38. After Exile (2)
Just before going to sleep, the ‘survival expert’ sounded a warning.
Thanks to this, I was able to avoid a surprise attack and catch the enemy off guard.
Asked, pointing the sword at his throat.
“Who are you?”
An opponent wearing a black mask and barely showing his eyes.
The clothes are so black that it is difficult to identify them at night.
It is not an ordinary outfit at first glance.
No one in Bethany wears clothes like this.
“Who sent it?”
Naturally, it comes to the conclusion that someone sent an assassin.
‘Perhaps Elijah….’
Unfortunately, the only person I know who can send an assassin is Elijah.
‘Do you want me to die that much….’
I could definitely die for her for her.
Not as a job, but as a human being. There was a time like that.
‘But this way….’
When he saw the sword draped under his opponent’s neck, he rolled his eyes here and there.
I brought the sword closer.
“Don’t roll your head and answer. Who sent it?”
“Something is wrong….”
“Let’s decide on a few things for a smooth conversation. First, answer only the questions asked. Second, don’t worry and answer immediately. And third. If you get an answer you don’t like, I’ll cut your throat.”
“… ….”
“Hmm. Very loyal I have no intention of telling you….”
“… You. Now I see.”
His eyes widened as he stared at me.
As if they were trying to find out.
“That loser… ?”
“… A failure, do you know me?”
When he shows interest, the corner of his mouth smiles under the mask.
“Okay. Are you curious? Then, from this sword….”
I pushed my sword lightly.
The skin is torn and blood seeps out.
“Are you going to figure out the subject when your head and body say goodbye?”
“… ….”
“If you don’t answer while counting to three, I will just cut you.”
One. Two.
“… Three.”
The moment he exhaled, he threw himself backwards.
Lightly floats in the air and lands stably.
He smiles leisurely as if he has already managed to escape.
However, that smile did not last long.
“Ah… ?”
As soon as he lifted his body, I threw the sword anticipating the landing point.
The sword pierced his abdomen precisely.
“How… crab….”
“I took it.”
“Kuk, kheuk….”
He drops to his knees coughing up blood.
The look in his eyes is stiff, as if he has no intention of speaking until the end.
“Your loyalty is amazing. I don’t know where it came from, but there is a way to check it.”
I raised a dagger.
It’s not mine.
I grabbed the dagger he threw at me and missed.
“No way….”
His eyes widen as if he expected what I was going to do.
Perhaps that is correct.
I rolled up his sleeves and shot him with a dagger.
“Keugh… !”
The puncture wounds were gradually stained black.
Assassins Guild.
It was Ramek’s deadly poison.
“You’re from the Assassin’s Guild.”
Since it is not always possible to assassinate only the Assassin Guild, several possibilities were being considered, but one was confirmed.
Maybe Elijah sent it to kill me.
‘Assassin’s Guild….’
Come to think of it, the assassin who came to kill Elijah five years ago also belonged to Ramek.
At that time, the assassin, as if recognizing me, hesitated.
‘I thought it was simply because of my mood, wasn’t it?’
As if the assassin had given up, he closed his eyes.
Speaks in a stern voice.
“… Kill.”
I did that.
I hit it with the pupil of the moon.
After he stopped breathing, he rummaged in his arms.
‘Probably, there must be that mark…. Is this?’
From noble mtl dot com
A small pentagram.
This accessory made of silver is the mark of the Assassin’s Guild.
You must have this to head to the holy ground of the guild.
It’s no big deal to say it’s a holy place.
They just call the place where they live a holy place.
That’s why the Assassin’s Guild is a group founded under a long-forgotten religion.
‘Seongcheongyo. Those who praise the sky.’
I pondered for a while.
‘Somehow, the past of this Judas body seems to be related to the Assassin’s Guild.’
The troops were dispatched to Bethany, but they were not bound here.
You can move freely.
Because I’m practically abandoned.
‘… I don’t know if you’re doing well.’
In Room 13, the bodyguards.
Hermis or Shylock. Or Anna.
U.L. Bradley.
… And, Elijah too.
I wonder if he’s doing well.
‘He doesn’t really have a backbone.’
I didn’t even know I was such a foolish person.
You should have had this kind of experience.
“Whoa….”
Once.
