episode_0088

There was a wall between Ian and Carty.

A wall that divides the species, humans and demons.

That wall formed a distance between them that could never be crossed.

Ironically, that absolute distance allowed the two to be friendlier to each other.

Ian petting Katy.

No matter how much it looks like a cat, you can pat its belly, sleep on it, or lick its face even though you know it is actually human.

Because Kati is Mine.

I was able to skip it for that one reason.

It was natural that this was a relationship in which strange feelings or thoughts could not arise.

It was the same with Kati.

The fact that she is so proactive towards Ian seems excessive.

All of the words and actions that are sometimes difficult to distinguish between loyalty and love.

Because Ian is human.

Since we were in a relationship where we couldn’t mix, we were able to be more proactive.

The wall between the species of humans and demons made them like that.

However, the wall has been erased.

No, there was no wall there to begin with.

There was only a mirage created by the two of us.

Ian and Katy faced each other beyond the mirage scattered in the air.

*

“… Sorry.”

Right after Galatea went in to give birth.

Kati let go of Ian’s wrist and ran away.

-hey… !

Ian calls from behind.

I want to stop.

Actually, I don’t want to go away.

But, it couldn’t be done.

If he stayed in front of Ian, he couldn’t have predicted what he would do.

Ian ran away without any chance of being caught, but Katy didn’t go that far.

It was on top of a large tree on a hill overlooking the campsite.

It wasn’t far, but even Ian couldn’t detect Kati’s stealth ability.

From a tree, Katy watched the camp.

The group is busy coming and going to help with the birth.

And while preparing dinner, Ian keeps a close eye on the group.

She liked him like that.

He was a person who could see broadly and far in any situation.

Rather than suddenly disappearing, he knows that he must take responsibility for what is right in front of him.

Although she might have felt disappointed, Kati did not.

Ironically, I actually felt better.

because.

[men and horses. Where did you go suddenly?]

While doing his job, Ian kept talking to him with the ring of subordination.

[If you’re going to go, say something properly and go… .]

Also, while Ian was doing his job, he sometimes looked around.

He even stood still and concentrated to gauge whether Kati was within the radius he could detect.

[Yes, it must be confusing. I don’t know what it is either. Still, how can you run away so suddenly?]

The sight of him finding himself was so lovely that it was hard to bear.

[But I understand something. There are times when you want to organize your thoughts alone. … But I don’t know if you’re listening to this.]

The joy lasted only for a moment.

Cati felt disgusted to the point of nausea from Ian’s telepathy and from herself watching Ian.

He disappears at will and feels joy while watching someone find him.

It was so selfish.

Even more so when he himself wants to go back.

Although I wanted to answer, I deliberately didn’t.

I wanted to see more of him like that.

That wasn’t the only reason.

Regardless of her desire, Kati had no idea how to deal with him when she got back.

Is it okay to speak your mind?

Will I ever be able to live without any problems like before?

If you can’t do that, what should you do then?

What happens to the other two?

Because I didn’t know anything, I was scared.

Kati took off her blindfold, took off her necklace, and hugged her knees.

A golden bell that makes no sound.

When I opened it carefully, there was a small portrait inside.

There was a time like that before.

When the first warrior party was making a big name for themselves, Ian visited one of the continent’s leading painters and had him draw portraits of the four of them.

Then the painter asked Ian.

‘You don’t need it?’

‘It’s not like I’m going to be famous.’

Carty needed it.

However, if you draw such a large picture, it was natural to get caught, and it was inconvenient to carry around.

Then I found out it was a portrait necklace.

Nobles used to make small self-portraits or portraits of adults they respected and wear them on necklaces.

Carty realized that was the best way.

If I had asked Ian, he would have listened, but I was too embarrassed to reveal it to him.

So, I secretly visited the artist and requested a request.

It was against the principles of an artist to paint a portrait of someone without permission, but the amount offered by Carty was too large to refuse.

I spent most of the money I received from Ian there.

