Chapter 227
Chapter 227
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 227
Chapter Title: The Departed and the Returned (2)
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Corin Lord's 'Frozen Soul' had been entrusted to the high priest of the Arjan Temple. 'Frozen Soul' was an exceedingly malevolent curse that ordinary people wouldn't even know existed, so even a high priest couldn't hide his astonishment.
Corin Lord was a strong man. Though his body had weakened considerably while suffering from the 'Frozen Soul' curse, the connection between his soul and body wasn't severed to the point of no return. With all the priests of the Arjan Temple working on the reconnection, he would awaken in as little as a week, or two weeks at the latest.
And then, Lewis.
'His complexion looks decent...'
Compared to the last time I'd seen his pale face, Lewis, now under the priests' care, looked quite good. Healthy color had returned to what had seemed like a face on the verge of death, which was a relief to see. According to the priest tending to him, Lewis would wake up in about two days. There might be some discomfort in moving around, but his consciousness would be intact, so there was no need to worry.
"By the way..."
"Yes?"
"What method did you use, exactly? 'Saint of Purification'?"
"Ah..."
The priest's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he looked at me. He was clearly dying to know how I'd kept Lewis alive when he was in such critical condition that death at any moment wouldn't have been surprising.
'How do I explain this...'
I couldn't just say, 'It was all thanks to Bibi.' How could I make this pass naturally? After racking my brain for a moment, I smiled faintly and replied.
"I didn't do anything."
"......!"
"The great Arjan took care of Lewis."
It was widely known that Arjan, the god of justice and the sun, cherished 'knights.' That was why most knights in the empire worshipped Arjan. The royal knights were no exception, so Lewis must have received Arjan's blessing at some point. Plus, he was an exceptional knight even in Lloyd's eyes, so Arjan might have taken an interest...
'More than anything, if I let this slip...'
[The God of Justice and the Sun, Arjan, looks upon Corin.]
[The God of Justice and the Sun, Arjan, has found you.]
That's right. Gods love hearing about themselves.
'It's about time I made my mark with Arjan too.'
So far, I'd focused my efforts on Linshaka and Nemea. Donar... well, we'd become acquaintances of sorts. But I'd put zero effort into Arjan.
The reason was simple. Arjan was a god who had too many to look after. Countless people across the continent—practically everyone—sent prayers to him every day. Among them were far more special people than me. Emperors, crown princes, grand nobles, high priests...
Unless you were one of those extraordinary figures, it was hard to catch Arjan's eye. In short, Arjan was a 'bad value' god for me.
Well, that was then.
'This incident is on a massive scale.'
The Crows had stirred up a huge mess. No one could have imagined something like this happening in a city on Corin's level. With the events in Dehid added to this, once it reached the emperor's ears...
The emperor of the Barak Empire, who despised heretics to his bones, wouldn't let this slide. The empire would start hunting down the Crows now too.
'That's why I wanted to capture that woman alive...'
Unfortunately, it hadn't worked out. Given how she'd thrown away even her own life to complete her 'mission,' I doubted we'd have gotten anything useful out of her even if we had.
After a brief chat with the priest, I took the letter he'd given me and returned to the castle. The letter was for Lady Corin and detailed Lord Corin and Lewis's conditions. I hoped it would ease her mind, even a little.
'...Even if she seems composed, a parent's worry for their child can't be suppressed.'
I could now somewhat understand how my own parents had felt worrying about me.
'Is it because I've raised Legion?'
They say you only understand a parent's heart once you become one yourself. It seems that's true.
Back at the castle, I immediately delivered the letter to Lady Corin. She read it slowly and meticulously, wiped her moistened eyes, and looked at me with thanks.
"...Thank you so much."
I nodded lightly. I was about to leave the office quickly to give Lady Corin time to compose herself. But then.
"Theodor."
She called me back. I stopped and turned to her. Lady Corin was gazing at me with a faint smile.
"I have some news for you too."
News? Before I could ask what it was, Lady Corin gently rang a small bell on the desk. At the clear chime, the head butler opened the office door. And...
-Woof!!!
