97 – The Saint and the Astrologer (1)
“He was a good person.”
As if she had slowly calmed down, Aria let out a small breath and continued her speech while sitting in her chair again.
“After that day seven years ago, I thought it was all a mistake…….”
He stopped her and said that, in fact, that wasn’t even that. She said the memories were too vivid to be considered illusions.
As she added, Aria lowered her head helplessly.
“I knew it the moment I saw her face again. The death penalty hasn’t changed. “The death penalty was still the death penalty.”
The voice contained a great deal of joy and sorrow.
Sadness on one side, joy of the past on the other.
Aria hesitated for a moment as the present moment and past memories coexisted.
“No, yes. It would be a bit misleading to say that she hasn’t changed. It has changed. “That’s a lot.”
And she puts bitter emotions into her words again.
“…… “Because the expression was so empty.”
I thought while looking at her like that.
The fact that he was acting like he was fine seems to have been a forced attitude.
I don’t want to worry the Sword Saint, or maybe that’s why.
I didn’t know the exact thing, but Aria continued speaking anyway.
“When I was very young… …. So, regardless of the first appearance I can remember, the death penalty has definitely changed over time. “There were times when light appeared on the face that was dark every day, and in any case, the old sad appearance soon disappeared.”
However, it was about 9 years ago that the condition deteriorated to a point where it was noticeable. Aria said so.
No matter how you look at the expression on his face as if he was recalling that time, it was not a peaceful feeling.
“I heard everything from my grandfather yesterday. “What happened between my brother-in-law and my grandfather, and the circumstances of the past.”
“… ….”
“…… “I really didn’t know anything.”
A bitter smile appeared on Aria’s lips. She definitely heard what was said, but it probably made her feel even more uncomfortable.
Because it is inevitable.
I was silent for a moment and then suddenly she spoke.
“So.”
Aria raised her head, and I spoke to her calmly.
“Do you hate that person a lot?”
It wasn’t something that could be called curiosity. Rather, it should be said that it is closer to a simple confirmation.
At first glance, Aria was currently in a very confused state.
And in that situation, there isn’t much I can do.
At best, all I can do is listen and offer a few words of comfort or advice.
For that reason, I first wanted to hear Aria’s thoughts.
Do they hate me?
Are you holding a grudge?
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How does she feel and what thoughts does she have about his death?
I asked that.
“I hate you.”
Aria’s answer was, so to speak, immediate.
A word spit out without leaving any space.
“Of course, I hate it a lot… ….”
However, I could not read her resentment on her face. He spits out words that he hates, but doesn’t show any expression of hatred.
It was a contradiction, but perhaps it could become a natural attitude.
It won’t happen anymore, but after Geomseong died at the hands of Jihad…….
It is clear that the reason Aria was so broken was not just because of her grandfather’s death.
To be precise, the fact that the person who caused my grandfather’s death was a jihadist must have deepened the wound.
“…… Yes, I hate you.”
I quietly waited for Aria to speak.
She just clenched her fists with a pained expression.
“What should I do if I go like that? I did something wrong, I made a mistake. You must receive appropriate punishment and continually atone. It’s not like you’re being treated like that by a devil or something…….”
And the words spoken could definitely be said to be close to denial in response to my question about whether jihad is hated.
I hate it, but maybe I don’t resent it.
In reality, the current Aria was no different from what she was saying.
The conclusion has been reached.
If she thought so, what she had to say was also simple.
“You seem very confused, Miss Aria.”
I make a short voice and make Aria’s eyes turn to me.
She looked at me with a truly listless expression.
After thinking for a moment, I chose the words to say out of her mouth and silenced her once again.
“I guess the confusion isn’t simply due to the situation. Of course, I was almost kidnapped and went through such a battle in the middle of the academy, so of course I was very tired…….”
“… ….”
“I don’t think that’s the real reason you’re making that face right now.”
Aria did not respond to what I said. But there was no denial either.
Her mouth was closed, but her eyes were looking straight at me.
