7. Jealousy is my strength (55)
memory, memory, memory.
Is there a word that has more diverse meanings than this?
It was a syllable that tasted new every time I chewed it. There were times when it smelled sweet like flesh, when it tasted bitter like soil, and there were times when the fishy taste of blood couldn’t be erased.
The man’s memory was the same.
The night in the great grove was cold. The forest, where the heat of the beating sun had gone, still harbored heat, but the cooler wind gave it a cool feeling.
Humidity is as sensitive to low temperatures as to high temperatures.
It was also the reason why the residents of Great Forest mistakenly thought that the night was cold.
Late at night, the dimly lit moon slanted across the night sky.
The sound of sobs echoed through the silent forest.
“Ugh, black… Really, bad baby… … .”
The heart that maintains the barrier that imprisons the legendary monster in the heart of the Great Forest.
There was a small village made up of a few huts.
It was the place where the ‘great witch’, who is said to be the master of all elements and the state priest of the ten southern kingdoms, resided.
It was an abode located in a very secluded place.
With only three inhabitants, it was an ambiguous place to call it a ‘village’. Nevertheless, there were facts that did not change.
In order to sustain life, we need a source of water.
No matter how great the ‘Great Witch’ was, this premise could not be overturned. Therefore, there were several water sources in the center of the Great Forest, but one of them was located in the most remote place.
It was called ‘mysterious spring water’.
The pure water that springs from the roots of the World Tree contains abundant magic power. Even at night, the pond, where particles of light float on the surface of the water, creates an enchanting view.
It was a beautiful scenery.
But in front of such a wonderful sight, the only sound that tickles my ears is the sound of crying.
It really couldn’t have been a lamentable situation.
I let out a light sigh and slowly moved my gaze behind my back. Sitting there was a girl with brown hair and an impressive cone hat.
While wiping away the endlessly overflowing tears.
I was also a human made of flesh and blood. It was human nature that when a pretty woman shed tears, the desire to brush her teeth took precedence.
Even so, the reason why I couldn’t do anything, was because the cause of those tears was in me.
It was an unfortunate reason for me, though.
“Stop crying, sister… You may be caught crying alone. Isn’t that what life is all about?”
However, despite my criticism, the girl only raised her voice in tears.
“That, that’s the problem! And, I’m not a ‘samae’?!”
It was a reaction as expected.
It wasn’t particularly surprising. They say she’s procrastinating now, but since before, that temper was a famous woman.
‘The Fighting Dog’ Elsie Rainella.
He was one year my senior at my academy, and he was a brilliant man who eventually received a diploma as the second-ranked student in the Faculty of Magic. She was also well known for her harsh language and temper that did not go well with her doll-like appearance.
I wonder if I had to listen to that notoriety so much that my ears stung throughout my academy life.
Along with the ‘golden lion’ Delphine Yurdina and the ‘blind snake’ Princess Xian, she was one of the three people who should never be touched.
Like this, she was a woman who tried hard not to get involved in her school days. However, in this unfamiliar remote area, only the two of them remain, holding the teacher’s help.
It was a truly bizarre relationship.
I let out a voice mixed with a sigh.
“Did you care that much about being scolded today?”
“My, what am I… … .”
“You ate burnt rice today. It’s already been 3 years since I’ve been a disciple, and I’m still getting scolded for not being able to control the fire.”
At my sharp point, Elsie-senpai let out a light moan.
It looked like it had been stabbed in the right direction.
Hagi, because from then on, he seemed particularly depressed.
It’s already been more than three years since I’ve been living on the same roof.
No matter how much I didn’t want to see it, there was no choice but to be seen.
It wasn’t just me.
There must be times when Elsie-senpai can clearly see my feelings.
That’s why you can’t deny my words without haste.
To the girl who was silent instead of answering, I gave a small comfort.
“Master, I don’t think you meant to be so angry.”
There was no return echo.
Elsie sunbaenim buried her face even deeper. Her dead eyes reflected the dim moonlight.
“Today, I tried to mix the two elements and failed. If you don’t, Elsie is in danger… … .”
“… … Know.”
Like tossing and throwing.
I kept my mouth shut for such a sincere girl.
Now it was my turn to be silent.
“Don’t you know what I think of that hag? It’s already been three years since I rolled like a dog under the ground… I’m Elsie Rainella. A genius among geniuses.”
“Are you still crying?”
“You’re angry.”
The dewy eyes were breathtakingly beautiful.
I didn’t even know if the demonic nature of the night had possessed me. No, maybe even this girl.
The woman, enchanted by the magic of the moonlight, confessed her true feelings without shame.
“I don’t have time to stop like this… Come on, you have to be strong. So much so that no one can ignore me… … .”
“Even now, no one is ignoring me.”
“… … What do you know?”
The words she uttered out of tears were not tinged with resentment towards me.
It wasn’t even sincere at first. Because Elsie-senpai’s anger was just a kind of defense mechanism.
Contrary to her appearance, she was a particularly weak girl.
