Chapter 106 – Chapter 3: Tia – 3
Posao.
How should I express my feelings looking at that bastard?
… How dare you put your hands on Tia?
Appeared in front of me.
What kind of courage does it take to stand proudly instead of running away.
With what kind of face can you smile at me and say ‘Hey’?
“…”
It’s rising.
The anger that was pushed aside for a moment boils the blood.
Like a jar that is bubbling and overflowing.
Everything in my body turns upside down and becomes hot.
I have never been this angry in my entire life.
A strong tremor in my hands that I have never felt before.
Clutter.
The moment I bent my fingers and squeezed them, they became as hard as steel and felt like I could break anything.
“Posao…”
Steam leaked out between my teeth.
The cough that was constantly bothering me also stopped.
Even when making very sensitive drugs.
More than looking at a still that looks like it’s about to explode.
My entire mind, extremely focused, glares at the opponent just 10 feet away.
I think I understand.
This… It is ‘the desire to kill.’
I want to exclude that pig from this world.
A determination to never breathe the same air as that disgusting guy.
I am determined to completely obliterate it and never see it again, not even in my consciousness.
“… I will kill you.”
It was just that thought.
I didn’t have the heart or energy left to talk to that bastard.
Of course, the only conclusion was that it had to be done that way.
Because I felt like I would die if I couldn’t kill Posao here and now.
Swoosh-.
I’m glad I didn’t just rush in and calmly reached into my pocket.
There was very good stuff in it.
Wow-.
It’s Tia’s pocketknife.
The knife that Posao bought for Tia to cut off Gordburg apples.
Does that pig even know that sooner or later his throat will be pierced by this?
Seeing-!
The sharp blade tore the hem of the bag and popped out into the winter air.
Chin.
I took a step forward.
I couldn’t see the surroundings clearly.
It feels like walking through a narrow, dark cave.
It certainly seemed like we were close to the target just now.
Before I knew it, I felt like I was as far away as the white light at the end of the cave.
Still, the only thing I can see is…
Pig’s face.
It was a face full of cheek flesh that wanted to be torn into pieces with a knife.
Chin.
Kill.
I will kill this guy and go to Tia.
Would Tia be confused if I told her I killed this bastard?
No. I’ll tell you everything.
I can see the illusion of memories.
Posao thought of you as a toy.
So he decided to save you from the devil’s clutches.
If all is said… Tia will understand.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand.
All you have to do is proudly admit the murder and run away with Tia.
Well, I became the village chief… Because it’s the best reason to leave Brisden.
Chin.
Now seven steps.
Still, seeing that the distance was not narrowing, it became clear that Posao was taking a step back.
“Hey, hehe…”
The guy picked up something that was leaning against the wall.
It was a stick used to stir a brazier.
He raises it and aims it at me.
“Huu-huuuk-.”
“…”
It wasn’t scary at all.
It’s like a rat raising its tail in front of a cat.
Are you going to use it as a weapon now?
Are you saying that you will fight me, who is holding a sword, with nothing more than an iron bar?
Because insulting Tia wasn’t enough.
How much you look down on me and ignore me…
Are you saying you’re going to attack me with a club, not even a kitchen knife?
Also. I should have killed him then.
When I was on patrol two days ago. I should have split the skin of the guy’s belly at that time.
Wow-.
My legs gained strength.
Tatak!
It jumped out with such incredible force that even I was surprised.
I quickly grabbed the penknife with both hands and raised it above my head.
In an instant, Posao’s face came closer.
“Profit!”
Pak!
It’s blocked.
The iron club was placed horizontally, blocking my right arm that was holding the sword.
Crackle-!
It gave me even more strength.
The blade slowly approaches, as if it will pierce his skin at any moment.
“Ugh… !”
The iron club trembled and was pushed away.
I took off my left hand and grabbed the guy’s arm.
At that moment, the balance of power was upset, and the penknife and club became chaotically entangled.
Ching!
The clear sound of metal scraping.
At the same time, the sound of Posao’s heavy footsteps trying to get away from me.
My hand held onto that guy’s sleeve and didn’t let go.
“I’m dying-!!!”
It was the moment when I was about to stab the guy’s shoulder again with the raised blade.
Hwaaaaak-.
Suddenly everything started to stop.
Posao’s scared face, and even my blade flying above him.
“… !”
I couldn’t move.
My consciousness was being sucked in against my will.
‘The illusion of memory’ is about to unfold.
“… “No.”
There is Posao right in front of you.
This is my chance to kill him.
Why… Why now?
“No!!”
I screamed to force it out.
In an instant, my consciousness was leaving my body and flying somewhere.
* * *
Haaaaah don’t I not?
Percussion.
I landed.
When I looked up, it was evening.
It was so sudden that my body stumbled.
I barely managed to keep my balance, but I stumbled and swayed to the other side again.
It felt like it wasn’t my body.
“Huuuk-huuuk-.”
That’s right.
It wasn’t my body.
I realized it when I heard that breathing sound that gave me goosebumps.
The fact that I am now in the body of Posao.
The moment I snatched his arm, I read the ‘memories related to Tia’ that remained on his body that I had not yet seen.
