Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: A Place You Shouldn't Enter - 1
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"Right? It can't be that, right?"
Claire visibly panicked before relaxing, and only then did Veronica smile.
"Hey. So why did a rumor like this even start? Who spread it?"
"I heard it from Roben."
"I heard it from Rutylka."
"I heard it from Wilkers."
"I heard it from Sister Iste."
"I heard it from Rakshil..."
At this rate, it'll never end. Best to just ignore it, and it'll die down on its own.
There's that saying about rumors being like a gold-eating bug.
"Could it be the princess who started it?"
What's she lacking that she'd do that?
It was just a rumor that spread because the princess directly commissioned adventurers, but if left alone, it'll fade quickly.
Still, just in case, maybe track down the source.
"Hey. When you guys head back, find the idiot who started this useless nonsense and let me know."
"Sure thing."
Lark, who was chewing on meat, accepted my request. Around the time I handed him a commission form, General Leoden approached with a drink in hand.
"You adventurers really came through. Even if it was the princess's commission... you fought impressively."
"Aw, it was nothing."
"We just take the money and do the job, no need to worry."
"In that case... any thoughts on staying with the battlefield?"
"Nope."
The adventurers flatly refused, and General Leoden let out a disappointed sigh.
"But honestly, the battlefield here is fine as is, right? You've got the hero's party right there, the kingdom's army is holding strong, and unless something major happens, you could hold without adventurers. Or just call the Sage when needed? We commission the Sage ourselves when something comes up. Right, Sage? The Sage always takes adventurer guild requests right away? He seems busy now, but he comes when called!"
That's because most guild requests are achievement-related.
He mostly ignores personal commissions or dungeon explorations.
Wilkers, oblivious, sparkled with excitement and launched into his usual chatter, while General Leoden eyed me and frowned.
"I've requested his participation in battles so many times, and he's ignored every one."
That's because battles give no disciple achievements. Even if they're short on forces, with Claire, Leventia, and Evangeline there, it'll be fine.
I glanced at Claire, brimming with expectation, then averted my eyes. In one corner, Leventia and Evangeline glared at me murderously.
Their ears perked up, focused intently on us.
"He'll come if requested?"
"No way."
Am I crazy?
"Then what about a church request?"
Veronica brightened in contrast to Claire's gloom and tugged lightly at my robe hem. Meeting her expectant, sparkling eyes, I nodded.
"Of course."
There are still church achievements left to claim.
***
After the party ended, Claire returned to her tent and sat down.
How on earth could she repair her relationship with Hyunwoo?
She racked her brains, rubbing her face, but no answers came.
Just a growing despair that it might be impossible now.
'And... on top of that...'
Hyunwoo was forming new bonds.
Lucille.
His disciple and the kingdom's princess.
A noble girl with a slightly gloomy side, but one growing lovelier alongside Hyunwoo.
Claire knew Lucille's feelings for him went beyond mere respect for her master.
Probably.
"...It's... affection."
She recalled the adventurers' chatter from the party.
The princess, always too scared to leave the palace, went to the adventurer guild herself for a commission?
That took real courage on her part.
She'd only been the Sage's disciple for a short time, yet she was changing.
Hyunwoo was drawing out the girl who'd been locked inside herself for so long.
Rumors like that were inevitable, really.
Even if the exaggerated tales that followed were another story.
-Flutter.
Lost in thought, Claire looked up at the sound of the tent flap opening. In came Leventia, her face rigidly set. The knight regarded Claire sadly before sitting.
"...I'm sorry."
"H-Huh?"
"...Sorry. I'm so sorry... truly..."
Ever since Hyunwoo left, Leventia's words to Claire were mostly apologies. Her jealousy and inferiority complex had spawned ugly actions that caused all this mess.
"...I'm sorry... I have nothing to say to you."
"...No. I was wrong too... Where's Eva?"
"She said she wanted to be alone in her tent..."
Leventia, who had been with Evangeline earlier, knew what Hyunwoo had said among the adventurers.
That he had no reason to come to the battlefield.
That meant he had no more interest in them, a massive blow to Evangeline.
The reason for wanting to be alone was obvious.
Her elven pride and despair creating a rift she couldn't endure, drawing her back into herself.
Even knowing it was a fleeting, sweet poison.
"...What should we do?"
"......"
Leventia had no words for Claire's sudden outburst.
