Chapter 151
Chapter 151
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: 44-1. Black Room
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With her delicate, fern-like hand, Lee Soo-hyun gently wiped away Pine's tears, and she felt a profound sense of stability from his touch.
"Come on, stop crying, sis. You're ruining your pretty face!"
"Okay..."
Watching the boy who didn't recognize her, Pine felt a wave of doubt.
The Licht she'd seen before had called her a saintess at the sight of her.
'What's going on with this Licht...? He looks exactly like him...'
This wasn't like the apostle incident—a dream, or something channeled through the sleeping Licht.
Pine tried to make sense of her current situation.
The scent of his clothes confirmed it: this was a man who wore the Black Knight's helmet. One of the wolfkin traits was their exceptional sense of smell.
"There, there. That's better."
And seeing the warmth he occasionally showed only to her deepened her certainty.
'Could this be before he met the saintess...?'
This was probably the world where Licht had lived. A place in the Granasia Empire before the hero summoning.
"Soo-hyun...? Is that what I should call you?"
"Yeah! That's right!"
For the first time in ages, Pine spoke Licht's real name. The black-haired boy nodded with a bright smile.
His innocent grin and fluttering light clothes made him look so carefree.
"...You always find me when I need you most."
Pine gazed at the boy, feeling a deep relief. He was like her own personal hero, arriving right when she wanted him most.
She'd never seen a knight in a black helmet in fairy tales, but he resembled the ideal hero she'd always dreamed of.
"Sis, what's your name?"
"Pine Granasia..."
"...Even your name is super pretty."
The boy, who seemed a bit cheeky, scratched his cheek and grinned upon hearing it.
"Pine sis, why were you crying all alone...? Did you get lost?"
Seeing this younger version of Licht, Pine felt an overwhelming urge to hug him tight. He probably felt soft, like a plush doll.
"Ah, kind of..."
As she started to continue, a chill ran across Pine's shoulder.
"...It's raining."
Rain began to patter down.
The clear sky had clouded over in an instant, thunder rumbling and lightning shaking the ground.
"Do you have somewhere to go back to...? Any other family...?!"
Lee Soo-hyun looked panicked as the sudden downpour hit.
"No..."
Pine shook her head in denial.
This wasn't the Granasia Empire to begin with. She had no home to return to, not even friends.
"You'll catch a cold in this rain. Here, take this at least...! Sis!"
The moment the rain started, the boy held an umbrella over Pine.
It was a small one, barely covering her body. Lee Soo-hyun shielded his head with just his palm to dodge the drops.
Watching him, memories flooded Pine's mind.
The first time she'd met Licht and talked with him. The day she'd run with him through a shower to the men's dorm.
She'd felt sorry for him then, like a lone puppy in the rain. Now, it was the opposite.
"Soo-hyun, if we do it like this... We'll both..."
Pine tried to summon a glass umbrella like before, but nothing happened in her hand.
'Why isn't it working...?'
Her magic wouldn't flow from her fingertips. Her circuits and mana seemed fine.
It was like trying to light wet wood.
"Pine sis, let's go to my house first and get out of the rain!"
He thrust the umbrella into her hands like passing a baton and started running.
Glancing back occasionally to make sure she followed.
'He's so cute. Like a little black puppy.'
His behavior was identical to someone she knew, even walking like a dog out for a stroll with its owner. No matter how young, this was definitely Licht.
"Mom, Dad! I'm home!"
The place Lee Soo-hyun led Pine to was one of the white buildings she'd seen earlier.
One up many flights of stairs.
Opening the thick iron door revealed a small room.
It was remarkably tiny compared to the vast palace—amazing that one person used an entire tall building like this.
"Come on in! Oh my, did you get caught in the rain...?"
A middle-aged woman welcomed the young Lee Soo-hyun. Pine's keen eyes immediately recognized her.
Anyone could see she was his mother. Her black hair tied back and gentle smile mirrored his.
"...And who's that with you?"
Soo-hyun's mother startled at the sight of Pine standing behind.
It must have been shocking for her son to bring home a stranger.
"Ah, uh... She's someone Soo, Soo-hyun helped out... She was caught in the rain alone..."
