183 Until one day you look back at me
[Jumbo, I have to report. Have you forgotten why you came here?]
When the dragon spoke, Jumbo’s ears, which had been dancing among the soldiers, rose to the sky.
[ah!]
Jumbo ran up to Rudy, wagging his ears and tail.
Waddle and run and step on the ear that has touched the floor. As expected, it fell forward.
Jumbo jumped up and took another brisk step. Oh dear. stepped on again If you are in a hurry, you seem to step on your ears more severely.
“Cheer up, Spirit!”
“Jumbo, it’s okay! Slow down! Run slowly!”
As the soldiers nearby cheered, Jumbo vigorously lifted his ears into the air.
[huh! Jumbo doesn’t cry!]
The soldiers wouldn’t be able to hear that voice, but I think they knew it from the atmosphere. The soldiers laughed and raised their fists.
“Okay, do your best!”
“Spirit!”
When Jumbo came in front of Rudy, Levin had a map spread out on a small table when he took it out.
[master! i found a boat Praise it!]
Jumbo pressed his large head against Rudy’s body. He seems to have forgotten again that his power is very strong.
Rudy patted Jumbo’s head as he pushed back a little.
“Yeah, good job.”
After stroking it several times, Jumbo lifted his head as if he was finally satisfied.
“Jumbo, can you tell me where you found the boat? Where about where I told you to go? How many buoys did you pass?”
Rudy pointed his finger at the sea portion of Levin’s map. There are several dots drawn on it. It is a buoy mark that Rudy made and made to float.
Unlike land, the sea has no terrain that can serve as a milestone. I asked if buoys still existed in this era, but no such thing existed.
Reluctantly, Rudy recalled the past and had him make a puffy airbag out of sheepskin.
The sheep is left whole without slitting the belly, and after removing the internal organs from the neck, it is waterproofed. After that, it is used by blowing air into the leg part.
I don’t know the details, so I left it to the leather craftsman to do it like this, and it made a much better air bag than I thought.
If you attach an anchor to it and set it in the sea, the Empire’s first buoy will be completed.
I ordered Jumbo to go back and forth to the point where the last buoy ends and check it.
However, at Rudy’s question, Jumbo put on an expression of “uh” and lowered his head.
[Sorry, Master. I don’t know because I’m a jumbo fool.]
“…”
[I forgot the buoy.]
“…”
Jumbo lowered his head for a moment, then suddenly raised his head.
[But Jumbo, great! It’s gone a lot further than that. It went very far.]
“…”
Hey, then you have no idea how far they’ve come.
But Jumbo seems to think that he did very well by going far. I got excited and started talking.
[The sea is incredibly wide! Shall I take the master too? give me a ride Jumbo once flew with his master on board. Would you like another ride? did you forget that too? huh? At that time, the owner liked it very much. I want to burn it again.]
Jumbo, who was saying that, suddenly raised his ears and turned around. and shout
[master! Give me a prize! I want to win an award! I want to pick up my mom and fly away. Mom will love it. Mom did that before. I want to fly on a jumbo.]
It was something that Rilisha would have said. But I don’t think I’m in a position to receive an award right now. In the end, I don’t think you really know what you need to know.
The dragon sighed beside him and took a picture of a part of the map with his large claw.
[This is it. They were here.]
The dragon seemed to measure the distance based on the length of the buoy. However, the point the dragon pointed out was the open sea, far from the buoy.
Levin giggled and laughed.
“I don’t know much about the sea, but at this distance, wouldn’t it still take close to a month?”
“Well, I’m not sure either.”
Neither Levin nor Rudy himself knew much about the sea. But surely, the place where they were located seemed quite far from the continent where the empire was located. In the middle of the sea where there is nothing.
Jumbo tilted his head and asked again.
[Master, when will you give me the prize?]
“…”
[ah! I have to tell my mom. I’m going to pick up my mom!]
I don’t know what’s going on in Jumbo’s head. He didn’t say a word about giving a prize, but Jumbo soared into the air.
“ice!”
When Rudy spoke softly, Jumbo’s body stiffened and he fell to the ground.
Rudy approached Jumbo, who was lying still on the floor with his legs in the air like a stone puppet.
I bent over, looked down at Jumbo, and sighed lightly. This kid isn’t bad. It must be your own fault for making a fool of yourself.
“Jumbo, Lilitha has a baby now. She can’t ride on your back. Of course, she won’t let her ride even if she doesn’t have a baby.”
Jumbo’s eyes widened. Other times he doesn’t even move his eyes, but this time he looks really surprised. But it didn’t move. I will follow Rudy’s orders forever. Well, can this be called a cute guy?
