episode_0050

To the spirits, pure energy is like warm sunlight shining on plants.

What about the opposite then?

“Ugh… Ugh… Ugh…”

A sobbing noise, incongruous with the foul-smelling vibrating sewer, filled the place.

There, a spirit was reflecting its transformed appearance in a mirror.

“Wow, wow!”

It was as expected.

When I decided to hand over my existence to the warlocks, I knew that it was going to be a terrible experience.

Their energy was so strong that even a slight touch would make me feel nauseous.

What would happen if you accepted that energy into your body?

It must be so unpleasant that it’s unbearable.

“It hurts, it hurts!!!”

But I never thought it would be this painful.

That would be true.

Because the concept of physical pain did not exist for spirits.

So what is this pain?

What the heck am I?

I must be a spirit, so why can I feel pain so clearly?

-You are different from us.

The voices of my compatriots were heard.

What they said was true.

I was different from them.

This vivid discomfort and pain was proof of that.

“That’s right…”

Gulp.

Tears flowed from one eye that had once held fresh green leaves like a wind-blown field, but now its color had faded.

Gulp.

From one physically defective eye, a mixture of blood and pus flowed out.

Even though his mouth was closed, his teeth were clearly visible.

The skin was oozing like mud after a rainstorm.

The image reflected in the mirror was hideous beyond compare.

“I’m different from you guys…”

She let out a sobbing laugh at the sight.

I believed that I was feeling at ease.

At least, you won’t have to suffer through delusions like before.

Everything became clear.

“Because I’m a mutant…”

──────────

“Lady Lapita, a message has come from Drapon.”

“What are you saying?”

“I searched everywhere where spirits might be, but I didn’t get much.”

“Where is Gardena?”

“Similarly, they said they found no trace of Perrin.”

“…So what do we do now?”

“Let’s go back to Daesurim for now. It seems we have no choice but to conduct a large-scale search with the help of the family.”

“…”

The reckless girl’s wish did not come true.

Even though he was a great noble who ruled over the Great Forest, it was not easy to overthrow a distant human city as he wished.

Even more so if the reason is something like ‘the young lady lost her beloved spirit’.

In the end, the reunion between the foolish girl and the spirit took place a long time later.

In the worst form that far surpasses the young lady’s anxiety.

“…”

The lonely and noble blue wolf cub was no more.

It was like a mixture of all sorts of animals melted into a mold and then hardened, replacing the countless traces of defects with all sorts of foreign substances.

-Eww!!!

A terrible noise, befitting a stinking, vibrating sewer, filled the place.

Blood and pus poured out like spittle from its holes that had once been its eyes and mouth.

“Ah… Ah… Ah…”

The naughty girl often threw a tantrum when things didn’t go her way.

This time it was the same.

She had no intention of accepting the fact that ‘that thing’ was the spirit she loved.

He had no intention of accepting the fact that he had failed to protect her.

The moment before a storm is the calmest.

In the underground waterway where all noise was swallowed up by a single emerald, the voice of the reckless young lady flowed softly.

“Sylph… This is my last request… Get rid of it… along with the humans of this terrible city…”

The elf slit his wrist.

Gulp. Gulp. The emerald was painted with the crimson blood that was being vomited.

A whirlwind swept through the city.

──────────

[South of Bondales is a land of unceasing, raging whirlpools.]

[At its center is a huge tower that towers beyond the sky.]

[The plot is wind, and the materials are the remains of a ruined city and the corpses of its citizens.]

[From the top of the tower, the ugly howling of a monster can occasionally be heard.]

[From the top of the tower, a woman’s mad sobs can occasionally be heard.]

──────────

“Heeung…”

This was the scene that unfolded before Lapita’s eyes as he regained consciousness.

The noble wolf spirit was enjoying the bliss of being held in the arms of a human, whether he was shocked or collapsed.

“…Perrin.”

Lapita called her name in a loud voice.

Instead of answering, Perrin buried his face in Risir’s chest.

As if Lapita’s voice was disturbing.

“…”

The naughty girl often threw a tantrum when things didn’t go her way.

But this time, it seemed like her complaints would not be accepted.

