Chapter 235

Episode 235: Full of Pain (8)

Cheongsanho saw the being called the Demon Knight turning around. slam. At the same time, something visible only to him also rippled. The sea level with wind and rain overlapped the clear night sky.

“I guess you’ve decided to talk.”

Cheongsanho sat on the outerwear laid out by his escort, rolled up the blanket he had brought with him, and placed it as a backrest. There wasn’t really much of a feeling of support, but it was still better than nothing.

“Tskcha.”

However, even such a small movement is quite hard on the body. He took a moment to catch his breath. Clap. Meanwhile, the opponent’s body is almost pressed against the iron bars.

Withering wildflowers caught a glimpse of the half-grey young man. With a deep sense of foreignness, as if to let you know that it is not of this world.

“I just...what....”

“What did you say?”

Cheongsanho quietly observed it and took out an object from his chest. It was an item that, when the range was set, absorbed the sound within the range and made it echo only within the range.

In other words, soldiers and knights outside the range cannot hear their conversations even if they die or wake up. It was a preparation just in case.

“They said it was a precious soul from another world. “He is also an innocent person who should not be treated like this.”

If you do that, there is nothing to worry about anymore.

Cheongsanho left it on the floor and continued breathing carefully. The ocean created by the stagnation of a single ship swallowed his shortness of breath instead. It was a sea that could only be seen and existed in his field of vision.

“Was what I saw wrong?”

“....”

The feeling of being submerged in the sea even though you are on land is truly mysterious.

If you still find it uncomfortable, that’s not the case. Cheongsanho raised his hand as his opponent gaped and looked confused.

The sadness flowing between my fingers was truly salty and bitter.

“Were you the spirit of this place?”

However, it was cozy and comfortable at the same time.

Just as the sea in the stomach that one must pass through if one wants to be born is warm, and the embrace that embraces a person who is sad is tender. It was because everything that covered my skin was just benevolent.

“...no.”

So I can’t worry about it, and I can’t even imagine it.

“no.”

There was no way that a person who had achieved great justice through the tears she shed for others would now be swept away by anger.

“I’m not from here...”

The so-called Demon Knight burst into tears. It was the moment when the sea became deeper.

“...as expected.”

Seeing that, Cheongsanho also lamented.

The reason I couldn’t believe it was because I, at the same time, had at least one part of me that hoped for a negative answer. If he were truly a person from another world, there would be no reason for him to suffer like this on this earth.

“It was like that too.”

But in the end, the truth is revealed. That made Cheong Cheong-ho’s heart sink. The intensity of the discomfort increased because the reason he was here was to ask for another sacrifice.

Cheongsanho’s mouth was hollow.

“I’m not from here...”

The good news is that in some cases, mourning can be achieved by maintaining silence but sharing warmth.

So Cheongsanho remained silent while listening to the words of the young man who was crying sadly.

There were endless wild flowers among the withered petals that, if you added a little bit of botanical knowledge, would tell you that they were chickweed. It was an ordinary person who should have been ordinary.

“Ah...”

“Tsk.”

The sadness of a truly ordinary person who would never have faced something like this.

“Did everyone cry? “If you’ve all cried, I’d like to tell you why I came.”

“....”

However, he has to ask this kind of person another cruel favor.

“...Tell me you will live. “I will definitely live.”

To save more people.

For this world.

...maybe for you.

The inside of Cheongsanho’s mouth became uncomfortable, as if a thorn had sprouted.

“...why?”

“That...”

“Why?”

“....”

It would be less painful to lie down sick with internal injuries.

Cheongsanho bit his lip, looking at his sad, wet, shiny face. Part of me wanted to retract my words, saying that my tongue had run wild.

“Because... if you die now, there is a high possibility that a devil will come out in your stead.”

But that is impossible. That simple soul was not the only thing contained in this sea of sorrow.

“For your information, this is not a suggestion based on what the devil said. “I’m only telling this story based on the truth that I personally witnessed.”

Cheongsanho looked down and observed what the sea was hiding.

If you erase the earth of reality, deep in the visible sea, there remains a net that splits from a single thread and spreads like a spider’s web, and a bundle of pitch-black chains that are obscured by the net and are not easily visible. It is another soul residing in this body.

“You are the push stone that holds the devil back. It is still absolute and will probably remain so for a long time.”

Also, at the center of the chain created by the soul, there is a flame that does not go out even though it is immersed in the ocean, and that will jump out of this sea at any time and burn the entire earth.

There is no need to guess the identity of the flame that burns all the resentment and suspicion of hatred in the world. That is the devil.

Even though one being bound me with the chain of a contract with my soul as collateral, I couldn’t control it and brought another person with me. That thing must be the Great Demon of Anger.

“So I... I hope you don’t die. “If the demon you are suppressing rises to the surface, we will see something terrible again.”

What would happen if something like that broke away from all oppression and came into the world? At that time, wouldn’t we go beyond seeing something terrible and end up in destruction?

Cheongsanho couldn’t stop thinking about that. This shameless request ultimately started there.

The future of decline seems too obvious to risk.

“...So that’s why you’re asking me not to die? To me and no one else?”

But the other person just laughed at his words.

“And in a situation where everyone wants me dead?”

...It wasn’t something I couldn’t understand. Even though Cheongsanho never witnessed him fight in person, judging by the testimony of those around him and the circumstances surrounding it, it could not have been an easy fight.

Moreover, it is also a problem after overcoming the ordeal. He fought a tough battle, but instead of being praised, he is treated like a criminal and people around him are talking about execution. Some people will feel unfair.

