A/N: This is the last extra... The three prologues for Volume 7 are finished and I'm currently working on the other chapters. Hopefully this won't be a month long hiatus. To those who stayed, thank you.
I'm releasing chapters for Second Chance (rewrite of Spirit King's Incarnation) on my Patreon in early access, to those who are interested.
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While the show went on, Norn and Luke left the stage. She was walking with her hands behind her back, looking up at the sky silently.
"What do you think of the show?" walking behind Norn, he asked her quietly, "Looks pretty amazing when you can see it all happen, right? Kinda impressive how they could stay so true to the paintings depicting Sir Lukuin's battles."
"That was… a new experience for me. I could only read about Lukuin through the novels people have written about him." She came to a stop as the sounds of everyone around them drowned out, "Watching magician bards play out his story is something I never thought I would see since it's a privilege meant only for the wealthy." She looked over her shoulder, "Thank you, Luke… It feels like I can take on the world now with an actual smile."
"?"
She changed the subject with a clap, "Now I'm fired up! Let's go play some games!"
Before he could press her about what she meant, Norn had already turned toward the heart of the carnival.
The grounds were alive with color and motion. Banners rippled overhead, lanterns drifted lazily in the daylight, and the air carried the scent of fried dough, spiced meat, and sweet syrup spun into glowing threads. Laughter of children and adults alike rose and fell like waves against the steady pulse of music from distant stages.
Norn moved quickly through it all, her steps light, almost buoyant. She tugged him toward the strength tester first. Luke struck the magic-etched plate and sent the weighted marker slamming into the bell above. The sharp clang drew a few approving cheers. Norn applauded with theatrical enthusiasm, accepting the small wooden prize and pressing it into his hands as if he had won something grand.
They drifted to the ring-toss next. The enchanted pegs shimmered and shifted just as the rings fell, turning each attempt into a small contest against trickery. When Luke adjusted and landed one cleanly, Norn leaned in with exaggerated suspicion, as though assessing a rival rather than a companion. Her laughter rang bright and easy.
At the shooting gallery, she focused with surprising intensity. Illusory imps flickered and darted behind glass, bursting into sparks when struck. When she cleared a row in quick succession, she straightened with a flash of triumph, accepting a ribbon and tying it loosely around her wrist.
They moved from booth to booth without lingering long. A confectioner spun sugar into delicate shapes that glowed faintly before hardening; she sampled a piece and declared it the finest thing she had ever tasted, though she barely finished it. They passed a fortune-teller's tent heavy with incense and whispered predictions, a climbing pole slick with magic that sent children sliding back down in helpless laughter, a small arena where a tamed beast bowed clumsily to applause.
At each stop, Norn reacted first. She leaned closer to inspect prizes. She nudged him forward when it was his turn. She clapped for strangers as though every small victory deserved celebration. When a child stumbled nearby, she was the one who crouched to help him up, brushing dust from his sleeve before sending him back toward the game with a gentle pat.
Her energy never quite dipped.
But it never settled either.
There were moments — brief, almost invisible — when her hands returned behind her back, fingers lacing together tightly as if anchoring herself. Moments when her smile lingered a fraction too long after the joke had passed. Moments when her gaze drifted, unfocused, before snapping back into brightness the instant he looked at her.
In the mirror maze, the enchanted glass warped their reflections into exaggerated versions of themselves — Luke cast in radiant armor, crowned in false light; Norn stretched and distorted beside him in shifting silhouettes. She paused at one reflection where her image seemed slightly blurred at the edges, as though unfinished. The pause lasted only a heartbeat before she moved on, laughing at some distortion in his reflection instead.
Outside again, sunlight flooded the open grounds. Music swelled from a distant stage, and a breeze carried confetti across the packed earth.
Norn drew in a long breath, spreading her arms as if embracing the entire carnival. The gesture was wide, triumphant, almost defiant.
She looked radiant.
And entirely alone in it.
Luke watched her from half a step behind, the prizes dangling from his hand, the noise of celebration rising around them.
She turned toward the next game before he could say anything, her stride quick and purposeful, as though momentum itself were something she refused to surrender.
The carnival roared on.
Her laughter rose with it, a laugh he's fallen for over and over again.
**
It was two hours after noon right now, so they spent an incredibly long time in there, longer than he expected they would.
"—What an impressive haul." Rudolph commented as he looked at Luke.
"Hahaha…" he laughed dryly in response, "Norn is very good at most of the games so most of these prizes belong to her." both of his arms were filled with her prizes so he had to put them in the corner. Despite the carriage being quite spacious, there still wasn't a lot of room to fit them.
