Chapter 60

Now, at the bottom of fading memories, my childhood was filled with scenes that could only be described as happy. My father, a stoic and somewhat stubborn but highly skilled and righteous knight-elf, my mother who always kept him in check, and my younger sibling who looked just like me.

Once a renowned swordsman, my father taught us swordsmanship, and my mother, once a famous sorceress, taught us magic. Though I didn’t quite grasp magic, swordsmanship was fun, and I progressed faster than anyone. My father even praised my talent and taught me proper combat techniques, not just self-defense.

Every day was a cycle of learning swordsmanship and my father getting scolded by my mother for teaching us dangerous techniques. Though we weren’t wealthy, every day was happy.

Until a small conflict escalated into war, and the flames engulfed our village. My mother was struck by an arrow while evacuating the villagers and passed away.

My father became quieter but still cared for us with utmost devotion. He tried to protect the villagers my mother had tried to save.

But the villagers, exhausted by the poverty brought by the war, tried to sell us into slavery. Knight-elves were valuable slaves, and even half-elves like us could fetch a good price. Enraged, my father slaughtered the villagers, adults and children alike, and took us into the forest.

At least it seemed like the three of us—my father, my sibling, and I—could live happily. But the gods were cruel, and a group called the Black Round Table attacked our home. I barely escaped, but my family was scattered.

I spent my life searching for my father and sibling. When money ran low, I worked as a mercenary, and my swordsmanship became widely known. My skills even earned me a place in a great quest. The participants were all transcendentally strong, though slightly weaker than my father—except for one, Werner.

At first, I thought he was just a boy begging for bread. Tired, we were intrigued when he promised to show us a magic trick in exchange for a piece of bread. The Heavenly Demon stepped forward, expecting a simple coin trick. But what the boy showed us was…

“Lightning, strike.”

A massive bolt struck the Heavenly Demon’s head. Recognizing his talent, the Heavenly Demon wanted to take the boy on the quest. Though hesitant at first, the boy’s earnest desire made it unavoidable.

The boy, with blue eyes like mine, my father’s, and my sibling’s, was named Werner. The members fiercely competed in rock-paper-scissors to decide whose surname he would take. I wanted to give him my mother’s surname, but the thief won.

Werner Altan became his full name. We cherished him like family, and he grew stronger every day.

After completing the quest, Werner left with the leader and Media, and I resumed my search for my father and sibling. But I found no trace of them. Disheartened, I returned to my comrades, only to find Werner completely changed. His eyes were filled with disgust for the world, and he frowned as if everything was a bother.

When I asked the others why, they either truly didn’t know or pretended not to, or they just told me to leave if I wasn’t there. I could only helplessly watch as Werner changed.

But then, the Werner from before stood before me.

“…Sis?”

“Ah, sorry. I got lost in thought and forgot I was talking to you.”

It was unmistakably the Werner from back then. The one who clung to me, calling me “sis,” and desperately seeking our praise.

Still biting his nails, a habit from childhood.

“You still haven’t broken that habit, huh?”

“Ah, it’s just a reflex…”

Though I dislike dwelling on the past, I couldn’t help but feel a little happy recalling old memories. If I had stayed by your side instead of embarking on that impossible journey, would you have changed like this?

“So, what’s up?”

“You’re not even surprised to see me like this, sis.”

“I was a little surprised. I just didn’t show it.”

I was indeed a little surprised. But since it was for treatment, I didn’t feel the need to point it out. Werner scratched his head and got to the point.

“I’m planning to return to the capital.”

“Do you have business there?”

The only comrade left in the capital is the knight commander. A loyal machine, or, to put it bluntly, an unlucky guy.

“…I’m rejoining as an imperial sorcerer.”

I nearly lost my mind. The one thing that reassured me when Werner ran away was that he had quit being an imperial sorcerer. A dirty, dangerous job. Loyal only to imperial commands, participating in wars and massacres if ordered. I thought he had fled because he was disillusioned with it.

“Why? Why would you step back into that dangerous place?”

“You don’t like it, do you, sis?”

“Of course not. Anyone would try to stop you.”

The Heavenly Demon, the thief, the knight commander—any comrade would try to stop you. If they allow the youngest to step into that hell, I’ll personally go and settle it.

“What if I still want to go, even if you try to stop me?”

“Then… I’ll have to stop you by force.”

I know how foolish it is to bind someone with force, as my father often said. But I can’t stand by and watch someone I care about walk into danger.

“But sis…”

Werner made a bitter expression, one I had never seen before.

“I have to go. It’s the only choice.”

“But Werner…”

“Sis, I need to confess something.”

Werner suddenly took off his shirt, revealing his upper body. It was a bit awkward, but this wasn’t the time for such thoughts.

He pointed to a red scar on his side.

“I can’t use great magic anymore.”

“What…?”

“I was stabbed by a magic sword or something, and my magic circuits were destroyed.”

“Since when…?”

“…While you were on your journey, a lot happened.”

That’s why the others were so worried about Werner. They pitied the youngest, who had lost his prized skill. I, foolishly, hadn’t realized.

Then I remembered what I had said. I had teased him with the incantation of the great magic he used to wield. He had lost something so dear to him, and I had mocked it. That’s why he stormed out. He must have been desperately hiding his tears.

I didn’t realize it and mocked him. My chest felt bound by invisible chains, dragging me to hell. Do I even have the right to meddle in Werner’s life?

I didn’t know why he had changed, and I dug into his wounds without realizing.

“Werner… I…”

“I know what you’re worried about.”

Werner patted my shoulder. The warmth from that day when he comforted me as I worried about finding my family returned.

“It’s okay now. It’s… really okay.”

Werner added “now.” It must have been unbearable in the past. I, who know better than anyone the pain of losing something precious, felt even more anguish.

“Alright… if that’s what you want.”

I have no right to stop you when I wasn’t there for you at your worst.

“So, sis…”

“What is it?”

“Will you come to the capital with me?”

There was no reason to refuse. I felt like I was being given a second chance to protect my precious sibling.

“…If that’s what you want.”

“Thanks. I’ll treat you to a meal next time, haha.”

Werner stood up, showing that pure smile from childhood.

“Oh, right. It’s been a while since I’ve been like this. Should we do it like old times?”

“What…?”

“Thank you, ‘sis.'”

The word “sis,” unchanged from the past, made my heart skip a beat. Only now did I realize that Werner reminded me of my father in some way.