Book 1 Chapter 540

540.

That day, Verkia was having dinner at Kyle's house and returning to Luna's house.

Whoosh-

The moment Verkia, who had closed her eyes due to a sudden gust of wind, opened them.

"……?"

Verkia gaped blankly as she saw a beautiful woman standing before her.

"Lady Lysinas?"

"Hello, Verkia."

Lysinas smiled gently and approached Verkia.

Verkia didn't know what to do, looking at Lysinas.

Lysinas, the King of Wisdom.

A great dragon called the hope of this world.

Verkia had become a disciple of her companions, Kyle, Luna, and Arion, but even so, Lysinas's presence was overwhelming.

Lysinas looked at Verkia and said,

"Are you coming from Kyle's house?"

"Yes. But how did you know I went to Master Kyle's house?"

"I heard that you've been visiting Kyle's house frequently recently."

Verkia blinked her large eyes several times, looking up at Lysinas.

"Verkia, what is Kyle's house to you?"

At that question, Verkia fell into thought.

Lysinas was slightly surprised to see Verkia pondering very seriously.

It was because she showed a seriousness unbefitting a child.

'As expected, perhaps because she was born in an era of calamity and suffered a lot, her thoughts are deep.'

Lysinas felt a touch of bitterness.

A generation born with misfortune from birth.

Knowing that made her mouth taste bitter.

After a moment, Verkia, with her characteristic expressionless face, said,

"A restaurant."

"……"

"No, wait. A popular restaurant?"

"I see."

'……Should I say she's Luna's and Kyle's disciple after all?'

Lysinas smiled warmly at the unexpected and eccentric answer.

Of course, she was also Arion's disciple.

But Lysinas didn't want to put Arion on the same level as those two.

'Arion is kind and pure, isn't he? And he's perfectly normal.'

The only normal person among a slovenly fellow, an eccentric, and a pervert.

He might be a bit timid and easily scared, but what's wrong with that?

If Arion knew she was thinking this, he would wave his hands in protest and defend his companions; he was such a good beastman.

The others?

'What's that swindling lizard saying?'

'That dragon with a heart as black as night!'

'There's nothing that cunning friend, who's as sinister as his appearance, can't say.'

Just recalling her friends' jeers made her head throb.

Lysinas sighed inwardly, then bent her knees slightly to meet Verkia's eyes.

"Verkia."

"Yes."

"How long will you eat at Kyle's house?"

"Forever."

"Even if Luna's cooking skills improve?"

"Hmm."

At that, Verkia tilted her head and asked,

"By how much?"

"Enough to be delicious."

"I don't think that's possible."

A hint of disbelief appeared in Verkia's eyes.

"Master Kyle said that Lady Lysinas's and Lady Luna's cooking is cursed."

'That damn fellow, he really said that!'

Lysinas, her eyelids trembling, said,

"Still, what will you do if Luna's cooking skills become as good as Kyle's?"

"I'll eat with Luna."

Verkia answered without hesitation.

Luna always took care of Verkia.

Naturally, Verkia had no choice but to choose Luna.

"And I don't think Master Kyle would be disappointed either."

Verkia grumbled with a slightly sullen voice.

Currently, Kyle treated Verkia, who visited his house daily, as half a freeloader.

"I don't need to see what that damn guy will do, but…"

Lysinas sighed softly.

"Even if Luna's cooking becomes as delicious as Kyle's, won't you continue to eat at Kyle's house?"

"Why?"

"…So Kyle will feel a little less lonely."

"He doesn't look lonely at all."

Verkia tilted her head.

Lysinas smiled bitterly, looking at Verkia.

"Yes, Kyle won't be lonely. People without attachments are like that."

Lysinas straightened her knees and looked towards Kyle's house.

"Still, I think it's better to have you there than for him to be alone."

At that, Verkia pondered and then said,

"In that case, wouldn't it be better for him to get married?"

"What?"

"Then he might be less lonely."

At that, Lysinas looked a bit flustered and then smiled awkwardly.

"That would be good, yes. But that's after everything is finished…"

"If Master Luna and Master Kyle got married, it would be perfect."

"What are you talking about?"

Lysinas's expression hardened.

But Verkia, who didn't notice the change, said with innocent eyes,

"I don't like it, but they suit each other."

"……"

This child, for some reason, is dangerous.

Thinking that, Lysinas said,

"Wouldn't Luna be too good for him?"

"That's certainly true. You truly are the King of Wisdom."

Verkia exclaimed, then pondered seriously.

Lysinas smiled gently, watching her.

'Did I do something unnecessary?'

Regret always comes too late.

***

Even after that day, Verkia consistently visited Kyle's house.

Luna worked tirelessly to improve her cooking skills.

Since she was an eccentric to begin with, she was generally good at most things, and the moment she put in effort, her cooking skills skyrocketed.

Lysinas also practiced with her, but as if cursed, her cooking skills showed no signs of improvement.

However, even if Luna's cooking skills improved, Verkia consistently visited Kyle's house.

Luna was disappointed seeing Verkia.

But Verkia did not stop eating at Kyle's house, at Lysinas's request.

Several more months passed like that.

About half a year after Verkia became Kyle's disciple.

The great heroes once again went to the battlefield of Tartarus.

***

"When will Master Luna and Master Arion return?"

Verkia hummed a tune.

After the great heroes left on their expedition.

Verkia was finally able to perfectly complete the tasks Kyle had given her.

Now she could learn magic and swordsmanship from Luna and Arion again.

That fact made Verkia happy.

'I guess I won't have anything to learn from Master Kyle for a while now.'

It had been an arduous training.

She never wanted to do that kind of training again.

But Verkia felt a strange sense of regret for some reason.

