Chapter 240

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I couldn’t just stay still.

No matter what I said to Yoo-seong, it would be hard to comfort him.

My very existence was proof of loss to Yoo-seong.

Even if I spoke to him with the same face and voice as Lucille, it would only hurt him more.

Still, I couldn’t just let him go like that.

The sight of Yoo-seong’s back as he left the hospital room was too pitiful.

It was hard to believe he was the commander of the Celestial Corps, the one praised as the God of War.

He looked so precarious, as if he might collapse at any moment, so I impulsively left the room.

Whether it worked or not, I had to talk to Yoo-seong.

The reason? Well, isn’t it obvious?

Even if it’s unlikely, it would be a problem if Yoo-seong gave up on everything. He was the pillar supporting humanity. He was the unrivaled strongest, incomparable to anyone else.

The precarious balance between humanity and monsters existed because of Yoo-seong.

If Yoo-seong were to fall, it would lead to the collapse of humanity.

So, there was also a calculated reason to prevent Yoo-seong from faltering.

Lucille had made a final request. She asked me to take care of Yoo-seong so he wouldn’t be too shocked. I intended to keep that promise, so there was also an altruistic reason.

No matter what reason I attached, the conclusion was the same.

I was worried.

Yes, that was the biggest motivation.

Why do I need a reason to be worried?

Even if my actions might make things worse, standing by and doing nothing wasn’t a good choice either.

Where would Yoo-seong be?

The first thing that came to mind was Lucille’s memories.

Among them, I recalled Yoo-seong’s habits.

He sought high places when he was troubled.

I hurried my steps toward the rooftop. If he had left the hospital, it would be a wasted effort, but I had a vague certainty.

I hadn’t noticed it while in the hospital room, but as I walked down the hallway, I felt an intangible energy pricking at my skin.

It was undoubtedly Yoo-seong’s energy. Someone of Yoo-seong’s caliber wouldn’t lose control of his supernatural abilities, so this was likely an intentional release.

I ran up the stairs and opened the rooftop door.

At the edge of the rooftop, in front of the iron fence, I saw the boy’s back.

A sandcastle that could collapse at any moment from the wind.

His back looked just as precarious as it had in the hospital room.

“Ah, found you.”

I deliberately spoke in a light tone.

Yoo-seong didn’t turn his head.

After a brief pause, he spoke in a dry voice.

“…What is it? No, more than that, what do you mean ‘found you’? How did you know I was here?”

“Yoo-seong, when you’re troubled, you always seek high places, right? So I thought I’d check, and I felt an unusual presence.”

“That I have such a habit… Ah, of course you’d know.”

Yoo-seong let out a deep sigh. Though I couldn’t see his face clearly from behind, it seemed like he was pressing his eyes with his hands. I cautiously asked,

“Sorry, did I interrupt your thoughts?”

“…Not really, but why did you come looking for me?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Hey, you foolish Hero.

Isn’t that too insensitive of a remark?

There’s only one reason Lucia would come looking for you, right?

“I was worried.”

“…”

Yoo-seong fell silent. I didn’t rush and slowly walked over, stopping three steps away. I didn’t know what expression Yoo-seong was making, but it probably wasn’t a good one.

Lucia, who was originally a man, knew this well. He wouldn’t want to show an unsightly expression in front of a girl.

Especially not in front of a girl who looked exactly like his closest friend.

If it was more than just resemblance—if it was the same body—it would be even more so.

I carefully approached him. One step. Two steps. And finally, the third step. When I got close enough that our noses would touch if I fell, I could even hear Yoo-seong’s breathing clearly.

As I climbed the stairs to find Yoo-seong, I kept worrying.

What should I say when I finally face him?

Why did I let Yoo-seong leave the room like that?

It was because no matter how eloquently I spoke, it might only hurt him more.

Anything I said might not heal him but instead irritate the wound.

“Yoo-seong.”

So, I thought.

If my attempts to comfort him would have no effect—

Or worse, if they might backfire—

Then I simply wouldn’t say anything.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

I slowly, carefully reached out my hand.

Like spreading wings, I stretched my arms wide open.

And I hugged Yoo-seong with all my strength.

“?!”

Yoo-seong flinched and trembled.

My action must have been unexpected.

“You, what are you suddenly…?”

He spoke in a flustered voice, but I didn’t answer. I just tightened my arms. Even with all my strength, I couldn’t harm Yoo-seong. So, I hugged him tightly without worry.

His body was really solid. It felt like I was hugging a rock, not a person. But it was warm.

Rocks aren’t warm. Even if the God of War was as solid as a rock, he was still a person with blood flowing through him.

Even rocks erode in wind and rain, so what about a person? It wasn’t just Lucille who had been worn down by time. Yoo-seong was the same.

This is the best I can do for you.

When you’re hurt and upset, being alone is bitter, right?

Especially you, Yoo-seong. Given your position, you can’t show weakness.

So, I’ll stay by your side.

At least in front of me, it’s okay to be weak.

“…”

I hugged Yoo-seong’s waist and leaned my head against his back.

