◈Episode 131 That was enough (6)
After that… it was an amazing performance.
I slowly raised my head at the sight of Dev leaving first. The snake, who had suddenly watched my despairing performance, looked somewhat embarrassed.
Of course, that didn’t mean he said anything to me.
It was natural. If you make a mistake here, the concept will go the route of becoming black. They’ll try to cut your throat.
So, if you have any sense, you have no choice but to keep your mouth shut.
[Should that man go back?]
A savory tone that rises in the middle rather than the end quietly suggested while examining my complexion.
There was no need to refuse. It was a car I slowly wanted to return to.
No matter how clear the water in the waterfall was, I felt uncomfortable because the leaves and wood chips that were stuck in my hair were dry and dry.
[Well. Apart from the fact that my birth was a bit unstable, the abilities I gained this time are quite good. The mountain soldiers of the previous generation had a very large body and it was difficult to move around outside, but I have no such limitations due to my abilities. [It’s also good to avoid the priests’ eyes.]
As I walked forward to show that I accepted the offer, the snake also wriggled. It certainly seemed difficult to make a U-turn due to its large body.
Without the ability to pass through trees, they would have been mere destroyers of forests rather than guardians.
[And the funny thing is, thanks to being born as Yorokorom, I was able to resolve my corrupted magical power.]
“…What are you talking about?”
[The reason why it was born like this was because the magic energy melted into the swamp and could not be dispersed, so it became stale. Because it influenced me so much. But since I can eat magical energy and magical energy, I ate them all after I was born. Then, it returned to its original swamp.]
The snake waved its tail, saying that he was already born that way and will not change, but since the corrupted magic power has been removed, the children born next will be the same as usual.
[Ah, Jatav, the problem that has appeared in those guys’ territory isn’t serious yet. They wanted to do something with each other, so I just left it out there… Something might happen this time, so I’ll sort it out, so don’t worry.] More than
that, he’s really desperate. make excuses I looked at the people around me and after some deliberation, I spoke. A subdued voice rang out solemnly.
“Why are you telling me that?”
[Uh…]
Then the snake was embarrassed.
[I wonder if you want to know…? Looking at your companions, it seemed like you came here to investigate this, didn’t you?]
That’s not wrong. It’s true that I came here to investigate that.
I asked because the snake’s attitude was so friendly and desperate.
I took a guess and asked the question again to fit the concept. Then the snake stiffened, as if it had been hit on the head.
[Are you asking because you don’t know that…?]
Suddenly, I felt like I had done something very wrong.
[No, not only does he possess an enormous amount of demonic energy and magical power, but he also possesses a bead that condenses the power of someone who is on the same level as my ancestor and of a higher rank than me…?]
However, after hearing it, it was worth it.
Even though my magical power was the same, the orb I had was a power given to me by one of the ancient beasts. He inherited the blood of another ancient beast.
In that respect, it was enough for him to notice me. So maybe?
[Honestly, my heart still flutters every time I think about a guest entering the forest. Suddenly, I feel a tremendous amount of magical power, and it seems as if it possesses demonic power, but at the same time, it also seems to have a level of power higher than mine.]
As I was silently agreeing, the snake finally revealed its true feelings. I feel like there’s a lot I’ve been suppressing and it’s all bursting out.
[I was worried that I might have killed an ancient beast and taken away its power. So I tried to stay quiet until the guests left… Ha. Still, after looking at it for a few days, I thought the customer’s personality was pretty good and I didn’t have to worry, but then these crazy people started causing accidents. Did I really think, ‘Ah, the forest is finally falling apart’ when the customer was putting in so much effort? Unfortunately, the curse is about to spread again…]
That’s right. sorry. I was wrong.
For some reason, it wasn’t until the last minute that he raised his head. You crawled flat out of fear that I would kill you.
[But I feel a little relieved now. I guess the sea gave me strength for no reason.]
But if this happens, the person who intervened must have sensed me and intervened… Maybe it was because of me that the warchief was chosen as the chieftain of Serhang.
Maybe I’m overly self-conscious, but whatever.
