These days, my superior has been assigned the task of collecting sacred relics buried in the old magic tower in the east, and unfortunately, that magic tower is close to this place, so he hangs around this village whenever he gets the chance.
It’s all because he still hasn’t given up on tracking that damn vampire.
“…By the way, you’ve been well, right? Has anything special happened recently?”
The rural countryside he’d revisited after several years was surprisingly unchanged. Of course, except for the fact that the shepherd who’d been on the border between boyhood and young adulthood had now grown into a proper young man.
“Well, nothing except for that incident. Every day is the same for me… But you two, what brings you here again?”
“Ah, haha. I just happened to think of it while passing by……”
That’s when it happened. Suddenly, the firmly closed door burst open with a loud noise as if it would break. At the same time, in the view of the three people whose heads turned, they saw a figure rush in as if rolling on the floor.
“Huk! Heo-eok……”
The collapsed lean body couldn’t easily get up and stuck to the floor. The three people, stunned by confusion, just blankly watched as the suddenly intruding suspicious person struggled to compose themselves.
“He, help……”
Finally, the brown-haired head lifted. The face, a mess with moisture that could be either sweat or tears, was deathly pale. Unfocused eyes turned toward the three people. The man who looked, with a bit of exaggeration, almost on the verge of death, moved his lips as if letting out a death rattle.
“Please help me……”
Kalian’s hand slowly rose into the air. The index finger pointing at him trembled faintly.
“……”
With his other hand, he tightly gripped Bailey’s shoulder. Bailey frowned and turned to look at him.
“…Kalian-gyeong?”
“That, that person.”
“Yes?”
In Kalian’s eyes was the shock of someone witnessing a bolt from the blue.
“That genius magician……”
* * *
The genius magician they met again was surprisingly just like he’d been a few years ago, except for being a bit thinner.
Kalian, who had now become worn down by the heavy workload of the Holy Hall and the tyranny of time to the point where the title of youngest was now somewhat awkward, was a bit surprised by the face that was younger than he remembered.
He’d definitely seemed around his age when they first met, but seeing him like this, he’s a complete greenhorn. Of course, his magical skills probably aren’t those of a greenhorn……
“Elijah-ssi, are you feeling better now?”
“…Yes.”
Kalian narrowed his eyes and listened carefully to his answer. It was such a small voice that even the sound of an ant crawling would probably be louder than this.
Contrary to his answer, the genius magician clearly didn’t look well. His body, which broke out in cold sweat and trembled as if having convulsions, showed no signs of calming down even after being wrapped in a blanket and given warm tea.
“I, I should be……”
Then the genius magician looked at Gillie and moved his lips.
“I’ll be going now.”
“What?”
“Go where in that state?”
Gillie and Kalian asked back simultaneously. Where was he going to go looking like he could faint at any moment? The same question arose in both their eyes.
Frightened by their intense reaction, the round green eyes trembled left and right.
“I, I think I’ve delayed too much time.”
“Stay a bit longer, Elijah-ssi. Where are you trying to go when the sun has already set?”
Kalian nodded as if agreeing with Gillie’s words. He hoped Gillie would somehow persuade that man.
“I’m fine……”
“Why don’t you stay the night?”
Finally, impatient, Kalian suddenly interrupted. Gillie glanced at him with disapproving eyes. He didn’t know by whose authority he was making such a proposal when this was his own house.
However, given the mountain’s characteristic of the sun setting quickly, it wasn’t proper to send a patient away like this, so Gillie eventually helped.
“Please do, Elijah-ssi. I don’t know what’s going on, but sleep first and leave tomorrow.”
Bailey, with arms crossed, quietly observed the scene. The combination of the unnecessarily kind shepherd and the chief mage blinded by futile greed only heightened that flying squirrel’s wariness, doing absolutely no good.
As if that flying squirrel would really stay and sleep. Even now he’s restless looking for a chance to escape……
“Th, then I’ll impose on you.”
Huh?
Bailey looked at him with widened eyes. There was quite a gap between the expression that looked like he’d bolt at any moment and the words coming from his mouth. He’s accepting so readily?
“By any chance……”
The flying squirrel glanced warily at Kalian and turned his body toward Gillie.
“Is there a place where I can hide?”
