8 – why

There is a word in the world called ‘destiny’. A compass pointing to the direction in which a mortal’s life is predestined.

Some fell from a high place into the abyss according to fate, while others climbed from the abyss to a high place.

Among astrologers and astronomers, there were those who said that everything about people was determined by fate.

Claire quite liked the word fate.

It was the same fate that made a country girl who had nothing to do with become a hero in the world.

To draw a sword that no one in the kingdom could draw, and to fight to save the world.

and.

It was because I was able to meet the sage by drawing out the warrior’s sword.

That’s why she liked the word destiny.

Even if the sage left them, it was just a mistake made by his own shortcomings.

Because he and I met by fate.

Because if it wasn’t fate, I couldn’t explain why he followed the journey to defeat the demon lord.

And because I had to hope that I would be able to meet him again by that fate.

But sometimes.

There were times when I was terribly afraid of that fate.

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Just like now

Like when you are forced to make a decision without having a choice.

“Let’s go slowly.”

Leoden, a middle-aged general with a heavy voice, rough skin, and scars on his face, spoke in a blunt tone.

Claire didn’t like him very much. It is true, of course, that his appearance was formidable to women of Claire’s age.

However, the monsters he saw while on the journey of defeating the demon king were even more horrifying than that.

As such, his appearance did not burden Claire.

There is only one reason why she is reluctant to General Leoden.

Because he knows everything.

And it was because I was forced to make a choice even though I knew it.

“…Can’t we just open the portal?”

Claire hesitated and said without realizing it. even though this is their duty. Despite the mission given to him as a warrior.

Leoden, as always, calmly, and that’s why, with a heavy, low-pitched tone that seemed to be rebuking, simply broke her will and forced her to make a decision.

“Regular reporting is your duty.”

“…All right.”

Didn’t you turn away from your duty once already?

Didn’t you experience what happened then?

But why are you trying to run away again?

Claire bit her lip at the ridicule of the darkness inside her. Cheer. I can feel the familiar taste from the chapped lips.

“…I will open the portal.”

A portal that is impossible even for a wise man who says that only a warrior can do everything opens.

Leoden, who was gazing at one of the blessings he had received from God, slipped into it, and Claire stopped at the royal road visible through the portal.

The royal road beyond the portal was summer.

The first summer festival to be held after defeating the Demon King.

She looked blankly at the preparation site, which looked larger and more splendid than at the festivals she participated in in the past, and lowered her head.

Because he doesn’t even have the right to think of the person he was with at the festival.

Claire struggled against her reluctant steps, forcing the memories that kept coming back to her to be ecstatic and enjoyable.

The royal capital seen from beyond the portal had been preparing for the festival for a long time. Unlike the battlefield, the hot sunlight beating down on this peaceful place made everyone feel excited, but Claire’s steps toward the palace were still heavy.

“Welcome to General Leoden and the brave man. Your Majesty is waiting for you. Let’s go right away.”

With a blunt face, the vice-captain of the Lily Knights, the kingdom’s elite knights, began guiding them. Claire let out a heavy sigh as she passed through the corridors of the palace she had become accustomed to and headed for the throne room.

Claire’s heart was still heavy as she faced the royal castle, which is the best building in the royal capital and has a long history and tradition. Because there was someone who comes to mind every time I see these things.

“…ha.”

He brought Leventia and Evangeline into the palace many times, but never brought Hyeonu.

He liked old ruins, relics, and splendid places and wanted to go, but he could not bring him to the palace.

After all, he was an unofficial party member, and in reality he was just a person following them.

Of course, he had asked for his position several times, but the request had been ignored by nobles and knights.

the unknown.

Those who have not received God’s protection.

For the reason that you can’t recklessly let someone who doesn’t even know why they’re chasing the warrior party into the royal palace.

That’s why Claire informed the Queen about the Sage whenever she had a chance.

He’s a good guy, and he’s a great guy.

So, I got permission to enter the royal castle.

He never went in with him when he went to the royal castle.

It was because when permission was given, it was already awkward enough to be awkward.

Walking down a hallway decorated with luxurious marble, Claire could only think of it as a thorny bush.

This splendor took her breath away.

he.

what is he doing now

“Isn’t it a summer festival soon? Amy. Are you going with your boyfriend?”

“Yeah! I bought new clothes this time. Whoa. I’m going to pluck up the courage and seduce him.”

Her excellent hearing caught the whispers of the maids in the corner.

That little whisper, a little topic that was nothing to them, pounded hard on her heart.

So did she.

I was wearing clothes I would never normally wear.

What were you thinking when you put on that outfit?

…ah. okay.

I wanted him to see me and be happy.

He said it could allow him to have a beauty next to him that many people would admire.

Arrogantly, arrogantly.

As if it was something, I wore it as if it was a reward.

So it shouldn’t have been.

rather.

rather…

rather…

I would have hugged him standing like that, just like he was standing in front of the festival grounds at that time.

begging you to do something wrong

Thank you so much for doing your duty, I’m sorry, and I’m sorry to say that I have no face.

To go out to do what you put off.

What about those clothes when you lived your life leaning on him?

Stained with the blood of a monster, even a wounded body would be sacrificed to prevent him from leaving…

“…uh…?”

My hair turned white when I saw the man standing in front of the audience room with his signature grin.

The regret that always occupied my head.

The ugly self that exhaled a nasty smell every time it breathed.

All of that disappeared and became a blank slate.

A drop of ink in the name of Hyeonu fell on the white paper and spread in an instant.

Why is Hyeon-ja and Hyeon-woo here?

I don’t know why. But you have to have a voice.

No, you have to tell him.

I haven’t seen him once since he left. I wanted to apologize so much and beg that I was wrong.

He had thoroughly refused to meet with them.

