Giving meaning (7)
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“This is what happened at Baron Planzel.”
Yenica Palover, who was sitting across from the campfire, didn’t look very good. She didn’t know what to say, so she just looked at Belle’s face with a tearful look on her face.
Seeing that, Belle wondered if she had said it for no reason.
Although he said it was nothing, anyone could see that Bell’s personal life was extremely dark.
If it weren’t for Belle, who had a strong heart, it wouldn’t have been surprising if she had lost her will to live.
Although he was an illegitimate child, Baron Planzel sacrificed himself to save his daughter, who was born through his blood.
In the end, he was able to avoid handing his daughter over to the greedy nobleman… She had to give up her life in return.
Because it was such a tragic and sad story, Yenika could not help but feel intimidated.
“I’m sorry, Belle. I didn’t know it was that kind of story… I was begging you to stop by… ”
“You don’t have to be so sorry. In fact, it’s embarrassing for the other person to hear this, so I usually don’t do it. and… “It’s not something that really hurt me.”
“okay? but… I think I would have been very hurt if I were in Belle’s position… ”
“Well, I was very shocked at the time. but… As I said, there are some parts of this story that I didn’t tell Master Ed. “That part was intentionally omitted.”
Belle pushed a few more firewood into the campfire and used her magic to make the fire stronger. He had to keep the embers burning longer since it was still deep into the night.
“They said it was omitted on purpose… ? Why bother? “Is there something you didn’t want to tell Ed?”
“Because it changes the message of the story.”
To Yenika, who tilted her head, Bell did not bother to add any additional explanation.
The reason Belle bothered to reveal her past history to Ed was because she wanted to warn him never to make such an extreme choice as suicide again.
As long as you live, the day will surely come when you see the light of day.
So survive. Even if there is no happiness in this boring world and only trials are looming before our eyes.
Hold on to your feet, grit your teeth, and somehow stand firm and survive.
“It’s important to survive and continue your life. However, this is not a statement that is accepted by everyone in the world.”
“bell… “What do you want to say?”
“It’s not a very big story. Baron Planzel had already suffered from a long-standing illness. Even if he had not committed suicide, he would have passed away not long after.”
At those words, Yenika was left speechless.
That’s what Belle didn’t tell Ed.
In any case, Baron Planzel was a man sentenced to life indefinitely.
It means that at the end of life, he was a person who looked back on life and was ready to accept death.
“When a person is close to death, no matter who he is, he reflects on the life he has led.”
“bell… ”
“Baron Planzel probably wanted to give some meaning to his life.”
Just by changing the premise about Baron Planzel’s lifespan, the impression given by the story of his death is completely reversed.
It was only then that Yenica realized why Belle had not told Ed this story.
And I also understood why Belle was able to talk about this tragedy without feeling sad and in a healthy state.
For Bell, the story of Baron Planzel’s death was not a sad and unfortunate story of tragedy.
It was a heroic story of a noble man who chose his own place, carried out his will, and left.
Bel Maia’s room is still decorated with a dagger engraved with a wildcat symbol.
It was the Planzel family dagger that her father, Valmid Planzel, smiled kindly and placed in Belle’s hand as a keepsake on the day he was about to leave.
After finishing the story, I looked up at the sky and it was full of salt-like stars.
*
“Abbot Austin… It’s called suicide… ?”
There are no ears to hear.
Still, someone might accidentally hear it. If that happens, it is dangerous.
Impatience rose in Persica’s heart. However, Ed Rosstaylor did not seem to care at all.
“How did you know that Abbot Austin was hiding a demihuman child?”
Ed Rosstaylor, who was praying, immediately hit a fastball. Princess Persica and Tune had no choice but to hold their breath.
“What did you mean?”
But the response is smooth. He didn’t stutter or show any signs of embarrassment.
“Are you in any way connected to Zelan the Cutter? “If it weren’t for him, no one would know the secrets hidden by Cleric’s Monastery.”
“You’re talking about an unknown story.”
“Honestly, you can talk about everything openly. “I have already confirmed that no one is inside the chapel.”
