Debt of the heart (2)
A person named Hazel I know.
He was a person who never showed positive emotions with his mouth.
Is it because he lived half his life as an assassin, or because he went through an unfortunate retirement, or because of this or that past that he doesn’t even talk about properly?
I don’t know why, but Hazel never did that when I took her as a teacher, when I worked as a collaborator, or when I was a one-sided employer.
Even if he received grace, he said that he would pay it back at any time rather than saying thank you.
Even when you’ve done everything you can to please someone.
That’s why I thought Hazel was just that kind of person and didn’t want more emotional exchanges than necessary.
I gave Hazel what she needed and asked for work in return.
Even in this life, I entrusted my five children, but I didn’t have such expectations, to say the least.
“Is it really that strange that I said thank you?”
“Because I knew from the start that he wasn’t like that.”
That’s why I was able to firmly answer Hazel’s question.
Thanks to that, Hazel’s expression immediately frowned.
It was Hazel who showed such negative emotions well.
“I didn’t even ask for thanks. Like I said at the beginning, it was just a simple deal.”
“It’s a deal… … . yes. It was a deal.”
Hazel muttered as she filled her own glass, and soon poured it into mine as well.
Hazel, who looked at the sipping alcohol for a while, immediately poured it into her mouth and continued.
“They were the children I was forced to take on because of you… … Now I am grateful for that too.”
“Are you drunk already?”
“Just listen. We won’t talk about it again anyway.”
I couldn’t help but worry about it, but Hazel shot off in displeasure and went back to the original story.
“At first it was just noisy. Plus, how ridiculous it seemed to see little things talking about revenge. I thought, of course, that I would give up once I rolled to the point of vomiting. but… … None of those kids did.”
“They are great kids.”
“Yes, you are right. Those kids, they had their eyes on hell. I also remembered that I was like that at that age. And then… … I want to teach them everything about me.”
I nodded and poured a drink into Hazel’s empty glass, and Hazel raised the glass to eye level and, to my surprise… … I ate and laughed.
“I work hard, but I have talent as well. In addition, they follow grandpa and grandpa, so how can it not be pretty? All five are good kids. If I had a family, I wonder if it would have felt like this. Yeah, I never thought I would be able to feel this kind of happiness in my later years.”
“You seem to have drunk a lot. Shall we call the kids and ask them to come?”
“Don’t get drunk. drunk I can’t talk to you like this unless I’m drunk. So, don’t talk to the kids for nothing. If you stick around more than you do now, you won’t be stern in training.”
Cognitive dissonance seemed to come.
The words “pretty”, “family”, and “happiness” came out of Hazel’s mouth.
Holding on to my dizzying spirit, I somehow analyzed the cause.
If it was simply because of the kids, I wouldn’t have talked about it this far. Rather, I would have kept it tightly hidden and would not have told anyone.
That’s probably why there are other reasons.
“Do you have anything to say about the ring?”
“It is also very comfortable to talk to you. It makes me wonder if he’s reading my mind. I’m not good at talking, so you’ll understand.”
Hazel reached into her bosom and took out the ring, revealing what she already knew.
I even hung a string in case I lost it.
“Actually, I didn’t think you would really find this ring.”
“I am also aware that I was reckless.”
“If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t have taken care of those children. but… … May I ask where you found this ring?”
“It is one of the secret warehouses of ‘Black Butterfly’.”
At my answer, Hazel let out a smirk as expected.
It was the first day of field training with the five children, and the actual battle with the goblins.
There was a secret warehouse of the Black Butterfly, an organization Hazel previously belonged to, and robbed it when he was away for a while.
Of course, I only stole this ring to avoid being chased.
“Were you that close? I thought I’d be there for sure, but… … In the end, it must have been just that much.”
Hazel smiled bitterly at the thought of someone else, then brushed the glass with her mouth again and looked at me.
“Come to think of it, you don’t ask anything about the story behind this ring.”
“As I said, it was just a trade target. I tried not to pay more attention to it.”
“Sniff, for some reason I think you would know all of that. I knew about this ring right away… … .”
It was literally.
It was also very accurate because I heard it myself.
Hazel, who had been looking at me without hiding a hint of embarrassment, soon turned her gaze back to the ring.
“Not too long ago, I happened to see the person who gave me this ring.”
Oh, that’s right.
It felt like a puzzle was finally put together in my head.
There was someone in Findel who could have such an influence on Hazel.
He was the only person Hazel had ever seen in her previous life that she had strong feelings for.
However, Hazel soon shook her head with a wry smile.
“No, no. Looks like I’m really drunk. Talking about this wouldn’t change anything.”
“Aren’t you going to visit me?”
“… … .”
At my question, Hazel looked at me with slightly surprised eyes, then clenched her fist and hid the ring altogether.
“What shame should I go for? I owe him a great debt. It’s so big that even a lifetime of atonement isn’t enough… … The debt of the heart.”
“You might have a different opinion than Hazel-sama.”
“Even if it is, to that person I am already dead. Just like this, I confirmed that he is healthy, even from afar, so that’s enough.”
“then… … .”
I tried to say something, but Hazel’s outstretched hand interrupted my words.
“I was talking too much. I’m really fine, so don’t say anything more. Because I’m getting older… … I just became emotional for a moment.”
“… … .”
I couldn’t help but swallow what I was about to say to him.
As we kept silent as if we had returned to the original Hazel, Hazel stood up and continued talking in a calm tone.
“Anyway, just know that I owe you a huge debt. So, if you ever need anything, call me anytime. I will lend you my strength as long as I can.”
“Thank you for your words.”
At my answer, Hazel lifted the corner of her mouth and smiled, then turned around and headed home.
