Chapter 191

Chapter 191

Episode 191: “Fragments of the Past” // What came out of my mouth was the same words as before. However, they are not completely the same. Last time, it was just a suggestion to stay away, but this time it was about leaving Keir altogether. At my words, Kairu shakes his head firmly. “That can’t be.”” “…Why?”Of course, I thought I could refuse sufficiently.” Keir and I were born in this city, and we have never lived outside of the slums. Even if you suddenly tell me to leave, I certainly won’t nod my head easily. I thought it might be possible to refuse. But the reason was different from what I had expected. “…There is a precious person.”What?”What could it be? Is this really Keir? It was such an absurd answer that it made me think that way. How should I express this? How does it feel to see a wolf barking like a cat? For Keir, the word “precious person” was even unfamiliar, and he couldn’t believe that it truly existed. “Precious person?” Could it be the team members who used to take turns treating me well?”I ask just in case, but the response is a look of disbelief.” “…That can’t be.” …Ah, that’s not it. Never mind. “Then who is it?”” “….In response to my probing question, Kair does not answer. Unlike just a moment ago when it seemed like they would reveal everything, their attitude of maintaining silence now gives off a strange feeling. “…No way.” …At this point, there’s no way not to notice. I could sense it like an intuition. Is this also a woman’s intuition? For some reason, feeling like I know something, I smile faintly. “It’s a girl.”” “….”Kair did not answer, but the fact that he did not deny it meant that he ultimately acknowledged my words.” Well, looking back, it’s obvious. What else besides women can change a man to this extent? “…Yeah, that’s what I’m saying.”After realizing the whole story, I feel strange.” What should I say? This feels like I’ve definitely been dumped. That’s a funny sound. It seems that you have been rejected. We were never even lovers in the first place. I hadn’t even expected such a thing, but the extent to which Keir had changed surprised me. “…Who is it?” “….”The same question, and a changed meaning.” Kayle still does not answer. “Puhut.””For some reason, I feel like I understand the reason for that silence, so I smile again.” It felt like I was being imprinted as a woman in a different way than when I was embraced by men. “It’s not that I’m jealous.” You can just say it.”At my words, Kayre looks at me with a suspicious gaze.” Could it be that they thought I would go mad with jealousy and kill or harm her? No way. On the contrary, it’s the opposite. I feel a bit bittersweet, but I think it’s commendable that he is dating a girl. …Would it have been nice if I had been there? Probably not. I have long abandoned the desire to love someone in a way that is not as a friend. It may not have existed in the first place. It’s hard to say that my heart belongs completely to a woman. Rather than getting excited when seeing a man, I tend to feel wet down below. Still, just in case, I’m asking. “Surely that woman didn’t also engage in sexual violence with the members like I did, right?”” “…No.”So?”” “….Just…You are the whore of the black rose crown.At those words, I make a sour face. Why does it have to be a black rose crown? That’s the place where I grew up. I was almost bullied there, so I couldn’t possibly have good feelings towards the prostitutes there. As I frowned at the fact, Kair quickly added. “She’s a girl you don’t know.”” “…Really?”She came in after you left.” We were not from a slum like you, but commoners from outside the castle.”Then, will it get better?” If it’s a stranger, there is no reason to hold a grudge. I roughly guess the whole story and say with a kick of laughter. “…So that’s how you’ve changed. Because it’s not the same slum.” “….”Anyway, does that mean the Lakers can’t leave because that woman is important?”” “…Okay.It’s quite a bitter story. Not me, but to Keir and that woman. It is natural for a member of the underworld and a prostitute to fall in love, but the number of times that the outcome has been good is very few. The cause of unhappiness is simple. Because I don’t have money. It is unclear why a woman who was once free ended up in a brothel, but ultimately, the reason comes down to money. In a world where even banks are not reliable, it is difficult for people who cannot sustain their livelihoods to survive. “Then it will be simple.””Is it simple?””Can’t you just leave with that woman?” If it’s the money you need, I’ll give it to you.”I have enough money.” There were countless means to earn money, and there was also a lot of money saved up. Right now, Aiden has a pocket dimension, but he can take things out whenever he wants. After all, a prostitute is a life bound by debt. Whether you are bound by debt yourself or your family is bound by debt. If you have enough money, you can buy freedom in any amount. As she recalls it, Keir’s expression contorts. “…Why.”Huh?”” “….No. Nothing.Seeing Keir fall silent again, I quietly let out a sigh. “Sigh.””For some reason, I didn’t like the strangely subdued atmosphere.” Of course, it is not bad that such an ending occurs. For me, it would have been preferable for my old friend Kair to turn over a new leaf. However, I hoped that the atmosphere of the reunion would not be heavy. …And I also expected something a little different. For example, things like treating me violently and tormenting me as they used to. I know with my head that it’s not good, but my body doesn’t agree. “….”Recalling that fact, I feel a sense of mischief rising within me.” “This won’t do.”” “…Huh?”I was going to help you out of old affection, but your attitude is not to my liking.””What on earth.”..”It’s been a while since we met, but you look like you’re about to die.” Of course, I didn’t expect you to hug me and kiss me happily, but this is not it.”At my sharp words, Kayre makes a startled expression.” Lila. I did something to you…”Yeah, I know.” I remember everything. I spent time with the Rockard family, and whenever there was a chance, they would call me out and make me do things. They would say they were bored and would put strange things like a bottle into me, and they were curious about how much my hole could stretch, so they even put their fists in, right? Even when I begged you to stop pretending to dislike me, you didn’t listen.” “….”Hmm.” Now that I think about it, it’s quite serious. And it seemed that I was not the only one who thought that. “Oh wow.”』 『…That’s a bit much.』 “….”Those guys.” I wonder if I wasn’t asleep yet. However, ignoring the faint noises coming from the side, I continue to speak to Keir. “Still, this is not right.”” “….”You and I are both trash.” This is…It seems like you’re pretending not to be alone now.” “….I’m sorry.I know it in my head. Those who realize their own sins suffer under their weight. Therefore, Kayle begged me for forgiveness. However, what I offered him was not forgiveness. There was no need to forgive. The place where he and I grew up was hell. In such hell, we merely exchanged jokes that were fitting for an environment called hell. “I repeat, you don’t need to apologize.”” “….”Rather, forgiveness may be something I need to do for him.” I was strong, so I did not become evil, but Kayle was weak, so she had no choice but to become evil. If I had been patient and taught him more martial arts, something might have changed. “…Sigh.”After thinking it over, I let out a sigh.” Today, my mind was particularly cluttered. Rising thoughts are unstable and cannot find their footing, and emotions become intricately tangled. “I’ll leave for now, and come back tomorrow morning.”” “…Is it tomorrow?”It is not good for either of us to talk anymore.” We needed some time to cool our heads. “Yes.” And when you come, think about hugging me. Then I’ll save your girlfriend.” “….”What is it? You’re not saying that now you only want to look at one woman, are you?”” “….It’s not like that.”That’s fine.” I turn my head and chase Keir away. “Then, see you tomorrow.” Goodbye.”\n\n//\n\nIn the midst of darkness and silence all around, Kayre looks back blankly.” “….Behind was the familiar sight of an inn. The inn where he and Laila were just a moment ago, but in Keir’s mind, the conversation he had with Laila is as vague as a dream at dawn. Why on earth has she returned? To save oneself again? No, the phrase ‘to look for again’ does not fit. In the first place, the purge of the underworld two years ago was caused by Laila. “….”At the time, I didn’t know, but after some time passed, I was able to understand.” It could be understood from the rumors that were heard. It was she who went out of the city gate that night, and the fact that four mercenaries were killed in an instant. And –