I’ve heard a lot of rumors about Ed Rothtaylor.
Anyway, I knew very well that he was a mysterious and strangely sharp person.
However, I didn’t know that he would attack me like this from the first meeting… Princess Persica held her breath.
“One thing is certain, you are in a trap. “Princess Persica.”
“… ”
“Have you fallen into a trap set by Abbot Austin, and are you trying your best to escape?”
The reason why Lucy Mayril stayed quiet even when she was immediately accused of being a murderer.
That’s because Persica is already cornered even if she stays still. At first, I couldn’t understand the inside story, but when all my thoughts were organized, it became completely clear.
“Isn’t the reason you attended this prayer meeting in the first place to appease Abbot Austin by using the excuse of hiding the demihumans? “To formally request support for him at the upcoming imperial meeting.”
To Abbot Austin, all the nuns at Cleric Monastery are like his daughters.
that… The same applies to all children, even those of the demi-human race.
“I will keep all of this a secret and turn a blind eye even after I take over the throne, so if you persuade me to officially support you… Even if Abbot Austin fully supports Princess Fenia, her heart cannot help but be shaken.”
“You’re telling an interesting story.”
Princess Persica reacted leisurely, but inside she was greatly embarrassed.
Above all, there are no clues to infer these things from Ed Rosstaylor’s perspective.
Where did the information leak out?
At least in this monastery, only Tune knew all this information. However, it is difficult to think that Tune would have betrayed him.
There was absolutely no advantage to betrayal, and above all, it was because he was always guarding Persica by her side.
“It’s definitely a reason to come a long way. “If I can get Abbot Austin on my side, the voices of those who support Princess Persica within the Telos Church will become quite loud.”
However, the situation did not go as Princess Persica intended.
When Abbot Austin, the target of appeasement, was found dead… All plans went to waste.
This happened shortly after the Princess of Persica visited Cleric Monastery.
“Didn’t the appeasement plan work out as you hoped?”
“If you try to insult and humiliate me any longer, I will not stand by. Although this is not the imperial palace… “You probably know that my authority is nothing compared to that of Duke Rosstaylor.”
“It is not an attempt to disdain authority. “I am here to negotiate.”
Ed Rosstaylor, who was praying, slowly opened his eyes.
He doesn’t look embarrassed, relaxed, or mocking.
I just talk about reality calmly and calmly.
The true identity of Ed Rosstaylor, whom I had only heard about through rumors… It was very different from what the Princess of Persica had imagined.
He never panics. Even in the presence of the Princess of Persica, whose worldly authority was sky-high.
“Looking at all these circumstances, it becomes possible to infer that Abbot Austin committed suicide in response to the threats of the Princess of Persica.”
“It’s a leap of logic.”
“well. In the long run, Abbot Austin will have to continue to be at the mercy of the Princess of Persica even after she takes the throne.”
The demi-human rebellion that came close to assassinating the emperor still remains a wound in the hearts of the people of the empire.
As long as the Cleric Monastery keeps the secret of protecting the demi-humans who have now become enemies of the empire, it must be swayed by the words of Princess Persica until the day she dies.
Zelan’s request was accepted. This happened solely due to the abbot’s personal deviation.
Abbot Austin was not there to watch quietly.
so that… chose.
“It’s not like Princess Persica didn’t think of that possibility.”
“Tune!”
– Evil!
Tune pulled out a knife and held it to Ed Rosstaylor’s neck.
An atmosphere sharper than that razor-sharp blade permeated the chapel. Tune’s blade was pointed at Ed Rosstaylor’s neck without even an inch of movement, but Ed still didn’t even move.
“Princess Persica. “I don’t want the situation to degenerate into armed conflict.”
Ed Rothtaylor always speaks the facts calmly.
“I am several times stronger than that escort knight of yours.”
Ed Rothtaylor spoke calmly, looking up at the statue on the podium in a polite manner without even making eye contact.
Tune is a famous and talented person in the Imperial Knights. He is a swordsman who has been a prodigy since he was young.
However, Ed Rothtaylor’s insinuating words are convincing. It is not an expression of confidence or an expression of arrogance. It is simply reciting the facts as they are.
