Chapter 61

EP.61 Coachman (3)

In the southwestern part of Gerber, a massive dark cloud had been lingering in the same spot all along.

The cloud was very bright due to the constant purple lightning that illuminated it.

The ground beneath the cloud was practically a hell of lightning, with countless bolts striking the earth in mere seconds. From a distance, one could endlessly admire the purple lightning etched in the sky at every moment.

This cloud was a haven born from the high-density mana of the Thunder Deity.

One day, the Grand Witch of the Azure Heaven broke through the numerous lightning bolts to seek out the Thunder Deity. She was the one who had proposed that he become her servant and traverse the world. The Thunder Deity thought she was quite an interesting woman.

After a long journey together.

In the end, the Thunder Deity was cursed by the black dragon, Orkis, made of rotten human corpses.

He had to wage a fierce internal battle to suppress the destructive instincts raging from the dragon's curse, feeling as if his entire body was being torn apart from the inside.

If it weren't for his new master, Luce Eltania, who constantly suppressed the Thunder Deity with a large amount of lightning mana, he wouldn't have been able to continue the struggle for years.

Thanks to Isaac's efforts, the Thunder Deity regained his freedom.

However, his battle was still far from over.

“Still can't remember? When you fought Grung. Wasn't it Isaac?”

At the Merhen Academy, in the top-tier dormitory, Charles Hall, a question had been repeatedly asked for weeks without tiring.

A soft, moonlight-like voice carried the question. It belonged to a female student with long rose-gold hair, Luce Eltania.

Luce was sitting in front of her vanity, looking into the mirror while attaching a hair accessory with the colors of a morpho butterfly. Her silky smooth hair was well-brushed, and her makeup was neatly done.

This was thanks to the maid from the Eltania family who had been dispatched to the academy.

Luce, who didn't open up even to the maid, maintained a clear distinction between public and private life. One could say it was extremely biased towards the 'public' side.

On the vanity, a small crow-shaped thunder spirit sat. It was Galia, the Thunder Deity's 8-star servant, reduced in size.

Luce, a prodigy at level 150 with an innate talent for mana, had an exceptionally strong resonance with the Thunder Deity.

After summoning the Thunder Deity in front of the academy staff and getting used to the sensation.

She managed to shrink the Thunder Deity without any significant trial and error.

"Hmm..."

The Thunder Deity only sweated coldly, endlessly. Although his black body didn't show the sweat.

After being freed from the curse, the Thunder Deity, upon reuniting with Luce, shared many stories that they hadn't been able to tell each other. They laughed and felt a warm afterglow in their hearts.

However, there was one particular topic that troubled the Thunder Deity.

It was the story about Grung.

"I've told you many times... I just can't remember no matter how much I think about it."

For weeks, the Thunder Deity, Galia, had been giving the same answer in a deep voice.

It was obvious that Isaac had a reason to hide his identity. After all, he was the Thunder Deity's benefactor. The Thunder Deity believed it was his duty not to cause him any trouble.

Even if Luce were to take a more forceful approach and demand, "Tell me everything you know," the Thunder Deity was prepared to endure the penalty for disobedience. It would be excruciatingly painful, but he would endure it for the one who freed him from the curse.

However, Luce respected the Thunder Deity's will in daily life and didn't issue any commands. She only asked or requested. Perhaps this was a fortunate thing.

Of course, the Thunder Deity felt nothing but pity for Luce, who was suffering internally over the Grung issue. She was an invaluable presence to him.

"If, by any chance, Isaac and Grung are the same person, what would you do?"

The Thunder Deity tentatively asked, harboring his own doubts.

"..."

Luce lowered her aquamarine eyes.

Her cheeks flushed, and her lips trembled. This was a stark contrast to her usual demeanor of frowning or maintaining a poker face when meeting people.

On the vanity, a small crow-shaped thunder spirit sat. It was Galia, the Thunder Deity's 8-star servant, reduced in size.

Luce, who was sitting in front of her vanity, was attaching a hair accessory with the colors of a morpho butterfly. Her silky smooth hair was well-brushed, and her makeup was neatly done.

This was thanks to the maid from the Eltania family who had been dispatched to the academy.

Luce, who didn't open up even to the maid, maintained a clear distinction between public and private life. One could say it was extremely biased towards the 'public' side.

On the vanity, a small crow-shaped thunder spirit sat. It was Galia, the Thunder Deity's 8-star servant, reduced in size.