When Rudy said Ding, Jumbo jumped up and shouted loudly.
[Dragon! did you hear My mom says she gave birth to the owner. A small baby who looks just like the owner is born! The small master soon grows to be as big as the master. If you don’t go now, everything will be covered!]
My ears fluttered as if I was excited, and my body rose a little on its own before touching the floor again.
No, babies don’t grow up that quickly. Besides, I wasn’t even born yet.
Suddenly, when I looked at the dragon, for some reason, his eyes were round and stiff.
Jumbo danced around Rudy. He raised his nose high and said while emitting a pom-pom light.
[master! did you get along with your mother? when did you do it call me too Does mom smell the owner? and! awesome! exciting!]
“…”
who taught you that
Suddenly, I heard a dragon murmur.
[The owner is merging…]
No, who taught those words, Rudy thought, but Jumbo laughed hahahaha.
[Master, Jumbo is happy! Like before, the smell of the owner will be all over the baby! When the baby is united, it smells like the owner again! And again, the baby stinks! Then Jumbo won’t be lonely. The owner stinks! wahahahaha! really good!]
Jumbo gently rubbed his nose against Rudy’s body.
[Master, please give birth to many babies. Then the owner’s smell will come out a lot. Now the owner’s daughters hardly smell anything. Jumbo was very sad. Because it only smells a little.]
Oh, I see.
Rudy put his hand on Jumbo’s head.
It seems that the demonic creatures were still feeling the faint mana of the progenitor from the body of the royal family of Corea. And that must have soothed the loneliness.
‘Sorry.’
Rudy muttered in his heart, but the dragon said.
[Okay. Even with a small amount of mana, we can know enough. It is enough for us to have that smell and memory.]
okay. I knew that, but who taught me the term alternative union?
Jumbo widened his eyes and tilted his head.
[Master, did you forget that too? Master taught me.]
“…”
What the hell did I do to these innocent children in the past?
Rudy covered his face with his hands.
***
Originally, after checking the direction the enemy was coming in, I was planning to gather ships near it and deal with them.
However, if you know exactly where the enemy is, there is no need to split the boat and wait.
Rudy decided to gather the warships scattered throughout the empire in one place and go out to fight in the distant sea.
The warships of the empire, which were already preparing for war, had a final check, and food and various supplies were loaded onto the ships over several days. Many magical weapons were also transferred to the ship.
The ships that were ready one after another gathered at the port located in the northern part of the ecliptic.
Jumbo couldn’t remember the number of enemies properly, but luckily the dragon did.
The enemy’s ships totaled 26, and according to the dragon, there were 3 of them with two lines. The gun seems to be at least 60 or more.
According to the naval commander, this is a new type of warship that has never been seen on this continent.
You don’t know how capable your opponent’s ship is. Rudy was easygoing, but the attendants and the navy all seemed nervous.
In particular, the chief of staff is very worried.
The chamberlain had already advised Rudy several times that it would be better to stay on land in this naval battle.
“If the emperor stays in a safe place, the morale of the soldiers will rise.”
When Rudy said with a smile, the chief chamberlain’s forehead was deeply wrinkled.
“Your Majesty, it’s really hard to say this, but the Empire has never had a very strong navy. Even on this continent, it’s like that, and the opponents are famous on the sea. Please stay on land for this naval battle. Otherwise, At least stay on the ship far away from the battle…”
Rudy looked at the head chamberlain’s face.
This person, too, is much older than when we first met. At the corners of the eyes, wrinkles stretched like the flesh of a fan, and a deep nasolabial line was engraved at the corner of the mouth.
And he genuinely cares about Rudy.
At first, there was a feeling that he cared about Rudy for the emperor’s seat.
But that also changed over time.
I can feel that he cares about Rudy all the way now.
Human relationships are a very strange thing. As time goes by, it gradually changes and becomes completely different from the first time.
Rudy smiled brightly.
“It’s okay. You know, but I have monsters. I can use them to overcome any difficulties. Besides, there’s Jumbo. That guy, if something happens, he’ll carry me on his back and fly into the sky.”
“…”
The head chamberlain’s face was still full of worry, but he quietly lowered his head.
“Please take good care of your body.”
“Okay, don’t worry.”
At first glance, the head chamberlain’s gaze turned to the window.
Outside, Jumbo was flying through the air. Seeing the little elephant flying in the clear sky with its tail spinning, the chief chamberlain sighed lightly.
Waiting for the conversation with the chamberlain to end, Levin approached.
