chapter 22
EP2. Epilogue – Her identity
“Don’t think of doing anything stupid. Young people.”
The adventurer had no choice but to hold his breath in front of that cold killing that was hidden behind a polite tone.
She barely rolled her eyes and glanced at the old man, who didn’t know when he had appeared, but couldn’t find any gaps in the old man’s graceful gestures.
When Sean looked up at her familiar voice, she realized that an old man she knew well had protected them.
“Knight!”
“Long time no see. Mr. Sean, but let’s say a proper goodbye later.”
As the confrontation continued for a while, I saw a large man running from behind.
He was Paul.
“Old man! What’s so urgent first…”
Paul, who had been running with such a grumble, stopped talking in surprise when he saw the situation in the middle of the street.
“·····Levy···? Sean…? No, why are you guys…”
Muttering that, he was able to understand the situation to some extent. The process is unknown, but what is certain is that that man is the cause of what happened. And that it was never a good thing either,
Paul took care of the children first. Facing Paul, Levy, who had been dazed for a while, immediately rushed at him sobbing.
Seeing that, Paul also lowered himself and hugged Levy, who was running towards him with his arms wide open.
For a while, the father and daughter must have felt the joy of reunion, but Paul saw Sean about to get up.
Paul immediately tried to stop him. It was because I could see that Shawn’s condition was not good at first glance.
“Shaun! Are you okay. Lie down there!”
Sean struggled to get up despite Paul’s concerned restraints.
Then I walked slowly. Towards both.
Seeing Sean walking like that made Paul feel like his heart was full.
In the end, Sean came right in front of him on his own, and Paul hugged him tightly, but enough that Sean didn’t hurt.
So the three enjoyed the welcome, like a family.
And when Wilhelm, who was watching such a warm appearance, seemed to have finished to some extent, he looked at his man, William, who he was aiming his sword at, and said.
“Then, drop your sword and kneel.”
Realizing that he had no way out of this situation, William quietly complied. As he knelt down, Wilhelm continued.
“And then I will put his hands on the back of his head.”
As expected, I followed the words straight away. As he put the pod on the back of his head, Wilhelm spoke one last time.
“And lie down in that position.”
If he followed these requirements, he would be completely incapacitated, but he had no choice.
He did so at the old man’s request, not at his command.
And Wilhelm, who saw that, did not lower the sword he was aiming at, and pressed his foot on the back of the head.
“Ugh!”
Though he heard his dying voice, Wilhelm did not let go of his strength. Sean, who was watching the scene, cautiously asked Wilhelm.
“·····Sir, what are you going to do with that person?”
At the boy’s question, Wilhelm didn’t look away and continued to be wary of the adventurer.
“That’s up to you.”
“Yes?”
“Sean, didn’t you fight this guy to protect something precious?”
“·····Yes, that’s right.”
“Then, wouldn’t it be reasonable to assume that only you have the right to take this man’s precious thing, namely his life? This person also tried to steal something precious from you.”
Sean couldn’t argue with that. Aside from his resolute attitude, it was because Sean knew that he was right.
But making that choice for Shawn was too harsh. To decide people’s lives with your own hands!
Shaun looked at Paul. But even Paul shook his head and said firmly.
“No, I don’t think this is for me to decide. Since you kept Levi, you decide.”
At those words, Sean looked at Levy for the last time. However, Levy’s opinion was not different.
“······I’m fine with whatever Sean decides…”
Deep down, Sean knew that if it was Levy, he would tell him not to kill him. She knows that she hates fighting and fighting and things like killing.
But when he left even Levy to himself, Sean realized that this was a matter he had to choose.
Sean was troubled. Which choice is the right one.
But no matter how much I think about it, I don’t know the answer to the right thing to do. Then Sean suddenly remembered something.
The story of the fairy tale that my grandmother told me when I was young.
In fairy tales, the protagonist always overcomes trials and defeats evil.
However, the main character did not kill the evil even after defeating it, but rather forgave it.
Then the villain always repents of his sins and becomes a good person at the mercy of the protagonist.
Perhaps this adventurer is the same? Wouldn’t this adventurer change if he truly forgave him?