“...I understand people’s choices. So I won’t hold any grudges. “Humans are such animals, so I didn’t expect it anyway, so I wouldn’t want it.”

However, swallowing even the resentment and showing disappointment towards humans...

“But I don’t want to live and endure their stares. I have endured enough. “I really am...”

Cheongsanho considers whether it is truly possible for humans to love this much without having any expectations of others, and whether it is right to ask this kind of request from someone who is so exhausted that they can no longer endure even such love. I tried it.

In fact, Cheongsanho, as the great sage, decided that he should not send the demon knight now. This is why, if he were to leave on his own, as most forces are setting their sights on him, there is a high probability that he will be confirmed as an enemy.

Is that it? The devil he harbored, the values he had, the situation when that young man was gone and only the devil remained. There are so many reasons to hold on to him. Whether it’s persuading him to agree to the proposal or appealing to that young man’s tender heart, as a great sage, he must somehow catch him.

“I shouldn’t stop that.”

But what about Cheongsanho as a human being?

A person who was taken in without knowing why and went through all sorts of hardships said that he no longer wanted to be caught up in other people’s circumstances and would now find a way to go home for himself.

You say that, but can you really stop it?

Instead of such an uncertain method, and anticipating a situation where everyone will block it, they say they will find a more certain way, but can they really prevent it?

“Blue Coral Daehyeonjj—!”

Just right.

“Hehehehe.”

“...!?”

No, you can’t.

“People—”

“Cough!”

He couldn’t do that to his benefactor, who left everything else aside to save his grandson’s life.

“...you.”

“...Because it’s a reaction using sleep magic. Cough. No need to worry... it’s not like porridge. “They’re not dead either... they’re just asleep.”

I feel like I’m going to die, but I won’t die.

After confirming that the knight and soldier were asleep—even the damned escort was in range—he let out a long breath. The blood slightly hindered breathing, making the sound of boiling phlegm.

“Why... use magic even while vomiting blood...”

Still, I think it is fortunate that a prison for demon knights was prepared on the border in preparation for people becoming agitated. The same goes for not being able to properly establish boundaries due to lack of resources.

Now that the guards have been taken care of, this should be enough to escape.

“Because I can’t capture a noble soul like yours.”

“You don’t have to give me this kind of help...!”

But in the meantime, is this young man still worried about him? Is there a need for people to be this kind?

“It’s not enough.”

Well, since he is this kind of person, he was probably brought in as a weapon to suppress the devil.

“Considering what this world has received from you, this favor will not even be repaid.”

Oh, by the way, did the devil say that? That his dedication and sacrifice would be ignored?

“Still... after today, many people will point fingers at you. Without knowing anything, they will trample on your sincerity and turn your efforts into nothingness.”

okay. That has become undeniable. Those who do not know the truth and do not know it will now freely criticize and be hostile towards him.

“But... I declare in the name of the undulating Blue Lake. “You are a hero comparable to a warrior, and perhaps a savior even greater than a warrior.”

But only he will face the real truth.

“At least I will never forget that for the rest of my life.”

Who on this earth made sacrifices, who worked so hard, who showed good will to those who had nothing to do with him... he will remember forever.

“Thank you for your dedication.”

“...ah.”

“...I wish you had become friends with my grandson.”

Come to think of it, that guy really cared about the demon knight. okay. A person like this is worth caring about even with his temperamental grandson.

“...Nothing good would come from having someone like me as a friend.”

“Wrong. If it’s a waste of you, it’s a waste. “He is my grandson, but there is nothing to see in him other than his abilities.”

If you don’t fall in love with such a beautiful soul, that’s the problem.

“...What happened? Let’s go now. Because there is no good in taking too much time. Sleep magic... ha. “It doesn’t last long.”

“...thank you.”

“Are you saying thank you to me...? “The person I really have to thank... is me...”

“But if it wasn’t for you, I might not have known about this until the end.”

okay. If you are not moved by such a noble Bijo.

“So I can only be thankful.”

If you don’t feel your heart flutter when you see someone who is so heartbreakingly beautiful.

“...I will definitely return home.”

As long as you don’t feel dizzy at the thought of someone who can smile brightly even though his or her hard work is not appreciated and only one person understands.

That’s really that person’s problem.

“Yes, please go.”

“...yes.”

Cheongsanho laughed helplessly as he saw the person helping him lie down comfortably. Even though he said it wasn’t a fatal wound and that he wouldn’t have time, he was kind to the end.

“Even if I tell you to just go away.”

“I was going to go now anyway.”

“Lying is... oh yeah. “Can I perhaps defend you?”

But thanks to this, it is easy to see the sky. Cheongsanho raised his head as he felt a soft blanket being placed under him.

“If you are a lawyer...”

“I mean, can I tell others about some of what I said earlier? “Not to everyone, but only to those who have the power to decide your treatment.”

“....”

I saw a star flower in full bloom breaking through the seawater and shooting stars into the sky.

Flowers and stars rose in the sky above the sea.

“No... don’t do that.”

“why?”

“...Well, I’d really rather go than that.”

In accordance with the spot where the star flower leaves, it is proud, dense, and simple like a river.

“iced coffee.”

It bloomed extremely hard, just like in a fairy tale.

Thousands of star flowers opened their petals despite the wind and rain, softly lighting up the night.

“...I see in people a feast of light that cannot even be seen in reality.”

He said, “If the sea of falling towers created by that soul had a name, it would be love. The name of each star flower that the sea shot up was Jeong.”

“I’m not the kind of person to send you away like this...”

He shed small tears under Dajeong, in the arms of love.

“May the blessings of the guiding star be with you.”

The star that protects those who find the path twinkled.