Chapter 340: Aftereffect (6)

“You look happy, Elena-nim.”

“How can I not be happy? It’s about seeing heroes who saved Laios and the continent. It is an honor to be able to actually see them, who I only saw through the Goddess’ Mirror. Oh! Look there, Ludwig. I guess it was true that they made a statue of them.”

“Yes. You’re right.”

“The warrior standing at the front is Park Deokgu, the wizard is Han Sora, and the two in the middle are Jung Hayan and Lee Kiyoung. You know, too, right? About the heroes who defeated the evil magic that fell that day. Whoa. I can’t believe they look so majestic. We should also honor their achievements in our kingdom. I made a request to my father and mother, but they only said they would consider it. I don’t think they intend to… Oh! Do you know that? Ludwig? About the Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung. How devout his faith is, it is said that Goddess Benigore sent him to the continent.”

“Yes.”

“In an article published directly by the Holy side of the State, the life of Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung is expressed as a struggle against the darkness itself. The demon worshipper foreigner, and this time he blocked the Republic’s wicked plan who summoned the demon, so there is a possibility that he is indeed an apostle from the Goddess Benigore… No! Maybe it’s not only Goddess Benigore, but Elune’s apostle. Whatever the reason, haven’t we also had a connection with him? Of course, it’s a public matter, but…”

It was an inference that the more I thought about it, the more I nodded.

“Can you believe that mother and father directly ordered the promotion of the Three Kingdoms Alliance? As a result, if you think about it, Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung has served as the bridge. Fate. Just like fate.”

“Elena-nim, I understand the excitement, but…”

“Yes. Of course, I always remember what mother and father said.”

“I’m glad then. However, we should avoid getting involved in private matters as possible.”

“Yes. I know that well, Ludwig. But…”

“There is no such thing as ‘but,’ Elena. Please behave quietly in the city and refrain from getting in contact with them as much as possible. It doesn’t matter that they are heroes. You must remember that they are human, too.”

“But our people were saved by Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung…”

“Sigh…”

“Not all humans are the same, Ludwig. I understand you, but I believe some of them will have a clean soul. Not everyone is bad. Recall what happened at Laios that day. They weren’t terrified, and they didn’t run away. Instead, they stood upright on both feet, facing the demon’s threat head-on… No elven or other race would behave like them.”

“…”

“I know what you are worried about. However, it is not good to disparage even the heroes who defended the continent.”

“I think I made a mistake, Elena. I apologize.”

“No. You don’t have to apologize to me. More importantly, I guess we will arrive soon.”

“Yes.”

“I can finally meet them. I really don’t know how to express this feeling.”

“You don’t have to be so nervous.”

“Yes. Yes.”

I heard him telling me not to be nervous, but I couldn’t help but tremble all the same. My heart kept racing.

I would finally face the heroes who had saved the continent. It would be strange not to tremble.

‘It’s mental.’

It would be appropriate to express it that way.

When I arrived at the castle, I was greeted by the Laios people and important people of the State, but time passed fast enough that I didn’t even get to acknowledge it.

I thought I should be calm, but I kept getting thirsty. I couldn’t even notice the surrounding view. At this, I could see Ludwig opening his mouth as if he was worried.

“Elena, are you okay?”

“I-I’m fine, Ludwig. Can I have anything to drink?”

“Yes. Of course. I will prepare it soon.”

“Do I look weird right now?”

“You don’t. You’re, as usual, Elena.”

“How much time do we have left? No, where are the heroes of light…?”

“I heard they’re waiting in the reception room right now.”

“What? A-Are you saying we made them wait?”

“They came a little earlier than expected.”

“We have to head to the reception room right now. To keep them waiting… such rudeness!”

“Yes. I’ll follow as you said.”

No wonder I had begun to hurry out of anxiety. Once again, my heart beat fast, but I knew that shouldn’t make them wait any longer.

After the reception room door was opened, my head began to go blank.

I tried to control my emotions somehow, but I couldn’t understand what I was talking about in reality.

However, I couldn’t help it. The heroes I longed for were just as I had imagined.

Park Deokgu, who defended many demons, Han Sora, who did not stop chanting spells even though her body was in bad condition, and the two behind them were definitely Jung Hayan and Lee Kiyoung.

It wasn’t easy to see them because of Park Deokgu’s big size, but I thought it would be better to greet them one by one. I felt like my heart would burst if I stayed like this.

‘How can there be such a pure person?’