“Otherwise, why are you so obsessed with arresting Lucy Mayril?”
The corners of Princess Persica’s eyes trembled slightly.
“Other nuns may not know, but at least Princess Persica, who saw Lucy in the Rose Palace, knows? Lucy Mayril is not the kind of person who deserves to be arrested like that. “He is a wizard who can destroy this entire monastery with a single wave of his hand.”
Nevertheless, Princess Persica proudly ordered the arrest of Lucy Mayril.
Even though I know how pointless that instruction is.
“Didn’t you know in advance that Lucy Mayril wouldn’t resist?”
Lucy’s strange lack of self-defense.
From Persica’s perspective, to what extent could she have anticipated Lucy’s response? There wasn’t even the slightest hesitation in her actions.
“If Lucy pleads innocence and reveals the truth, the abbot’s plans will all come to naught.”
The abbot’s plan was simple.
By taking his own life, he thwarts Persica’s plan to take control of the monastery by seizing the children of the demi-humans.
If he disappears, Persica’s purpose also disappears.
It doesn’t end there.
Austin, a saint of the Church of Telos, committed suicide to avoid giving in to the political pressure of the Princess of Persica.
This fact places an incredibly large amount of political pressure on Persica.
If it were revealed that Persica was the cause of the death of the elderly man who was respected by everyone… I can’t even imagine the political fallout from that.
First of all, the Telos Church will definitely be the enemy. All of the Telos believers in the imperial family also turn around. The same goes for all noble families who were baptized into the Telos Church.
Even if Austin is just a nun, you can’t mess with her carelessly. These were the words of the Princess of Persica herself.
Those words wrap around my body like a spell.
Abbot Austin is already dead. That old man is no longer left in the world.
However, the old man’s wrinkled and weak hand wrapped around the Princess of Persica’s shoulder.
The feeling of being hugged from behind. When she turns around with goosebumps, a skeleton in her monastic habit is pressing down on her back.
“Abbot Austin would not want all of this to be revealed to the world. “If the whole truth is revealed, the truth about the demi-humans protected in the monastery will inevitably be revealed as well.”
We do not know what kind of conversation Lucy had with Abbot Austin during her lifetime.
However, Lucy knew the whole truth. That’s why I kept quiet.
In the end, Abbot Austin wanted only one thing.
“Maintain the status quo.”
Binding Persica from doing anything politically so that the children of the demi-humans can live in the monastery as before.
The stake is your life. And, he went in with a clear and effective hit.
The truth about Abbot Austin’s death must never be revealed to the world.
That was a good thing for Persica and for the dead abbot Austin. Persica didn’t want to, but when she came to her senses, she found herself in the same boat as Austin and tied up tightly.
By the time you realize that you have fallen into the swamp created by the dead, your body has already been sucked in up to your waist.
Princess Persica was just struggling to get out of this situation.
The Princess of Persica… She quietly kept her mouth shut.
“I will pretend not to know all these facts. Only God, who heard this prayer, knows. “If there is a God.”
From the beginning I said I came here for negotiations.
“You are in control of the Imperial Knights. If I ask you to do so, please dispatch a certain number of Imperial Knights to Aken Island. You only need to do it once. “These are my requirements.”
The Imperial Knight Commander is attached to Persica.
Therefore, it was safe to say that Persica indirectly held the authority to operate the Knights.
On the day that the Holy Spear Dragon, Velbroke, descends, the Knights will be stationed on Aken Island anyway.
“Also, as difficult as it may be right now, please ensure that Lucy Merill is proven innocent. I just need those two. If only those two are guaranteed, only I will know about all the possibilities I came up with today. … “If only the icon had ears.”
This is an opponent that cannot be suppressed by force.
Ed Rosstaylor is a man who handles high-ranking spirits and can conditionally summon the power of the highest-ranking spirits.
Now in this closed Cleric monastery, there is no one who can subdue him.
However, Ed Rothtaylor is not the type of person who solves every situation with force alone.
