〈 Chapter 184 〉 While Sleeping (2)
*
She stood up and drew her sword from the scabbard.
Ziiiing.
The sound of the sword being drawn echoed softly.
The problem was that the sound seemed to have reached the ears of the figure beyond the door.
“That’s not Alan. Who is it?”
It was the voice of a man she had never heard before.
“And who are you?”
There was no locking mechanism on the door.
So, it was entirely possible for the mysterious man to burst in at any moment.
“Hmm, excuse my intrusion.”
At that moment, she suddenly felt a chill seep through the crack of the door.
At the same time, her whole body tensed up and chills ran down her spine.
‘What the hell…!’
She still didn’t know who the opponent was.
But her senses screamed that this guy was incredibly strong.
‘But I must protect Alan.’
Just as she was forcing her unwilling body to move and adopt a stance.
“Alan is inside too.”
Somehow, the guy had figured out that Alan was inside.
‘Whatever he did to find that out…’
She overloaded the Relic Sacred Replicant.
But it was just then.
Sara.
Albert called out to her.
“Albert?”
You can’t win against him.
“But whether I win or lose…”
Besides, the opponent is not even hostile.
“Not hostile?”
Then, a voice came from outside the door.
“Whoever I am, that’s correct. I just came to talk to Alan.”
It seemed he had also fully grasped Alan’s condition in that brief moment.
“Who the hell are you?”
“I was just about to tell you. My name is Schurz. When Alan wakes up, let him know I stopped by.”
“Schurz? If it’s Schurz then…”
But the sound of the figure’s footsteps was gradually fading away.
“Wait, why are you here!”
She rushed toward the door in panic.
And she flung it open.
“Just wait…”
But he was already nowhere to be seen.
‘Schurz.’
A name without any noble status, unique to Ice Valley.
If that name was indeed correct, then it was highly likely that he was the man she knew.
The cold-faced man who had his transparent hair flowing.
‘I saw him when the Crow Association was attacked by Chaos Beasts.’
He had been passing by and single-handedly swept away all the Chaos Beasts with just one sword.
That manic laughter he wore at that time, along with the bloody visage, had left a significant impact on her.
And to be honest, he still felt frightening to her.
She had just felt his strength firsthand.
But…
‘I haven’t had a chance to thank him yet.’
She later discovered his true identity, but by then he had already reached Saint-level and vanished without a trace.
‘I wanted to express my gratitude this time.’
It was regrettable.
But now that she realized he was hiding here, there was some possibility of that happening.
If necessary, she could always ask Alan to convey that message.
‘But right now, I have something much more important to focus on.’
She turned her body back towards where Alan was lying.
Are you two acquainted?
“Yeah, he’s someone who did me a favor once.”
That was all the connection there was.
And she had many such connections until now.
The Apostle who took her in from the orphanage.
The Divine Seat who helped her become a Hero.
All were people she had once owed a debt of gratitude.
‘Now, everyone has left me.’
There was only Alan left for her.
Of course, she thought highly of how Elsie had let Alan go so willingly, but she herself didn’t want to let him go at all.
Just as he had told her, she hoped he would always stay by her side.
“Alan.”
He wouldn’t know.
How anxious she had been when she was left alone in the empty inn of Leim Kingdom.
How worried she was when she saw Alan go to save Elsie.
“I’m sorry.”
What if he left her alone in the room and the two of them went off without a word.
What if Alan didn’t come back from the depths of the White Tower?
Even while worrying, the only thing she could do was trust.
‘Because that’s what comrades mean to each other.’
Needing each other and believing in each other.
However…
‘Why can’t I be satisfied with just that?’
She didn’t know since when.
Perhaps it started since she began to see the bond between Elsie and Alan.
She definitely hadn’t been able to feel fully satisfied for a while now.
Then you should tell him directly.
“But Alan is already… with Elsie…”
Of course, Alan had asked her to stay by his side.
But that was only as comrades, not in a romantic sense.
You’re really frustrating. How do you see this man?
“Alan is the kind of person who always has a plan and stays true to his will…”
No! Everything is wrong. If there were a god of flexibility, it would be him!
Albert suddenly started to passionately explain this to her.
He’s probably the most changed person I’ve ever seen grow. If he hadn’t, he probably wouldn’t have lasted until now. I’m sorry to compare this, but honestly, he’s closer to being like a reed than iron.
“A reed?”
Forget that! Anyway, he continued to move forward even after realizing he wasn’t himself.
What he said didn’t make sense.
But she could guess what it meant.
“So you mean it would be fine to just discuss the agreement he had with Elsie?”
That’s exactly it!
“So what is it?”
That was Alan’s voice.
He had somehow opened his eyes.
“Looks like you fell asleep pretty late.”
*
“So, according to Luel’s diagnosis, I’m basically alright, but since it’s night, I decided to just let you rest today?”