It will take more time for Hermis’s request to be ready.
So I can afford to stop by the Assassin’s Guild.
‘Because they also set up a holy ground at the border of the demon realm. It’s not too far from Bethany.’
I got the symbol of Ramek, and I know the password to enter.
‘I don’t think it’ll change much, but let’s go.’
I was a little hesitant to leave Bethany.
I wonder if Elijah will come looking for me while I’m away.
‘That’s absurd.’
I burst into laughter.
It was also mixed with ridicule.
I was pathetic about imagining vain hopes.
To the extent that I want to squeeze one.
‘Elijah will never find me.’
***
Balack sat down on the couch.
Stare at the woman sitting across from her.
The shiny black hair was tangled in a mess.
She always lacked the vitality in her imposing red eyes.
Like someone who will die soon.
Balak called her like a sigh.
“… Elijah.”
Elijah answered in a low voice.
It was like a mechanical doll that didn’t listen to the other person’s words and answered them, but just recited them according to the rules.
“I have no intention of retracting the published disclosure. I will drive out the Empire, the Bebels, and the Moon Gods all at once. No negotiations are accepted.”
“Haa…. Elijah, please…. Why are you doing that…. How many times have I said it was a misunderstanding, huh?”
“… ….”
Elijah stared into space with her unfocused eyes.
“This father…. No. After….”
Balak hurriedly brushed off the word father.
It was too shameless for her to say it.
“… I know i was wrong That you don’t trust me, yes. I know very well. But i tried to kill you Also with the Moonsingyo Bridge and the Imperial Family? It is nonsense.”
“… ….”
Looking at Elijah, who was blankly silent, Balak felt an excruciating headache.
The revelation of Elijah and the anti-imperial faction that broke out a few days ago.
Starting with the fact that the Judeca monster incident was a self-made play by the imperial family, it contained information that Balak, John, and the Wolsin Church joined hands to secretly assassinate Elijah, her illegitimate son.
The reason is for the balance of power.
In order to get rid of Elijah, who has an asymmetrical talent called the Second Coming of the Age of Myth.
The reason why it had to be that way was also written in detail.
Because the Emperor and Balak had to keep the war so that their power would not be threatened.
The evidence was also revealed.
The statement, pressed down on the front and back of the paper, was being scattered all over the continent.
Rumors circulated that there would be a war between the anti-imperialist faction and the empire.
And ironically, except for Elijah, the Bebel family belonged to the imperial faction.
Of course Balak’s children agreed with the public opinion.
All five of them sided with the empire and actively agreed to kill Elijah.
Balak, the head of the household, was planning to overthrow the empire.
Suddenly everything got twisted.
Elijah absorbed all the anti-imperial factions that Balak had previously paid attention to.
That’s not the only thing that’s important.
Elija, who proudly issued a statement, was as weak as a corpse.
Doesn’t even answer questions.
“Please…. Daughter, say something….”
Only Elijah and Balak were in the living room.
Finally, he got off the couch and knelt on the floor.
“Like this, like this. I know very well that I have neglected you. It shouldn’t have been left unattended, but I turned away, saying that I couldn’t help it. Yeah, that was nasty But, but never really tried to kill you….”
“The Grand Duke.”
Elijah stared at Balak with her sunken eyes.
The unfocused eyes didn’t seem to see anything in particular.
“You hate me.”
“I was wrong. I’m sorry…. I have no excuses for misunderstanding you. I know. But that doesn’t mean I tried to kill you. Elijah. When we become enemies….”
“You don’t have to make excuses. After all, I have to be hated by everyone.”
“Why are you talking about that, Elijah….”
“Because I am that kind of person.”
Elijah, who spoke in passing, stood up from her seat.
“I have nothing more to say. If you’re not here to declare war, please leave.”
“Elijah….”
Elijah left her drawing room.
The powerless gait was like a corpse walking.
“Haa….”
Left alone, Balak wiped her face.
Soon, I struggle to stand up from the floor.
Elijah, who is currently the center of the anti-imperialist faction, seemed unlikely to be appeased.
I could end things peacefully, but I refuse everything.
She barely met herself.
Her balak sighed deeply, sweeping her face.
‘In the world, how can I do this…. The empire must be waiting….’
This situation will escalate into a civil war in the Bebel family.
