Chapter 324: Hero of Laios (3)

“Guild Master. Guild Master! Ye-ri, have you seen the Guild Master?”

“I don’t know, either. I wanted to ask uncle Ki-mo… but is this really a dangerous situation? Somehow… last time, with… er… uncle Deokgu was…”

“Ahem. It will be this time. You shouldn’t think that way, Yeri-ssi. No matter how Vice Guild Master… even so, now…”

“Oh. Right… sorry. I was wrong. Worrying first rather than doubting. Right. I think I have become weird, thinking too much these days. It seems I’ve been contaminated… I’m sorry.”

“It would be better to apologize to the Vice Guild Master. Rather than that, w-what should we do. I can’t see the Guild Master…”

“Ahn Ki-mo-ssi.”

“Ah, Sun Hee-young-nim! You’ve come at the right time. Have you seen the Guild Master?”

“He went out first. Immediately after the video started… with Dialugia, he might be able to arrive after his business is over…”

“I see. Does he have another compromise…?”

“He doesn’t, but I decided to go straight to Laios with Hyejin. We’ll leave in an hour.”

“I’m sorry?”

“After canceling all schedules held in the guild, all party members will head to Laios. We will not accept disagreements. That is all.”

“Oh. Yes. Okay. I will also pass it on to Ah-young and Chang-ryul.”

“Then, please.”

“…”

“…”

“Er, Sun Hee-young.”

“Yes.”

“You don’t have to worry too much. The Vice Guild Master will be safe.”

“Yes. T… Thank you.”

* * *

“Holy Pope.”

“You useless things! You useless things!”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Is the Honorary Cardinal… Honorary Cardinal still dying? Still… why… why! Until things get to this point! What are the Holy Knights doing?! Where and what were the Templars doing?!”

“The Templars have not yet received the signal… a-and since the safety of other cardinals, and Your Holiness is a priority… they had no choice but to stay in the State.”

“So… So, you mean they stayed still even though Honorary Cardinal was fighting until the point where he couldn’t stand up?! You stupid thing! So you left him alone until he looks like that now?! You stupid things! You stupid things!”

“Holy Pope…”

“Shut up! Useless garbage! When you guys were arguing over the table here, the Honorary Cardinal was alone against the demon. Without anyone knowing, he was fighting the darkness. If the Honorary Cardinal dies, I will not remain still. No! I will go directly. Right now! Directly! I will stand by him until he wakes up!”

“You must keep your seat, Holy Father. Even Honorary Cardinal wouldn’t want Your Holiness to move. It takes more than a few days, even flying with a griffon. He’ll be fine. I’m sure Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung will be safe. Surely…”

“No. Then… bring Honorary Cardinal here…”

“I was told that he should be as comfortable as possible. We are also saddened… by not being in Laios now. But even if the Honorary Cardinal had been here, he would have said that Your Holiness must remain in the State.”

“…”

“…”

“Okay… You are right. You are right. Archbishop Jessica is right. Even Honorary Cardinal wouldn’t want me to leave. He is that kind of person. He lived only for Goddess Benigore. He was that kind of person.”

“…”

“Let him be fine… fine… Goddess Benigore. Please do not forsake the servant who follows you. Please… This old servant will pray once more. Please…”

* * *

“I will go directly to Laios.”

“What?”

“I said I would go myself.”

“Oscar-nim…”

“Lee Kiyoung is fighting alone. I can’t be still. He sacrificed everything he had for the State, no, for the continent. Again, we cannot leave him alone to sacrifice. I know very well what you mean. I also know that I shouldn’t be away. But… but, I would like to finish this work myself. Laios is first talking about an alliance. I can’t entrust Lee Kiyoung to do this later. As he has worked hard for the State and the continent, I, too, have to take risks. Please prepare a delegation. I will visit Laios in person.”

“O-Oscar-nim…”

“So, I’ll be asking you.”

“I will prepare as soon as possible.”

“Senator Catherine…”

“I will formally request support from foreigners as well. I heard the news that the Blue Guild and the Holy side are also moving. We will also schedule a meeting with Queen Pristina as quickly as possible. I will do my best to get things done as soon as possible.”

“Thank you, Senator Catherine. Lee Kiyoung, please… just be alive. Just be alive…”

“He must be fine. Surely, he’ll wake up again as if nothing had happened. Definitely.”

* * *

“He really annoys people.”

“Why? Jihye Unnie? Oh, it’s because of the lover that you hid. Are you worried, too?”

“Worried, my ass. He’ll probably be safe without any wounds. He must be up and dancing by now. Why would I have to worry? No, I don’t want to. He might be angry when he hears that we missed the demon summoner or something. Anyway, I’m not worried. That fainting is just a show, too. Definitely.”

“Your face doesn’t show that.”

“Does it look like I’m really worried?”

“It looks like that to anyone. Your face is different than usual, and… why are you biting your nails again?”