However, as the work was carried out secretly, it was impossible to draw a natural Ian.

I had no choice but to sit down and wait, and the best thing I could do was draw a picture of Ian sleeping.

Kati was satisfied with that too.

What’s inside the bell she’s looking at right now is the portrait of the sleeping Ian.

It was a little pleasure for Kati to see sometimes, or quite often, when she was alone.

After all, the bell necklace was also a symbol of sorts.

It was a device to remind himself that Ian and himself were never equal, but a demon and a human.

If you keep them in the relationship of master and servant, it is okay to show them excessive affection.

However, it all became meaningless.

-Ugh!

As if the birth had ended, a baby’s cry could be heard from afar.

Mines can basically feel each other’s energy.

Kati sensed the energy of Galatea and the child coming from that tent.

Although it was stronger than when it was in the womb, the baby’s energy was still vague.

Kati’s feelings became more complicated.

A mixed race of demons and humans existed right there.

[Carty. Are you listening?]

As the night deepened, Ian spoke.

[Aren’t you hungry? I wouldn’t have been able to eat properly by myself.]

With those words, the scales tipped.

Among the scales of disgust and joy that had been kept in a precarious balance until now, disgust became heavier.

It is not strange to be angry at yourself.

Since he ran away and ignored everything he said, Kati has nothing to say even if you criticize her for lack of courtesy and respect for each other.

However, Ian still understood, cared for, and worried about Kati.

Kati was one-sidedly savoring Ian’s feelings.

‘If it’s like this… .’

I felt like my stomach was twisting.

How is this any different from Sylvia, whom he despised so much?

[Once I organize my thoughts… . Come back later when it’s convenient for you. Well, I don’t know what you think, but even if you want to leave, at least show me your face before you go.]

Those words were the end.

Kati jumped up from her seat.

Ian thought there was a chance he could leave, and he acknowledged it.

The respect was both grateful and terrible.

Leaving Ian’s side was something she couldn’t do.

It shouldn’t have happened.

‘I have to tell you…’ .’

It may be late, but I need to go see Ian and apologize now.

That he will never leave.

And, even my own heart, which I can no longer turn back.

*

Kati stood in front of Ian.

I wore an eye patch as usual, but I didn’t wear a bell necklace.

I had something to say.

There was also an apology that needed to be made.

I also had feelings that needed to be revealed.

but.

Seeing Ian’s expression of inner relief upon seeing him return.

I couldn’t get any words out.

Just the urge to share another language took over my body.

“Where have you been now… . Eup!”

Kati didn’t listen to him.

I couldn’t hear it.

Instinct rather than reason moved my body.

The moment I saw him, all the words I had prepared were erased from my mind.

We just hugged each other and pressed our lips together.

It was something I always imagined by myself, looking down at him while he was sleeping.

When I was a cat, I did move near my lips pretending to lick my face, but I never crossed that line.

And today, for the first time, I crossed the line in human form.

It was soft, soft, and a little ticklish.

I couldn’t taste it, but I felt it was sweet.

It was so sweet that it paralyzed my tongue and reason.

From then on, Kati was already shedding tears silently.

The addictive touch started from the lips and spread quickly through the body, like a snake’s poison.

I was so disgusted that I vomited.

This is violence.

Regardless of Ian’s will, this is tantamount to trampling him by force solely for one’s own feelings and desires.

In this way, he was really no different from Sylvia.

“Eup, ugh… .”

Every time Ian tried to say something, his lips would become slippery and he felt strange.

Conflicting emotions kept piercing my heart.

It was so good, but I hated it so much.

I wished this time would last forever.

I wanted to be stuffed, ignoring both the likes and the dislikes.

I know it’s impossible.

The arrow of time always flies one way.

So, in order to delay this moment from ending, Kati stubbornly pressed her body closer.

One step, two steps.

Ian stepped away and fell.

Kati fell on top of him too, their lips parted, and the moment of reservation was over.

“Kathi, what is this… .”

I know very well how cowardly it is to cry in a situation like this.

