102 – Misalignment (9)

Erina and Kayla. What happened between the two of them?

Celica was always worried. No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t figure it out.

I already knew that the relationship between the two was bad.

But aren’t they colleagues? She thought that at least she wouldn’t really dislike or hate it.

But it was a mistake. After Seohyun collapsed, the two of them fighting was so bloody that I couldn’t even think of it as an argument.

“Kayla. What does she think of Kayla…?”

“Yes, yes. What she thinks of Kayla…”

Erina’s expression contorted with the sound of her teeth grinding.

“Listen carefully. Never believe anything she says.”

“Yes… ?”

“Because she will betray us someday.”

After that, Erina poured raw criticism towards Kayla.

A sneaky and ungrateful b*tch. A fox-like beast that seduces Seohyun and disturbs her heart. A dirty and arrogant dragon.

There was no reason or basis. I just spit out words full of malice.

No matter how understanding Celica was, she couldn’t believe her words. Even so, Erina could only let her emotions out.

It hadn’t been long since they met, but Celica knew instinctively.

Erina is a dangerous person. She was stronger than anyone else, but she couldn’t tell the truth.

“You don’t seem to know. Don’t be friends with her.”

“Then why is Erina-sama with Kayla-sama…?”

“…I don’t want to be with you either.”

At Celica’s words, Erina let out a long sigh.

Erina didn’t want to be with Kayla either. She didn’t just want to break up, but her heart was like a chimney, wanting to kill her.

But she knew that if she acted like that, Seohyun wouldn’t forgive her.

From noble mtl dot com

She couldn’t bear to watch him pour out his anger at her.

That’s why Erina just endured it. She decided to persevere until the day came when she would claim him.

“What do you plan to do?”

“Yes… ?”

“Are you sure you want to follow us?”

After a moment of hesitation, Celica nodded her head. Seohyun, no one else, wanted her to join.

Celica was going to do all of Seohyun’s favors, at least until she repays all of her kindness.

I don’t know if I’ll be able to repay her kindness until the moment she dies.

“I will not stop those who follow me. Because it’s Seohyun-nim’s order.”

If she hadn’t asked for his permission, she probably wouldn’t have pushed Celica out either.

Celica had already seen Kayla and Erina fight. If she had been caught up in the fight, what would have happened to her?

Her fear that no matter how hard she tried, she would never be able to defeat Erina, instinctively settled in her heart.

“But don’t cross the line.”

She knew what Erina meant.

Do not come closer to Seohyun. Do not do anything that could cause misunderstanding.

Celica thought of Seohyun as her benefactor, but she didn’t have affection for her.

Because she knew that fact, Erina did not drive Celica out of her carelessly.

But if Celica crosses her line. It was obvious what would happen.

Erina hoped that such a situation would never happen.

Because she always wanted to show only her beautiful and weak side in front of her master.

***

Celica knew that she received undeserved favor from Seohyun.

She saved her children, protected the monastery, and even helped with her funeral.

She even allowed her children to live in the capital’s mansion.

‘Why does he trust me so much?’

It was too much to be called simple mercy. No matter how big your heart was, it was a decision that couldn’t be done carelessly.

He only wanted one condition. Her joining the party.

She is objective. Is she a competent colleague? Celica was not convinced.

She didn’t doubt Seohyun’s eyes, but she knew her own situation. Immediately, healers superior to him were scattered throughout the capital.

But he chose Celica. She thought there must be another reason.

“Thank you very much.”

“Yes… ?”

However, Seohyun was thinking the opposite.

She said she needs her help to subdue the demon lord. It’s like she must be her.

“To be honest, it won’t be easy to be with us. Don’t worry though. I’ll keep my promise no matter what.”

We thought differently. Celica was deeply indebted to Seohyun, and on the contrary, he was grateful that Celica followed her.

It was not easy to subdue the Demon King. If others had heard it, they might have snorted or genuinely feared it.

But Celica decided to join her party for Seohyun’s sake. For children. And to return the favor.

“You know that. Erina and Kayla don’t get along.”

“Yes…”

“If something happens while I’m gone, stop the two of them. Please.”

After that, Seohyun gave Celica a lot of advice. Most of them were about Erina.

Never provoke Erina. Situations where Kayla and Erina are alone should be avoided as much as possible. If something happens that threatens others, it must be stopped.

It was a short time, but even Celica could understand it. The most important person at this party was Erina.

“Honestly, Erina isn’t a good kid, but she doesn’t commit massacre for no reason.”

However, the moral concept and etiquette that other people naturally have were very lacking.

Just like a child recklessly tearing off the legs of a dragonfly, there was no resistance to cruelty.