But this is how we met.

like fate.

okay. maybe this is destiny

If so, you should.

wherever this is

whoever you are

whatever needs to be done

“… Hyun… Now…?”

He wanted to have a good voice, but what came out of his throat was an unpleasant voice that revealed his gloomy tone.

no.

he will hate it

Hyeonu, who always said that we should look at the future positively, would hate this kind of voice.

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Just as he was about to clear his throat and speak again, Leoden raised his arm.

“It’s audience time soon.”

why are you blocking

Why is this guy blocking me?

I have to say it now.

You never know when he will disappear again.

Again, suddenly.

No, as soon as I met him, I might resent myself for not kneeling right away and disappear again.

So you have to.

so.

But the opportunity never came.

It was because of the plain words of the wise man and the hyeonu.

My head went blank and I couldn’t move my body.

Hearing his voice for the first time in a long time is so sweet.

his smile is so bright

Like the darkness running away from the sun, because you are so shabby.

So there was nothing she could do except look at him.

I don’t remember what happened during the audience. Because the ink engraved on the white paper was so intense.

Because it covers everything else.

Claire felt like a traveler who had been wandering the desert for a long time.

Suffering from an unquenchable thirst, the existence of a wise man who barely received a sip of water was so sweet and enough to erase everything.

So I had no choice but to pursue him.

Even if you have to apologize.

Even though she should be punished for passing her duties and responsibilities to him.

Even though I have to tell him.

All I could do was quietly follow him.

Hyeonu started talking to me when I stood in front of the room. It’s a chance. A chance to apologize to him, a chance to talk about the past and approach him again.

However.

Claire, who still had no choice but to be a timid country girl in front of him, couldn’t get the words out of her heart.

What should I say?

What should I do?

The ink spreading on the white drawing paper is so intense, sweet, and painful.

Claire couldn’t do anything more than lick her lips, and in the end, she blew her chance again.

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Just like it always has been.

When he finally went in, Claire suddenly came to her senses.

Again, I messed up.

I stupidly blew my chance.

Hyeonu, who was in front of me until just now, is gone.

That sense of hopelessness, the sadness of Oasis, which had disappeared like a mirage, became a great fear and engulfed Claire in an instant.

no.

like this.

i can’t let him go again

I had no memory. I couldn’t even think.

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Just, just begrudgingly.

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Just like a child scolded by her parents blindly accusing her of doing something wrong, she poured out her anxiety and fear.

Hope calmly opened the door.

Ahh.

you have always been

always saved us

He supported us with his unique comfortable smile.

that you

You still hold me

Power is gone. Addicted to the sweet comfort of the sage, I was at a loss for words.

okay. There is no need to think.

Let go of the hero’s duty.

Because now I’m just Claire, a country girl.

So.

Get angry.

piss me off

Say I’m wrong, bring me back

it can’t be you

So please…

I poured out the things that were in my head indiscriminately.

And he did it without a word.

As always.

Like when they smiled and accepted the bitter words and scolding they spewed out whenever they were having a hard time, and the bitter smile they made when they couldn’t stop them.

I vomited like that for a long time, and the moment I saw his face, I noticed.

Maybe I’m making it difficult for him again.

When I realized that and was about to apologize again, the door opened.

In front of him was a girl with impressive red hair.

Unlike her rugged self, she was a beautiful girl who was noble, pretty, and kind.

Lucille Hermeyer.

The queen’s daughter, the woman who tried to pull out the warrior’s sword in the past.

At one time, it was the pride of the royal family for its outstanding talent.

After she pulled out the warrior’s sword, she lost confidence and lived in seclusion for a long time.

she was talking to him

called master.

That word brought her back to her senses, and she was able to see her as a hero.

What the sage laughs at.

To lift Lucille up, just like she did to them.

Confusing.

My head was blank, I didn’t know what to say or what to do.

In the meantime, Hyeonu, who had comforted the princess, left Claire behind and went outside.

Claire, who was just staring at it stupidly.

Unknowingly, he took out the shady feelings that he had secretly hidden in a corner of his heart.

“…why?”

I know you don’t deserve it

I also know that I can’t turn my relationship back with you.

I know that place is no longer mine.

I know I can’t get your support and I know what you said can’t get our relationship back to normal.

But sage.

why.

Are you a princess?

Claire slowly lowered her head.

The warrior’s sword in her hand emitted a soft light.

As if fate had chosen you as a hero, the sword still emitted a brilliant light from her hand.

It was.

he was a warrior

He was a warrior who was destined to defeat the demon king and be saved by the wise man.

Clearly it was.

But for the princess.

It certainly wouldn’t have been that special.

By the way.

– It’s good.

The hard-bitten lips burst again.

Sensing the taste of the blood, which was more bitter than usual, Claire muttered in a daze in a melancholy voice.

why?

***

Lucille, who returned to her room with the sage’s escort, was in a good mood.

I don’t know why.

No, I knew the truth.

He was just ignoring it and hiding it behind the dignity he should have as a member of the royal family.

Lucille recalled with a smile, leaving the maid behind and hugging the blanket tightly.

Before.

The hero who stared blankly at himself with envy and jealousy when he went out with the wise man.

The woman who pulled out the warrior’s sword that she didn’t have.

and.

The one who lost this wonderful person called the Sage.

And for the fact that he has a sage next to him.

I couldn’t stand it because of that, so I laughed out loud.

Lucille is a thrilling and shady thing that makes a part of her back creep.

He thought, without realizing it, laughing out loud again without dignity at the immoral pleasure that noble royalty should not have.

Before.

myself not a warrior

The kind man who escorted me so gently.

The ‘man’ who has now become her teacher.

Ahh.

wise man

‘My’ Master.

You were also wise.

You are also the one who can do everything.

You saved me from the beginning.

you like that

I.