I know… .

“Sorry, sorry… . Tsk… !”

No way, Chimi couldn’t stop crying.

“Sorry… .”

I was scared.

I don’t know what will happen to their relationship anymore.

I was sorry.

Regardless of his will, he was forced to do what he wanted.

It was terrible.

The fact that he is not much different from the Sylvia he criticized so much.

And again, it was sad and unfair.

All those times when I was just jealous of Sylvia and Vivian.

Since you can’t measure the weight of your heart, it would be difficult to say that you love Ian more than Sylvia.

Still, as far as order goes, before Sylvia… .

“Hmm, ugh… . sorry… .”

You shouldn’t cry.

What is there to cry about?

I had something to say… .

“Really… . I’m really sorry… .”

That was all that came out.

*

Katy, who had been crying so hard that she could barely breathe, soon came to her senses.

“… Have you calmed down?”

“Sorry… .”

“Then let’s go down first.”

“Yes… .”

To say it was simply because she was sobbing, Kati’s face was red up to her ears.

Katy, who quietly got off Ian’s body, stood on her knees.

The cape that Ian always wore was soaked with tears.

I wanted to run away.

Wouldn’t it be better to just run away with only selfish joy?

I only thought a lot and couldn’t act.

“… sit down. Don’t stand.”

“No… .”

“Sit down because I’m uncomfortable.”

“Yes… .”

Ian pressed the end of his forehead and swept his bangs up.

“I think I have a lot to say.”

“… … .”

“Try it. I think the order is to listen to your story first.”

“I… .”

Kati said, clenching her fists on her knees.

The determined face also became slightly stiff.

“I have loved you for a long time.”

The title was changed to ‘you’ instead of ‘master’.

“But. I don’t want to force that love.”

“… You’re so good at saying things like that after taking someone else’s first lips by force.”

“… … .”

“Ha… .”

Ian sighed and stroked his bangs.

I never thought the day would come when I would have to say this again.

With that thought in mind, I opened my mouth.

“First of all… . I’m potentially terminal.”

“Yes… ?”

“It’s hard to explain… . Let’s call it the devil’s curse. That’s why I’m trying to kill the devil.”

“Curse… ?”

“I don’t know exactly. anyway… Because of this curse, I don’t know when, where, or how I will die. To put it to the extreme, it wouldn’t be strange if I suddenly died while talking to you right now.”

“But… .”

“Yes, it looks fine to have been cursed. … It’s just such a curse.”

“… … .”

After pausing once, Ian spoke again.

“So, to form a relationship with someone… There are many difficulties in many ways.”

“Perhaps.”

Kati asked quickly.

“Did you say the same thing to Sylvia?”

We know that Sylvia confessed to Ian, but no one knows what Ian revealed to her.

For Kati, it was the first time she had heard of Ian’s curse today.

“Huh? Oh, I did.”

“But why… .”

While Katy was saying something, she suddenly started crying again.

“Ttt… . Ugh, ugh… .”

“Why, why are you doing this all of a sudden?”

“Like this… .”

She let the tears flow and gently cupped Ian’s cheek with one hand.

The other hand was carefully folded over one of Ian’s hands.

“It’s such a waste to even cherish the time… . Just sharing good feelings isn’t enough… . Why on earth would you do something like that to a person who might die at any time? .”

Kati was unable to continue speaking, and sobbed under her breath as she placed her forehead against the back of Ian’s hand.

Katy’s hand, which was still touching his cheek, trembled dangerously.

Ian never thought he would hear something like this.

On the other hand, he was even worried.

Although Kati and Sylvia are different, if you think Kati’s strong loyalty was affection, there is no guarantee that Kati would not act like Sylvia.

But what Katy had just said made all my worries go to waste.

My mind went blank, as if I had been hit over the head with a hammer.

‘It’s more precious because you don’t know when you’ll die… ?’

I’ve never thought about it that way.

Ian said nothing and just looked down at the back of Kati’s head, which was still shaking from crying.