◈ 488. [STAGE 23] Seed (4)
same time. Another compartment of the crossroads.
Kwakwagwagwang!
Medusa spread her wings and flew up, grabbed Evangeline by the collar, crashed into the building, and threw her to the ground.
Evangeline fell to the floor as the entire outer wall of the tower was overturned. Broken bricks and glass lumber poured down together.
“Ouch… !”
Evangeline muttered, barely getting up from among the rubble of a half-collapsed building.
“What kind of tag is this? It’s just a fist fight… .”
Medusa spread her wings towards Evangeline and floated up in the air, and fired a petrifying demonic eye.
keying! Kiyiying!
“is not it?! Is it a tag game?!”
Evangeline hurriedly rolled to the side and ran away. The seat where Evangeline had been a moment ago was petrified in an instant.
“You’re running away like a rat… … !]
Medusa skillfully drove Evangeline into a corner.
Suddenly, Evangeline came to a dead end in an alley.
While the embarrassed Evangeline hesitated about where to avoid, Medusa, who had come closer, flashed her eyes.
《This time is the end!》
Medusa poured her petrification’s evil eye and approached at the same time, intending to end Evangeline.
Kiyiying!
“What?!”
Evangeline gnashed her teeth as she raised her shield and blocked the evil eye of petrification. Now there’s no better place to run… … .
And that moment when Medusa, who had flown right in front of Evangeline, wrapped her enormous magical energy around her arms and was about to wield it.
“Huh?”
He stopped.
Medusa, who came to a sudden stop in the air as if the brakes had been applied, hurriedly turned her gaze to the north of the city.
《Steno… … Sister?]
Wow!
Her skin-like wings entwined the air, and Medusa was instantly launched towards the north of the city.
“Ah no no no no no dear sister… !”
“… .”
It seems Steno has collapsed.
Evangeline stared blankly at Medusa’s back, then lay down on the floor.
“ah… exhausted.”
My whole body ached from being beaten all day. Evangeline, lying still with her exhausted limbs stretched out, suddenly muttered,
“… I want to eat the late-night snack that senior made.”
When I went on a free exploration, Ash used to cook for me.
When was the last time you got it? Looking at it, it’s fuzzy. I’ll have to ask for it next time… … .
“When are you coming, really… .”
Evangeline, who had been muttering, closed her eyes for a moment.
I wanted to rest a bit until the next battle.
***
Steno’s body had been moved into the city.
It was more troublesome if you put it outside the city and form a nest there.
It’s better to deal with them inside the city, because if you go north from outside the city, you won’t be able to handle the aftermath.
“Ah ah ah ah ah! Sister, sister!]
Upon discovering Steno’s corpse, Medusa cried out and began building a nest.
The runaway Mystic Eye repeatedly petrified and collapsed the surroundings, and soon formed the monster’s hideout.
Now, within that nest, Medusa would feed on Steno’s corpse and emerge stronger.
“It’s terrifying to face a full gorgon… … .”
Watching the formation of nests from a distance, Lucas spat out as he took off his helmet, which had become tattered.
“… At least it bought me time until then.”
Sister predation takes 12 to 24 hours.
It took at least half a day or more.
Lucas looked around. General soldiers, priests, and people from the production unions waiting outside the city rushed into the city.
And all the heroes who participated in today’s battle were lying down and resting as if they were dead.
Heroes are exhausted. There was no one who was not injured and no one who did not run out of stamina. Even Lucas himself was no exception.
‘If the lord does not return in time… … .’
After mentally checking all available troops, Lucas came to a conclusion.
‘… The cross road is over.’
It was never a good situation, but there was one hopeful outcome.
A carriage stopped in front of Lily, who was sitting in a wheelchair and holding Sid in her arms. It was a carriage that would take Lily and flee north.
“Come on, Lily.”
Lucas smiled as he opened the wagon door himself.
“We’ll see you again when the city is safe.”
“… thank you so much.”
