Chapter 50
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Ordinary Daily Life Feels Strange (6)
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Time flows, and the moment arrives.
A circuit they've watched without a wink of sleep finally reaches completion. The mages' efforts shine brilliantly, filling their field of vision.
A gate just like the one Arsius had passed through.
I stand before it, staring blankly.
- Saintess, the gate is complete, but since we engraved the circuit in such a hurry, there might still be some issues. For now, the destination is set to the same place where the Hero returned.
The mage beside me continues his explanation. It's not intentional, but his words drift into my ears as I gaze at the gate.
"It's fine. Any problems will be mine to handle. Thank you for working without rest for a whole week."
- Not at all. We're not the type to forget a favor... We'll stand by and wait.
The mage withdraws from my side, and the Sword Saint steps in to fill the space.
"Saintess, you heading out now?"
His casual question carries no lightness at all. Beneath that offhand tone, brimming with concern for me, lies a depth of feeling.
"Yes, I have to. Won't you come with me, Sio? You want to see him, don't you—honestly?"
Your first disciple. Your first child. Arsius had claimed every part of that role. And because you hated parting with him, you'd stayed hidden until the very last moment of his departure.
"Hmm, Saintess. If it's because you don't want to go alone, then sure, I'll go."
"No, it's the opposite."
Being the one left behind feels so lonely.
"No, then maybe next time. I'll go someday. I've still got things to do here, you know."
The Sword Saint smiles wistfully and pats my shoulder. It's time to say goodbye now, he urges, giving my back a gentle push.
"Hurry up and pack your things, kid. I'll be waiting right here."
"Yes, it'll just take a moment. Not much to gather anyway—ten minutes tops."
I turn and head to the room where I've been staying. A rosary, the priestess robes I've worn on my journey, and some simple snacks should suffice.
But as I enter the room, intending a quick pack-up, an unexpected figure catches my eye.
"Karin...? What are you doing here?"
Karin, tidying my room and packing my belongings, looks up at me. Our eyes meet, and she smiles faintly before speaking.
"I'm your maid, after all. How could I, your personal attendant, not follow?"
"No, this isn't some trip to the neighboring country. There's no need for you to come. It could be dangerous."
"Hmm... It's been nearly a year since becoming your servant, and you're still so clumsy—it just doesn't sit right with me. Ahaha..."
Karin laughs awkwardly as she packs. Ignoring any objections, she gathers my things along with hers and heads outside.
"I'll carry the luggage and wait outside the door. Please change and come out."
Priestess robes and rosary laid neatly on the bed.
"Haa... I can never tell if I'm blessed or cursed with people like this."
Even with the emptiness all around me, their presence pierces through, one by one. I let out a soft chuckle and finish preparing.
The priestess robes felt strangely awkward after a full year. The pristine cleanliness, untainted by blood, struck me as odd. The realization that such stains were a thing of the past—no longer a mere fantasy—felt profoundly strange.
I step out through the door. Karin, waiting, bows to me, followed by a long line of knights who bow and clear the path ahead.
"You should've done this from the start..."
Doing it only after I've snapped always leaves me feeling unnecessarily guilty.
Following the path, the gate comes into view once more. Our reunion draws near.
The mages maintaining the gate bow toward me, and the emperor approaches hesitantly to speak.
- Saintess... Everything is ready. You may enter whenever you wish. And... I'm sorry.
"Yes. I hope you never pull anything like that again, even without me here. It wasn't a pretty sight."
I pass him by and face the gate.
"Sio."
"Yeah."
"See you later."
"... Go careful. If you see that Hero punk, give him a good punch."
"Of course. How could I forgive a husband who abandons his wife?"
I'll start by blasting his head with holy power.
"Then, farewell, everyone."
I hope we can meet again someday.
With those words, I step through the gate, Karin trotting eagerly behind me as we venture into the unknown.
Knowing that a reunion awaits in the end.
A smile blooms on my face.
A week had passed since that unexpected confession from Yuna. In response to her messages during that time, I'd brushed her off, saying she still lacked common sense.
Somehow, it all felt burdensome. Seeing her try to approach me again with renewed affection, only for it to stir up intense longing for Seren every time—none of it sat well with me.
Letting someone else into my inner circle felt like something I wanted to put off for now, so I'd spent the time avoiding meetings with Yuna.
