Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: A Yellow Flower Blooming Between Rocks (2)
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"What's that you just put on your lips?"
Stunned by her words, I looked toward Leo's lips. There was something faintly sparkling there, barely noticeable.
"What are you talking about?"
"What you put on your lips. What is it?"
"What does it matter? I was just..."
"Leo."
Eli smacked his arm away and stood up from her seat. She took a step back, then another.
"Sorry, but I'm not as fragile as Nadia, nor as naive as Sera. And I'm not as dumb as all those country girls you've tricked before."
"Eli. What are you saying all of a sudden?"
Leo reached out to her again. But Eli wouldn't let him approach.
"You said you left the village because you needed money. But if that were true, you'd have sent money back at least once with a letter. You. Did you really leave your hometown willingly?"
"That's..."
"And if you cared that much about your little sister, you would've found work in the village. You wouldn't have left a child like that to go off as a mercenary."
"I'll explain. I..."
"Does that little sister even exist in the first place?"
"Eli."
He wiped away whatever was on his upper lip and stood up.
"...I can't say every story I told was one hundred percent true. But the bit about my sister is real."
"So you lied anyway."
"Do you have to put it that way? I just... kept a lot hidden."
"Why tell me all this now? And even lie to play on my cheap sympathy?"
"I just wanted to get closer to you."
"Do you have some ulterior motive too? Like Rick and Bobby?"
"Eli."
Leo's voice had sunk low before I knew it. But there was no hostility in it. It just sounded utterly exhausted.
"Ulterior motive? I don't get why you're using such a low word. Do you think everything I've done so far came from some vile scheme?"
"Then what was it?"
"Just pure goodwill. Does the world only have guys like Bobby or Rick? There are people like me who purely want someone's love. Not their body—their heart."
"You..."
"Yeah."
He scratched his head awkwardly. Then he squeezed his eyes shut and said,
"I didn't want to say it like this... but I love you too, Eli. Just like Luca. That's why I wanted to get closer to you."
Those words would have shocked her any other time. But now wasn't the moment for a confession. Especially not after getting caught in some scheme.
Leo seemed to realize it too, scratching his head irritably. Eli looked at him and replied in a somewhat calmer voice.
"Getting a confession is always nice. But right now, it doesn't make me happy at all. It's confusing... and even disgusting."
"Was it too sudden?"
"That's part of it. But that mystery liquid on your lips makes me even angrier."
"Can you give me a chance to explain?"
"No. Because you just got rejected."
Leo shrugged at her firm answer. Then he asked playfully, like when he'd joked earlier.
"Reason?"
"There's no room for you in my heart."
"Ahaha."
Leo let out a sudden chuckle. He pointed at me and asked,
"Is that rock in there somewhere?"
"Watch your mouth."
"Why? It's true. Rock. Does it still look like Luca to you?"
"Leo."
Eli's voice had turned icy. She clenched her fists, as if suppressing her anger, and said,
"You know Luca's alive too."
"Alive, sure."
He emphasized the "just" particularly hard.
"So when does the petrification wear off? A year? Ten? Or a hundred? It's a curse from one of the Four Heavenly Kings we didn't even know about, cast at the cost of his life. You know it won't lift easily."
"No idea. Maybe it's almost over."
"Doubt it. Have we learned anything about this curse so far? All that time invested, and we just know it's insanely powerful and hard to break. It's more logical to think it'll never lift than to hope it does soon."
Eli couldn't open her mouth. Even I, the one cursed, had no counterargument. Leo savored her silence leisurely, then stepped closer and said,
"Eli. The one really cursed isn't Luca—it's us. We're trapped here, tied to this rock we don't even know when it'll free him. Luckily, Nadia and Sera found ways to break free from that curse. We're the only ones still bound."
"...Are you saying what Rick and Bobby did was right?"
"Can't defend the process, but the result was good. Thanks to it, Nadia and Sera let go of their obsession with Luca. Now it's your turn."
He stepped even closer. He extended his hand to Eli.
"You can give up now. You can't stay tied to that rock forever. If love's the reason, I'll be your reason to break free."
Eli didn't argue back. She just stared at the outstretched hand. She hated to admit it, but it might be her last escape route.