Then, as if he had suddenly remembered, he stopped walking and spat out a word without even turning his head.
“Thank you very much.”
Maybe I ate something wrong.
As I thought about that, I couldn’t help but smile bitterly as I watched Hazel’s back step away from me.
The person Hazel was talking about… … It was Olivia Carlyle.
The older sister of Gordon Carlyle, the lord of Findel, and the Empress of the Battlefield with the title of Duke.
And after a while, an incident occurs involving Hazel, Olivia, and even the black butterfly.
To be honest, I didn’t think deeply about it, but since Hazel has changed, I won’t be able to sit still.
Even for five children.
* * *
“May the road ahead be full of light. hello.”
“May the road ahead be full of light. Welcome, Shinto. What business do you have?”
“I’m looking for Astel Fuse, do you know where it is?”
“Astel… … ? Ah, come this way. We will guide you.”
I bowed my head in gratitude and followed the priest into the church.
Because the site is so large, there were many places I hadn’t been to, and the place I’m guiding you now was one of them.
As I walked along the quiet hallway, I heard something rustle, and when I turned the corner, I saw Astel sweeping the outside hallway with a broom.
“Sister Miriam. Priest Astel has invited guests.”
“Oh, Irvine!”
Astel looked up at the voice of the priest who was in charge of the guidance, and immediately raised her arm holding a broom, and was hit in the shoulder by a cane swung from the side.
“evil!”
“Astel priest? Will I need retraining?”
“Sorry, sorry… … .”
A smile appeared on Astel’s face as she was embarrassed by the goddess who was scolding her.
I bowed my head and greeted the priest who had guided me this far, and the priest who greeted the priestess went back to her seat only after greeting the priestess.
When I turned my head, I saw Astell pretending to comb hard.
They weren’t wearing armor that looked stuffy, but they were wearing clothes that were tightly wrapped from head to toe and didn’t reveal any skin at all.
In particular, the veil covering my face was thick, so I was worried that I would be able to see, but when I saw myself, I was surprisingly able to see.
As I moved forward, Astell glanced sideways.
Next to Astell was a middle-aged priestess with a strict impression, her eyes shining fiercely as if she was watching Astell’s every move.
Astell cleared his throat awkwardly, then placed his right hand and left hand on his chest and lightly bowed.
“May the blessings of the rich land be with you. Hello, Shindo.”
“May the blessings of the rich land be with you. Long time no see.”
As soon as I finished the greeting, I looked at him again, and a cane tapped my shoulder as if I had waited.
“Ah!”
“Priest Astel, where are you looking with your guests in front of you?”
“Cheuk, heuk… … !”
In the end, Astell, unable to hold back, rushed straight towards me and grabbed my collar.
“Save me, Irvin!”
At that, the goddess of Lu Nera’s eyes shone fiercely, but she held out her hand and showed her intention to solve it.
“How about Lu Nera? Is it a nice place?”
“No, it is a scary place. From waking up to going to bed, every action is under control! Although the rice comes out well! In addition, if you make a mistake, a cane will come right away! If you make the same mistake again, it will come flying twice! However, the rice is really good! Also, the priests take good care of snacks, but still!”
It seemed as if he was saying that if he hadn’t had the slightest bit of taste, he would have run away right away.
The place where I entrusted Astel was the church of the Lu Nera Holy Order in Findel.
Since they are members of the same religion, I wondered if they would give Astel a proper education.
However, he accepted Astel more easily than I thought.
It was a different religion, so I thought I would need some persuasion.
Of course, I donated as a good request, but I had no choice but to repent for thinking too negatively about religion.
I came to see the condition today, two days after I entrusted Astel, and I thought that I had made a good choice.
“Isn’t Dijenna saying anything?”
“On the first day, I asked you to show Dizena’s grace, so I blessed the field managed by the church, but there has been no word since then!”
“Yeah, what did you say?”
“Don’t even think about running away!”
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He nodded his head at the sight of De Gena, who was perfectly aware of his followers.
I still took Astel’s hand off my collar and held it tight, smiling.
“Can’t we run away?”
“Wow!”
While making whimpering noises, Astel started cleaning again with her shoulders drooping, and I exchanged greetings with the priestess in charge of Astel’s education from a distance away.
“My name is Irvin.”
“You can call me Miriam.”
Miriam, who introduced herself politely, looked high in status even from the looks of it. It was because the priest who was in charge of the guidance earlier was prioritizing Miriam.
So, without hesitation, I asked the question.
“Thank you for accepting Astel so readily and taking charge of the training yourself.”
“no. It is something we, too, would like to lead the followers of a forgotten god.”
“I was worried that there might be someone who denied other gods.”
“I can’t say there aren’t such believers, but strictly speaking… … It’s because Lu Nera’s and De Gena’s districts are different.”
Miriam pointed her finger up and down as she said that, but then added that it was a joke.
It didn’t seem like a joke, but I asked another question without bothering to point it out.
“How about Astel? It looks like you’re having a hard time.”
“It’s just that I’m not used to the discipline yet. Irvin’s followers are fooling around, but Priest Astel has never complained once. On the contrary, I want my brothers and sisters to see and learn from the concentration I showed when praying.”
“Aren’t you praising me too much? If that’s the case, it means that you have something you want from me.”
“Huh, the brothers and sisters who learned of Priest Astel’s pitiful circumstances asked me to take good care of them. Priest Astel is loved by everyone, so don’t worry.”
Was that the reason I talked about snacks earlier?
I didn’t directly ask what past history was, but it was clear what kind of conversation was going on between the believers.
“Oh, and it’s true that Irvin has something to wish for.”
I thought so too.
“As one of the High Priests who attends Lu Nera, I would like to request an official request from Irvin’s followers.”