An emerald that had lost its light entered her eyes.

“What is this…”

The reckless girl let out a half-sob, half-groaning sound.

Just feel frustrated for a moment at your situation where you can’t complain like that.

A moment later, she caught sight of Perrin once more.

Suddenly, that thought occurred to me.

If that child had been with me all along, would he have shown me such happiness someday?

No. That day probably never came.

In the first place, he had never expected her to be like that.

I didn’t know.

Who knew she had such a spoiled bratty side to her?

A noble and lonely wolf, as he knows himself.

The nagging girl in front of me right now.

Which of the two is her true self?

“…”

Unfortunately, the answer came right away.

Unfortunately, the answer contained another truth.

‘I wonder… if I really liked Perrin…’

I could proudly say that there was absolutely no lie in those feelings.

But if I were to ask myself whether that was the right way to do things, I would no longer be confident enough to say so.

He didn’t know that Perrin was such a spoiled brat.

-Fuck! I feel so relieved! I’ve always wanted to tell you this. No matter how much I bark and ask, you still don’t understand! I say you elves suck!

I had absolutely no idea what Perrin was thinking.

If I hadn’t met this man named Risir, I would have stubbornly denied the fact even if I had found out.

why?

Because what he loved was ‘the noble and lonely Perrin’.

I loved her special vibe.

I loved her stunning looks.

But I never really tried to understand her feelings.

I never tried to fathom her thoughts, nor did I try to listen to her voice.

‘…I see.’

Lapita realized something new.

The fact that up until now, I have only cared about my own thoughts and feelings.

The fact that I have never once cared about the other person’s feelings or position.

A happy Perrin.

Her appearance, which had previously seemed mischievous, began to look different.

“Hey human. I know you didn’t try to be a trickster. But, don’t be so strict. I wonder how the young lady feels-”

“Gondola.”

“Yes, Miss! Even though I’m-”

“It’s okay.”

“Yes?”

“I’m fine, so leave those two alone.”

“…Miss?”

The escort knight, who had always been there to listen to the nagging of the reckless girl, looked at her in surprise.

She got up from her seat with the help of the gondola and spoke to Risir.

“You. Did I tell you this?”

Risir prepared himself mentally.

What is this girl talking about now?

“Thank you.”

“Yes?”

“You saved Perrin from being harmed by suspicious humans. If it weren’t for you, Perrin might have been in trouble. I’ll thank you for that. And-”

Lapita looked at Perrin.

Perrin was still in Risir’s arms, not even paying attention to Lapita.

A refreshing yet delighted smile appeared on Lapita’s face.

“Thank you for listening to Perrin’s… voice. If it weren’t for you, I would have found Perrin and made her suffer again.”

“…”

Perrin’s ears perked up and he turned towards Lapita, and then Perrin’s head also turned towards Lapita.

The gaze was still wary, but there was a curiosity there that had not been there before.

Lapita smiled with emotion.

This is it. I should have done this a long time ago.

“I’m sorry, Perrin. I’m sorry for everything. Really.”

Sniffle. Sniffle.

The reckless girl finally burst into tears.

The polar escort knight watched the scene quietly from the side.

Because the sight of the reckless girl crying in front of others looked more dignified than ever.

“I didn’t know you were having such a hard time. No. I didn’t even try to find out. And I acted like I knew everything about you. I made you suffer like that. So I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Will you accept my apology…?”

“…”

Perrin turned his head away from Lapita.

Looking at her reminded me of the elves who had created me, and of my own kind who had shunned me.

Accepting her apology made me feel like I had to forgive them all.

How could that be possible?

“Ah…”

It was at that time.

A pure happiness that made him forget even his resentment gently caressed Perrin.

Perrin looked up at the human in his arms.

Risir was gently patting Perrin on the head and looking at him with a kind gaze.

Perrin didn’t know the meaning behind that action.

I didn’t know why he accepted and cherished me.

Suddenly, I had a thought that it might be a good idea.

That inexplicable embrace and kindness made Perrin capricious.

Or something like that.

Perrin muttered softly and calmly.

Lapita didn’t miss that remark.

“Thank you…”

A smile spread across her tear-stained face.

