Stigma Effect

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“Sir Shudmuel, I’m here!”

After meeting Shudmuel, Yuriel’s work revolved around him. He was the only one who needed Yuriel, whom no one was looking for, so the time visiting him was the most enjoyable for Yuriel.

It was the first time since Raphlet that she had followed a person like this.

Contrary to his cold first impression, Shudmuel prepared simple food with scented candles when Yuriel came. When the strange scent emanating from his incense candle reached the tip of her nose, Yuriel felt a deep sense of comfort.

In that state, Shudmuel wrote a note asking her to transcribe along with the hot tea he prepared himself. While she was blankly writing the characters she couldn’t understand, he would ask Yuriel several questions.

When Shudmuel saw Yuriel suddenly open the door and appeared, he checked the time and said,

“You came earlier than you were supposed to.”

Even when he saw Yuriel who suddenly appeared, there was no change in his expression. Yuriel, who was thinking whether she could see Shudmuel’s surprised face, felt regretful and went inside. Meanwhile, Shudmuel calmly prepared tea.

“I decided to go see Lord Raphlet this afternoon. I’m going to help Sir Shudmuel and go out right away.”

Yuriel took off her coat and answered. Shudmuel nodded his head as he watched Yuriel with her overcoat on her way across the office.

Shudmuel asked in a monotonous tone.

“Did Commander Raphlet send you a letter?”

“Yes. I got a call this morning.”

He pushed a cup of tea in front of Yuriel.

“Alright, sit down first.”

“Thank you.”

Yuriel greeted him and sat on the chair. As she sat down and drank the tea, warmth spread through her frozen body. Shudmuel also sat on the opposite chair. He waited without saying a word until Yuriel had finished her tea.

Shudmuel said, refilling the empty cup.

“Where did you decide to meet?”

“At the restaurant near the Alchemist Tower.”

“What about your companion?”

“I want to go with the knight who Lord Raphlet told me in the letter. He said he had talked to him beforehand, so after I help Sir Shudmuel, I think I should go find him.”

Yuriel answered meekly. Many of Shudmuel’s questions were related to Raphlet. At first she was hesitant to answer questions about Raphlet, but now it’s okay.

It’s not a difficult question to answer, because it’s Sir Shudmuel.

Yuriel smiled softly as she looked at his face, who always took off his glasses when he met her. The gray eyes, which seemed cold at first glance, gave a more comfortable feeling than she expected.

Shudmuel, who looked at Yuriel’s expression that was full of trust, opened his mouth.

“Don’t you think it would be better for me to accompany you, Yuriel?”

“Yes, of course. But Sir Shudmuel is busy…. If I take your time….”

“You came early and the afternoon schedule is empty. If you want, I can accompany you.”

He said, suggesting the option to Yuriel. Yuriel slowly blinked her eyes and answered happily.

“Yes, Sir Shudmuel. Please accompany me!”

After finishing the conversation, Yuriel, who was copying the medical journal, discovered that Shudmuel was writing like her. It was like a short letter.

Looking at him with curiosity, Shudmuel said in a strict tone.

“Yuriel. I have a lot of paperwork to deal with today, so focus.”

Compared to other days, there wasn’t a lot of paperwork to be processed, but the moment he tapped the desk with his finger, Yuriel immediately accepted and concentrated on the paperwork.

＊＊＊

“Lord Raphlet!”

Yuriel noticed Raphlet’s appearance and waved a big hand. Raphlet, standing on the street in Albraka’s uniform, was attracting the attention of passersby, probably because there were many photos of him in the newspapers. People were looking at Raphlet as they passed by and pointing their fingers in wonder.

Despite receiving the attention of many people, Raphlet had a blunt face. He was waiting for Yuriel on the street without a single move.

Raphlet’s face softened slightly when he saw Yuriel calling him and waving her hand. After catching Yuriel who jumped at him, Raphlet looked around.

Seeing that she had arrived safely, he intended to send back the knight who was ordered to protect Yuriel.

Yuriel ran as soon as she saw Raphlet, so he couldn’t see the knight right away. As he moved his gaze to a farther place, he saw the figure of the person standing next to Yuriel.

Raphlet’s face hardened when he saw the knight’s appearance. Instead of the knight he ordered to accompany her, Shudmuel, the 3rd division commander of Albraka, appeared with Yuriel.

Raphlet looked at Shudmuel and asked Yuriel.

“Yuriel, what about the knight I sent?”