* * *
Elijah was able to borrow just enough space to lie down inside a warehouse filled with wool on all sides. While laying down the thick blanket Gillie had prepared on the floor, Elijah kept glancing at the strange man who’d been staring at him with gleaming eyes from the doorway.
“Even though it’s summer, it’ll be cold at night, so shall I bring you a brazier?”
“…I’m fine.”
With his back turned from the suspicious man leaning crookedly against the warehouse doorway, Elijah grabbed Gillie’s arm and lowered his voice.
“Um, by any chance……”
“Please speak.”
He had to force open his mouth that wouldn’t quite open.
“Co, could I borrow some money?”
“Ah……”
Gillie, who had been leaning toward Elijah, blinked for a moment. But thankfully, his deliberation wasn’t very long.
Gillie, who searched his pocket, held out several coins to Elijah.
“I can’t give you much… At most, enough for travel expenses.”
Elijah, who hadn’t expected him to readily lend money to someone he barely knew, looked at the coins held out to him with a somewhat bewildered feeling.
To him, who had nowhere to accept him right now and no destination, Gillie’s kindness felt like a ray of light.
“I’ll definitely repay you someday.”
“You don’t have to repay this much. When you come back later, just buy me something delicious.”
“…Yes, thank you.”
Will I be able to come back here again?
Elijah felt hopeless about the future. What should he do now? He’d escaped too recklessly without thinking about what would come after. By now, Rose would surely know he was gone……
‘And besides……’
Why on earth does that man keep glaring from over there?
Elijah flinched and turned his head when he made eye contact with the man who’d been standing at the doorway the whole time. He had a bad feeling. It was definitely a face he’d seen somewhere.
In the past few years, Elijah had gone down to the settlement exactly twice, and since neither of those times held particularly good memories for him, he was anxious that the man’s face seemed familiar.
“……”
Well, does it matter? He’s planning to sneak out in a few minutes anyway.
Since he’d gotten money, there was no more reason to delay. He’d already wasted over 30 minutes here. Originally, he hadn’t planned to stay this long.
It’s really sorry to say to Gillie, but his purpose from the beginning had been money. Either to borrow money, or to steal it. In any case, he just needed some travel expenses. He’d just accidentally fainted because it was too hard……
“By the way, may I ask where you’re going? What about the person you were with before, why are you alone……”
Elijah lowered his eyes, avoiding Gillie’s gaze. Since he has some sense, he probably roughly knows what situation he’s in. From the moment he suddenly barged in, his appearance had clearly been that of someone being chased.
“…I’m going to my relative’s house in the south.”
Elijah calmly lied while hiding his hands behind his back and slightly crossing his index and middle fingers. As they say, effort doesn’t betray you—it seems the more you lie, the better you get at it.
Although the situation was hopeless now, it seemed like everything would be okay once he escaped Rose’s clutches. He’d settle in the western forest, write to Master again, and although Igrit was dead, someday he’d make a new friend similar to him……
“Then rest comfortably. And if you need anything, please let me know.”
Elijah grabbed Gillie’s hand.
“Thank you so much.”
Rose would definitely come here at least once. And Gillie would have no choice but to confess everything about him. Not because he wanted to, but because Rose would make him do so.
Elijah was afraid Rose might harm him, but at this point, it couldn’t be helped. Whether he stopped by here today or not, the result would be the same.
From the moment he first encountered him last spring, this had already been foreseen. If he, who had no connections, disappeared, who else would Rose suspect besides this young man?
“…By any chance.”
“Yes?”
“If Rose comes, please tell him this for sure. …That I’m sorry.”
“……”
“And answer all the questions that child asks honestly. Don’t try to hide things forcibly… Cooperate as much as possible.”
Having euphemistically conveyed the message not to needlessly anger him, Elijah finally closed his mouth. Gillie, who’d been staring at him, slowly nodded.
“I will.”
Though he didn’t fully understand what it all meant, it wasn’t his place to deeply interfere in others’ affairs, so he just agreed.
“Then sleep well, and I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
Gillie, who stood up, pushed out the man who’d been standing at the doorway. When the man protested softly about something, Gillie scolded him. No, go out. Why on earth are you acting like this? Stop staring! Elijah-ssi is uncomfortable……
Whether the two were having an argument or not, Elijah, who’d been crouching alone in the corner of the warehouse, stood up once their presence completely disappeared.