The emotion contained in her red eyes was clearly confusion, as I said.
Nevertheless, the detailed cause of that feeling may not be that simple.
“I don’t know what to do, do I?”
I immediately revealed the exact identity of the cause.
“He is definitely a person who did something wrong, and in many ways, it cannot be viewed positively. Still, I don’t feel resentful at all. “No matter what I do, I can’t organize my thoughts.”
For the first time, a different light appeared in Aria’s eyes. A little more complicated than confusion or sadness.
“No?”
The inevitable recognition and renunciation that comes from listening to me.
“…… Okay.”
Aria nodded her head with a lonely look.
“You’re right, Dante.”
It was positive.
Sigh-
And right at that positive sign, I smiled.
“Then that’s it. “It’s a simple story.”
“What?”
Aria looked suspicious at the sudden remark, but I paid it no mind and continued.
“For our Miss Aria, who is having trouble controlling her emotions, I will present an answer for her.”
It’s nothing else.
This will be the answer to this situation.
“…… Huh?”
Was my sudden, yet confident declaration quite embarrassing?
Aria blinks her eyes blankly, but then quickly rushes away.
“No, no, wait. It’s not that easy to say, is it? “I’m thinking very seriously right now?”
“I know?”
I just gave a simple response and got away with it.
Of course, that’s what I’m saying, and I’m not just saying that I’ll give you a solution.
I was also talking seriously. Anyway, I’m not that bad-tempered enough to make a joke in a situation like this.
“…… “If you know it but say it lightly like that, you have a worse temperament.”
“… ….”
However, Aria didn’t seem to think so. She seemed to be shaking, and her gaze glanced at me as if she was subtly declining, which made me feel embarrassed.
I cleared my throat and removed my lips again.
“I’m being serious, Miss Aria.”
“No, I said it was done. “This is something I have to think about.”
Although Aria’s resistance was strong. Anyway, she seemed to have her own thoughts, but…
It was not difficult to see that the worries would not be over in a day or two.
This was probably a problem that even I would have known about.
You can only tell by looking at Aria’s expression right now.
With a deep sigh, I spoke again while looking directly into Aria’s eyes.
“Jihad.”
First, let’s start with words that can sharply shift Aria’s consciousness in this direction.
“I asked you to tell me I’m sorry. “I told you that too, but you didn’t receive it?”
“… ….”
And the choice of topic was definitely excellent.
Aria’s expression suddenly hardened.
As you said, you probably heard the same thing from the Sword Saint. So, it would harden her expression and become a reason why she was worried.
Even though I think I hate jihad, I cannot truly hate it.
I know in my head what he did, but every time I try to get my mind around him, the last scene comes to mind.
…… Because the sight of him pushing himself away and taking on the devil’s energy instead will never be forgotten.
“Isn’t it difficult?”
I forced my aching body up and spoke while half-leaning on the patient bed.
“After you passed out, I had a chance to talk to him briefly……. Yes, he said he was very sorry to you.”
As I have said repeatedly, I know that Aria is worried. She knew why.
Also, of course, there is not much I can do.
I just do what I can.
“You know that too.”
Comfort, advice. Is there anything wrong? It may be a bit hard to say this, but with empathy, understanding, and a little encouragement, the conditions for comfort are quickly met.
At least that’s what I thought.
“That’s why it’s more difficult. Yes, it’s bound to be difficult.”
Right now, I was thinking of doing what I could for the guy in front of me.
He just looks at Aria with a calm and clear gaze.
“Even if the matter was completed without much of a fuss thanks to the magic of the Magic Tower Master, he did something unseemly to the people in the stadium.”
What happened at the third stadium was resolved without any problems with the help of the White Magic Tower.
It’s a bittersweet thing to say, but it’s probably a good thing from Tsumei’s perspective, and in fact, it’s probably better this way for the victims.
It would be easier to forget the memories of running wild without Izzy.
But that does not mean that what Jihad did disappears.
As for using the jar, I guess Jihad was probably just playing into the devil’s trick.