"...Fine."
The heavy word dropped like a rock. Eli said clearly to Leo, who brightened with a smile,
"Luca and I are leaving this party."
"...What?"
Leo froze mid-reach. Eli, fists clenched, opened her mouth.
"I get what you all want. Nadia too, Sera too. Maybe you've even found your own happiness now. But I'm different. I have only one happiness. It can't be replaced by anything else."
"Eli."
"Goodbye, everyone. I wanted to defeat the Demon King together, but oh well. Go into that Demon King's Castle yourselves or head back home—do whatever. I'll wait here for Luca."
...
Flowers bloom even between rocks. But that flower never leaves its spot for life.
Her heart felt so heavy, it seemed like tears would fall.
"Ha... haha..."
Then Leo's hollow laugh brushed my ears. He shook his head and laughed, then let out a deep sigh.
"As expected of you, Eli. You're too pretty an accessory for a village bumpkin like him. At first I thought you were just pretty, but you shine too."
Eli didn't respond. But Leo kept talking.
"Truth is, I didn't think you'd fall for it so easily. I didn't think you were that easy to fool."
He picked up the sword he'd set on the ground. He spoke toward something beyond Eli's shoulder.
"Right, Nadia?"
"Nadia?"
In that instant, a shadow hidden in the darkness shot out like an arrow. A solid club swung down over Eli's head.
"Such...!"
A thud, and blood sprayed. I screamed silently at the sight.
Thick blood spurted from Eli's head, sticking to my eyes and blurring my vision. Clutching my pounding chest, I waited for the blood to fade.
Eli. No. Please, Eli.
Maybe. Maybe right now. If not now, never. Please move, please God!
But God remained silent. Finally, the blood trickled down, and I saw Eli collapse, her bright yellow hair scattering on the ground.
...Bright yellow hair?
"Damn it, Eli."
It wasn't Eli on the ground.
It was Nadia.
"Attacking an unarmed opponent from behind. Looks like you've lost all pride as a knight, Nadia."
Eli spat bitterly, blood trickling from her forehead. She'd taken Nadia's blow, but luckily it was just a gash. Eli slowly raised her hand, and the air rippled with an ominous wind howl.
"I don't want to hurt anyone. So back off."
"Bobby was right about you. Impressive skill."
"You're just too weak, Nadia."
Eli looked down at Nadia with contempt. She was still unconscious. Leo, a bit tense, rolled his neck and raised his sword.
"Fine, Eli. I didn't want to hurt you if possible, but..."
Eli steadied her breath, fixing her gaze on Leo. Blue smoke faintly seeped from her exhale.
"Let's see how far you can go."
As Leo kicked off the ground, Rick burst from the darkness behind Eli. Without hesitation, Eli slammed her raised hand down onto the earth with all her might.
Boom!
The ground shattered with a heavy crash, snow and dirt erupting into the pitch-black darkness. The flying dust blocked the starlight, and Leo and Rick halted in panic. Eli seized the moment, extending her hand toward Rick.
"Gah!"
As she clenched her fist in midair, Rick clutched his throat, choking. An invisible hand lifted his body and hurled him toward Nadia. He rolled a few times, his head smacking her armor, then went limp.
"Damn it. Bobby! Sera! Stop Eli!"
"Haaah!"
Shouts came from both sides, pillars of fire and beams of light surging up. Eli gritted her teeth.
"Sera...!"
Like two massive swords slashing down, storms of light and fire closed in. Eli gritted her teeth, spreading both hands. Instantly, the surrounding space turned white, stealing all its colors.
As even the night sky paled, she clasped her hands and swung them skyward with full force. A ripping explosion tore the space apart, splitting the fire pillar and light beam to crash into the ground on either side. Light and fire sizzled on the snow, steam rising wildly.
"Haa... haa..."
Overexerted, Eli panted, but there was no rest. Sera with a dagger and Bobby with his staff charged from front and back.
"Eliiiii!!!"
Sera arrived first, shrieking shrilly as she thrust her dagger. Eli lifted her leg, wrapping it around the blade and dropping Sera down. Tangled, they fell, Bobby's staff barely grazing overhead.
"You...! Urk!"
