Chapter 115: The Invitation is Here (3)

Chapter 115: The Invitation is Here (3)

* * *

“...Mmm.”

Novio looked at the invitations Lucion had brought and took a long breath.

An invitation from ‘South – Count Descia’ was included in it.

Naturally, the invitations to Lucion had been checked and filtered and were taken again.

In particular, he had pondered hundreds of times whether or not to include this invitation with Anthony.

However, the auction house was such a good place for Lucion that he couldn’t bear to throw it away, so he included it.

“Ugh...”

Novio bit his lip.

He wanted to stop him.

Why does the light keep chasing Lucion?

He even wanted to pour out profanity to the God of Light.

“Do you have to go?”

Novio spoke in a heavy tone.

“Yes. I have to go there. Don’t you think the first step is the most important? It’s the best place to shine me.”

Knowing that fact, Novio sighed again.

“Lucion.”

“Yes, Father.”

“After the South, you’ll stop by the Central and North as well?”

“Yes. Shouldn’t I go out into the world to make my sword?”

Novio’s eyes widened when Lucion mentioned the world.

It sounded natural, but strangely different.

It curiously sounded ambitious.

“Would it be okay?”

Novio didn’t hide his worry.

He wondered if Lucion could withstand such a tight schedule.

“No, the schedule looks very tight on the surface, but I’ve also made time to come home on the way and rest.”

This was true.

Not knowing how things would change, Lucion also had a short break in between.Ne/w novel chapters are published on no/vel(/bin(.)co/m

“Is it because of Nevast that you set the date like this?”

Novio asked hesitantly.

“Not necessarily. Of course, it’s true that it’s one of the reasons I considered. But I just want to be strong. Enough so that I won’t be swept away by the Imperial family and the temple.”

Lucion’s eyes glistened without trembling.

“Now, I don’t want to be swept away by anyone.”

At the continued words that sounded like a promise, Novio briefly clenched his fist and then unclenched it.

Even briefly thinking about it now, Lucion had always been swept away until he changed.

It was probably no different from living with your hands and feet tied.

“...Yes.”

Since it was a problem that Lucion had to go through in the future, Novio felt sorry and sad that he couldn’t help Lucion anymore.

“Thank you, Father.”

But unwittingly, Lucion smiled and thanked him.

Even though it wasn’t a big deal, Novio’s heart thumped for some reason.

He wondered if it was because of his age.

* * *

Russell sat on the roof of the mansion and sighed in the sunlight.

[Was it that shocking?]

Bethel asked, sitting next to him and holding back her laughter.

[Of course. Lucion never said that before. He wants to go out now. I wonder if this is how it feels to see your child entering puberty.]

[Didn’t you tease Lord Lucion a lot by taking advantage of the fact that he couldn’t get angry with you? Lord Lucion needs a serious conversation today.]

[He said he wouldn’t say anything. You heard that...]

Russell sighed again and turned his head away.

[What?]

Another death knight in this mansion, Broson, was coming to them.

[No. I tried to just pass by, but the conversation was so funny that I couldn’t just pass by.]

Broson stood giggling in front of Russell.

[You want to get hit again?]

Russell’s voice cracked.

He didn’t feel very good right now.

[No, I have something I want to say.]

[I guess the spot where you got hit has completely healed. Seeing that you’re not shaking in front of me.]

The corners of Russell’s eyes went up.

[You, your name is...?]

But today, Broson was indifferent to his words.

Bethel looked at Broson and showed her dislike.

[It’s Bethel.]

[Yes, Bethel. Will you please step aside for a moment? If you don’t want to, I’ll step aside with Russell.]

[I never said I’d talk to you, though?]

Russell got up from his seat, his face twisted.

He didn’t intend to cause a riot, but at least he was confident that he could bring Broson to his knees.

[We need to talk. I am sure you have a problem that you’re thinking about right now.]

[‘...?’]

For a moment, Russell’s eyes shook.

But he soon looked suspiciously at Broson.

