Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Master Has Disappeared
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I channeled my internal energy, focusing it into my eyes, and zeroed in on the eyes of the brat they called Iron Blood.
Soon, a thin layer of blue qi, spread around her body like clothing, came into view. I strained my eyes even harder, widening them, and beyond Iron Blood's back, a massive frozen lake appeared.
"Hoo..."
It was truly an amount of internal energy worthy of praise for her exceptional martial prowess.
Still.
Not to brag, but it couldn't compare to someone like me, who'd lived for over three hundred years.
I narrowed my eyes and looked at Iron Blood.
Thirty-one years old, was it...?
With this much, it was probably about the same as what I'd gathered over a hundred years.
The sheer gap in talent made me feel insignificant, and I let out a small sigh.
She really was a once-in-a-millennium genius.
As I was about to offer a small word of praise to acknowledge her, even if just a little.
This damn brat flashed her signature sly eye smile, covered her mouth with her hand, and burst out laughing with a "Pfft."
"Whoa... that's gross... You're a grandma?"
"...What?"
I blinked at the incomprehensible words.
...Grandma?
Did I hear that wrong?
Me? A grandma...?
To confirm if I'd heard right, I casually turned my head to look beside me.
Nameless was sweating bullets and shaking his head vigorously.
Seeing that, it seemed I hadn't misheard after all.
Hmm, right.
If veins were popping on my forehead, that must be an illusion.
I nodded slightly and forced the corners of my mouth up as I glared at the damn brat.
"Haha, what did you just say?"
"Eek—did you go deaf from old age too? Total hag."
For a moment, killing intent surged, and I gathered energy in my right hand...
But I bit my lip hard and fought to keep my composure.
What was the point of fighting this wretched brat?
I took deep breaths to calm my internal energy and met the damn brat's eyes.
In times like these, peaceful resolution was key.
"Grr... Aren't you an auntie yourself?"
"Granny? What did you just call me?"
The brat's eyebrows twitched repeatedly as she clenched her fists and started trembling with rage.
This was good.
I'd successfully landed a hit on this wretched brat.
A surge of satisfaction rose in my chest, and I crooked one corner of my mouth upward.
"...Granny, you wanna go right now?"
"Hm? What're you saying? Like you said, my hearing's going with age."
I crossed my arms, tilting my head this way and that, playing dumb.
The brat trembled all over, pointed her index finger at me, and jabbed the air.
"You, youuu!"
"Hm? What's wrong?"
I whistled poorly—barely making a sound—and casually turned my head away.
The more I did, the redder her face got. It was surprisingly fun in its own way.
Of course I'd win from the start.
Our years lived were different.
Every word I said carried weight.
It was the vibe that came from experience—veterancy, in a word.
After all, didn't I have about ten times her years?
Hmm, naturally.
...Of course, thinking about that fact made something inside me crumble a bit...
But that couldn't be helped.
Losing a verbal spat to that damn brat would hurt my pride even more, right?
In crude terms.
Lose and I'm a fool; win and I'm still a fool... so I'd choose to be the winning fool.
I nodded to myself.
As Iron Blood and I kept slinging age insults back and forth in the mudslinging match.
Elia stepped forward with a worried look, blocking the space between us.
"Can't we stop now...?"
At Elia's words, we locked eyes.
This wretched brat—no, Iron Blood's eyes were red-rimmed.
A little more prodding, and she'd wail like the world was ending.
...This was enough to call it my win, right?
And, a bit embarrassing to admit.
Dust had gotten in my eyes too, making them water.
If I teared up here from "dust," it'd look like I'd lost.
Strategically retreating now would benefit us both.
Iron Blood seemed to think so too; she pouted and nodded.
"Hmph, damn hag, we'll talk later!"
"Sure thing, auntie."
Our glares clashed in midair again.
Exaggerating a bit, you could almost hear a "zzzt!" sound effect.
"This damn hag to the end!"
"This wretched brat! You started it!"
As we started glaring and huffing again.
Lucius moved behind Iron Blood, grabbed her shoulder, and shook his head slightly.
"How about we stop...?"
"Tch... fine."
Iron Blood turned her head away with a pout like she was giving in.
I smirked at him.
In the end, it ended in my victory!
As I was celebrating alone.
Nameless came behind me, slipped his hands under my armpits, and hoisted me up.
"What! What is this! Put me down!"
I flailed my arms and twisted to escape Nameless.
Of course.
