Chapter 39

“Quickly, quickly, let’s get moving! We gotta head back before the sun sets! Or what? Shall we just set off while starving?”

Early Morning As Soon As The Sun Rose.

Amidst the morning mist clouding the surroundings, a man clad in a full suit of armor with a black sheen shook out his dark bob haircut and trudged through the foul ground, stamping his steel boots as if imprinting seals.

He briskly patrolled the small campsite, making eye contact with each soldier one by one while exchanging greetings to confirm the headcount.

Though the soldiers groaned dramatically at the sight of him, the man simply smiled wryly to dismiss their exaggerated complaints.

“Hey there, Lady Alesia? What exactly are you doing right now?”

“What? Why?”

Nearby, about several dozen steps away from the camp.

The man questioned someone leaning against a tree, cradling another figure in her arms.

In response, the bulky woman narrowed her crimson eyes defiantly and nodded her head.

Her long red hair swayed slightly like a mane as she did so.

The man asked again.

“Why are you hugging some random kid so strictly? Surely… you couldn’t hold back again, could you?”

“Luke? Are you still half-asleep? What nonsense is this? I was just comforting young Ruel since he seemed to be having nightmares. It’s my duty as an older sister and a priestess to stabilize him. Can’t you see that?”

“And yet, why don’t you confess openly about fulfilling your personal desires? How can you call yourself a holy maiden?”

“Ah, did I become a saint because I wanted to? No way. Everyone around me went crazy and pushed me into it without any choice. Besides, your suspicious eyes and overly imaginative mind seem to be rusted, not mine.”

“Hmph… Your words leave me speechless despite having a mouth. Could you share even half of that shamelessness with me?”

Then, the man turned to the squirming boy in her embrace and asked.

“Ruel. How about it? Did you sleep well last night?”

“…Yes. Thanks to your care.”

The raven-haired boy calmly replied while catching his breath after wriggling free from her arms.

Seeing his drowsy state, the man exchanged a knowing glance with the boy’s pumpkin-hued irises and flashed a sly smile.

“Did this unholy holy maiden do anything fishy? Like touching or fondling you here and there… You know…”

“Fishy deeds?! How dare such a blasphemous fellow exist under the heavens!”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion, so please keep quiet.”

Despite their constant bickering, no real hostility lingered between them.

It felt more like watching two old friends who’ve known each other for ten years.

As the man left with a parting warning,

the woman stood up too.

“If you’re tired, come tell your older sister. I’ll always be here to give you a hug.”

“T-Thank you for your kind words.”

“Not just words, but sincere feelings. Yet you still keep resisting after tasting the bliss of my happiness bag?”

“Happiness bag?”

When the boy, Carriel, widened his eyes in surprise,

“This thing. This right here.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, accentuating the prominent bulge beneath her clothes.

“Since it brings men joy, it’s called the happiness bag. Whether you see it or touch it, everyone ends up happy. All you need to do is endure a little discomfort on my shoulders, and we all reach a blissful conclusion. Sounds right, doesn’t it?”

“…”

How should he respond to this?

For Carriel, this was an entirely unfamiliar category of people, especially coming from a woman who approached him so casually and familiarly without any conditions.

“But shouldn’t a holy maiden act more proper?”

“Who says?”

“Eh…?”

“If I’ve sinned, wouldn’t the heavens punish me? But they haven’t, right? Know why?”

“No idea…”

Carriel hesitantly answered.

The woman grinned brightly and explained.

“It’s because my accumulated virtues outweigh my sins. That’s why.”

“…”

“Otherwise, I’d have been struck by lightning in my sleep, right? But I haven’t been, meaning I’m doing great! Otherwise, why would I go through all this madness? I’d already quit being a saint and settled down with a husband ages ago if I could. At my age, I should have four or five kids already! What am I even doing here?!”

“…”

“How about it? Want to live together with me? Your face fits my taste perfectly!”

“H-Ha ha…”

“Why do you treat my serious offer as a joke? Is it because of this atmosphere? Huh?!”

…Whether it was a joke or a blatant flirtation, Carriel felt somewhat confused.

Yet, in front of such overwhelming kindness and positivity, Carriel’s gloominess melted away effortlessly.