Still, in my opinion, the result is not bad. At least Chief Serhang didn’t seem like trash like those people.
So I think it’s okay.
So I returned to the tribe.
【I know you are trying to help me. I don’t deny that.】
【So?】
【…But you guys are different from trying to help me. It’s true that my parents were killed by outsiders.】
[Ugh.]
But did he return to the village like that?
It was around this time that I found out that the snake guy could set his body to be visible only to certain people. I found just six people gathered together, including Akata, the White Wind Archmage, Chief Serhang, and someone who appeared to be from the priest Bigabol tribe.
【I definitely appreciate the help. Thank you… but I don’t want to accept your help. Whenever I see you, I always think of my father…】
Worse yet, out of the six people, Akata was crying bitterly.
As I reflexively hid behind a nearby building, I felt a twinge in my heart.
[Hey… that little guy has become really complicated too. Not only is he the child of a traitor, but he even tried to kill the chief, so it must have been difficult for him to remain here.]
…Meanwhile, this prediction turned out to be correct again.
I recalled the hypothesis I had made while wondering why the child pointed the knife at me. If it was an assassin sent by Atart, that would be sad, but it wouldn’t be any better.
[Looking at it, it looks like the people you brought here are trying to take care of the child. It must be very difficult for a child to hate something like that. Because it’s so funny.]
Among the people captured by me, perhaps among the people I killed was that girl’s family.
【So, I choose to stay here?】
【…But I can’t follow you.】
At that time, the White Wind spoke. I clenched my fist and noticed the snake.
Interpret. Why are you looking at me like that?… Tell me to translate.
After a few glances, the snake understood. His gunnichae ability is quite good.
【But staying here won’t do you any good. Isn’t that right, temporary chief?】
【…Unfortunately, that’s the case. I didn’t kill former Chief Atart directly, but… didn’t everyone see that I tried to kill him?】 【…
Then.】
【Even if I can’t do it, I will demand the maximum penalty of exile and death. Regardless of whether Atart made a mistake or not, there are still many forces that support him.】
[The person who killed him was ours. Would it be difficult to send them to another tribe like other children?】
【It’s not impossible, but… you know, right? Usually in times like this… anger is directed at the easy-going person you can mess with rather than the person who directly caused harm. Even if you send it to another tribe, there will definitely be people who will try to kill you. The situation is different from other children.】
Anyway, the chief is that tribe.
I gritted my teeth while listening to the snake’s interpretation. If he attacked me, I would have just raised his middle finger, but if he was targeting the child, there was nothing I could do about it.
Because I can’t protect that child for the rest of my life.
【If our tribe takes charge of it…】
【…I am against it. As soon as this matter is completed, aren’t you in a position to delegate the position of chieftain and officially take over the work of warchief?】 【
But priest.】
【This is also for the child. In an environment where it is difficult for me and the warchief to pay attention, we are geographically close to the Bigabol tribe. Although the location of the village is hidden, exchanges are frequent and there are many tribe members who have been influenced by that area. There…you know? How sensitive our tribe members are to threats against their chieftain. Even if we crack down on it, discrimination will definitely occur.】
【…Still. We’ll be better than other places. If you think it won’t work from the beginning, how many things in the world will work? It’s something we just need to pay more attention to.】
【…That.】
【Wait a minute. I understand the will of the two of you, but shouldn’t you still listen to the child’s opinion?】
[Oh, that’s right. The opinions of the parties involved must also be heard. What do you think? If I stay, there is a high possibility that I will die, or even if I don’t die, I will have to live very hard, are you okay?】
【…I don’t know. But I don’t want to follow you to live comfortably.】
At that point, I looked back to see if I had made the right choice.
I don’t regret killing my children to save them, but maybe there was a better way.
Rather than taking her for fear of being taken hostage, shouldn’t she have hidden it so Akata couldn’t see it?
【Hmm. is it. But looking at you, it looks like you just want to die?】
【…That’s natural!】
【Yes. In the end, he doesn’t want to die, but he doesn’t want to receive our help.】
But retrying is impossible. I quietly folded my arms while listening to the snake’s interpretation.
