Sincerely, Vanessa [EN]: Chapter 42

The light orbs summoned by the two shimmered like jewels on the water, and stone pillars stood scattered around. The water was strangely clear and a deep, chilling blue.

“Ah, ah, it’s beautiful, but…”

“The lake is very… vast.”

The spot where they stood was still shallow, but even in the dim light, the center of the lake looked dauntingly deep.

Considering that water usually appears deeper than it actually is, it was difficult to guess the lake’s true depth.

Vanessa was silent, wondering if she could swim well enough.

“Could there be something inside?”

The two slowly moved forward, now just a step away from the water’s edge.

And at that moment, the light orbs winked out, and the cave was plunged into darkness.

“Wh-what…”

Vanessa gasped in surprise, and Gideon instinctively reached for her hand. Their hands intertwined tightly. Vanessa’s startled hand fidgeted within his larger one.

“Just a moment.”

In the complete darkness, Gideon stepped back. Three steps away from the lake, the light orbs illuminated the surroundings again.

Gideon’s lips curved into a slight smile.

“Magic doesn’t work near the lake.”

He had tried to condense mana and detonate it over the lake, but the mana sphere dissipated powerlessly as soon as it approached the surface.

“Vanessa, would you stay here for a moment?”

Leaving Vanessa with the light she had summoned, Gideon approached the lake.

He plunged his hand deep into the water. A streak of light extended from his fingertips and then vanished.

“Magic is realized in the water.”

Gideon slowly surveyed the lake. The surface was very calm, stretching a considerable distance to the other side.

And beyond the space obscured by the numerous stone pillars, something was situated.

“There’s a small boat over there…”

“A boat?”

It was a very small rowboat, made of wood but remarkably intact, without a single rotten spot. Gideon strode closer.

A rope tied to a stalagmite held the rowboat in place, preventing it from drifting away.

“It’s small, but it even has oars.”

“Could it be a trap?”

“Perhaps.”

Gideon brushed his fingers against his sword hilt, but nothing happened. The surface of the water remained still, with only the occasional gentle splash.

“I don’t know who lured us here, but it’s as if they’re inviting us to come into the water and investigate. I should check it out first.”

“No! I’ll go instead. It’s dangerous!”

“Are you saying Vanessa is stronger than I am?”

At his gentle question, Vanessa fell silent.

“I’m not trying to dismiss you, Vanessa. But realistically, it’s better for me to go. I’m confident I can come back alive no matter what’s in there.”

Gideon bent down to meet Vanessa’s eyes. His golden eyes held only tenderness, without a trace of fear or doubt.

Vanessa envied that so much – the confidence born from his own skill.

“It might be a little scary, but wait here for a moment. I’ll be right back.”

“……”

He seemed worried about her. Was it because he understood the fear of being left alone? Vanessa bit her lip and lowered her head.

Gideon took off his uniform jacket. Seeing the torn spots on the inside, Vanessa tried to cast a warmth spell, but it didn’t work. Magic couldn’t be maintained near the lake at all. So, all she could do was pray. Vanessa sniffled.

Gideon jumped into the water without looking back.

In the clear water, a flickering light emanated from his fingertips, illuminating the depths.

Deeper, deeper he went.

As he approached the abyss, the water darkened again. Fortunately, nothing appeared.

Vanessa anxiously clasped her hands together.

Please, please let him come back safely! If there is a god, isn’t it time to grant this wish!

Vanessa, nervously stamping her feet, felt Gideon was going too deep. What was the reason?

Fortunately, he soon surfaced, gasping for air.

“A-are you okay?”

Vanessa looked at him with a tearful expression, but Gideon didn’t seem to notice. He stared blankly into the air, as if possessed.

“Captain!”

His gaze snapped back. Vanessa had stepped into the shallow water and was reaching out her hand. Gideon managed a weak smile and took her hand.

However, Vanessa, trying to pull his large frame, staggered, and Gideon pulled himself out.

Gideon clicked his tongue, noticing Vanessa’s wet shoes.

“Well, there are no monsters inside. The water is very clear.”

“But why were you so late…”

“Should we cross on the boat first? It won’t be dangerous. Here.”

Gideon roughly swept back his waterlogged hair. Water dripped from his entire body, but he couldn’t use magic to dry it.

Vanessa fixed her gaze on the water droplets tracing a path down his firm jaw. The wet man exuded a strange allure that confused her.

She realized she couldn’t offer him his jacket to his wet body, as the clothes already clinging to him were now completely plastered to his skin.

His upper body was excessively developed from wielding a sword. The firm arms connected to his broad shoulders had clear curves, and the definition was evident even under the clinging clothes from his chest to his abdomen.

Vanessa wanted to slap herself. Admiring someone who is having a hard time? Are you crazy? Don’t look away!

Vanessa screamed dozens of times inwardly and decided to focus on his wounds. Only then did her confused mind calm down a little.

Vanessa hurriedly took out a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it to him, but he only looked at it with a faint smile.

“No, I’m telling you to wipe your face.”

“Is this embroidery done by you?”

It was messy embroidery, roughly resembling a flower bud or something similar. There were traces of her attempts to represent her last name.

“I was originally going to give it to my sponsor teacher, but it was too bad. I have no talent… No, I’m telling you to wipe first!”

The cave had no warmth, so it was too cold. Vanessa was anxious that Gideon’s wounds would worsen, but he seemed carefree.

