Chapter 1502. Extinction (12) [Illustration]

It was quite a dramatic and sad situation. It was particularly sad because he was swallowing everything alone. The fact that I was no longer throwing a complete fit at the guy was unexpectedly effective.

At the beginning of the incident, he insisted that I needed to calm down and regain my composure, but now that I wasn’t showing any emotions and was tightly suppressing everything inside, he became more worried than ever.

Since the situation was something that could never be called ordinary, it was only natural for him to react that way. The next morning, the morning after that, and the morning after that morning, he behaved as if nothing had happened.

‘No matter how many times I keep doing it, it does seem to work.’

Being steadfast would always work. There was a reason steadfastness was included among the traits of past heroines. If pain was hidden along with it, then the possibility of defeat wouldn't exist, even by a single percent. There was a reason the royal road was called the royal road.

I acted bright and hopeful when we were together, but I'd cry until I was completely exhausted whenever I was alone.

I continued to maintain a stance that looked like I could shatter at any moment. I appealed to him that I was barely holding on. Of course, despite all this pain, I didn’t show any of it outwardly.

It was a method that Hedgehog Ki-Young could use because Mikael was no longer an object of resentment to him. He finally understood that this wasn’t Mikael’s fault alone.

Of course, Hedgehog Ki-Young couldn’t honestly forgive him completely, but wasn’t the human heart quite complicated? He could forgive him, and yet he couldn't forgive him at the same time. He resented him a little, and yet he sympathized with his pain.

He felt anger toward him, and yet he pitied him. Even while thinking he would absolutely never let him inside his heart, there was already an individual called "Mikael" somewhere in a corner of his heart.

‘Hedgehog Ki-Young... really is soft-hearted.’

“But... Mr. Mikael... there’s no need to go this far... You don’t have to fight on the front lines yourself... right...? Especially when...” I trailed off.

‘He’s even feeling sorry. In a situation where he should be angry, he’s instead feeling even more sorry.’

A vague sense of guilt made Mikael stand on the battlefield, and it was all for the sake of letting Hedgehog Ki-Young live comfortably.

“You don’t need to worry so much, Mr. Lee Ki-Young. It was an inevitable choice. Since it’s impossible to know exactly how long we should remain here, I simply needed a place where it would be easier to gather information and act independently.

"It will limit my freedom of movement more than blending in with the refugees would, but it'd make things much easier overall. If the opportunity arises, I might even be able to go outside. Of course, that doesn’t mean I would be away for a long time...” Mikael said, reassuring me.

“But...”

“It’s really not because of you, Mr. Lee Ki-Young. Besides... in my case, I will not be directly standing on the battlefield,” he said.

“...”

“I told them that I specialized in barriers and protective spells, and it seemed I'm exactly the kind of personnel Castle Rock needs the most right now. Thanks to that, I have been able to receive some special treatment,” he added.

‘It’s way more than just "some."'

“Then... that’s a relief...” I mumbled.

Of course, he hadn’t revealed all of his original abilities, but receiving treatment like this simply because he was a necessary personnel...

‘That makes no sense. Even you think it’s ridiculous, right? You’re treating me like an idiot, don’t you agree?’

It looked like he hadn't lied to me about how he told them that he specialized in barriers and protective spells, but he had to have shown abilities impressive enough to make people drool even at this point in time.

‘They’re treating him well.’

Three warm and delicious meals a day, a warm, comfortable, and spacious room as well as soldiers who could be summoned at any time. Seriously, someone even appeared to attend to his bath. Of course, in the case of the last one, he politely refused, but it also made me realize that Mikael really was a man from an older time.

In the end, it wasn’t like he was happy with everything, but at this point in Castle Rock, this was already more than he could ask for. The commanders themselves were eating pig slop to conserve supplies, and the fact that only I could eat proper meals was already...

‘This bastard really did put thought into it.’

Frankly speaking, at this level, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was being evaluated as more than just key personnel.

“Additionally... you’ll probably be able to receive information that will be helpful. I heard they’re maintaining close cooperation with other cities that are still resisting... so it seems news from within the Empire will reach us quickly,” he said to me.

“I see,” I said.

“Of course, it may be difficult to hear news about Mr. Kim Hyun-Sung right away, but before long, we should hear something about your companions, Mr. Lee Ki-Young...” he added.

‘So he does think about things like that too...’

“

Ah!

Right, that’s true. That’s a relief. I have been quite worried about it...” I said.

“I’m sure they are all safe,” he said.

“Yes, I think they’re all safe, too. After all, not just anyone is with them... Mr. Jin Cheong is there as well... They’re people you can trust. I do feel impatient, but...” I paused.

“...”

“For now, I suppose we’re doing the best we can. Actually, it feels like you’re worrying even more about it than I am...” I said.

“...”

“...”

“You don’t have to worry so much... Mr. Mikael,” I told him.

“Pardon?”

“It may be strange for me to say something like this when just a few days ago I was so agitated... but right now, I think we’re doing everything we can. We arrived at the right time, and we’re in the process of doing the things we can do.

