Translator: Wan ED/PR: Fan
“Then I’ll attempt it.”
Lucion spoke with quite an uncertain voice.
[A way to raise Light resistance? Do you perhaps have an idea?]
Russell listened to Lucion’s words seriously, just like before.
At Russell’s action, which repeated not once, but two twice, Lucion examined his expression.
“You’re really going to listen to me?”
[Naturally. A master has to lean their ears to their disciple’s words, right?]
“I became a warlock not too long ago. I have yet to use Darkness, so… Doesn’t it sound strange?”
Lucion’s throat was suddenly dry.
Even though they were tied as master and disciple, Russell was an outsider.
Outsiders were people who always only hurt him.
It was extremely strange for an outsider, not his family, to honestly support him.
[You’re my disciple. Even if you look at a stone and tell me it’s sand, I’ll believe you.]
Russell smiled reassuringly.
[So, what way did you come up with?]
At Russell’s gaze, filled with curiosity, Lucion thought he understood for a very short moment why he became corrupted when he lost Russell.
“I’ll try to eat latchou.”
Lucion put strength into his voice.
[Latchou…? The flower which always shines at night? That one?]
“That latchou, yes.”
In this world which worshiped Light, latchou was the most loved flower, even though it was the most common.
Because at night it mysteriously shined by itself, repelling the darkness, it was nicknamed the Hand of God.
[You mean to eat that?]
Russell asked again, and Lucion nodded.
“That’s correct.”
Lucion knew that if others had heard him, they would point fingers at him straight away and say it’s nonsense.
Latchou was a representative flower representing light, and was a national flower of this country, the Teseal Empire.
But he said he is going to eat that flower?
Russell quietly rolled his eyes.
At the silence that suddenly descended, Lucion swallowed his saliva to no avail while awaiting Russell’s words.
Just because the novel’s final boss did that didn’t mean that he could also do it.
Because he and the final boss were different people.
[Isn’t it revolutionary?]
Russell soon showed a smile.
[Yeah. If it’s latchou, it’s certainly worth a try. Why didn’t I notice it?]
Even though Russell spoke, Lucion had his mouth shut like before.
[Isn’t latchou a flower that reverses the natural truth that the morning appears when the night disappears? Where would you find a flower that is as friendly to the darkness as this one?! Right! That’s it, that’s it!]
Russell looked at Lucion with such admiration as if he thought of giving him a big hug right here and now.
[As expected. My broad mind that chose you and eyes that recognized your talent, even though you acted so hopelessly, are the most praiseworthy.]
“Shouldn’t You praise me at such moment?”
[That’s fundamental.]
“Well, good. The most important thing is that You think it’s worth a try.”
Only then did Lucion sigh and let go of the tension.
If Russell perhaps declared that it was a groundless idea, it would become problematic in the future.
[Indeed. Well done. That’s a very good idea.]
Russell patted Lucion’s shoulder.
[But will it be okay?]
“What do You mean?”
[It will hurt.]
“… Hurt?”
Lucion frowned.
Where is there a person who likes to get hurt?
[Isn’t it natural? No matter how much Latchou harmonizes with Darkness, it contains Light. For people like us, Light is a poison. Poison.]
Russell pointed at the hood Lucion was holding.
[Look, just now you returned to your room to put on the hood because sunlight shining down doesn’t feel good.]
Lucion’s tightly closed lips twisted slightly.
“Then I shouldn’t be trying it?”
[I mean it’s a poison. You mean to voluntarily eat poison.]
“Just a moment ago You said that it’s revolutionary, so what are You saying now?”
Lucion put on the hood with familiarity while he spoke.
[If you look at the method itself, that’s correct. But you are saying you will eat poison, so as your master I naturally have to say it.]
“Master-nim.”
Lucion waited for Russell’s words to end, and then quietly opened his mouth.
What ‘master-nim’ meant?
At the words that meant ‘don’t stop me,’ Russell ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
[Okay. But if it’s so painful that you roll on the ground, I’ll stop it.]
“Thank You.”
Lucion bowed his head and left the room.
[…]
For Russell, the sudden change of his disciple was truly just as unfamiliar as before.
‘Thinking about it, these days he hasn’t even broken anything in annoyance?’
What the hell kind of change of heart did he experience?
Russell was seriously curious about it.
***
“Shh, shh.”
Lucion stroked the white horse while smiling.
“You were waiting for a long time, right?”
“Neigh.”
As if pleased with Lucion’s words, the horse flapped its tail.
[… That’s a horse, right?]
Russell couldn’t believe it and asked.
“Yes. It’s my horse… ah. I didn’t show it to Master-nim even once.”
Lucion couldn’t remember when the last time he rode a horse these past few months was.
[That’s truly strange.]
Russell tilted his head.
“What is strange?”
[How can an animal like a person who received the blessing of Darkness?]
“I always wondered why dogs only bark when I come. So, it wasn’t because of the ghosts.”
Lucion stroked the white horse whose name was Syandra.
[It’s a unique species, unique species.]
Russell looked at the horse, then glanced to the side at Lucion.
“Master-nim.”
[Uh, uh?]
“You’re upset.”
[You noticed that? So there is no need for the eye training?]
“I’ll treat it as a praise.”
Lucion led Syandra with familiarity to the mansion’s gates.
“Young Master, where are You going?”
The knights guarding the gates looked at Lucion and urgently asked.
“Outside.”
Even after Lucion’s short words, the gates didn’t open.
‘As expected, there is still a long way to go.’
Lucion sighed lightly.
