episode_0093

Contrary to his reputation as the empire’s strongest knight, Hugo always lived with the label of half a penny.

However, there was something strange about the term ‘half a penny’. Who can call Hugo half-pun, who single-handedly slaughters a demonic beast that would take dozens of knights radiating neat sword skills?

but,

Nevertheless, there were those who looked down on Hugo, considering him a half-penny.

The demons of Dawn Castle were like that.

However, although Hugo did not like them, he did not resent them.

Even if the moon shines the brightest in the night sky, its shine fades when it stands in front of the sun.

Glenn was the sun.

A clear example is when Glenn was napping while training or something. Even though Hugo swung his sword silently, he could not defeat Glenn.

Hugo had been wondering where the difference came from ever since he picked up the sword, but in the end, he ended up running away into the world without even finding an answer.

It’s probably not because they have different endings.

Hugo wanted to believe that.

Glenn’s mother was a humble fortune teller, and Hugo’s mother was the daughter of one of the continent’s leading samurai families. Hugo pushed himself, saying that the cause must be himself.

It was no different now.

*

“What do you want to ask?”

Hugo craned his head forward and stared at Siron. Whenever my nephew came to visit me like this, he would always bring up something that was difficult to handle.

I heard you disappeared somewhere for a moment? Hugo thought that the weight would be different from before. Hugo spoke a little awkwardly to his bold nephew.

“Is this really the right thing to say in front of others?”

“Sorry. But I feel like I have to prove it here.”

“That much. Is that woman trustworthy?”

Hugo sighed and turned his head to Seira.

The woman who suddenly broke into the middle of the mansion did not try to hide her energy.

As if sensing Hugo’s intention, Seira shrugged her shoulders.

“Relax…”

“Tsu-eup.”

“…yo. Because I have no intention of being hostile towards you.”

“I understand.”

Hugo slowly closed his eyes.

If that woman was hostile and Siron showed a nervous attitude, he would immediately pull out his sword and respond, but Hugo decided that there was no need to do so, seeing his nephew’s informal attitude.

‘There are many things I want to ask.’

Hugo sighed deeply.

‘but.’

I look at my nephew.

Thump thump-thump-thump-thump-

Siron’s heart was pounding right now. Since when?

‘…From the moment I entered this room. ‘All along’

My nephew was acting calm the whole time, but his physiological phenomenon could not lie.

“Poetics.”

“Yes.”

“…It was done. Just go out now. There’s nothing I want to ask.”

“Yes?”

When Hugo shook his head and told him to leave, Siron’s eyes widened.

“Is this a question you feel uncomfortable asking to others? If so, I’ll send this guy out.”

“No. That’s not it.”

Hugo glanced at Siron, who was sitting across from him. It seems like he took a moment to think about it. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

“Prophecy is a terrifying power.”

“…I don’t understand.”

“You probably stopped by this room to see my future. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s right.”

“It means I don’t want to know my future.”

Everyone in the room was surprised by Hugo’s words.

Neither Shiron nor Seira could understand what Hugo was talking about.

Siron traced his increasingly dry lips with his tongue.

Hugo saw that gesture and laughed.

“Do you know what the demons of Dawn Castle call me? It’s trash. Garbage.”

“You knew.”

“Of course. But I don’t think it’s unfair. Maybe their assessment is accurate. Like this, I am a coward who is afraid to lift the curtain and look into the future.”

“You’re a coward. no. My uncle has had enough…”

“No. I am a coward. Unlike Glenn, I am afraid of knowing the future.”

Hugo began to reveal his true feelings to Siron with an open mind. The thought that this might be my last goodbye suddenly struck me.

“The guardians of Dawn Castle labeled me a half-penny. That didn’t change even though he was given the ridiculous title of the strongest in the empire.”

Hugo slowly stood up.

“If I had known the future that I would be labeled as half a penny for the rest of my life, would I really have tried? Every day, I swung my sword, practiced with restraint, and cut down demonic beasts. But what if you knew the end would fail? One thing I am sure of is that I would never have made it to this point. It would have been just a proper article ”

“…”

“So, just keep it in your heart.”

Hugo took out a necklace from a drawer and held it out to Siron.

I won’t get in your way,

I will let you do whatever you want.

“I guess I should go out now.”

“…Yes.”

“I’ll tell you in advance, say hello to Siriel before you leave. You will be very disappointed.”

“Yes.”

“Take care of my nephew.”

Hugo smiled as he held out his hand to Seira. Seira held Hugo’s hand with a slightly sour expression. I never imagined that the situation would become this heavy. However, Seira deliberately created a humorous gesture. I hate being depressed.

“What. okay. It’s not that difficult. Because I am great.”

“Good.”

Hugo saw the two off with a smile.

*

When I asked Philip, the head of the house, he said that Siriel and Lucia were in the middle of a sparring match in the training hall.

While walking silently along the road leading to the training ground, Seira opened her mouth.

“Kid.”

“Why.”

“Would you like to say hello?”

“You should do it. Because I don’t want to be resented later. wait here. I’ll say hello and come back.”

“…Okay.”

Seira pursed her lips and watched Shiron walking towards her.

‘Is it covered in ugly hair?’

That’s what Seira thought, but that wasn’t Siron’s intention. I’m afraid that Lucia will notice Seira’s energy.

‘You can find out later.’

It was funny for Siron to say that, but both Siriel and Lucia were still weak. No matter how great Seira was, she was so easily subject to mind control, so she convinced Siron that it was still too early.

