicholas beckoned us inside.
"If you keep traveling in this weather, you'll risk acute hypothermia. And Keith—what is with those thin clothes of yours?!"
'Did you really have to remind me? I was almost at the point of forgetting the cold.'
Nicholas handed me a heavy coat and a scarf. "Put these on. You're hopelessly unprepared."
"Thanks, Nick." I truly meant it. There was no way I'd refuse the kindness of someone like him.
Epsilon, however, pouted and turned his head away, clearly irritated.
Once I'd put on the coat, scarf, and even gloves he gave me, I thought, As expected of a man destined to be king. So generous.
I chuckled to myself, though outwardly I kept my usual composed look.
The carriage rolled on for quite some time before slowing. Two knocks from the driver signaled our arrival.
'Still… why is Nicholas here? Ugh, I'm tired of all these plot changes, added details, and extra cast members that weren't supposed to exist in this arc…'
"We've arrived at Epangea Castle," Nicholas announced, gazing outside. "Welcome to Duke Helming's estate."
'Why are you the one doing the introduction?'
Epsilon and I stepped out together. My eyes widened immediately.
A colossal castle loomed, its deep grey stone walls catching the eye, trimmed with gleaming silver. Black banners bearing the Helming crest snapped in the icy wind, their sound a sharp crack. The snowy ground stretched wide, cold air nipping at our faces, lined with silent, frozen statues. This place, vast and imposing, dwarfed even the royal palace.
'Damn you, Xerta… just how wealthy are you?'
From here, I could see the truth—the scale of his value. Of course, the female lead would choose Xerta. The gap between them was far too vast.
'No wonder Keith, in the novel eventually knew his place.'
Though the whistling snowstorm smothered the sound, the main gates creaked open. Nicholas strode forward calmly, with Epsilon and me following behind.
"Welcome…" A butler appeared, bowing slightly as he pushed open the enormous doors. "I had assumed young Master Nicholas would be he unaccompanied…"
'Was Nick planning to be here, by any chance?'
"My friends wished to join me, Josh. Is Xerta in?" Nicholas asked with a smile.
"Lord Xerta is in his chambers, meeting with the nearby village chiefs. They appear to be making reports," Josh replied. "Please, all three of you, come in and sit. I'll prepare some tea."
"Black tea for me," Nicholas ordered.
Josh glanced at me and Epsilon.
"Uh… just regular tea for me," I answered with an awkward smile.
"Earl Grey," Epsilon said curtly.
"Very well."
We sat in a lavishly decorated parlor. Plush fur-lined sofas, a thick fur carpet underfoot, and an ornate chandelier glittering overhead.
'As expected… Xerta's late parents adored luxurious things.'
Nicholas bounced lightly on the sofa cushions like a child, grinning.
"So, why are you two here?" he asked.
Epsilon and I exchanged glances. "We came to deliver this scroll, and to discuss something," I explained.
"Judging by your flashing the royal insignia earlier, I assume this is by the king's order." Nicholas leaned back, chin resting on his hand, a faint smile on his lips.
"Keith… why don't you answer me directly?"
Even Epsilon looked startled at Nicholas's sudden shift in demeanor.
'As I thought… Nick only ever shows his true face to me. But why? Wait—now he's not even hiding it from Epsilon?'
I clenched my jaw. In the novel, this guy was supposed to be the true second lead. But now? Not even close. He hadn't shown the slightest interest in Leyla. Like this, Xerta had no rival at all.
"I don't want His Highness to misunderstand," Epsilon cut in. "We are here as official envoys of the Kingdom. Keith is a high-ranked knight, formally appointed. Naturally, our purpose is straightforward and proper."
'Nice save, Epsilon.'
"Haha… why so serious? I was only asking." Nicholas laughed, patting my shoulder. "Of course I don't doubt your intentions."
Two-faced bastard. Now he's back to acting like a fool.
"But Epsilon, since you're close to my father, you must keep my presence here a secret, understood?" Nicholas pressed a finger to his lips.
"O-of course, Your Highness…" Epsilon stammered.
Josh soon returned with the tea, placing the steaming cups before us before retreating.
"Ah, the lady of the house wishes to greet her guests, and keep you company as well," Josh announced, his voice echoing in the grand hall.
He gestured with a flourish toward the woman. Her red-rose hair, pulled tight in a smooth bun, gleamed under the soft glow of the chandeliers. Her golden eyes glowing because of the chandeliers. The crisp fabric of her northern-style attire rustled faintly as she walked.
"I am Leyla von Helming, here to welcome our guests—" Her voice caught when her eyes landed on me. For a moment, her composure faltered.
But swiftly, Leyla regained herself. "I hope you all feel comfortable here. Please enjoy your tea."
Now, seeing her again, Leyla truly resembled someone's wife, perfectly embodying the role of the lady of the house.
My chest tightened, and I was deeply moved.