Power is not an end but only one of the means. The reason they were able to negotiate on equal terms with Persica even though the difference in status was enormous was because the balance of force was ultimately maintained.
The negotiation table is, after all, the exclusive domain of the powerful.
Ed Rothtaylor is someone who deeply understands that fact and conducts himself well.
“Ed… Ross Taylor… ”
The man never says more than is necessary. He sat on the prayer pew and just looked up at the stained glass on the podium.
The man’s inner self, devoid of even the slightest emotion, is as deep and dark as the deep sea.
Princess Persica slowly closed her eyes and slowly expressed her intention to surrender. Inevitably, the sound of teeth grinding was heard.
“okay… “You won this time.”
Princess Persica had an intuition at this point.
In the upcoming battle for the imperial throne, this man is someone to be especially wary of.
*I received notification that an investigation team was at the beach. It was later than expected and the sun had completely set.
The low tide time was later than expected, and although the moon was already high in the sky, the sea water was still high. It will likely take more time for the investigation team to enter. If you have a chance to meet Lucy, now is the last time.
In any case, since Princess Persica personally guaranteed Lucy Mayril’s innocence, she will be released after some investigation. The voice of the Princess of Persica will reach deep when it comes to her imperial investigation team.
It is best that it fades away over time, and eventually Abbot Austin’s death remains an unsolved case.
I climbed and climbed the spire of the monastery that stretched high into the sky. Even after passing Saint Clarisse’s room, I had to go up a bit further.
The width of the stairs became narrower and narrower, and as I got closer to the attic at the end, it became a space where only I could pass.
Then I opened the wooden door at the end and went into the dusty attic.
“… ”
Lucy Mayril wasn’t there. All that remained was a hole in the wall that seemed to have been made by magic.
– Huiing
Only the sound of the draft coming in was echoing in vain. I slowly looked towards the hole, and it led directly to the roof of the monastery. He used this to escape.
In fact, since you don’t really have any intention of escaping, you might think of it as just going out for a walk.
I got off the roof and deftly climbed down the twisted roof of the monastery. My clothes were dirty with dust, but I didn’t care.
As I slipped and stepped on the outer edge of the roof, it was truly a dizzying sight. You can even see beyond the coastline to the beginning of the road leading to Margrave Zahoor’s mansion.
If you look at the other side, you can see the night sea stretching out. Most of the time there was only darkness, so it was eerie, but the coastline had campfires burning here and there because the investigation team was stationed there.
When the tide goes down, the investigation team will slowly enter the monastery.
“… ”
The sky is full of stars.
I threw myself onto the roof that extended downward, feeling the chilly sea breeze.
– Percussion!
And, after landing, let’s look back… An unexpected scene unfolded. He didn’t show any signs of embarrassment, but he didn’t become speechless right away.
“… “You’re here.”
Lucy Mayril is feeling the sea breeze, hugging her knees and looking at the stars.
Beneath the upper roof of the spire that extended like eaves behind her, several light sword hilts were embedded like bars.
High-ranking light magic, radiant sword hilt. This is a magic used to seal a specific space or block access.
And trapped in the space under the extended roof, blocked by the sword of light… There was a girl crying, hugging her knees.
His habit was completely ruined, and his hands were covered in blood. The sharp nails are exactly the same as the characteristic of the demi-humans, rising on the day of the full moon.
Animal ears flowing from the side of the head. He looks like he is heartbroken and crying.
─It was Eilen, the escaped demi-human girl that Auxiliary Bishop Melinir had talked about. You could tell she was just by looking at her blonde hair, as thick as the cotton of a blanket, and her thin, white wrists.
“You were protecting me.”
“Don’t say anything. You must have been hurt. And sometimes it turns into a beast and tries to attack me, so I had to lock it up.”
In addition to a face full of tear stains, blood stains on the hands.
What does that mean… I didn’t need to talk about it.
If you look at the space inside the sword handle, you can see food hanging out. Lucy herself stole it from the restaurant on the first floor of the main building and brought it to Eileen. They probably moved late at night. With this, the identity of the rumors about ghosts became clear.
