Chapter 190
“I’m sorry.”
Elisha flinches. She looks at with her red eyes wide in surprise. After hesitating, she opens her lips and asks.
“What was that…?”
As if she hadn't heard correctly. But my answer is the sa.
“I’m sorry.”
“…For what?”
“Just, for everything.”
I have a connection, short or long, with all the mbers of the main character party. But more than the main character, Gilbert, my connection with Elisha is the longest and deepest.
She despised . She was wary of . She tried to prevent a recurrence of the sins committed by Martin before . So she had watched, followed herself, and even hired an information organization.
In the anti, we had entered a Ti Chaos Dungeon together, gotten entangled in incidents, and even entered ruins together.
Honestly, I don't like her. I can't like her. I understand because of Martin's evil deeds, but it was really tireso.
But… she apologized first.
"The old feelings of the past… of course, they weren't light matters. I… I thought I had to apologize to you, Martin. I… I’m sorry. And thank you."
The act that is said to require the greatest courage and magnanimity in this world. The most subli and holiest act. Along with forgiveness, the most difficult thing, an apology.
"There were a lot of things at the beginning of the sester, but… you really weren't a bad person."
"I am a bad person."
"Lies."
"I am a bad person."
"Eh, no you're not."
She, who had been the most hostile to among the main character party, was the first to apologize. She was the first to tell I wasn't a bad person.
I forgave her. Because I had decided to see this world as a real reality, not a novel. I thought it would be okay to completely shake off any lingering feelings. Then Elisha replied with a bright smile I had never seen before.
"Uh, wow, ah! Th-then! We're! Friends, right?!"
To the point where it pricked my conscience.
“…Yes. Let’s go with that. Friends.”
She had murmured in relief that it was a relief when I accepted her words because there was no reason to refuse.
And she.
“Don’t touch my friends!”
[Now, now, you can give up! The archer’s left arm is shattered! Joverka’s striking power is so cooool~! Guild Master, nice shot! Hahahaha!]
“Shut up….”
[If you’re going to give up, now’s the only ti, you know?]
“I will never give up!”
“I will never! Abandon my friends!”
“…Surrender…. …As if.”
“Noooooo—!”
She sacrificed herself against the Demon Lord Joverka. Even in all the monts when her left arm, the life of an archer, was shattered and a brand was seared on it, making it irrecoverable. She did not give up.
If you ask what's so great about that, I would ask back. Do you really not know how great the aning of 'power' is in this world?
Elisha, who cannot hold the red bow, can no longer beco the head of the Harmadun family. She cannot have that pride. It's the sa as denying the life she has walked.
The value she thinks she has now.
'0.'
Elisha decided on her own and went through that process. She endured it as if it were natural.
Believing only in the single word 'friend' that I had casually tossed out because there was no reason to refuse.
“I’m sorry.”
Therefore.
“I’m really sorry.”
The apology that Elisha had given .
“I’m really, really sorry, Cadet Elisha.”
Now it's my turn.
“I… had to protect Nerjin. In order to fight against the coming apocalypse, I thought his knowledge was absolutely necessary. Of course, I’m not trying to use this as my excuse….”
“Wait a minute.”
She had apologized to countless tis, and I had ignored and refused her every ti. Now, it was ti for to taste that. I have to accept the karma.
“Um, Cadet Martin?”
“I'm making excuses now. I express my gratitude for the things you did for . The grace you bestowed was so great that thanks to you, everyone was able to survive safely. Ah, th-of course, that 'everyone' doesn't exclude you. Your injury is….”
“Stop, Cadet Martin!”
Elisha's right hand grabs my shoulder. I, who had been rambling incoherently like water leaking from a broken pot, finally stopped.
“Ah….”
Elisha chuckles at making a stupid sound.
“Can you make that kind of expression too?”
“Pardon?”
What kind of expression am I making…?
“Really, I thought you were a really strong and lonely person.”
