Chapter 8

EP.8 Why

In this world, there is a word called 'destiny.' It is a compass that points the direction of a mortal's life, which is predetermined.

Some fall from great heights to the depths of despair, while others climb from the depths to great heights.

Among astrologers and astronomers, there were those who said that everything about a person is determined by destiny.

Claire quite liked the word 'destiny.'

After all, it was destiny that turned a simple country girl into the world's hero.

It was destiny that allowed her to pull the sword no one in the kingdom could, and thus fight to save the world.

And.

It was destiny that led her to meet the sage after pulling the hero's sword.

That's why she liked the word 'destiny.'

Even though the sage had left them, it was merely a mistake born from her own shortcomings.

She and the sage had met by destiny.

If not for destiny, she couldn't explain why he had followed her on the journey to defeat the Demon King.

And she had to hold onto the hope that destiny would bring them together again.

But sometimes.

Destiny could be terrifying.

Just like now.

When there were no choices, and decisions were forced upon her.

"Let's go soon."

Leodan, a middle-aged general with a heavy voice, rough skin, and a scarred face, spoke in a blunt tone.

Claire didn't particularly like him. Of course, his appearance was intimidating to women her age.

But the monsters she had encountered on the journey to defeat the Demon King were far more terrifying.

So his appearance didn't really bother her.

The reason she avoided General Leodan was simple.

He knew everything.

And he forced her to make decisions, knowing everything.

"...Can't you just open the portal for me?"

Claire, hesitating, spoke without thinking. Despite it being her duty, despite it being her mission as a hero.

Leodan, as always, calmly and sternly, with a tone that seemed to scold, easily dismissed her request and forced her to make a decision.

"Regular reports are your duty."

"...I understand."

Haven't you already faced the consequences of ignoring your duty once?

Didn't you experience what happened as a result?

Then why are you trying to run away again?

Claire bit her lip hard, suppressing the dark laughter inside her. The familiar taste of blood filled her mouth.

"...I'll open the portal."

Only a hero could open the portal, something even the sage, who could do everything, couldn't.

Leodan, observing one of the blessings from the gods, stepped through the portal, and Claire stopped at the threshold of the capital visible beyond the portal.

The capital beyond the portal was in summer.

The first summer festival since the defeat of the Demon King.

The preparations seemed even grander and more splendid than the festivals she had attended in the past.

She bowed her head, knowing she didn't have the right to recall the person she had shared the festival with.

Claire forced down the memories that kept surfacing, memories of the ecstasy and joy, and moved her reluctant feet with great effort.

The capital beyond the portal was bustling with festival preparations. The scorching sunlight, unlike the battlefield, made everyone feel elated, but Claire's steps toward the palace remained heavy.

"Welcome, General Leodan and Hero Claire. His Majesty is waiting. Please proceed."

The deputy commander of the elite Lily Knights, with a stern face, began to guide them. Passing through the familiar corridors of the palace, Claire sighed heavily.

Facing the grand castle, with its long history and tradition, Claire's heart remained heavy. Every time she saw such things, a certain person came to mind.

"...Sigh."

She had brought Ravenia and Evangelina to the palace many times, but never Hyunwoo.

He loved ancient ruins, artifacts, and splendid places, but she couldn't bring him to the palace.

After all, he was an unofficial party member and, in reality, just someone who followed them.

Of course, she had requested his inclusion a few times, but the nobles and knights rejected it.

They couldn't bring someone unknown, someone who hadn't received the blessing of the gods, someone whose intentions for following the hero party were unclear, into the palace.

So Claire, whenever she had the chance, informed the queen about the sage.

He was a good person, an excellent person.

And she obtained permission for him to enter the castle.

But he never entered the castle with her, even when the permission was granted.

By then, their relationship had become awkward.

Walking through the marble-decorated corridors, Claire felt as if they were thorny thickets.

This splendor was suffocating her.

He.

What is he doing now?

"The summer festival is coming soon, right? Amy, are you going with your boyfriend?"