Norn entered the carriage soon after, still chewing the snacks she bought at the carnival. Flora was still nowhere in sight but she should be able to head back on her own.
Rudolph took a glance at his watch before speaking, "There are five hours left until your reservation at Lumourge so we'll take you back to the inn to freshen up for your next destination."
This might seem strange to the average commoner but this is how nobles do their outings—go to many destinations, have extravagant meals, change clothes and rest for a bit, then the journey continues. It's something Luke isn't used to yet but he learned it from Olivia.
"Sounds good. What about you, Norn?" he asked the girl whose cheeks were stuffed, chewing absentmindedly.
"Hmgh? Mmhm!" She nodded and gave a thumbs up.
Despite wearing such an elegant dress, it was stained by sauce and sprinkles from the meat and sweet treats she bought. Honestly, he knew she's a glutton—and a messy one at that so he came prepared with a pocket filled with coins.
"Prepare the horses, coach." Rudy opened the small window at the back of the carriage. He received an affirmative. Shortly after he closed the door, the horses neighed and the carriage began to move.
"How is the outing so far, Lady Norn? Is the empire to your liking?" Rudy asked since this is her first actual tour of the empire.
She sucked the meat off a bone and pointed it at him, "Splendid so far, Mister Rudolph! Take me to more places where they sell delicious food then I might give you a tip for your service."
"Ahaha…" Rudy smiled wryly, "Then might I suggest the shopping district? A new mall opened up recently so this is a chance for Lady Norn to get a new wardrobe on top of trying out the new restaurants. Money won't be an issue so just put everything on House Berkley's tab. The bills will get sent to the castle and Lord Sebastian will handle them."
"Oh! Then don't mind if I do! There's this cake I saw the other day when I was passing by the plaza," she continued, leaning forward with sudden intensity, describing layers of cream and fruit as though recounting a military strategy.
Her voice filled the carriage with the vivid architecture of pastries and storefront windows she intended to conquer to soothe her country-bumpkin curiosity and palate.
Luke heard the rhythm of it.
He did not hear the words.
The carriage rocked gently as it merged onto the wider stone road. Hooves struck a steady cadence. The distant music of the fair dissolved into the muted hum of the city.
Norn kept talking, one idea tumbling into the next. The new mall. The ribbon she would replace. The color she might choose for a new dress. A half-formed plan about dragging him through every bakery in the district. She laughed at her own exaggeration, chewing between sentences, gesturing with the stripped bone before tossing it neatly into a paper wrap.
Luke watched the movement of her hands.
The sauce staining her sleeve.
The way she wiped her fingers hastily on a handkerchief and then tucked it away as if it had never happened.
Her excitement rose and fell in waves.
But underneath it, something felt rehearsed but all he could think about in that moment was how beautiful she was even with all that sauce on her face.
She spoke about girly things as if it was natural to her despite never showing interest in them until coming to the empire.
She noticed him staring at him, which made him blush slightly. She smiled at him but he didn't see it since he averted his gaze.
**
The carriage pulled into the Resident Owlbear parking area. Individuals in white robes were standing in front of the inn and at the back, watching every inch of the estate.
They didn't appear to be dangerous so none of the nobles minded it.
Rudolph opened the door for them and spoke, "I will leave your prizes to the staff since we can't be travelling around the empire with such a cluttered carriage. Oh, and here are your room keys." He handed them their room keys.
"There are bathes in your rooms so you feel free to use them."
"Ohhh! That sounds great! Being a noble sure is great, isn't it, Luke!"
"Ahaha, yeah…"
Does she not know it costs like 30 gold a night to rent a room at this inn? That's more money than the average peasant could make in two years.
"Mom was always so hesitant about spending money but doesn't this feel great, Luke?" as they entered the inn, and were greeted by staff, Norn said to him.
"Yeah, now I don't have to worry about what's the cheapest." She loved in response at what he said.
Yes, Claudia was always careful about how she spent her money. This mindset carried into her adulthood and she was able to give her daughters fulfilling lives—even if neither actually got a proper education, aside from homeschooling.
Speaking of…
"Hey, Norn, you never finished your question—you know, what you asked back at the stables."
"Ah… I wanted to say that I want to enroll in a school. I can't live off you all my life." The two came to a stop on the stairs, "Having a rich childhood friend is great and all but I don't want to impose forever."
"What? But I don't mind you living with us. I'm sure Father feels the same. He knows you and Teresa are my sisters. We own many businesses so I can get you a position at one of them easily. Or you can be the sitting lord for one of our fiefs. There are several that only have proxy lords now who are paid to do nothing but supervise."