She'd racked her brains countless times for ways to apologize to Hyunwoo, to earn forgiveness, and gone to him.
But failed every time.
"What... did Hyunwoo say?"
"That the relationship is over..."
Claire's relayed words stabbed Leventia like a dagger. Unlike Evangeline, she couldn't escape into denial; she just bit her lip until it bled.
Yeah. The relationship is over.
But.
"...N-No. I hate that."
Realizing a life without the Sage terrified her, like being abandoned in darkness.
Even her thick, sturdy armor couldn't shield her from that fear—her only light was the Sage, Hyunwoo.
"Ah... sob... ugh... hic... sob..."
Why did she do it?
Why envy him?
Why couldn't she be honest?
The strong knight Leventia wept like a frightened girl, tears streaming. Claire gently embraced her.
Because she was in the same boat, the same situation.
So she had to comfort Leventia.
Like wounded animals licking each other's sores.
But it was ultimately meaningless, like drinking seawater.
The only one who could heal those wounds was elsewhere.
"Ugh... hng... haaa... hehe... Foolish human. You've come again...?"
Alone in her tent, lost in delusion, Evangeline smiled. A delusion to escape the massive wound of her guilt.
Lying on the tent bed, she gazed at the man standing beside her.
Foolish human.
Oblivious human.
But one she'd been so proud of.
Her eyes softened as she stared at the endearing human male worthy of honorary elf status.
Ignoring the red wine spilling from bottles on the floor, Evangeline reached out.
"Come here. I'll hold your hand..."
But the illusory figure in her delusion just smiled warmly, refusing to take her hand.
The fantasy that always comforted her felt different now.
"Ah... aaa... uuu... waa..."
She knew why.
She'd seen the Sage in person these past few days.
Seen him alive, vibrant, breathing.
The gap between reality and delusion shattered her defenses instantly.
"Sob... hic... sob... Fool... foolish human... sob..."
Fool?
She was the fool.
What made her so arrogant? What gave her the right to scorn him?
Rising disgust and self-loathing for elves surged, and Evangeline frantically grabbed her dagger.
And.
-Rip.
She wounded her already shortened ear again.
The more her long ears—elf pride and proof—tore, the stronger the pain, the fainter her guilt.
This was punishment.
For her stupid, pathetic self.
"Ah... uuu... ahh..."
"What are you doing?"
Then the tent flap opened. Evangeline blankly looked over. There stood a silver-haired priestess.
Veronica.
"...You... why...?"
"Evangeline. I was asked to heal you."
"No... need..."
"I don't really want to heal you either."
It was sincere.
Why heal someone who'd treated the Sage that way?
She only came because she couldn't keep refusing General Leoden's pleas.
Veronica didn't hide her irritation. Evangeline shot her a venomous glare, and Veronica returned it.
Veronica returned after forcibly treating Evangeline, her expression sour.
The hero party's state was dire.
The hero had lost her courage, the stalwart knight despaired, the proud elf discarded her pride.
Having seen them all, Veronica couldn't help but worry.
Dangerous.
This was dangerous.
She bit her lip lightly, watching Hyunwoo bustle amid the lively crowd.
The key figure in resolving this incident, who'd done the most work, yet he didn't rest.
Joining where hands were needed, drinking with people, playing lute or cracking jokes to cheer the weary.
Gathering folks for a card game called Duel to liven things up.
"Whew..."
He was always like that. Helping the weak, aiding the struggling.
Taking on jobs others avoided, maintaining good relations regardless of status.
Wherever he was, it was bustling and vibrant.
Like he carried brightness with him.
If such a Hyunwoo faced the hero party's despair and darkness... what would happen?
Wouldn't he ache for them and extend a hand?
Like he had in Baek Eun Village.
"...That can't happen."
He's not one seeking reward.
But even so, asking him to save those who'd hurt him was too cruel.
Veronica couldn't accept that.
To judge heretics required a steely heart.
Sometimes, no blood or tears.
She believed she had that.
So, for someone soft-hearted like the Sage...
"...Someone strong like me... has to protect him."
Veronica clenched her fist.
Vowing no one would use the Sage.
Believing he could only find peace by her side.
Author's Note
Hello! Malmoomalmoo here!
It's Friday already—how was your week?
Hope you enjoyed today's chapter and have a great Friday night!
See you tomorrow~