Episode 16 – Dear, Sister Lumen

Dear, Sister Lumen

Late at night.
Lumen’s private room.

The slightly blurred scenery is illuminated by two light bulbs.

A woman, unfazed by the faint smell of medicinal herbs, slowly unraveled her bandages. Layer by layer. With each unwinding, the acrid smell of blood tickled the tip of her nose slightly.

“I’ll be going in now, so feel free to read the letter. And let’s make time to go somewhere together tomorrow.”

Having confirmed that the letter was opened, Flan immediately stood up. Saying that there were matters to consider, he left quickly with a serious expression.

However, the voice of him leaving the room was strangely calm and composed. In fact, she still doesn’t know why Flan came here alone to deliver the letter. She doesn’t fully understand his intentions, but she thought it wasn’t something to be concerned about since he had been a man who had helped her.

Above all, the most pressing matter was undoubtedly what had come upon her.

The Troka’s delivered letter. Flan had said not to worry too much about the contents, but I couldn’t help my curiosity.

She had already buried the thought that it might contain good news deep within her heart.

She even doubted whether her heart could bear it. But if it was to confront her own mistakes, to face the actions she might regret in the future, it was certainly something that had to be done.

Only those who accept their past can move forward into the future.

Her hand slowly moved towards the letter. And then, after looking around slowly, she opened it.

—-

If I hadn’t left that day, would anything have changed?

I still can’t sleep properly because of that thought.

Tomorrow, the demon I’ll face is one of the stronger ones among the officers, as Flan informed me. Honestly, I’m not confident. Mortis, the living legend of the demon army that has reigned since the previous Demon King. I’m already trembling because if I face him alone, I know I can’t win.

I’m scared. Every time I fail to realize that I’m the hero, the desire to give up precedes everything else.
It would have been nice to have someone to rely on. It seems there’s no one here I can lean on.

I want to finish everything and go back.

The comrades who were okay at first have all become estranged.

Do I not deserve this? I’m increasingly filled with doubt. Lately, even swallowing food has become a struggle, and I hardly eat.
Except for the occasional dinners with Flan, there seem to be more days when I don’t touch food at all.

Not having someone to rely on creates such an indistinct fear, I’ve come to realize.

Even in my original world, I had no one to rely on. I’m sorry.

But I was happy when I was with you, sister. You were the first person who believed in me.

Even though it ended badly, I hope you were happy.

To my sister, Lumen.

From your brother, Troka.

And…………

The second letter written.

—-

Lumen knew all too well that there is nothing as useless as regret.

However, for some reason, the tears that flowed would not show signs of stopping. Emotions never before experienced cascaded down her cheeks. Like her peach-pink hair, her snow-white skin began to blush bit by bit.

She sat in the chair and slowly closed her eyes.
The face of her younger sibling, overlaid over Troka’s, scattered.

That day, her chest ached unusually, making it a night impossible to fall into sleep.

* * *

There’s a saying that the early bird catches the worm.
It means that if you start your day early, you have plenty of time, and whatever you do, you can have a peaceful day.
Thinking about it again, that doesn’t seem to be the meaning. Anyway, it means that people should be diligent.

In truth, it wasn’t my choice to wake up early. How could I sleep when the sun was still up?

As I emerged from a shallow sleep, the first thing to greet me was the medicinal smell clinging to my clothes. More than the pain in my stiff back and right arm, it was the tip of my nose that ached.

The scenery around me was still bright. It was a tad dimmer, but it didn’t seem much different.

Ah, there was one difference.
The woman standing beside me, Lumen.

“…Why are you here?”

“I came to deliver a letter.”

She handed over the letter. A faint medicinal scent wafted from it.

“…I’ll make sure to receive it well. By the way, did I ask you yesterday to spare me some time?”

At the touch of my stiff right arm, she shivered slightly. It seems Frontis’ cold spares no one.

“Mt. Muak. Can you accompany me there?”

“Is that what you were talking about?”

Lumen scratched her cheek with her right hand. After all, it wouldn’t be easy for a high-ranking figure of the mercenary group to move around freely.
Hmm, she seemed to fall into contemplation for a moment. Then, closing her eyes and mumbling to herself, as if something came to mind, she slowly began to speak.