She smiled, but it was so small that he almost missed it, "That's sweet of you but money isn't the issue here. I've… gotten too comfortable with the life Mom gave me. I'm already an adult and haven't even begun to think about what kind life I want to have. My sister will probably become a royal chef, cooking for nobles so she'll be pretty famous. But me? I'll just be the friend of Hero Luke—some may even call me a parasite, hehe..."
She turned back, so he couldn't see her face as she continued, "Hehe, this sounds like we're breaking up." She joked then looked at him with a teasing smile, "Will Lord Duke the Hero pay for my academy fees at least~?"
"O-Of course…" if this is what she wants then he can't stop her from seeking independence, "If you need help with anything else, please let me know. I—no, the whole Berkley House stands behind you."
"I know."
She smiled wider this time then bolted upstairs.
Somehow, that's probably the most genuine smile he's seen today.
**
Just as Luke was about to open the door to his room, someone approached him.
"Excuse me."
"?" he looked back, seeing that it was a young woman with long black hair, wearing a white robe, almost similar to the ones the "shady" individuals were wearing outside, "Can I help you?"
"Forgive the direct approach. I meant to send a letter to your residence asking if it would be all right to visit." She bowed her head overly politely, "My name is Angelica—I speak for Goddess Melis."
Luke's eyes widened, "Lady Oracle…?"
What's she doing in an inn of all places? Even if this is one of the top-rated inns suited for even royalty, the Oracle is usually a guest at the cathedral, temples or the palace.
She smiled wryly, "I'm not allowed to use that title to refer to myself anymore. If I'm not mistaken, you are Hero Luke von Berkley, one of the Gods' Champions."
"I don't even have the Holy Sword nor can I use my aura without the aid of tools so I can't exactly refer to myself like that yet…"
"I believe you will get there very soon." She said with a knowing smile, "Again, forgive me for approaching you like this. One of my subordinates spotted you and informed me so I had to take this chance to speak with you before I leave the city."
"Of course, please go ahead. Uhm, would you like some tea?"
"That's kind of you to offer, but I have some business to sort out and I'm sure you are busy as well." She shook her head gently, "Archmage Freya York is currently in the midst of looking for suitable candidates for humanity's next demon king subjugation group—in other words, a Hero Party. We agreed to meet soon and I was wondering if you would like to go with. Your input will be invaluable to the cause."
"Me…? But my cousin, Arthur has the Holy Sword. He's more suitable for that right now." As much as it pains him to say it, he must admit that.
"I don't believe that to be true." Luke's surprise was short before Angelica handed him a piece of paper, "If you need time to think it over, that's fine. Please send a letter towards this address—my new residence in the capital—once you have made up your mind."
"B-But—"
"Don't doubt yourself so when there are others who believe in you, Sir Luke."
"…" he could say nothing in response. But she didn't need a response anyway.
"Please take care. Both of us are very busy so we can't get to know each other better just yet."
"Uhm, yeah, I still have my training but I'll have a word with my master about this."
"Excellent. I hope you provide a satisfactory answer, Lord Luke."
**
"Haaa…" after his abrupt meeting with the "Oracle" of all people, Luke sighed as he fell on the lavish bed, not yet exhausted physically but mentally drained from overthinking so much today even when the day hasn't ended.
"I wonder what Brother's doing…"
Not a day goes by when he doesn't want to spend time with Arnold. But his training comes first so he can't go visit Arnold whenever he pleases. Speaking of, he's never visited Arnold's city before. When the next holiday comes around, he should find time to go there.
'I wonder if he'll spar with me if I ask him…'
He hopped back up and began to rummage through his luggage. Bringing extra clothes on an outing sounds a bit excessive but this is what nobles are like so he'll just have to get used to it.
A knock came from the door and without thinking about it too much—expecting a servant who wants to bring extra towels or refreshments—he gave permission to enter: "Come in."
The door opened as his back was turned. It was then shut slowly deliberately. He felt the presence approach him; normally servants announce their presence in the presence of a noble.
His Warrior Sense instinct was still developing so he can't differentiate people from each other as well as Sebastian or the household knights so if this person had bad intentions, all he would feel is a dagger pressed against his—
"—Hey." A small voice flowed in his ear.
"N-Norn?" almost jumping he fell against the mirror.
Norn was standing in front of him, face flushed as she averted her gaze, and one hand holding her other arm. She was in a fluffy white gown that you usually wear at night and didn't wear shoes but she wasn't barefoot. More like she was wearing a white pair of leggings underneath.
She didn't appear to be wet, so she must have come straight from her own room rather than the bath. The lantern light caught the thin fabric of her nightgown, soft and pale against her skin, but she stood stiffly—as if the garment itself weighed more than armor.
"Norn…?" he repeated, still bracing himself against the mirror.