Sera tried to speak but staggered from Eli's direct punch. Eli landed another to her jaw, knocking her out, then reached for Bobby. Like Rick, he was grabbed by the throat and flung away.
"Argh!"
But Bobby raised his staff just before flying, blasting blinding light. Eli squeezed her eyes shut at the unexpected attack, staggering. She shook off the light and opened her eyes, but Leo's blade was already descending on her head.
"Damn!"
Just before his sword severed her arm, Eli barely gathered space into a barrier. But Leo's downward force was immense; the space contracted, his sword piercing the shield.
"Give up, Eli."
"Ngh...!"
Having poured out too much power at once, Eli faltered. Leo pressed his sword harder. It looked like only a matter of time before she was subdued.
"Eli. You'll really get hurt like this. You..."
"Huuuu..."
In that moment, Eli took a deep breath. Thick blue smoke mixed into her murderous exhale, flaring like blue flames.
"What? Mana visible to the naked eye...!"
As Leo exclaimed in shock, the air around Eli warped. Space shattered like glass with a violent explosion. A massive barrier unfurled instantly, blasting Leo and his crew outside. Soon, the noise faded, and the night's silence returned.
"Haa... haa..."
Eli examined the trembling barrier. Seeing it fully formed, she collapsed.
"Haa... hng... ugh...!"
Overdoing it, she clutched her head, bowing it. Blood dripped from her nose, plopping on the ground. So different from her overwhelming presence moments ago—pitiful.
"...You're way more impressive than I thought, Eli."
Leo's voice made Eli quickly wipe her nosebleed and jump up. Luckily, he was outside the barrier, sword sheathed.
"But how long can you hold out in there? Alone, maintaining such a strong barrier."
"...Haa... huu..."
She couldn't hide her ragged breath, glaring silently at Leo. He smirked and tapped the barrier. It rang like striking iron.
"Rest up. I'll come back. If you change your mind..."
"That won't..."
"...Come find me. I don't want to hurt you more."
He gazed at Eli fondly, then slowly turned and left. Eli waited until his back vanished completely, then bowed her head.
"Haa... haa..."
She steadied her trembling body, panting. Blue smoke still rose from her body. Even I, a magic novice, knew it was a bad sign.
But she shook it off and approached me. She carefully checked for any cracks. Stroking every spot tenderly, she sighed in relief.
"...You're okay, Luca."
She gave a frail smile, as if to reassure me. But it looked endlessly precarious to me.
"I'll definitely protect you."
Her promise didn't reassure me at all.
It wasn't that I doubted her. I just thought the one needing real protection was Eli.
Eli's nosebleed wouldn't stop easily. It seemed fine, then poured again when she stood to check the barrier. Even a genius mage must strain to wield such powerful magic.
...Genius mage.
The truths poured out in quick succession made my head ache. So all Sera's feats were actually Eli's? Top enrollment at the academy young, saving our party with genius magic in crises—all Eli?
Then everything Sera enjoyed as a genius mage was rightfully Eli's. But Eli yielded it all, silently taking the neglect and contempt Sera should have faced.
Why? I wanted to ask, but my stone mouth wouldn't open. Because she cared that much for Sera? Or...
...
My head hurts. For the first time since turning to stone, I craved rest.
But Eli needed it more. Her unusually small frame trembled uncontrollably from fatigue and cold. Yet she dragged her weary body to perfect the barrier, then collapsed at my feet.
"Haa... haa... huu..."
Blue smoke still rose from her body. Fainter now, but the amount unchanged. She gripped her trembling hand to calm it, then leaned her head on my knee and said,
"It's okay, Luca. I won't die."
She looked at me with a faint smile. If that was a joke, it was the worst one she'd made. Please, don't even joke about that, Eli.
"A little rest and I'll be fine. Just thirty minutes of sleep... I don't sleep much anyway..."
Lies. Back home, she wouldn't wake without me every morning. With all-nighters lately, her fatigue must be piled up.
"Just thirty minutes... The barrier will hold that long. It's fine left alone. Yeah... really, it's okay..."
Eli muttered to herself nonstop, trying to reassure me. Her voice faded, pronunciation slurring, dripping with exhaustion.
Got it, so please sleep. Eli. You might really die.
