150 Art. 149, Freedom of Mercenaries (1/2)

Bruder's quiet voice crawls down the street. He weaves his way between the facing Belfain private soldiers and the mercenaries.

”Isn't that terrible, Brother Torga? It's not like you can just walk up to two of your sisters and turn them away, huh?

It was a low, too-heavy voice that seemed to be crawling out of the cracks in the earth. Bruder's eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed. But his cheeks were crumpled, as if he were strangely happy and refreshed.

There were two people who reacted loudly to the voice. One was Vestalynne, who blinked her eyelashes at Bruder. The other was Tolga, a private captain on horseback, looking down at Bruder.

Vestalynu's eyes only flicker as if she is wondering what the big deal is. But not Torga. After a moment's hesitation, Torga's serious expression turned pale and began to distort, as if she had seen a demon living in the depths of the earth. He looked as if he had heard unbelievable words, as if he had seen a dead man walking out of the grave.

It's impossible. How is this possible? ...... Even if the heavens and the earth were turned upside down, this would still be possible!

On the horse, Torga's stance momentarily collapsed. The words that finally came out of his throat were not an acceptance of the situation, but a denial of everything. It was a refusal to accept what was happening in front of her as impossible.

But denial does not make reality disappear.

It's often said that the joy of life is that the impossible is possible. It's been a long time since the day you ...... hounded me and my mother like we were innocent.

His voice was threatening, but also frightening and trembling. The words that came out of his mouth were unmistakably reminiscent of that day. Bruder's eyes wavered and his spine rippled violently. I remember. I remember. I remember that this man, this person in front of me, was the first retainer of the one who had once kicked my family to the curb. And Bruder remembers well that this is a man who once laughed with his family as well as with his master.

And he remembers deeply, deeply the taste of bitterness that was given to him.

”...... I see. So he is the one who gave you the wound that started it all, Master Vestalinu.

After a few moments of agitation, Tolga let out a cold breath and said, as if he knew everything. The hand that grasps the reins is firm. The eyes that stared at Vestalinu wavered, as if hoping that she would deny her words.

But most hope exists to be denied and crushed, doesn't it?

Vestalinu's voice echoed through the streets, as if to break the gaze that was fixed on him.

”Yes, Torga. It seems our paths have crossed. Let me say it again. Stand back. I will never walk backwards again.

That was all.

Vestalynn's eyes trembled as well as Bruder's, as if she was holding back some emotion. But Vestalynne knew that this was not the place to expose her ugly emotions. There is only one person who deserves to have it beaten into a pulp and spat out with abuse. Yes, only one.

Once again, there was a void in the streets. Tolga choked on Vestalinu's words, unable to speak. It's not that I'm troubled, it's just that I can't get my thoughts to work. Without being able to face the reality in front of his eyes, without being able to face the traces of his fearful sins of the past, the thoughts of a man named Torga are frozen in place.