Only three of you went against an Archdemon? At that point, weren’t you trying to die? Rowy nodded with a serious expression. It was a signal to continue the story.
“And unfortunately, demons attacked those who were returning to the temple. With so many injured, proper combat was impossible… In the end, only Max survived. Everyone was desperate to protect the youngest.”
The scene that the Head Priest, who had led the priests to help them belatedly, discovered was horrific.
“Oh Elion…”
The Head Priest, recalling the tragedy of that time, recited a short prayer with a somber expression.
“Then, what about Mammon? What happened when only the three of you went?”
Of course, Rowy had no particular interest in what happened to the others. At Rowy’s urging, the Head Priest continued speaking.
“They succeeded in killing Mammon. However, they didn’t return unscathed either. Daer brought back Shane and Turner, who had lost consciousness from Mammon’s curse.”
The exorcism ritual was hastily performed to save them.
“Shane and Turner fortunately woke up, but…”
However, Mammon’s curse was far too powerful. Shane and Turner, whose souls had been gnawed at, ultimately couldn’t return to their former selves.
“…It was too great a sacrifice. They were all like family who had been together since childhood. Daer especially blamed himself for a long time, thinking he should have sent Shane and Turner back with Max. Saying that if he had, everyone would have lived. Daer was in such agony. It’s understandable that he couldn’t bear it and left the temple.”
Like family… Rowy tried to recall if he had seen Shane and Turner, but couldn’t think clearly.
‘…I don’t think I saw them even at the meal.’
Of course, he didn’t talk to anyone that day so he didn’t know for sure. If he’d known it would be like this, he should have at least greeted them.
“……”
When Rowy’s face became dejected, the Head Priest deliberately changed the topic in a bright voice.
“Now, let’s stop with the dark stories. Hasn’t he returned brightened up like this now? Originally, that boy Daer had somewhat gloomy tendencies. But now he goes around smiling like this, so it seems this is all thanks to you being by his side, believer.”
Brightened up? At those words, Rowy recalled when he first met Van.
‘Well, I did think his eyes looked fierce when I first met him.’
His expression was stiff too… But he himself had done nothing to make Van smile warmly like he does now.
‘…Rather, it was Van who comforted me.’
Rowy smiled gently, recalling Van who had held him awkwardly while he cried on the day they first met. And… the Head Priest, who had been observing Rowy’s face like that, suddenly asked.
“So, when are you getting married?”
…No, why does everything always conclude with marriage?
* * *
With Rowy’s purification prayer as the last step, the ritual preparation was finally complete. The exorcism ritual was scheduled to take place at dawn tomorrow. Seilan had gone off somewhere again, telling them to contact him when the ritual was over, and he seemed to think of this ritual as just a blessing prayer or something. And Rowy wasn’t much different in that regard.
That meant… Van was the only one who was tense. Even though it was long past time to sleep, Van was still pacing the room with a stiff face. His expression was full of worry. Rowy, lying on the bed, called Van over.
“What’s wrong? Come sleep. You said we have to wake up at dawn tomorrow.”
“…Yes. Please sleep.”
“Hurry and come next to me.”
At Rowy’s urging, Van approached the bedside with slow steps. His face was still full of worries.
“What are you so worried about?”
“…I just feel uneasy about something.”
“About what exactly? It’s just an exorcism.”
“……”
“Anyone watching would think you’re being dragged somewhere.”
Even at Rowy’s words, Van’s expression still showed no sign of relaxing. Rowy, who yawned softly, pulled Van’s hand.
“Really, why do you have so many worries?”
“…I know I shouldn’t, but if by any chance the exorcism fails…”
“Even if it fails, nothing will happen. First of all, I’m controlling my magic power perfectly, and if that’s the case, it’ll be difficult for anything to affect my mind further. I’m a super strong mage.”
Rowy said while raising his nose proudly. The sight looked cute, and Van smiled slightly. However, his expression soon darkened again.
“It’s not that, but you lost your memories. What about the memories you’ve already lost? What if the curse keeps getting stronger and you lose more in the future?”
“So what. I don’t have any precious memories to begin with anyway. What if I forget a bit?”