When I saw Park Deokgu, I was surprised without knowing. He has a clear feeling. It was also honest and transparent. It was like seeing an unstained little child.

In fact, I was a little surprised when he asked the sudden question, but I even smiled when I saw him apologizing immediately.

In Han Sora’s case, it felt a little different.

‘It’s weak.’

It was very small and fragile.

Crucially, she even seemed to be scared. It felt as if she would collapse immediately, and she was unstable as if she would break down in an instant.

‘How… despite being in that condition?’

Could she have thought of throwing her own life easily? How could she confront a huge demon with such a small and fragile soul?

No one could easily do it. I didn’t even need to explain how much courage she needed to confront the demon. When I recalled her facing the demons face-to-face while trying to grasp the trembling legs, I almost cried.

However, I had to open my mouth wide to the soul I saw afterward.

‘Jung Hayan-nim!’

It was her—an archmage who used magic by vomiting blood while surrounded by light.

When I saw that scene through the Goddess’ Mirror, it was a series of surprises, but Jung Hayan-nim was even more surprising in reality.

‘No way…’

It felt like seeing someone broken in a soul filled with love. It was that huge and overwhelming.

I had never felt this kind of soul.

I couldn’t feel anything else. Jealousy, anger, happiness, sadness, and the primitive emotions that someone could feel were all bound up in a single great spirit.

Naturally, awe arose without my knowledge.

Even adults who had trained their minds for tens of thousands of years could not have that kind of soul. It was almost obvious who that love was intended for.

‘Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung. This is Lee Kiyoung-nim. Really… he’s here…real.’

I was sad seeing him sitting in a wheelchair, but I was relieved to know that he was fine. My heart pounded, hearing that he wanted to meet me, but something felt weird.

‘I can’t feel anything.’

It’s just as I said. I don’t feel anything.

I tried to look at it slowly while having a conversation, but nothing changed. Rather, it felt very ordinary.

I wondered for just a moment. The second I moved to shake his hands, what I felt…

‘What is this?’

“Blaaaarrggh.”

It was a disgusting soul inside. I didn’t know how to explain this. I couldn’t understand how such a saint had such a soul.

It was not the kind of soul that gave fear, nor was it wicked.

It was a ridiculously pure, disgusting soul.

I felt goosebumps on my back. I wanted to leave. I tried to endure it as much as possible, but I couldn’t. It was just when I was bent on my back, almost vomiting.

“Cough… cough.”

“Kiyoung-ssi.”

“Cough. Cough, cough. I, I…”

“Kiyoung-ssi. Are you okay?”

“Please… the p-priest…”

“Kiyoung-ssi! Now!”

“H-Hyung-nim. W-What’s going on suddenly? Q-Quickly, even if it’s Hee-young!”

“Oppa, Oppa!”

He suddenly grabbed his chest and began to fall. Others swarmed around the man gasping.

“Seizure! It’s a seizure.”

“Waaaahh. Oppa… Hic. Oppa!”

“Don’t touch him, Hayan-ssi. Touching the body makes it more dangerous. Hyejin-ssi, please call the medical staff quickly.”

“A seizure. What do you mean? Huh?”

“This is an aftereffect.”

“What the hell…”

“After the last incident with the demon summon…”

“So! What are you saying suddenly? What do you mean by aftereffect! He said it was no big deal when he was sick the last time!”

“Kiyoung-ssi didn’t want to announce it. I’ll explain it later, Deokgu-ssi.”

“Isn’t it that we shouldn’t let him be like this? Don’t we have to inject even magic power…?”

“It’s not just a matter to be solved with magic power. This…”

“No! No! Oppa, Oppa!!!”

“He will be fine. He must be fine.”

I was speechless at how the situation had suddenly unfolded. The disgusting smell of the soul felt strong.

‘What the hell is this…?’

In the meantime, the priest and other medical staff come to the reception room.

Jung Hayan-nim was crying, and Han Sora looked anxious. Park Deokgu and Kim Hyunsung also looked very sad.

I thought he would get better, but Lee Kiyoung, who groaned in pain and shivering, wasn’t getting better.

Instantly, a small deduction came to a corner of my mind.

Perhaps…

“The d-divine power does not work. His body must be in normal condition…”

“Aren’t you a priest? Q-Quickly, do something! Huh? I mean, try to save our Hyung-nim!”

“His body is definitely normal. This is my first time seeing t-this kind of seizure…”

“Waaaah. Oppa… Waaaahh.”

Perhaps… It may be Elune’s revelation that I could meet the heroes of light.