Gale spoke to Adam, who had made his decision.
Dont worry, Adam. Weve given up on directly searching for Lynns warrior too.
...
We wont even ask you to join the hero party. Not you, nor Berg.
Adam felt relieved at these words but still harbored a question.
Then why go through all this trouble?
Gale watched Adam intently with his sharp eyes.
...Because I believe you will shine at the right mont.
...
Thats the mission of the warrior of solitude.
Gale turned away.
He seed to be heading towards Berg.
Adam called out to Gale, who was holding the doorknob.
...Gale.
Gale turned to look at Adam at his call.
Adam had no intention of letting things just flow naturally now.
Having co this far, he had to find a benefit within the situation.
...I believe the war is nearing its end.
Gale nodded.
I think so too. Weve killed four of the intelligent demons, and only the Demon King and his right hand remain. It looks like its coming to an end, one way or another.
There will be many changes.
Thats inevitable.
After a pause, Adam continued.
As you know, we are preparing for the post-war situation. Weve allied with Blackwood and Celebrien.
Gale nodded again.
Adam spoke, finally bringing up the main subject.
Id like you to speak well of us to His Majesty the King.
...
Its not a difficult request.
Gale pondered Adams words, then sighed with a smile.
He said,
Alright. I will.
****
I watched Gale as he stepped out of the house.
My wives, who had been lingering around , also looked up at his figure.
Gale, with a smile, spoke to gently.
Berg. I see youve been waiting.
...
Ive finished talking with Adam. Lets have a chat.
With that, Gale rested his elbow on the sword tied around his waist.
I still couldnt guess why Gale had sought out.
Was he here for sparring? Or perhaps to deliver a warning.
...Or could it be sothing else?
I sighed and stood up.
Ner and Arwin also got up to follow .
Gale gestured to them.
Ah, Im sorry, but... I would like to speak with Berg alone.
At his words, my wives froze in place.
I would appreciate it.
Following Gales request, Ner and Arwin nodded.
As they started to walk away, Arwin grabbed my hand.
Our fingers interlocked montarily.
Berg.
...?
Even though its unlikely coming from him... if he makes a strange proposal, you must refuse, alright?
She sent a look of concern.
Since she was the one who had persuaded to lower my guard against Gale, she seed to feel a certain responsibility.
...
I gave her a reassuring smile.
Even though she once wished for my death in the past, her concern for now was enough to put at ease.
I nodded to my wives, looking at each of them in turn, before following Gale.
.
.
.
Gale led into a secluded forest.
For so reason, it seed as if he was looking for a space to spar, so I stopped him.
...Tell .
I didnt have much ti to spare for him.
Just monts ago, I was about to set off on a new journey with my wives.
Noticing my impatience, Gale smiled.
Alright. We can talk right here.
Why did you co to find ?
At my question, Gale sat down on the ground.
After brushing away so small stones, he settled into a comfortable position.
Ive heard rumors about you.
What specifically are you referring to?
Well, rumors like you have defeated over 200 boss monsters... that you are highly skilled... that you beat the Elf swordsman Gallias in a fight...
...
When I didnt respond, he asked for confirmation.
Is it all true?
I replied lightly.
I had a good teacher.
Who is this teacher?
...Its Captain Adam.
Gale nodded, then spoke to .
...Adam, I see. No wonder you two are close.
...
Ah, you dont have to call him Captain Adam in front of . You usually refer to each other as brothers, dont you?
I shrugged my shoulders and asked Gale.
...Anyway. Why have you co to find ? You havent answered my question yet.
Do we need to rush things? I was planning to bring up the topic slowly.
I nodded in the direction where my wives were.
I was about to embark on a journey with my wives.
...
At that, Gale nodded very slowly.
A trace of pity flickered in his eyes, tinged with regret.
Ever since I heard he was the master of the hero party, sothing had been nagging at the back of my mind... even his presence stirred an uncomfortable emotion in .
Gale let out a long sigh and then spoke.
Alright. You dont seem to like beating around the bush, so Ill get straight to the point.
Im listening.
Do you know about the God of Solitude?
...