“…”
“Now I get it. You were actually this much of a.”
Elisha laughed as she realized that the person in front of her was the sa as her, a person who had finally been liberated and felt relieved, having confessed everything and holding nothing in her hands.
“A coward.”
I can see my face reflected in her red eyes. I was terrified. I'm afraid and scared of having caused trouble.
'This feeling is….'
Proof that I'm not Martin. It was a bad habit engraved in Kim An-hyun, who had only been a nuisance to those around him until his 30s.
“Oh, co on. Loosen up your expression. Otherwise, I’ll keep teasing you by calling you a coward.”
Her smile is surprisingly bright. Because she, too, has her own feelings hidden under the pride of a high aristocrat. The always aloof princess of the academy. The flower of high society. There's no way that weight is light. It must be heavy. There must be hardships she can't tell anyone.
Like .
“You’re not pouting because I called you a coward, are you? You know it too. My real self.”
Behind the mask of the proud princess is the 17-year-old Elisha. A young girl who, like other people, wants to enjoy the festival with her friends all night and go on trips with everyone for a few nights.
Having injured her left arm and let go of the red bow, she finally regains her original self.
“It’s a strange relationship with you. We’re not super close like Gilbert or Bord, but we’re not just awkward either. So I feel like I can open up more?”
“You an I’m easy.”
“That's not it. Anyway!”
Elisha's true self was only permitted to .
“It’s okay not to be sorry. What’s between us. Why are you so long-winded? We’re friends, friends.”
Then she lifts her bottle cap cup and clinks it against mine. Instead of a clink sound, with the dull sound of wood hitting wood.
“Right? Friend?”
We.
“…Yes, friend.”
We beca real friends.
***
“You don't have to escort , you know.”
“It’s fine. Please go ahead.”
I escorted the grumbling Elisha, who said she was fine, all the way to the front of the Harmadun Ducal mansion.
“You…, you were this kind of person when you got close. Stubborn, too. Ah, you were always like that, weren't you?”
“Stop with the cheesy talk and just go in.”
“Yes, yes~. Cadet Martin, you should go in too.”
“Understood.”
Only after confirming that Elisha had entered the mansion did I jump down into the underground waterway.
A dark, damp, and gloomy passage unfolded before . I felt a comfortable solitude, as if I had finally co ho.
‘…I have to fix Elisha’s arm.’
From the mont I was possessed until now, Elisha is the person I have put a particularly large amount of effort into.
Her prickly behavior was quite obnoxious, but I endured it all and even protected and supported her so she wouldn't get hurt.
Because she is a mber of the 'main character party', the ultimate key to fighting against the apocalypse.
‘But this feeling now is not such a calculated favor.’
It’s just… the heart of a 'friend' who hopes she can overco adversity and pick up her bow again.
‘Because we’re friends.’
First, I have to find the Star Maiden.
‘Let’s discuss it when I get ho.’
It's not just . I have reliable comrades. There's the Star Child, and even Marquis Elidore and Princess Adela.
‘I’ll have to ask Adela myself.’
The Star Child, Arnold, and Luri must have started the search for the Star Maiden on their own, but there wouldn't have been an opportunity to speak to Princess Adela separately.
As I walked trudgingly, I soon heard the sound of a conversation.
“Phew, the underground waterway is terrible today too. It’s dirty and slly.”
“Tell about it. Don't they clean this place? They just tell us to guard it every day.”
The underground waterway guards. If I get caught, it'll be a hassle. The bracelet on my right wrist glows, and the Peacemaker uniform covers my body.
Soon, two guards appear from around the corner.
“Tell about it. Should we file a petition upstairs?”
“Forget it. Do you think our seniors haven't tried? It won't change.”
They walked towards and then just walked past.
“Oh, my life.”
“Sigh, the life of a salaryman.”
After the guards disappeared from sight, I changed the uniform back into a bracelet.
‘The world has gotten so much better. I used to have to avoid them in the past.’