***

“Miss. Are you sure it’s okay? You don’t have to take Perrin with you-”

“…Perrin is not my property. Originally, I should have respected Perrin’s life sooner than this…”

“Miss…!”

If there was anyone who was most moved by this incident, it was none other than the polar escort knight.

The eyes that captured the growth of the reckless young lady looked like they would burst into tears at any moment if touched.

“Drapon. Can you return the item I left for you?”

Talking Lapita and listening Draphon burst into laughter without realizing it.

The ‘Blue Curtain’ is an elven treasure that purifies the wearer’s energy and has the shape of a blue cloak.

I remembered the moment right before the request, when we exchanged this item in a solemn manner and were reminded of the importance and seriousness of the request.

Drapon immediately returned the blue curtain to Lapita.

Lapita handed the blue curtain over to Risir.

“Huh?”

“This is the Blue Veil, one of our elven treasures. It has the amazing power to purify the wearer’s energy. ”

Risir looked at the coat with a strange expression, then looked down at himself.

Lapita, who understood what that meant so well that he couldn’t help but sigh “Hoo…”

“Yeah. This thing might mean nothing to you. But, take it when it’s given to you.”

“Huh? You’re giving it to me? This for me? Didn’t you say it was the elf’s treasure?”

“Is there a problem with doing what I want with what’s mine?”

At that moment, the gondola whispered in her ear in surprise.

“…Ahem. I changed my mind. Forget what I just said.”

Lapita coughed awkwardly and ruffled the blue curtain.

Instead, he took a pouch out of his bosom and whispered to the gondola,

-Can I give you this?

-First of all, since the one you entrusted the request to was Drapon, shouldn’t you talk to him first?

-Why me? Draphon didn’t do anything in this matter.

-The procedure according to the contract is…

A moment later, Lapita looked at Drapon with displeasure.

“Draphon. I want to ask Risir for a favor on this request, but Gondola needs your permission. ”

“Ha. That’s not necessary. I didn’t do anything in this case. I’ll pretend the request never happened.”

Look at this. What did I say?

Lapita looked at the gondola with a triumphant expression.

“…”

Gondola closed his eyes and nodded.

Yeah, then that’s it.

She was a reckless girl who still had a long way to go.

“That’s why it is, Risir. Take this. I’m telling you clearly. This is not money for you, it’s money for Perrin.”

“Huh? Wasn’t that what I got for saving Perrin?”

“…That’s what I’m saying! It means that you shouldn’t use it all, but use it for Perrin too! Don’t you understand!?”

“Ah. Is there any possibility?”

“What? Why are you laughing!”

“Miss. Let’s go soon.”

“No, why are you laughing!? You find it funny because I, I lost!? Just watch!!! This humiliation! I will never forget it!!!”

The reckless girl felt her face turn red for some reason and ran away.

“…”

Then, the large knight-errant man bowed deeply to Risir and followed the young lady.

“Okay, then-”

At that moment when the incident was finally resolved, Drapon opened his mouth as if he had been waiting for it.

“Rishir. According to Kella, you’re interested in our guild?”

The first-class adventurer, who had maintained his composure even when dealing with the elf princess, showed signs of impatience for a rare reason.

***

The next morning.

It was the weekend, and Pien and Rona had time to meet up with Risir for the first time in a long while and have breakfast together.

“Okay, then. Let’s take some time to each report on what we’ve accomplished in the short time we’ve had?”

As soon as Pien sat down, he started to boast and say things like that.

And so begins the story of Risir-

“Wait, wait!”

Soon, Pien, whose initial momentum had disappeared without a trace, urgently cut off Risir’s words.

After hearing his story, countless questions came to mind.

“What did the Drapon Guild Master say to you-… No, that’s not it.”

But the question that comes to mind right now is this.

“You. Right now…”

Jinjo’s face became like he had seen a ghost.

Until a few days ago, Pien was looking down on Risir from the fifth level.

When I looked at him, I could tell at a glance how much magical power he had by the overwhelming difference in magical power.

But now.

It was just a blur.

Even if I focused all my attention on Risir, I couldn’t accurately gauge his magical power.