〈 Chapter 94 〉 The End of Lies (4)

*

“I really threw it away nicely.”

Having poured all her strength into the battle, Elsie collapsed onto the ground.

She seemed to lack even the power to maintain Optical Modulation, and her appearance had returned to its original state.

Blue eyes and golden hair that ended at her shoulders. With dirt and dust from the battle covering her, she looked just like the Elsie I knew.

‘Well, she has grown quite a bit.’

I leaned against a nearby tree, trying to catch my breath.

It had been a while since I engaged in such an intense duel, and I felt a little worn out.

My stamina status had been lower than Elsie’s from the start.

At that moment, Elsie, lying there and staring blankly at the sky, spoke.

“I’ve always wanted to be Allen’s companion, you know.”

She immediately brought up her desire to be my companion as soon as I had offered to listen to anything.

Why was she so fixated on being my companion?

It was hard for me to understand.

“Hey, Elsie. Why are you so obsessed with being a companion?”

I had thought that her extreme desire was purely fueled by revenge against the coup plotters.

But through this battle, I realized something.

Her goal was beyond just revenge on those who had staged the coup.

“Well, it’s because I’ve received a favor from you. I’ve pondered a lot about how to repay that debt. Eventually, I came up with this…”

And that goal was…

“It was to be your strength. The promise in your letter to meet again soon. And the introduction to the excellent mentor called Gwen. All of it pointed to that one way.”

“So that’s why you worked so hard on swordsmanship? Neglecting your own body?”

I hadn’t known until now, but as the Optical Modulation was dispelled, her condition was fully revealed.

Elsie’s body had no unscathed places.

Two years ago, when I had saved Elsie, she was merely starving and weakened, not covered in bruises and wounds like this.

No matter how rough Gwen was, she probably wouldn’t have treated her like this; Elsie must have chosen this herself.

“Yes, I really had to work hard. Gwen told me a lot about you. Though our meeting was brief, it left a strong impression. Speaking of which, Gwen seemed to want to see you as well.”

I didn’t need to worry about that.

I had met Gwen on the day of the entrance ceremony.

…But I felt sorry for not having a real conversation with her.

“When I first pledged to be your strength, I didn’t realize it, but according to Gwen, you’re stronger than I thought. So even though I knew nothing about swordsmanship, I worked hard. I figured Allen wasn’t just sitting around after leaving Basilium.”

In reality, I had experienced quite a lot during that time.

I became Libero’s disciple and learned swordsmanship.

I faced the second trial and spent years enduring fear.

And I killed two Demon Kings.

“After all that effort… I heard the news just a few months before enrolling in the Hero Academy. They said Allen had captured three Demon Kings. Do you know what kind of feelings that brought me?”

“…”

“Don’t worry. It wasn’t a negative feeling. I just realized, I needed to do something if I wanted to be your strength. From that moment, I think I trained almost to the brink of death for months. Who knew when I would meet you again?”

In that moment, I saw tears welling in her eyes.

“When I arrived at school and saw you disguised as Sung Yoo-rang, my rational mind couldn’t confirm it, but my instincts were already convinced you were Allen Pleuk. I was overjoyed to finally see you again. I understood that you must have had your circumstances for hiding your appearance.”

Elsie’s words began to speed up and grow more impassioned.

“So I decided to wait. Until the day you would ask me to be your companion. I was sure I could wait, but… I feel embarrassed to admit it, when you brought Yusera into the team first, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. It felt like I was being abandoned by you. But…”

Tears streamed down her face.

“Now, I feel a little relieved. I’ve confirmed just how weak I really am. Despite my efforts, I guess I wasn’t enough to be your companion.”

She wore a truly resigned expression now.

The tears she shed seemed to wash away the lingering regrets she held.

On the other hand, I felt I had achieved my objective by entering this trial with her.

But…

‘I didn’t realize it until now.’

I hadn’t known until entering the trial.

How much effort Elsie had been putting in all this time.

How sincere her wish to become a companion had been.

I had been unaware.

‘But now I know.’

I had entered this trial with the purpose of showing her the difference in our strengths.