If the Black Knight armor enhances physical abilities, the Peacemaker uniform gives a bonus to stealth.
Just as it's hard to be recognized even with the Shadow Knights in front of you. If I intentionally blur my presence, an ordinary person wouldn't know what happened even if I flicked them on the forehead from right in front of them.
I co up from the underground waterway and slowly head ho.
My steps are light. I can see the two-story building in front of the park, which is preparing for winter.
The first floor is a café, and the second floor is our living space. If I go inside, Nerjin, Bianca, Savo, Sebastian, and… Lilac will welco .
‘Looks like business is good.’
I can feel from a distance that the inside is bustling with custors today too.
- Wild Instinct (Master) tilts its head. It wonders what this situation is.
But I hear a familiar voice. And a lot of them!
I rushed to the café. The light from the lamps, rejecting the cold wind, leaks out through the windows.
When I opened the door, the first thing I heard was the sound of classical music and a boisterous crowd. The rich aroma of coffee wafted in belatedly.
“Oh, Martin!”
“Sir Martin, welco!”
“Ahaha, Sir Martin! Excuse !”
Cozy wooden floors and walls. Chandeliers and mana stone lamps that give off a pretty light. An antique gramophone. An interior that makes you feel good just by looking at it.
But… why are the custors in this state?
“Wh-why are you all here….”
The cadets of Imperium Academy Class A were here. The guys who said they were going to a dinner party…!
“Hmm! I recomnded it. It would be a waste of the Empire not to recomnd such a good café.”
“ too! too! I tempted them by saying it's the best café guaranteed by Elidore! You can look forward to today's sales!”
Adela and Luri, it was you…!
[Woof!]
Sebastian, who was showing his belly and acting cute among them, saw and greeted by just raising his front paw while lying down.
“Ah, Master!”
Just then, Lilac, who was coming out of the kitchen pushing a tray with coffee, various drinks, cakes, cookies, sandwiches, and so on, saw and soon corrected her posture.
She holds the ends of her skirt, lifts them slightly, and bows her waist.
“Welco.”
She is like a single flower.
“President Martin has arrived.”
“Wow, President!”
“President Martin.”
Following her, Nerjin, Bianca, and Savo also co out and greet with courtesy. They don't usually go this far, but it seems they're trying to save my face since there are a lot of people….
I waved my hand and said.
“Everyone, please get back to work….”
Then they each return to their workstations.
At that sight, the cadets go 'Ooooh~' in admiration. They're all from noble and prestigious families, so it should be a familiar sight....
Just then, the conversation at the table where Anette was sitting caught my ear.
“Um, doesn't Cadet Martin seem to dislike us…? Isn't he uncomfortable because we just showed up?”
A cadet's words deeply resonated with my heart.
'That's right. I hate it! I'm uncomfortable! Everyone, get out!'
But Anette smiled brightly and told that cadet.
“Haha, don't worry. I have seen that Sir Martin is a person who is not honest, who seems to dislike things but likes them on the inside. He must be happy on the inside right now too.”
“Ah, really?”
“Hmm! Of course! Trust Her Majesty the Crow Empress!”
“If Her Majesty the Empress says so! Haha!”
I should give up on trying to make any more excuses to these guys. I could tell at a glance. The fact that communication would be impossible.
‘…It’s not like I can kick them out either.’
It would be different if it were in the past. Now that the café has beco famous, they will visit frequently anyway. And so of my regulars are mixed in with them.
It's also very desirable in terms of sales. Just look at them ordering the course nu at a café.
‘Keung.’
It can't be helped. I imdiately walked into the changing room in the kitchen.
‘If I can’t kick them out,’
I took off my cadet uniform and put on a black shirt, black pants, and a brown apron.
‘I should at least lighten the burden of my family.’
When I opened the door of the changing room and ca out, the cadets looked at . Then they cheered. My appearance was, in every way, that of a barista.
“From now on, I will be in charge of making the drinks.”
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