"It might feel frustrating because there’s nothing visible right now, but in the end, we’ll be able to meet Hyun-Ssung. Even if we don’t, we might eventually find another way,” I explained.

“Another way...” he mumbled.

“That’s right.”

“By the way... are your memories all right?” he asked.

“Yes, I still remember clearly for now.”

As I said that, I staggered slightly.

“Mr. Lee Ki-Young.” He grabbed me right before I collapsed to the ground.

‘The intervals are getting shorter and shorter.’

“I want to... stay alone for a bit,” I requested.

“...”

The moment that bastard left, I cried miserably all alone. I cried while trying to recall what memories I had lost today. It had already become something like a ritual.

The problem was that this ritual was happening once a day, no, three times a day. At first, Mikael kept listening to my cries, but now, it seemed even that had become too much for him, as he moved away from the door.

It looked like he could barely bring himself to move, but at that moment, a soldier approached Mikael.

I saw him gnash his teeth and walk away.

"Mr. Mikael."

"Is it another air raid?"

"It’s a summon."

"A summon?"

"Yes. I haven’t been informed of the exact matter yet, either, but it seems they plan to dispatch reinforcements like last time. The Republic is currently under a full-scale offensive... I believe it started sometime last night."

"..."

"..."

"If the main force leaves, what will happen to Castle Rock’s defenses?"

"..."

"Are you worried?"

"Mr. Cheon Kwan-Wi?"

"..."

"The mist will remain as it is, and with your magic added to it, it should become somewhat more reliable. Of course, we’ll leave behind troops for a siege... and as the commander, Countess Castlerock will remain to guard the castle.

"The expedition will likely not last more than a week. For us as well, leaving Castle Rock empty for too long is... not a very welcoming choice."

"..."

"I won’t say the obvious things like fight for humanity or fight for justice. Seeing how you have been hiding yourself while the continent has fallen into this state... you don’t seem particularly altruistic either."

"..."

"But I would like you to pay the price. We’ve been taking care of you here, after all."

‘It’s not like you have any choice.’

It was a proposal he had no justification to refuse, and it was one he couldn't refuse either. Just as Cheon Kwan Wi had said, as long as he was staying in Castle Rock, it was an expedition he had no choice but to accept.

‘That expression fits perfectly.’

He meant to pay the price for being fed and sheltered, and for the price of being fed and sheltered in the future as well. Of course, there was no explicit threat that he would be thrown out of Castle Rock or given penalties if he were to refuse to do so, but if Mikael were to refuse him, the situation would likely turn for the worse.

Warm meals could turn into a cold room, decent meals could turn into pig slop, and in the worst case, he could be forced to leave Castle Rock and wander outside again, drifting around in uncertainty, so it was practically a checkmate.

From Cheon Kwan-Wi’s position...

‘While leaving for a large-scale expedition, he probably didn’t want to leave Mikael alone in Castle Rock.’

Even though the factions were divided between humanity and the Outer Gods, it wasn’t as if there had been no humans who had sided with the Outer Gods.

Of course, at this point, it seemed most of the traitors had already been eliminated, but from Cheon Kwan-Wi’s perspective, he couldn’t completely trust Mikael.

After all, someone with that level of ability had suddenly dropped out of the sky without a single rumor preceding him. It would be natural to be somewhat wary. Naturally, Mikael knew these things as well. Just as expected...

"I suppose I can’t refuse."

"When is the departure?" Mikael asked.

"It’s sudden... but it would be best if you prepare right away. Do you need time to say your farewells?"

"I’ll prepare as quickly as possible."

After nodding at Cheon Kwan-Wi, he stood in front of the door.

"

Um

, Mr. Lee Ki-Young."

"...

"Mr. Lee Ki-Young..."

“

Heuk... heuuuk...

” I cried.

In the end, Mikael moved again without being able to say anything. Perhaps the soldiers or a letter would deliver the news of the expedition. In fact, I was even grateful that he had removed himself at such an appropriate time. Mikael had been trying to comfort me by saying that I would soon be able to see my companions and so on...

‘But we already made contact.’

The communication network had opened a long time ago. More precisely, the information guild that Lee Chang-Ryeol had established made contact with me.

A distinguished guest suddenly arrived on the very first day I reached Castle Rock, so of course, they would get everyone's attention. I expected that contact would come eventually, but it came much faster than I had anticipated.

It was so fast that I was actually surprised.

Rather than shrinking, the scale of the information guild had to have grown even larger. Even now, I could see several letters stuck to the window. I rose slightly from my seat and pulled out the letters.

Just as I was checking if Mikael had decided to talk to me again...

"I can’t agree with you, Michele."

"..."

‘That bastard’s here.’

His schizophrenia manifested—no, his mind had always been split into two, so it wasn’t exactly schizophrenia. It was like he became aware that two minds existed within one body, and conflict arose between the two sides.

It would be more accurate to say that I had guided him toward normality.

"What could a mere mortal like you possibly understand?"

‘He’s here. It looks like he really came. It’s really happening.'

“...”

“...”

Mikael and Michele were splitting apart.