I held back just enough to convey my intent without hurting him if I misjudged my strength.
But unlike usual, when he'd let go right away from my tantrum.
This time, he kept holding me and spoke.
Each word from Nameless stabbed my heart like a dagger.
"Master, this is... a bit unsightly..."
"What kind of talk is that?!"
Hurt that Nameless wasn't taking my side, I went limp and sagged.
I'm the master... and that wretched brat was someone we met today...
Common sense said he should side with me, right?
...Nameless prefers that shorty brat over me?
I pouted.
I couldn't fathom why he wouldn't take my side.
Tears welled up from the grievance, but I held them back as best I could.
Crying here would shatter my master's dignity to the bottom.
I hiccuped nonstop and rubbed my eyes with my arms.
Naturally, my voice came out lower than even I expected.
"...Put me down."
"Master?"
"Making me say it twice?"
Nameless set me down silently.
As my feet finally touched the ground, a strange relief washed over me.
I spun and kicked hard at Nameless's shin.
"Urk!"
"You idiot disciple!"
I watched him clutch his shin and collapse with a worried glance, then steeled myself and bolted out of the parlor, running.
Right now, I just wanted to be alone.
"Master!"
I plugged my ears and ignored Nameless's voice from behind.
...
-Heavenly Nameless
As Master bolted from the parlor, a heavy silence fell over the room.
Lucius spoke first.
"Shouldn't we chase after her?"
"Mr. Nameless... please go after her."
I couldn't respond to them.
Master, hurt because of me...
Was it okay for me to chase her?
What if she didn't want to see me?
And if, just if.
A horrific what-if I hated imagining.
If I chased her and she pushed me away...
Ominous thoughts flooded my mind one after another.
I slumped to the floor, lost in a daze for a while.
Then Iron Blood approached and planted her foot on my head.
My already frayed nerves made me furrow my brow immediately, my tone rougher than intended.
"What are you doing?"
I growled low, and Iron Blood, heel on my head, snorted once before speaking.
"Tch... Hey, pathetic trash."
"...What."
"I get that losers have trash mindsets."
Iron Blood snorted again and continued.
"Staying in the same space as you might infect me with your patheticness?"
"..."
"Got it? Now scram."
With that, she removed her foot from my head and lounged back in her seat.
I stood up.
"Thank you."
I bowed once to Iron Blood, the Hero, and the Saintess, then left the parlor.
...
"Master! Where are you?!"
I ran through the castle corridors, shouting.
Glancing out a window, the sun was setting, darkness creeping in.
But.
Until this time, I hadn't found Master.
I gritted my teeth.
...It wasn't too late yet.
Ignoring my ragged breath, I kept sprinting down the halls.
By the time full darkness had fallen.
A man grabbed me as I ran.
"Hey!"
My mind frantic, annoyed at the interruption, I whipped my head around with a scowl.
There stood the old butler who'd guided us earlier, smiling kindly.
As Master said, I couldn't snap at someone who'd shown us kindness.
I cooled my heated head with heavy breaths and spoke.
"...What is it."
"Looking for Lady Heaven Cleaver?"
My eyes flashed at the butler's words.
I grabbed his arm and asked.
"Yes! Do you know where Master is?"
"Yes."
The butler smiled faintly and told me where she was. I bolted that way.
...
In the dark room, only the wall-mounted fireplace lit the space.
I walked slowly toward where Master should be, guided by the firelight.
Master lay on the bed.
Even the bed curtains hid her, showing only her silhouette faintly.
I spoke cautiously.
"Master..."
My voice dripped with guilt, sounding choked to anyone listening.
But no reply came, despite my plea.
Was she that angry...?
I knelt carefully before the bed.
I bowed my head low, though she couldn't see, out of respect.
"This unworthy disciple failed to understand Master's heart.
If you grant mercy just once,
I swear it won't happen again."
I slammed my forehead to the floor with a thud.
"Please."
How long did I kowtow?
Master wouldn't ignore me that coldly...
Sensing something off, I cooled my head and focused on the sounds around me.
Sniff—sniff—
Steady, even breathing.
...No way.
I shot up and yanked back the curtain hiding the bed.
—Swish
"...Master?"
My strength failed, and I nearly collapsed.
Master slept peacefully amid tangled bedding and clothes, her face utterly serene.
A chuckle escaped me.
"Ha, haha."
...What had I been worrying about?
I pitied myself for doubting Master.