Nevertheless, he is the one who chose.
As Aryans are sensitive to the standards of good and evil and ethics, they would not have been able to ignore the mistakes of jihad.
If I had to define it, it was definitely an evil act.
‘Well, it’s something that can’t be covered up.’
I also did not have a positive view of jihad. Needless to say, if you think about it, the reason I was lying down like this for two days wasn’t because of him.
But, yes. For now, just admit it.
“Needless to say, he is a criminal.”
Even so, at least there were no lies in his thoughts about Aria.
She must have been sincere when she thought of him as her sister-in-law and younger brother.
There was no reason not to acknowledge that.
Of course, there was no reason for me or anyone else to consider such a thing…….
“It’s not you, Aria.”
There was no need to worry about this guy in front of me right now.
“…… Uh…… ?”
Aria let out a blank voice, and I continued with her without any hesitation.
“To me, he’s the guy who tried to kidnap my friend, and to the dean, he’s just a terrorist. However.”
As I said once, what I had to say was decided.
“Because it’s not such a simple story for you.”
If it’s hard, it’s okay to be hard. If it’s painful, you don’t have to endure it.
I just hope it doesn’t get buried.
I hope you don’t think too deeply about this.
I’m not saying forget it.
“It’s the death penalty.”
“… ….”
“You can just brush it off and move on.”
However, as long as you don’t worry more than enough, it’s okay.
“For you, it would have been just one disciple, and for you, it would have been the death penalty. Well, is there anything else you need? “How can we condemn a dead person to the end of hell just because he committed something?”
To be honest, I am not very good at speaking. So, I can’t say for sure how much these words will be able to ease Aria’s worries.
Still, it’s better than saying nothing.
“I feel sad because he died, and I hate him because of what he did. He even cursed me and asked me why I did something stupid. Sometimes, when I think of him on the anniversary of his death, I shed a few tears. “That’s it.”
I made eye contact with Aria and smiled innocently to cheer her up.
“Let’s try to shake off our worries and sadness after a few days. Aria.”
And at that point, Aria lowered her head.
It’s probably not because I don’t want to hear the story.
…… At the last moment, her eyes were clearly red.
I decided to understand.
With a bitter smile, I opened my mouth once again.
“…… Do you know what Jihad told me? He asked me to swear while he was next to you. “Isn’t it funny?”
I spoke up, but there was no answer.
“And again, you heard a similar story. “You remember, right?”
Aria didn’t answer me.
I was just silent and silent again.
“…… “Let’s quickly get rid of the ugly death penalty issue.”
He lowered his head helplessly, shaking his shoulders slightly and sobbing softly. I purse my lips so that I can’t hear, but I can’t help but let out a moan.
“Please do as I ask.”
At this moment, she purely wanted to mourn the death of her brother-in-law, so she just cried quietly.
*****
The sports competition has ended. As a result, the winning trophy went to the black team.
In other words, it was a union of Class A of three grades.
The competition lasted for over a month, and although most outsiders had left, the campus was still noisy.
This time, under the leadership of the students.
The colorful decorations were slowly disappearing from the streets, and the street stalls were also being demolished one by one. Of course, all I could do was go back to the mall.
Anyway, despite this, there was a girl walking around the campus, which was noisy with students.
‘Banquet, La.’
Instead of her usual school uniform, she changed into somewhat more comfortable clothes, and her hair was tied up neatly.
Beatrice frowned for a moment and thought about the after-party scheduled for tonight.
‘…… It’s annoying, honestly.’
It was a mixed bag, but it was safe to say that it was actually a banquet. Both in terms of scale and number of participants.
It is natural that almost all students gather in one large auditorium.
You are free to dress up, but Beatrice knew that most students would come dressed up.
Isn’t that what a nobles’ banquet is supposed to be? This is especially true for energetic young people.
It was a foregone conclusion that it would be an elaborate banquet, no matter whether you wore a suit or a dress.
…… This is true even though the proportion of commoners among students is not that small.
