episode_0104

The eastern region is the mildest place in the empire and can be said to be safe with a low frequency of monsters appearing.

The most prosperous city in the East, or rather the most prosperous city. Espilia has also welcomed summer.

The cicadas’ cries echoed throughout Espilia, and the hot sun shone brightly.

That alone was not enough to stop the passion of Espilia residents.

The day when the ruler of Espilia lost his life. Espilia began to collapse.

It was correct to say that it collapsed figuratively, but Espilia also collapsed physically.

The day Espilia first collapsed. The aristocratic faction centered around Ronan touched both the upper and lower classes of Espilia.

It was designed so that if the energy supply disappeared, which was no different from the human sacrifice they performed, the entire city would collapse.

Fortunately, Espilia began to slowly collapse over a long period of time, so there were not a single casualty from the collapse. Except for the criminals in the underground city.

The area where the criminals of the underground city lived also collapsed, but the criminals who refused to go out into the world were buried in the ground.

Well, it would be a shame to even use the word ‘casualty’ for them, who caused all kinds of inhumane problems, and since they were said to be exhilarating, it wasn’t something to worry about.

“”…………””

anyway. The upper and lower levels both collapsed on the same day and at the same time. Everyone watched in silence as their hometown, their home, was destroyed.

The upper and lower classes tried to ignore each other, but the crude line between them had already disappeared along with Espilia.

No one was willing to come forward, and only an awkward atmosphere flowed. The beastmen and humans were wary of each other and only ostracized each other.

In some ways, this may be natural. Because it was not easy for an idea that had lasted for a long time to collapse overnight.

One day, they made a temporary lodging in the forest and continued to live together uncomfortably, still wary of each other.

A prisoner appeared in front of everyone. Just like before, the beastman shouted, trampling on the line drawn in the middle of the two sides.

“…Are you going to live like this from now on?!”

Our foundation has already collapsed, and we are still alive. Will the situation still remain the same as before?

No one was willing to come forward. When everyone is looking at each other and looking at the other side. The prisoner instead shouted even louder.

“Once again, we are rebuilding our Espilia!”

Let’s rebuild our collapsed hometown from scratch. It’s not that we reject each other and hate each other for no reason.

Let’s bring back a life like the glorious Espilia of the past, where we help each other and rejoice in even light happiness.

Some were against it, others strongly protested. However, reconciliation proceeded faster than expected and was very simple.

“…So, you guys also suffered from aristocratic bastards?”

“That’s right… I’ve never been able to wander around the streets comfortably even for a day. I was just nervous about when I would be caught or when I would come into their sight.”

Because they had a common enemy. In the case of the upper class, forced obedience and fear were enforced, and in the case of the lower class, blatant discrimination was practiced.

The beasts of the lower level and the humans of the upper level began to communicate. Because we talked, let each other know about our pain, and sympathized with each other.

and. No matter how much time has passed, the good hearts of Espilia residents have not disappeared. I just got lost for a moment.

Now, beastmen and humans no longer hate and reject each other.

Because we were comrades who had lost their hometowns, and comrades who had to move forward together.

Although all of the technology of the past was lost, and we had to start over with a wooden house and simple technology.

The residents of Espilia laughed. With a more pure and happy heart than in the past when I was not free.

Everyone worked together and made up for each other’s shortcomings.

Against that background, Espilia was reborn. The small, simple, but happy village of the past had been revived.

Jeopuk-jeopuk.

“Ah, Chief! Good morning today too!”

“Okay. Truly… a beautiful day.”

Hoody, the newly born village chief of Espilia, slowly walked around the village.

Instead of buildings built with advanced technology like before, simple buildings made of wood, and food and resources that seemed a little difficult.

However, everyone in Espilia felt it. I am much happier in this lacking life now than in the past.

Rather, because there are shortcomings, this moment and small happiness feel more precious.

Stop.

The village chief, Hoodie, who was walking around the village looking for Rania, stopped in place as soon as he encountered a beastman.

“….Carly.”

“……..”

***

Hoody and Carly, sitting in Espilia’s small tea shop, looked at each other. Hoody seemed to have an instinctive sense of submission as soon as he looked into Carly’s eyes.

I felt sorry for the sadness and emptiness in her eyes because I had no idea where they would end.

“…Carly. Did he… send me off in a good way?”

“….Yes.”

“….Phew.”

Hoodie sighed, feeling an unknown emotion. What should I do with this strong yet fragile beast girl…?

Apparently, every time they encountered each other, Kali was carrying the corpse of Venice Naruri on her back.

He hadn’t left yet, because he absolutely believed that there was a way to save him.

Hoodie and Rania tried to scold her several times, but the weight of her pain and sadness was so deep and heavy that they had no choice but to give up.

On her back… I can no longer see Venice. As Kali said about letting him go, it seems like she has now accepted it.

“…Grandpa.”

“Tell me. Anything… I’ll listen.”

Hoodie looked at Carly’s shaking and tearful face and spoke with a bitter expression.

“I… what should I do now?”

Drop… drop.

How am I supposed to live now that I have left Venice, which was my everything?

I now know that there is no way to meet him anymore.

It hurts so much… I still feel empty and sad. It’s unbearably painful…

Hoodie quietly listened to Carly’s sobbing story.

Little by little, the tears flow and show no signs of stopping.

How could there be such a pitiful girl?

I’ve heard Carly’s story before. Kali, who was half out of her mind, honestly told everything to Hoodie, the person she trusted.