Rumors about a ghost haunting the main monastery building… It was half Eileen and half Lucy.
Lucy was capturing and protecting Eilen from the middle. She knew the whole truth from the beginning.
I looked up at the star-filled sky for a moment, then went and sat down next to Lucy.
The coastal scenery where the investigation team was stationed came into view at a glance. In addition to the stars densely packed in the sky, the light from the campfire also felt like floating stars.
“But you should have told me the whole story.”
“I didn’t have time for that. “I should have organized my thoughts a lot, too.”
“What were you thinking?”
“It’s just… that old lady…” She knew Grandpa Glockt… So her thoughts were very complicated.”
An old acquaintance of Archmage Glokt.
That is why Lucy sat down with Abbot Austin the night before and talked a lot about him.
The truth about her death was strangely different from what was told to the Princess of Persica.
The cause of Abbot Austin’s death was murder.
The reason he spoke to the Princess of Persica in that way was to encourage her misunderstanding and gain a political advantage. It was all just a process to subdue Bellbroke.
“So, can you explain now what happened?”
Lucy is hugging her knees, looking strangely depressed and lethargic.
What is just staring blankly at the girl in despair is the night sea and the sea of stars.
The cool sea breeze soaked in moonlight blows and blows Lucy’s beautifully neat hair.
A procession of campfire lights along the coastline. I guess I felt strangely at ease at that peaceful sight…
Only then did Lucy slowly open her mouth.
“I met that old lady here the day before yesterday.”
*It was a star-filled night like this when Lucy Mayril found Abbot Austin lying bleeding on the roof of the monastery.
“Hoo… Uninvited guest at this hour… Plus, he’s an interesting guest.”
Lucy, who was lightly darting across the roof of the monastery like a stray cat walking through a city at night, trembled in surprise.
The area around the abbot, who was leaning between the outer wall and the roof, was already covered in blood stains.
This is not the amount of bleeding that an elderly person can endure. Now, I tried to gather my magic power to stop the bleeding, even if it was belated, but Abbot Austin blocked Lucy’s treatment.
“It seems like the time for treatment has already passed. I know it well because it’s not someone else’s, it’s my body. Sigh… ”
“… ”
“When you live in one body for over 100 years, there are times when you realize that you are making a fool of yourself. So don’t pay too much attention to it.”
No matter how much she said that, Lucy couldn’t stay still.
Lucy leapt, clutching her hat tightly, and landed in front of the fallen Abbot Austin.
As soon as she checked the wound, Lucy couldn’t help but frown for a moment.
On the lower abdomen, there was a small puncture by something that looked like an animal’s claw. It wasn’t as big as I thought, but it was quite deep.
If he had been a strong man, he might not have suffered fatal injuries, but for an old woman over 100 years old, it is not surprising that such injuries and bleeding amounted to an immediate threat to her life.
Moreover, if it has been left on the roof in this state for a long time, it is even more dangerous.
No matter how much of a magic genius you are, you cannot put back into your body the blood that has already been spilled.
The expression on Abbot Austin’s face was turning pale, which was perplexing to Lucy.
However, what was most perplexing was what Austin said next.
“I couldn’t believe it when Old Man Glokt said he had taken on disciples, but… “Even if you look at me, you’re just as much of a weirdo as Yeongtaeng.”
Austin recognized Lucy.
No matter how much of a living history book you are, it would not be easy to recognize a girl named Lucy Mayril at a glance.
Recently, he has become famous in the central part of the empire, and is also famous as the head of Sylvania… Recognizing Lucy in my fading consciousness could be seen as something close to a miracle.
An acquaintance of Archmage Glokt Elderbane.
That alone made Lucy unable to help but widen her eyes.
“That old man… He probably didn’t have the talent to teach magic… “Child, you must have suffered a lot too.”
It also looked quite vague.
Lucy tried to save Austin’s life by gathering her magic power and bandaging his wounds, but the 109-year-old’s body had already suffered more than enough fatal blows.
“Still, since that young man’s disciple appeared like this at the end of my life, it seems that Lord Telos has also heard my prayer.”
