776 – 9. There is not a single day when this does not happen (26)
The snowy field is the land of ghosts.
It was a place where everyone who lived slowly lost their vitality due to the harsh cold. A world without light and heat naturally reminded us of death. The only colors revealed in that quiet landscape painting are pure white snow and a dark night sky.
In addition, people living in the north were famous for their pale skin. This, along with their superior average height, was one of the main reasons why they were called ‘ghosts’.
Therefore, the snowy field is the land of ghosts.
Originally, it was a rumor that would not have been worth mentioning. No matter how harsh the North is, humanity has always carried the spark of civilization. Underlying this perception was usually a fear of foreign beings.
A truly insignificant scandal.
Yes, that is definitely the case.
Inadvertently, I remembered this rumor. In front of a woman with her back against the night sky.
The breath turns white and disperses. The life that overflowed from the helpless bodies lying around suddenly lost its warmth.
There are dozens of corpses in sight.
The culprit who caused this tragedy was staring at me with an indifferent expression. Moonlight streamed down the blade that had slaughtered the elf’s bones and skin just moments before.
“Well, Lord… rani?”
The spirit that had been overwhelmed before the scene of slaughter gradually returned. What was I doing? Yes, she was just taking her steps in search of the woman who had left her spot.
Then the scenery I encountered was like this.
The skin of the woman with her back to the night sky looked particularly pale. The woman shook off the blood on the blade with a sharp thud and quickly put away her sword.
“…… “It must be my ‘original sin.'”
The ghost sword was silent.
Unless she was drunk, the words a woman could put into her mouth were very limited. One or two words were all it took, and even that wasn’t enough to be a proper answer.
Isn’t that the case right now?
After making an incomprehensible statement about ‘original sin,’ the ghost picked up the leather canteen hanging from his waist. Soon, strong alcohol pours down the esophagus without hesitation.
Even amidst the bloody smell, he seemed extremely calm.
This must be proof that she has been through so many ups and downs. Or maybe it’s just nature.
The woman had the attitude that my questions were none of her business. She walked past me, just by looking at the steps she took without hesitation.
So I had to ask again.
“Original sin?”
Hearing the brief question, the demon sword paused for a moment and looked back.
Soon she started walking again. She was still a woman whose true feelings were difficult to pin down.
Actually, it didn’t matter if I just ignored it and moved on. The opponent was the strongest swordsman of this era. If she had to ask for the truth that she didn’t want to tell, it meant that she was a big man who would willingly sacrifice her head.
But why?
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When she came to her senses, I found myself following her.
“What do you mean, ‘original sin’?”
Sabagsabag.
The sound of lightly stepping on the frozen snow tickled my ears. The woman didn’t bother to respond to my words, and just continued to step forward with her feet.
Nevertheless, I did not give up and kept up. It may have been because I received permission to treat him like a ‘junior’ at the last drinking party.
“A curse that requires seeing blood? Please consult first. “Maybe we can help.”
Maybe he was tired of my persistent persuasion?
Finally, the ghost sword’s footsteps stopped. Blue pupils staring at me while sighing softly. His eyes looked tired, with layers of scratches accumulated over time.
“Vampire.”
Once again, it was just a piece of answer.
But the weight inside was not light at all, so I had to slightly narrow my eyes.
“Vampire blood flows through my body.”
It was a confession made while gently lifting my lips with my index finger.
Gray hair, blue eyes. Crucially, the sharp fangs were pointing to the name of a specific monster one after another. As the woman confessed, the devil called a ‘vampire’.
He was once a legendary demon who burned down the southern kingdoms. One of the Seven Sins that was sealed in the Great Forest and ended its sinful life.
As soon as I heard those two syllables, I froze in shock. The woman’s appearance was once again etched into her retina. Gray hair, blue eyes.
It had to be that way.
Because ‘vampires’ were like a nightmare to me.
The memories of the burning great forest burn through the pituitary gland like lightning. From my first love who laughed while bleeding, to my teacher’s hand that carefully brushed my cheek.
These are the people who became ‘family’ to me after losing my family.
For a moment, my body, stranded in the past, had no choice but to freeze. I couldn’t figure out what my face looked like.