If anything, it hadn't been a bad week. I'd binged on games I hadn't had time for amid all the busyness before, and I'd even grabbed drinks again with Jaehyun after our messy fallout.
On top of that, I'd gone camping with Sihyun, who was still on leave and glued to my side. All in all, it felt like a proper holiday.
Or so I'd thought.
The morning arrives once more, cool enough now without the AC to gently rouse me. Too lazy, Sihyun had set an alarm, which blares, and the firmly shut door bursts open.
"Oppa, time to get up. Lately, you never wake up before me? You were up super early when you first got back."
Sihyun sticks out her tongue with a "bleh" and heads back to the living room. The TV still on carries its sound into my room.
The habits ingrained in my body, the routines etched by years—they're meaningless in this peaceful world.
My once razor-sharp nerves have dulled without my noticing, and the eyes I'd kept peeled in the early dawn now close peacefully in sleep.
After thoroughly indulging in laziness, I reluctantly drag myself up at Sihyun's shouted command. I straighten the rumpled bedding and head to the bathroom.
Filling the tub to the brim, I sink in and let out a sigh amid the creeping satisfaction.
"Haaah... This is it today..."
- Oppa, quit your "this is it" crap every chance you get and come eat already.
"Just wanna soak for 30 minutes..."
- 15.
"That's harsh... Fine, I'll wash quick and come out~"
I ignore the receding footsteps and settle back comfortably.
No way it's only 30 minutes.
Lie there first, deal with the scolding later.
"I set the table and wait, and you dawdle like this? You happy?"
"Ungh... Buht noohdohs shohft..."
"The noodles are all bloated. You want me eating exploded noodles first thing in the morning?"
Ignoring the already bloated noodles, Sihyun just yanks on my cheeks.
"Ooh, delivery then?! Great idea~ Bibimbap aaagh!"
"Ugh, I can't stand you, you little shit! Eat it all yourself!"
I didn't expect her to smash my face into the noodle bowl, though. Ever since she learned how strong I am, the treatment's gotten rougher.
And so, we kick off the morning with a sloppy bowl of bloated noodles.
"Sihyun..."
"..."
"Wanna game?"
"..."
I sidle up carefully and try speaking softly, but she stays silent. Maybe because I've annoyed her too much lately, her lips are pursed in a pout as she stares at the TV.
"Sihyun, want me to recook the noodles?"
She'd already eaten, but her expression was pretty miffed about missing out on them.
"No. You're annoying, so don't talk to me."
"Wanna head out together? Anywhere you wanna go?"
Sihyun, unresponsive to everything else, twitches slightly.
"... Nah."
Oho, this is it.
"Eat out? Or buy whatever you want. I made good money."
"Nooo, I said it's fine..."
"Let's go shopping~ Wanna hit the department store together."
"Ugh, seriously... I'll go change, you change too. Dress nice."
"Yess~"
She heads to her room, unable to hide the smile tugging at her lips—looking downright cute.
I slip into my room and get dressed too. With autumn setting in and the chill arriving, I pull out the coat that's been hanging in the closet. Dressed neat enough—should be fine.
- Oppa! Hurry up! We're eating lunch out too.
How hyped do you have to be to change that fast?
I tidy up and step out. Sihyun, facing me, has thrown on a coat too—our outfits match unintentionally.
"Ooh... Not bad. Matching by accident. Seeing your fashion sense turn human is such a relief, seriously."
"Kinda harsh wording there."
"Whatever. Let's go! We can drive around today!"
Sihyun grabs my hand, her face beaming with excitement. That puppy-like eagerness makes it impossible to refuse as she drags me along.
We exit the front door and ride the elevator down. Even then, Sihyun's mouth doesn't stop.
"Oppa, anything you wanna do? What're we eating first?"
"I'll follow your lead."
"Nice attitude. So today, what I wanna do...?"
Her excited chatter cuts off as we step outside, her expression freezing.
"What's wrong? Something hap—oh, yeah, there she is."
We spot Yuna crouched at the building entrance, utterly dejected. Meeting those downcast eyes, Sihyun lets out a sigh.
"Haa... Hey, if you're just gonna squat there forever, might as well tag along with us."
The puppy had turned into an old hound in an instant.
The excitement on her face had already given way to thick worry and resentment.