Lily looked around at the other resting heroes and slurred her words.
“Everyone is like this to protect me and the child… .”
The fallen heroes grinned and waved.
Looking around at such colleagues, Lily couldn’t leave easily as if her feet weren’t falling.
As the senior wizard of the Crossroads, Lily had never left this place since she first entered the Crossroads.
She was in a situation where she had to leave her colleagues behind.
But then Lily realized. That you are leaving is the way for everyone.
If the two of you remain here, it will be difficult for others to fight freely.
“… I will raise you well.”
Lily held Sid firmly and bowed her back.
“Because that seems like the only way to repay the kindness I received from everyone today.”
Everyone smiled silently.
Lily went in front of everyone who fought for her today and greeted them one by one.
“Come on Sid. These are the men who got hurt so much protecting you today. Shall we say thank you?”
Of course, Sid was soundly asleep, unable to understand what his mother was saying. Everyone laughed heartily because Sid was so cute.
“… mister?”
Except for Lucas.
“No, he’s over 20 years older than Sid, so if we compare him, he’s right… Umm… … .”
Leaving the troubled Lucas behind, Lily turned to everyone. Everyone who received greetings said a word of congratulations to the newborn child.
“… .”
Lily came in front of Thorkel, who was watching this from afar. Thorkell stunned and stepped back.
“Oh I am… .”
“Torkel. Thank you so much for today. Thanks to that, I was able to keep Sid safe like this.”
“… .”
“If you’re not rude, can you say something nice to the child?”
Thorkell, who was hesitant, asked cautiously.
“… Would it be okay to be like me?”
“sure. I want to ask you a favor.”
Lily grinned. Torquell cautiously came and stood in front of Sid.
It was only then that Thorkell realized that this was the first time he had ever seen a newborn baby up close.
No parent would ever allow a leper-affected child to come close to them.
“… .”
Torquell looked at Sid mesmerized. The child was asleep with a clear and transparent face.
Mixed blood between elves and humans.
For that reason alone, this poor child will have to suffer from false prejudices and pointless finger pointing for the rest of his life. So Thorkel was heartbroken.
Just like myself who had to live in pain for the rest of my life just because I was suffering from a skin disease… … .
“cadet… .”
Then Sid stretched out his hand.
A small palm that seemed to be as big as a knuckle of Thorkell’s finger approached and touched Torquell’s gloved finger before dropping.
Even with thick gloves on and skin dulled by leprosy.
At that moment, Thorkell clearly felt it.
Unmistakable warmth… … riding in with one’s hardened fingertips.
“… Thanks Sid.”
After choosing his words for a long time, Thorkell managed to spit them out.
“I was lucky to be able to protect you.”
Sid tossed and turned and babbled. Lily hugged her son.
Thorkel spat out after hesitation.
“Lily. If this battle ends safely and I survive… … Will you allow me to protect this child from now on?”
Lily, who had a surprised face, eventually smiled broadly.
“sure. It is something I would like to ask of you.”
“… .”
“So Thorkel. please… I wish you a safe end to this battle.”
It was time for the carriage to leave.
Lily looked at everyone and got into the carriage seat.
all over again… … .
The carriage that had left the city quickly moved away.
Thorkel stood still and watched the back of the wagon as it moved away. until the wagon is completely out of sight.
When the safety of the newborn child and its mother was secured, the hearts of the heroes became much lighter. However, the remaining battles were not light at all.
“… first.”
said Lucas as he hung the cauldron over the campfire he had just lit.
“Let’s eat rice first.”
***
“Drreong~ Puppy… .”
alley corner.
Evangeline, sprawled out, fell asleep as it was, snoring and sleeping soundly.
“What’s up?”
Lucas, who was looking down at Evangeline as if it was absurd, tapped Evangeline with the tip of his toe.
“Hey girl. wake up.”
“Um… dad. one more hour… … .”
“After uncle, are you now a father? ok and get up! Go to the barracks, wash up, and sleep well!”
