STGAAB Novel MTL - Chapter 777
Chapter 777: 13th Month (4)
It wasn’t a bad proposal, just one I hadn’t expected at all. If I put emotions aside and look at the situation rationally, we did have a vacancy in our clan for a wizard with Versyl gone. Of course, there was Lilith Marrone, but…… If we were to proceed with further expeditions, we’d inevitably have to split into at least two teams due to our current numbers, so additional magical support was absolutely necessary. In that situation, we would need another high-level wizard like Raven. And on top of that, Raven, whom I’ve subtly tried recruiting several times, is bringing this up on their own?
‘I mean, I’m all for it, but……’
Still, I had to check. Whether or not she joins our clan, I already considered her an ally.
“What’s going on exactly?”
I set aside the recruitment topic for now and asked cautiously.
“Are you… really okay?”
Was it because she had just told me about losing her master? I was worried about Raven, who seemed to be going through a sudden change of heart.
“……I’m okay.”
“But why are you suddenly thinking about leaving the Magic Corps?”
At my question, Raven paused for a moment, then, seemingly having made up her mind, spoke in a bitter tone.
“Because I want revenge. With my own hands.”
“…Revenge? Are you talking about the one who harmed your master?”
“Yes.”
…So that’s it. Her motivation was perfectly understandable. There’s not much else those left behind can do.
“Who is it?”
“One of the members of Orcules. He revealed himself for the first time during this war and hasn’t earned a title yet.”
Raven then explained that not much was known about the enemy, but that the one who killed her master was exceptionally skilled, far beyond what a newcomer should be. It seemed this person already held a significant position within Orcules.
‘A super rookie who appeared like a comet, huh……’
Oh, but I wasn’t too concerned about where such a person had come from. Because I knew the answer.
‘The guys who chased us during the Ice Rock Expedition felt exactly like that.’
In the past, Noark had been conquering the Eighth floor for over a year, resulting in the creation of numerous high-level explorers in a short time. Armed with high-rank essences up to rank 2, they boasted overwhelming firepower. Not that they were without flaws due to the absence of lower-rank essences, though. Anyway, it seemed likely that the person who killed Raven’s master was created through a similar process……
“Hah……”
I spoke frankly.
“Raven, if revenge is your goal, staying with the Magic Corps would probably serve you better. Our top priority is survival. If the royal family tries to send us to the front lines, I’ll avoid it as much as I can. Do you get what I mean?”
“I understand. But my decision hasn’t changed.”
……What?
“Even though you tried to avoid fights as much as possible, you still ended up battling a lot, didn’t you? You even fought against Demon Eyes this time.”
“Uh… that’s true, but—.”
“My intuition is telling me that staying with Mr. Yandel will get me much closer to my revenge than staying with the Magic Corps.”
I was about to respond, but Raven gestured for me to stop and continued speaking.
“Besides, if I stay in the Magic Corps, I’ll still have to follow the higher-ups’ orders, right? Even if that guy shows up, if the command doesn’t come, I’ll have no choice but to just sit there and watch with my hands behind my back.”
“……”
“So… what’s your decision?”
I couldn’t think of a counterargument to Raven’s somewhat reasonable logic(?). And I didn’t really have a reason to oppose her decision, either. The only thing that slightly bothered me was what Lyranne Vivian had said to me earlier.
[O-Oppa, I don’t know if you know this, but I used the rank 1 black magic, ‘Future Vision.’]
That woman claimed she saw through ‘Future Sight’ a scene of Raven betraying me on the day the royal capital, Karnon, burned. While the Palace of Glory was struck by Thunder and severely damaged, but ultimately, the royal capital, Karnon, didn’t end up burning.
‘Raven betraying me……’
If what Vivian said was true, letting Raven join the clan might be a dangerous move—.
‘……But would it really change anything?’
When I think about it, the outcome would likely be the same whether I let Raven join or not. If it’s fated to happen, it will happen either way.
“Alright. I’ll accept you, but first submit your resignation to the Magic Corps.”
“It’ll take about a month to get everything sorted out.”
“That’s fine. We still don’t know when the labyrinth will open.”
And just like that, the matter of Raven joining was settled. Then, I turned to Missha, who had been making a strange expression for a while.
“Do you have any objections to Raven joining?”
Missha flinched and shook her head.
“Ahaha… Of course not! Aruru is an amazing wizard, right? Uh, she’s always welcome! Welcome……!”
“Really……?”
…But why does her smile seem so forced? I stared at her for a moment, curious, and Missha waved her hands, as if to prove her innocence.
“I swear, I’m not worried or anxious about anything! Really!”
Worried and anxious……
“……”
I only asked if she had any objections, didn’t I……?
***
After finishing a meal with some drinks, we talked for about 30 minutes more before naturally parting ways. Other than Raven’s joining, there wasn’t much else of note. However, if I had to mention something…
‘Something’s off with this guy too.’
It wasn’t just Missha who acted strange after Raven’s decision was finalized. Mr. Bear also gave both me and Raven odd looks. It seemed like he had something he wanted to say but ultimately remained silent until we parted ways. It left me feeling uneasy……
‘Well, if he had something important to say, he would’ve said it.’
Since he didn’t speak up, there’s no reason for me to force him to. If he wants to talk about it, I’ll deal with it when he does.
“We’re a bit behind schedule, but… the next place is over there!”