“… Don’t talk too much. Blood… They keep trying to come out… ”
“Oh my. Considering my old relationship with Old Man Glokt, could you please grant this old man’s last two wishes? ?”
The possibility of survival had already been completely ruled out. Even in that situation, the calm and benevolent tone continues. Indeed, it is a matter of age.
“The child who inflicted this wound on me is still wandering around on the roof of the monastery. It’s somehow being glossed over by rumors that it’s a ‘ghost’… It won’t last long. “Can you catch him before that and take care of him?”
Lucy, who always had a blank expression on her face, narrowed her eyebrows as if she was anxious. It’s so rare that we only see the blunt Lucy show such emotions once a year.
“… “That’s easy.”
“Okay, thank you. And again… Lastly, I want to sit comfortably in the chair in my room and close my eyes. Could you please move me to a room… ?”
“You have to go to the hospital, not your room.”
“It’s a favor. “It’s because I have something to do in my room from now on.”
“Tell me and I will do it for you.”
“It’s sad, but this can only be done if this old man goes there himself.”
It was a waste of time to argue like that. This is because the life in Austin’s eyes was slowly disappearing.
Lucy gritted her teeth and unleashed her magic, using spatial magic to move Abbot Austin’s body to the room.
A shabby and frugal room. In that side room, which had nothing to boast about other than the beautiful moonlight coming in, the body of Abbot Austin was placed there.
He was lying down on the wooden chair he often sat on while praying, and he was giggling and trying to laugh.
“Kkkkkk, kkakak.”
Abbot Austin, who was smiling as if he had the best of luck in the world, soon took a deep breath.
The desk in the room was piled high with letters from the Princess of Persica. It contained a story about the demi-humans and a question about Abbot Austin’s cooperation in future imperial power disputes.
Lucy skimmed through the contents, then looked back at Austin.
Austin, who was stretched out as if sitting in an armchair, spoke.
“now… Get out. “Nothing good comes from staying here too long.”
“What are you doing in your room… ?”
At those words, Austin smiled and added.
“I have to protect my daughters.”
It was at this point that Lucy realized what Austin was thinking.
The moment a dead body with scars from the beast’s claws is discovered, it is as clear as day what will happen to the monastery. Since this monastery, which was artificially built on a rocky island, could not possibly be home to wild beasts, it would not take much time to conclude that this was the work of the demi-humans.
Above all, there is a separate penitence room for demi-humans in the basement of this monastery, and if the imperial army were to search, it would not be an easy task to find a group of monks with animal ears.
So, the most important thing is not to make it public. If you are going to come up with an alternative, it would be better to arrest the Princess of Persica to prevent her from exerting her influence on the monastery.
The method is… It is clearly decided.
Austin reached out to the desk with difficulty and burned all the letters the Princess of Persica had sent him in the large candlestick next to him.
“Oh my. Go now. “I want to be alone.”
Lucy watched quietly… Soon, he nodded, biting his lower lip tightly. Austin probably doesn’t want to show Lucy what happens next.
That was the moment when Lucy was about to lean out toward the window.
“You probably have the same concerns as the Glokt old man from when you were young.”
Although the story was said slowly in a voice that was becoming thicker, Austin’s words struck Lucy right in the heart.
“Aren’t you afraid of the emptiness that will eventually come into your life, and of the repetition of a life that just continues without meaning? “I will be afraid of reaching such a high level that only boredom will remain in life itself.”
Lucy looked at Austin, who was laughing, with surprised eyes.
“But don’t try to artificially create meaning in life or wander around looking for it. … The meaning of life is not something you find, it’s something you give it. Yes, you give it meaning.”
“… What is that… ”
“If he came in on a wagon from Sylvania, he must have followed that duke master after all… ?”
To what extent did he even know that he was hiding in the wagon in the first place? Come to think of it, when he arrived at the beach to meet him, Austin didn’t stray far from Ed’s wagon.
They were watching the inside of the carriage. However, I just evaluated Ed’s personality and concluded that there would be no problem.
He really is a surprisingly deep old man.
The blade of wisdom accumulated over many years was sharpened like this.