Pine bit her tongue. This was nothing like boldly declaring her boyfriend in front of her father, Emperor Locke.
"She's a foreign sis! She was lost, so I brought her here!"
Lee Soo-hyun cheerfully explained, oblivious to Pine's fluster.
It stung a bit to be treated like a stranger, but this was an illusion from the Tar Dune temple.
Or maybe she'd really fallen into the past.
"Come in and warm up first. What's your name...?"
"Pine... Pine Granasia..."
They managed awkward smiles and a handshake.
"Oh my, what a princess-like name, just like your looks! I'm Kim Soo-ah. This handsome knight's mom."
This was the mother of someone dear to her.
Pine had no idea how to act around such a person.
Her mind went blank. Words tangled like yarn.
'Am I acting weird from the rain...?'
Lightning flashed through her thoughts.
She had to make a good impression. Pine hastily touched her rain-soaked hair and tear-streaked face.
"Son, you're home now?"
A middle-aged man appeared, similar in build to the Lee Soo-hyun she knew. Deep wrinkles, rough hands.
"...Who's this?"
"Honey, our Soo-hyun brought home a pretty girl."
"The foreign sis was in the rain, so I protected her!"
The young Lee Soo-hyun stretched his arms high. The couple chuckled softly at the sight.
"Did you? Good job, Soo-hyun~."
It was just like her own childhood. When her hair was still black, the scenes in the palace looked the same.
'...They look alike.'
It had been so long since falling into another world. The sharp pain in her chest from moments ago had faded.
Showering brought its own troubles for Pine. She vaguely understood hot or cold water without magic, but...
'Whew... Everything's so unfamiliar...'
Unsure what the slimy liquid in the thin bottle was, she washed her body twice.
One was for her hair, they'd said, so doing both should cover it.
"...Same scent as Licht..."
Pine's sensitive nose quickly picked up the familiar fragrance.
This was the source of the soft, gentle aroma that faintly clung to the Black Knight's body.
"Boxy suits you so well, Pine. It really brings out your figure."
Pine wore spare clothes borrowed from Soo-ah. The large white outfit comfortably covered her ample figure.
"Ah... Mother..."
The honorific slipped out automatically. Pine clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Th-thank you..."
"What for?"
"I don't know anything... But you and Soo-hyun helped me so much..."
Even if this was before she or the saintess existed, Pine spoke from the heart.
Since enrolling in the academy, she'd received so much from Licht.
"Soo-hyun... came to save me..."
She couldn't even imagine life without him now.
"Oh, that's normal for first-timers in Korea."
Soo-ah patted Pine's anxious shoulder. The warmth eased her nerves. He got this from his mother.
"Ah, Pine. The kimchi stew's ready. Want some?"
"Kimchi stew...?"
A spicy scent stung her nose, mingled with savory meat. The bubbling dish resembled a meat stew.
"You brought home a pretty girl crying on the street? No hitting on girls yet, Soo-hyun."
"Dad!! It was raining, what could I do?!"
The sly son and father bantered.
It was just like usual. Pine missed seeing Licht tease Kainel and get teased back like this.
"It's spicy... but delicious."
Chew chew. Soft pork melted in her mouth. A fishy note widened her eyes.
"Huh...? Does the stew have fish in it?"
"How'd you know? We use pork and tuna here. I like the tuna..."
"I like meat!"
Pine burst out laughing at Lee Soo-hyun raising his hand high.
She knew he devoured minotaur steak, but he'd been like this since childhood.
"Glad it suits you. Are you traveling? Your Korean's fluent."
Soo-ah asked curiously.
How to explain? They wouldn't believe it was a Tar Dune trial.
"I-I'm traveling alone... Not sure when I can go back."
Pine tapped the table. Pine Granasia was getting better at lying.
"Lost your passport, then?"
She nodded. Passport was unfamiliar, but it fit.
"Shouldn't we report it to the police, honey?"
"Yeah, or she might have to stay here awhile... Streets are rough these days."
Pine froze at the idea of staying longer.
"Pl-please don't report it...! I'll find it soon..."
She shouted uncharacteristically. The possibility of staying here with this cute Licht and his parents dawned on her.
'Stay with cute Licht...?'
The white wolf grew greedy over a puppy younger than herself.