Luce, a prodigy at level 150 with an innate talent for mana, had an exceptionally strong resonance with the Thunder Deity.

After summoning the Thunder Deity in front of the academy staff and getting used to the sensation.

She managed to shrink the Thunder Deity without any significant trial and error.

"Hmm..."

The Thunder Deity only sweated coldly, endlessly. Although his black body didn't show the sweat.

After being freed from the curse, the Thunder Deity, upon reuniting with Luce, shared many stories that they hadn't been able to tell each other. They laughed and felt a warm afterglow in their hearts.

However, there was one particular topic that troubled the Thunder Deity.

It was the story about Grung.

"I've told you many times... I just can't remember no matter how much I think about it."

For weeks, the Thunder Deity, Galia, had been giving the same answer in a deep voice.

It was obvious that Isaac had a reason to hide his identity. After all, he was the Thunder Deity's benefactor. The Thunder Deity believed it was his duty not to cause him any trouble.

Even if Luce were to take a more forceful approach and demand, "Tell me everything you know," the Thunder Deity was prepared to endure the penalty for disobedience. It would be excruciatingly painful, but he would endure it for the one who freed him from the curse.

However, Luce respected the Thunder Deity's will in daily life and didn't issue any commands. She only asked or requested. Perhaps this was a fortunate thing.

Of course, the Thunder Deity felt nothing but pity for Luce, who was suffering internally over the Grung issue. She was an invaluable presence to him.

"If, by any chance, Isaac and Grung are the same person, what would you do?"

The Thunder Deity tentatively asked, harboring his own doubts.

"..."

Luce lowered her aquamarine eyes.

Her cheeks flushed, and her lips trembled. This was a stark contrast to her usual demeanor of frowning or maintaining a poker face when meeting people.

"Whenever I think about it, it just seems like Isaac is Grung... I wish convincing evidence would appear soon."

Luce's feelings for Isaac were somewhere between friendship and love.

She almost believed that Isaac was Grung. However, since it wasn't a clear fact yet, she had been suppressing her feelings, which were trying to seep out like a sweet fragrance.

What is friendship? Luce, who couldn't even grasp the answer to this question.

Her current emotions were so complex that the Thunder Deity felt quite troubled.

The Thunder Deity wanted to support his master's love. He felt that seeing Luce happily dating a man she liked would make him happy.

So, if he just blurted out, "Isaac is Grung," it would cut through Luce's complex psychological knots in one fell swoop...

But the sense of duty towards his benefactor held the Thunder Deity back like iron shackles. If Isaac had wanted Luce to know his true identity, he would have told her himself.

"Hmm..."

"Really can't remember, huh?"

"My answer remains the same."

The Thunder Deity was caught in a deep psychological conflict. The cold sweat didn't stop.

This intense inner struggle was pushing the Thunder Deity into a corner.

Luce let out a low sigh, looking disappointed.

"Going to see Isaac?"

"He's busy with his coachman duties... I might only see him briefly at the training ground in the evening."

"..."

"Should I go see him now?"

"He just said he's busy, didn't he?"

"I can't help it. I can't stand it anymore, I..."

With the summer break, the time I spent with Luce increased, and I was happy about it.

But now that Isaac was busy with his coachman duties, the time we spent together had significantly decreased.

Although she had endured it so far, her patience was reaching its limit.

"I've already tasted the sweetness of friendship. I can't go back now..."

Her tone was almost like that of someone who had fallen into depravity, but the content was so wholesome that the Thunder Deity felt a sense of dissonance.

* * *

The Thunder Emperor, that debtor, returned to his country after finishing his discussion about investments with the principal, Elena, at the Bartos Hall.

It was still a mystery why he had come in person. But since he wasn't there to empower the demons or to interfere with me, I decided not to overthink it.

If anything unexpected happened in the future, I would consider this as a piece of the puzzle to deduce the reason, and I would reserve my judgment.

Incidentally, when the Thunder Emperor left my carriage, I felt more relief than anger.

After all, he had come to find me using his [Far Sight]. So, if I considered the unpaid fare as a ransom for my life, it felt like a gain. ...Am I too lenient?

Anyway, it was fortunate that everything went smoothly. If the Thunder Emperor had snapped his fingers, I would have been sent straight to the afterlife.

"..."

I was doing my coachman duties today.

While passing through a macadam road, I saw a woman extending her arm towards me, as if hitchhiking.