It was involuntary, but Lucion was close to a headache for this family.
A couple of days of change didn’t seem to be able to perfectly change Novio’s mind.
The knights quickly tensed and examined Lucion with deep caution.
[You must endure here, right? Didn’t you say you will change?]
Russell also checked Lucion’s expression.
‘Yeah. As incidents always occurred whenever I went out, they are right to block me like this, right?’
Lucion spoke calmly.
If he thought rationally, this matter wasn’t annoying.
As the knights were faithfully carrying out their duties.
“I’m going to the city.”
Even though it was quite a casual response, the knights drew a deep breath.
[It’s an expression that says that you crossed the turning point.]
Russell giggled.
“What should I tell the lord?”
Soon the knights cautiously opened their mouths.
“As I’m going to the city for a short moment, tell Him not to worry.”
“Understood. I’ll pass on those words. Then the escort…”
“I’m just going to get some air, so an escort isn’t needed.”
At Lucion’s firm words, the knights flinched as if convulsing.
They worried so much that their cold sweat was visible to the naked eye.
They exchanged glances with each other, and then forced themselves to smile.
“Is that so? Then, please have safe travels.”
The gate that always looked heavy and massive opened very easily.
Lucion stared at this gate for a moment.
At one point he thought he would never be able to step out through this gate for the rest of his life.
Lucion looked at the petals that entered from outside the gate following the wind.
‘It’s not a different world.’
Lucion climbed Syandra and lightly grabbed the reins.
In that moment, a red thread appeared.
The red thread was tied to the ground and to his legs.
It wasn’t connected with anyone.
‘… Does that mean that it’s not a fate involving anyone else, but a fate that can be changed solely based on my choice?’
The bright sky was suddenly covered by clouds.
It was as if it was telling him he can’t cross that gate.
‘That’s funny.’
Lucion let out a momentary sneer.
Thud.
He crossed the gate.
Snap.
Seeing the red thread being cut, Lucion momentarily smiled.
‘It’s less of a deal than I thought.’
Soon he rode Syandra as much as he could.
“Neigh!”
Together with Syandra crying out in good mood, the wind brushed Lucion’s cheek.
***
Trrrr.
The pen Novio was holding rolled on the desk and finally rolled off.
Tak.
Its sound was terribly loud.
Gulp.
The knight, who came to report, unknowingly swallowed.
Even that sound was loud.
“Again. Say it again.”
Novio said, gripping his head with force.
The knights opened his mouth two beats late.
“… The youngest young master went to the city for a moment to get some air. Because He said He doesn’t need escort…”
Clang!
Novio smashed the desk with force.
Crack.
Seeing the desk abruptly split in half, the knight tightly closed his eyes.
“Lucion has many enemies.”
Novio glared at the knight.
Lucion didn’t just obtain the rumor that ‘he is crazy’ and the words ‘ vile cur’ that followed him like a nametag.
There were a lot of people who hated Lucion who, even counting this last banquet, caused massive incidents and didn’t know noble etiquette.
The problem wasn’t them but the surrounding enemy countries.
One particular weakness of the family protecting the border that could lead to the fall of the country.
“Don’t you know that those enemies are always aiming at Lucion?”
The Cronia family’s biggest weakness was the sole ordinary person in the family, Lucion.
“I’m asking if you, as a person protecting the Cronia family, really don’t know that fact?!”
The fingertips of the knight trembled before the heavy and brutal aura emanating from Novio.
“Ah, I know! I truly apologize!”
“Then what should you have done?”
“I couldn’t judge properly…”
“Chase after Lucion right now!”
Novio threatened him in the end.
“Understood! We will move straight away.”
The knight bowed deeply and quickly escaped the room.
“… Haa.”
Novio swept his hand over his face.
If only he could, he wanted to personally go out to chase after Lucion.
But his status was too high.
As a person protecting the country’s border, he knew he had to be careful of the rumors that may spread as a result of his actions.
Full of worry about the child that went out by himself, Novio was endlessly anxious.
***
‘Ooo.’
Seeing the city close to the Cronia mansion, Lucion stopped the horse and took in the city.
Every time he moved by carriage, and even then, the curtains were drawn, so he couldn’t see it in detail.
‘That’s the city.’
Lucion was amazed anew.
It felt like a movie set and if he had smartphone, he would want to take a picture straight away.
[Lucion.]
Russell called out to him with a low voice.
“Yes.”
[Can you come out like this without an escort?]
“Even if I hate it, the escort will soon come and master-nim is also here.”
Lucion looked at Russell with eyes full of trust.
An ordinary ghost couldn’t touch a living person.
The same was true for Russell.
“According to the contract You made with me, You can use my Darkness, so I have some expectations.”
[I made that contract to teach you. Not for protection.]
Russell touched his chin.
Russell and Lucion made a contract a month ago.
Upon mutual agreement, they concluded on the condition that Lucion would hand over 20% of his body to Russell, and Russell will diligently teach Lucion black magic.
With the black magic that Russell created himself, even though Russell was a ghost, he could move Lucion’s body as much as was given to him.
However, because the given part wasn’t over half, he naturally had to ask for Lucion’s permission.
[Ah, then I can teach you one thing now.]
“… You mean right now, right here?”
Lucion looked with absurd eyes at the road and the forest around them and then at Russell.
It was a pity, but he wasn’t a genius.
[Don’t worry. Because I was called a genius.]
Russell confidently pointed at himself.
Lucion felt his face unknowingly crumple.
*~*~*
Translator’s note: ‘Where is a person who likes to get hurt?’ is that a rhetorical question?
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