Chapter 183: Demon Beasts Moving South (1) (1/2)

Snore— Snore— Snore—

Epherene quickly fell asleep. I planted the Dream Connection in her head. It was a difficult spell, and it didn’t fit my aptitude, but thanks to the link established through the wood steel, it worked.

Whooosh…

The magical connection was established with the whistling sound of the wind. I glanced at Epherene sleeping soundly.

“…”

She had a kind of cute side when she had her mouth shut. Everything she did was sloppy, and she was a fool who didn’t know her talent yet, though. This was probably what I felt as Kim Woojin.

“…Stupid kid.”

I picked my book back up. I was currently studying concepts related to knights, going from swordsmanship and martial arts to training methods and even breathing methods. Now, I probably knew more than most knights. Turning the pages, I waited for the dream that Epherene would have. If Decalane appeared again, I would know right away.

After a while, I finished the first book, and then I grabbed the next on Quick Swordsmanship at that moment.

“You know… Professor…”

She suddenly spoke. My eyes flicked up.

“I told you I met Decalane in a dream….”

Epherene suddenly woke. She was looking at me with bright eyes.

“…”

I closed the book.

“No, but. You know. That guy… no, your father-“

“Call him that guy.”

Both as Deculein and as Kim Woojin, Decalane was someone I didn’t want to call father.

“…Yes. Do you know what he said to me?”

Epherene narrowed her eyes, pretending it was okay. However, drops of sweat were beading on her forehead, and her pulse quickened.

“He said my dad hated me! Just as much as my father hated you, he hated me too.”

“…”

“It doesn’t make sense. Right?”

I watched her quietly. Kagan Luna hated Epherene to the extent that he named the child ‘Drop’ or ‘Fall’. I didn’t know the reason yet, however. No, I think I was vaguely aware because of the unconscious use of Understanding. Even facts I didn’t know were put together like puzzle pieces in my head.

“Stop talking and sleep.”

Epherene had never met her mother. That must be the reason Kagan hated Epherene, but…

“It’s dawn.”

I didn’t want to say that to her.

“…”

Epherene calmed a bit. She lowered her eyes for a moment and grabbed the blanket. Then, she smiled a little.

“…Yes.”

Again, she closed her eyes.

Whoooosh—

A strange echo rang out.

“Are you here?”

I asked that question, and as if in answer, the world changed. The Voice swallowed me up.

“…”

A dark and empty space, holding only one person. The young Epherene.

—Wahhhhhh.

When I saw her cry, I had a gut feeling that the Voice wanted to show me Epherene’s past.

—…Kagan. Epherene is your daughter.

A voice from somewhere. I looked over.

—Hmph.

Kagan Luna and his mother, Epherene’s grandmother, were there.

—She’s the daughter of that bitch.

Kagan spat the words, staring at Epherene with daggers in his eyes.

—I hate that face and that damn gray hair of hers.

The child, misunderstanding that gaze, simply smiled. She reached out to her father, asking for a hug.

—…

Anyone would find that adorable, but Kagan clenched his fists.

—Kill her or let her live, do whatever you want. I won’t raise a kid like that.

* * *

…Did my father hate me?

Epherene wondered blankly, those doubts like a mist in her mind. Even though she knew it wouldn’t be true, she kept wondering.

‘Why did he hate me? What did I do wrong? Were all of his smiles, letters, and words full of affection and devotion lies? If he hated me, why wouldn’t Deculein say it?

Did he think I wouldn’t believe it? Indeed, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t believe it. Rather, I would yell and run.’

‘…But what if not?’

Epherene remembered the words that Deculein had left her one day. She recalled the reasons that made her start training again, her father’s death. From that day on, she decided to become a wizard with the sole intention of taking revenge on Deculein.

…If so, no way.

‘Did my dad pass on Deculein’s revenge to me? Did he leave the unfinished work to me? Did Deculein accept me even though he knew that?’

‘Why?’

‘Why?’

“Epherene.”

“!”

Epherene’s eyes shot open. Her body was drenched in sweat.

“Huh…”

Deculein was sitting in a chair beside her. The sun was already shining outside the window.

“Did you have a nightmare?”

Epherene looked at him blankly.

“No… it wasn’t a nightmare…”

She shook her head as she answered.

“…I did some thinking. Were you here… the whole time?”

“The spell can only be maintained when the distance is close.”

“Ah…”

“Your condition seems to be quite serious, so from now on, sleep where I can see you.”

“Oh, okay… I mean! I beg your pardon?!”

Epherene raised her torso. At that moment, she was startled to find her sweat-soaked clothes were half transparent.

“Oh!”

She hurried up and covered herself with her arms. Deculein looked at her as if she were ridiculous.

“Oh, um, where are you looking?!”

“…Before I kill you.”

“W-What?!”

Tap—!

Deculein flicked Epherene’s forehead. A burning pain rumbled through her skull.

“Ouch!”

“Get up.”

“Ah! Aaaaah!”

“I have a lot to do with you from today on.”

“…Ouch. Aaah.”

Deculein stood and left the room. Epherene followed after him, fiddling with her swollen forehead.

“Oh, right. What about the Voice? I had a good sleep.”

“How can you say you slept well after sweating that much?”

At Deculein’s words, Epherene quickly responded.

“It wasn’t a nightmare, though.”

“I went to the Voice by myself.”

“…Eh? Why? Didn’t you want to go with me?”

“The Voice revealed your past. You cannot go into your past.”

“?”

For a moment, she shook her head, not understanding what he meant.

“…”

But soon, her face turned red, and she grabbed Deculein’s suit.

“Aaah! What! How much have you seen? Why, why did you peek?!”

“Quiet.”

“How much did you see?! How much—!”

Deculein ignored her.

* * *

Reccordak, accepting the mountain residents, became a city. Every morning, there was the pleasant smell of cooking and the sounds of people full of energy and laughter. There was a smile on the faces of the guards and the villagers as well as the prisoners.

Yet if the walls were to fall, they would all die.

“Are all automatic crossbows installed?”

I went to patrol the wall early in the morning. It was cold on the path above the wall, but I could endure it.

“Yes! A total of five hundred crossbows were installed on the wall. Also, since the villagers collect firewood and ore every day, I think we will be able to replenish our arrows and bolts without too much trouble.”

The guard responded vigorously. Secretary Louina was surprised.

“Oh my goodness. Were there mines here too?”