A happy village. A burned down village. From then on, I gave up everything to protect my younger brother.

A story about a younger sister who was kidnapped by Ronan and her savior who saved her. And in the end, everyone was lost.

At that time, Hoodie’s eyes were shaking mercilessly after hearing Kali’s mesmerizing story.

Even for Hoody, who had been through all kinds of death, Carly’s story was so sad and painful.

“I…it’s so hard. I want to die right now… but then I can’t remember my master. There is no one who reminds me of him anymore…”

The girl in front of me is strong. Probably, even if you look at the entire empire, they can only be counted on one hand.

However, she was also human. He was a person who had lost hope in life. She looked so weak and fragile as she shed tears.

“……..”

Pat pat.

Hoodie patted Carly on the back without saying anything. Because it seemed like there was no way I could relieve this pain and sadness.

Her weak appearance is like looking at Rania. Because she felt like her own granddaughter, it was as warm as the touch of a grandfather patting his grieving granddaughter.

“Black…Huh…Huh…”

Carly sobbed. In a reality where I can no longer look at my master. Thinking back to the miserable consequences of killing him with your own hands.

“…I’ll go now. Grandpa.”

“Okay. bye. Anytime… If you want to come back, come back.”

After a while. Kali, who seemed to have calmed down a bit, still gave an empty look in her eyes and left the tea shop.

“…Please take care of it safely. Our king…”

To be considered the king of all beasts, he looks at his back, which is too limp and weak. Nevertheless, looking at the red aura of the ruler that still radiates out.

Hoodie, his subordinate, could only silently meditate.

***

Carly, walking through the streets of the newly created Espilia, looks up at the statue built in the middle of the town.

The sight was all too familiar, and it warmed Carly’s heart.

Warm eyes shining through narrow eyes. And a smile that never fades. And well-combed bald-white hair.

It was a statue in Venice. A statue built to commemorate him, who was a good influence on both the upper and lower classes and gave direction to the lives of residents.

As I looked at the statue, memories of him suddenly began to come to mind.

“What is it? You were inside. Why aren’t you answering?”

“…bodyguard?”

I remember my first meeting with him. At that time… because my eyes were focused on money and I couldn’t see anything.

The expression the master had at that time was… an expression of embarrassment and confusion. At the time, when I didn’t know anything, I just thought it was suspicious. Looking back now, it was a really cute expression.

“…puhuh.”

Even just a little, it made me smile for the first time in a really long time.

“Kkkk-!”

As I looked at that smile, I felt like his strange laughter was playing in my head. The smile that I initially rejected and was extremely wary of.

That too… now that I think about it. It was such a pure laugh.

-Venice… I hope you went to a good place.

-…..please.

-Even the sky is indifferent… Someone like that always leaves first, right?

As I pass by, I see residents looking at the statue, saying a word and meditating in silence.

Each and every one of them must have received counseling from their master and received food rations.

…really. Even now that I think about it, he was an incredibly good person. You spend your own time and money to conduct consultations and provide food.

To be honest, at first I thought it was just a show. But… when I looked into his eyes so earnestly, I knew I was wrong.

And… the thing that made me certain that I had fallen for him was when I saved Calea.

“Be careful what you say. Carly is my dear friend. And I trust my friend.”

I saw his serious, angry expression for the first time. I remember my stomach rumbling and my heart pounding.

okay. It was from that day. The reason I came to like my master is.

I tried my best to refuse it at the time. I feel it only now. At that moment, I fell in love with my own master.

The happy memories continued. The streets of the night market I walked with him. Delicious skewers… and this little doll he gave me.

The dance of the meteor shower that decorated the night sky, and even the owner’s face, which was incomparably beautiful and pretty.

…Even thinking about it now, my heart was racing and I was so happy. It’s like I’m back to who I was back then. I feel like my master is still by my side…

Drop….Drop…Drop.

Tears began to flow down Carly’s cheeks. I was so happy and the glorious moment was so brilliant and beautiful.

Because it was enough to make the present that the master had left so miserable.

“Black….Huh…Huh…”

The tears that once started flowing, and the depression that started as a small dot began to flow without stopping.

….master. I miss you so much.

I still remember the warm touch you had when you stroked my head with that big hand.

The reality that I can no longer look at that charming smile that I had doubts about at first hurts so much…

Puck-puck.

Carly slammed her hand down on her chest. However, the overwhelming body did not have a single scratch on it.

The discomfort of a heart that felt like it was about to burst did not go away, but rather increased.

“Sigh…Ugh…”

I… why on earth did I do that?

If only I had approached the owner even once. If only we had confirmed that he was alive…

Like a fool and an idiot, he went crazy alone and caused his master to die.

….If it weren’t for me. Master… would still be by my side.

He would have called my name in that soft voice and petted me. He must have smiled as if I could melt just by looking at him…

“I’m sorry…I’m sorry…I’m sorry…”

Kali, kneeling in front of the statue, apologized.

You saved my life and made me find the direction I wanted to go in my life that had not been planned for me.

Your foolish slave rejected that kind of salvation and left you dead.

….master. Just once, please call my name and pat my head.

Because I will give you my all. Just once is enough for me… so please…

“Master… I miss you…”

Now everything you left behind is disappearing. Your scent, so addictive that I could smell it all day and never get tired of it, is gradually fading away.

The prisoner, who had harmed the owner who had saved his life, cried out while tightly hugging the now torn and torn little wolf doll.

As time goes by, I struggle to remember and recall the scent that is becoming fainter.