“I suppose I can go. Whether the Blood Tribe comes attacking again or we go to subdue them, there won’t be any missions for a while due to the severe avalanches. I’ll talk to the commander separately and come.”

Lumen’s voice was light. It seems the letter contained some good news. Kim Ji-hoon, this damned fool. Even if he writes words of resentment, there would be no one to curse at him. But why isn’t she asking why I want to go?
Of course, that doesn’t mean I have to interfere just yet. I’ll just check the contents of the letter later.

I guess I should get ready then. There are things I need to do before meeting master. I don’t have time to idle around right now.

Everything is packed in my backpack, so I just have to take it out. I reached out towards the backpack placed on the far side of the desk.

But my hand could not go any further. Because it had encountered an unidentified mass of flesh. It was Nico, with blhair.

Startled, I barely opened my mouth when she began to press me.

“Are you leaving already? Isn’t it too early, considering you haven’t fully recovered yet?”

“Ah… yeah, that’s right. But, you know, the treatment was so good. I’m all fine now! As you can see, my bones have set properly, and my shoulder is… well, not perfect, but it’s moving fine.”

I rotated my arm as naturally as I could. Nico still looked unconvinced.

“Can’t you stay just a little longer? I’m worried…”

She grabbed my arm with a displeased expression.
I guess I have no choice. I have to promise her something like I did back then.

“Alright. Once all this is over, let’s go on a trip together. Will that be enough?”

“Really? You can’t change your mind later, okay?”

“Of course. I’ll definitely go with you.”

“Do we have to keep it a secret from brother? You promise you’ll come?”

“Yeah, yeah, don’t worry.”

Nico threw herself at me and hugged me. I tensed my body in anticipation of being poked by her usually hard armor, but fortunately, she was wearing everyday clothes.

I lifted my arm to pat Nico’s head as she giggled. However, I couldn’t bring myself to actually touch her. I just stood there awkwardly with my fist clenched.

“I’ll be off then! You take care, okay?”

“……Yeah. I will.”

As Nico left the room with a bright smile, Lumen entered as if on cue. Watching Nico leave without a word, Lumen spoke as if murmuring.

“…A promise you can’t keep. You really have a bad hobby.”

I wonder if the women who listen to my words would feel this kind of pain. It hurts quite a bit.

“Think of it as a white lie for a good cause. At least I didn’t lose my arm, right?”

“…”

“And I’m not someone who’s going to be around for long anyway. The closer I get to people, the more pain they’ll endure when I’m gone. It’s better for me not to build relationships from the start.”

I’m not completely insensitive. I’m not ignorant of people’s feelings. I just keep my distance because I’m someone who will eventually disappear.
It’s irresponsible, but it’s better to leave a relationship without close ties than to leave feeling betrayed. It’s easier on the heart that way.

“Let’s end the idle talk here. We’re not that close to be sharing personal stories so much.”

It’s time to depart now.

“So, did the commander give you permission?”

“Yes. He said it’s fine. I can rest more if needed.”

“Mt. Muak as a vacation spot… This knight order must be quite the black company.”

“…Black?”

“Let’s move on. Are you all prepared?”

“Yes. It looks like you’re well-prepared too.”

“Good. Then let’s depart immediately. We have ample time, but I have personal matters to investigate.”

A white breath obscures the view in front of me. The next destination is already decided.

Mt. Muak.
The very peak of the mountain.

‘Troka, you are excommunicated. Don’t ever think about showing your face again.’

Heading to a place where one of the least desired people to meet resides isn’t as easy as it sounds.

‘If I defeat the Demon King… well, that might change things.’

Is that why? Useless memories from the past resurfaced. Memories of a past that seemed like a dream I couldn’t even think of recalling, and I had no choice but to stop in my tracks for a moment.

“Flan. We’re departing, right?”

Lumen expressed surprise at my sudden halt. I lifted my right arm and signaled to her that everything was fine. Lumen flinched for a moment but then looked forward again.

Yes, I should go.
Staying put is enough for those days.
Now is the time to move. This meeting is for my own sake, after all.

“……Let’s go. We still have many letters left to deliver.”

With that, we set off towards the place where my master awaited, embarking on a truly arduous pilgrimage.