At the sound of Raphlet’s voice in her ear, Yuriel groaned unknowingly. She liked hearing Raphlet’s voice that she had not heard in a long time, so her lips kept loosening up.

Yuriel, who was hanging from Raphlet’s waist, struggled to get out of his arms, remembering that they were still on the street. The eyes of passersby were still on Raphlet.

She was worried that if he kept holding a woman on the streets where people passed by, the reputation of the Paladin Raphlet would deteriorate. The Knights of Albraka are those who have decided to abandon everything and follow God. It was not that there were no knights meeting women, but there were no publicly known cases.

There were newspapers in the Imperial Capital that mainly dealt with the stories of the Knights of Albraka, and there were several reporters who followed them.

Like the article that prompted Yuriel to come to the Imperial Capital, most of the content was exaggerated or untrue, but people did not know that.

Didn’t Yuriel herself completely believe the article and come to the Imperial Capital? It would be a big deal to have a photo of herself and Raphlet appear together in such a place.

Yuriel got out of Raphlet’s arms and grabbed his sleeve with her fingers and spoke.

“Sir Shudmuel said he would accompany me.”

Raphlet frowned at Yuriel’s attitude. It was strange that she had become so close with Shudmuel when he had been away for only a few days.

‘Shudmuel isn’t a person who trains at the training ground, so she wouldn’t have had a chance to meet him, so how?’

Raphlet hardened his expression and thought.

“Lord Raphlet, have you eaten yet? Hurry and go in. You said you couldn’t stay long.”

Yuriel pulled Raphlet’s arm, who was looking at Shudemuel with a frown. The time she could spend with Raphlet was only about 4 hours.

It must have been that he had agreed to meet Yuriel by taking time for a personal break. So, unfortunately, she was planning to send him back to the Alchemist Tower after having dinner together.

“You can just eat and go back. Lord Raphlet, you need to rest a little longer.”

Yuriel said in a worried tone. Raphlet looked down at Yuriel’s worried face and replied that he would do so. Of course, he had no intention of going back before the break was over.

“Sir Shudmuel, quickly come too!”

“… It’s okay to tell Commander Shudmuel to go back, Yuriel. I will post another knight on the way back.”

Raphlet, who was led into the restaurant by Yuriel, stiffened. He grabbed Yuriel’s arm, stopped and spoke, and Yuriel answered as if she didn’t know why.

“I think it would be good for Sir Shudmuel to have a meal with us. We’ve been together since morning, but we haven’t eaten yet.”

“Been together… ?”

“Yes. I stayed with Sir Shudmuel while Lord Raphlet was away, helping him with work.”

“Didn’t I say you don’t have to work? If Commander Shudmuel has forced you to do something, you do not have to follow it.”

“No, no! I said I would do it. I’m bored because Lord Raphlet isn’t here….”

Yuriel hurriedly denied it and continued talking while looking at Raphlet.

“Can I keep working until you come back?”

“… If you want, do it.”

“Thank you!”

Raphlet, who knows how much Yuriel likes to be active, finds it hard to stop her. He tried to tighten the training schedule further so that she could lose strength, but it seemed she was already used to the reinforced schedule.

As they stood at the entrance of the restaurant and talked, people passed by uncomfortably.

“I think we were blocking the entrance. Come on in, Lord Raphlet.”

Yuriel led Raphlet and Shudmuel inside. It was a very luxurious restaurant. It was darker than outside because the lights hanging from the high ceiling were shining in scarlet.

While Yuriel looked inside and admired the interior, the approaching employees started to guide her. Whether it was because they recognized Raphlet and Shudmuel, or whether it was the original hospitality, the employees were very friendly.

“It is an honor for you to visit. We will guide you to the best table.”

They seemed kind because they recognized the two Albraka Knights. As the three of them sat down, the chef came out and explained the recommended dishes.

“Please give me the food you just recommended! Ah, Lord Raphlet doesn’t drink alcohol, so you don’t have to prepare a pre-dinner drink.”

“Yes, how should I prepare for the other meals?”

“What would you like, Shudmuel?”

“As it is.”

“Yes, then, all three of us, please prepare it like that.”

“Okay, Miss.”

Yuriel, who was carefully listening to the explanation on behalf of Raphlet and Shudmuel, who were not interested in the chef’s explanation, chose a meal and smiled brightly.

When the chef left, Yuriel was talking to Raphlet in the room with only three people left.

Shudmuel leaned back on his chair, looking at Yuriel, who didn’t care for him.

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