Chapter 199 – Episode 199. A Child I’ve Seen Since I Was a Girl (4)
It wasn’t that she didn’t feel uncomfortable after entering the Demon King’s territory.
It is said that at some point, peace came to Celica’s mind that was broken and unstable…
However, the fact that the change was never positive was a fact that could be felt just by guessing that Celica herself was hiding something from her.
Even so, whatever happens, everything will be resolved in the end.
Even if Celica had a premonition of something she did not know, she wanted to firmly believe that once the condition was reversed, she would be fine no matter what happened.
‘I don’t want to go back.’
But when the time came for her to be cured.
Celica’s decision was a remark that was tantamount to making all her efforts so far meaningless.
‘Am I really going to endure it?’
Despite making such an absurd choice, the witch was trying to show her respect by using the expression ‘endurance’ in response to Celica’s answer.
Commonly used when facing trials…
While making a statement that is no different from a declaration that the anxiety I have been feeling is approaching reality.
‘Was he a descendant, not a child?’
And through the new truth she learned at this moment, Verdia read the future that a more terrible future than she imagined might come.
She says that the hidden past of the person who opposed the demon king before her and the woman who supported him is repeated again.
She knew that something that anyone would consider miserable and tragic might happen to her, and furthermore, to the girl she wanted to protect.
“I’m just tired because I’m tired from the journey.”
Of course she’s a warrior.
Even if she ended up saving the world, even Verdia knew that there would be countless adversities and hardships along the way.
“No matter what state you are in or what you see, there is no need to overdo it. Because protecting yourself comes first.”
But putting up with it is something that shouldn’t happen now.
It would be impossible for Celica, who hadn’t matured as a hero yet, to face the same future she and Melia went through.
“… Sister Verdia.”
“So, let’s get healed by the witch and rest. Everything will be fine after a little rest.”
“Sister, thank you for worrying about me, but please calm down. I can’t explain everything, but it’s because I have an idea…”
“There’s no way you can handle something you can’t explain to me!”
Verdia yells at Celica, who hesitates to answer her.
With Celica’s eyes wide open as if she hadn’t expected that shout, Verdia couldn’t even control her breathing and began to put strength into her hands.
“Serica, you are still young and immature.”
There will come a day when you will have to deal with a lot.
Because that’s why I came all the way to this demon lord.
In order to withstand the trials she will face in the not-so-distant future, to restore the condition of the child who will be the cornerstone.
“No matter how righteous and good-hearted you are, you can only handle justice if you have strength. Until you have the qualifications, I can’t let you overdo it.”
But that is not now.
Challenging even if you don’t have the qualifications is not courage, but what you call bravery.
Verdia knew all too well what the cost of arrogance was due to such ignorance.
It is a fact he has realized keenly as he sees his comrades who died on the battlefield and the enemies of the demon king’s army who challenged him and were defeated.
“If it’s really hard, you can run away.”
Honor and nobility can only be pursued if you live.
It is only up to the survivors to fulfill the cause, and in order for a true warrior to practice justice, he must remain as a survivor until the end.
“You don’t have to be afraid of being criticized. Even if you’re a hero, you still need time. I’ll protect you somehow until the time comes when you’re qualified…”
If there is a need for a reprieve, it must be you who takes on that role.
Even if this girl runs away, she will be able to keep that empty spot for her.
Haven’t you been reminded of your mission as a warrior’s shield, fighting on the forefront of mankind?
“…You want me to run away?”
Despite the cries that even felt such sorrow.
In Celica’s voice as she reflected on her own words, she felt a bluntness she had never felt before.
“Yes, whatever you saw, you can put it aside for a while, for now…”
“Look at me, throw everything away and run away?”
Pop. Do.
The moment Celica was speechless at what she said.
It wasn’t because she understood Celica’s words.
It’s an instinctive intuition.
As a regressor who had experienced tragedy, which he had hidden until this moment, he felt intuition that the forged fangs were aimed at him at this moment.
– Jab!!
Immediately after that, her hand stabbing pushed her hand away from her shoulder.
With a power so strong that you can feel the pain.
“Sherry, Ka?”
“… Sister Verdia.”
Even in her voice that politely called herself, she revealed her day that she had been hiding all along.
“Do you really think you deserve to say that?”
That’s right, at this moment, Celica was ignoring herself.
Just like a girl who has been protected by her all along, she considers the consideration she shows as ‘the recklessness of a child who knows nothing’.
“… Wh-what?”
“Anyway, it’s better to try it once than to say it a hundred times.”
Celica, not paying attention to her own embarrassment, turned her back while bursting out with a snort at her.
Afterwards, the place where her attention was directed, she silently watched the situation, and she became the owner of this land.
“Barmash Warchief.”
Barmash. An officer in the Demon King’s Army and an enemy of the Hero.
And now that he is only a child, he is a strong enemy that must never be overlooked.