“I’ll find the place myself. Just give me the address.”
“But that would ruin the fun—.”
“Efficiency comes before fun. Now hurry, tell me.”
With that, we moved on according to the schedule Missha had planned. We went to a pottery workshop for a pottery-making experience, then we watched a play and circus near the square. When night fell, we stopped by a tavern that also doubled as an inn……
“Do you… remember this place……?”
When Missha asked that as our meal was coming to an end, I thought back and finally remembered.
“This is where we came a long time ago, isn’t it?”
We didn’t come here for anything strange; it was when we were still rookies and sold off some gear, but we missed the last stagecoach and had to pay a hefty price to stay here. The inn had a separate living room, bedroom, and bathroom, multiple windows, a terrace, and even handmade artisan soap, etc…… We were culture-shocked by the condition of the inn and resolved to work hard to earn money in the moving forward—.
“Hey, Bjorn……?”
“Go ahead.”
“How about we stay here tonight……? It’s late, and it brings back old memories—.”
What is she talking about now?
“Don’t joke around.”
I spoke firmly, not wanting any misunderstandings. Of course, Missha probably meant it innocently, just to sleep and reminisce, but I can’t allow that anymore. If our relationship were still as simple as it was back then, it might have been fine. But now, being in that same situation would make it hard for me to sleep comfortably.
So……
“It… wasn’t a joke though……”
“Forget it, let’s go home now.”
The day’s outing came to an end, and I returned to the holy land. It had taken quite a while to get back, and during that time, I reflected on yesterday and today. Amelia’s outing and Missha’s outing were quite different in many ways.
Amelia’s outing felt like an escape, freedom, and time spent alone. On the other hand, Missha’s outing centered around memories and connecting with others.
Perhaps this difference stems from how they each handle stress. Some people find healing in solitude, while others find it in laughing and talking with friends. Of course, applying that same logic to myself seems a bit funny though.
‘When you look at it like this, both of them have a childish side to them.’
Children often behave this way. If they see that their mother is sad, they believe that giving her something they like a cherished toy or candy will cheer her up. What a mother truly appreciates is the thought behind the gesture, not the object itself.
Thwack-!
“…Ugh! Why are you suddenly hitting me, you crazy barbarian!”
It feels like old times again. I let out a small laugh and honestly expressed my feelings.
“Thanks for today.”
“……Huh? Thanks for what?”
“You dragged me out today because you didn’t want me to be down, right? You even went as far as forcing me.”
“I mean, sure, but why say ‘thanks’ while smacking my back……?”
“Don’t worry about the small stuff. Anyway, thank you. For today.”
“Well… if you’re feeling better, then that’s good, I guess……”
After a brief silence, Missha cautiously asked.
“But… Umm… Was it really that obvious?”
I wanted to ask if she seriously thought it wouldn’t be, but I held back those words.
“Just go inside and sleep. It’s cold, so make sure you cover up.”
“Do you think I’m a child or something……?”
“Whatever, I’m heading off first.”
“Ah… Okay! Get some rest!”
After parting ways with Missha, I went inside, took a bath, changed clothes, and laid down on my bed. But sleep didn’t come easily, so I ended up heading back outside, continuing a walk just like the previous night. Coincidentally, I found myself stopping in the same place as yesterday.
[Brown Rotmiller]
[Versyl Gowland]
[James Calla]
The gravestones of the three we lost in the war.
Unlike last night, there was no dwarf drunkenly rambling nearby. Even Shavin or Sven Parav, who sometimes stopped by, didn’t show up tonight.
Hah……
Is it because it’s the first time I’ve been here alone? It feels a bit strange. Not that it’s bad, though.
Swooooosh-!
As the cold wind blew past, I sat down in front of the gravestones, lost in thought. Unlike the dwarf, I didn’t pull out a drink. Alcohol clouds judgment and makes you turn away from reality. Unless I’m laughing and chatting with others, I try not to drink alone, wallowing in misery.
“Cigarettes… I might want to try smoking one.”
As I sat there sighing, I found myself thinking about cigarettes, something I’ve never tried before. If I had known I’d become a barbarian, maybe I would’ve given smoking a shot.
“What about you all……?”
Suddenly, I wanted to ask those who had passed. What was the thing they wanted to do most? What were they curious about? What was their biggest regret in the end?
‘……Whatever it was, I guess it doesn’t matter now.’
They’re gone. Rotmiller at least had a chance to leave behind some final words, but the other two didn’t. That’s why I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.
“Hah……”
Another sigh escaped my lips. Everything felt suffocating. Whenever I turned away from one overwhelming issue, another one I had been avoiding came into view.
[The evil spirit from another world ‘————’ realized the path he must take only after losing three comrades.]
That’s what was written on the records stone, but in reality, I hadn’t realized anything. I still hadn’t figured out what I was supposed to do.
‘Labeling Baekho Lee as the enemy?’
Is that the path the records stone was referring to? No matter how much I think about it, that doesn’t seem right.
‘Then is it becoming king, as the Marquess suggested?’
Hmm, that doesn’t make much sense either…… It’s more of a fleeting fantasy, the kind that might cross your mind, but it’s not like I’ve come to some resolution or made any concrete decision.
‘What could it be, then……’
Sitting in the eerie graveyard, with the cold night wind biting at me, I thought and thought for a long time, but no conclusion came.
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