11. To me, you are like the sun. (3)
Ermina woke up on a green meadow.
A meadow that stretches into infinity, almost touching the pure white sky.
A cool breeze blows loosely.
It sweeps through the meadow in all directions, like a wolf’s mane.
at there.
She saw a being of light walking slowly with a child in her hand.
‘This… .’
deja vu.
I’ve seen it before… scene.
I mean, it was a dream.
When I realized that it was a dream, I wondered when this scene was.
‘Kariel?’
Taemong.
The shape of the light that walked slowly passed the shape of the hand holding the child’s hand towards itself.
“… … .”
At that time, it seems that he received it by accident.
The child’s face was not visible.
At the time, I was just a child.
Because I only vaguely remembered it.
But, not now.
That child must have been Kariel’s childhood.
The child, dressed in pure white, smiled brightly.
I was looking up this way.
The Wind Blows.
The wind was so strong that it was hard to see even an inch ahead, and the eyelids went down on their own.
The pure white sky goes out.
Even the meadow that was so green.
everything turns gray
An ominous feeling beyond the chills, in an uneasiness that seemed to freeze the spine.
Ermina, who woke up just in time, instinctively searched for the child she was holding.
There was no
both in your hands and around you.
“Mom.”
“?!”
from far away
When did the pure white clothes get stained with blood?
On top of the white clothes, red traces running from the nape to the chest.
No, it spreads and gets colored in real time.
It was a trace of blood dripping from above.
Suddenly, she raised her gaze.
I caught my breath.
In two empty snow pits.
It was because the red things were dripping down.
The beat gradually speeds up.
My heart seemed to stop, but I felt the exact opposite.
Is it because the blood is rushing to the head, and the situation is not easily understood.
My head went white, but I felt dizzy, as if I was dazed somewhere.
what. what.
What happened.
why… … Why is that child… .
“why… I… .”
Did you throw it away?
have you forsaken
“… … ?!”
Abandon it! No way!
why me! Why am I abandoning you!
How much do I love you, how much… !
“But I… .”
Traces of a meadow.
Soon it turns red.
The red meadow soon turns redder.
Do you even dye the sky?
The world is spreading bright red, red.
even in that
Ermina was bizarrely normal.
As if it was isolated from this world.
A child who is stained and drenched in blood.
yet.
Mouth wagging, coughing up blood.
Put your hands together and pray.
“Oh God.”
And then.
Let’s get down on our knees and sit down.
It was full of blood, dripping over the red earth, as if it were going to fill the whole world.
flowed down
“You are wrong.”
Huh!
Ermina just woke up.
Feeling tired and exhausted, he breathed again.
Although lethargy oppressed my whole body.
Involuntarily, she waved her hands and murmured.
“Ka, Kariel?”
“Ermina-sama? What are you doing?”
A female priest in a white robe asked while holding her hands with both hands.
“Ka-Kariel… Where are you?”
“Are you talking about my son? Rueld-sama went to pick you up, so you’ll be back soon.”
“together… ?”
Earlier, it seemed like I had seen Rueld for a while.
It was noisy, but I don’t know because she was distracted.
I just vaguely remember a child wrapped in swaddling clothes… .
‘Child.’
why… .
Did you abandon me?
Even though my heart was clogged up.
She was so confused that she couldn’t figure out why.
Nonetheless, one thing can be known.
It wasn’t like someone told me or whispered in my ear.
Ermina is.
That I won’t be able to reunite with Kariel right away.
Reluctantly, I closed my eyes tightly.
My heart ached, and it felt like it was being torn apart.
Although the feelings of longing for an unknown reason burst out like a flood.
for her now.
… nothing.
—-
“Take it.”
Elhermina took off her robe.
“Instead, give me that.”
“… Are you okay with this?”
“Suffice.”
I wonder if it’s cool
Kariel wrapped her robe with a puzzled expression.
Then, like a lie, the color of the robe turned black.
“Was it a magic tool?”
“It will help with the concealment. Convenience features are also included, so it will be used forever.”
“… … .”
She wrapped her black robe over her black dress again.
“This too.”
Move a little, and you’re about to hand over the gray horse tied to one side.
