Ch.121Chapter 121. Lin and Their Crossing Paths (3)

“We haven’t completely defeated the demon race yet. But…”

In the ambiguous time between morning and afternoon.

In the plaza of Lowellina, the city of romance, Airan Dekarun, who had returned last night, was giving a speech to gathered soldiers and citizens.

Since it was a victory celebration, the hero’s party was also dressed up in their own way.

Only Arsil was wearing slightly worn ceremonial robes befitting her title as a saint.

The only stylish touch she had was the hairpin Lin had given her recently.

“There’s no use in giving long, boring speeches. The point is, we won! We achieved a great victory, even crushing the Demon Hero. It would be a shame not to celebrate!”

Airan spread his arms wide and shouted exuberantly.

“From now on, let Lowellina’s festival begin!”

The crowd erupted with cheers and applause.

Lucy was also smiling brightly and clapping.

Wearing a pink dress that was comfortable to move in and light makeup, the hero was a beauty with a sensual figure that would catch anyone’s eye.

Though she felt a bit strange not wearing pants after so long, Lucy smiled at Lin.

“It’s a festival, so let’s all rest however we want.”

Somehow, it had become natural for Lin to give directions to the hero’s party.

“Naidrian hasn’t returned yet. He said he’s stopping somewhere on the Commander-in-Chief’s orders, so I’ll wait for the archer.”

“I’ll also check on the injured people.”

“I think I’ll do my real job for a change.”

Tigria, Arsil, and Ravin each stated their plans before dispersing.

Since they had already heard from Lin that he would be spending the day with Lucy, they had no lingering attachments despite feeling a bit disappointed.

“Shall we go?”

Given the special occasion, Lin was dressed in neat gray clothes rather than his usual black attire.

Though Lucy still found it regrettable that he wore a mask, she was happy enough just to be alone with him.

“Yes!”

Lucy opened a festival pamphlet and stuck close to Lin.

“Lucy, where would you like to go first?”

“I’ve already figured it all out!”

True to Lowellina’s reputation for frequent festivals, the festival route was very well-structured.

It was designed with different themes so visitors could naturally move from the outskirts of the city to the central plaza while enjoying themselves.

They would have to leave the plaza again, but what did it matter?

Lucy’s heart was already racing just walking like this.

“The outskirts focus on food, the inner area on accessories, and the plaza on performances.”

“Ah, similar to last time’s structure.”

“Last time?”

“The previous festival. The one we participated in.”

“Oh, right?”

Come to think of it, this was their second time attending a Lowellina festival.

Lucy tried to brush off Lin’s comment casually, but she felt something uncomfortable, like a thorn stuck in her throat.

She shook her head and linked her arm with Lin’s.

“Look! Sugar candy!”

The outskirts were filled with various street foods.

There were affordable quick meals to eat while standing and various skewered foods.

As a big eater, Lucy wanted to try one of everything, but she didn’t want to show her gluttony in front of Lin.

So she chose fruit coated in sugar.

It was a carefully considered decision—sweet and easy to eat piece by piece without worrying about getting sauce on her clothes.

“Two, please.”

“No, I’ll pay.”

“It’s okay, Lucy. Just enjoy yourself today.”

She quickly reached for her wallet, but Lin promptly paid and handed the sugar candy to Lucy.

“Wow, it’s super sweet.”

“Right? Is this your first time trying it, Lin?”

“During the last festival, I was performing with the minstrels. The pay was quite good.”

“I see.”

So that’s why she didn’t see him then.

It was surprising that Lin could play instruments.

Lucy’s heart swelled with anticipation at the thought of asking him to play something during their next camping trip.

But her heart sank at her next words, which came out before she realized it.

“This is my second time eating this too, since the last time.”

Ah.

Lucy’s steps halted.

Last time?

Yes, she definitely ate sugar candy then.

Back then, she had also chosen sugar candy because she wanted to appear well-mannered.

Back then, Lucy had…

Walked this path eating sugar candy with Rainford.

“Ugh… ah…”

Suddenly, the sweetness in her mouth turned bitter.

The previously pleasant texture of the fruit and sugar coating now felt like an unnecessary stickiness clinging to her mouth.

After forcing herself to chew and swallow, her appetite plummeted.

The food smells that had been appetizing now seemed no different from garbage, and the sugar candy skewer in her hand felt cumbersome.

“Hmm… too sweet…”

“I know… don’t force yourself to eat it. It feels like our teeth will rot.”

When Lin, who hated wasting food, was about to take another bite, Lucy quickly snatched the skewer and threw it into a nearby trash can.

“Lucy, your lips are sparkling with sugar.”

“Hahaha…”

Something was strange.

Something felt off.

This moment walking with Lin felt like a dream.

Not in the sense that it was dreamlike in its perfection, but rather that she wished it were a dream—a strange mixture of unfamiliarity and familiarity.