After thinking about it for a while, he said to Wilhelm.
“Please finish.”
Wilhelm didn’t add anything to that resolute statement, just nodded his head and said one word.
“Okay.”
As the situation suddenly changed, William, the man lying on his stomach, realized that he was in trouble.
Because deep down he believed that the boy would save him, when he was wrong, he exclaimed urgently.
“Wait! For a moment! Kid! Sorry! Really, I didn’t mean to! Please! Please forgive! Please! Please·····.”
But despite his earnest cry, Sean didn’t even move.
Yes, maybe when you forgive, that adventurer will truly repent of his sins and change.
However, it is a story that only appeared in fairy tales. Different from reality
Because he already felt that reality was far from a fairy tale when Luke died.
Really maybe, he could really be reformed like a fairy tale story.
But Shaun wouldn’t gamble on such a low probability. That man is a dangerous being.
Already aware of the value of his childhood friend, if he survives, he doesn’t know what kind of danger he will return to Levy.
Shaun valued Levy more than fairy tales.
Wilhelm saw the boy’s steady attitude and raised his sword high.
“Is there a last will?”
“No! Please!”
“Looks like you have nothing else to say. Then····.”
At that moment, Paul, who was still, shouted.
“Wait! . . . Sean.”
“Yes.”
“·····You don’t have to watch this. Levi and you too.”
At his words, Levy pondered for a moment, then went behind Paul’s back. But Sean was different.
“No. This is the result of my choices. I have to see.”
“······Yes. I will respect your wishes.”
As the conversation seemed to be over, Wilhelm immediately took the sword.
His sword pierced the adventurer’s skull intact,
He died without uttering any screams.
And, Sean watched the adventurer’s death as a result of himself with his eyes open.
I will be the same no matter what trials I face in the future.
I will always live only for Levi.
The boy collapsed right after he had done his duty.
“Now, back to town… Shaun? Shawn!”
“Don’t worry too much. He must have collapsed from exhaustion.”
After that conversation, the boy’s consciousness completely went out.
Wilhelm and Paul returned to the village, each carrying their children on their backs.
And,
On the branch of an unusual tree
A one-eyed crow that looked like that watched it quietly.
***
Shawn opened his eyes.
For some reason, I feel like this has happened before.
As Sean thought, he realized that someone was by his side.
It was Lielcia.
Like last time, Lielcia was taking care of Sean in this place of worship. And when Shawn opened his eyes, Lielcia smiled softly and said,
“My Sean, you can sleep more.”
“·····Levy, are you okay…?”
“Oh, are you worried about that child as soon as he wakes up? You don’t have to worry about getting jealous. Levi is fine too.”
I’m really glad. If Wilhelm hadn’t arrived at that moment, it would have been really dangerous.
To Shawn, who was so relieved, Rielcia continued.
“Same as last time, it’s already been more than a day since our Shawn fell. And while you were sleeping, Mr. Jo came and went. You didn’t say anything, but you seemed to be worried a lot?”
Well, if the day passed while you were asleep, Uncle Joe would have been very worried because he didn’t come. I’ll have to say I’m sorry later.
“Levi and Paul kept trying to stay by your side, so this older sister sent them away. Oh and. There’s someone waiting for my Sean to wake up. If you feel uncomfortable, I will return it.”
I didn’t name who Lielcia was, but Sean seemed to know who it was.
Yeah, it’s not over yet.
“No, tell me it’s okay to come. And… I’m sorry, could you go out for a while? Just the two of us, we have something to talk about.”
Her words could have been enough to upset her, but Lee Elsia didn’t say anything and left her seat with a smile.
*
And after a while.
Someone came to Shawn’s room. It was the one Shawn expected.
Sean was determined to keep Levy safe. And for that, Sean was prepared to do anything.
Yes, even if it is.
Even if you are an adventurer whom you have been close to and yearn for.
Tina came into her room and looked at Sean, and she hesitated.
“Uh… Shawn, are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“·····I heard the story. That, Levi was in danger. That·····.”
“That, to a male adventurer.”