“Did you mean to let go in the first place?”
“no.”
She shook her head.
“This is Seras’ insight.”
“Seras?”
“I bet on the side that I will bring you.”
I didn’t bother asking who won the bet.
“Take this too.”
“… … .”
Arming Sword.
“Wasn’t your sword a mess?”
“It is, it is.”
The blade went out, and it even bent.
A common iron sword and a famous sword used by a princess.
… The difference in performance is bound to be obvious.
“Aren’t you used to holding it with one hand?”
“I do not care.”
I handle the sword, but I do not depend on it.
The sword is just a tool.
“… … i’m still anxious Is it right to send you like this?”
she lets out a sigh
“I tried to frustrate you, but I think I gave you an excuse instead, it hurts my heart. Such a painful mistake.”
“… I was lucky.”
honestly, what did you do?
Kariel still didn’t realize it.
Now that it’s like this, I have no choice but to ask the Demon King.
“I won’t tell other people well.”
“it’s okay.”
Because the letter was left behind.
If I had told you to write it now, the content would have been different.
“Just do whatever you like in moderation.”
“I’ll take care of it to suit my taste.”
therefore.
“Really, could it be done without me using any hands?”
“okay.”
If I do get revenge, it’s entirely my fault.
It is a string, a chain that entangles me.
To untie or cut off.
It’s completely mine now.
“Even though you say that you have a grudge against the Empire, you don’t criticize me much, do you?”
“I see it as self-inflicted.”
Malice in the name of the public.
Injustice in the name of public opinion.
Enmity in the name of the crowd.
all.
Because he was particularly cruel and ruthless.
“Because I believe that you will keep your level, I also believe that even that will adjust the level properly.”
“… … .”
You make me speechless.
“Assuming they return during the grand jousting, they will come within 60 days at the shortest and 80 days at the latest.”
“As long as the schedule doesn’t go awry.”
To get Grandeus’ magic weapon.
In the meantime, if you correct the body that is out of balance.
… It must be a very, very tight schedule.
“Don’t forget You can’t be as lucky as this time. Write it down carefully.”
“You and me, you know well, don’t you?”
we live in the same world
One step from death.
two steps from life.
In fact, we are at the crossroads of life and death.
It is impossible to go back to the past when you set foot on it.
These are wounds and scars.
It’s not something that’s inscribed in the body.
in the heart, in the mind.
… A trace engraved in the soul.
That’s why you can decide the whereabouts of your soul at will.
That’s why you always have to face the wind and waves head on.
We know very well.
“Just in case.”
there again.
Kariel, who was about to mount the horse, stopped at that and turned his head.
“On the outside, if there is someone more attractive than me, bring them. Any number of people is fine, so I’ll allow it. if it helps you If it comforts you.”
come to the end
“You just have to come back to me. It’s okay if you don’t feel well, so promise me that.”
“… It’s not like going to war. Rather… Do you know that you are really weird?”
It doesn’t look like there’s no monopoly, but why… .
“I mean, don’t be burdened by me.”
I want to give you freedom
“I am not trying to restrain you and fill my satisfaction. My heart prefers it, but if it can’t make you happy, I’m willing to put it aside.”
So.
“Remember what I said earlier.”
“… What did you say?”
“Seras.”
“… … .”
“If I take a chance, I will not be blinded by trivial gains. There is no reason to neglect the promise we made in advance.”
Then, Elhermina inadvertently glanced at the black horse she was riding.
“Go. There is a commotion, so the reaction will come soon.”
“… Isn’t it too late to go through that?”
“Stupid. Who am I?”
That one word was enough for the answer.
Through the trees, through the dark shadows.
Except for the sound of horseshoes, everything fades away.
How long have you been standing like that?
Elhermina approached her horse and asked as she loosened the binding.
“So, how do you feel about watching, Seras Esdina?”
-… … .
As the horse’s eyes turned blue, a voice that was impossible for the horse’s oral structure came out.
-I find it more amazing that you guys didn’t have any influence on the people around you.
“… … is it?”
-Even with you, Kariel… is it different?
Seras had some insight into Elhermina’s abilities.
That’s why, even when the flames poured out as if to burn everything around.
