Chapter 309
Chapter 309
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 309
Chapter Title: Puppy, Kitten (4)
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A bewildering statement. It was so out of left field that I doubted my own ears the moment I heard it.
"Healing. You don't need to do it anymore."
Sansu-yu had the blood of the Cornerus Family flowing through her veins.
"Eternal immortality." That was their family's aspiration, heavier than her own life.
Even Sansu-yu herself believed that.
"What do you mean? Why? All of a sudden?"
Her golden eyes flickered faintly before me.
Sansu-yu seemed to have been thinking about this for a long time. She slowly conveyed her thoughts.
"It seems like a burden to you, Siheon. It's our family's matter... You shouldn't get too deeply involved."
"Is this because of what I said last time?"
We'd had a chance to talk alone in the bedroom not long ago.
I'd asked why she was helping me so much. She'd answered honestly. I owed Sansu-yu a debt, and I felt affection toward her.
She'd looked deeply troubled, and maybe my words back then had been the trigger?
Sansu-yu immediately denied it.
"No. I've been thinking about it for a while."
Then why?
I swallowed the sharp retort that nearly burst out. I needed to keep my temper in check.
First, I sat down right next to her. Being forceful wasn't the way.
"It's not like I'm saying this because I don't know your condition... Can I hear more?"
The study, just the two of us, grew chillingly cold.
"Siheon, you said you liked me."
Sansu-yu asked cautiously. It seemed like she was checking if my words from back then were true, so I nodded firmly.
Her eyes drifted to another book. From my angle, the title was faded and hard to read.
"It was the first time I heard it. I didn't understand at first, but now I think I get it roughly. I probably... think you're special too, Siheon."
This was the first time Sansu-yu, who wasn't good at expressing herself, had shared her feelings so openly.
"Affection? Love... I'm not sure. But at least, among the people I know, you're the..."
Her words rambled, but the meaning came through.
Having lost her emotions, she struggled even to feel fondness for someone.
If she was expressing her gratitude toward me in words to this extent, there was nothing more moving than that.
"So. If I get too deeply involved... I might... hurt you. A lot."
"What?"
Why would it turn out like that? It was a genuine question.
But maybe my blunt tone made it hard for her to take it well; she clammed up.
Sansu-yu, looking cowed, lowered her head.
"This is just between you and me, Siheon... Our family isn't seen in a great light by others. We might even betray the World Tree."
I'd thought she knew nothing.
The ugly side of the Cornerus Family hidden within this magnificent sanctuary. It was something I'd agonized over alone without telling her.
Had I been treating her like a fool?
"If I mess up, you'll..."
I closed my mouth and looked at Sansu-yu.
She fumbled for words, unable to choose them well. She stammered so long she nearly ran out of breath.
Finally, at the very end, what she said to me was:
"You have so many days ahead of you, Siheon."
It sounded like she was preparing for a farewell.
She wouldn't accept healing anymore. She was refusing the one help I could give her.
In other words, she no longer wanted my assistance.
I was always willing to help Sansu-yu. But I couldn't control her at will.
If she suddenly declared she'd die for the Cornerus Family, I might not be able to stop her.
And now, she was telling me:
She'd handle it herself from here. It was her conclusion after long deliberation.
Honestly, I couldn't accept it.
"I'm a burden."
"When did I ever ask you to think that way?"
Sansu-yu swallowed hard. Her eyes narrowed.
"I-It's fine."
"No, Sansu-yu. It's just my one ability. Healing. That's it. With just that, you can live a little longer. You think that'll ruin me or something?"
"...But."
What was wrong with a friend helping another friend? This was nothing.
The Cornerus Family? The enemies I'd face ahead were the Five World Trees and all of Flower.
I could argue plenty.
Sansu-yu's words seemed well thought out, but she couldn't explain them properly.
That's why I couldn't push her further.
At least I understood why she'd said this to me.
Seong Ji-ho must have known too. It was his heartfelt request as a friend: just take good care of her.
"I... still don't get why you're helping me this much, Siheon. What do you want from it?"
"Sansu-yu."
"...Sorry."
What I wanted from Sansu-yu.
Hand on my heart, I could swear: nothing.
I just wanted to cherish my relationships with the people around me.
You might doubt that.
Since you can't understand, it's natural to feel a disconnect with me.
I had no intention of pleading for you to understand. This is an emotion hard to put into words.
I stepped into this world knowing nothing.
I tasted baseless blame from others. I suffered from untimely choices, even agonized over my own identity.
The Wood Spirit King's duty to conquer trees, and its nature. But was that truly a blessing for me?
Some might love the pleasure they gained from me.
More people would approach to take something from me or use me.
It would only get worse from now on.
I could no longer wrap future connections in pure innocence.
I might push them away, fearing they hid bombs.
Or use that bastard's vile power to force them to my side.
I couldn't trust it. Nor was it right.
Just look at my pathological suspicion of the Sage. I still doubted the words of Sun and Aori, leaning to one side.
