Chapter 319
Chapter 319
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP. 67 – Separation Doesn't Mean Farewell (4)
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Louise.
A child who deserved all the love in the world, yet shunned by every adult, her heart already brimming with darkness.
His tiny friend, the young border baron.
And...
"In the 'original future,' Modred ultimately met its end. But even in destruction, Modred did not lose. The last of Modred—the child named Louise—succeeded in resealing that ominous being upon this land."
...a child forced to face a cruel fate.
"......"
Lee Han had no clue what his face looked like right now, but one thing was certain: it wasn't good.
"Hehe, don't worry. It's just a future that won't come to pass anymore."
Reading his expression, perhaps? The nun whispered kindly that he didn't need to look like that.
Hearing her, Lee Han steadied his heart for a moment.
If the nun said it was so, then it was.
And then,
"How did that powerless little kid stop the evil spirit?"
He had to ask.
About the 'conclusion' of that 'predestined future.'
Even faced with such a pesky question, the nun answered without hesitation.
No, more than just answering...
"It's faster to see it for yourself than hear me explain."
"Pardon?"
"Look into my eyes."
"...?"
"Come on."
"......"
Lee Han stared straight into the nun's eyes, glowing with light.
If she asked, there had to be a good reason.
And sure enough...
Woooong.
"─."
...In that instant, Lee Han saw so much through the nun's eyes.
It was,
"......You killed her too easily."
A sight that churned bile up his throat.
In not even a second—no, less than three—the vision through the nun's eyes showed him a 'future' that might have come without his help or the reinforcements'.
Roar!
Modred—no, Wales—was engulfed in flames.
[Wooo.]
Souls of the wretched dead, even in death, twisted into rays of corruption.
Mountains of corpses. Seas of blood.
A hellscape indistinguishable from the underworld crashing into the mortal realm.
And at its very center...
Inanna, laughing in mad glee.
As if utterly delighted by the brutal hell she had wrought.
- ....
- ....
Inanna leered at the humans—countless offerings to bolster her vessel—practically quivering at the thought of claiming a new body to rule the entire south.
With that, Inanna poured her soul into the child's body.
The freshest, most supremely talented vessel in Modred's bloodline.
And,
Inanna realized her blunder only after it was far too late.
- ...You, bad.
- I... hate you...
Inanna's mistake? Dismissing the child Louise's unparalleled talent as a spirit medium—the pinnacle of Modred's gifts—as no big deal, even knowing it.
And moreover.
Ding-.
Deng-.
Ignoring the holy relic capable of sapping her power? That was the killing blow.
- ──.
A forgotten nun, bleeding out with both legs torn away, still rang the bell.
Pouring her life—everything—into it.
The holy relic, Song of the Stars, heeded her will, pressing Inanna, pressing relentlessly.
A miracle forged from the child's tenacity and talent, an old man's resolve and sacrifice. And its outcome was:
- Louise won't do bad things, even if she hates grown-ups. Because that's...
Whoosh!
- bad... and sad...
Thus, the child sacrificed herself.
Unable to wield holy magic proper, but loopholes worked fine—she offered her spirit sight as the tribute, birthing her self-sacrifice, her 'miracle.'
Inanna's soul crumbled slowly within the child's body.
It didn't vanish. But this level of collapse would silence her for at least a millennium.
Louise had achieved the legendary feat of sealing a greater demon. And so,
Crack.
her body began to harden like stone.
Price of the miracle? Or curse from the greater demon?
- Mommy...
Yet the child smiled.
Gazing at whatever had come to claim her, mirrored in her eyes.
With utter innocence...
Ding, deng-.
And the nun rang the bell to her last.
Wishing the child peaceful rest, and no such tragedy in her next life.
Ding, deng-.
The bell rang on...
"That child sacrificed herself in the end. But Wales became a land overrun by evil spirits and demons, forcing a seal over the entire region."
"......"
"What's with that face?"
"...It was you, the elder."
"......"
"You sealed it. To keep the evil spirits and demons from spilling out. Ringing that bell until death... and even after."
"......"
"...Seriously, why go that far?"
Lee Han was at a loss, no...
'People like this exist.'
He felt respect. Admiration.
Awe for one who saved the world with an unacknowledged sacrifice—something he'd never manage.
I could never do that, he thought, a hollow laugh escaping.
- A great soul.
She was immense.
In his past life, Lee Han knew history's greats were admirable, but empathy? Not really.
Ancient history, read in books—how could he feel it?
But now, eyes and senses witnessing her life firsthand—not mere words—he got it.
Ah, so this is what makes a great person.
Doing what others won't. No...
"Someone had to. So I did. If I don't lead by example, who would?"
...What anyone could do, but no one does.
"Don't put me on a pedestal. My future self failed, after all. It's because of you that tragedy's averted this time."
"Then what about you?"
"......"
"Why not chase happiness yourself? This... it's too much, isn't it?"
Great was great, but Lee Han couldn't fathom her shunning happiness.
A second chance, by any measure. A fresh start.
...Sure, an unstoppable calamity, like she said.
But.
"That grim future wasn't set in stone. Not any more than the one where Louise had to sacrifice herself."
"......"
"You should've trusted me—no, people—a little more. Instead of just..."
Lee Han wasn't sad. He was angry.
Angry at her for not trusting, for living such a foolish life to the end.
Where did this rage come from?
From her, echoing his own past life's pointless end?
Or...
"-Don't regret it. This isn't goodbye forever."
"!"
Regret over eternal parting?
As if reading his heart, the nun smiled brightly once more.
Grateful? Proud?
Her smile shone brighter than ever.
"No such thing as eternal farewell. Just a brief parting—we'll meet again someday. Right?"
"......"
"Hehe, no tears. Real men don't cry."
"...Not crying. Eyes are dry."
"No tears in the eyes doesn't mean no crying."
"...Ha, can't win with words to the last."
"Ufufu."
After that, the nun spoke at length.
She'd never been unhappy.
Her life held more joy than sorrow.
Countless bonds. Cherished memories.
Not empty comfort, but sincere words like a lullaby—Lee Han nodded along quietly, chiming in.
"Take the bell, please. It likes you."
"Tenth time you've said that."
"Have to drill it in, or you won't."
"Why wouldn't I take something that good? Gotta have it."
"Sure, I'll buy that lie."
"Never lied a day in my life."
"Hehe, lying already."
"No, for real..."
"......"
"Ha, how do I convince you? Geez."
"......"
"...Elder."
"......"
"...You're too much."
Sigh...
─How am I supposed to manage without even a goodbye?
...So petty.
Lee Han murmured the afterthought, gazing at the ceiling.
Still brimming with holy power, it gleamed like the Milky Way in a night sky.
...Brightly.