The ghost sword looked away without saying a word. And walked.
No emotions are revealed from the back. I didn’t expect anything, so I wasn’t disappointed. That’s why you can show complete non-reaction.
It was then that I suddenly regained my senses.
“Wait a minute.”
Tap.
My hand grabbed the lapel of the departing woman. Considering her status, it was an unimaginable act of rudeness.
Who is ‘Ghost Sword’?
He was the strongest swordsman since ‘Geomgong (劍公)’ and was famous for his merciless hands. No matter how much I treated him as a junior, there was no way his essence would change.
According to rumors circulating on the continent, it would not be surprising if my wrist fell off right now.
However, the tragedy of having my body parts amputated did not occur. However, the woman just looked back at me with her puzzled eyes.
It was as if I could never have imagined such a reaction.
“So you have to see blood periodically? What if I don’t see blood? “What symptoms do I experience?”
“…… Vampire.”
Awkward, that was the language the embarrassed woman uttered after hesitating for a while.
Repeat of the previous one.
“It was obviously blood-sucking… ….”
“I know.”
It must have been like that until now.
Even though she was not, she was a woman who was considered a being who brought misfortune. If you heard that she was born with ‘vampire’ blood, you would immediately look at her with disdain.
Above all, this was the north.
Like a ‘vampire’, a place facing destruction by one of the Seven Sins.
The feeling of rejection towards beings who could be called ‘monsters’ could not help but become stronger. This was a fact that could be seen just by looking at the way the northern garrison was hostile and ostracized by the woman.
“I am the crow of the empire… “If it’s information that other people would know, of course I would know it.”
“Then why?”
As she asked again, she added that it was even more difficult for women to understand.
“If you don’t know what a terrible monster a ‘vampire’ is… ….”
“I know. “Better than anyone else.”
I imitated a calm tone as much as possible. Still, there was no way to stop my feelings from overflowing, so I ended up having to make a distorted expression.
“Because you burned my monk.”
And static.
The woman just stared at me for a while. In my eyes, reflected in that retina, a little bit of embarrassingly painful emotion was pouring out.
How much time has passed?
“I see, you are the ‘Great Witch’… ….”
After that, the woman was unable to continue speaking for a long time.
Hesitating, hesitating, pondering.
Eventually, the alcohol in her canteen gurgled once again. When her cheeks turned red, the woman avoided my gaze and muttered softly.
“…… “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s always been like that.”
It was an assertion. A word that oozes lonely solitude, as if no further reason is needed.
“Actually, it doesn’t matter if it’s not a ‘monster.’ It’s been like this since long ago. Whether it’s a ‘spy’ or a ‘monster’… “I feel more comfortable being alone now.”
“But… ….”
“You hate me.”
I pursed my lips at that cold advice. The woman’s grip on her collar lost strength, and the woman turned around and went back down the lonely road.
“Even for you…” “Because the blood of your enemies still flows through my body.”
What should I say?
It wasn’t wrong, but I couldn’t hate the woman in front of me at all. Even her lonely back reminded me of that day.
It was like this even during the academy days.
The girl who pretended to be steadfast in the face of inexplicable contempt and bullying, and the me at that time who cowardly did not have the courage to reach out to her.
The title ‘junior’ had such an easygoing aspect. Moreover, doesn’t it remind me of the junior monk I was unable to protect?
My brother-in-law.
My first love.
Nevertheless, I was unable to catch the woman. Among that loneliness, there must have been a part of my own creation.
What are you going to do now?
You don’t do anything when you really need it, and you only reach out after you’ve completely broken down.
At the end of the hesitation, only footprints remained. Thinking about the back of the woman who was already invisible, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter sigh.
“Should I consult with Leto…?” ….”
At times like this, I thought there was only one advisor I could trust.
Snow falls, and the snowy landscape becomes pure white again. Walking lonely in the dark, with the bitter wind biting her skin.
*
When I opened my eyes, sunlight was pouring down from the sky.
It meant that a new day had arrived. Also, today was a monumental day at Cheongeomsan Mountain.
As of today, it has been a week since I entered the mountain.
In other words, the deadline promised with Seria was approaching.