In fact, if you are talented enough to enter the academy, even if you are a commoner, you will not be financially lacking, so it is close to not being a problem.
At about that time, Beatrice paused for a moment and fell into deep thought.
‘No, but it’s okay to use the donated gold coins to buy a dress.’
No, but is it still their freedom?
It was a problem for which the answer was not easy to find.
Although Beatrice was raised to be nobler than most nobles since she became a saint, she may not be able to draw any conclusions as long as her memories of her childhood remain.
She is one way or another, but she is also a commoner.
…… Of course, at the time of her admission, she was not without a dress among the luggage that the pope and cardinals brought with her.
‘Phew, your subordinates’ plan is real.’
Beatrice sighed as a memory of her before school came to her mind.
No, her clear beginning would have been a journey to destroy the magic sword.
Why do you need a dress on such a journey?
Although she had doubts at the time, she must have been cleverly persuaded.
Looking at what she did, it makes me wonder if she could really say this was a pure mission, but anyway.
Beatrice first erased her distracting thoughts and took her own steps.
This is because I have a clear destination today.
At the same time, what came to mind was the face of a boy.
‘…… ‘Don’t exert yourself like that, I warned you.’
Considering the emotions of this moment, should I say that it is the face of a boy who wants to scream right into his ear?
Beatrice’s expression was crumpled with displeasure.
What comes to mind is about a very unpleasant incident that occurred during this sports festival.
It’s not officially known, but… ….
Well, I found out by looking at Dante’s condition and asking Tsumei about it, so there’s no problem.
The only thing that gets heated is the ‘Dante’s state’.
‘That idiot.’
Beatrice muttered quietly to herself.
The expression of displeasure is a bonus.
How long has it been since I thought everything would be okay by borrowing the power of the magic sword, and then something like this happens?
I heard that Flügel wasn’t around at the time in the first place, but despite that, the man did such a thing.
I thought that he was a man who did not even listen to the warnings of real people.
If you keep falling down, fainting, and getting back up again, there will come a time when you will suffer damage that cannot be ignored.
…… At the very least, if he were in the same place and could immediately inject divine power, the burden on his body would have been less.
It wasn’t like that this time.
That made the heat even more intense.
“Ha.”
Sighing repeatedly, Beatrice shook her head from side to side. That’s enough now. It just happened.
“…… It’s not even my body. “Just figure it out.”
Although he had already preached once after waking up. Still, he doesn’t seem to listen.
Anyway, when a dangerous moment comes, Beatrice resigned, knowing that it would be better to use it and survive than not to use it at all.
“… ….”
However, regardless of that this time.
Regardless of that, there was one issue that needed more attention.
She simply took her steps, passing through the gap of her students and entering her deserted area.
Yes.
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It was a forest.
Rustling-
Beatrice walked through the bushes and first looked around. The forest is still dense with trees, and its size goes without saying.
But if you try to look for it, you won’t find anything.
At least I was able to wander around as much as I could before the banquet started, so I would be able to run into them.
Thinking like that, Beatrice walked a little further into the center of the forest.
“…… “I thought it was time to come, though.”
Even though she didn’t travel that long, she soon arrived at her destination.
So, in front of the intended person.
“You really came to visit, saint.”
“… ….”
“I was hoping my dream wasn’t a precognition this time.”
With his white hair hanging down like seaweed, Astrologer Jibril looked up at Beatrice.
“Today is not a very lucky day… ….”
I was just lying down haphazardly in a shabby makeshift shelter made of twigs and blades of grass.
“…… ?”
A question mark appeared above Beatrice’s head. Should I say that this is a question that cannot help but arise?
Apart from the simple and refreshing attitude of welcoming guests.
At least it didn’t feel like this when we first met.
Now, what should I say about this?
‘What, why are you like this?’
…… Didn’t someone feel a bit dazed?
Sounds like the people at the church, while they do want to destroy the magic sword, something tells me that there is some ‘go find yourself some friends, child. Enjoy your school life!’ sentiments there.