CH ss - 4

We Only Observe

“Change of conditions?”

[I can’t]

Kyrie suddenly became serious.

“What are all those things?”

[That’s why you have to be careful, Kyrie]

Nathaniel smiled so brightly that she could see a halo. Kyrie felt a sense of insecurity later.

“What are you going to make me do….”

Nathaniel peeked at Dr. Poe. Dr. Poe quickly lifted the teacup and covered his face. Scholars like little birds quickly began to discuss today’s dinner menu.

In the midst of the commotion, Nathaniel bowed a little and put his lips in Kyrie’s ear.

[What’s my taste?]

That is tying it up……

(T/N: BD*M)

The tip of her ears heated up in an instant. Kyrie bit her lips and remained silent.

Nathaniel turned his head and with his eyes shining. His bright eyes were full of playfulness.

[Isn’t it better not to listen beforehand?]

“…Lie.”

[Lie?]

“You, I mean, like that…….”

Kyrie blushed and frowned.

“You don’t push people like that…….”

[Oh]

As Nathaniel moved away again, he tilted his head. The cold air like a snowy winter dawn, which always hovered around, also receded.

He put his arm on the armrest and tapped his chin with the tip of his finger. And he seemed to be pondering something and muttered to no one.

[Gentleman. It’s tiring]

Kyrie’s face heated up even more.

In the meantime, Dr. Poe, who had a humble face, intervened with a sloppy smile.

“Can I go prepare a question….”

[Let’s go together]

Nathaniel rose gracefully from his seat without any grotesque movements. He glanced at Kyrie, who was heating up bright red face and she pushed them to go ahead, Nathaniel followed Dr. Poe out of the room.  Scholars also followed with a warm and pleased look.

Kyrie, who was left alone, covered her face with both hands.

She knew she was in trouble, as she thought.  Now Nathaniel’s patience is really running out.

***

Legendary Lord Nathaniel and Aldrelm’s scholar’s questions and answers took place in the auditorium. As a city built for research, the auditorium was magnificent.

The scholars who rushed to Pronoia with magic also participated. Nearly a hundred elderly people with white hair all gleamed like children learning dictation.

[Let’s start.]

Sitting in a long chair in the middle of the auditorium, Nathaniel said. Although he was receiving a lot of attention, he did not feel a single burden. He crossed his legs indifferently even when he saw a few painters opening their eyes with an easel in the corner of the auditorium.

Kyrie sat in the chair opposite, just in case. Dr. Hawksong was in charge of the hosting. Surprisingly, there was no mention of Zhenya, who wanted to attend the most.

“Then, let’s get started.”

[Okay.]

“This is a question from Dr. Emma. She wants to ask you about the magic of the ancient times, but first, if you were alive…….”

[I was there even before you harvested the first wheat. Just ask questions]

Dr. Hawksong nodded dryly.

“Do you know why the ancient era, which is known to have flourished the most, ended?”

[At that time, the person who made the magic decided to retrieve it again.]

(T/N: it means the “one” who gave the magic to humans decided to take it back, so once the magic is gone the era declines, in simpler words, if the oxygen for humans is gone, the whole world collapses)

“The one who made the magic then…….”

[One question at a time]

“Okay.”

Perhaps it was just an attempt in the first place, and Dr. Hawksong handed over the paper she was holding.

“This is Dr. Craig’s question: Do you know anything about the fact that the blood of wizards is gradually disappearing, unlike in the Vallabriga’s era?”

[It is natural that the age of myth is coming to an end.  The mystery of the world disappears when there are many unbelievers.]

In that way, dozens of questions flowed. Nathaniel mostly gave short-answers, but some questions showed generosity. Scholars shed tears when an incredible thing happened that the legend answered their question separately

The paper in Dr. Hawksong’s hand gradually approached the last page. At the end of the questionnaire, the doctor put up her glasses.

“This is my question.”

[Try it]

Dr. Hawksong, who had been in charge of hosting skillfully and calmly, stopped breathing for a very short time.

“Can Dr. Seward come back?”

Nathaniel laughed as if he were having fun. His atmosphere became colder and more obscure.

[No.]

The answer was firm. He looked at Kyrie sitting in front of him and added.

[That child is at least not suffering. That’s what the truth is. He just went back to where he was.]

“Is that so?”

Dr. Hawksong’s answer was at first glance indifferent. However, emotions that could not be swallowed beyond the glasses shone and disappeared.

