Once again, a brilliant light shone in Lucius’s eyes.
…I think that should be enough.
Letting out a small sigh, I lifted my body from my seated position and turned my back to Lucius. Just as I was about to step toward Nameless.
“Thank you…”
I heard Lucius’s words of gratitude behind me.
…What’s he thanking me for?
A small guilt began to creep up within me. I bit my lip.
I really had no obligation to comfort the Hero, but I guess just saying a few words contributed to this pretentious guilt.
Of course, that doesn’t erase the fact that I messed up the Hero’s purpose.
I sighed again.
I wasn’t sure what expression I had on my face, but one thing was certain: it probably wasn’t a good one. Still, I couldn’t just ignore his words.
With my back still turned to Lucius, I muttered, “What for?”
After finishing my short reply, I moved toward Nameless.
For some reason, Nameless looked a bit displeased.
Curious about why, I was about to ask when surprisingly, Nameless spoke up first.
“…Did you talk to the Hero for too long?”
“Hmm…”
I tilted my head with a slightly perplexed expression.
…How am I supposed to react to that?
As a Disciple, I could somewhat understand feeling jealous of a Master who gives teachings to others. But to say it so directly—I never saw that coming.
Well, I suppose it’s pretty on-brand for Nameless.
I sighed softly and patted Nameless on the shoulder.
“Just let it slide.”
“…”
I glanced at my quiet Disciple, who was rolling his eyes and shooting me a silent gaze filled with discontent.
Seriously… what does he expect me to do?
I rubbed my forehead and spoke up again.
“Besides, this is our last time traveling together, right?”
“Is it?”
“…So, were you planning to stay with those guys for a while longer?”
Nameless’s expression noticeably brightened, and in contrast, I pouted slightly.
Had I not coincidentally encountered the Hero’s group in that carriage, there wouldn’t have been a chance for us to travel together like this.
Of course, sharing a carriage and heading north together was all it would have taken; it wouldn’t have turned into this long affair. But for some reason, the Hero requested a spar with me, and all these incidents happened, causing our bond to stretch.
But now, it’s finally over.
There’s no reason for me to stay with them anymore, especially when I recall my purpose for being here.
Wasn’t it to retrieve the annoying Disciple’s sheath, that he’s so stupidly grinning about?
So, when I step out of this drab cave, that connection to them is over.
Remembering that our goodbyes are near only brightened my mood, and I couldn’t help but smile slyly.
Finally, I can feel a bit more at ease.
“Hehe…”
We exchanged silly smiles for a moment, all with our differing reasons for grinning.
Then, Lucius, who finally pulled himself together, and Elia, whose eyes were slightly red, approached alongside Nameless.
“Umm?”
I tilted my head slightly, feeling a wave of unease as I looked at Elia.
…Aren’t we supposed to be parting?
Receiving my gaze, Elia bit her lip and murmured, “…Where are you going next, Harang?”
She asked about my next destination.
…Should I even answer this?
I felt a bit puzzled as I glanced at Nameless for help.
Nameless nodded slightly and opened his mouth.
“Since we won’t be seeing them anymore, wouldn’t it be fine to tell them?”
When Nameless mentioned “not seeing them anymore,” the strange chuckle in his voice caught me off guard, but I quickly dismissed it and nodded.
“Ah… I see.”
Indeed, if what Nameless said was true, then it wouldn’t be a problem to share.
“I’m probably heading to ‘The End of the World.’”
With my answer, Elia and Lucius’s expressions noticeably shifted.
I felt a twinge of anxiety.
Ignoring my reaction, Elia asked me again as if confirming my response.
…“The End of the World?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Why, is there an issue?”
After hearing my confirmation, Elia and Lucius exchanged glances before breaking into an ambiguous smile.
My anxiety intensified. And just as if to validate my worry,
“That’s great!”
Elia clapped her hands and smiled widely.
“We actually have business there too!”
“What?”
“We can go together!”
My whole body stiffened, and my eyes nearly bulged in shock. Internally, I screamed.
…Why do my ominous hunches never turn out wrong?
If only I could go back in time, I’d want to grab my mouth for telling them my destination.
…This is awkward.
As you know, Nameless and I are looking for a sheath introduced to us by Lili. And that sheath, introduced by Lili from the Demon King’s side, probably wouldn’t look too normal in the eyes of the Hero, Lucius.
Nameless also reacted similarly to my surprise, but thankfully, he managed to gather himself more quickly than I did and spoke with a quivering voice.
“Umm… why are you going there…?”
“Uh…”
“`The End of the World` has already been cleansed by Lucius and Elia, hasn’t it…?”
“Well, that’s true.”
That was genuinely a puzzling question.
Why would the Hero and the Saint want to revisit a place they’ve already been?
I guess, according to my own speculation, it might be because they want to see the magnificent scenery of ‘The End of the World’ once more…
Narrowing my eyes, I looked at Elia, waiting for her response.
Under my intense gaze, Elia’s eyes darted about. Lucius sighed softly and stepped forward, speaking on behalf of Elia.
“We were asked by Camilla to find something.”
“…Something?”
At Lucius’s words, my body tensed up.
Could it be… no, surely not. I shouldn’t entertain such ominous thoughts.
Calming my swirling anxiety, I shook my head lightly. However, Luicuis, slightly furrowing his brows, spoke again.
“…And we want to repay Cheon Ha-rang for the help she provided.”
“Repay… Why…?”
This is concerning…
If anything, I’d be the one who was an obstacle for him, yet he wants to repay me?
“You taught me a lot, even though I’m lacking.”
“…No, that’s—”
I found myself at a loss for words, and before I knew it, Lucius had bowed politely.
“I kindly ask for your permission to accompany us…”
“Please!”
Bronc, Elia also bowed alongside him.
…At this rate, I can’t just flat-out refuse.
It’s not just that I’m not good at turning down requests. But if I reject them now, I’d look like the one being unreasonable.
Wouldn’t it be strange to decline the request of the Hero and Saint who are offering to accompany me to what Nameless said was ‘a somewhat dangerous place’?
Moreover, their reason for wanting to accompany me is truly commendable.
Even though I had no intention of it, and my actions hadn’t reflected it either; they still wish to repay their gratitude for what they learned…
It wouldn’t be morally right, and as Nameless’s Master, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to reject this.
Rubbing my forehead, I took a deep breath and walked over to Lucius.
“…Alright, just straighten up.”
It’s starting to feel uncomfortable seeing the Hero and Saint bowing like that.
“Thank you.”
Lucius replied softly and straightened up. The look on his face was one of satisfaction, as if he had achieved his goal.
Seeing that expression for some reason irritated me.
More importantly, what am I supposed to do…
I was already supposed to search for an item whose description I couldn’t even grasp; now I have to hide it from their eyes as well.
In short, the difficulty level has just skyrocketed.
My head began to throb furiously, and I staggered over to Nameless, practically collapsing into him.
“Ugh…”
“…Master? What’s wrong?”
Nameless had a goofy grin but also a frown, which was somewhat funny.
It seems he likes being close to me, even if he doesn’t like the idea of going together.
I couldn’t help but smile slightly at Nameless’s expression and sighed in resignation.
“It’s nothing… It just feels comfortable here, so don’t mind me…”
“My embrace…”
Nameless muttered a word and then broke into a grin that seemed like it could rip apart his face.
Hearing that silly laugh, I felt strangely annoyed, but lacking the energy to say anything.
I thought I would be alone with Nameless, but… how did it come to this?