At Sean’s cold words, Tina hesitated, closing her eyes tightly, then bowed her head and shouted.
“I am so sorry! To think that my party would do something like that… As a companion, I know that I am also responsible!”
Tina kept bending her back. Until Sean accepts his apology, as she thought it would be.
Not feeling Sean’s reaction, Tina panicked and said hastily.
“That… I apologized to Levi and his father too! The two of them said it was okay, but I wasn’t comfortable with it…”
It was strange. I said this, but Sean didn’t respond?
The boy Tina had been seeing for a month was Sean, who was pure, just, kind, and kind to everyone.
She said that if she apologized this much, Sean would definitely not need to apologize this much, and Tina, who was embarrassed, realized that this situation was a little strange.
Tina put her own original plans aside for a moment, and she lifted her head and looked up at her Sean.
Shaun was looking at Tina. With cold eyes.
As Tina’s eyes met hers, Shawn began to speak slowly.
“·······Then, by any chance, do you know why that adventurer… Even tried to kidnap Levi?”
“・・・・Yes? Why did you do it…?”
Those words made Tina think. Perhaps she is because Levy is still young, but she has a pretty appearance.
But the fact that Shawn insisted on mentioning it like this isn’t such an obvious reason.
Tina didn’t know, but Sean gave her the answer.
“The man knew that Levi could use her magic.”
Those words made Tina realize what Sean had misunderstood. She said right away.
“No! Misunderstanding! I am····!”
“A misunderstanding?”
Without listening to Tina’s excuses, Sean said with a cold sneer.
“Then why does a man who has been quiet for a month do that the very next day after he tells you a secret? Is that just a coincidence?”
Tina already knew from those words that she couldn’t change Shawn’s heart, but she still struggled.
“Please, trust me. Please, I never even met that man that day!”
“However, there is no one in town to talk to him. Only Tina thinks she deserves a conversation with the guy. And.”
“······.”
“Tina drank too much that day, right? We met that day, but it could be something we don’t remember.”
No. She, of course, is right that she was drunk that day, but she is definitely remembered, at least until she enters the room. No. Shouldn’t be
“Or, by any chance, has anything changed in the room?”
Those words reminded Tina of one thing. Glass of water.
But when I thought about it for a while, I remembered that I did not drink the water even if the man had prepared it, and most of all, I locked the door myself.
······· Come to think of it, I must have locked the door before going to bed that day, but the door was open the next morning.
Why? I have a clear memory of locking it up.
No. If indeed the man came into his room, and he was so drunk that he couldn’t remember,
In that situation, there was no way that man would have left him alone.
I must have done something strange. But when I woke up, I couldn’t find any trace of anyone else.
However, Tina couldn’t figure out how to convince Sean of all this.
In this current situation, it is difficult even for oneself to be sure. Perhaps,
Because maybe, Sean might be right.
Sean looked at Tina and realized that at least she wasn’t doing it on her own terms.
However, nothing changed. After all, she was the one who put Levi in danger.
“Tina, please leave our village.”
“I see what you mean. But, there is one thing I want to say.”
There was no strength in Tina’s voice. She looked fragile.
As I looked up and met her eyes, I saw that Tina’s eyes were watering.
“······Yes, it’s okay to talk.”
“······Actually, I am not an ordinary adventurer.”
That introduction was enough to take Sean’s mind away. I had no idea what the hell she was talking about.
Tina continued.
“I am a witch hunter, hunting for witch children.”
“·······Witch’s child?”
“Yes, the witch’s child is a homunculus, an artificial creature created by her witch in her own image.”
“No, now… What are you saying-“
“Witch children look just like humans, but there are a few ways to tell them apart.”
“·······.”
“First, show outstanding magical talent.”
“No, wait a minute, that means Levi…”
“I know what Shawn is trying to say. But for now, please listen to me for a moment. This is my last request.”
“······.”
“Thank you. And the second one is Jaan, or purple eyes.”
At the end of this random conversation, Sean realized what Tina was trying to say to herself.
And naturally, it reminded me of the moment a month ago, when Tina saw someone on her street and stopped.
“Lielsia, she is a witch’s child.”