Before the door was fully open, a massive, fluffy furball charged straight at me. Unable to withstand the immense weight, I tumbled backward. Then came the tongue assault! A wet, warm tongue lapped wildly at my face.
"Ayla!"
-Woof woof!
Ayla wagged her tail joyfully, licking my face nonstop. This girl doesn't consider her own weight at all. Feeling like I'd be crushed if I stayed like this, I carefully pushed her off and got up. And...
"Master!!!!"
-Thud!!!
"Guh..."
...You're next. What slammed into me next, no less forcefully than Ayla, was El. El had leaped at me like she was playing football, sending me tumbling back again. Thick tears plopped onto my face. This kid, crying again. Crying once more...
"...El."
"Th-this time, this time, I really, really thought you wouldn't come back, sniff, waaah, waaaaaah!!!!"
Unable to hold back any longer, El burst into tears and hugged me tight. I patted her back soothingly.
"Don't cry, El."
"Waaaaaah..."
"I'm back safe and sound this time too."
"Sniff, sniff..."
"Sorry for making you worry."
After sobbing for a while, El finally pulled herself up, revealing the two men standing behind her. Lloyd and Calisto.
"......"
Calisto stared at me silently. I cut him off before he could say anything.
"You're not getting one. No hugs from grown men."
"......"
"I see," Calisto muttered, stopping in place and scratching the back of his neck.
"Glad you're safe."
"...Haha, I'm back."
Lloyd extended a hand and helped me up. I joked around with my greeting, then flashed him a grin. Lloyd gave a brief smile in return.
'......'
It felt like I'd only been away a short while, but why did it feel this welcoming and good? My fatigue vanished, and a weary part of my heart warmed up...
'...It really feels like family.'
Like coming home to a warm embrace.
Not that I'd ever say it out loud—too embarrassing!
* * *
Lady Corin suggested we stay at the castle, but we politely declined.
'Staying at the castle just feels awkward.'
Besides, the castle's cook couldn't cook worth a damn. I'd been shocked to my core watching them prepare food when I infiltrated to spy. Guess the lord's family isn't picky about food? Man, not all nobles live the high life.
We left the castle and headed to the inn we were already staying at. As we passed through the central district, we overheard people talking...
-So many mercenaries died...?
-Not all of them. Still, about half survived...
-What the hell happened in Sequoia Forest?
-Orcs, right? The orcs?
With the castle soldiers going back and forth to Sequoia Forest to collect bodies, rumors were naturally starting to spread. Some right, some wrong...
'...This isn't for me to clean up—it's Lord Corin's job.'
Lord Corin was recovering at the temple, so Lady Corin would probably handle it. Given her character...
'She'll manage just fine.'
I set aside my worries and headed to the inn. The innkeeper greeted us with surprise, joy, and a touch of concern upon seeing us return.
"Oh my goodness! You're back safe!"
"Haha, yeah. Safe and sound."
"With all those scary rumors flying around, I was so worried! My heart was pounding thinking something might've happened, but you're back safe—what a relief!"
She'd been taking in laundry from outside but stopped to usher us inside. She even made us warm sugarcane milk and handed out cups. Ah, this warm, sweet taste! I closed my eyes for a moment, savoring the comfort. The innkeeper watched us fondly, smiling, then asked.
"Oh, right! Dinner! Have you eaten?"
-Grrrrumble...
Before she finished, a thunder-like rumble came from El's stomach. I pretended not to hear, held back a laugh, and replied to the innkeeper.
"Not yet. Too much going on—we didn't even think about it."
"Goodness, no matter how busy, you can't skip meals!"
"Tell me about it."
"Shall I prepare some?"
I glanced at El, Lloyd, and Calisto. Naturally, they all nodded. Yeah, we're all starving by now. Nothing but hunger this whole time!
"Of course. Make it hearty."
At my words, the innkeeper bolted to the kitchen like a shot. Soon, the hearth fire lit up, and sounds of her prepping ingredients filled the air. Knife on cutting board, water boiling...
'So peaceful...'
I leaned back comfortably in my chair and gazed out the window. Red sunset dyed the distant sky. Night would come soon. A night full of lurking dangers.
But tonight, nothing would happen.