Chapter 42
Chapter 42
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Securing the Test Subject - 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
When Evangeline heard that the Sage had entered the Elf Forest, a chill ran through her entire body. It was inevitable.
No one knew better than her what elves were like and how they treated other races.
No. She couldn't let that happen.
Hyunwoo had already suffered so many wounds. The thought of what kind of treatment he might receive among the elves meant she absolutely could not let him go alone.
Hyunwoo was someone who endured everything on his own. No matter how noble his actions, those who couldn't understand would hurt him mercilessly.
Someone had to stop that, and when it came to the Elf Forest, that someone had to be her.
At the very least, as an elf herself—and one whose name had risen high as a member of the Hero's Party—she could prevent it.
"Let's hurry. Okay?"
"We're almost there now. So just wait a bit."
Ever since arriving in the capital and hearing news of Hyunwoo, Evangeline had been urging Claire on with extreme anxiety every day. Claire felt the same unease, of course.
She knew what kind of person Hyunwoo was.
He had gone to the Elf Forest to save the elves from the plague, and she knew he might face unfair treatment from them.
And, just like he had with them, he would silently endure that unfairness alone without complaint.
But they couldn't move yet. The church's support hadn't arrived.
"...Tch. Why is the church taking so damn long?"
Claire chewed on her lip. Wouldn't it be better to send the kingdom's alchemists ahead first and then turn back? Yeah. Let's do that. Even if sending a large group was difficult, it was still better than letting Hyunwoo suffer.
Just as Claire thought that and stood up, the door burst open.
"The church's support has arrived!"
"Leventia!"
"Why the hell is the church so late?!"
"Seems like the lords in each territory were blocking the movement of so many priests and holy knights."
"Leventia. Didn't you request it? To minimize their inspections!"
"Even the royal family requested it...?"
"Hmm. Local nobles are all like that."
No matter how much it was the church, no lord would happily allow such a large, powerful group to enter their territory or use their roads.
Especially those who prioritized their own safety. What if they let them through and the group allied with other territories to attack them? It was a ridiculous fear, but that was it.
She had seen countless lords like that—obsessed with self-preservation, fearing rebellion or attack—during the journey to defeat the Demon King.
And she knew that without Hyunwoo, their own journey might have faced significant interference from such people.
The three of them unknowingly recalled the past.
How comfortably they had moved thanks to him.
How much help they had received from him.
"...Let's go."
"Yeah..."
"Hyunwoo's waiting..."
Breaking the silence, Claire led the way. Leventia and Evangeline grabbed their gear and headed out. The kingdom's support was already waiting as well.
"...Princess. The church's support has entered the capital."
"Yes. I heard. They're too late."
As Lucille gave her short reply to Claire's report, the castle gates opened. Leading the priests and holy knights was a woman in black priestly robes.
It was Cardinal Veronica, who commanded the Heresy Inquisitors.
Lucille, who had already known she was coming, let out a small sigh.
A person more dangerous than the Hero's Party right beside her—a woman who claimed to be the sole disciple and close friend of the one great figure she revered.
But Lucille could tell.
Her instincts said Veronica wouldn't be satisfied with that.
Behind that stoic expression lay something not befitting a priest who should live chastely, renouncing desire—something deeply sinister and sticky.
"You're late, Cardinal Veronica."
"Yes. The kingdom's nobles kept blocking the roads. Didn't you request their cooperation?"
"I requested it personally."
As Lucille stepped forward, Veronica gave a wry smile.
"I see... The princess herself..."
"Maybe they sensed the danger of the one leading the support...?"
"Or perhaps they realized the princess's urging wasn't solely to stop the plague."
The atmosphere grew tense. The two beauties exchanged glances, then shook their heads.
This wasn't the time for a staring contest.
What kind of people were the elves? They might be persecuting Hyunwoo simply for being human.
They needed to move as fast as possible.
"Hero."
"Hero. Open the portal."
"Yes. Right away."
Claire gripped the Hero's Sword, and in that instant, a massive portal formed in the air. It was a vast blue dimensional gate large enough for plenty of reinforcements. Claire exhaled deeply.
"Let's go."
The moment they entered the Elf Forest, Evangeline heard from other elves about Hyunwoo and gritted her teeth.
As expected, Hyunwoo was being mistreated by the elves.
Of course, thanks to his sociable personality and exceptional skills, he had earned recognition from some alchemists and a few elves.
Even so, the overall atmosphere in the Elf Forest toward him was negative.
It was unbearably heartbreaking, and it hurt her chest unbearably.
And when she heard he was still cooperating with the elves on plague treatment research despite this, it was just like him.