She stepped closer.
Close enough that he could see the faint tremor in her fingers.
Luke straightened slowly.
"Is something wrong?"
She shook her head quickly.
"No. Nothing's wrong." But her voice betrayed her.
She took another step forward, until the space between them narrowed to something almost deliberate. Her gaze remained lowered, fixed somewhere near his collarbone rather than his eyes. "I was thinking," she began, and then stopped.
Her hand rose — hesitated — then caught lightly at the front of his shirt instead.
"You're going to leave someday," she said, almost as a statement of fact.
He blinked at the bizarre turn of events.
"You're going to get stronger. You're going to become… something bigger than this." Her grip tightened faintly. "And I don't want to be left behind."
"Norn..."
"If I'm—" Her voice wavered, then steadied with effort. "If I'm important to you, then I don't want it to be uncertain."
The ribbon loosened slightly beneath her fingers.
She wasn't looking at him, rather she was bracing herself. Her robe fell, revealing the kind of sensual lingerie a loving wife wears to entice her husband. It was a white type of lingerie that didn't fit her brown hair, or her in general since he's never seen her in this kind of underwear before.
He closed his eyes with a soft sigh then bent down, picking the robe up and covering her up again.
As much as it excited him deep within, both his heart and his nether region, he couldn't take advantage of this situation, not because of what Teresa or Flora said, but because he couldn't.
"That's not how you keep me," he said quietly as he let go of her.
She froze.
"I'm not trying to trade anything…. And I don't want you thinking that's what you have to do."
"…I don't know how else to make you stay," she admitted as she held the robe tighter as if it were a blanket.
He paused for a second, staring at the floor, then he clenched his fists.
"I should feel excited that you would be the one to make a move. But… I just can't…" He laughed awkwardly after saying that, "Norn… I wouldn't ever leave you or Teresa behind. Both of you are my—"
He paused there, then rephrased his words, "Teresa is my big sister—that's simple. But you… you're not simple like that…"
"E-Eh?"
"W-What I want to say is, I… I like you—No, I love you with all my heart." Slowly, his words became louder and more confident from his awkward ramblings, "I've had these feelings since childhood but have only recently understood what they mean. If I wasn't bound by duty, you would be the only woman I'd want to spend the rest of my life with."
"!"
"But I know it's not time yet."
She gulped and asked nervously, "W… Why is that?"
"I'm not ready," he continued, forcing himself not to look away. "And it doesn't mean you have to feel the same. And… If you stand in front of me like this because you're afraid I'll leave, then I'd just be taking advantage of that fear."
His fists clenched at his sides.
"I don't want a version of you that's trying to secure me. And I don't want to stand beside you as someone who rushed in because he was tempted. I have a duty to uphold to the entire world so if I permit myself to rush into things I'm not sure of, nothing will go right." He stepped closer, but she didn't step away, looking up at him in silence, "I want to become someone complete first. Someone who can protect you. Someone who knows who he is."
'An even greater man than Big Brother' he held those words back.
"And then… I want you to fall in love with that person—someone deserving of you and who can protect you."
"…you're telling me to wait…?"
He nodded slowly.
She laughed softly as she fixed her gown.
"You're so unfair," she murmured after tying up the gown. "You make it sound so easy to be patient."
Her eyes glistened as she averted them.
"You say you want me to fall in love with the man you become," she continued more steadily. "What if I already like the one standing here?"
"…You are an honest person so I would know if you actually liked me back."
She's always been honest with the way she's felt. It's only recently that she's become hard to read.
A small smile tugged at her lips as her eyes slowly regained their light, "Yeah." Then she turned around.
"Then become someone I can't help but fall for," she says, a faint challenge in her tone. "And I'll do the same. I can't promise I'll fall for you, but… I'm willing to wait to see this complete version of yourself if you promise not to leave."
She looked over her shoulder at him and smiled.
Not the smile she gave him as a childhood companion. Not yet the smile of a lover.
Something in between.
It looked… more beautiful that all the other smiles he had ever seen her make.
There was no reason to make a magic oath, the strongest of promises, for simple words were strong enough to convey that promise.
The two never spoke of this moment again, and returned to the carriage after freshening up, with Norn showing genuine and unrestrained joy. She could talk comfortably with Luke, even after trying to give up her body to him.
There was nothing romantic about this outing and no awkwardness between the two, as it was only two friends taking advantage of the luxuries nobility has to offer and having fun together and also eating expensive and delicious food.
If anyone had seen them then, they would have thought nothing had changed.
In truth, everything had.
Later that day when their outing ended on a pleasant note, Sebastian shook his head with a sigh seeing the bills and various shops the two—or rather, Norn—visited.