Chapter 108: The Master of Heroes (3)

 

Gale spoke to Adam, who had made his decision.

 

“Don’t worry, Adam. We’ve given up on directly searching for Lynn’s warrior too.”

 

“...”

 

“We won’t even ask you to join the hero party. Not you, nor Berg.”

 

Adam felt relieved at these words but still harbored a question.

 

“Then why go through all this trouble?”

 

Gale watched Adam intently with his sharp eyes.

 

“...Because I believe you will shine at the right moment.”

 

“...”

 

“That’s the mission of the warrior of solitude.”

 

Gale turned away.

 

He seemed to be heading towards Berg.

 

Adam called out to Gale, who was holding the doorknob.

 

“...Gale.”

 

Gale turned to look at Adam at his call.

 

Adam had no intention of letting things just flow naturally now.

 

Having come this far, he had to find a benefit within the situation.

 

“...I believe the war is nearing its end.”

 

Gale nodded.

 

“I think so too. We’ve killed four of the intelligent demons, and only the Demon King and his right hand remain. It looks like it’s coming to an end, one way or another.”

 

“There will be many changes.”

 

“That’s inevitable.”

 

After a pause, Adam continued.

 

“As you know, we are preparing for the post-war situation. We’ve allied with Blackwood and Celebrien.”

 

Gale nodded again.

 

Adam spoke, finally bringing up the main subject.

 

“I’d like you to speak well of us to His Majesty the King.”

 

“...”

 

“It’s not a difficult request.”

 

Gale pondered Adam’s words, then sighed with a smile.

 

He said,

 

“Alright. I will.”

 

****

 

I watched Gale as he stepped out of the house.

 

My wives, who had been lingering around me, also looked up at his figure.

 

Gale, with a smile, spoke to me gently.

 

“Berg. I see you’ve been waiting.”

 

“...”

 

“I’ve finished talking with Adam. Let’s have a chat.”

 

With that, Gale rested his elbow on the sword tied around his waist.

 

I still couldn’t guess why Gale had sought me out.

 

Was he here for sparring? Or perhaps to deliver a warning.

 

...Or could it be something else?

 

I sighed and stood up.

 

Ner and Arwin also got up to follow me.

 

Gale gestured to them.

 

“Ah, I’m sorry, but... I would like to speak with Berg alone.”

 

At his words, my wives froze in place.

 

“I would appreciate it.”

 

Following Gale’s request, Ner and Arwin nodded.

 

As they started to walk away, Arwin grabbed my hand.

 

Our fingers interlocked momentarily.

 

“Berg.”

 

“...?”

 

“Even though it’s unlikely coming from him... if he makes a strange proposal, you must refuse, alright?”

 

She sent me a look of concern.

 

Since she was the one who had persuaded me to lower my guard against Gale, she seemed to feel a certain responsibility.

 

“...”

 

I gave her a reassuring smile.

 

Even though she once wished for my death in the past, her concern for me now was enough to put me at ease.

 

I nodded to my wives, looking at each of them in turn, before following Gale.

 

.

.

.

 

Gale led me into a secluded forest.

 

For some reason, it seemed as if he was looking for a space to spar, so I stopped him.

 

“...Tell me.”

 

I didn’t have much time to spare for him.

 

Just moments ago, I was about to set off on a new journey with my wives.

 

Noticing my impatience, Gale smiled.

 

“Alright. We can talk right here.”

 

“Why did you come to find me?”

 

At my question, Gale sat down on the ground.

 

After brushing away some small stones, he settled into a comfortable position.

 

“I’ve heard rumors about you.”

 

“What specifically are you referring to?”

 

“Well, rumors like you have defeated over 200 boss monsters... that you are highly skilled... that you beat the Elf swordsman Gallias in a fight...”

 

“...”

 

When I didn’t respond, he asked for confirmation.

 

“Is it all true?”

 

I replied lightly.

 

“I had a good teacher.”

 

“Who is this teacher?”

 

“...It’s Captain Adam.”

 

Gale nodded, then spoke to me.

 

“...Adam, I see. No wonder you two are close.”

 

“...”

 

“Ah, you don’t have to call him ‘Captain Adam’ in front of me. You usually refer to each other as brothers, don’t you?”

 

I shrugged my shoulders and asked Gale.

 

“...Anyway. Why have you come to find me? You haven’t answered my question yet.”

 

“Do we need to rush things? I was planning to bring up the topic slowly.”

 

I nodded in the direction where my wives were.

 

“I was about to embark on a journey with my wives.”

 

“...”

 

At that, Gale nodded very slowly.

 

A trace of pity flickered in his eyes, tinged with regret.

 

Ever since I heard he was the master of the hero party, something had been nagging at the back of my mind... even his presence stirred an uncomfortable emotion in me.

 

Gale let out a long sigh and then spoke.

 

“Alright. You don’t seem to like beating around the bush, so I’ll get straight to the point.”

 

“I’m listening.”

