episode_0074

“…”

Hanging on the anonymous torso for a long time.

For some reason, I felt really embarrassed to be in this position, so I coughed in vain with a bright red face.

“Ahem, big.”

A clear signal to anyone who sees it: ‘Please stop now.’

If it was an anonymous person who had been with me for a long time, he would have definitely understood, but the anonymous person tilted his head as if he didn’t know. He raised the corners of his lips in a sarcastic manner.

“Why are you like that?”

I never raised this kid like this, how did that cute little guy turn into such a brat?

He let out a deep sigh and buried his head on the nameless person’s shoulder. The voice that came out naturally was suppressed and mumbled.

“… Are you really asking because you don’t know?”

“Yes, I am really stupid and don’t know much.”

“This guy… .”

He lightly patted the nameless man’s head.

Still, Myeong-un just smiled faintly, without showing any sign of pain.

So, I tried to smile faintly at the suddenly cheerful atmosphere, but-

“… Don’t think about letting it pass naturally, get down quickly!”

After barely remembering why the atmosphere was like this, I increased the intensity this time.

-bean!

He grabbed the nameless man and stuck a honey chestnut in his mouth.

“Okay, I understand.”

The nameless man let out a short moan, then pouted and released me.

“… Seriously.”

Why does he always try to hug me whenever he gets a chance?

He shook his head repeatedly.

It is certain that my disciple, Myeong-i, respects me, his teacher, very much.

So, I guess he’s doing that because he wants to be a little closer.

Hmm.

I nodded my head.

“What the Master said is true… but this time the Master-”

“First, I need to check Lucius’ condition.”

He lightly ignored the pitiful disciple’s protest and moved on.

“Afterlife.”

Somehow, I felt really good and found myself humming.

…

Did I walk about five steps?

The surroundings that I had thought were bright suddenly began to look dark.

I, who was very quick-witted, stopped humming a tune to suit the mood and put on the most serious expression I could so that they wouldn’t think of me as a worthless thought.

Then, a woman’s sobbing, somewhat heartbreaking sound, comes into my ear.

“…”

I squinted my eyes, looked down, and looked at those who were giving off a dark atmosphere.

Regardless of whether I, who caused this to happen, am the one who should comfort them, honestly, I don’t know if anything I say will make them feel better.

… I guess I should give it a try.

The reason I came here in the first place was not to defeat the strange demons, but to find the sword. Besides, I can’t stay in this cold, dark, and damp cave forever, right?

I want to go out soon.

He let out a small sigh and crouched down in front of Lucius, who was still blaming himself.

Of course, I don’t really like meeting men up close, so I keep a good distance.

But where on earth did Lucius’ mind go? Even though I was right next to him, he didn’t show any reaction. I was blankly watching Lucius and raised one hand.

-match

He slapped Lucius across the face.

“Harang…?! What are you doing!”

Perhaps because he didn’t understand the situation properly, Lucius didn’t turn his head back, but just blinked blankly.

I didn’t want to wait for Lucius to come to his senses, so I opened my mouth right away.

“What are you doing?”

“… ?”

Lucius slowly turned his head towards me, placing one hand on the cheek that had hit me, then looked at my face and soon narrowed his eyes.

I see him wondering why he slapped himself in the face.

It’s a good sign. At least it means he’s coming back to his senses.

I interpreted Lucius’ reaction positively and opened my mouth again.

“Didn’t you ask what I’m doing now?”

“… I was thinking for a moment.”

I looked at Lucius, who answered my question in a calm tone.

Blood started to flow from his forehead and stuck to his face, so much so that if a stranger saw him, they would mistake him for a devil rather than a warrior and immediately run to church.

“I thought… .”

I squinted my eyes slightly at Lucius’ appearance and opened my mouth in a dry voice.

“Did you really mean that?”

Lucius shivered slightly and avoided my gaze, not knowing how to interpret my expression. What a truly rude gesture.

But I didn’t say anything to Lucius.

If you turn your head away from me, how can you escape the gaze of another person looking at you?

“…Lucius.”

Lucius met Elia’s eyes as she wrapped her arms around him from behind. His movements suddenly stopped.

His pupils began to shake violently. A trembling voice leaked out from the corners of his mouth.

“Saint… .”

