Chapter 118. Tired

If I had to pick one of the good things about living by the sea, I would answer without hesitation: the sound of the waves.

Crash, crash.

Swoosh…

It’s a sound that never gets tiring, no matter how much you listen to it.

Listening endlessly seemed to clear my complicated mind.

“Ah, it’s nice.”

Beyond the horizon, the dawn was breaking, slowly pushing away the darkness.

The deserted beach was quiet and free.

Even though the three heroes had invaded Ponitan, at this moment, I was enjoying my freedom.

Yes.

So I was still in Ponitan.

“This is crazy. Hahaha…”

I should have listened when Cyril said we should leave last night.

Why did I say I’d stay a little longer?

If you’re going to leave, leave; if you’re going to stay, stay.

Deciding to stay a little longer was such an indecisive decision.

Cyril, surprisingly, handled my nonsense with generosity.

<…Just sleep. It’s late at night.>

<Yeah. Thanks, Cyril.>

He had a very complicated expression but didn’t ask anything.

I was grateful for that.

Was it because I seemed so precarious?

I don’t know.

“Claude, you bastard.”

It’s because of you.

I really think it’s because of you.

If I left for another hideout like this, Claude’s face, which I couldn’t bear to see yesterday, would be etched somewhere in my heart. His disappointed face.

“Annoying.”

I muttered to myself.

My tangled feelings were buried in the sound of the waves.

That’s when it happened.

“Hmm?”

I blinked.

This time, I wasn’t mistaken. Yesterday, it seemed like something black had popped out of the sea, and it happened again just now. It wasn’t a fish or anything.

“This is unsettling. There were ghouls two days ago too.”

I squinted my eyes and watched the area where the black something had popped out. The end of the beach met a large cliff, and it was near there.

I should go take a closer look.

Despite everything, I’ve become less fearful as I’m part of the frontline forces. I’ve seen high-level undead up close, so what’s a little splashing in the water?

Still, I shouldn’t get too close.

Just in case.

“Hmm.”

Bubbles…

There it is!

Bubbles are rising!

“The blessing of the noble light.”

I spread the light of purification widely toward the sea. It’s a spell useful for purifying multiple low-level undead, but it was also handy for detecting the presence of undead in a broad area like this.

After the light passed through once.

“……”

I waited patiently.

But nothing came out. Black ashes should have floated up.

Is it not an undead?

I tilted my head. I must have been tired and mistaken a seaweed strand for something else.

“The sun has fully risen.”

Looking at the brightened sky, I turned around.

I was thinking of going back home.

* * *

“Huff, huff, huff, huff!”

That was close.

I almost got completely f*cked!

Cardiff panted heavily as he crawled back up to the cave behind the cliff. Next to him was Cartina.

“Cartina, Cartina.”

He first checked on the safety of the one who was once his sister.

“That damn purifier. I’ll definitely kill you.”

Because of the unexpected light of purification that spread a moment ago, Cartina almost turned to ashes. It was fortunate she was a high-level undead, a lich. If she were a low-level undead, she would have turned to dust and disappeared.

Cardiff checked Cartina’s condition.

They needed to escape Ponitan and head north, but it wasn’t easy.

For some reason, the three heroes had been searching the entire village like lice until late in the morning. Because of that, Cardiff had to quietly hold his breath all night, waiting for an opportunity.

And just when it seemed to have calmed down a bit, he sneaked out to scout, but suddenly the light of purification spread, and his heart almost jumped out of place.

“You’re okay, Cartina. Thank goodness, thank goodness…”

He murmured softly, patting his chest.

But why was it so hard to get out of this small village?

Since it was surrounded by cliffs, it was isolated from the world. It seemed easy to get in, probably because they were lucky. But getting out wasn’t going as planned.

Gnaw, gnaw.

Cardiff chewed his nails, lost in thought.

They couldn’t stay trapped here forever.

But crossing the village was too dangerous.

Then Cartina pointed with her bony finger. Cardiff turned his head.

“Are you kidding, Cartina? It’s easy for you because you’re a lich, but I’m human, human…”

Waves crashed roughly against the long stretch of coastal cliffs.

If they couldn’t cross Ponitan, there was only one way left.