"Yeah! I bought a new dress. Hehe. I'm going to muster the courage to seduce him."

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

That small whisper, that trivial topic for them, struck her heart hard.

She had done the same.

She had worn clothes she would never normally wear.

What was she thinking when she put on that dress?

...Ah. Right.

She wanted him to be pleased to see her.

To be able to show off her beauty, which would make others marvel.

Arrogantly, proudly.

As if she had achieved something, she wore it for him.

She shouldn't have.

Rather.

Rather...

Rather...

She should have embraced him, standing there like he was at the festival entrance.

She should have begged for forgiveness.

She should have thanked him deeply and apologized for taking over her duty, feeling ashamed.

She should have offered to do what she had postponed.

She had relied on him so much, what did a dress matter?

She should have offered her body, stained with the blood of monsters and scarred, to prevent him from leaving...

"...Eh...?"

At the entrance to the audience chamber, she saw a man standing with his characteristic chuckle, and her mind went blank.

The regret that had always occupied her mind.

The ugly self that had always emitted a foul smell with every breath.

All of it disappeared, leaving a blank slate.

On that blank slate, a drop of ink named Hyunwoo spread instantly.

Why is the sage, Hyunwoo, here?

She didn't know the reason. But she had to speak.

No, she had to talk to him.

She hadn't met him since he left, and she wanted to apologize and beg for forgiveness.

He had thoroughly refused to meet them.

But now they had met.

As if by destiny.

Yes, this could be destiny.

Then she had to do it.

No matter where she was.

No matter who she was.

No matter what she had to do.

"...Hy... un...?"

She wanted to speak clearly, but the voice that came out of her throat was a disgusting, damp sound.

No.

He would hate it.

Hyunwoo, who always looked at the future positively, would hate such a voice.

She tried to clear her throat and speak again, but Leodan raised his arm.

"The audience time is almost here."

Why is he stopping me?

Why is he blocking me?

I have to speak now.

I don't know when he will disappear again.

Suddenly, unexpectedly.

Or, he might disappear, blaming himself for not kneeling immediately upon meeting.

So she had to do it.

So.

But the opportunity didn't come.

Because of the indifferent words Hyunwoo spoke.

Her mind went blank, and she couldn't move her body.

The sound of his voice, which she hadn't heard in a long time, was too sweet.

His smile was too bright.

Like darkness fleeing from the sun, she felt too insignificant.

So she could only look at him.

She couldn't remember what happened during the audience time. The ink on the blank slate was too intense.

It covered everything else.

Claire felt like a traveler who had wandered in the desert for a long time.

Suffering from unquenchable thirst, the existence of the sage was sweet and sufficient to erase everything.

So she had to chase him.

She had to apologize, even though she had to face the consequences of her duty and responsibility.

She had to talk to him.

But all she could do was quietly follow him.

When they stopped in front of a room, Hyunwoo spoke. It was an opportunity. An opportunity to apologize, to talk about the past, and to approach him again.

But.

Claire, who still felt like a timid country girl in front of him, couldn't bring out the words in her heart.

What should she say?

What should she do first?

The ink on the blank slate was too intense, too sweet, and too painful.

All she could do was move her lips, and she missed the opportunity again.

Just like she always did.

When he finally went in, Claire snapped back to reality.

She had done it again.

She had foolishly missed the opportunity.

Hyunwoo was gone.

The despair, the regret of a mirage-like oasis disappearing, became a great fear that instantly consumed Claire.

No.

Not like this.

She couldn't let him go again.

She couldn't think, couldn't even form a coherent thought.

She just, desperately.

Like a child scolded by their parents, she poured out the anxiety and fear inside her.

Hope calmly opened the door.

Ah.

You always did this.

You always saved us.

You always supported us with your characteristic gentle smile.

And you.

You are still holding me.

I lost my words, addicted to the sweet comfort the sage gave.

Yes, there's no need to think.

Throw away the duty of a hero.

I am just a country girl named Claire.

So.

Scold me.

Yell at me.

Tell me I was wrong and lead me