Book 14 Chapter 22
Episode 35
It is said that a young wizard rescued everyone from the assailants who attacked the Great Bridge and then disappeared without a word.
When everyone asked who he was, he only left the words, "I am the strongest wizard… nothing more, nothing less," and then departed.
Lista, who had come down to the Great Bridge, saw people whispering about Rin as they regained control of their bodies.
"Who was it?"
The Central Border troops, who had not been affected by Paradona's wires, came up and were listening to the incident.
"He was a cute little kid in a straw hat. But, you know, he was toying with four fierce adults."
"Is that all?"
"He knocked them all down, made them regurgitate something, and then collected it. And then some archer appeared, took the kid, and jumped off the bridge over there."
All the members of [Grizzly Bear's Roar] were unconscious and in a coma. Although it was unknown what kind of shock they had suffered, there seemed to be no threat to their lives.
Lista smiled with satisfaction.
However, thinking of the expression Rin showed earlier, a pang of pain remained in a corner of her heart.
- I hate it… I hate it!
What was that expression?
Was it helplessness at having to send Lista alone into a dangerous fight, or was it anxiety about being left alone?
'I set out to create a world where everyone could smile freely as the origin of the Holy Sword…
She wondered if it made her unqualified as a hero to even make her hero party companions unable to smile.
"Ah, you're here."
Rin was waiting on the opposite bank of [Stella Great Bridge]. Archer Jack, whom they had captured before, was with him.
"This archer helped me."
Rin explained before Lista could even ask.
"Did you know this would happen, so you let him eat with us?"
Rin asked, genuinely curious. Lista gave a tired smile along with a shrug of her shoulders.
"Of course not. I just wished it would turn out this way."
Archer Jack, who had been looking at the distant mountains, opened his mouth.
"That slash earlier, which seemed to collapse the dimension itself… that must be the hero's power. Does your return mean the captain is dead?"
"He was completely integrated with [King's Flesh] and couldn't be saved. If we had delayed any longer, more damage would have occurred. I'm sorry. It's all because of my inadequacy."
"I don't know why the strongest person apologizes all the time like that."
Then Rin's eyes widened.
"The strongest wizard himself hasn't apologized for anything yet."
"?"
"?"
"Gyung…"
"Why, did I say something wrong?"
As Lista sighed, implying she couldn't stop him, Jack continued with the main point.
"The captain wasn't this evil, but after he got the flesh, he completely changed as a person. It's like the evil inside him grew stronger. The same goes for the other comrades, and I was like that when I attacked you. I should thank you for stopping that rampage."
"What will you do now?"
"What do you mean, what will I do?"
Jack, who had been looking at the mountains beyond the great river, turned around and handed Lista the last remaining baby flesh. A bitter look hung in his eyes.
"The hero promised to personally write a petition for rehabilitation to the Inquisition, so it's better to surrender now than to be caught after being hunted down; the sentence will be lighter."
"I see."
"If you meet Brother Kies, I hope you can give him my regards with this baby flesh. Don't tell him about my miserable state. Just tell him I'm doing well."
As if even this time was precious, Rin, who was sitting on a rock reading a book, opened his mouth. His expression was blank, and his gaze was still fixed on the book.
"I'll tell him you helped me when I was in danger."
Jack stared at Rin with wide-open eyes.
At that one casually uttered remark, his eyes seemed to well up with moisture, as if he had received immense comfort.
Jack concealed his change in expression with his hood. A self-deprecating smile hung on his shadowed lips.
"That's enough. No, it's more than I deserve…"
Lista liked Rin's pure reaction from the moment they first met.
Untainted purity…
Rin might just be honest with his own emotions. But it was precisely that unhidden and un-deceptive attitude that made people feel comfortable.
Archer Jack must have been moved by the fact that those words were a genuine reaction, not pretense.
"Mercenary life in my later years, helping the hero's party and then surrendering… I've got a good story to tell my grandchildren later."
"Gyugyut!"
"If I may give you one piece of advice out of caution… be careful of the guy who called himself the [Strongest Wizard]."
"How can I be careful of myself?"
Lista and Sval glared at Rin again. Jack said,
"You are incredibly strong, but that guy was on a completely different level. He was strong enough to suppress all of us with just the puppet's magic."
"!"
"Perhaps… he's on par with, or even greater than, a hero who has unleashed their full power."
Lista swallowed dryly at Jack's sincere advice. Jack shrugged with a self-deprecating smile.
"Of course, it's funny for a mere person like me to discuss the level of beings like you…"
"It's not funny. Thank you for the advice."
"Then."
After Jack left for the Great Bridge, Lista put Shirpen down and sat with her back against Rin's.
For a moment, they remained like that.
No one spoke first. The river wind blew away the yellow dust, and the fresh air stung their noses.
"Rin, you didn't kill any of the mercenaries."
"It's just a reward for giving me a delicious experience in becoming the [Strongest Wizard]."
"You're shy again. It's because of what I said, isn't it?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? Stop imagining things."
"Gyung gyung."
The young wizard companion, who was so pure and honest that he couldn't even lie properly.
Lista wished this boy could always smile by her side. Not making him wear the expression he had earlier.
To do that, Lista would have to try a little harder.
'I've suppressed my power as much as possible to save my lifespan until the end of my calling… but from now on, I must use it when necessary.'