Perhaps to hide her identity, she covered her hair with a hood and wore glasses that blurred her face, but it was Luce.

[Luce Eltania]

Lv: 150

Race: Human

Attribute: Water, Lightning

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [She wants to be with you.]

I quickly guessed why she was hiding her identity.

Luce knew I was working as a coachman. I had told her during one of our conversations.

So, she probably wanted to use this opportunity to spend more time with me by pretending to be a customer.

However, she seemed worried that if she used the carriage and paid me, I might feel burdened.

'How thoughtful.'

It was hard to ignore her feelings. I decided to give her a ride.

Of course, I would charge her. Maybe a 10% discount as a friend.

I stopped the carriage and let Luce in. When I greeted her enthusiastically, "Welcome aboard!" she only nodded quietly.

"Where to?"

"Anywhere... somewhere where I can see the sea."

After all that effort.

Couldn't she have come up with a more specific plan? It's hard to navigate with such vague instructions.

"Um, customer. Could you please specify which sea?"

"Anywhere, somewhere where I can see the sea."

"...Then let's go to the Castri coastline."

Since she repeated the same answer, I just picked a place that came to mind and started driving the carriage.

I glanced at Luce.

[Luce Eltania]

Psychology: [She is happy to be with you at the sea.]

Her face was blurred by the glasses, but I could see her lips twitching into a smile.

Then, water mana began to coalesce in the air.

"My master! Success in deceiving Isaac!"

The small beluga servant, Bello, exclaimed happily.

He was immediately recalled.

[Luce Eltania]

Psychology: [She is despondent about failing to hide her identity from you.]

...I should have pretended not to notice. Sorry.

It was too late to pretend not to notice, given Bello's decisive appearance. I called out her name softly, as if just realizing who she was.

"Luce?"

"...Sniff."

Luce made a slight sobbing sound, took off her glasses, and removed her hood.

Her rose-gold hair, neatly arranged, came into view. She bowed her head, hiding her face, looking resigned.

...

"We've arrived~."

On the way to the Akinks coast.

The Castri coastline, where Luce had summoned the Thunder Deity in front of the academy staff, was bathed in the glow of the sunset and the shimmering sea.

I tried to cheer up Luce, who was feeling down after being exposed. Fortunately, she seemed happy just to be with me and soon started listening and responding joyfully. It was fun to see her open up.

Midway through, Luce's small beluga servant, Bello, popped out and joined the conversation. Eden also responded to my words with a "Grrr," making the atmosphere enjoyable while I drove the carriage.

After operating the carriage and using mana all day, my body was sore. I decided to take a short break by the seaside.

The setting sun was casting a red glow over the horizon. We had arrived at a good time.

I glanced at Luce. She was lost in deep thought.

Reading her mind, I realized she was feeling sad, probably reminiscing about her childhood.

After losing the Grand Witch of the Azure Heaven and her brother, Henzel.

Luce would often go to the rooftop of the Eltania family's mansion and gaze at the setting sun over the horizon. As described in "The Magic Knight of Merhen."

I couldn't imagine how heavy her thoughts were during those times.

Now, Luce, who had always been alone, had opened her heart to me, and perhaps to no one else.

Realizing this, I understood the significance of being with Luce at the seaside, watching the sunset.

Luce is no longer alone. Even though I initially regretted becoming her friend, I now feel nothing but deep affection for her. I don't want her to feel lonely.

So, I felt happy to be by Luce's side.

Luce, sensing my gaze, turned to look at me and smiled shyly, her cheeks flushing.

I smiled back at her.

The sounds of Bello and Eden chatting.

The sound of the sea breeze and the waves crashing.

It felt quite romantic for a summer day.

"Ah."

After a while, Luce seemed to remember something and pulled out a small bundle from her bosom, offering it to me.

A jingling sound was heard. It seemed to contain a lot of gels.

Luce looked embarrassed.

"Including today's fare... there's a lot of gels. So, can I monopolize Isaac's carriage for a while?"

"..."

I felt a strong sense of dissonance and alternated my gaze between Luce and the bundle.

This is completely...?

"Can't do it?"

"Sure... just give me today's fare. As a friend, I'll give you a 10% discount. Make sure to calculate it properly."

"Uh?"

Luce, who was taken aback by my refusal.

Even if it was in an indirect form, I couldn't, in good conscience, charge a friend.