That shouldn’t be the case.
‘It’s my fault. It’s all my fault for being foolish and lacking….’
I know that, but the result shouldn’t lead to family strife.
It should not be the death of Elijah or her other children.
‘If only I died…. It’s not going to be a problem like that. How to….’
The door to the drawing room was carefully opened.
The one who entered was a red-haired maid.
Leah pulled out her car and sat in the front seat of her ball.
Balak sat down on the sofa across from her as if to collapse.
“… Long time no see To see and talk like this.”
“I see. I want to ask you one question.”
“Anything.”
“What Ellie said is a lie, right?”
“I know she is in a position where she has nothing to say even if she is misunderstood like that. But, I swear to the sun, I misunderstood.”
“Then why is Ellie….”
“I’m going crazy wanting to know why….”
Balak gulped down the tea as if he were drinking.
Tuk put down the teacup and ask.
“By the way, what happened to the child that made him look like that?”
“Probably because of Judas.”
“… That cheeky bastard? No, what the hell did he do to my daughter?”
“It wasn’t Judas who did it…. Elijah kicked him out. To Bethany.”
Balak doubted his ears.
Bethany?
Isn’t that the same as banishment?
It was even more difficult to understand what Elijah thought of Judah, as Balak also vaguely knew.
Besides, why is she having such a hard time letting go of herself?
“I don’t think this is the situation I was hoping for either.”
“If you do, why….”
“I don’t know. Even if I ask, they don’t talk at all…. She just repeats that it’s her own fault, that she’s her own fault…. What to do, really….”
Lea eventually burst into tears.
Her ballak had no choice but to watch her weeping bitterly.
In the end, the pain of those two is also a part of themselves.
He himself bore the original sin.
“I wake up screaming in my sleep, and I often vomit every time I don’t eat…. I’m so afraid of what’s going to happen….”
“Haa….”
“Really, there will be no fighting, right? Yes?”
“… Of course. I will try to stop it somehow.”
Balak rose from his seat.
It was a waste of time to be still.
“I wonder if the butler was Miguel.”
“Yes.”
“You stood in line well. Please tell me to secure the mansion firmly. The atmosphere is not unusual.”
“I will.”
“Then stop….”
Balak looked at Leah.
Because of the make-up, her impression is very different from her original impression.
Even the voice and expression are skillfully crafted.
She is a woman once she was a dancer.
Even so, in her own eyes, she shows a glimpse of her former self.
She wanted to say something more.
Sorry? Can you wait a little longer? Or thank you
How is Narsisi?
I just swallowed it because it was all shameless.
“… Next time I will come with good news.”
*
Elijah walked up to the bedroom.
She had to refrain from using magic as much as possible, so she didn’t use her teleport.
As if falling, she lies down on the bed.
Fluffy.
Her hair floats and then sinks.
Her blanket also rises high, then she comes down.
This is not her room.
This is the room Judas used.
The bed still smells like him.
If you close your eyes and focus on your breath, it’s as if he’s right next to you.
Then she procrastinates herself and she goes into his arms.
In his sleep he hugs himself.
A large umbrella-like arm that will protect you reliably no matter what kind of heavy rain.
She falls asleep intoxicated with coziness.
If he really existed, he would.
The only thing she hugs is a black cat doll.
It is a gift that Judas gave me when I was young.
I cover the blanket and pull the blanket wrapped around me like a scarf up to the tip of my nose.
She wants to indulge in the time she had with him.
This is pointless.
The more you fall in, the more his absence in reality approaches.
It is like a drug.
When you use it, you will dance in paradise, but when the medicinal effect wears off, you will fall into the abyss.
At one point, she didn’t understand people who depended on drugs or alcohol.
I understand now.
Even though I know it’s an act of destroying myself more, I can’t stop it.
Cloudy eyes look at the window as if seeing a fantasy.
A potted plant on the window sill.
Anemones.
Judas did not take it.
The flower buds were more open than when he left.
It is about to bloom.
But the owner of the pot is not here.
In the cage in my heart, the red anemone still shows off its color, and the moon sprinkles light.
The space in consciousness.
It’s an illusion.
An unreachable virtual image.
Even reality was like that.
He is not around.
All that remains is a faint reverberation.
Even that cannot last forever.