“Anyway, let’s grab a bite and head out, right? Let’s go.”

Following her lead, they reached the campsite which was being packed up.

A large pot filled with various ingredients hastily thrown together sat there, but it sufficed to fill their stomachs and warm their insides.

“Eat up! You’re still growing, aren’t you? If you eat too little, girls won’t like you! Eating more brings both luck and strength. There was even a prince from some country who nearly lost his inheritance rights because he couldn’t eat properly as the eldest son! Haven’t you heard that story?”

“…”

Though similar teasing had been heard before in Rutania, hearing it from her made Carriel feel oddly warm inside.

The difference between malice and goodwill.

Even the same words could feel like mockery or considerate care depending on this tiny difference.

By the time breakfast ended, the campsite cleanup was complete.

One of the soldiers feeding the horses took care of everything.

“Aww, what a cute fella. So affectionate too.”

“Is he?”

The young soldier spoke as if having plenty of experience.

“More suited for riding than military use. His patience is commendable, and he listens well to commands, indicating good training. His coat is also well-maintained.”

“Is he noble-born?”

“…”

Carriel silently nodded.

“Still, adapting him to pulling carts or carriages will require some effort. Carrying one person is fine, but heavier loads might be challenging for him since he’s not accustomed to it.”

“Don’t most people overlook such details?”

“Those uninterested do. If you view horses as tools like carts instead of companions, then yes.”

“…”

Regardless of its origin, this statement gave Carriel much to ponder.

“Alright, let’s get going! Don’t think about arriving home after sunset! Let’s make it before the sun goes down!”

“Let’s take it easy, Master!”

“The nighttime scenery isn’t bad either, right?”

“Combining night patrols with our journey would be quite beneficial, wouldn’t it?”

“Cut the nonsense! Let’s move out!”

As Luke mounted his horse and donned his helmet, he looked every bit the perfect knight.

His black steed complemented him splendidly, forming an impressive pair.

Meanwhile, the carriage started moving, and the so-called holy maiden added chainmail over her clothing followed by a white robe bearing the golden cross pattern.

With additional metal armor covering her limbs, she was fully armored from head to toe.

A mace hung from her back, a shield rested on one arm, and a single-handed arming sword hung at her waist.

Apart from her delicate features and impressively voluptuous chest, she appeared every inch a warrior.

“…”

During the journey, seeking to use the time meaningfully,

Carriel picked up his lyre.

Besides practice, he aimed to entertain those traveling alongside him and alleviate boredom.

“Did you see my dream?”

-What dream?

Carriel asked about the dream he had earlier.

-Ah, that was you? There was this pale thing staring at me annoyingly, so I told it off once.

“…Then what was that thing fighting you?”

-The one clinging onto you.

“….What?”

-It started causing trouble right after we left Rutania. I was planning to tell you eventually anyway.

“…Could you explain further?”

-Want me to do it for you?

The golden girl giggled mischievously.

Despite her playful demeanor now, …

-Recall everything unusual that happened after leaving Rutania.

“…”

While plucking the lyre strings on his swaying horse, Carriel fell into deep thought.

First…

Pain resembling seizures.

Unfamiliar things kept surfacing in his mind.

‘Sounds were heard too.’

And more…

“Didn’t you mention something attaching itself earlier?”

-That’s right.

“Then is this some different kind of curse?”

At the academy, he learned that curses come in various types: some targeting specific individuals, others spreading contagiously to surrounding areas.

-So you’re wondering why nothing happened inside Rutania but everything went haywire outside, right?

“…Exactly.”

Lately, this issue had been keeping him awake.

Though escaping brought peace of mind, recurring dreams of Ruelda grabbing him, Partyna, Ellie, Sylas following him, or Era waiting wherever he went…

Especially when Era appeared, he felt an intense heat surge through him.

Going further, dreaming of Alesius leading troops to kill him…

Oddly enough, that wasn’t unpleasant.

It felt like Alesius willingly provided a legitimate opportunity for retaliation, making it rather welcome.

Just before plunging his sword into Alesius’ heart, he suddenly wondered if it was right…

At that moment, he experienced two emotions.

One was immense regret for not finishing it.

