Chapter 419: Things to Stare

「Well, you did a good job, Lord Hero. Or would you rather be called Great Evil? 」

Inside the room, a silvery hair swayed enthusiastically. Her silver eyes changed shape seductively as she grabbed my face with her hands. Her grip felt strangely powerful.

What was going on? What did I do?

My eyes narrowed in protest, but Calia’s lips looked like a mischievous cat.

I had a very bad feeling. She didn’t have a face like this before. No, nowadays, I felt like she had been saying only crappy things on a regular basis.

My cheeks twitched and I opened my mouth while sitting on the bed.

「I’m tired of hearing your relentless sarcasm. What’s the point? They’re all the same for some people. Anyway, I’d rather have you as a drinking partner than someone who upsets me. 」

I couldn’t help but sigh and say those words. After all, even though the so-called Knight named Caria, whom I had feelings of admiration, was praising me as a hero, I just couldn’t accept it. I felt like I was being made fun of by her disdainful remarks.

It was also because her nature got twisted in a way that I didn’t really understand. After all, I still saw the image of my past journey’s former comrade in Caria.

In other words, even though I understood that her nature had become drastically different, the memories of the past seared into my brain didn’t easily go away. Sometimes, those memories reappeared in my mind.

As if responding to my words, Eldith sat on the bed and spoke. I wondered what it was. Being so close to them made me feel like I was being cornered.

「Oh, that’s sad. Shouldn’t we be allowed to see you unless we have something to give you? If you say something like that, I’m afraid I’ll end up resenting you. 」

Eldith’s whispering voice swirled in my ears. A chilly wind froze my spine.

Today, I could feel several thorns in their words, yes, thorns that were piercing my skin. They weren’t sharp enough to stab me in the heart, but like a saw blade, those thorns sliced away my body little by little. In other words, the latter’s nature was even worse and deadlier.

Eldith saw my face harden a little and said with a smile.

「I’m only joking, well, half of it. There’s something I want to ask you, Lugis. Especially now that the Heraldic Order has taken over the royal capital. 」

I wanted to ask if she was serious with that “half” remark. However, Eldith’s blue eyes were staring straight at me as she spoke, so I couldn’t help but hold my lips.

She had a smile on her cheeks, but her eyes had a strangely deep color. Those eyes indicated that she wasn’t joking.

That was strange. After defeating the magical devilish being Drigman, nothing happened, and the following days were supposed to be peaceful. Why did Eldith exude such a fierce aura from her skin?

I slightly nodded. As expected, I wasn’t going to touch the food in front of me now.

Continuing Eldith’s words, Filaret said with her dark eyes shining.

「…Lugis. You’re a hero of the Heraldic Order, and you’re already a symbolic figure. Just because you fell and got injured, a huge number of people rushed to you immediately. 」

Those were convoluted words. Her choice of words seemed to suggest that I could no longer escape or hid somewhere else.

As expected, I had a very, very bad feeling. Saliva crawled down my throat, and my lungs became hard like stones. I was beginning to guess what Filaret would say next.

I nodded and noticed that she lowered her voice, thinking that my guess was absolutely right.

Filaret whispered with a blooming smile.

「If you understand, then you won’t do anything unreasonable like leaning forward in front of a demonic beast or a magical devilish being. You’re in a position where you should be protected, do you hear me…? 」

Those words were supposed to be soft. But they were strangely strong and felt like they had a large amount of pressure.

—

Caria narrowed her silver eyes sharply like never before and looked at the faces in front of her. She had a permanent scar on her cheek, and the sharp look in her eyes made her seem wicked.

Now her eyes were wide open, revealing her inner agitation. Her feelings seemed to be in unison with Filaret’s words.

Caria made her eyes tilt.

It was said that Saint Matia and the Heraldic religion led by Lugis had now grasped the edge of the world.

Not only did they simply expand its power, but they also defeated the demonic beings who had taken over the royal capital of the Gharast Kingdom. Hence, the Heraldic religion was able to take control of the capital.

There was more. Along with the new-found support of the surrounding aristocrats, even the last member of the royal family had begun to support it. The results were still unclear, even so, the Heraldic religion was no longer a small-sized organization that could easily collapse.

The Gharast Kingdom. No, the Heraldics were now a clear threat for the Great Holy Church. Since there was no possibility of reconciliation with the Great Holy Church, there would definitely be conflict in the near future, no matter how different their paths were going to be. Moreover, there were the swarm of magical beasts that still roamed free. Escape was no longer an option.

Caria deeply thought so. It would be an undoubtedly difficult journey. It would be quite different from the way they had been up until now, where they caught the Great Holy Church and the demonic beings off guard.

But Caria accepted that fate. A fate where Lugis decided to continue with his hero job. If he were to step into the path of becoming an acclaimed hero, then Caria would rejoice with his decision from the bottom of her heart. She would even sacrifice her flesh and blood for it. Yes, she would open for Lugis as many paths as possible.

That was her role as his shield.

But what about the actual situation? Lately, it seemed like he wanted to be a hero. That was fine. On the other hand, his recklessness had not stopped. In fact, he was increasing his momentum, almost invitingly.

He was no longer sane by the time he fought head-on with that crazy magical devilish being. His life until now was nothing more than the result of multiple miracles.

There may not be a next time. That premonition was not only felt by Caria, but also by Filaret and Eldith.

He tried to be a hero, but he didn’t stop being reckless.

Caria didn’t blame that in itself. Human beings always took a step forward, even though they knew there was danger involved.

The important thing was to sort it out at some point, summing up, to learn with past mistakes and be meticulous with future endeavors. That’s why they were here to make him understand.

Caria said while lifting her cheeks and smiling.

「What’s wrong, Lugis? I don’t think it’s something you should keep quiet about. Or perhaps not, I wonder? But…you should be careful with the words you choose. 」

Caria saw that Lugis’ eyes suddenly widened. Caria had one thing in mind.

Lugis still wouldn’t listen to their words even when things had come to this point. He always disrespected the promises he made.

“…There’s no longer any need for me, a giant, to choose the means. If there’s ever a time to go off course, then it’s now.”

There was a thing called fate, which went ahead before a decision was made. Caria had no intention of regretting things like, “I should’ve done that at that time.”

So Caria decided to listen to her heart. She could hear the sound of her own heart beating loudly even if she didn’t like that sound. She wondered if she had once felt so nervous and full of tears. At least, Caria didn’t trace something like that in her memory. At least, until now.

Caria realized that she had swallowed her saliva before she knew it. Lugis slowly opened his mouth.

「Even if you say it like that, that’s the only thing I’m capable of. All of you should know that too…」

Caria said, grabbing the words that Lugis was desperately spitting out.

「…Lugis. Who are you talking to? Look at us and talk. 」

Silver and black. Likewise, the eyes of the blue-eyed were penetrating the person with excess heat. It was as if everyone had a determination to do whatever they wanted.

Previous | Next

Wow quite an aggresive approach…Poor Lugis.

—————–

Support us on Patreon and get access to early chapters