They had to swim for days along the coastal cliffs that surrounded this damned village.

It would be a grueling journey.

* * *

Even though I had only slept somewhere else for one night, it felt like it had been ages since I returned home.

I quietly opened the front door.

The sky had brightened, but it was still practically dawn. Everyone would be asleep.

“Where were you from?”

“Ah!”

I was startled by Claude’s face as soon as I opened the door.

“Didn’t you sleep?”

“I asked where you were.”

“Do I have to answer that?”

Why is he getting all angry?

Feeling stubborn, I talked back.

Claude’s already frowning brow furrowed even more.

“Why is a woman wandering around at night dangerously?”

“I used to go all the way to the Hilton estate by myself, so what are you talking about now?”

This is ridiculous.

I used to travel back and forth between Sahar and Hilton for days. During that time, I camped alone several nights.

Claude, seemingly at a loss for words, kept his mouth shut, but his expression remained grim. It was clear that he was displeased with me staying out without notice.

Seriously.

I’m a grown adult.

Does he think he’s my guardian or something?

“I can take care of myself. I’m old enough…”

I confidently retorted but trailed off. The emotions in Claude’s red eyes belatedly reached me.

I recalled our last conversation yesterday.

<Won’t you come back?>

<……>

<We need you.>

<……>

<Purifier Seraphina.>

I didn’t respond in the end. Instead, I shook off his hand, leaving him disappointed.

Claude was asking me once more.

To go to Hilton with him.

He said if I declared I would go, even Johann couldn’t stop me.

I pursed my lips tightly.

And my silence was conveyed to Claude as a clear rejection.

With a half-defeated expression, he let out a small, bitter laugh. It sounded like a sneer.

Was that scorn directed at me, or himself?

As I looked at him with wavering eyes, the surroundings grew a bit brighter.

Through the window, I finally noticed Claude’s haggard appearance. It was shocking how much he seemed to have aged overnight.

Ah…

“As long as you returned safely.”

He must have been very worried.

As soon as I realized that, Claude turned around. Then he went into his room.

Bang!

Closing the door very roughly.

The door might break, seriously.

His temper, honestly.

I grumbled inwardly but couldn’t take my eyes off the closed door. I felt like a childish kid.

“Sigh…”

This is driving me crazy.

My unresolved feelings were tormenting me.

The people of Hilton Castle kept floating in my mind. Those unnecessarily kind and pure people.

I was quietly realizing it.

The reason Claude, who must protect the North, was able to come all the way here was because many people cooperated.

And at the root of that cooperation was a genuine concern for my safety.

“The ground will sink.”

As I sighed and quietly opened the bedroom door, someone was already in my room. It was Johann.

He was sitting on the bed, resting his elbows on his thighs and supporting his forehead with clasped hands. When I entered, he slowly lifted his head.

“Why do you look so tired?”

It was obvious.

Johann hadn’t slept a wink.

He scanned me from head to toe with his bloodshot eyes. As if checking for any injuries.

If others saw, they’d think I should be the one worrying about him.

“Where were you?”

Johann asked in a hoarse voice.

I approached him hesitantly.

“I was with Cyril.”

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

I felt a chilly sensation pass by just now…

He wouldn’t harm Cyril or anything, right?

“Ah!”

Suddenly!

Johann pulled my arm, making me stand between his legs in an instant. At the same time, he leaned his head against my stomach.

“What are you doing?”

I tried to push Johann away. But he wrapped his strong arms around my back, pressing his head closer.

Johann murmured softly.

“I’m tired.”

“……”

“I was so worried yesterday, I didn’t sleep a wink.”

“……”

I somehow couldn’t say anything. Contrary to his languid voice, I could feel Johann’s deeply burned-out heart.

“Don’t make Marseus unaware of your life and death.”

“Even if dirt gets in your eyes?”

When I returned the words he had said to me yesterday, Johann let out a small laugh.

Good grief.

He’s trying to slip past this.

I’m keeping in mind the words you said.

The threat about not accepting my resignation with that cold face.

I changed my words and asked again to the man who gave no answer.

“Is it an order?”

Johann’s grip around my waist tightened.

He answered quietly, just enough for me to hear.

“……No, a request.”