Not wanting to expose her weak core, she played tough now and then. That way, I’m afraid others will look down on me.
It was useless.
“There is no such thing as a family in a true aristocratic world. There are only competitors, enemies to be bitten down… But nobody laughs at me? You’re welcome! There are always people who will ignore me and try to trample on me. Losing someone who could be called my only family, my heart goes out to you… … !”
However, senior Elsie couldn’t finish her words.
It was because I was startled by myself and limped at the end of my words. Above the eyes, which showed a clear expression of bewilderment, was the image of me staring at the girl without a word.
It had to be.
Because I lost my family too.
No, it wasn’t just the family. All my childhood was burned that day.
How could anyone imagine the feelings of a nobleman who lost his family and land?
I also didn’t want to know.
Realizing her mistake, Elsie hurriedly avoided my gaze. A stuttering voice, tinged with guilt, leaked out through the cracks in her small lips.
“M-I’m sorry… It was a mistake. I was never sincere… … !”
“i know. It’s between us.”
Right before Elsie-senpai gets restless and lowers her head.
As I said that, I cleared my throat slightly.
When I spit it out, the tone was strange. Normally, even if the sister-in-law used this as an excuse to make fun of me, I had nothing to say.
However, the girl did not show an evil smile.
Rather, he kept his mouth shut and turned his face slightly.
His complexion was reddish. Maybe it’s because the moon is too bright today.
I had to make every effort to stem the awkwardness.
“So, what… You don’t have to pretend to be too strong. If there is something you want to cry from now on, cry in front of me. Isn’t it courageous to admit weakness? It’s more embarrassing to be caught crying alone. between us… … .”
“… … What’s between us?”
It was an unexpected question.
But her voice smelled like a dark woman, and I couldn’t help but open my lips.
I just averted my gaze and pretended not to hear.
Even so, Elsie-senpai didn’t seem to have any intention of giving up.
A hook, sweet scent tickled the tip of his nose. It was because the girl’s upper body approached me before I knew it.
There was a strong will in the eyes of a woman who even touched the ground with both hands. I had absolutely no idea what it was going for.
The sister-in-law asked me again.
“What is our relationship?”
“Yeah, that… … .”
Stuttering like that, the moment I turned my head away, unable to overcome my embarrassing heart.
I could feel my breath. The sound of each other’s breathing could be heard as if whispering, and it was such a distance that you would be mesmerized by its beauty before you even measured the distance between your eyes.
How many times have you mixed your inhalation and exhalation?
Elsie’s eyelids closed quietly. Eyelashes dripping in the moonlight looked especially beautiful today.
hesitate, hesitate
My hand slowly moved toward Elsie-senpai’s cheek. Then close your eyes and stay like this… … .
“… … Tsk tsk, you guys are playing well.”
“Kyaaa?!”
It was Elsie-senpai who screamed first at the clicking sound.
There was even fear in her eyes as she pounded her buttocks as if she were starting a game. At the end of that line of sight, cigarette smoke rising from the tail.
It was our teacher, the ‘Great Witch’.
On the outside, the girl who couldn’t decide whether she was superior or inferior to Elsie-senpai was wearing a bleak smile while biting on a smoking pipe.
“What are we doing? Teacher-teacher relationships are like family, so aren’t you guys brother and sister too? Guys, I’ve said it many times before… tsk tsk… … ”
At first glance, it sounded like a teacher scolding a disciple.
But me and Elsie-senpai knew. The fact that grumpiness is oozing out of that disapproving tone.
Even without that, she was a hot-tempered Elsie senior.
She was so startled that she lost her temper and raised her voice.
“No, this old woman… Are you really crazy! I was in a good mood, but what did you do… Kyaaagh?!”
Of course, the ending was always the same.
More novels at noblemtl.com
Just right, the Archwitch snapped her finger, and at the same time, a line of lightning fell towards Elsie-senpai. Poor Elsie-senpai had no choice but to suffer helplessly from an unexpected blow.
Baru, Elsie’s body, which had been trembling, fell flat.
As a result of the electric shock, his muscles were paralyzed.
Even though he hadn’t reached Master level, he was able to subdue a magician specializing in lightning magic so quickly.
I felt a line of cold sweat running down my back.
“… … No talk of age.”
At the end of that refreshing declaration, the Archwitch gave a satisfied smile as if she was finally relieved. It didn’t take long for Elsie-senpai to raise Booth’s body.
Senior Elsie with a sullen expression was still lovely.
The Archwitch probably had a similar sentiment, to the point of bursting out with a faint smile.
“Puhehehe, you look like a puppy that has been struck by lightning!”
“… … Let’s really see it later, Master.”
Despite the sound of grinding her teeth, the Archwitch’s laughter only increased.
It was the same scenery as always.
Reassured at last, I smiled lightly. Around the time I was about to slowly turn around, wondering if it was over.
“But, it is not an empty word.”
While saying that, the Archwitch said “Huh” and let out a cigarette smoke. The sight of him looking up at the moon with his hands behind his back seemed somehow lonely and happy.