I looked around.
It’s a familiar sight.
I, or rather Posao, was in Tailden, a village below.
Posao walked around the market with a waddle.
It seemed as if he was looking for something.
And I found what I wanted.
Looking at things at the dinner market… A girl.
Tia.
Even though he was turned around, I could tell right away when I saw his small body.
He wore a shabby hood to hide his red hair and a thick winter coat that reached down to his knees.
The short sword and rose saber slightly sticking out of the coat, and the old leather boots…
It was definitely the back of a lovely Tia.
It seemed like she was in the middle of an evening grocery shopping, and she had a basket filled with various items hanging on her arm.
But for some reason, the guy shrugged his shoulders and didn’t move.
He was just grabbing something.
“…”
When I got a little closer, I saw it.
It was a rope.
Tia stood silently, holding the rope.
… ?
Tia?
What on earth are you thinking?
I guess not?
That’s not what I’m thinking, is it?
But why?
Why did you hold on to that… Is she just standing there without saying anything?
Why is it like a death row inmate walking to the gallows?
Are you holding the rope with her dead eyes?
Someone please stop me.
Please, someone goes and stop it!
“T, Tia!”
Upon hearing her voice, Tia’s shoulders shook as if she was surprised.
But that wasn’t my voice.
Hearing Po Sao’s embarrassed voice, Tia looked behind her.
Beautiful red eyes opened wide.
“… Uncle Posao?”
“What are you doing here?”
“Ah…”
Tia smiled and put the rope back in place.
“I was shopping. In the village… I need something…”
“Good job, Joe!”
“Hehe.”
Tia smiled awkwardly and nodded.
“Yes. That’s a good thing…”
“But Tia.”
Posao asked in a serious voice.
“Why… Ooh, are you crying?”
“… Yes?”
Tia didn’t seem to know she was crying.
Her eyes turned red, and even her cheeks became moist, so much so that the traces of her tears were visible in the evening glow.
Tia, who belatedly wiped her eyes, looked at her wet fingers and said.
“Iknow, right…”
“What’s going on?”
“…”
There was no answer.
But she could tell by looking at her fearful eyes.
How can I answer this?
Now I have no place to return to. There is no way to turn it back.
She said she was thinking about committing suicide just now… How could it come out of the mouth of this slender girl?
A torrent of her unbearable emotions washed over Tia.
Her shoulders are shaking, and a humid breath can be heard on her neck.
“Well… Ugh…”
“Tia?”
“Ugh…”
Tia sat down in her seat.
Posao quickly got down on her knees and held her shoulders.
“T, Tia… !”
People passing by glanced at me, but passed by without saying a word.
“Ugh… Ugh…”
Tia hit her chest repeatedly with her hands, as if she couldn’t breathe.
“Why, what’s wrong? “Where does it hurt?”
“Ahhh…”
Posao, who didn’t know what to do, looked around for a moment.
Wow.
I just hugged Tia.
Tia, in Posao’s arms, began to cry.
She cried so pitifully, as if she was vomiting out all that was stuck.
The cry was hidden in Posao’s chest, so no one walking through the market heard it.
I could hear.
And…
She realized she had never heard of it.
How many men have ever heard a girl cry in such a heartbreaking voice?
A cry that seems to tear the world into pieces lingers in my ears.
It claws at my chest.
I was the one who had to hug Tia and let her cry endlessly.
… I wasn’t giving Tia her medicine, I was giving her illness.
Tia’s cries began to subside in Posao’s arms.
“Tia. “Gwae, are you okay?”
“…”
“Can you wake up?”
Likewise, there was no answer.
Posao carefully supported Tia. And he took me to a bar across the street.
As soon as I entered, I asked the clerk for a glass of water and spoke to Tia, who had her head down.
“Let’s have something to drink first. Come on, let’s calm down. Huh?”
Water and a light meal were served.
Tia’s mouth was dry, and she picked up her glass of water and took a sip.
Posao placed the order generously.
It seemed like he knew that Tia hadn’t eaten anything today.
Rye bread, lamb, mushroom soup, and vegetable stew were served on the table.
It wasn’t a delicious meal because it was the middle of winter, but it was no exaggeration to say that it was the most luxurious dinner for a hungry Tia.
Posao spoke to Tia, who was still crouching.
“Tia. I don’t know what’s going on. Yes, eat a lot.”
“…”
The girl looked down at the steaming lamb with a haggard face.
After staying like that for a while, she finally picked up the meaty bone with her bony fingers.
Tia asked.
“Mister…”
“Huh?”
“If your heart hurts… What should I do?”
“…”
Posao, who was silent for a moment, looked at me and spoke.
“I think it’s better to forget this.”
“What if you can’t forget?”
“Then I… “Soo, have a drink.”
Tia turned her eyes slightly to the side.
All the customers sitting at the bar were holding glasses.
Tia, who was watching quietly, asked.
“If you drink alcohol… “Can you forget?”
“Yes. “I used to drink when something sad happened!”
Posao laughed.
“So, Joe, it’s a little… It will get better.”
“…”
“Would you like to have a drink?”
After hesitating for a moment, Tia nodded her head.
“… Yes.”