“……Then, the last question is from Dr. Seward and Dr. Zhenya Hartwood.”

[Say it]

“In history, ‘the apocalypse’ has appeared many times. This event, dubbed ‘Black Sky’, will probably also be recorded as the end.”

Dr. Hawksong quietly continued.

“And we’ve heard that similar things have happened several times across continents in the past.”

‘Similar thing?’

Kyrie, who had been still listening to the story, opened her eyes a little wide.

“It’s not that the black thing hit people, but things that could be classified as catastrophes.”

Nathaniel was silent.  There was a hint of curiosity in his eyes, and a hint of uniqueness.  It was rare.

Kyrie reflexively recalled the weak energy on her way to Aldrelm. She felt something wriggling loudly across the continent. Suddenly, anxiety rose.

“There may be a connection between these things, we think.”

It wasn’t a question. Nathaniel was not obliged to answer. However, he nodded as he stared at Dr. Hawksong’s calm green eyes.

[Yes.]

Out of nowhere, thunder roared violently. There are no windows in the auditorium, but the tremendous sound of rain pushed the silence away. Kyrie felt that an energy spread like waves in the auditorium had been tightened.

[Many people.]

Nathaniel placed one of his elbows on his slightly spread knees, rested his chin, and stroked the staff with his opposite hand.

[The goddess won’t hate what you accomplish, but she won’t like it either.]

“Do you mean that the Goddess of High will punish us?”

[It’s the opposite. She will never stop you from crawling over the cliff.]

His eyes, which he lowered gently, were indifferent as if he was talking to himself.

[Of course, someone will try to stop it.  Just like Kyrie stopped me.  But it is impossible to prevent all situations.]

Bang! Lightning fell somewhere.

People had no choice but to shut up. Kyrie watched Nathaniel and the turbulent flow around Nathaniel. Dr. Hawksong, an ordinary human being who does not notice him, then asked,

“Does that mean the end will come eventually?”

Nathaniel smiled faintly for an instant. There was no emotion, but it was like an observer’s smile that made it even more eerie.

[It’s up to you to decide]

Nathaniel changed his posture and put his chin on the handle of the cane.

[Born with the blood of a conqueror. You will conquer the mountains, fields, and seas without knowing the end, so you will also be responsible for that.]

He looked around the blank-faced audience and smiled strangely.

[We only observe it from beyond the horizon.]

***

The question and answer ended in a calm atmosphere. Everyone left the auditorium babbling slowly, leaving only Kyrie and Nathaniel, who were the last to sit.  The air that had been tightening all around with tension was released.

“You’re unexpectedly kind.”

Kyrie said while drinking cold tea.

[Promise is a promise.]

“Isn’t it too much to say it’s just because of that?”

[Were you worried?]

“Of course.”

Nathaniel’s expression, which seemed a little surprised, softened.

[Even though you knew I wouldn’t kill]

“Isn’t it irrelevant?”

[It doesn’t matter. You’ll be the only one talking. It’s a joke that I used to play well before, so don’t worry]

“Is that so…”

[Is it time to grant his wish?]

Kyrie almost spat out tea water. She rolled her eyes from side to side.

“Of course, I have to listen to it.….”

Nathaniel smiled quietly. And spoke in a low voice.

[Let’s go to the room]

Room…… Kyrie got up with a startled face, and, in a state of great embarrassment, she began to walk.

It was already dark around. The sound of Nathaniel’s shoes resonated regularly in the shaded stone building. In Kyrie’s head, all kinds of thoughts rang in all directions.

‘It’s probably not, right?… Wouldn’t it really be? It doesn’t suit hIm, but the actions he did at Maria’s wedding didn’t suit that much…….’

As they climbed the spiral staircase and reached the bell tower above the bell tower where she had stayed the other day, Nathaniel’s voice woke up Kyrie’s mind.

[Kyrie. Did we really come to your dorm?. Is not a stable or a pig cage.]

“What?”

Kyrie, who was opening the door, looked at the room. The room was the same as before. An old bed,a stool , desk and chair. Purple eyes blinked a few times.

“Is it too shabby for you to stay?”

At first glance, Nathaniel looked around without entering the room. He still had a smile, but he seemed unhappy.

[They put you to sleep here.]

“I didn’t sleep here.”

[Then?]

“Well, the situation at that time…….”

Kyrie smiled awkwardly when she thought of Jerome.

“…..Anyway, it was fine.”