The symptoms worsened after my trip to the past.
That made me cling even more.
"Sansu-yu."
So... that's it.
"......"
I had no idea how to put it into words.
I deceived others freely, but at least with these people, I wanted to be honest.
These were relationships I didn't want to break.
I thought I'd delayed long enough. I forced open my stiff lips.
"You have to live, don't you?"
I looked up at Sansu-yu.
At that moment, her face twisted in pain.
Seeing my expression—which I didn't know—her face crumpled dramatically.
It was the first time I'd seen real emotion plainly on her face.
Unlike before, when I'd guessed from subtle changes in voice or expression.
This was unmistakably Sansu-yu's feeling.
"...S-Sorry... I'm sorry. But... really, it's for your sake."
Why apologize again?
"At least during the tournament, how about accepting healing?"
I offered the next best compromise. The lifespan I could extend for Sansu-yu. In those days, hours, minutes... a miracle might happen for her.
She could succeed in the experiment and survive by a matter of seconds.
I didn't want to let go of that possibility.
"It's fine."
Her final answer came.
"Sansu-yu."
"Yeah."
"Remember what I said before?"
Doubt crossed Sansu-yu's face. Her pitiful gaze on me was impossible to get used to.
What I'd said.
To the people I like, there's one thing I can declare for life.
I'm on your side.
"...No."
But for some reason, the words wouldn't come now.
They were embarrassing, and too lofty for this mood anyway.
Sansu-yu was timid and quiet. She expressed some intentions, but without emotions, her thoughts were often hard to grasp.
I thought I'd come to understand her well after spending so much time together.
But no one truly understood Sansu-yu.
Not even me. Not her secretary, Seong Ji-ho. Especially not her father.
What was her mother like, still lingering in Sansu-yu's impression? Did she understand Sansu-yu's thoughts?
I thought this was too sudden, but now it seemed inevitable.
It looked like it would take quite some time to mend things between Sansu-yu and me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Doesn't it feel like we're all together again after so long?"
At the Sage's words, we around the round table each looked at her.
As the awkward atmosphere dragged on, the Sage tilted her head in confusion.
"It feels a bit different from the first time. Did something happen, like a fight?"
Sansu-yu and I flinched slightly and swallowed.
Since that day, Marronier had also grown a bit colder. Was it because the long-awaited enslavement had finally lifted?
Thinking that right now might be too selfish.
Still, my mind screamed it.
Of all times, now!
"Marronier?"
"Uh, yeah... Hehe."
Marronier, at the Sage's question, glanced between us and placed a hand on her chest, holding back her words.
Marronier knew we hadn't exchanged a single word over meals.
Normally, Sansu-yu was so expressive of friendship she clung close. But at lunch today, naturally distant—Blanche must have noticed.
"I was going to give you the final mission of the third trial today, but it seems it'll be delayed a bit. Still, I should pass it on."
The Sage stroked Sephiroth on her lap and continued.
"...Soon, there will be an attack on the Cradle."
The Cradle of Trees. Where the Forest Keeper Selection Tournament was held.
Countless true noble trees lived and breathed there.
It was like an assault on a medieval ball with the king, grand dukes, and all the earls gathered.
Sansu-yu, Marronier, and I fell silent.
We'd already heard some details personally from the Sage.
"With an attack coming, the trials are meaningless anyway. Feel free to take this as a personal request."
"A personal request from you, Sage?"
Marronier asked back at the Sage's words. She nodded kindly and raised a finger.
"If you just listen, I'll offer appropriate compensation in the Sage's name."
For the Sage to personally devise rewards meant it was that dangerous.
I broke the silence.
"You want us to stop the attack? Even so, that's tough. Do you know how many from Flower will come?"
"...Who knows."
The Sage shrugged with a faint expression.
"But the executives won't all come out. This is just for show, after all."
A declaration of war. High chance that was the goal.
"If they came in full force, they could deal a huge blow to the Cradle, but it's too big a gamble."
An answer only the Sage, who knew both sides' forces and gains inside out, could give.
"Probably, traitorous hunters planted by Flower, National Trees, and a few low executives. They'll lead it."
Her words flowed smoothly. Confidence shone through; she knew what she was talking about.
If not for the Sage, I'd call it arrogance.
"In that initial moment without situational awareness, they'll be short-handed. I'll tell you what I need done slowly."
"...No plans to inform the Church or Hunter Association?"
"That would cross the contract line for me."
Is this the limit?
I said no more.
I already knew what she wanted.
The Sage pulled a large wine bottle from her embrace and set it down.
"Your trio seems a bit distant now... So today, specially, I'll provide a few bottles. Even on the eve of the big event, one drink should be fine, right?"
She smiled.
What did that smile directed at me mean?
Marronier glanced at me. Sansu-yu looked at us both with slight worry.
I picked up the wine bottle.
"Just the three of us?"
"Oh, I'm weak with alcohol. One glass and I might be a bother."
I'd kind of like to see that. Got it.
To lighten this mood, I felt like doing anything.