It will disappear someday.
After that, what should I do?
“Huh….”
Elijah swallowed her cries and hugged her doll tighter.
Where are you by now?
He probably didn’t go to Bethany.
Since he is competent, he will be able to settle anywhere.
Do you eat on time?
Are you sleeping?
Where does it hurt?
I want to follow them and ask them one by one.
Then you’ll reply that you’re okay even though you’re flustered.
Smiling as if to reassure me.
Oh no. It can’t be.
Because I did something to be hated.
You might be coldly ignoring it.
Still, it makes sense.
Because I cut him down with harsher words.
Now I know that even if we meet again, there is no going back.
Just.
Wherever you go, I hope you are well.
Not even my news has reached you.
I can’t hear any news.
To the extent that I can’t even find it, it’s so far away.
‘I…. What are you doing….’
The blunt reason is far from the sense of reality.
I sent Judas away to do better, but nothing came of it.
Rather, I struggle in nightmares every day.
It’s a nightmare whether you fall asleep or not.
It’s an eternal dream, so I can’t even wake up.
‘I miss you….’
Dependency.
Elijah realizes the meaning of the word anew every day.
Once dependent on her, she can’t shake it off.
I knew but turned away.
Because I am a dangerous person to Judas.
***
A place to enshrine the sky.
Holy Land.
The core residence of the Assassins Guild.
From noble mtl dot com
Despite its name, the place is shabby.
Outside the land of men.
The entrance to the Demon Realm, where a large city once stood.
I live in an underground water tank there.
There is a shortcut through the sewers.
I have just arrived at the entrance.
Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock….
You have to hit exactly 12 times, in a consistent beat.
Then, ask a question inside.
– Chaos.
You just have to follow that.
I know the answer.
“Order.”
Kurrureung….
A large door opens inward.
It was barely opened, and a man with a pale face appeared from the inside.
Blind with a bandage, he is blind.
I pushed the pentagram through the crack in the door.
He took it and touched it here and there, then nodded his head.
After returning the pentagram, he opens the door.
You have been granted entry.
I went inside naturally.
It’s the first time, but not necessarily the first time.
He came in and out of the game a lot.
I remember everything about the structure.
I went straight inside with a pentacle attached to my waist.
After passing through a large sewer, there is a much larger and grander reservoir.
It’s wide like another world that exists underground.
There are not many people compared to the area.
Those who scattered sparsely focused on their work.
Cleaning your weapon.
Throwing swords or shooting arrows at scarecrows.
Or just sit back and relax.
I also share my know-how with other colleagues.
‘The archives… It’s this way.’
If Judas really was here, he would have left it as a record.
Because they are terribly thorough in this respect.
‘Juda Defacet. Judas Defecit…. Should I start with J or D?’
After searching for a while, I found out.
‘You were on Extra-J.’
Extra.
This is a bookshelf that collects information on those who were expelled due to some unfortunate accident or unsavory reason.
‘Juda Defacet…. We are here.’
I don’t know my birthday, but I do know my age.
Various personal information written here matched.
‘I was really a member of this guild… ?’
Thinking that way, I read the summary.
[A boy brought by Bishop Angra of the Church of the Moon. Estimated to be around 8 years old.]
You are very young.
At the age of 8, it was roughly 10 years ago.
[Recommended as a usable blade. As a result of verification, it is judged to be true. A person who was born with the ability to cope with crises, quickness, and reluctance to kill. Equipped with basic equipment. It seems that he has already trained at Wolsingyo. In particular, the will toward the goal is clear.]
[However, he made a big mistake on his first mission and decided to get expelled from the guild. The mission result is treated as a success.]
There is no record after that.
‘A mistake in the first mission?’
It seems that he made a mistake after being ordered to kill someone.
‘But considering the mission was a success, I guess I did kill him.’
Have you done anything wrong in the process?
A record of the first mission was also written on the back.
[Wait in Gethsemane. In the middle of the road from Heshbon, the capital of the principality, to Gethsemane, proceed along the trail through the forest. The coachman bought it, so you just need to set the time.]
[The target’s characteristics are a woman with black hair and black eyes. Her name is Marie….]
The moment you want to read the next line.
“He carries a peculiar sword.”
Someone talked to me from behind.
‘This voice….’