At the calm tone, Van let out a deep sigh. Then he burrowed into Rowy’s embrace unreasonably. What’s with him? He’s heavy to death. Rowy grumbled but spread his arms for Van anyway.
“…What if you forget me?”
Van, who had been rubbing his face all over Rowy’s embrace, finally revealed the anxiety in his heart. However, Rowy only let out a hollow laugh at those words.
“Are you stupid? How can I forget the person next to me?”
That… is true, though. Van closed his mouth again and buried his face in Rowy’s embrace.
“Honestly, are you reassured now?”
“……”
Van didn’t answer and slowly moved his hands. At the hands that kept digging into his waist, Rowy twisted his body and got annoyed.
“What is it?”
“Please comfort me a little more.”
“Are you a child?”
“……”
“Ugh!”
Rowy, who had glared hard at Van, eventually began to awkwardly pat Van’s back. Van, who had been burying his face in Rowy’s embrace for quite a while like that, suddenly lifted his head.
“…That, wouldn’t a comforting kiss be okay?”
“Want to sleep alone?”
“No…”
While scolding him, Rowy held Van tightly all night long as he kept burrowing into his embrace unlike usual.
* * *
Early dawn before the sun had risen. When they arrived in front of the main hall where the exorcism ritual would be held, the priests who would conduct the ritual were already gathered.
“Hello.”
“You’ve arrived.”
Rowy, who had waved his hand lightly in greeting, suddenly asked the priests.
“But why is the ritual at dawn? Is there a reason?”
“Huh? Ah, we have to do business from morning on.”
“Mm…”
Business… It really does seem like Van is the only one taking this seriously. Rowy looked up at Van, who was frozen beside him, with a lukewarm expression. Feeling that gaze, Van finally looked back at Rowy and forced a smile.
“…Please go in now. If you just follow what the priests tell you to do, nothing will happen.”
“Okay.”
“And don’t worry.”
“I said okay.”
“Yes, please go in now.”
“……”
However, Rowy still didn’t go and just stared at Van blankly.
“Um, you need to let go of my hand…”
“Huh? Ah…”
Finally, Father Robert, who was beside them, spoke up. Van finally let go of Rowy’s hand that he had been gripping tightly without realizing it.
“Don’t worry and wait here obediently. Got it?”
“Yes…”
After Rowy firmly instructed Van, who seemed out of it, he followed Father Robert into the main hall. Van, left alone, stood there and just gazed endlessly until Rowy was completely out of sight.
* * *
“Ha…”
Van, who had been pacing in front of the main hall, let out another sigh—he’d lost count of how many. Rowy had told him not to worry, but it wasn’t as easy as it sounded. This time waiting for the exorcism to end… kept making him recall past events.
‘Shane, Turner…’
Van, recalling the two, let out another deep sigh.
The exorcism ultimately failed. Still, just wanting them to live, how much did he pray every night for the two who couldn’t wake up? That’s why when he heard they had awakened, Van was naturally the one who rejoiced the most.
“……”
“……”
However… the moment he faced his brothers he had waited for so long, Van had no choice but to hesitate.
‘Why…’
Empty eyes without a soul—the moment he saw those eyes, he instinctively realized it. In the final battle with Mammon… he had failed to save his brothers.
“You came?”
Father Alex, who was taking care of them from the side, greeted the frozen Van in a deliberately bright voice. Then he began to introduce Van to Shane and Turner.
“This is the Holy Knight Commander. Please greet him.”
Watching the two bow their heads with empty eyes that had forgotten everything, Van had only one thought.
‘…I drove my brothers to their deaths.’
Of course, the Head Priest got angry at Van like that. How could he speak of such noble sacrifice in that way?
‘Noble sacrifice…’
However, Van still thought he didn’t really understand. Even while watching Shane and Turner receive education for basic daily life and Max continue his difficult rehabilitation, Van always held doubt in his heart. Still, Van had always pushed himself not to doubt God. Even up until the moment he left the temple.
And yet… Why, after paying so many sacrifices, was this happening again? If so, what meaning did their sacrifice have?
‘Oh Elion, is this path I walk truly your will?’
Van, thinking of Rowy, squeezed his eyes shut tightly.