“For a guy like that, the meaning of life is pretty good.”
The sight of him smiling leisurely even while bleeding from the corner of his mouth was a truly Austin-like farewell.
Just like that, the old woman sent the girl away.
I close the window with trembling hands and, barely able to gather my blurry vision, open the bottom drawer.
Inside is a ceremonial dagger. I hold the handle of the dagger with my wrinkled hand.
The target point is the lower abdomen where there is a wound.
Fortunately, because the perpetrator’s hands were small, the area of the wound was also small. It’s just that deep.
By driving a dagger into it, the ‘marks of being attacked by a beast’ disappear, leaving only the ‘dagger stab wound’.
The category of suspects is expanded to include any human being who can hold a dagger in his hand.
Suddenly, the starlight outside the window catches my eye.
The sight he always saw whenever he sat alone in his room and prayed was even more special today, and Abbot Austin raised the corners of his mouth.
Looking at the wrist holding the dagger, it looks thin and skinny. There was a time when I was as white as jade, but I feel like life is truly meaningless.
Nevertheless, when it comes to the end, if I can proudly declare that I have protected my daughters.
Couldn’t we say that it was a truly meaningful life?
It has been a while since all of my close friends who lived long lives left for heaven.
I was a little late, but I think I can laugh loudly and shout to their faces that I had a good life.
It felt really good.
And Austin tightened his grip on the dagger.
*
“I couldn’t do anything.”
Lucy’s hair flutters around her cheeks as she hugs her knees and looks down at the night sea.
Lucy was dazed with her head resting on her knees… Finally, he opened his mouth again.
“Me. “I could blow up this entire monastery if I wanted to.”
“I guess so.”
“If you use all your magical power… “I can travel distances that would otherwise take a long time by carriage, and can handle dozens of high-level magic circles at once.”
“Yes, this is amazing.”
“however… “I couldn’t do anything.”
Lucy Mayril could do nothing. Although he possessed great magic and enormous strength, he could do nothing but sit still.
If he carelessly steps forward and makes the matter public, all of Austin’s hard work, effort, and sacrifice will be in vain. If the monastery’s demi-humans were revealed to the world in any way, Austin’s death would be a dog’s death.
That’s why Lucy kept quiet until the moment she was pointed out as a suspect.
Because you never know how your remarks will be interpreted and how they will change the situation. Because everything was unknown territory.
Now that things were going as Austin intended, there was nothing I could do but leave it as is.
“He was an acquaintance of Grandpa Glokt, whom I met for the first time… “We haven’t even talked much.”
“It’s a shame.”
“… “I wanted to save it.”
“No matter how hard I tried, it didn’t work, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Consistently cooperating with me, I sat side by side with Lucy and looked at the night sea.
Before we knew it, it was low tide time. The soldiers on the coastline, one or two at a time, were setting up campfires and preparing to come over to the monastery.
From a distance, the sight of soldiers raising torches one by one is magnificent. The sight of a group of torches burning along the sandy beach exposed above the water makes it seem as if fire is spreading across the sea.
We sat side by side for a while, looking at the scene.
“Ugh, huh.”
– Drop, drop.
Soon, tears like chicken droppings poured out of Lucy’s eyes.
The tears flowing out of the eyes are lumped together and flowing down. I didn’t necessarily look embarrassed when I saw that.
“In the world… “There are so many things that cannot be done with strength alone.”
In a world where politics are entangled, ideologies and ideas conflict, and good and evil intentions swirl, there are too many things that cannot be done by force alone. This is because humans are complex and the human mind is difficult.
For a girl who has just started exploring the world, stories about the world that involve such things are very difficult.
It is the process of a girl becoming an adult.
It’s a process that everyone goes through, but that doesn’t mean it’s not sad.
I patted Lucy’s head and let the tears flow.
I wrapped my arms around Lucy’s shoulders and hugged her, and looked at the night sea together for a while.
It looks like the top of the spire of a magnificent monastery. The night scenery was also quite spectacular.
There were quite a few shooting stars falling in the sky, leaving behind quite long tails.