 

“Do you know about the God of Solitude?”

 

“...”

 

At those words, a prolonged silence followed.

 

The sound of the wind filled the gap between us.

 

The chirping of birds, and the distant shouts of the troops continuing their training, resonated around us.

 

Amidst all this, I furrowed my brow.

 

Lynn.

 

The God of Solitude.

 

It was impossible not to have heard of him.

 

Especially after I had cursed the Five Gods for so long.

 

Seeing my expression, Gale continued.

 

“Yes, I thought you wouldn’t be unaware.”

 

“...”

 

“I have a duty, Berg. I must guide the heroes. But I still don’t know who the warrior of Lynn, the God of Solitude, is.”

 

I clenched my teeth and finally responded, though with difficulty.

 

“I don’t know either. I haven’t even been interested in it.”

 

“What I’m trying to say isn’t about that, Berg. I see a possibility in you being Lynn’s warrior, just like Adam.”

 

“........”

 

I couldn’t define what I was feeling at that moment.

 

It would take some time to determine whether it was displeasure or something else.

 

The idea of linking me with a god was simply absurd.

 

And at the same time, a worry emerged.

 

“...Are you saying that Adam Hyung could also be a candidate for Lynn’s warrior?”

 

The thought of Adam Hyung being snatched away from me as a warrior of a god was unbearable.

 

I didn’t want to experience such an unacceptable separation again.

 

It seemed Gale noticed my unease and said,

 

“That’s right. But don’t worry. There won’t be any need to join the hero party.”

 

I then asked him,

 

“On what basis do you determine eligibility?”

 

Gale answered,

 

“Those with a painful past, special beings, are likely to be warriors of Lynn.”

 

I let out a sardonic laugh.

 

“How do you know if I have such a past?”

 

But Gale spoke as if it was a given,

 

“...I know.”

 

After a pause, he continued,

 

“A person who shared the same pain as you was once my student.”

 

“.......................”

 

I clenched my teeth.

 

My expression involuntarily twisted.

 

My fists started to tremble slightly.

 

“...”

 

After standing silently for a while, I suppressed my emotions.

 

I took a deep breath.

 

In the past, I wouldn’t have been able to hold back like this.

 

But lately, I have been trying to understand.

 

Understand that it was all in the past.

 

Still, it was disrespectful to my wives.

 

Yet, the fact that it was unpleasant didn’t change.

 

“It would be wise to watch your words.”

 

I told Gale.

 

However, Gale shook his head and said,

 

“Untreated wounds fester. Sometimes prodding them like this is necessary for strength.”

 

“That’s a fancy way of saying you’re uncultured, coming from the slums.”

 

Gale burst into laughter at my remark.

 

After laughing for a while, he said,

 

“Can’t argue with that, can I?”

 

I shook my head.

 

Exhaling my frustration, I spat on the ground.

 

Then I said to him,

 

“This conversation is over. Make sure you leave safely.”

 

Gale persisted in his words.

 

“Berg. You too could use my guidance.”

 

“Enough.”

 

I turned away.

 

“Didn’t I mention that you might be a warrior of Lynn?”

 

“I don’t believe in such nonsense.”

 

I moved forward.

 

“It’s not about believing or not. Preparing for it wouldn’t hurt. Aren’t you afraid of the death of countless people?”

 

“I don’t care. I only plan to look after my own people.”

 

I left Gale behind.

 

As our conversation seemed to be coming to an end, a voice echoed.

 

“...The saintess endured everything for you.”

 

- Thud.

 

My steps halted abruptly.

 

Without realizing it, my body slowly turned around.

 

I met Gale’s eyes.

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

My lips trembled.

 

‘I won’t come back.’

 

Someone’s voice echoed.

 

I vividly recalled that moment.

 

‘When this is over, I’ll become a hero. Why would I have a reason to return to you?’

 

My focus blurred. I felt suffocated.

 

‘...That’s the end of our relationship.’

 

I couldn’t forget even a single word she had said. Perhaps I had only fooled myself into thinking I had forgotten.

 

‘I’m going to live as a saintess from now on. I can’t marry anymore.’

 

It was Sien who had betrayed me.

 

She had said she would live well without me.

 

...She was the one who couldn’t say just one word, asking me to wait.

 

‘........Let’s leave the memories we’ve built up until now as just memories.’

 

I thought I was getting better... but Gale’s words shook me too hard.

 

The idea that Sien had endured everything for me.

 

‘Don’t forget me, Bell.’

 

Even though she never gave me a choice.

 

“...What-What do you know...!”

 

A surge of anger to mask my sorrow...

 

Was it because I had let go of her more than before?

 

Because I felt that I shouldn’t be like this anymore?

 

Because I knew it was a provocation?

 

Because the person in front of me wasn’t Sien?

 

A sense of emptiness overcame me.

 

And an equal measure of sadness.

 

I glared at Gale, clenching my fist.

 

“....Ha.”

 

And with a sigh, I turned away.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

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