I didn’t think much of it.
Still, it’s nasty.
She’s an absurd woman, to the point of wanting to.
And if it was shown to that extent, perhaps Kariel would give up meekly, or even if she didn’t give up, she would break down and be tied up and forcibly held by that arrogant princess.
It wasn’t that I didn’t have that kind of expectation at all.
At the point where Seras accepted Elhermina’s proposal with the feeling of swallowing poison.
The two of them, absurdly, became a community of destiny.
… Of course, for the offer to be extended, Kariel would have to come back.
– How do you feel about being dumped by your fiancé?
“Woomun.”
Elhermina snorted.
“I’ve never given up, but even so, it’s quite strange that you can arrogantly ridicule me for being kicked.”
-You really… .
Who the hell is arrogant, who is talking with their mouth.
Still, a woman I don’t like.
It’s been like that since childhood.
Received a tree branch that was raised up.
El Hermina.
At that time, Seras asked for one himself, but nothing was plausible.
At that time, what did Kariel say?
-… I was sure you would be my driver.
“I’m sorry, but he doesn’t seem to remember. So give up.”
-ha.
Really.
It doesn’t sound right… She was a damn bitch.
“Anyway, you, even because of Erath… You will have to go through a tougher process than I did.”
-… … .
“Every time I see you, I will think of that child.”
For the first time in Kariel’s life.
A ruthless betrayal, the first being to do so.
“… You must not forget that you have long wanted to slaughter that child of mine.”
because we all know
“This fact will become your family’s leash. Countess Esdina has definitely crossed the line. If only Kariel was in my hands… I could have made you a puppet very easily.”
Elhermina loves him.
longing and awe
To her, he is the sun.
only one.
unique existence.
It’s always been that way since childhood. It has been considered so.
However, the affection and envy are not enough to rule out even perfectly packaged political gains.
Can not help it. Because I grew up like that.
If it was really a responsibility and something, to the point of beating it all up, leaving everything to him and passing it on.
I must have accompanied you on this journey.
However.
As if Kariel’s wounds couldn’t be sutured normally.
The wounds she had suffered were not something that could be easily healed and resolved.
I gave a lot
So, naturally, you will be greedy.
I will get my hands on everything
for what i wish
for his dream.
The empire will have to become stronger than it is now.
—-
“Why are you so lazy? Are you going to go and sleep or something?”
“Hmm.”
When Bariel grumbled, picking at his large ears, the emperor shook his head calmly.
“Shall I go?”
“… … .”
“yes? I heard that even a dragon will come when you say it.”
Bariel saw Rueld who had just entered the main church entrance.
“yes? hey! Why did you come alone when I told you to bring your child?”
… … .
“Why is that bastard like that?”
The walking form is very unusual.
Somewhere, as if his soul had escaped, he was walking weakly, as if he would collapse at any moment, it was very dangerous.
“Eh, Miss Ermina! Please do not do this!”
“… … .”
On the other side, a woman with a pale complexion and sweat dripping from her face, who seemed to be in poor physical condition, looked over them, saw Rueld, and staggered toward him.
“Wait a minute! Ermina? what’s the matter?”
He was about to fall just in time, but it was a shame because the empress supported him in time.
“… … .”
I don’t know why.
Nevertheless, thanks to this unknown ominous feeling, she has no choice but to get up with a struggling body.
I could wait, but I just couldn’t wait that moment.
“Luel… de?”
“… … .”
Even after just discovering Ermina, Rueld showed a sluggish reaction for a while.
“Kariel… yo. this?”
“… … .”
His mouth moved several times as if he was about to say something, but in the end nothing came out.
Just holding onto the paper in my hand.
Rueld silently hugged Ermina, who was staring blankly at him.
“Rueld? why? You said you were coming with Kariel? What about my child? Where are you?”
“… sorry.”
I don’t know what to say.
Even an apology, even an apology.
Right now, Rueld felt that even he was inappropriate.
never mind… I couldn’t even get a single word out of it.
Outside, celebratory cheers still sounded intermittently, and periodic joyous riots continued all the way.
On one side of the interior of the Great Church, a terribly heavy atmosphere settled down with silence.