"Okay... just a bit, then I'll wake up. Luca..."
I don't know if she read my mind, but Eli finally closed her mouth. Eyes shut, she fell asleep instantly, even breaths coming. Please, let her rest even one more second—I wished desperately.
But not even a moment's respite was allowed her.
Clang!
Metal struck the barrier hard, echoing roughly. Eli shot up like burned, raising her hand toward the sound.
"Already...!"
Recovered already? I tensed, turning my gaze. Only one stood outside. The attacker, confirming Eli awake, slowly lowered her sword. In the deepened darkness, hair like sunlight gleamed.
"...Nadia."
Eli gritted her teeth, calling her name. To hide weakness, she spoke with resolve.
"Sorry, but with your skills, you can't break this barrier."
"I know."
Nadia crossed her arms, scanning Eli.
"You look tired, Eli."
"You don't look so great either, Nadia."
Eli pointed to the bandage on her head.
"Thanks to you, Eli. You were merciless."
"Sorry, but you started it. Who'd think a noble knight would follow a mere mercenary's orders."
Clear hostility laced her voice. Nadia shook her head, tapping the barrier.
"How long can you hold out here? Give it up and come out, Eli. You've played the good girl long enough."
"Dunno. But longer than you, I bet."
Eli stood straight, unwavering.
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly that. How long did it take you to fall for that thug? A month? A week? Maybe a day? No idea, but it wasn't long. In a blink, you became his plaything."
"Eli."
"I thought you were a reliable knight. Like Luca did. But from the day you stopped asking about him, you changed. What did that Rick bastard do to you? What made you betray a comrade and spread your legs for a third-rate thug?"
"Eli!"
Nadia yelled in rage. But Eli didn't get angry. She looked sad, even.
"You're not this person, Nadia. You took up the sword to defeat the Demon King, stayed with us for honor. Please snap out of it. Don't let Leo or Rick sway you—come back."
She pleaded, pouring out words that might reach Nadia.
If it were the old Nadia, anyway.
"...Eli. You really don't know a thing."
Nadia uncrossed her arms. They hung limply, trembling.
"Yeah. You can preach like that because you don't know. You've never tried understanding a weak person's feelings. Right?"
"It's not like that, Nadia."
"What do you mean not? I saw your show just now. Even a dozen of me couldn't win. Why hide that power? Why pretend weak and useless?"
"Nadia, there's a reason..."
"Shut up, Eli."
Nadia gritted her teeth, spitting curses.
"Fucking bitch... How much did you laugh at me behind my back? Must've been hilarious, a clown like me playing leader. How pathetic, relying on trash strength to look down on me. Right, Eli?"
"Nadia, misunderstanding. I've never thought that."
"Bullshit, you slut. While I played fool up front, you just watched from behind. Waiting for me to die? So you could have Luca easier?"
"Nadia!"
"Don't say my name!"
Nadia screamed, slamming into the barrier.
"Thought you were just a sweet innocent girl. But no. Thinking how you hypocritically sneered at me makes me sick. Even then, right? 'Nadia, you look pale—are you okay?' You knew everything, didn't you? Asking to mock me, hilarious that I got ass-fucked by a guy you could flick away."
"Nadia, you're not yourself. Please hear me out."
"Not myself? You're the crazy one, Eli! If you were me, could you have done better? No, you'd cry and wail like a slut after one thrust. You're not like me just because you're lucky. So don't act like you know it all!"
Nadia poured it all out, staggering to lean on her sword. Then she laughed hysterically, scraping the barrier with her nails.
"Yeah. Once you get it like me, you'll get it. When you submit like a bitch, begging for it once, you'll understand."
Eli said no more. Nadia stared hard and said,
"Then I'll laugh at you too."
Inferiority and hatred hung in the air long. As it melted into the black darkness, turning grayish, her low whisper pierced my ears.
"I'm on night watch tonight, Eli."
Nadia smirked, raising her sword again.
"So. Don't even think about sleeping."
Her words echoed cruelly. Eli slumped powerlessly, hugging her knees.
The barrier rang all night from blows. True to her word, Eli got no sleep till dawn. But as always, I succumbed to morning sleepiness, watching Eli face nightmares with eyes open.