780 – 9. There is not a single day when I don’t do this (30)
I had a dream of a snowy field that night as well.
The night is early in the North. Everything in sight became pure white with the moonlight. Even the frozen breath of the rough coniferous trees supporting the snow turns black and white under the faint starlight.
A truly colorless world.
I was sweating alone in a landscape painting where the sun was absent. Despite the extreme cold, my body temperature was rising, and steam was rising above my skin.
The feeling of the sword handle in my hand gradually becomes clearer. The voice that was repeating endlessly in my mind projected memories from some time ago onto my retina.
‘All movement begins with stillness.’
How on earth?
How can such a simple realization become a vision? The teachings of the ghost sword were so unfriendly and difficult at times.
Like the inner thoughts of a ghost sword.
That was when I was panting and out of breath.
“…… Hey.”
With a short call, a soft touch covered the hair. It was because someone threw the towel.
The culprit was clear. We had been friends since childhood, and we had been friends for so long that I was now sick of his voice.
I wiped the sweat with a towel without saying anything. The sound of heavy breathing does not subside easily.
“Then I catch a cold… “It’s a mess because there’s a shortage of medicine.”
“There is a military chaplain, right?”
“Does divine power come out when you dig into the ground?”
At the end of the question and answer, I ended up laughing.
As the saying goes, selling land did not bring out divine power. However, it only comes down from the sky.
Isn’t this a miracle given by the Almighty Heavenly God?
I wondered why there was no response from such a proud person until the world ended up like this.
I deliberately did not ask these questions out loud. Not only did I not want to be accused of blasphemy, but I also understood very well that I did not say those words with that intention.
My friend was just worried about me in an unkind way.
As I wiped off the sweat with a towel, the man with a disapproving expression finally caught my eye. Despite his soft appearance, he was a man with impressive nervous eyes.
Leto Einston.
He was my best friend and my most trusted advisor.
“It’s only been a few days?”
“About two weeks? “Thanks to you, I take care of all the troublesome work.”
Leto’s attitude in answering my question was blunt. Actually, there was a good reason for that.
Leto was one of my lieutenants. Considering that the only one left was Celine, it was clear who would lead the organization in my absence.
Because Celine always preferred simple and ignorant solutions.
Of course, I also had something to say.
“Then what should I do? “It’s rare to have a chance to learn the ghost sword’s vision.”
Leto didn’t say anything in response to my excuse. He watched me closely with his light green eyes and, as always, just asked me a straightforward question.
“Have you heard any affection?”
“What?”
“It’s a ghost sword.”
I let out a shallow laugh. Anyway, he was like a friend who became unnecessarily interested in women whenever he became involved.
“What else is there to do but listen? We became close enough to learn about the vision, but…….”
“Is it difficult to get closer?”
My body trembled as I hit the nail on the head. Seeing my puzzled gaze, Leto snorted and continued his words.
“I told you, the ‘Demon Sword’ is not an easy opponent… Even though there are many wounds, there are too many.”
“I think it was like that even during the academy days.”
“It’s colder than before.”
I see.
I looked back on the past carefully. Even when he was a student at the academy, he often heard the name of the Demon Sword. Most of it was bad news.
We ran into each other a few times.
Every time, I thought. I feel like I’m overdoing things and I’m just trying to pretend I’m okay.
Even while I was immersed in reminiscing, Leto’s advice continued without hesitation.
“There is no reason to get closer than necessary. In today’s day and age, it’s better to not give up as much as possible…….”
“Leto.”
It was a quiet call.
Despite only calling his name, Leto closed his eyes tightly and sighed. As if you already guessed what I was going to say.
“Is there anyone who truly wants to be alone?”
“Of course not… ha.”
The man shook his head in annoyance and approached me. Then he snatched the towel from my hand and said something with a deep warning.
“Then you will break down.”
“What am I?”
“It’s not just the ghost sword. You’ve already been hurt too much… “Don’t give affection to just anyone.”
I kept my mouth shut and said nothing. Even so, it was impossible to hide my true feelings in front of Leto.
“When I look at the ghost sword, I think of your pitiful face, huh?”
In the end, a sigh escaped my lips.
I wanted to say no, but it was true. Or maybe I want to atone for my cowardly past.
Either way, it was a presumptuous idea.
“Leto, I… ….”
“A person who has been bullied since childhood.”
Just before making excuses, Leto cried out.
“There is a problem with social development. “It means you can’t express your feelings properly.”
At the same time, my friend’s hand tapped my shoulder a couple of times.
“Most of them don’t even notice? You have to be patient with it. Don’t take the word literally… “If you want to do that, I won’t stop you.”
Finally, Leto placed a small note in my hand. Before long, he turned around with his hands fluttering.
It meant that I had to go back now.
“This is intelligence given by His Highness. To be honest, I didn’t want to tell you…….”
“What does it mean?”
“Then do your best.”
As always, Leto left without saying a word. He was a friend whose appearances and exits were very consistent.
But there is a problem with social development.