“I see.”

He smiled, then stepped back as far as he could and used magic to dry himself. He put his already torn and ruined uniform back on and approached the boat.

Vanessa was so anxious to follow that she didn’t even notice that her handkerchief had disappeared.

After untying the rope, he put his strength into it, and the boat was slowly pulled over. The small boat was enough for two people to ride.

Gideon held the boat steady, and Vanessa boarded first. When Gideon got on, the boat moved on its own and began to head to the other side. There was no need to use the oars.

As the two began to cross the lake, all magic disappeared, and they were plunged into darkness.

The only sounds in the pitch-black darkness were the clear echoes of water droplets occasionally falling on the surface of the lake.

Vanessa was a little scared and wanted to hear Gideon’s voice. He seemed lost in thought, but she mustered the courage to interrupt.

“Could there be a magic circle drawn on the bottom of the boat? The boat is moving on its own. It looks like an old boat, but it hasn’t been erased yet.”

“It must have been drawn by a great magician.”

“A great magician?”

“I’m talking about Bam Vandalu.”

“Yes?”

Vanessa was surprised and turned her gaze toward the voice. But the boat was in the middle of the lake, and it was too dark to see anything.

Gideon noticed Vanessa’s fear and pulled her closer. Vanessa didn’t resist and crawled over, crouching low.

“It’s wet…”

With a hesitant touch, he drew her close. The backs of their hands repeatedly brushed against each other.

Vanessa felt her cheeks burning.

Yes, this was definitely strange. Even when she played around with Evan or Moshwi, her face wouldn’t even turn red.

It was the first time she was grateful for the darkness. Vanessa cleared her throat and spoke.

“Why are you bringing up Bam Vandalu? Are you talking about the great magician who founded Bamberg Academy?”

“Do you know why Bam Vandalu is called great?”

“Yes. He put the black monster that appeared in Edirne Year 302 to sleep and saved everything in the kingdom of Friva. Nevertheless, he refused all rewards and lived by farming.”

Gideon chuckled silently at the model student’s textbook answer.

“Yes, that’s right. It’s written simply in children’s fairy tales, but it wasn’t quite like that. He was afraid that the monster would wake up after he died, so he created a huge magic circle throughout the territory of Friva to maintain the magic that keeps the monster asleep. Traces of it are also in Friva Royal Castle.”

Vanessa pondered why he was telling her this story. The realization dawned on her, and she spoke in a bewildered voice.

“Could it be that there was also one on the bottom of the lake just now…?”

“That’s right. There is a magic circle with Bam Vandalu’s name on the bottom of the lake. I didn’t see it properly, but it’s the same format as I saw in the royal castle. It seems that one of the magic circles in the west was hidden here.”

Vanessa was so excited that she tried to lean over the surface of the lake, but Gideon immediately stopped her. The boat was still moving leisurely.

“Go to the royal castle and see it.”

“Wow, no way. Then this place is no different from a historical site! Could this boat also be made by Bam Vandalu?”

Vanessa raised her voice in excitement. When she heard a low laugh, she was embarrassed and crouched down again.

“It’s amazing… ahem. That magic circle protects Friva from the black monster.”

“I’m also amazed. I feel like I’ve become the main character in a fairy tale.”

Gideon said casually.

Yes, it wouldn’t be bad if it weren’t for the circumstances. The sound of water dripping from the stalactites was like music, and the lake in the cave was very beautiful.

Besides, it’s a hidden magic circle of a great magician.

“Now all we need is a fairy to come out.”

At Vanessa’s whisper, Gideon shook his head firmly.

“If you meet a fairy in a cave, you have to run away. Forest fairies sing songs, but cave fairies inflict wounds and try to drink blood.”

Vanessa had no interest in fairy taxonomy, so she opened her mouth blankly.

“…Yes?”

“It’s true. I used to go searching…”

While Gideon was recounting how he had his blood sucked by a cave fairy, the slow rowboat arrived on the opposite side of the lake.

Thud. Thud.

The rowboat bumped against the stone wall as if signaling them to disembark.

“Wait.”

Gideon got off first, secured the boat firmly, and then helped Vanessa down. Thanks to that, Vanessa arrived on the other side without touching the water.

“Thank you…”

Vanessa whispered softly, but Gideon simply replied,

“You’re welcome.”

As soon as they walked five steps away from the lake, the light orbs began to spread again from Vanessa’s fingertips.

He took out a flat canteen from inside his uniform and filled it with water. He first handed it to Vanessa to quench her thirst, and then he also took a sip.

When Vanessa, who had taken a breather, turned around, the lake was still calm and looked peaceful.

As the two began to walk again, the surprisingly deep blue water was fading back into the darkness.

“Is it safe to leave the magic circle like that? You can even use magic inside the lake. Shouldn’t it have been the opposite to protect the magic circle?”

Gideon glanced back. His eyes soon fell on Vanessa, and he seemed to be contemplating something.

“Something is strange.”

“Strange?”

Gideon slowly moved forward, Vanessa following closely.

“At first, I thought the person who created the seed of the monster lured you here. But I don’t think that’s the case.”

“Then?”

“What does Vanessa think?”

Vanessa looked up at Gideon and blinked a few times. His expression was unreadable.

After much deliberation, Vanessa carefully opened her mouth.