“When did I bit my nails? You’re funny. Will you keep acting up? Did you finish everything I ordered? Are you here doing this after finishing your work?”

“N-No, I didn’t, but…”

“But why isn’t this person picking up? If he’s up, he should tell he’s okay. It’s really annoying.”

“You’re worried about him.”

“You!”

“Just go to him. He’ll be happy to see you. I understand your idea that being too clingy doesn’t look attractive, but if someone you like has fainted, you have to visit him at least. There are a lot of strange rivals around already. Didn’t you see him fainting while holding hands with the wizard girl at the end? It’s not attractive to be too clingy, but pretending to be too uninterested is not attractive, too. Who knows? If he’s not even picking up, he may be waiting for you to come.”

“He’s not the kind of person.”

“Still…”

“Still… It wouldn’t be bad to go there. Of course, I’m not listening to you. I just don’t have anything to do, and I think I should show my face. Something important in Laios will happen in the future. I have to go. I’m also curious about the truth… Let’s go right now.”

“What?”

“Let’s go quickly. If I can borrow a griffon from Yeon-joo, we can go fast. Let’s go.”

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

“But, I’m still not ready.”

“If you need anything, you can buy it there anyway. Let’s go first. Quickly.”

“Ah… Yes… Jihye Unnie.”

* * *

“Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Pristina. Even us, who came together as a delegation, didn’t know… most of all, such a miracle would not have happened if it had not been for the desperate prayers of the people of Laios.

“No. We…”

“As a result, not everyone in the group lost their lives. Haha.”

“You must be very worried, Cha Hee-ra.”

“He will be fine. No, more than that, I’m already familiar with this. He is the type of guy who sacrifices himself for others. I have a lot to worry about when I spend time with him. He always wakes up as if nothing happened, so I’m sure it will happen again this time.”

“I see… as expected. So, Honorary Cardinal of the State was that kind of person.”

“Rather, Pristina. Why don’t you say that this is alright for those gathered in front of the castle? Everyone must have their own life. Being gathered like that for days… of course, we are grateful enough, but still, seeing people gathered without even eating makes me worry. If some people end up getting health problems staying like that…”

“No. It’s okay, Cha Hee-ra. They are all gathered by their own will and are praying. That’s how grateful the people of Laios are to Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung and other heroes. Wasn’t everyone watching the scene in the Goddess’s Mirror? Of course, it cannot be compared with Cha Hee-ra or others, but our people and I only hope for Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung to get well soon, too. I am well aware that God is not very involved with matters in this world, but… we hope this time our prayers reach…”

“Nevertheless…”

“You really don’t have to worry. For those who voluntarily gathered, the royal family has been very supportive. In fact, I don’t know if we’ve been very helpful. The people themselves are scrambling to share food and give what they have. Of course, it’s not a sufficient amount, but… it may be because Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung’s sacrifice greatly moved everyone. Even after hundreds of years, the achievements of the Honorary Cardinal and heroes will be remembered by Laios forever. Yes. Forever.”

“It is an honor.”

“No, rather, I am more honored, Cha Hee-ra. Thank you very much.”

* * *

“Sora-ssi.”

“Yes? Vice Guild Master. Did you call…?”

“What do we have for dinner?”

“Oh! I think we’re having meat after a long time.”

“How…”

“It seemed that Yuno Kasugano was secretly bringing it in. It wouldn’t have been easy because the castle is completely surrounded by people…”

“Whatever the reason is, we’re going be able to eat meat after a long time.”

“Yes. Rather, Vice Guild Master.”

“Tell me, Sora-ssi.”

“When are you going to announce that you’re awake? It seems that there are quite a few people gathered in Laios right now…”

“Ohh! I think staying in bed for three more days will be fine. That way, people will know how to be grateful. There is a danger of life and death. If you play with public opinion once, it will be fine. Oh, since we’re already talking about it, please spread the rumors.”

“What rumors?”

“That tonight is the crucial moment. That there is a high probability, I won’t be able to make it to the next day. Things like that.”

“Ah… Okay.”

“It will be noisy outside the city because of people crying, but I think the picture that happens the next day will be pretty good. Anyway, please give me what you brought, Sora-ssi. I’ve been lying down for more than half a day, and I’m starving.”

“Okay. Vice Guild Master. Er… And when… will you move me out…?”

“As you know, the public eye is so focused right now… you will have to wait a little longer. Don’t worry too much. When everything is over, I will assign you to the safest task possible. Oh, this is delicious. Is it a short plate?”

“Yes!”

“It melts in my mouth. Whoa… it melts smoothly!”

“I know, right. It’s really delicious. Thank God. I’m really glad.”

“I think it tastes sweeter eating while watching the people gathered in front of the palace. It seems to melt gently. I don’t know if they’re going to end up building a statue for me or something… Fuhahahaha.”