Book 2: 309

Book 2: Chapter 309

Translator: Seven

Editors: Ana_Banana, Sei

In a dark place.

A cave where almost no trace of light existed.

Scrape, scrape...

The sound of stone being scraped resounded.

Someone was sitting in front of a boulder.

But the darkness made it almost impossible to tell their appearance.

All that could be seen was a faint outline of their face.

It was a familiar face.

“...what are you doing?”

“Can’t you see? I’m making a statue.”

As he gave this answer, Kasajin continued to sculpt the statue. All he had in his hand was a rough carving knife that seemed to be made from animal bones.

“That’s unexpected. Have you always been able to sculpt?”

“No. I learned it for the first time in this place.”

“Why did you learn it?”

“Because this can’t be taken away.”

“...”

He didn’t really understand what that meant. But this was not the time to ask. Kasajin was wielding his carving knife with the serious expression he usually had when he trained his body.

Since it was a bit tiring to keep standing, he decided to sit in front of him as he watched.

Phew.

After a while, Kasajin brushed some dust off the statue and let out a slow breath before turning to look at Lukas.

“You look like sh*t.”

“A lot happened.”

“I know. That’s why you came to this place.”

“...”

“Tell me. I’ll listen.”

His manner of speech hadn’t changed at all.

...He missed it.

Although it wasn’t the time, Lukas couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.

“...do you remember? A long time ago, when we were fighting the Demigods... I told you that it wouldn’t matter even if no one remembers what we did.”

“I remember.”

“That even if our footsteps were never recorded in history, it would be fine as long as we didn’t forget.”

“Right.”

“...but, it’s not.”

He fell silent for a while.

At some point, Lukas’ smile had become bitter.

“...I don’t want to be forgotten. I don’t need to be praised for what we did. We didn’t save humanity, the continent, and the world because we wanted fame or rewards for it. We didn’t fight against the Demigods just for that.”

A desire for success, fame, or wealth.

If they had just been fighting just to satisfy those desires, then they would have given up a lot sooner.

The reason they did it was because they thought it was wrong. Because they knew the things the Demigods did weren’t right. So they kept fighting.

...No. It wasn’t just that.

Lukas’ gaze turned to Kasajin.

“I was only able to hold on because of you guys. Because even when we were struggling desperately, we knew we were doing it together. It was that sense of camaraderie that comforted me. But I didn’t realise.”

That it would hurt so much if no one remembered him.

Lukas didn’t add the last part.

He didn’t want to show how much those words affected him to Kasajin.

It was better to call it his last sliver of pride.

“You’re wrong.”

“What?”

Kasajin got up from his seat.

It was only then that Lukas was able to see his full appearance.

There, on a small round table, were a suitably wet towel, a bowl of soup, and a cup of lukewarm water.

Traces that someone had been caring for him.

‘Was it Snow?’

Lukas thought of the cool touch that he’d felt on his forehead, but she’d told him that she would only wait one more day. Even though he was unconscious, he was aware of the fact that it hadn’t just been for one day.

Snow had probably already left.

Creak-

But at that moment, the door opened, and it was none other than Snow that walked into the room. Lukas was a bit surprised.

Not only because of her sudden appearance, but also because of her expression.

Usually, she had a smile on her face. Whether it was a mischievous smile or a confident smile, most of the time, the corners of her lips were raised.

But at that moment, the Snow that entered the room was visibly upset.

“...hmph.”

She glanced down at Lukas and crossed her arms.

For a while, she didn’t say anything and simply stared down at him with an annoyed gaze.

Seeing that she didn’t intend to speak up first, Lukas opened his mouth.

“How did you know I was awake?”

“Ha.”

Snow snorted.

The expression on her face, which was as white as the moonlight, changed.

It was to the point where he could almost hear her thinking, ‘what did this bastard just say?’

“Is that all?”

“What?”

“The first thing you say when you fully regain consciousness. I’m asking if that is all.”

“...”

Lukas looked down at the table.

“...thanks.”

“...”

“I’m really in your debt.”

“...”

“You saved my life.”

He spoke with sincerity, but Snow’s expression didn’t relax at all.

She still looked annoyed, but eventually let out a sigh as she looked at Lukas’ face.

“...right. Well, I guess it’s natural to say thank you, but I’m not the one you should be telling it to.”

0

“Then the person...”

“It was Peran. But he left the academy a few hours ago. You missed it perfectly. He seemed to want to talk to you about something...”

Snow narrowed her eyes for a moment before shaking her head.

“...in any case. Do you remember what this Queen told you?”

“You mean about waiting for a day?”

“So you remember. For reference, four days have passed since then. 96 hours to be exact.”

Blood flowed into Snow’s pale white face.

Lukas gently bowed his head.

“I’m sorry... By the way, not that I intend to make excuses or anything, but why didn’t you just leave when I didn’t wake up in time?”

“Because I wanted to hear what would come out of your mouth. But if I knew you’d say something like that, I would have just left.”

“...”

She really had a fickle personality. To the extent that he pitied Peran, who was her assistant. Of course, since Lukas was completely at fault in this matter, he wisely remained silent.

Snow smiled once again, and only then did she take her annoyed gaze off of Lukas.

“Your condition seems to have improved a bit. Last time I saw you, you looked like you were going to die.”

“...you saw that?”

“Right. Anyways, I’m glad you’re better. Time’s a bit tight, so we’ll leave right away.”

“We’re leaving? To where?”

“The best place to train you.”

“Where is that?”

Snow finally smiled.

“Amalgam Forest.”