Chapter 13
“I heard it was very dangerous, Lucian.”
The young man in a flamboyant white uniform cut the stem of a plant with platinum flower scissors that focused more on splendor than practicality.
A sense of impatience could be felt from the attendants surrounding the man and Lucian, but the man paid them no mind, picked a single well-cut flower, and handed it to Lucian.
“Are you hurt anywhere? You don’t have any scars or aftereffects, do you?”
“I… have recovered perfectly, so you don’t need to worry.”
He had external injuries, but his life was not in danger. His severely injured right arm also moved without any problems.
But Theo wasn’t the same. He was still lying in a bed in the infirmary, his eyes unopened.
The endless bloody water that came from Theo's cape, which he couldn't bear to entrust to anyone else and washed himself. The despair he felt after rinsing it dozens of times, again and again, until the water finally cleared─ was indescribable.
“Lucian, you are more precious than anyone.”
“…How can I compare to Your Majesty.”
With his short learning, he bowed his head towards the man with clumsy etiquette.
The young emperor, Leonald Lapileon, simply let out a clear laugh like rolling pearls.
“I’m just a so-so emperor, aren't I? Compared to me, Lucian is the precious master of the holy sword and the successor to the hero, who has appeared after 1,000 years.”
“How could anyone dare to call Your Majesty the Emperor a so-so emperor.”
The emperor who drove out a tyrant and wore the crown himself, Leonald Lapileon.
The public reviled him as a patricide, but no matter what anyone said, he was a virtuous king among virtuous kings who thought of the empire first.
Lucian vividly remembered the distinct changes that occurred in the orphanage right after Leonald ascended the throne.
The bread that was hard enough to break one’s teeth was replaced with soft rye bread.
All sorts of broken facilities in the orphanage were quickly repaired, and severe corporal punishment also disappeared. A few teachers who had embezzled were even kicked out.
All were changes brought about by the newly enthroned young emperor.
The one who had once saved Lucian simply smiled as if he was just happy, though.
“I am happy to hear you say that, Lucian.”
Snip, snip. The emperor, who had made a bouquet with a few cuts of his scissors, handed it to Lucian.
“Please give this to the young master Lisitoel on his sickbed.”
“Your Majesty, Theo is─”
Still not awake.
Even Lucian knew that a gift from the emperor was no ordinary thing.
“It is not an imperial gift, but a gift of thanks to say I am grateful. I heard he became that way while protecting Lucian.”
The emperor put down the flower scissors and rolled down his raised sleeves.
“The fact that an ancient demon appeared must not be revealed.”
Moreover, that demon, which had been vanquished, had said with its own mouth that it had come to kill Lucian.
The fact that an ancient demon had appeared, that the reason was the murder of the hero, and the fact that it could not be completely annihilated were also secrets that must never be discovered.
The cunning human heart would turn its arrows not on the ancient demon, but on the still-tender successor of the hero.
“Therefore, this is not an imperial gift bestowed as emperor, but a personal gift from Leonald, grateful for protecting the hero.”
The emperor offered the bouquet again.
“My arm is starting to hurt, Lucian.”
“…I will deliver it.”
Only when he meekly accepted the bouquet did the emperor’s lips curl up in satisfaction.
“Ah, the head chef was motivated upon hearing that Lucian would be visiting, so how about having lunch together?”
He wanted to stay by Theo's side, not knowing when he would wake up, but the words of refusal were stuck in Lucian’s throat and would not come out.
Hugging the bouquet tightly, he simply, slowly nodded his head.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At Lucian’s answer, the emperor smiled brightly as if genuinely pleased.
Despite that clear favor, Lucian felt as uncomfortable as if he were wearing clothes that didn't fit.
The only difference between the past and the present was whether he had pulled out the holy sword or not, but could things change this much?
Lucian habitually fiddled with the stigma.
‘When is he going to wake up.’
You know, Theo. When I’m with you, I feel like I’m not the master of the holy sword or the successor to the hero, but just an ordinary Academy student.
‘It’s a funny thing.’
If an orphan like me hadn’t pulled out the holy sword, there’s no way I could have entered an academy where only brilliant geniuses or nobles could enroll.
With a bitter smile, Lucian followed a maid to the dining hall.
‘Still, as expected….’
He wanted to see Theo open his eyes soon. I want to talk with you, who sees me not as the successor to the hero, but just as ‘Lucian’.
* * *
After an uncomfortable lunch with the emperor, Lucian headed straight for the Academy’s infirmary.
Professor Artemia would surely frown and ask why he was here again, but still, he felt at ease only when he was by his side.
When he was alone in his dorm room, an unbearable anxiety would wash over him. Even if he managed to fall asleep after tossing and turning for a long time, he only had nightmares of the demon tearing Theo to shreds and killing him.
‘If I could have fully drawn out the power of the holy sword, Theo wouldn't have been hurt.’
It wasn't that Lucian didn't know.
Theo was hurt because he was crushed by a great power that even he himself could not handle. Professor Artemia had said so, and Professor Evan had agreed.
But if he had resolved it first, without needing to use that dangerous power, Theo wouldn’t have been hurt.
He pressed down on the helpless self-blame that rose up and moved his feet.