“Can I rent a place?”
Even so, Celica was determined to face him confidently.
Even the respect he always showed toward his elders was casually removed.
“… Is that the true face you have been hiding?”
Such a change in attitude felt unfamiliar to Verdia, but Barmash, as if he had already guessed something, was willing to accept it flexibly.
It was because the elf blood he was born with had dramatically increased his senses.
“Yeah, thank you for that. Only when I am perfected as a warrior will I be able to achieve what you wish for.”
Since it was the realm of leverage, he was mistaken that Garbonya was alive, but to Barmash, the current change was rather viewed as more positive.
Maybe, because he thought that if he was the current hero, he might be able to achieve what he longed for so much.
“…I never thought I’d be so lucky that Galvon didn’t take control of my mind.”
Shit. A smile was drawn on his calm face.
Afterwards, he stood up proudly and took the lead, preparing to move toward the exit of the space.
“Follow me, I’ll lend you the gymnasium I use for training.”
The moment permission is granted.
Celica, who was about to follow him, stopped for a moment and looked back at Verdia.
“Sister.”
His old guardian, who still looked at him with his empty eyes, as if not understanding the situation.
“If you want me to go back to the days when I didn’t know anything, you can prove it right here. That I am someone who still needs your protection.”
It’s just an old guardian.
Even if everything you saw in the future isn’t true.
Whatever future awaited her, she was ready to face anything that came her way.
***
And, after standing in a position to prove it, time has passed.
-Dump.
At the end of that, Verdia, who dropped her sweat-soaked body on her gymnasium, began staring blankly at her trembling hands.
As if I couldn’t believe the results that took place here.
“… Would this prove enough?”
Proof?
No, what happened now is not a problem at that level.
Because the previous one wasn’t even something that could be called a fight in the first place.
“Seri, Ka…”
“Yes, sister. Her sister’s heart doesn’t matter.”
It was just a trivial act of clashing the wooden swords in each other’s hands several times.
However, from such a trivial act, Verdia felt an indescribable overwhelming feeling.
Yes, it was horror
It was also because the fear caused by the overwhelming force was triggered by the person in front of me at this moment and was pressing on his shoulders.
“The important thing is that I am stronger than you, and I am prepared for the future that lies ahead.”
It would be strange not to realize.
That he, who knows nothing, is not in a position to dare to say anything.
Furthermore, the fact that even she, who has shown such an overwhelming gap, is afraid of what lies ahead.
“There’s no way I’m allowed to run away now. I am no longer weak enough to be protected by you.”
Still, she was determined to move on.
Leaving behind those who would sacrifice for themselves.
Taking the resolution to handle the fearful future that will come later, alone.
“… Celica.”
“Verdia unnie is resting. She has something to share with the chief for a while.”
Celica dropped the wooden sword in her hand into the gymnasium and walked away from her seat.
By the time that presence had completely disappeared, Verdia’s gaze began to slowly turn to the spot where Celica had left.
Towards her own lover, who stood there as if to replace her Celica.
“… Dave.”
“…”
Dave, who stared at him while standing in silence, soon began to slowly close the distance with him.
As if she felt sorry for herself who was left alone where Celica had left.
“Dave, you…”
Eventually, when the distance was completely closed, resentment toward him began to leak out of Verdia’s mouth.
“Did you know everything? How was Celica?”
“… “
Silence follows.
The doctor’s expression that he couldn’t bear to lie.
“Since when Celica became like that, and what she saw… Did she know everything?”
“… Sorry. Even for Verdia-san, I can’t tell you more than this.”
Nevertheless, Verdia continued to ask questions as if she had no regrets, and Dave chose to ignore the question as well.
He says that he will soon become the Demon King, and that his comrades will be annihilated by that hand, and the world will advance to the path of mortality…
It was because there was no way I could tell the cruel future that might become reality to the woman who collapsed after reading a fragment of that future.
At least until you know what the truth is and find a way to deal with it, all of this will have to remain a secret between you and Celica.
“… Is it.”
Verdia, weakly responding to such a tough attitude, quickly stood up from her seat and began to approach Dave.
Trudge. With very weak steps.
“Mr. Verdia.”
“Little…”
At the end, Verdia leaned her face against her lover’s chest and began to whisper, holding on to the hem of his clothes.
“Can I stay like this for a while?”
The trembling felt at the tip of her hand is a symbol of the weakness that has begun to bloom within her.
The warrior god of war, who has been on the frontlines of the battlefield and has become the idol of many, for this moment alone, she chose to be embraced by her lover.
Just pure.
Just because I want to soothe my tired mind and body.
“… Whatever you need.”
Faced with such a lover’s desolation, Dave quietly hugged her body and comforted her back.
Please, I hope the despair will stop for a while.
No matter what awaits after that, I hope that everyone who loves me will find a happy future.