【It’s not like that…!】
【I’m telling you this in advance in case there’s any misunderstanding, but I’m not being sarcastic or criticizing you right now. Of course, it would be a lie to say that I sympathize with your feelings, but I know that it is not easy to accept that your family member was murdered. So there is no need to deny it. No one is criticizing your psychology. I just have this way of speaking.】
【….】
【Apart from that, there are so many people who care about your well-being. Hmm.】
【…Then how about doing it like this?】
【…?】
【First, follow us outside.】
【But I…】
【Listen to the end. He asked to go outside with us, but it doesn’t mean he wants
to stay with us forever.】 【…To leave it to people who are not related to us?】
【Then that’s the only way.】
【Well, the reason he hates us is because we ultimately caused the death of our parents. Because I got involved. Then it would definitely be best to find someone who is not related.】
【…That person is also a foreigner.】
Separately, I felt it before, but Akata was not very cooperative.
However, considering that all of his relatives are dead and he is left alone, even his revenge has come to nothing, and even more so considering that the only people left are some hometown people who do not like them and high-ranking people who are talking about their treatment.
A child’s tic-ticking is rather pitiful.
【then? Of course he’s a foreigner. But not all outsiders tried to kill your parents, right? Are you going to hate those people too? Well, that doesn’t matter. But if you want to live, you will have to compromise on this part. We have no intention of offering anything more than this. Anyway, why should we care any more?】
【….】
It’s clear that all of that bad behavior comes from the judgment that he is the only one who can protect himself.
【Akata.】
At that moment, the chief or war chief of Serhang, who had been silent, spoke.
【Can I understand that it is not that you want to stay here, but that you chose here because you are reluctant to go outside?】
【…?】
【If you wish to stay here even if you endure adversity and hardship, I will do my best to help you. I will. However, it doesn’t seem to me that you really want to stay here.】
【That’s… of course. Everything is gone, but there’s nothing good about me staying here…】
【I understand. Then, let me ask you another question. What is the reason why you are reluctant to become an outsider?】
【That is… Because they are the ones who killed my parents.】
【I understand that there are people in the Bigabol tribe who also had a hand in the execution. So do you hate everyone who belongs to Bigabol? Do you also blame all the people from other tribes who were not involved?】
【That’s…! That’s…】
【It won’t be like that. You already know that they are not guilty.】
Just like the priest whom the warchief placed under him, his voice was soft and pierced in the ear.
【Then I will ask again. Why are even strangers who don’t know anything about this reluctant?】
Suddenly, a glint of wisdom seemed to flow over the boy’s face.
【…that. That’s….]
【Yes.】
【Because I’m an outsider…】
【Just because I’m an outsider?】
【My parents… say that the outside world is a bad place….】
【Oh, the outside world is a bad place, so the outsider Because I thought it was bad. okay. But do you really think that is so?】
【That…】
【Don’t think about what your parents and adults around you said. Tell me what you experienced or what you thought.】
【…I don’t think it’s a bad thing. If that were the case, you wouldn’t be helping me now. It’s just that I… I just…】
【That’s right. That’s it. That’s your answer. That is your correct answer.】
【But father…】
In the midst of the continued words, Akata spoke up for a rebuttal. Then the warchief’s eyes narrowed and he shook his head slightly.
【Akata: This may be a bit random, but I believe there are a few karmas that one must carry between the moment of birth and the process of becoming an adult.】
【…?】
【And one of them is this. At some point we have to admit that those we respect may in fact be wrong. That is our karma.】
The warchief even took a step forward and held Akata’s hand.
【It’s hard to admit. The desire to live in denial and with your eyes and ears closed will definitely shake your body. Or, admitting their mistakes may feel like a betrayal towards them.】
【….】
【But no. Akata. That’s not betrayal. It’s just a process of becoming an adult and a way for you to become independent as a human being.】
【…It’s not betrayal? That?】
【Because Akata everyone cannot choose only the correct answer. Because that’s what people are. Also, the people we admire and love are ultimately just people. They too could be wrong. Just as my mother, who was so great to me, was actually a failure as a chieftain.】
【…Like that. Something like that.】
【Do not be deceived by Akata love. Love is right, but the lover is not always right. It just makes them want to believe that your love is the right thing for them. But what is truly true is everything your eight eyes saw and your ears heard.】
【That can’t be true…】
Tears began to fall again in the connected warmth.
