Reunion (4)

‘Why are they coming here of all places again?’

Yona was rolling around on the bed with a sullen expression.

As soon as she arrived at the church territory, she met Ceres, and because of that, she had some expectation that things might be finished a bit faster.

From Yona’s perspective, regardless of the hero’s party or whatever, she just wanted to quickly erase the tattoos and finish her business.

‘Still, it’s not like I didn’t think it might not work…’

The bigger the expectation, the bigger the disappointment, so Yona tried not to have too much hope. The tattoo engraved on her right arm, which had now spread to her chest, was already confirmed to be erasable, so that should be fine, but the one on her left arm wasn’t just a tattoo, was it?

It was literally a tattoo that was evidence of Berbaria, a demon of the demon realm, who claimed to be a grand duke, residing in her.

She thought that to erase this, she would probably need to either drive out Berbaria or kill him.

But would that be possible—thinking about it, she felt negative.

Hearing that even the hero’s party was coming here made Yona’s mood even worse.

For some reason, she felt bad every time she saw Rudvik.

Especially because he was said to be a hero directly appointed by the Celestial Deity.

The same went for Bigrind, the saint, and overall, she didn’t like anything about what the two of them were doing.

That’s why she was happy when she got to travel separately, but now thinking about meeting them again this time, it was irritating.

“Why is it so hot?”

Yona finally sat up abruptly on the bed.

Of course, the church territory would be a place lined with heating stones, so it would be cool in summer and warm in winter.

But now Yona was beyond warm, she was insanely hot.

It was so sweltering, as if it might be midsummer, that she was about to break into a sweat just lying still.

“What on earth…”

Eventually, she got off the bed and approached the window.

When she opened the window a little, cold wind rushed in fiercely, and because of that wind, she who should have felt cold was instead feeling cool.

“Now it’s a bit more bearable…”

Come to think of it, why was Berbaria so quiet? By now, he should have been making some strange noise in her head, but thinking about it, Berbaria hadn’t said anything since they entered the church territory. Rather, since it was nice and quiet, Yona decided not to call out to Berbaria.

Strictly speaking, it’s not normal at all to have someone else whispering in your head, but isn’t it even stranger to think it’s odd when you don’t hear such a voice?

Thinking that getting used to something is scary, and that this must be what getting used to it feels like, Yona shuddered, wrapping her arms around herself as goosebumps ran over her.

“…Huh?”

And Yona noticed the strange heat touching her right hand—that is, she realized that heat was flowing vigorously from her left arm.

Wondering what it was, she touched it and found that her left arm was burning hot from shoulder to wrist.

“Ah.”

Since Berbaria was residing in her left arm.

This bastard must be quietly buried here, undoubtedly resisting the holiness of this church territory. And because he’s exerting himself, this heat is coming out.

‘After all that nonsense about becoming a saint and whatnot, serves you right, damn bastard.’

Even though she cursed, Berbaria’s voice didn’t come. Thinking her deduction was correct, Yona giggled mischievously. Even though it was her own arm that was emitting heat, Yona was rather pleased with the part where she thought Berbaria was getting his comeuppance.

There was news that the hero’s party was coming from Kapatia Port to the church territory, Yona had business with Ceres, and Ceres had business with the hero’s party.

Because of this, Yona had no choice but to stay in the church territory until Ceres’ business was finished—that is, until the hero’s party arrived at the church territory and Ceres’ business was concluded.

“Sigh…”

Yona was sighing a lot. Even while watching Rubina playing with other children in the meadow, Yona let out a long sigh.

If the tattoos could be erased, she had been told by Alebiang that she couldn’t return to being a man because of those tattoos, but she didn’t know if it was because of the sealing characters or because of Berbaria. Even if she received purification from Ceres and erased the tattoos, Berbaria would likely remain, and even if she then received treatment from Escara, she wasn’t sure if it would succeed.

‘…Above all, whether to receive the treatment or not…’

To be honest, it was true that Alec occupied a large part of Yona’s life. Even Yona had to admit that. But if it meant remaining a woman, wouldn’t that be something she couldn’t do to Alec?

If she received the treatment, she would achieve one of the two goals she had been aiming for all this time. And that meant parting ways with Alec. Even if she returned to being a man, Alec would force a smile and say it was good. That’s for sure. But thinking about whether that would be Alec’s true feelings, it probably wouldn’t be.