Seohyun also thought a lot about fixing Erina.

He told me well, and he also scolded me. She even threatened to kick her out of the party, giving her alone time to reflect.

But Erina hasn’t changed. Rather, she was getting worse day by day.

“Yeah, I have a question for you.”

“Yes. What?”

“… This may be a little rude question, but is that okay?”

When Seohyun nodded, Celica swallowed her saliva before she spat out a question.

“Seohyun-nim, aren’t you afraid of Erina-nim… ?”

Celica recalled Kayla’s advice. As she said, Seohyun did not trust Erina.

But she didn’t throw her out. Rather, she always stuck by her side and tried to lead her Erina on her right path.

Seohyun laughed and said, despite the somewhat embarrassing question.

“Not scary at all.”

Even if you are wary of and threatening others. Even if you point a knife at a colleague.

Erina had never tried to hurt Seohyun. That much to her, his presence was special to her.

He was the only person who could keep Erina by her side. In this situation, if her seohyun is afraid of her, who can lead her?

“Don’t worry too much. Even if that happens, I will stop you.”

However, Celica’s anxiety did not stop. He wasn’t worried about the future or Erina’s conflict.

The man in front of me was very tired. The problem was that he didn’t even know how tired he was.

Dark circles were long under his eyes, and he was blinking his eyes to ward off his drowsiness.

Even in the midst of that, he forced a smile and tried his best to pretend he was okay.

“Seohyun. Could you lend him a hand for a moment?”

Despite the sudden suggestion, Seohyun obediently reached out her hand. At the same time, Celica made a warm light and handed it over.

As the light entered Seohyun’s hand, warmth spread through his body. If you close your eyes like this, wouldn’t you be able to achieve a comfortable sleep?

“Thank you. Celica.”

“No. Please tell me anytime if you need anything.”

After that, the interview ended with a light chat. Unlike the two before him, Seohyun was able to end the conversation with a much brighter expression.

When I came out of the room with Celica, Erina and Kayla were waiting for me.

Even though they were alone, they only glared at each other, but there was no sign of fighting. They just ignored each other, but there was no conflict.

“Everyone did a good job today.”

Night came after a long day. From the funeral of the abbot, to the contract with the Adventurer’s League, and interviews with colleagues.

I ran around busily all day without rest. It had been dark outside for a long time.

But there was still work to be done.

“Finally, let’s have a meeting about future plans.”

“My lord. Are you okay… ?”

Kayla was looking at me with her worried eyes. She was worried that I might not be exhausted after running around without rest.

However, the situation in Hellwood was rapidly changing. In my heart, I wanted to set off right now to save Tyria.

I wanted to go ahead with the meeting, but my colleagues started to stop me.

“Don’t push yourself too hard. I think it would be good to take a day off for now.”

Not only Kayla, but Celica also had a different opinion when they came forward. Come to think of it, there was still plenty of free time left.

It was late and it was time to go to sleep, so I thought it would be a good idea to postpone the meeting to tomorrow.

“Yes. For now, let’s end here for today.”

My colleagues’ faces brightened at my words. Did I look that hard?

“Sleep alone with me today!”

As usual, Erina stuck by my side and invited her to sleep. And she also gave me a condition.

Kayla also sneaked up to me and recited in a quiet voice.

“I will make the bed while you take a bath.”

Kayla looked at me with a flushed expression. But she couldn’t live up to her expectations.

“I’m sorry. Kayla.”

“Yes… ?”

“Let’s use a separate bed from now on.”

Kayla’s face froze at my words. Erina, on the other hand, liked her mouth to tear.

“Don’t worry. I will protect you even while you sleep.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

I felt sorry for Kayla, but it was one of Erina’s conditions.

Push Kayla out of her bed.

Kayla was full of embarrassment, but she backed off meekly as if she noticed by the atmosphere.

“Yes, I understand. Instead, let me make the bed…”

“No, don’t touch it.”

Erina stopped Kayla in displeasure. And I just watched them quietly.

Kayla bit her lip in frustration, but bowed her head in agreement.

“Yes, I will sleep separately today.”

After the fight, Erina immediately lay down on the bed. She curled up under the covers, saying that she would make her bed warm as usual.

Today, the bed where Erina and I will lie alone. There was no place for Kayla.

***

Erina, Kayla, Celica, and Tyria.

Colleagues I have worked with so far and colleagues I will meet in the future.

They are all people I have to be responsible for. They are the ones that no one can lead if not me.

To kill the demon king. To bring peace to this world. I had to take responsibility for everyone.

And there was one more person I was responsible for.

“Seohyun-nim…”

The goddess faced me with a dark complexion.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like