【So rather than being swayed by what they say, trust and follow the answer you give. Don’t let yourself and your future be taken away by your love.】
【…If that’s true, then I am.】
【I’d rather go out there without hesitation, saying that this land is too small to embrace you.】
【… Isn’t surviving really a betrayal?】
[Of course. That is absolutely not a betrayal, it is simply your growth and a choice for you.】
【Really…】
Akata sobbed and hugged the warchief. Instead of avoiding the warchief, he also hugged her.
The problem was that we were both children, so I felt like I was going to cry.
Even I have a weakness for stories about children growing up after overcoming their mistakes. This is especially true when it comes to stories about children growing up brilliantly amidst ugly adults.
[This… I think this warchief was chosen very well….]
I was not sure if it was unfortunate or fortunate, but instead of interpreting, the snake whimpered next to me, so my tears went inside instead of flowing out.
This guy is more thrilled than me.
[Ugh, I picked him to impress the customers, but
it was completely Daegil…!!] Was it really true that he was chosen because of me?!
* * *
【I’m sorry. I…】
【No, Akata. I’m just sorry because this is all I can do for you.】
I must have cried for a long time. Akata stepped back slightly with a frown on her face. The warchief just smiled kindly at him.
It’s a bit hard to say this, but I really didn’t feel like a child, I felt like an adult… Not a saint in the sense of an adult, but an adult when talking about people like Jesus.
[Hmph. You are the wisest human being….]
Please stop crying.
【Separately… you know? You must properly apologize to him for what you did wrong. It wasn’t a mistake to save the children, right?】
【…I know.】
【Yes. Please.】
That guy stopped translating because he was crying, so I can’t understand what he’s saying anymore.
I glanced at the snake. The giant snake doesn’t know whether I’m looking at it or not because it’s wiping the side of its eyes with its tail.
Well, it doesn’t matter anyway.
I uncrossed my arms and pulled away from the body I was leaning on. Why bother going over there? I’m going somewhere else.
The ending is also kind of… I’m satisfied that it came out in the best possible way and was believable.
“Demon Knight!!”
At that time, someone came running crying. Flushed cheeks, sparkling green eyes and red hair. It was kimchi dumplings.
“Where have you been? “I found it.”
It’s been a while since I’ve seen you… but I’m still so glad to see you. I saw it earlier too.
“How did you get recognized by Sangun? Of course, the Demon Knight is fully qualified to do that. ah! I also heard that you worked hard for the children. As expected from a demon knight…!”
Still, I don’t hate it. I let out a long breath as the Inquisitor chattered away.
“Well. “Are you here?”
In the meantime, Dev also quietly intervened. It seems like he saw how I treated the Inquisitor and decided that it would be okay to approach him.
“Did you… hear that? “The person from Bigabol who was elected as the temporary chief heard about the mistakes made by the former chief and said he would pay the king proper compensation.”
“What? “I didn’t hear that!”
“I guess it’s because you can’t work.”
“no! “I’m busy treating people…!”
Anyway, the two dumplings look very cute together. Make people want to smile.
“noisy.”
But if you show it, you’re a cat. I passed by the two who closed their mouths and said ‘join’.
“I heard someone say something because of you!”
“What are you saying? Anyone can see that it’s because of you, right?”
“You said it was noisy as soon as you arrived!”
“At least I passed along the information! “Unlike you who only chatted!”
Tinnitus was consumed by the chattering voices. That was enough.
“Comrades! After all, I can’t be angry! I need to get my share of the game back!! “Let’s have a fight!”
No, maybe it’s a bit excessive?
Well, I think I like this more now. Quests are originally noisy based on a happy ending, so it has to end cheerfully to leave a good aftertaste.
Isn’t that what it’s all like?