Elia rubbed her eyes slightly and placed her hand over Lucius’s.

“I don’t know what you’re so sorry about… .”

“…”

“But… whatever it is, I, I’m really okay.”

Lucius’s brow began to furrow, but no one took it as a sign of discontent.

Rather, it was the expression of someone who was confused and didn’t know what to say.

Elia opened her mouth, stammering repeatedly.

“So please… stop it now… .”

Elia lowered her head, as if trying to hide her expression.

Seeing Elia like that, Lucius started to move his lips as if he had something to say.

The words that come out are ridiculously the same as before.

“… Sorry.”

That’s what it said. My back started to hurt a little.

… How long do I have to watch this guy digging?

Even leaving Elia behind, who was shrugging her shoulders at Lucius’s words, I couldn’t let this get any more frustrating.

I opened my mouth with a frown on my face.

“Lucius.”

Lucius turned his head to face me without answering.

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes coldly, ready to continue speaking.

“I don’t know what your story is, but… .”

“…”

“In the end, isn’t it your choice?”

At my words, Lucius bit his lip tightly.

But my words are not over yet. Rather, you could say that the main topic starts now.

“If you had left that demon to me and protected Elia, wouldn’t this situation have happened?”

“…”

“Of course, you’re still a kid, aren’t you?”

Lucius lowered his head as if he was angry. I was still looking down at him with cold eyes.

I’m not finished talking yet.

“Why didn’t you leave the handling of that demon to me?”

Of course, even if he had been asked to do it, he would have refused for whatever reason. Lucius didn’t do that.

“Or, is it possible that your judgment is clouded by a slight desire for revenge?”

This is a guess.

Lucius’s eyes and voice were filled with hatred as he looked at the jackal.

“As you said with your own mouth, think about it and think about who brought this situation on yourself.”

After I finished speaking, there was a short silence. If I were to finish speaking like this, my relationship with the warriors might become strained.

So, tell him something that will give him strength. Tell him something that will make him feel responsible.

Unlike before, he opened his mouth in a voice that was not cold. It felt somewhat warm.

“Aren’t you a great warrior?”

“… That’s right.”

“If you react like that to such a small thing, what will happen in the future?”

Lucius frowned at my words, which concluded that it was a small matter.

I guess you’re feeling a bit down.

I really liked seeing Lucius like that, so I snickered and opened my mouth again with a serious expression.

“Can’t you feel the countless wishes you carry on your shoulders?”

“… Wish?”

“Yes, that’s a wish.”

Lucius raised his head and began to look me in the eye.

“Lucius, how ridiculous. You are the hope of all mankind.”

“But look at what you’ve become now.”

“Who would see you as a hero? Who would see you as a hope?”

My words shot straight at Lucius.

Lucius keeps his mouth shut and doesn’t answer. He just keeps listening to what I’m saying.

“You are nothing but a pitiful loser now.”

“… I know.”

Judging by the way he reacts to being called a loser, it seems he is quite concerned about it himself.

“Did you say you knew? No, you don’t know.”

“… What is that-”

“If you really know, you should take action to solve him. What are you doing sitting on the floor like an idiot?”

Lucius’s body flinched and trembled.

And a hesitant voice leaked out from the corner of his mouth.

“I am… .”

A cowardly voice, not at all satisfied.

I sighed deeply at the sight of Lucius and scratched the back of my head.

“Haa… What a pathetic guy. What, should I motivate him?”

“…”

“Tsk, what am I talking about with this guy.”

After a brief sigh, he opened his mouth again.

The gaze was turned not to Lucius, but to Elia behind him.

“For the sake of the saint beside you, for the sake of your precious relationships, and for the sake of the countless people who believe in you.

You can’t give in here.

Is it heavy? Yes, it is indeed heavy.

But what can you do? You are a warrior. You are the hope of the people. ”

I took a moment to catch my breath.

I was speaking in a nonstop manner, out of place. It was because I was not good at controlling my breathing.

“I think you must have forgotten with your stupid mind, so I’ll say it again.”

“…”

“Don’t give in here.”

To be honest, those were just empty words that didn’t contain a single bit of my sincerity… .

I glance into Lucius’ eyes and see his eyes begin to shine brightly again.

Still, it seems it wasn’t completely useless.

Hmm, that’s a relief.

I nodded my head.