Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Ordinary Daily Life is Strange (3)
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The journey begins.
In early winter, at the onset of that biting season, people huddled tightly in their coats. Amidst them, all one could see were those facing each other.
The empire's knights who had escorted us stood in formation, and the emperor emerged barefoot to greet us. He bowed his head on the very path we had to tread.
It was a thorny road demanding even the emperor—who had always held his head high—to lower it. Thrusting us young ones, untasted by the world's bitterness, into the jaws of death.
Willingly, he bowed that heavy head low and offered prayers for us.
With the departure ceremony concluded, everyone gathered their belongings and boarded the carriages.
What they packed was merely their weapons to wield ahead and a bit of seed money. Since this wasn't a vacation, they kept unnecessary items to a minimum.
Now aboard the carriages, outside stretched a procession of imperial citizens.
Even for these plain carriages—unadorned with splendor or crests—each one recognized us and bowed their heads.
Implanting expectation, or rather, a burden. Those eyes brimming with admiration fueled our resolve. Yet they carried worry too.
Such were the emotions readable in their gazes.
"Arsius, no need to stare so piercingly. Whether they wish it or not, our task remains unchanged."
Seren, swiftly claiming the seat beside me, flashed a saintly smile.
"Seren, aren't you pretending to be too mature for your age?"
Smack—
"Rude words. Thoughtless words."
"No, but hitting me isn't right either... Won't you lower your hand...? Seren, why'd you only learn weird stuff from Sio?"
"The Sword Saint said this works best when Arsius spouts nonsense. And it seems true~"
- Then~ it must be true. Heroes talk a lot of nonsense and get smacked.
"Sio, shut it."
Smack—
"No...! Seren, Sio said rude stuff first! Why hit only me...?"
"The Sword Saint's already a lost cause. You can't grow up like that, so I need to keep an eye on you from now on."
Wow, saying it right to his face?
- Hey, Saintess...? I'm here too? I'm 35, you know...?
Even Sio stared at Seren in shock. He couldn't hurl insults like he did at me, his flailing hands almost comical.
"Seren's the best after all. I like Seren most."
"Ahh...! I like Arsius most too...."
Seren blushed at my words. Lately, any compliment set her off like this—I had to watch my words.
"Not that kind of like... No, don't raise your hand!"
Violence from the journey's start left me merely tearing up.
A now-cool season.
The vast sky, cloudless, bathed the earth in light, while park trees donned autumn hues to greet passersby. Chirping birds overhead whispered of the changing days.
People on the streets bundled up slightly, their summer-furrowed brows now blooming into smiles of contentment.
Autumn had begun.
"Oppa, come eat already!"
As I lounged sprawled in my room, savoring rest, Sihyun burst in yelling.
"Nngh~"
I dragged myself from bed and headed to the living room. The table overflowed with my favorites—enough to make me wonder if I could finish it all.
"Sihyun, seriously...? We can't eat all this."
"So what? Eat as much as you want. Sit and dig in!"
Sihyun pulled me to a chair. Pleased by my compliant seating, she grinned and sat opposite, starting her meal.
"Um... Sihyun. Don't you have work...?"
"Yeah, but it's fine. After ten years without a vacation, they can't complain about a few months off."
Her firm reply choked me up—food just chewed endlessly in my mouth.
A week had passed since my gate injury. Enough time for full recovery; I felt vibrant, pain-free.
In other words, time to do whatever I pleased.
Sihyun, who bawled at the hospital, wept rivers at home too. Her eyes shook like she'd held back in public; her hands wouldn't stay still.
She even filed indefinite leave with the Association to stick by me.
I'd spent the week grooming her earnestly, soothing her heart—yet she wouldn't detach.
Save bathroom breaks, she clung constantly. Meals, TV, games, even sleep—she'd bring her pillow to my room and claim the spot beside me.
- Sihyun, aren't we too old for siblings sharing a bed...?
Such protests met:
- Not weird. Lie down quick. Before I handcuff you.
Nothing but trouble.
"Oppa, not eating? What're you doing?"
Lost in thought, her voice pulled me back. Those sparkling eyes fixed on me—I shoved in some meat first.
"I'm not forcing you, idiot! I just asked!"
"Uh, eatin...?"
"Finish first, then talk...."
I swallowed the mouthful and continued.
"Thought you meant eat more, obviously. Just thinking~"
"About what? Not meeting Yuna or hunting, right?"
"Not that, but even if I did, no gates."
"No. Stay away for now. Still mad thinking she got you hurt."
"Wasn't really her fault though... "
"...Oppa."
Her icy tone cut through my rebuttals, eyes terrifying despite her being my sister.
"Nope. No plans to meet."
I tucked tail immediately, feigning obedience while devouring food. No crime in rice, especially tasty stuff.
[Yuna]: Siu. Can't meet today either...? I miss you.
Of all timings, why now?
Cold sweat beaded my forehead; my gaze crept up to Sihyun.
"... "
Our eyes met. Silent stare-down.
"No. Won't meet. Yeah."
I broke the silence firmly. Monsters I could beat; sisters, no.
"Haa...."
Sihyun sighed, then continued.
"Fine. If you wanna meet, go."
"Eh...? For real...?"
"Yeah. But no gates. No Luna Guild. Meet somewhere normal and hang out."
"I can go out...?"
"Yeah.... Be careful. Call if late; I'll pick you up."
I eyed Sihyun cautiously, pondering. Genuine permission, or a 'try it and see' warning?
I'd honed people-reading, broadened horizons, but women's words still baffled. Even in Pretoria, it earned me flak; some things stayed tricky.
"Then I'm heading out!"
Still, I bolted. A week grounded— Yuna or not.
The outside world after so long dazzled beyond window glimpses.
Park strollers, crossing cars, even exhaust I'd deemed acrid—all shone brightly to me.
"This is life...."
Nearly died cooped up a week.
Better buy flowers on return, just in case. Pretty gesture might lift the ban.
Savoring freedom, eyes closed, deep breaths—then footsteps rushed up.
The presence closed in, poof—crashing into my arms like a hug. Nuzzling my chest: Yuna.
"What're you doing...?"
Long time no see, yet this? She'd never before; post-S-rank gate, her behavior shifted.
"Dunno...."
"Don't know, then let go. You're making me hot."
"No way. Hate that...."
She looped arms tighter, shaking her head.
What's with her...?
Hmm, like an abandoned puppy, maybe.
Helpless, I just stroked her—ears red, no hiding it.