-Step, step.

At the sudden sound of footsteps ringing out, Kayre quietly turned his gaze. The sound of footsteps that interrupted the ongoing thoughts was coming from the inn he had just left. “…You.Kair looked at the one who was chasing him and muttered softly. It was a face I remembered. The man who came with Laila. I’m sorry, I was just going to let you go. I have a few things I want to tell you.Aiden approaches Kair with a faint smile. At that sight, Kayre instinctively tried to draw the dagger at his waist, but Aiden’s actions were even faster. “아, 싸우자는 건 No.Aiden quickly raised both of his hands to show that he had no intention of fighting. At that gesture, Keir also removed his hand from the dagger at his waist. “…Do you want to let me know?”Well, he didn’t say anything.”Aiden’s hand, saying that, was pointing to the inn. “When he came back here, he asked you to save him.”” “….” “뭐, 죄책감 느끼라고 하는 말은 No. I don’t know your situation, and I’m not that close with that guy either.” “….”But I understood that.” To that guy, you seem quite special.”Being special.” Kair laughed at Aiden’s evaluation. He/She was not special. Rather, isn’t she the special one? “…It must be a misunderstanding.”Hey, I’m not an idiot to confuse that, am I?” If that’s the case, then understand it that way.” “….”Anyway, I just wanted to say not to worry about it.” That guy, even though he looks like that, is a monster.”I had a feeling.” It hasn’t grown at all for two years.The appearance of a girl with a youthful look. From the appearance of Lila, who seemed to be stagnating in her growth, one could guess. And because I knew her past, I could be sure. Therefore, Kayrin asks Aiden. “….Who are you?”What?””Laila was special.” It has been like that since the moment I remember.” “….” “…How could that be possible?”Should I say it?” Aiden made a perplexed expression at Kair’s question demanding the truth. And seeing that expression, Kayler was able to realize that Aiden was also a being of the same kind as Lila. That’s a bit hard to say.” “…Is that so.Everyone has secrets that cannot be spoken. Aiden continued speaking towards Keir, who was bitterly agreeing. “Come tomorrow and ask in person.” If it’s him, I think he might tell me.” “….At this point, Keir could also sense it. The opponent in front of her is speaking not for Laila, but for himself. After realizing that, I had a question. “Why are you saying that to me?”At that question, Aiden smiled faintly. The reason for saying such things. It was a simple reason. “I just feel a sense of kinship for some reason.”” “…A sense of homogeneity?”That’s right.”

He, too, harbored feelings for a prostitute. Recalling the woman’s face, likely still in Tritia, Aiden turned back.