“…”
“Schurz just asked to relay that he came and went?”
“…”
“Yusera?”
“Yeah?”
This wouldn’t do.
Yusera’s condition was clearly not normal.
‘For now, I’ll consider that question I just asked as an attempt to clarify things.’
Since it was already deep into the night, it would probably be best for Schurz to come back tomorrow.
So, addressing Yusera’s condition had become a priority.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
At that, Yusera shook her head.
While her face was bright red, that bit didn’t lend much credence, but if she wasn’t sick, then it shouldn’t be.
That left only one likely cause.
“Is it because of that agreement you had with Elsie?”
Yusera’s face turned even redder.
‘So this was it.’
It was definitely something she had sensed since she first heard it from Elsie.
Until now, she had simply waited, thinking Yusera would bring it up first.
But on second thought, given Yusera’s personality, it was unlikely she would bring it up.
‘Then I suppose I have to ask directly.’
She posed the question.
“Is it something I can know about the contents of that agreement? Or is it something I absolutely shouldn’t know?”
“Well, it’s not strictly that way, but…”
“Anyway, in this state, it could hinder our operation. It’s best to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”
Just looking at Lucy and Luel’s case showed that.
It could be inferred that Yusera had been caught regarding her relationship with Elsie.
If they were close, secrets were bound to come to light eventually.
‘But the longer it takes, the more the secret festers and the wound worsens.’
If possible, it would be better to excise it as quickly as possible.
She wouldn’t force it if Yusera refused.
However, fortunately, Yusera nodded.
“I’ll tell you.”
“Thanks.”
After hesitating for a moment, Yusera spoke with a bright red face.
“It’s um… wrestling…”
“Wrestling?”
Why was wrestling coming up out of nowhere?
“Not just any wrestling, but the deeply-rooted wrestling of the Leim Kingdom.”
“Like hugging each other tightly?”
“No, Elsie said that isn’t it. She said you must have told me the wrong thing on purpose and that she would explain it again properly if I asked her.”
What the hell does that mean?
“Elsie?”
“Yeah, she said if you leave me, you’ll feel lonely. When that time comes, I can…”
That sounded definitely strange.
It was hard to imagine Elsie talking like that.
‘Of course, feeling lonely is true.’
Even now, she wanted to see Elsie again soon.
But if it were for the mission, she could endure a temporary loneliness like that.
So…
“Yusera, you don’t have to force yourself. You don’t have to follow what Elsie supposedly ordered you…”
“It wasn’t an order. It was an agreement.”
“An agreement?”
“It’s not forced. Alan, I…”
At some point, despite her expression, the corners of her eyes were reddening.
‘Ah.’
She realized.
Elsie hadn’t only considered her feelings; she had also noticed Yusera’s feelings early on and had been considerate of her.
“Yusera?”
At that moment, Yusera quickly turned away as if trying to hide her expression.
And she began to walk quickly toward the exit.
“Yusera!”
The thought to stop her crossed her mind.
She might have been reminded of the image from that day on the school rooftop.
Of course, she wouldn’t make the same extreme choice as before, but if things went on like this, the atmosphere between them might become irreparable for a while.
‘Wind’s Power.’
Thus, she grabbed her.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry… I didn’t know how you felt.”
“There’s no need to apologize. The bad part was me. I’ve already known you had Elsie…”
“It doesn’t matter. If Elsie truly asked it of you, then your happiness is what matters most.”
Especially knowing that Yusera wouldn’t lie about such a thing.
Elsie had directly mentioned the agreement before.
So, it was likely true that there had been an agreement.
Then, there wouldn’t be any issue with accepting Yusera’s feelings.
“I’ll tell you.”
“Alan?”
“It’s wrestling done only between people in love.”
At that, Yusera’s face suddenly flushed with warmth.
It was a bit worrying, but for now, she took her to the bed and laid her down.
“Just wait a moment…”
There was one presence that bothered her.
I am, well… yes, a tree. You can think of me as a talking steel branch.
If that’s what he says, then so be it.
After all, he was something she couldn’t do anything about.
“Alan?”
“It’s nothing.”
She gingerly held the hand of the girl lying on the bed.
She had grown accustomed to this after her experience with Elsie, but it was still important to be cautious since everyone was different.
“Yusera.”
The moment she called her name.
Yusera gave an awkward smile and said,
“From now on, could you not call me Yusera and just call me Sara?”
Now that she thought about it, that was true.
Until now, she had intentionally used her full name while being conscious of their relationship as comrades, but now it was no longer necessary.
“Sara.”
Only then did she show a satisfied expression.
She said to her,
“Did you know? Hugging tightly isn’t wrong either.”
And she embraced her.
After all, the night was long, and this kind of warm sharing wouldn’t come around for a while.
“It’s just not all there is to it.”
“Then, can you teach me everything?”
“I’ll try my best.”
Sorry, but covering everything will be a bit tough.
*