Lucy’s breathing gradually became rapid.

“These can’t all be real jewels, right?”

“Judging by the price, they must be imitations.”

In the accessory shop street located between the outskirts and the plaza, Lin was admiring jewelry studded with cubic zirconia.

Lucy thought Lin looked cute as he kept touching the sparkling items.

It was the only consolation she could enjoy while feeling queasy inside.

“I think this would suit you well.”

When Lin held out a brooch to Lucy, the hero’s eyes trembled greatly.

‘This would suit you well.’

The shield knight had acted exactly the same way as Lin.

How could men be so alike?

But Lucy’s behavior toward Lin wasn’t much different from back then either.

“No, it doesn’t suit me.”

“Really…?”

Lin looked embarrassed.

Lucy lowered her head.

Her heart was pounding.

What started as excitement and nervousness had turned into guilt and regret.

Walking these streets with him, enjoying this festival with him—none of it felt new.

Shadows of the past followed her everywhere.

The nightmare she had when she first came to Lowellina returned.

Just as the popular song created after her date with Rainford had tormented her, she couldn’t escape her foolish past, which clung to her like a sticky swamp no matter where she looked.

Eventually, Lucy began to wonder:

Did she deserve to be by his side?

Would she ever earn the right to be by his side?

If only she could erase the past,

If only her experience on these streets could be her first with Lin, how wonderful that would be.

After leaving the shop, the two walked aimlessly.

“Are you okay, Lucy?”

“Of course… I’ve been looking forward to this day so much…”

Lin worried about her as she broke out in a cold sweat.

Lucy smiled faintly and held his arm.

Ah, she could touch his arm and body so easily, yet his heart remained unreachable.

She had become someone who couldn’t live without Lin, yet she had to live without forgiveness, without promise—the fear made her feel like she might collapse at any moment.

A soft touch brushed her forehead.

Lin had taken out a cloth and was wiping away her cold sweat.

She had hurt such a kind and attentive person with malicious intent.

She felt like crying.

Lucy bit her lip hard to endure, and Lin embraced her.

“…Lin?”

“You seem to be having a hard time.”

After confirming there was no one around, Lin held Lucy in his arms to calm her.

The slow heartbeat sound comforted her, but she felt a longing.

She wished this heartbeat she was hearing would beat just a little faster, just a little more, because of her.

She wished she could become someone who made his heart race.

How much time had passed?

When Lucy finally pulled herself out of Lin’s embrace, the sunset was hanging low in the sky.

“If you’re feeling too unwell, should we go back to our lodgings?”

Lucy shook her head.

If they went back to their lodgings, she could be in the same room with Lin.

But that would be no different from usual.

Lucy wanted to be greedy, whether it worked out or not.

“The fireworks will start when the sun sets. I really want to see them.”

The hero led her porter toward the plaza.

Lucy climbed up a hill next to the plaza, which was decorated like a terrace, and deliberately tried to act cheerful.

“I see. Fireworks are amazing. I hope they’re spectacular this time too.”

“This time too…?”

“Ah, the sugar candy was my first time, but I’ve seen the fireworks before. Not from such a prime spot though.”

“Where from?”

“Inside the plaza. It was a good spot for performing where many people gathered, so the pay was good.”

Once again, Lucy froze as she felt a sense of déjà vu.

[My goodness~ Did you forget already? This is exactly the same spot as back then!]

‘You again? Stop saying useless things.’

[Useless? This is the most necessary information right now.]

‘Then say it quickly and get lost!’

Savoring Lucy’s harsh reaction, the Abyss deliberately spoke slowly.

[This is that place. Where you got a forehead kiss from the shield knight.]

‘Ah…’

[And from inside the plaza, this spot is perfectly visible. No wonder that love song about you was created, right?]

‘Ah…!’

Lucy’s world came to a halt.

“Lucy…?”

“No…”

“Lucy, what’s wrong?”

She couldn’t breathe.

The world was spinning dizzily.

She couldn’t figure out where she was, and extreme anxiety was swirling in Lucy’s mind.

“I can’t take this anymore!!!!!!”

“Lucy!”

Screaming, Lucy jumped up and ran away, pushing through the crowd.

Lin, sensing something was seriously wrong, stood up to follow, but someone pushed down on his shoulder.

“Ravin?”

“Don’t worry about the hero.”

“But…”

“Arsil is following her. There won’t be any problems.”

“Still…”

“Lin.”

Ravin raised her eyebrows at him as he kept worrying about Lucy.

Her small, delicate hand was stroking his neck, which was still bruised red.

“Because of this, I’m claiming that promise you made to give me some time. Right now.”

She rested her chin on her other hand and leaned forward slightly.

“Are you alone?”

“Uh… Ravin?”

From that position, Ravin smiled seductively and stuck out her tongue at Lin.

“Truth is, I’ve been waiting for a man like you for a long time.”