Although the demon sword may not talk much, it was not someone with whom he could not communicate. At least that was the case until now.
And the next day.
I finally understood the meaning of Leto’s advice.
From Noble mtl dot com
Gwigeom’s expression was not good that day. Anyone would think so when they see their appearance exuding ferocity and sprinkling of subtle murder.
My body almost trembled at the sight of those blue eyes glaring at me.
“…… What’s the matter?”
Sick of it.
When we met, the woman just glared at me without saying a word. It was an extremely difficult encounter for her.
The ghost sword was a ‘master’. In other words, it meant that even if you shed a little bit of life, it was normal for the majority to sit down and lose strength in their limbs. Although I was trying to pretend that nothing was wrong.
Cold sweat was already running down my back. It felt like a blade was pointed under my chin, and I wondered if I should turn my back and go back.
Suddenly I remembered Leto’s advice.
“Why are you so sick today? What’s going on?”
A question asked with as much patience as possible.
It was such a foolish act that it made me feel cold in an instant. Even if you don’t do that, you’re asking the reason in front of the Master who looks unpleasant.
But the next moment.
“…… Alcohol.”
It was a very small voice.
If I wasn’t a skilled swordsman, I would have probably passed it by thinking it was a breeze.
The space between the eyebrows suddenly narrowed. When I looked again, the ghost sword couldn’t make eye contact with me and seemed hesitant.
What about alcohol?
Then, a memory crossed my mind.
“Ah, the supply day was today… “Have you run out of alcohol by now?”
The demon sword glanced at me and nodded quietly.
The expression on his face looked so sad that I inadvertently added a word.
“There might be some alcohol left in my tent…….”
The gaze of the ghost sword that instantly becomes earnest.
I had no intention of betraying those bright eyes. Finally, while we were walking together to the tent, I suddenly had an unanswered question in my mouth.
“But why are you spilling the beans?”
The demon sword’s pupils shook again. He hesitated for a while, as if he wanted to say something.
“…… “I’m scared.”
I suppressed a laugh.
“You said you did it because you were afraid to talk without drinking?”
Of course, no answer came back. The woman just looked down and looked depressed.
It was the moment when I found out another reason why the ghost sword was hated.
“You’re not good at conversation.”
As we walked side by side, just the two of us, unable to raise our heads at the sentiments I expressed. It seemed like he was ashamed of himself.
Is that why we drink together every day?
It was impossible to guess the woman’s true intentions. Just, I said.
“It’s okay.”
“…… ?”
The woman’s puzzled gaze turned towards me. I pursed my lips again, as if he didn’t understand what I meant.
“Let’s practice from now on. “With me.”
The ghost sword could not forget his words.
Just open your eyes and move your lips together a few times. Then, with determination, the woman spoke.
“Jo, Jo Ha-hyo…… !”
And chewed her tongue.
For an instant, there was an awkward silence between me and the ghost sword. The woman’s cheeks turned red, and then.
Living.
“No, why?” ….”
I was so dumbfounded that I had no choice but to murmur like that.
The relationship between us became deeper, and my uncomfortable feelings were able to calm down a little more. Nevertheless, the contents of the note Leto gave me are endlessly in my mind.
[There are many reports that a girl wearing a pure white dress, black hair, and golden eyes was seen in the northern part of the country.]
It was a terrible relationship.
*
The light shines again.
When I opened my eyes, Cheongeomsan Mountain was fully lit up at dawn. However, even today, Seria was vacant.
Is something happening?
Since I told you about Senior Delphine’s whereabouts yesterday, she might have been having a conversation like she never did with her sisters. Or making a life-or-death decision.
I decided to settle down and leave. Normally I would have eaten breakfast, but today I had more important business to attend to.
I had to meet the ‘Great Master’.
It won’t be long before the Dark Church comes to Heavenly Sword Mountain.
However, this was my misjudgment.
*
Gateway located at the entrance of Cheongeomsan Mountain.
It was a place that everyone had to pass through in order to climb the mountain. There were always a few practitioners from the ‘sword circle’ standing guard here, and today was the same.
If there is an unusual situation, there is only one.
Jeobug, jerk. The image of the girl walking gradually became clearer. Tired look, tawny eyes.
The jet black hair neatly tied behind her back traces a trace. The guards’ eyebrows narrowed at the confident gait without any sense of hesitation or fear.
“Stop!”
The girl stood tall. Eventually, the eyes turned forward and became empty.
The guards had no choice but to inadvertently swallow their dry saliva.
“This is Heavenly Sword Mountain. If you would like to visit, please leave your name and purpose…….”
“To burn it.”
It was a voice that scattered like ashes. However, the content contained therein was by no means light.
So much so that the guards naturally had no choice but to ask back.
“Yes? What does that mean…….”
“I came to burn it.”
As the girl said that, she slowly pulled out her weapons. It was literally an instant until the abnormally long-edged attitude revealed itself.
“All of you.”
The next moment.
Screams rang out, flames burned the entrance to the mountain, and smoke rose.
It was an attack on the Seven Sins Castle.