When Lucas annoyedly tapped Evangeline on the shin a few more times, Evangeline jumped up to her upper body with a dazed look on her face.
“Huh! Trainee Evangeline too! I didn’t sleep!”
“I spread it out very large and slept well… .”
Only then did Evangeline wake up, rubbing her eyes and staring blankly at Lucas.
“Oh what It’s Uncle Lucas. I was surprised.”
“That old man’s name… .”
Without grumbling, Lucas held out what he was holding in his hand.
“Ugh. Okay now.”
“Eh? What is this?”
“Everyone else ate. Since I can’t see you, I thought you might be hungry, so I made it roughly.”
When Evangeline received it, it was toast.
It was similar to the toast that Ash had baked himself a long time ago. It was a lot messier, but… … .
Lucas shrugged.
“It may not taste as good as the master’s. Still, shouldn’t you fill your stomach?”
“Oh oh… ! sincerity what I will eat well.”
Evangeline shoveled the toast into her mouth at once. Lucas cautiously asked Evangeline, who puffed out her cheeks like a squirrel and chewed.
“Is it worth eating?”
“huh! Are you okay?! I can’t do it better than what my seniors did, but… … Uncle, do you have a taste of toast as well?”
Then Lucas nodded.
“Of course, it’s not as good as what the lord did. The master’s cuisine is at a level that can be served hotel-style.”
“No, it’s not like that… The uncle’s distorted loyalty is really… … .”
I ate it anyway. Patting her stomach, Evangeline jumped up.
“good! Then, let’s go back to the barracks and have a full-fledged meal!”
“Are you going to eat more?”
“After lying around with the monster all day, I was about to die of hunger. Do you think the amount will be full just because you ate that?”
Evangeline, who giggled and got up from her seat, said Ugh! Then he limped his leg. Surprised, Lucas looked at Evangeline’s legs.
“What are you hurt?”
“Ouch… It must have been hit hard when it was carried down from the top of the building over there. Is it sprained or broken… … .”
“The priests are waiting. Let’s go and get treatment. Come on, I’ll help you.”
Lucas grabbed Evangeline and tried to raise her up, but Evangeline shook her head and stretched her arms forward.
“Pick me up.”
“what?”
“I dealt with that terrifying monster by myself. I’m tired and sleepy and I think I’m going to die. Please carry me to the lodging.”
“this… .”
“What are you trying to do with that broad back? I saw before that Ash sunbaenim did a good job carrying it around. Oh, that’s okay, carry me on your back~”
Lucas gasped in despair in front of the whining Evangeline.
But before long, he quietly put his back in front of Evangeline.
As Evangeline said, there was no reason not to treat Evangeline this much, who had endured while dealing with that Medusa alone.
“Oh, it’s comfortable. uh I’ll ask you to pick me up sooner. Because of this, seniors are trying to use a car.”
Evangeline, who was sitting on Lucas’ back, put her relaxed face on Lucas’ shoulder.
Fixing Evangeline on his back, Lucas congratulated him a long time ago.
“… suffered today If you hadn’t marked Medusa, the city would have been doomed long ago.”
“Hi-Hi. Uncle also had a hard time.”
“What do you call that old man… .”
When Lucas turns around to ask,
“Cool… .”
Evangeline was asleep again.
Lucas, who was examining the side face of the girl knight with many scars, sighed and moved forward.
“… done. Get some rest.”
“Ummm… Give me more toast… … .”
Carrying Evangeline on his back and heading to the barracks, Lucas suddenly looked up at the sky.
The sky was still full of dark clouds. Not even the moonlight was visible.
‘Lord… … .’
The current front line was as dangerous as that uneasy dark cloud, not knowing when to pour out hailstones.
‘Welcome.’
I have to believe and wait.
that Ash will arrive in time.
Just like it always has been.
***
But Lucas didn’t know.
That neither he nor Evangeline would collapse before Ash arrived.
