Chapter 104: Beastkin Mage Yuliana (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 104: Beastkin Mage Yuliana (1)
The pigeon beat its wings busily.
Normally, it was a bird that enjoyed leisurely drifting through the sky and taking in the scenery, but after neatly finishing all the tasks it had been asked to do, it was now certain there was no time for dawdling.
If it hadn't been for this tiny body of wings and feathers—if it still possessed its body from its previous life—the pigeon would surely have headed toward its destination with a suffocating sense of urgency, feeling that not a single second should be wasted.
There had never been a moment in the pigeon's many reincarnated lives when it hadn't chased a dopamine rush. In those days, there was no way it wouldn't have inserted itself into an affair of this magnitude.
Fortunately, it was now just a lowly pigeon incapable of casting a single spell, which allowed it to keep flapping its wings while at least maintaining a steady breath.
However, its mind remained a tangled mess.
Just as she had requested, it had successfully used the Goddess Elina as bait to lure Choi Sihyeon out. Yet, no matter how much it thought about it, the question of whether things truly had to go this far remained unresolved.
As it continued its frantic flight, the pigeon scanned its surroundings before spotting something and diving rapidly toward the ground.
Folding its wings, the pigeon took a few steps forward.
"You're here? You're early."
"…Yes."
"Mm, good work."
The pigeon looked up toward the source of the voice.
The first thing it saw was a large fox tail swaying back and forth.
Shifting its gaze, it saw tufted fox ears twitching slightly.
Then, the full figure of the beastkin came into view: long, flowing brown hair, an ample chest, and a woman sitting with her legs crossed, extending one foot toward the bird.
"Lady Yuliana. Did you really have to go this far?"
"Yes. I’m sorry for dragging you into this. But I felt like I’d regret it later if I didn't do at least this much. You’re not angry, are you?"
"It’s not my place as a mere pigeon to be angry… but I still can’t fathom why you’re trying to act so extremely. It’s been quite frustrating."
"I suppose it would be. I'll explain. Come up here."
With a short tilt of its head and a brief flutter of wings, the pigeon flew up and settled comfortably onto Yuliana’s lap.
Yuliana lightly stroked the pigeon’s head, her lips curling into a small smile.
"Conversations held on your lap have never been anything less than grave, Lady Yuliana. Is this another one that’s going to make my feathers fall out?"
"Well… by my standards, I think it’s significant enough for that."
"Then I should prepare myself mentally."
"Mhm. Though from a pigeon's perspective, maybe not. I only put you on my lap because I might not get the chance to see you for a while after this."
"…Is that so?"
"Yes. If I manage to reunite with Sihyeon Oppa as planned, there’s a high possibility of that. I just wanted to talk for a bit before I go."
The pigeon gave a short flap of its wings and let out a small sigh.
"I’m listening, Lady Yuliana."
The pigeon didn't show much of a reaction while Yuliana spoke.
Of course, neither of them felt the atmosphere was particularly different from their usual talks.
Most of their conversations flowed this way, and when they spoke seriously with the pigeon on her lap, the tone tended to be even stiffer than it was now.
So, the pigeon simply listened quietly to Yuliana’s explanation from beginning to end.
As Yuliana herself had said, this was a serious matter. The pigeon made an effort to refrain from its habit of fluttering its wings and drawing attention.
It even took care not to let its breathing be heard, silently staring only at Yuliana’s mouth as she continued to speak.
From the pigeon's perspective, this kind of silence was the best it could offer.
Yuliana wasn't just explaining; she was pouring out the thoughts she had been harboring deep inside.
"To be honest, I’m not sure how I’ll feel when I see Sihyeon Oppa again. It’s not like we’ve been apart for that long, and it’s not like we weren't close."
"……."
"So, I’m trying not to think about anything else. Maybe my thoughts don't even matter. From Oppa’s perspective, this is something that could make him feel a massive sense of betrayal… so there’s no point in me worrying about it."
"……."
"Still… sometimes I find myself thinking. What if we weren't reuniting over something like this, but something better… like when we were together in the Hero's Party… if it were a reunion in that kind of good atmosphere, I’d have the confidence to get close to him again without a second thought. When I catch myself thinking things like that, I realize just how cruel our situation really is."
The pigeon knew well that when someone was expressing such deep regret, an entity in an ambiguous position like itself could make things uncomfortable by adding unnecessary comments.
"Tell me. If I were truly making a foolish decision, would you have tried to stop me somehow?"
"…Yes. I would have."
Despite its resolve, the weight behind her words was so heavy that the pigeon found it impossible to remain silent in the face of that question.
"Then… I guess I haven't made the worst choice yet?"
"……Lady Yuliana."
"Yes. I’m listening."
"Even if someone’s judgment seems wrong from every perspective, there are many cases where that evaluation completely flips after a long time has passed. In fact, I’ve been judged like that myself."
"Yes. I suppose so. History books are full of cases like that."
"Indeed. So do not dwell on it too deeply. Someone will understand your decision, Lady Yuliana."
"I hope so. I don't even need many… just one person would be enough…."
"True. Whether the number of people on your side is large or small, the fact that someone exists is what matters most."
"I understand what you mean. But tell me, what was that 'wrong judgment' you made?"
"……."
Perhaps it was the surge of old memories.
The pigeon felt a sudden tightness in its chest. It kept its beak shut for a long time before finally managing to speak.
"You must keep this a secret for the rest of your life."
"I will. I’m very good at keeping secrets. I won't tell a soul."
The pigeon struggled to open its beak and began to reveal the secret it had kept tightly hidden.
Yuliana’s reaction was exactly as expected.
At first, she listened as if it were something ordinary, but past the halfway point, she looked genuinely shocked.
"Oh my… you had such an overambitious dream…?"
It was the same reaction most people would have had.
"It was a judgment made in my immature days. Regardless, I’m still alive and well, so I hope you won't be too disheartened, Lady Yuliana, no matter what happens."
"…Yes. Thank you for listening to my long story. Let’s see each other again if the chance arises."
"Yes. I will wait for your word, Lady Yuliana."
After setting the pigeon down on the ground, Yuliana slowly began to walk away.
Thinking back on the conversations she had shared with the pigeon, Yuliana didn't think this one had been particularly satisfying.
However, considering the unique nature of the situation, she felt a lingering impression that ending things with this kind of talk wasn't so bad.
Walking leisurely in the opposite direction of the pigeon, who had decided to rest there, Yuliana felt her heart suddenly race as she confirmed she was nearing her destination.
Nevertheless, she kept moving.
If she were going to stop here, she wouldn't have started this business involving Choi Sihyeon in the first place.
Click, clack.
Continuing her slow pace, Yuliana stopped just before her destination and took a small, deep breath.
After glancing around once, she fixed her gaze straight ahead.
"So this is Sihyeon Oppa’s house. It’s pretty."
Immediately after finishing her monologue, she took her first step toward the mansion.
'It looks like there are about two people inside… I hope it’s not the people I think it is…'
Yuliana let out a small sigh.
'It’s probably… those two, right?'
A frigid chill began to emanate from her right hand, which was already surging with a sufficient amount of mana.
'I’m not really looking forward to this… but I can’t exactly turn back now as if nothing happened.'
Yuliana let out another long sigh.
"……I have to do this."