episode_0084

When I looked down, I saw Belle’s face curled up on the bed, sleeping.

She must have been quite tired, whether she knew it or not, and she fell asleep while we were talking.

It was worth it.

In addition to what happened today, I haven’t seen her sleep properly lately.

As the problem was resolved, the fatigue that had been put off for so long came all at once.

I completely killed the presence and stood up.

And then I started preparing.

Well, although I say that, there was actually nothing to call preparation.

The preparation was completed by changing clothes and leaving a note.

Anyway, after getting ready, I looked down at Belle’s face.

‘sorry.’

Now it’s time to leave.

According to the information she brought, it seems that there is no information about me circulating in the market, but that doesn’t give me any confidence.

The empire’s intelligence power will overwhelm most intelligence groups.

This means that even if they do not have information, the Empire may have smelled it.

Furthermore, I don’t even have an outline of the ‘organization’ that is targeting my head and the level of their power.

In such a situation, the risk is too great to stay here with hopeful thoughts.

To me and to Belle.

She has precious people like family and goals she wants to achieve.

I couldn’t just stay here and put her in danger.

what… Even if it wasn’t like this, I had planned to leave her side someday.

I can’t be in her care forever, and I have work to do, too.

It’s just that this incident has brought it forward a little.

Although the departure was somewhat sudden, there was one silver lining. That is, he was able to repay Belle’s favor and leave.

The reason I couldn’t leave her side all this time was partly because of my sense of debt.

I owed him my life, but I felt that it would be unconscionable to leave right away without being able to repay it.

However, that doesn’t mean I would have the ability to repay that much debt right away, so I was planning on paying it back later, but this happened.

I don’t think I’ve paid off all my debts with this, but at this rate, I don’t have to be told that I have no conscience.

As for the rest, you can slowly repay it later after you resolve the matter.

“… … .”

Slowly, I walk towards the door of the hideout.

Although I relieved some of the burden on my mind, it did not make me feel at ease.

I was a little worried about her and Belle.

Although she is a strong person who does not break down even after going through a lot, the goal she envisions will definitely not be easy to achieve.

Because they want to take over Aguilem’s underworld and influence all of Aguilem.

Although Bell is an outstanding person, he does not have overwhelming force or an incredible background, so it will definitely not be an easy path.

I also want to help her achieve her goals.

I’m not bragging, but I’m confident in my own strength, and if I add my strength, the difficulty of achieving her goal will definitely go down significantly.

However, that wasn’t possible.

That’s why I decided to leave.

Actually, if you think about morality, it would be right to say goodbye formally and then leave… … .

I’m really weak at that kind of thing.

Maybe it’s my imagination, but I feel like Belle, in her own way, has become attached to me.

I wondered if he would be sad if I announced my intention to leave.

I don’t like seeing things like that right in front of me.

Maybe, your resolve may waver.

So this is just fine.

As if it was a coincidence that she and I met.

As if it was a coincidence that she saved me.

Even when we break up, it would be right to just pass by like a coincidence.

“… … .”

After checking Belle’s sleeping face for the last time, I left the hiding place.

Hoping to see you again next time.

***

After deep night, the time called dawn comes.

In a hiding place covered in dim darkness.

“… Umm.”

Bella opened her eyes.

For a moment, I was a little taken aback when I saw an unfamiliar landscape, but I immediately realized that this was one of my hiding places.

Also, he fell asleep mid-conversation.

“… … ?”

As she was organizing in her mind the circumstances leading up to her falling asleep, she soon noticed something strange.

does not exist.

The person who was here and had a conversation with him before he fell asleep.

It’s nowhere to be seen.

Recognizing that fact, Bella immediately got up from the bed.

I looked around just in case, but I couldn’t see him anywhere inside the hideout.

“… … .”

Anxiety crawled up her toes.

The likelihood that he went out for a short walk is not very high considering his situation and personality.

Even if it is judged to be safe, this person will be stuck here for at least a few days.

Bella’s eyes wandered around.

And then, something caught her eye.

A piece of paper on the table.

Bella hurriedly walked over to the table, picked up the paper, and began to read what was written on it.

Soon, her eyes widened.

There was a message written there saying goodbye.

In a sentence that was hard but had a faint warmth to it, he calmly wrote his farewell on a piece of paper and left.

I left a message of apology and congratulations on her future.

As soon as she understood the meaning of the words written on the paper, her body immediately rushed out of the hiding place.

I couldn’t figure out exactly how long it had been since he left, but I had a rough idea of where he was heading.

Because there were traces he left behind.

She, who is renowned as the best assassin in the dark night and the Aguillem underworld, instantly discovered the trace and the direction it was heading.

Following those traces, Bella started running with all her might.

She wasn’t proud of herself as an assassin.

Although there were people around her and in the industry who thought highly of her and respected her, she never felt proud of her reputation as an assassin.

No, I just thought it was disgusting.

Because her life was ruined from the moment she became an assassin.

Even though I knew it was wrong, I had to kill people in exchange for money.

All of that time was pain and suffering.

That’s why she hated everything related to assassins.

However.

Just for this moment, just for this moment of following his traces, I felt fortunate to have received that education.

If it weren’t for that, it would have been impossible to follow his traces.

Bella ran.

At a speed that made me wonder if I had ever run this hard in my life.

How long did it run like that?

A familiar figure could be found in a field located outside of Aguillem.

“… … !”

Even after discovering that sight, Bella didn’t stop moving.

Eventually, I completely caught up with him.

Maybe he sensed that he was being popular, but he also stopped walking and stopped in place.

“… … .”

Bella’s mouth, which was about to open, closed again.

What should I say?

