Chapter 98

98

To be honest, I had never seen such a sight before.

Flames continuously burst around Sharant Clown.

The intensity was so fierce that I thought I would be electrocuted just by touching him.

The electricity lingering nearby adhered to the blade.

"You're the leader of the one who came that time."

"…Oh."

He clicked his tongue and straightened his bent back.

"I didn't expect to meet like this. And it's just a cooperative relationship; I'm not the leader of that guy."

You know Dantalian? You didn't even mention it to me? My head throbbed.

"I can't understand why you're targeting this child."

Sharant Clown slowly approached.

The robed man, who hadn't taken a step back in front of Kaishan and me, retreated.

The hand that was about to strangle my neck disappeared.

"Shelina, come here."

As I hesitated, the robed man cut in.

"Even with a child, can't you give this to me? I have a place where it's really needed. I won't kill her. If you want, I can raise her well…"

Sharant Clown's blade instantly cut through the space where the robed man's neck had been.

"That's exactly arrogance, and the thinking of a corrupt commoner."

At the same time as Sharant Clown's cold rebuke, the robed man's form momentarily dispersed and then returned to its original place.

His blurred body returned to normal as the blade moved away.

"An illusion?"

"It's more like a high-level spell."

His tone was strangely deep and resonant. The robed man's voice was emotionless from start to finish.

A voice devoid of all emotion, unpleasant to hear.

He looked at me expressionlessly, then slowly turned his head.

His lifeless eyes were so dull that even I couldn't see my reflection in them. When we talked, he seemed somewhat more human.

"Since there's still some time, I'll back off this time."

"Why do you need me?"

Sharant Clown embraced me.

The robed man's body began to slowly blur. I didn't really expect an answer, but after staring at me for a while, he opened his mouth.

"For the fall of Silophia, and the downfall of the mages."

The unexpected words sent a shiver down my spine.

"What…?"

"Asmodeus. See you next time."

His form completely disappeared.

As if he had never existed.

The dark, dead voice didn't sound like a simple wordplay.

It wasn't the arrogance of a young man full of hubris. The shiver was accompanied by a chill.

Sharant Clown examined me and sighed.

"Why are you always like this…"

"…"

"Are you hurt?"

"It's fine."

I don't know, I didn't want to be hurt, and I didn't want to get involved with such people.

"If you could have run, you should have run. Why did you send Kaishan alone?"

"I was weak."

My abilities were insufficient.

My mind was troubled by Asmodeus or whatever.

Looking at Sharant Clown's expression, I sighed.

"Is Kaishan okay?"

"…He's fine. But in the future, if you can run, you should run. Don't sacrifice yourself needlessly. Kaishan won't die easily. Unlike you, who is only half…"

Sharant Clown stopped speaking in the middle.

His perplexed gaze met mine, then quickly moved away.

I stared at him for a moment, then awkwardly smiled and nodded.

"Okay."

"What I said is…"

Sharant Clown clicked his tongue irritably.

There's nothing particularly new about it. Whether you're half or not, the content is still fake.

'Well, I wasn't ordinary, after all.'

There must be some secrets within the family. Something mysterious that can't be told to a half.

"Ah, let me down. I need to go out."

I stretched as if nothing had happened and spoke indifferently.

Sharant Clown obediently put me down.

The people of the Clown family are so dirty and despicable.

"Sorry for not coming sooner."

"It's fine."

It's not a one or two-day thing, and it's not a lie, so I can't really complain.

Sharant Clown clicked his tongue again and turned his body.

I followed Sharant Clown a few steps behind.

* * *

"Shelina, something happened, right?"

Chaser, who came early in the morning, leaned in close and said.

'What is this kid doing early in the morning?'

In a daze, I flailed my hand in the air and slowly opened my eyes when a rough palm grabbed my fingertips.

"Are you okay?"

I slowly nodded, hearing his annoyingly cheerful voice.

I had something to ask this guy anyway.

"Do you know Asmodeus?"

His pupils widened.

Looking at Chaser's red eyes, I thought of Asmodeus's red eyes.

Though not a rare eye color, his eyes were very dull. Chaser's eyes, on the other hand, were quite clear.

"I've never seen his face. I'm not as free as a leader, and this is my first time outside."

Chaser's casual words made me feel strangely uncomfortable.

'First time?'

Was he locked up somewhere for a long time?

"Still, I've heard the name. The leader probably knows. But how did that person know? Could it be that the person who attacked this time is him?"

"Uh-huh."

"Hmm, I see. I'm glad you're safe."

Chaser lifted me up by my arms and shook me gently, then nodded.

"Ouch!"

"Ouch? This?"

Chaser twisted my flesh without hiding his surprise.

Even as my flesh turned bright red, Chaser's expression didn't change at all. He seemed to be unaware of pain.

I grimaced, looking at his tilted head, which seemed to be saying he didn't understand.

"It hurts. Sorry, I didn't know. Our little one is so weak. I'll be more careful next time."

Chaser said with a grin.

It was so refreshing.

It seemed like he really didn't know I would be in pain.

His slightly immature behavior might be due to his lack of social experience.

"Why Asmodeus?"

"…No."

I wanted to ask what they were plotting, but Chaser wasn't likely to give a proper answer.

I sighed deeply and turned my head. At least I got what I wanted.

"Do you know I'm a Ho Knight?"

"Isn't it just about protecting you until you grow up?"

I don't understand why Dantalian and this kid keep using the word "grow up." And why does it sound so dismissive?

"I'm going out today."

"Going out?"

"Going outside!"

When I shouted, Chaser finally exclaimed, "Ah," and grinned.

"Great!"

Chaser, who answered with an innocent face, ran off to get permission.

'Wait, I haven't gotten permission yet.'

He seemed so serious there, but can he act so innocently? Well, it's not my problem, but since he's under my charge…

I shook my head, overwhelmed by my thoughts.

Chaser will act on his own. The problem isn't Chaser right now, but me.

'Between Sharant Clown and Deshar Clown, who is easier to get permission from?'

I swung my legs, lost in thought. My legs, which had been sprawled out under the bed, dangled.

I have to get out somehow, but Sharant Clown probably won't give permission easily.

'Deshar Clown.'

If I pick a flower and laugh stupidly, he'll probably give permission.

After finishing my thoughts, I pulled a flower from a nearby pot. Seeing the root-pulled flower, I found it too messy and cut the stem in half.

Holding the clean stem in one hand, I headed to Deshar Clown's office.

Sharant Clown's office and Deshar Clown's office are on the first floor but are some distance apart.

After lunch, the two of them are often in their respective offices.

Sure enough, seeing the knight guarding outside, I knew Deshar Clown was inside.

"Miss, are you here to see the Duke?"

"Uh-huh, Grandpa in?"

"Yes, he's here. Please come in."

I shook my head in shock as the knight tried to open the door without checking.

This guy doesn't know his life is precious. What if I get in trouble?

"Miss, you can enter anytime without notification."

"Grandpa said?"

"Yes."

The knight bowed and quietly opened the door. I slipped in through the slightly open gap, looking at the knight.

Deshar Clown, who didn't seem to notice my entry, was busy with documents, his expression stiff.

'…Don't you usually notice by now?'

Especially the Clowns, who are as sensitive as animals.

The massive door closed silently, and I stood at the entrance, unsure where to go.

To make matters worse, the carpet on the floor muffled my footsteps.

How long had I been standing there?

After a long time, Deshar Clown put down the documents with a serious expression and tilted his head. He pressed his forehead with his index and thumb, then reached for the next document but stopped when he met my eyes.

Deshar Clown's eyes widened.

"Shelina?"