Little by little, they would drift apart, and eventually, they would be separated forever. Alec and Yona, no longer the companions who always traveled together, but with another healer by Alec’s side, laughing and joking— “Today’s healing was spot on!” “Really?” “Of course! You’re the best after all!” “Hehe! I’m better than that woman before, right!?” “Of course, of course!” and so on…

‘…What, that’s nonsense.’

Yona unconsciously clenched her fist. What kind of crazy thought is this? Just by looking at Alec’s eyes, Yona herself knows what that guy is trying to do and how he’s trying to do it. No matter who else is with him, no one can treat Alec as well as Yona can. It’s nonsense.

“No… no. What am I thinking?”

This is exactly like being jealous. Yona shook her head vigorously to shake off that thought.

Then, if she doesn’t receive the treatment, Yona will just continue living as a woman. With the white and soft skin where the tattoos have disappeared, living as a beauty that anyone would admire.

If that happens, Yona will lose both of the goals she had dreamed of. She didn’t return to being a man—not that she couldn’t, but she chose to remain a woman of her own will. Naturally, she wouldn’t be able to return to her original world either.

‘But I could still stay with Alec like now, right?’

That’s probably how it would be. Alec would continue to travel with Yona as he has been doing. Together, wherever they go. Continuously, continuously. And then, of course, they would share a room during missions… and then…

‘…Wait, then that bastard, how many times has he groped my breasts?’

Yona suddenly thought of that. The “breast-groping pass”, which Yona thought was a slightly embarrassing name, she was sure she had only given one, but he had already groped them several times, hadn’t he? Once was when they caught the troll, and then the next time was…

‘But isn’t that invalid? I let him touch them directly.’

Thinking about it calmly, that’s also true. Before receiving the male return treatment, because Alec seemed upset, she let him use that pass, but strictly speaking, Alec didn’t say he would use it, and didn’t Yona directly guide Alec’s hand to grope?

‘Then… it’s invalid, isn’t it.’

That means there’s still one pass left.

If she doesn’t return to being a man, it means Alec still has one pass left.

And if he uses that pass—maybe, Alec might…

“Oh.”

She saw Rubina fall. Rubina, who had been running around playing with the children, must have tripped on a stone or something, and Yona found herself unconsciously sprinting towards Rubina.

“Rubina!”

When she quickly picked her up and hugged her, Rubina’s dress was covered in dirt. Soon, reddish blood was visible on her knee.

Rubina was biting her lip hard, trying not to cry, but her eyes were brimming with tears. Still, thinking it was admirable that she managed not to cry, Yona crouched down and was gently wiping Rubina’s eyes with the hem of her nun’s robe when a boy approached hesitantly.

“Um, excuse me…”

“Yes?”

Yona’s gaze turned to the boy. The boy startled at her golden eyes, then slowly dropped his head.

“I’m… sorry.”

“Huh? For what?”

Yona asked because she really didn’t know. From what Yona saw, Rubina had fallen while running around by herself, so she couldn’t understand why this child was apologizing.

“I, I was it… Because I was chasing her, Rubina fell…”

“Ah, I see.”

He seemed to think Rubina had fallen because of his mistake. Yes, that could happen. It wouldn’t make sense to scold him for something like that. So Yona stood up with a grunt and gently patted the boy’s head.

“Rubina fell while running by herself, so you don’t need to apologize. But it’s good to see you quickly apologize when you think it might be your fault. You’re very manly.”

Yona smiled broadly.

And the boy glanced up at Yona’s face and his face turned bright red.

“Rubina, you fell by yourself, right? He didn’t do anything wrong, did he?”

“Yeah, Tony didn’t do anything wrong.”

“See, that’s what she says. Rubina says so too, so it’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong, so there’s no need to feel down. Understand?”

“Yes, yes…”

Although Tony’s voice was small, he still answered clearly.

And at that sight, Yona smiled with satisfaction.

“Alright then, go and play again. It’s fine. These things can happen between children.”

“Okay, sister. I got it. Tony, let’s go!”

“O-Okay.”

Tony grabbed Rubina’s outstretched hand and ran off.

Watching the two of them, Yona smiled contentedly.

The wound on Rubina’s knee, Yona could have healed it, but she didn’t.

As children grow up, they can get wounds like that, and scabs form over them, new skin grows, and even those scabs fall off.

As you live, you’re bound to get hurt.

Perhaps one should also learn how to overcome those wounds on their own.