“Incompetent.”
Let’s get stronger.
In the end, the conclusion was always drawn in one direction. Firming his resolve, Lucian quietly opened the infirmary door.
* * *
He was summoned by the emperor and went to the imperial palace.
I clicked my tongue and changed from the infirmary’s patient gown into a school uniform.
Occasionally in the main story, Lucian would visit the imperial palace due to the emperor's summons.
Lucian, standing shabbily against the dazzlingly brilliant backdrop of the imperial palace, was pitiful in many ways.
“Poor guy.”
For Lucian, who was an ordinary commoner, it was an unbearably burdensome place.
It would get a little better later as the main story progressed, but until then, he would probably suffer a lot mentally.
“Agh, I’m dizzy.”
At the sudden tinnitus, I slapped my ears with my palms. Thwack, thwack.
They said I might have tinnitus like this occasionally for a while, but well, it’ll probably get better.
“Let’s just eat meat, meat.”
Finally, I buttoned up my school uniform cardigan.
Just then, the infirmary door opened, and the face of Lucian, holding a bouquet of pure white roses, appeared.
“Oh, you’re back?”
I thought he wouldn’t be back until late, but it seems the emperor let him go a little early today. Still, seeing the frustrating guy's face after so long was more welcome than I thought.
“When did you wake up?”
That bastard, why are the corners of his eyes turning red.
I just pretended I hadn't seen anything and spoke to Lucian.
“It’s a bit late, but want to grab some lunch together?”
“…Will that be okay?”
The meaning hidden in the silence was impossible not to know.
Is it okay to hang out with someone as ominous as me?
“I’m starving. I feel like my stomach is stuck to my back. Professor Artemia told me to eat meat since I’m anemic, meat.”
Honestly, I bet the amount of blood I threw up was more than a bucketful. When you’re low on iron, meat is the best.
Haa…. I wonder if he had lunch at the imperial palace? I glanced at Lucian’s complexion with anxiety, but fortunately, he didn’t look uncomfortable, as if he hadn't eaten lunch.
“Is there anything else you want to eat besides meat?”
Something else I want to eat, well, if I had to choose, a hot gukbap.
Wow, my mouth is watering.
Just then, grrrrumble─ thunder and lightning erupted from my stomach.
“Let’s go quickly.”
I was definitely not rushing because I was embarrassed. Nope, not at all!
* * *
Meat was always the truth, no matter when you ate it.
The soft and juicy grilled chicken was truly the best.
The herbs and spices that filled my mouth and the savory taste were felt at the same time, making it a satisfying meal that warmed my stomach.
The sun was still in mid-sky, but as soon as I returned to the dormitory, I changed into my pajamas.
“Lucian said he’d be training until late.”
My stomach is full and the bed is fluffy, so I'm going to get a good night's sleep just like this. Professor Artemia had told me not to overdo it for a while since my stamina hadn't returned yet.
《Is this the time for you to be sleeping so comfortably?》
Yep, perfect timing for a deep slee─
Wait, who’s talking right now?
I hurriedly looked around, but there was no one there.
《Down here.》
When I looked down, what I saw was a lizard with red eyes that contrasted with its pure white skin.
So right now… that lizard just talked to me, right?
“Am I dreaming right now?”
I might actually be already lying in bed, asleep.
If so… there's no choice. I'll just have to fall asleep again in my dream.
《This is reality!!》
…Now I’m getting tangled up with a talking, pure white lizard.
“Haa….”
Things are really not easy in many ways.
《What is the meaning of that sigh!》
To be faced with a furious, pure white lizard, even for a fantasy world, isn’t this a bit too much?
“And what are you?”
I tried to nudge the lizard that was confidently occupying the bed with my finger, but it didn’t budge.
Instead, my finger just throbbed as if it had hit a wall.
…It seems I’ve gotten a bit arrogant in the time since I bound an ancient demon with a skill. I have a weak body with only 5 points in the strength stat, unable to even beat a lizard.
《By any chance, are your fingers made of feathers?》
The lizard seemed taken aback as well as it asked back, and I deadpanned.
“I’m trying to ignore it, so could you not point it out?”
I’m a person who feels a sense of shame too.
Let’s not panic, Theo Lisitoel. Let's think about how to get rid of the lizard that's occupying my bed and disturbing my nap.
“Alright, let’s call Lucian.”
Even if it’s hard for me, Lucian should be able to do it.
I was about to leave the room right away, but the lizard approached with a quick rustle and instantly grabbed my pant leg.
“Kuhak─”
I was dragged just like that and thrown onto the floor with a thud.
A moment of silence passed, and the lizard muttered.
《Just how weak is your body.》
“Ah, seriously. I just want to be alone.”
I like all animals, but this damn lizard was an exception.
《Ahem, do you not wish to become stronger.》
The lizard, clearing its throat lightly, asked in an utterly serious voice.
《I can help you.》
And, a strange sense of déjà vu.
No matter how extreme the difficulty of this world was, there was no way a normal lizard could possess this much power.
Which means─
“You crazy demon bastard!!!”
Why did you show up as a lizard!!
With horrified eyes, I stared at the lizard that was still despicably clutching my pant leg.