At those words, a prolonged silence followed.
The sound of the wind filled the gap between us.
The chirping of birds, and the distant shouts of the troops continuing their training, resonated around us.
Amidst all this, I furrowed my brow.
Lynn.
The God of Solitude.
It was impossible not to have heard of him.
Especially after I had cursed the Five Gods for so long.
Seeing my expression, Gale continued.
Yes, I thought you wouldnt be unaware.
...
I have a duty, Berg. I must guide the heroes. But I still dont know who the warrior of Lynn, the God of Solitude, is.
I clenched my teeth and finally responded, though with difficulty.
I dont know either. I havent even been interested in it.
What Im trying to say isnt about that, Berg. I see a possibility in you being Lynns warrior, just like Adam.
........
I couldnt define what I was feeling at that mont.
It would take so ti to determine whether it was displeasure or sothing else.
The idea of linking with a god was simply absurd.
And at the sa ti, a worry erged.
...Are you saying that Adam Hyung could also be a candidate for Lynns warrior?
The thought of Adam Hyung being snatched away from as a warrior of a god was unbearable.
I didnt want to experience such an unacceptable separation again.
It seed Gale noticed my unease and said,
Thats right. But dont worry. There wont be any need to join the hero party.
I then asked him,
On what basis do you determine eligibility?
Gale answered,
Those with a painful past, special beings, are likely to be warriors of Lynn.
I let out a sardonic laugh.
How do you know if I have such a past?
But Gale spoke as if it was a given,
...I know.
After a pause, he continued,
A person who shared the sa pain as you was once my student.
.......................
I clenched my teeth.
My expression involuntarily twisted.
My fists started to tremble slightly.
...
After standing silently for a while, I suppressed my emotions.
I took a deep breath.
In the past, I wouldnt have been able to hold back like this.
But lately, I have been trying to understand.
Understand that it was all in the past.
Still, it was disrespectful to my wives.
Yet, the fact that it was unpleasant didnt change.
It would be wise to watch your words.
I told Gale.
However, Gale shook his head and said,
Untreated wounds fester. Sotis prodding them like this is necessary for strength.
Thats a fancy way of saying youre uncultured, coming from the slums.
Gale burst into laughter at my remark.
After laughing for a while, he said,
Cant argue with that, can I?
I shook my head.
Exhaling my frustration, I spat on the ground.
Then I said to him,
This conversation is over. Make sure you leave safely.
Gale persisted in his words.
Berg. You too could use my guidance.
Enough.
I turned away.
Didnt I ntion that you might be a warrior of Lynn?
I dont believe in such nonsense.
I moved forward.
Its not about believing or not. Preparing for it wouldnt hurt. Arent you afraid of the death of countless people?
I dont care. I only plan to look after my own people.
I left Gale behind.
As our conversation seed to be coming to an end, a voice echoed.
...The saintess endured everything for you.
- Thud.
My steps halted abruptly.
Without realizing it, my body slowly turned around.
I t Gales eyes.
...
...
My lips trembled.
I wont co back.
Soones voice echoed.
I vividly recalled that mont.
When this is over, Ill beco a hero. Why would I have a reason to return to you?
My focus blurred. I felt suffocated.
...Thats the end of our relationship.
I couldnt forget even a single word she had said. Perhaps I had only fooled myself into thinking I had forgotten.
Im going to live as a saintess from now on. I cant marry anymore.
It was Sien who had betrayed .
She had said she would live well without .
...She was the one who couldnt say just one word, asking to wait.
........Lets leave the mories weve built up until now as just mories.
I thought I was getting better... but Gales words shook too hard.
The idea that Sien had endured everything for .
Dont forget , Bell.
Even though she never gave a choice.
...What-What do you know...!
A surge of anger to mask my sorrow...
Was it because I had let go of her more than before?
Because I felt that I shouldnt be like this anymore?
Because I knew it was a provocation?
Because the person in front of wasnt Sien?
A sense of emptiness overca .
And an equal asure of sadness.
I glared at Gale, clenching my fist.
....Ha.
And with a sigh, I turned away.
The End of The Chapter
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