Kang-kang-bang-

The sound of sword strikes was heard, and a dusty landscape began to appear in the distance. Then a gust of wind blew and the dust cleared.

He must have stopped sparring after learning that Shiron had arrived.

“Oppa…? Oppa!”

Siriel came running from afar. He looks shabby, covered in dirt and sweat. She has a rough appearance that cannot be considered an aristocratic lady at all. But Siron liked that look. It was proof that Siriel was growing stronger even without Siron.

“Where have you been! You were worried!”

“I’m sorry. Because of some bitch.”

Siron took out a wet towel from his arms and gestured to Siriel.

“Come here. It’s a mess.”

“Yes!”

Siriel closed her eyes and presented her face to Siron. Siron carefully wiped her face.

“…Are you trying to cover it up like this again?”

Lucia, who was looking at this, said with a distressed expression.

Since I heard roughly what happened to Encia, who returned first, I didn’t feel like asking Siron why she suddenly disappeared.

I heard that some evil wizard tried to kidnap Siron, and I was just glad that he came back safely, but for some reason, his facial expressions and actions did not follow properly.

Siron, whether aware of those feelings or not, turned his head towards Lucia with a light smile.

“Lucia. You too, come here.”

“…Me?”

“You’re covered in dirt too.”

“Okay, that’s enough!”

“Not even for this long.”

As Lucia hesitated and took a step back, Siron approached her at a slightly faster pace.

Siron grabbed Lucia’s shrinking chin and began to carefully wipe her face. Lucia couldn’t shake off Siron’s body and just closed her eyes.

It felt good to have a cool wet towel on my bright face.

“This is also the last time.”

“Huh?”

“This might be the last time I take care of you.”

Siron shook off the wet towel and put it back in his arms.

“Last? What do you mean, brother?”

Siriel reacted to the word last.

“Oppa, aren’t you going to wipe your face anymore?”

“Wouldn’t it be a little embarrassing if that happens until you become an adult?”

“Adult? What are you talking about? Even when I grow up, am I still going to ask my brother to wipe my face?”

Siriel asked, tilting her head, but Siron did not answer. Encia walked from the direction where the annex was located.

“You’re here.”

“Encia. We’ll have to struggle a bit until Ofelia wakes up, but please take care of the kids.”

“Leave it to me.”

Encia answered with a wide smile.

widely-

Lucia, who noticed some strange current flowing, grabbed Siron’s hand.

“Where are you going? Why are you acting like I can’t meet you?”

“Where are you going, oppa?”

“Uh.”

Siron nodded and said. Then Siriel also grabbed Siron’s hand.

“Again… are you leaving me alone? Don’t go… oppa.”

“I’m not just leaving you alone, am I? I won’t take Lucia either.”

Although he said it with a smile, Siron also felt confused.

Before we knew it, dew began to form on Siriel’s jewel-like eyes. My heart is getting weaker…

However, I had to steel myself. Since I met Seira much earlier than expected, it was right to advance the plan.

However, Siriel and Lucia could not follow the advanced plan. Although Siron was weaker than them, he was confident that he could protect his body.

‘The teleport also seats two people.’

“Don’t go, brother. Don’t go.”

“I’ll send you a letter. Please be sure to send me a reply.”

“Don’t go! I don’t want to break up with you!”

“Poetics. Where on earth are you going?”

Lucia wrinkled her eyebrows and asked Siron.

She didn’t know why she frowned.

Seeing Siriel clinging to Siron like that, she felt that her friend really liked Siron. However, Lucia’s heart was somehow uneasy.

I’m not angry about the somewhat sudden breakup.

When I looked at Siriel and Siron, it seemed as if there was something in my chest that was blocking my breathing.

“At least you need to know where you are going before sending a letter.”

“…You said my blood flow was messed up, right?”

“Yes.”

“I think I’m going to solve that. I saw potential.”

“…Oppa. Are you going to get cured?”

“Okay. So just let go.”

Siron broke into a cold sweat from the pain he felt in his hand. It felt like the hand Siriel was holding would be crushed.

“Yes…”

Siriel seemed to have felt it too, but let go of her hand while looking gloomy. The hand I had been holding just now had turned red.

Siron looked at Siriel’s extraordinary appearance with a satisfied expression. I felt good about the pain that felt like my hand would be crushed.

‘Is this enough to make you feel safe?’

Although they will no longer be able to meet for the time being, Encia and Ophelia will still protect their younger siblings even without him.

He left a positive and strong impression on Siriel, and he seems to have built a favorable relationship with Lucia as well.

“I trained a lot. Eat a lot and eat well. Study hard.”

“Yes…”

“Lucia, you too.”

“Ah, okay.”

Lucia scratched her cheek as if she didn’t know that the arrow was headed towards me. I feel ashamed. No matter how much I was treated like a child, I never got used to it.

‘They say they’ll treat it, so they won’t be able to hold it.’

Lucia sighed deeply. Although I realized it late, I implicitly understood the intention of what Siron had just said. For some reason, Lucia felt that Siron had lied, but she did not bother to question him.

“I will send you a letter first when I arrive. Say hello to Victor.”

“Pyeon, I will send you a lot of letters! Oppa too, do it a lot!”

Siriel said to Siron, who was taking a step back. However, Siron did not respond but slowly turned his back and left the training hall.

He didn’t even go back into the annex to pack his luggage. Because everything you need has already been stored in your body.

*

Five years have passed.