“Your Majesty, the West Witch requested an audience through the secretary.”
“It’s rare.”
Levin smirks at Rudy’s words.
“According to the officer, the Witch of the West has been very nervous since a few days ago.”
“why?”
“You’d better hear it yourself. Shall I let you in? You’re already at the main palace.”
“okay.”
After saying that, Rudy thought for a moment and let the attendants move away a bit.
The attendants quietly retreated to a point where they could be seen but not heard.
It seems that the Witch of the West was near the office. Levin came in as soon as he left.
“Witch of the West to see you.”
Bow down deeply and bow.
Her silver hair hung down her back and gleamed.
“Raise your head. You’re a little skinny.”
“…”
Rudy was a little surprised. It’s more emaciated than I’ve seen before. Her face became even whiter, and her waist seemed to be only a handful.
With Rudy in front of her, moisture rose from the Witch of the West’s eyes, as if tears would fall at any moment.
Not knowing that, Rudy asked quietly.
“Aren’t you eating right?”
“…that is.”
“Take care of your body.”
The Witch of the West’s face blushed slightly.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m sorry.”
“Yes, I heard you have something to say.”
The Witch of the West straightened her body. The neck of the crow sitting on his shoulder also straightened.
“Your Majesty, please take me with you before this year. I will definitely be of help. Please, allow me to work for you.”
Was that also the case?
Rudy sighed lightly and stood up.
When I reach out my hand to the Witch of the West, I hesitate a little before taking her hand.
Rudy escorted the Witch of the West to sit on the sofa on one side of the office, and then he sat across from him.
“This naval battle is dangerous. You don’t know what will happen at sea.
“Then you will need me even more. I can use crows to carry people. I will definitely be of help to Your Majesty.”
When Rudy saw the Witch of the West holding her hands together and trying to smile, she lowered her voice a bit and spoke in Korean.
“Oh Hyun-ah.”
“…”
Rudy had never called her name before. The Witch of the West flinched and stiffened.
“I thought we should talk about it sometime. I know how you treat me. But I can’t answer that.”
“…don’t like me.”
“Whether it’s good or bad, I don’t want to make Ririsha sad. Even if you’re by my side, I probably won’t be able to give Hyuna what she wants.”
“…”
The Witch of the West held her hands tightly and quietly closed her eyes. Transparent tears flowed incessantly.
My heart ached.
It’s not that she doesn’t like it. If you ask me whether you like it or not, it’s probably closer to liking it.
But it was a little short of being love.
There is no space because someone is already in the heart. And I think it will probably be like that for the rest of my life. Wouldn’t it be too cruel to keep it like this even though you know that?
Besides, the reason why the Witch of the West likes her is probably because she never had a happy experience.
Just as a chick wakes up from an egg and thinks that the first thing it sees is its mother, emotions are mistaken because it was the founder who tasted warmth for the first time.
She can be happy if she looks elsewhere a little. No one in this world can live with one emotion forever. someday it will change And now is probably the best time to try it.
Rudy calmly said his thoughts and waited for the Witch of the West to stop crying.
But never stop crying Tears continued to run down my cheeks. After enough time had passed that she wondered if she would be crying like this forever, she opened her mouth.
“…my feelings are mine. No one else can say it’s not love. I know it’s love, but it’s not, why would you say that?”
The Witch of the West continued without even thinking about wiping the falling tears with her hand.
“Even if you say no, I’ll love you for the rest of my life, and I’ll love you again after a hundred or a thousand years. I know that. If I can give up that you won’t look at me, is that love? Just because you say no If you can love someone else, is that love? I don’t think that’s love. I will definitely find you in the next life and the one after that and love you again.”
“…”
The Witch of the West raised her invisible eyes and turned to Rudy.
“Until one day you look back on me, I will never stop. Someday, when my soul no longer reincarnates, then you will know that this love is over.”
The Witch of the West was still weeping profusely. She changed from Korean to imperial language again.
“I don’t bother your Majesty. I’m satisfied with just being able to live quietly in a corner of your space. So please don’t distance me by saying that it’s for my happiness.”
It looks like he was hit on the head with a stick.
Rudy nodded without saying anything.
The Witch of the West rose from her seat, bowed gracefully, and left. I was crying as if there would be puddles with every step I took.
Levin came in and asked.
“Your Majesty, what the hell did you say makes the Witch of the West cry like that?”
“…I said something I shouldn’t have said. I think I hurt you.”
“…”
Levin muttered, shrugging his shoulders as if he knew what had happened.
“You truly are a sinful man.”
I couldn’t deny it.