If she says she slept in a straw next to the manure pile, Aldrelm may disappear from the map. Kyrie flinched a beat late. She has learned to be a little brazen these days when she has difficulty answering.

“If your excellency Legend didn’t bother me in the first place, wouldn’t it be okay?”

Nathaniel breathed in to say something, and soon sighed.

[Sorry]

When this topic comes out, he always apologises first. Kyrie laughed and pulled his hem.

“Come on in.”

However, Nathaniel did not move.

[No, I’ll see you tomorrow]

“Aren’t you coming in?”

Nathaniel glanced at her a few steps down. Then he sighed and said.

[I don’t like the place]

“……I see.”

[If it’s your taste…….]

Kyrie’s hands covered Nathaniel’s mouth. My throat was already hot.

“I’m sorry, but can you please clean up that preference…. Honestly, I don’t know about that yet.….”

Nathaniel blinked and looked her. Kyrie strongly asked for his understanding with her eyes, and thought it was working. But Nathaniel said quietly, ‘What am I supposed to do because she is so cute, I can’t really lock her up….’ he was thinking the same thing. It was entirely thanks to age that he was able to hide it.

When the atmosphere became awkward, Kyrie pulled out and smiled hard.

“But isn’t it better than fireworks….”

[At that time]

Nathaniel showed a faint embarrassment beyond the smile.

[I was in a hurry]

No one else would say that they were in a hurry while looking so relaxed. Kyrie rubbed her fingers for nothing, avoiding his gaze.

“Then…..What’s your wish? What should I do…?”

The way she spoke was cautious. She couldn’t help it. Kyrie has recently felt Nathaniel’s nervousness more clearly. But this is someone else’s workplace, and after a few buildings, her mother was staying.…. She had a lot of thoughts.

[It’s a wish]

Nathaniel, who noticed her, knocked once on the floor with a cane. At the gentle signal, Kyrie suddenly raised her head.

A few steps down, Nathaniel was looking at her with an innocent face.

A man as beautiful as a lie whenever she saw him.

He looks like a boy, wise like an old man, like a woman, while being noble and promiscuous.

He whispered with a clear face without hesitation or shame.

[Will you kiss me?]

Kyrie’s body hardened.

The blue eyes that looked up at her were innocent and kind. Unlike the words asking for adult pranks, his expression was as gentle as a child waiting for candy.

Kyrie managed to open her mouth.

“Kiss?”

[Yes]

“It’s not a question but…… Is that okay?”

[It’s okay]

Nathaniel’s expression was feminine. The unusually innocent-looking blue eyes blinked slowly.

Kyrie looked at him in dismay.

Is it because she put her name on the line? She was gibberish with her dazed head.

“I don’t think I can do it well…….”

[That’s not what I want]

I guess so. Kyrie shut her mouth.

Even after seeing Kyrie, who was shut up, Nathaniel did not approach. Rather, he went down one more step. As if telling her to chase him.

[Will you kiss me?]

In the dense darkness, Nathaniel whispered innocently.

Strange. He has a very clear and indifferent face, but the atmosphere was surprisingly decadent.

Kyrie couldn’t say anything for a long time. Nathaniel stared at Kirier without rushing.

“Yes.”

Her answer popped out like an unfamiliar creature.

Kyrie stood at the end of the threshold and took a short breath. Her palms sweated in the meantime.

Her white hands cross through the darkness.

When Kyrie’s palm touched his cheek, Nathaniel rubbed his cheek as if a giant beast was acting cute. Lightly. It was a movement that matched that expression. A smile that seemed satisfactory came to his mouth, which had been expressionless, faintly rose and disappeared.

Kyrie hesitated and tilted her head.

Before her lips could even get very close, Nathaniel gently closed his eyes. His well-groomed and beautiful face was as quiet as waiting for a revelation from God. It seemed that Kyrie was the only one who had dirty thoughts.

Her nerves peaked all the way to the end of her head. Kyrie almost fainted and placed her lips on Nathaniel’s dry ones.

[Ah]

At that moment, Nathaniel let out a very small voice from his throat. It was a very ticklish exhalation, almost moaning.

Kyrie got goosebumps on her back. She couldn’t even think of opening her eyes and seeing his face. Even though she was too far away to kiss, she couldn’t even think of touching him and biting his lips.

There was a slight gap between Nathaniel’s lips, but she couldn’t put his tongue in. She repeatedly licked Nathaniel’s still wet lips.

At that time, Nathaniel slightly turned his head. In the wind, their lips naturally fell apart.