What should I say?

While I was running from the hiding place to here, I was in such a hurry that I didn’t have time to organize my mind.

Therefore, Bella had no idea what to say.

I knew he would leave someday.

Even while living with himself, there were times when he was deeply lost in thought.

Because he always looked like he was worried about something.

okay. You knew it.

That he will leave someday.

It may be a bit sudden, but the day that will come has now arrived.

So, let’s say goodbye neatly.

Don’t let him feel pressured.

Don’t leave the impression that you’re a sloppy woman.

What should be the first thing to say?

Should I lightly complain, ‘What if I leave without even saying hello?’

Or, it would be good to slyly say, ‘Aren’t you going too hastily?’

okay. OK.

Let’s farewell lightly and cheerfully.

So, Bella decided in her heart.

However.

“… Don’t go.”

What came out of her mouth were completely different words.

Bella herself was embarrassed by that, but she didn’t stop talking.

“Don’t go. Here… It remains.”

The words that were hidden in my heart began to leak out.

“Once this matter is roughly sorted out, I will help you with your work. If you can climb to the top of the underworld, to the top of Aguilem, it will definitely be of great help.”

The words that I had not yet been able to convey began to overflow.

“You are being chased by the empire. It’s still dangerous. therefore… So stay here. If you live quietly here, you won’t be in danger. Until the Empire forgets you, until the world forgets you, I will protect you… . I’ll make sure you don’t feel any shortcomings… !”

Like a collapsed embankment, once the words were spoken, they poured out without stopping.

She continued speaking towards the back of the man who still did not turn around.

“So, so… !”

Even though I poured out such plausible reasons, I tried to somehow add persuasiveness to my words.

All she wanted was sincerity.

“Don’t go… . please… … .”

Something he won’t leave.

Staying by your side.

The reasons given were nothing more than a list of things.

“With me… I’m with you… . yes… ?”

The thought of sending it off cleanly was everywhere, and before she knew it, Bella was even begging.

It’s so sad that people who see it have tears in their eyes.

“… … .”

The man who had been quietly listening to her finally turned around.

Bella’s face lit up at that fact, but the color soon faded.

It was because I saw his expression.

The man, Wade, looked at her with an expression of regret.

“… sorry. I have work to do.”

It was a calm statement.

It was a voice full of regret.

However, Bella knew.

That voice contains an unwavering will.

That the man will never change his mind.

That the man would never stay by his side.

Bella realized that fact.

so.

“… Ah, I thought you would shake when you shed tears. It looks like you have a strong will, right?”

I laughed.

It was as if everything he said and his expressions so far were lies.

It wasn’t easy to suddenly act in a situation where tears were shed, but I wasn’t worried.

Acting was her specialty, and the man in front of her was always fooled by her acting.

“Uh… Was it an act?”

As expected, the man opened his eyes wide and was surprised.

“Yes. I hated that they tried to secretly leave without telling me, so I played a prank.”

It couldn’t be possible, but it was all sincere.

She smiled through her mask.

If the man’s intentions are firm.

Unless he changes his mind.

It shouldn’t be a burden on your mind.

With that in mind, Bella continued acting.

“Thank goodness.”

The man laughed.

Bella also laughed.

“Anyway, isn’t it too sudden?”

“Hmm… sorry. I don’t think I can put it off any longer… .”

Wade smiled awkwardly and scratched his head.

“If that’s the case, there’s nothing you can do about it. hmm… So it’s goodbye now?”

“Yes. Thank you so much.”

I’m thankful, but who is saying anything?

Even if I say thank you a hundred times, it won’t be enough.

“Well, you just need to know.”

Bella laughed bluntly, saying the opposite of what she was thinking.

“Oh, and… Take it.”

As if she remembered something, Bella took out a small pouch from her arms and threw it to Wade.

“This is… ?”

“It’s a farewell gift. Try opening it later.”

It’s not a lie, it was prepared for him.

I never thought I would hand it over in a situation like this.

“… Thank you.”

“It’s not a big deal, so don’t worry about it.”

I blurt out the words and face the man again.

The man also faced her.

“… Well then, I’ll go now.”

“Yes. Goodbye.”

I suppress the cry of my heart telling me to grab the man right away, and say a concise and clean goodbye.

Like a person with no regrets left.

And finally, the man turned around.

“You can do well. I will always support you. Goodbye, Bella.”

After leaving those words, the man started walking again.

Bella stood still and looked at the man’s back as he gradually moved further away.

Thinking over my real name that the man called me for the first time.

“… … .”

As she watched the lights go away, Bella recalled an old memory.

It was a conversation we had when my father was still alive.

At that time, it was not long after the dark night had occurred.

Young Bella had doubts about the name Heukya.

Considering the purpose of helping people and changing their lives, I thought the name Black Night was not appropriate.

At the time, she thought it would be better to choose a brighter and more hopeful name.

Finally, unable to bear the question, Bella went to her father and asked.

Why did you give it that name?

At that time, her father smiled and answered:

─“The dark night is a metaphor for their situation, and at the same time, it is a name that contains my wishes.”

─“Everyone who gathered in the dark night was living a painful or unhappy life for their own reasons. Some people despair of life and no longer have hope.”

─“I want to talk to them. Your life has just entered the night. So don’t give up. Have hope.”

─“No matter how dark the night, morning will eventually come.”

Recalling the voice she missed in her mind, Bella stared endlessly at the man’s shrinking back.

Dawn was coming.

The sun was gradually brightening the dark sky.

And so Aguilem’s night ended.

And one woman’s pitch-black night, which lasted for a long time, came to an end.

Leaving behind a faint sadness in her heart.