Maybe he was trying to gauge him out.

[Do you think I am trying to gauge you out? You’re stronger than me. I don’t want to disappear yet, so I don’t have the guts to do this to the strong.]

At Russell’s expression, Broson put his palms on his shoulder.

[You said you’re used to it. I was wondering if it was because you and I have met.]

[I...?]

[Okay. After saying this far, isn’t it about time to move onto the main topic?]

[I’ll move.]

[Lucion.]

“Yes.”

[Let’s go to your room.]

“...I understand.”

Why is he making such a serious face?

Russell didn’t say a word as Lucion returned to his room.

―Lucion. Is Russell sick?

Is it so bad that Ratta even asks such a question?

“...Where is Bethel?”

Lucion opened his lips after taking a quick look.

[I’m sorry, but I asked her to leave us for a minute. Hume, Ratta. I want you to step aside, too.]

Russell looked at Hume with a slightly haggard face.

Ratta glanced around and nodded.

―Okay, Ratta will make room for you.

“I’ll be out, too.”

Hume replied with a slightly bewildered look.

Russell, who was always so laid-back, was strangely nervous.

Is there a problem?

“...Teacher.”

Seeing Russell unable to speak even after Hume and Ratta had left, Lucion spoke first.

“Are you okay?”

Right now Russell was so strange.

[Lucion.]

“I’m listening. You can speak freely.”

[Ghosts never lose their memories.]

Why would Russell bring this up?

Lucion asked carefully.

“Did you lose your memory?”

[...Yeah.]

Lucion had a hard time hiding his surprise at Russell’s sorrowful voice

But Lucion’s face turned pale.

It was so scary.

Isn’t losing memories one of the symptoms of corruption?

“Could it be a symptom... of corruption?”

[No, it’s not like that, so don’t worry.]

“Then why? How did you lose your memory, Teacher?”

Lucion’s voice unwittingly rose.

A few seconds ago, he had to feel like his throat was choked with fear.

[It’s weird, right? I lost my memory even though I don’t have any symptoms.]

Russell smiled bitterly.

[So I’m going to confirm it.]

“I will go right away. To the rocky area.”

Lucion clenched his fist.

He felt uneasy, too.

His corruption began with Russell’s death.

Whatever it was, he had to stop it.

[Lucion.]

“...Yes.”

Lucion didn’t want to respond to Russell who had called him in a heavy tone.

[...Nothing will happen, so straighten your face.]

As if swallowing his words, Russell struggled to smile.

[Since you’re my student, I thought I should let you know first. I shouldn’t have made the mood heavy.]

Lucion knew the words Russell had swallowed.

Russell was asking him to send him to the sky with his own hands if anything happened.

Even if he knew that Lucion had noticed, Russell put his hand on Lucion’s head pretending not to know.

[Look. I’m not corrupted, I’m fine.]

“...I know.”

Lucion also tried to smile as if he knew nothing.

“Next time, I hope you don’t set the mood heavy for no reason. It’s not like you, Teacher.”

[Yes, yes. Still, I was just wondering.]

His words continued.

But Lucion could no longer tolerate this clumsy skit.

His chest was stuffy.

“Teacher.”

Lucion stopped smiling clumsily and looked at Russell.

Russell, too, was apologetic through his erased smile.

[Yeah.]

“What Teacher was trying to say is never going to happen.”

Lucion looked directly at Russell and brought up what he had said before.

Only then did Russell smirk and smack Lucion on the forehead.

Thud!

[What misunderstanding are you having? I promised you I wouldn’t say that again.]

“You didn’t say it out loud, but you know that I’m not stupid, right?”

[I didn’t say it, so I kept my promise.]

Russell smiled lightly.

Only then did Lucion gradually loosen his expression.

[Lucion. Are you really going to the rocky area? No, can you really go there?]

To go to the rocky area meant to go beyond the end of the border.

It was where Lucion’s nightmare began.

“Yes. I’ll go right away. With Teacher’s permission, why should I hesitate any longer?”