Of course, to some extent, I had succeeded, but now it felt embarrassing to claim it as a success.

Elsie had also shown me many things through the battle in this trial.

I now understood just how desperate her efforts to become my strength had been.

She had always regarded me with sincerity.

Then I didn’t want to treat her falsely any longer.

At least for her, the time had come to end this pretentious play.

From today onwards, I would not return to being Sung Yoo-rang for Elsie.

‘Optical Modulation Dispel.’

The skill that had covered my face vanished.

And the slender face of Allen along with the dull light of my blonde hair returned.

When Elsie saw that, she gave a bittersweet smile.

“You’ve become a bit more manly, haven’t you? You used to have such a slender face that even mistaken for a woman.”

Elsie might not know, but I had used that to my advantage when I was dealing with her.

At the time, I didn’t feel too embarrassed since I thought it wasn’t my body.

“That face suits you much better. You’re certainly smart and capable, but your face seems to convey an impression of being somewhat lacking.”

I honestly couldn’t tell if it was an insult or a compliment.

But one thing was certain, I agreed with that opinion.

And what I was about to say now had to be said in this form.

Before that…

‘God, can you change this space to the place I’m thinking of?’

It didn’t take long for the space to change.

The blue sky had gradually disappeared.

And in its place, a sky painted with sunset hues unfurled above us.

“Here…”

Elsie showed a surprised expression.

Of course, this place was familiar to her.

“Do you remember?”

She would definitely remember.

After all, she was the one who brought me here in the first place.

Basilium, the hill with the best view there.

“I remember perfectly.”

We had returned to that hill as adults, both of us.

Though Elsie seemed to be crying just as she had back then.

With that, everything returned to Allen Pleuk—appearance, place, and all.

So now I could say it.

“Elsie, please be my companion.”

At that, Elsie’s eyes, which had been absorbed in the scenery of Basilium, widened again.

“Huh? But you said you couldn’t possibly accept me as a companion…”

That was wrong.

“That was what Sung Yoo-rang said. I, Allen Pleuk, want to accept you as my companion.”

Then the corners of Elsie’s mouth slightly lifted.

She seemed happy but also unable to fully rejoice.

“No, as we confirmed in the battle, I’m weak. If I became your companion, it would only be a hindrance…”

That was also wrong.

The guy named Sung Yoo-rang was completely mistaken.

He had convinced himself he knew everything just because he had the knowledge as a Player.

“No, you’re strong enough. If you perform well and acquire decent relics, you could be a considerable force.”

Moreover, Elsie was a typical “royal” character.

She would continue to grow stronger from now on.

If things went like this, she would surely surpass me one day.

And if she managed to solve the kingdom’s problems and obtain the kingdom’s sword…

She could perhaps become one of the strongest beings.

Still, if I were to deny her, there would only be one reason.

The sense of responsibility that comes with accepting her as a companion.

It was a topic I had pondered a lot during the mock battles.

Could I really take responsibility for my companions in real scenarios?

To be honest, I still hadn’t found an answer to that.

I would have to keep contemplating it moving forward.

But at least with regard to Elsie, I felt sure now.

I could take responsibility for her.

No, I wanted to take responsibility for her.

That’s why I extended my hand to her, who was still lying there.

“I apologize for everything Sung Yoo-rang said. So… could you become my companion?”

“Companion…”

Without hesitation, she grasped my hand.

“Of course. I’ve been waiting for this moment for the past two years.”

Her face, already smeared with tears, flashed a bright smile.

It was so beautiful that I could hardly meet her eyes.

“So, is this enough to be satisfied?”

The whole premise started when I decided to grant one of Elsie’s wishes.

Ultimately, what mattered was whether she was content.

“No, I’m not satisfied.”

At her words, I turned again to look at Elsie.

For some reason, she wore a dangerous smile once more.

A bad feeling suddenly washed over me.

“Perhaps it’s more like a feeling that I want to be a companion, for now?”

“What?”

“It’s nothing. I’m just really happy to finally be your companion.”

The characteristic sunset sky of the Basilium region finally painted her golden hair red once again.

*