Get warmer. Get warmer. Get even warmer.

I closed my eyes and shared my warmth with him. Did he understand my intention? At first, Yoo-seong flinched and fidgeted, but soon he calmed down.

Time passed like that. A few seconds. A few minutes. Dozens of minutes. When I felt like a considerable amount of time had passed, Yoo-seong’s voice reached me.

“I told you, you don’t have to comfort me.”

Yoo-seong gave a bitter smile. He gently pushed my hands away. Taking it as a sign to stop, I quietly withdrew my hands. Yoo-seong slowly turned around. His face was visible under the light, but I couldn’t see it clearly. Before that, Yoo-seong hugged me.

“Thank you. Because of you, I feel much better.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, really.”

I peeked up at Yoo-seong.

Maybe he didn’t want to show me his expression.

Because of the height difference and our positions, I still couldn’t see his face.

“Lucille… no, Lucia.”

Yoo-seong spoke.

His voice was slightly trembling.

“You really resemble Lucille. No, maybe you’ve become like her.”

“But I’m not her.”

“Yeah, you’re not.”

A faint golden light appeared.

It was a light that rose like a heat haze from Yoo-seong’s body.

It was his supernatural ability, the power to see through the essence of all things.

“I can see souls… I can perceive their essence. I’ve observed your soul and know it well. It’s similar to Lucille’s, but there are subtle differences. If I hadn’t looked closely, I wouldn’t have noticed. Before hearing your words, I might have mistaken it for the influence of the Devil God. The Four Seasons must have put a lot of effort into it.”

Lucille had told me. The reason I was chosen by the Four Seasons was because my soul was similar to hers. It was so similar that even Yoo-seong had mistaken it. Well, I guess that’s natural. The Four Seasons made me “Lucia” partly to deceive Yoo-seong.

“So, I thought… maybe Lucille didn’t disappear. Maybe she split her personality to endure the long years. Maybe Lucille still exists perfectly fine and is just mistaking herself for Lucia…”

“…And now?”

“I knew from the beginning. I just didn’t want to accept reality, so I turned a blind eye.”

That’s a relief.

I didn’t want Yoo-seong to keep confusing me with Lucille.

Otherwise, there would have been no point in revealing that I wasn’t Lucille.

“I resented you too. You took Lucille’s body, everything about her.”

“It’s okay if you resent me.”

I mean it. It would hurt a little to be hated by Yoo-seong, but if it brought him peace of mind, I could endure it.

But Yoo-seong wasn’t that kind of weak person. Hating someone for his own comfort? That’s not something befitting a Hero.

“I won’t.”

As expected, Yoo-seong declared firmly.

I couldn’t help but let out a silly laugh.

Yeah, you’re still strong. Lucille’s Hero.

“You’re a victim too. Resenting you would be misplaced.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

“…I don’t think that’s something you need to thank me for.”

After holding me for a while, Yoo-seong let me go with a faint sigh.

I looked up and met his eyes. It was the same face as always. A normal, everyday expression. But was there a faint red tint in his eyes? Let’s just say it was my imagination.

Perhaps realizing what I was thinking from my expression, Yoo-seong averted his gaze and cleared his throat.

“…Come to think of it, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves, have we?”

It was obvious he was trying to change the subject.

I decided to play along, admiring his effort.

“Now that you mention it, we haven’t.”

I nodded in agreement with Yoo-seong’s words.

Back then, the atmosphere wasn’t exactly right for casual introductions.

I spun around and took a step back.

I put my hands behind my back and leaned my upper body forward.

With a bright smile, I looked up at Yoo-seong.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lucia. Lucille’s daughter. Please take care of me.”

“…Daughter?”

“Ehehe, it’s not entirely wrong, is it?”

I grinned shamelessly.

Yoo-seong blinked a few times, then let out a soft laugh.

It was the first genuine smile I’d seen from him since revealing I wasn’t Lucille.

“Yeah, nice to meet you. I’m Yoo-seong. I’ll be in your care.”

“Heehee, should I call you Dad?”

“…What’s with that all of a sudden? Give me a break.”

“Then how about big brother?”

“…”

“Ah, did you hesitate for a second? Right? Admit it.”

“…No.”

“Big brother Yoo-seong.”

“No, that’s…”

“Big brother~”

“…”

Ah, his face is so entertaining.

I think I understand why Lucille liked teasing Yoo-seong.

Alright, I’ve decided what to call Yoo-seong. I’ll tease him like this from time to time.

Yoo-seong sighed and scratched his head. Seeing him like that, it really hit me that he’s Eugene’s ancestor. Blood really does tell. They’re so alike.

He looked a bit troubled, but it was much better than the sorrowful expression he had earlier. I patted my chest in relief. I’m glad I could comfort him. I acted impulsively without thinking, but it ended well, so I’m relieved.

Ahem, how about it, Lucille?

I tried really hard.

I did a good job, right?

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Lucia has a brother now.

Yoo-seong has no choice.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Calling him Uncle would inflict more damage though!!