…The other was self-loathing for feeling absolutely no guilt or remorse while happily slaughtering Alesius and everyone around him.

However.

Above all, the most troubling aspect remained…

…Mother.

Whenever she appeared in his dreams, his vision alternated between blinding white and pitch-black darkness.

Pure despair incarnate.

Waking up drenched in sweat became routine.

And the first, most frequent person reaching out to him in dreams…

Naturally, it was Mother.

-Do you think someone is driving you away?

“…I assume so, but I don’t think that’s the case.”

-Then?

“What if they’re calling me instead?”

-Evidence?

“…Vaguely, but I hear it.”

A voice pleading for rescue.

-And your conclusion?

“…I don’t know yet.”

-Come on, did you seriously think some curse made everyone hate you? That all your dark emotions stem from brainwashing or mind control?

“…Is that even possible?”

-Possibly, but highly inefficient resource usage.

Unless there’s someone with a reason to do so, it might be feasible.

-How many miraculous magic or curses like that exist anyway?

“Do you not know?”

-I do?

“…”

-But it’s irrelevant.

Meaning, shift your perspective.

-Isn’t it far more likely that someone with reasons to hate creates opportunities for hatred rather than what you guessed earlier?

“…Complicated explanation.”

-Why? Do you want to believe that all the hatred directed at you stems from such pleasant curses? That your dark feelings result from hypnosis or brainwashing? Is that what you wish to think?

“…”

-Dream on.

The Demon King snorted dismissively as if exasperated.

-You’re still struggling to find excuses to forgive, aren’t you? Feeling sorry while deeply resenting simultaneously, huh?

“…”

Even while breaking apart himself, prioritizing empathy for others seemed like an odd mindset.

Now that there’s some leisure, starting to defend others absurdly.

Why does this kid struggle so much with self-justification and excuses yet remain so soft towards others?

‘Then again, he’s not entirely lacking…’

It was just yesterday.

This very boy mercilessly slaughtered demons without hesitation.

Fearless of swords and spears.

Paradoxically calm when everyone else should naturally fear.

Training him intensely didn’t seem responsible for his rapid adaptation, surpassing expectations.

Dreams may feel realistic, but they’re still dreams after all.

Considering his current consciousness and physical body’s imbalance and disharmony, how does he manage?

-Let me clarify something for you. Such a curse you hoped for is extremely rare even in ancient times. If anyone could perform it now, it’d be better classified as divine punishment rather than a mere curse.

“Divine punishment?”

-It’s more plausible to say a god harboring ill will twisted your karma intentionally.

So…

-Wake up. While the trigger might involve the essence within you, it’s not the fundamental reason why they treated you that way.

Meaning, the gist is this.

-You simply ended up in situations where you deserved what you got. Without that essence’s influence, things might not have been worse than now. However, they probably wouldn’t have improved much either. That’s my conclusion.

Suddenly.

Ting!

The lyre string he was plucking snapped.

“That’s… true.”

-Wistfulness already kicking in? Wake up. What about your previous determination? Are you still too young, with overly sensitive emotions? Envious! If only I could yearn for something, life would be much merrier.

“…”

Ultimately.

Their displayed animosity towards him…

Wasn’t due to any transcendent intent or magical product of malevolence.

Simply, their genuine…

No, wait a moment.

“…Are you lying to me?”

-Wanna make a contract? What can you offer?

“…”

Carriel began replacing the broken string.

Of course.

Though the Demon King mixed truth with falsehood,

it wasn’t entirely incorrect either.

-As I’ve mentioned before, I perceive this world partially through your limited senses. Thus, most of what I know remains speculative. Mistakes are entirely possible.

Such preemptive disclaimers prevent any arguments anyway.

After all, her ultimate trump card has always been “I don’t know!”

“Phew…”

-Stop overthinking and focus on one thing.

Retrieve Grandeous’ legacy, Elbat, and optimize both your consciousness and body.

-If you plan to return within 100 days, time is extremely tight.

“…Or maybe stretch it to a year.”

When writing letters, his mindset wasn’t like this.

However,

Ellie reminded him.

I lack the confidence to face them again.

Therefore. When the proper time comes to confront them.

In one form or another,

I must resolve matters with Father or Mother.

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