Hyunwoo was a good man.
Incredibly good, living for others rather than himself.
He moved with the belief that a selfless life was his mission—a saint straight out of a fairy tale, honorable beyond measure.
Learning more about him like this filled Evangeline with intense pain from self-loathing and disgust at how she had insulted, mocked, and demeaned such a man.
"Let's go."
"...Yeah."
Watching Claire, Lucille, and Veronica head ahead to meet Hyunwoo, Evangeline nodded.
She still couldn't face him directly. If she could just catch a glimpse of his face from afar, that would be enough.
So instead of entering the building like them to greet him, she peeked at him from outside.
"...Someday. Will there be a day I can face Hyunwoo?"
She wanted to rush in and apologize right now.
She wanted to rush in and tell him right now.
But as pain gripped her heart at the knowledge she couldn't, Evangeline murmured. Leventia let out a heavy sigh.
She didn't know.
But she knew she couldn't stop.
"Still... is this really okay?"
While Hyunwoo worked on plague treatment research, the Healing Tree Tribe was preparing a Great Holy Spell.
If the Great Holy Spell from the Healing Tree Tribe cured the plague, all of Hyunwoo's efforts would be for nothing.
How heartbreaking would it be if, despite all his hard work, he received no reward again?
Just like how he made the greatest contribution in defeating the Demon King but received no recognition.
"...But... everything Hyunwoo does is right..."
If it could be solved with the Great Holy Spell, he would have led it himself.
Since that didn't work, wasn't that why he came here personally to make the cure?
Evangeline murmured softly, clenching her fists.
She hoped, at least this time, Hyunwoo would receive reward for his labors.
It was then.
Someone came running desperately from afar.
Dark blonde hair, luxurious priestly robes.
A mature, beautiful elf woman.
But her expression didn't match her attire or aura.
Tears, worry, regret, pain.
Wrapped in all sorts of negative emotions.
Leventia gripped her weapon as the woman approached, her face so grim it raised alarms. What could have happened?
If she meant harm to Hyunwoo...
"...Tribe Chief Suhwi?"
The chief of the Healing Tree Tribe.
Mother of Saintess Seongya and a powerful priestess herself—why was she running toward them in such a state?
Evangeline, who had once clashed with her over the plague treatment, felt unease and gripped her bow. If, if she meant to attack him, tribe chief or not...
"Something's... off."
But Suhwi didn't even glance at them. She just rushed desperately into the lab.
Puzzled, the two peeked through the window—and a heartbroken cry echoed from inside.
"Please... p-please... save my daughter..."
"....."
"...."
It seemed even Saintess Seongya had caught the plague.
She had been so confident, pressuring Hyunwoo that the Great Holy Spell would cure it.
In the end, things had turned out exactly as Hyunwoo said.
"...Hyunwoo..."
Through the window, Evangeline watched Hyunwoo. Just seeing him made her chest ache, longing surging within.
A man with a stern face, but warmer and more selfless than anyone in the world.
He looked at the woman who had pressured and insulted him.
"...Ah."
Then slowly helped her to her feet.
As if the pressure and insults meant nothing.
So naturally. As if it were his role. He lifted Suhwi up.
Just like when they suffered in the battle against the Demon King, and he saved them.
He extended his hand to save even her.
At that sight, shame overwhelmed Evangeline; she couldn't even look at Hyunwoo.
You try to save even those who tormented you, as if it's the most natural thing.
To such a you.
What.
Have I done?
Unable to bear it, Evangeline glanced at Leventia, who was in the same boat. Her beautiful face was contorted too.
Regret, pain, self-reproach.
Self-contempt and admiration for him.
Leventia’s twisted expression, sticky with emotions, must mirror her own.
It was so ugly that Evangeline reached for the dagger at her waist.
To erase these feelings, to hide this pain, she needed to hurt herself quickly.
Then the door burst open.
Out came Suhwi. And...
"...Ahh..."
A sweet fragrance wafted.
Don't see me like this, so ugly.
A nostalgic scent.
But if possible, take in even a little of me in your eyes.
As the approaching man drew near, his scent drifting, Evangeline let out a low moan.
Did he hear it? Or had he already noticed?
His dark eyes met hers.
Empty-seeming, yet deep enough to embrace countless things.
- Thump.
Evangeline felt the urge to fall into them.
But.
To her regret, Hyunwoo turned away indifferently and ran off with Suhwi.
As if saying there was no longer a place for her there.
Author's Note
Hello, this is Malmulmalmul.
The holiday's over ㅠㅠ Monday again... Let's all cheer up!