Verkia shook her head vigorously, remembering Kyle.

Even so, the joy of being able to learn from Luna and Arion again was greater.

'I want to become strong quickly and stand on the battlefield with my masters.'

Verkia knew.

Standing on the battlefield meant risking one's life.

Because of that, she felt fear.

But more than that, she wanted to be helpful to her masters.

To Verkia, they were benefactors before they were masters.

'Master Luna and Master Arion don't like it when I talk like this, though.'

Verkia pouted.

Clutching the grimoire Luna had left behind, Verkia walked down the corridor of Gadthron's central castle.

'I hope they come back soon.'

Just then, the castle corridor began to grow noisy.

'They're back!'

Verkia rushed towards the sound.

As Verkia ran down the corridor leading to the warp gate, loud voices reached her ears from around the corner.

"Masters! You're back…!"

The moment she rounded the corner with a bright smile.

"Healers! Quick, healers!"

"Lord Dweno is seriously injured!"

"I'm fine, treat Arion and the other wounded first!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Luna! Kyle's injuries are serious! Quick, healing magic…!"

"Wait! Lysinas! This guy is the most urgent right now! Arion, snap out of it!"

"Lysinas, I'm fine, treat Arion first."

"But…"

"Go to that idiot! I can go to the infirmary by myself!"

"Ah, alright. Don't overdo it!"

"You fool! That's not courage, it's recklessness!"

People with pale faces were dedicated to treating the heroes who had returned from the expedition.

Countless healers swarmed around those with serious injuries.

Especially Arion's wounds were gruesome.

Verkia's face turned pale.

Verkia, gripping the grimoire tightly, hid herself around the corner of the corridor.

Healers rushed frantically down the corridor.

"Lord Kyle! Quick, for treatment…!"

"I'm fine, see to the others first. I'll go to the infirmary and treat myself."

Kyle said calmly as he exited the warp gate.

Indeed, his injuries weren't life-threatening.

Kyle had simply gone to rescue Arion, who had suddenly charged to the front lines to seize victory.

His situation was better than Arion's or the other heroes'.

Step- step-

The sound of blood-soaked footsteps was heard.

Thud-!

"Ugh-! Damn it."

Kyle cursed as he bent his knee.

But it was by no means a light injury.

Kyle's hands trembled.

Then he felt a gaze and raised his head.

"Ma-Master Kyle…"

"Verkia, is that you…?"

Kyle made a bitter expression and looked at the large grimoire Verkia was clutching tightly.

And he smiled.

"Did you finish your assignments?"

"Yes…"

"…That was fast. Well done."

Verkia's eyes widened.

It was a simple compliment, but it was the first time Kyle had praised her.

Kyle tried to stand up, then swayed.

"M-Master! I'll help you!"

Verkia dropped the grimoire and supported Kyle.

Kyle didn't refuse.

That's how bad his condition was.

"He-Healer! Healer, quick, over here! Master Kyle's condition is…!"

"Verkia."

Kyle called Verkia's name softly, as she searched for a healer with a pale face.

Verkia looked up and saw Kyle's gray eyes.

Those eyes were different from their usual bleakness.

There was a hint of sorrow and sadness, and…

"Become strong quickly. Become strong and… stand on the battlefield with me."

He understood Verkia, who wanted to stand on the battlefield and lighten her masters' burden.

And there was self-loathing.

Self-loathing for asking his young disciple to stand on the battlefield.

Luna and Arion.

And Kyle were different.

Luna and Arion wanted their disciple to live a peaceful life no matter what.

They taught Verkia because they wanted her to have the ability to protect herself, not because they wanted a companion to stand on the battlefield with them.

But Kyle was different.

In this era… Verkia would inevitably stand on the battlefield.

The fate of a disciple born in an unpeaceful era was sad and regrettable.

At the same time, he understood her desire to follow her masters and stand on the battlefield.

Because it was an era where she had no choice.

If that's the case…

'She shouldn't have the weakness of relying on others.'

That was why Kyle was so harsh on Verkia.

Because they didn't know when they would die.

So that their disciple, who would be forced to live a life of struggle if they disappeared, could become independent sooner.

Only now did she understand.

Kyle's strictness, which didn't tolerate any of her childish whims.

Verkia looked at Kyle with fearful eyes.

She was suddenly scared, as if Kyle might disappear at any moment.

"Help me to the infirmary."

Verkia gritted her teeth, looking at Kyle, whose eyes had somehow returned to being emotionless.

"…Yes."

Verkia silently supported Kyle and headed to the infirmary.

Even while severely injured and being supported, Kyle exuded strength.

Enough strength to make one want to lean on him.

But Verkia put that thought aside.

'…Is this what it feels like to have a father?'

Thinking that, Verkia moved her feet.

***

Goooooooh-!

Leo looked at Verkia, who was bowing her head deeply.

In those days, the young girl was gone.

Now, only a disciple remained, who had overcome countless battlefields.

Saved the world. Led it… and then became disillusioned.

Swoosh-

Verkia stood upright.

In that movement, only the instinct of the deceased remained, burning hatred towards the living.

'In that era, I could only teach you how to endure alone.'

Step- step-

Leo approached Verkia.

But times had changed.

There was no need to bear everything and endure.

'We ended that era. So you don't need to live the way we had to.'

He should have taught her how to live differently, but he couldn't.

So.

"Now, I will teach you how to lean."

And…

Leo stopped walking and looked back.

"Watch and learn carefully."

Leo, having spoken softly, gazed straight ahead.

"This is…"

Leo bent his knee.

"Because this is the battle of those who had to live in that era."

CRASH-!

Leo pushed off the ground and charged towards Verkia.