Chapter 220

Chapter 220

TL: Zimmings

While I was looking at him with a bemused expression, the boy shook his head and helped me up to my feet.

As I walked out with the boy holding my wrist, I was greeted by a stunning sight that felt out of this world.

All of the buildings were adorned with gold, and magic equipment that I had never seen before floated through the air. People of all ages were wearing pants that barely reached their knees, and they were wearing magic tools on their arms, necks, and fingers.

The boy hurriedly ran to the building that looked like a temple.

Upon entering, I noticed a large number of people who were hiding their faces.

A voice came from behind us while we were seated in the front row.

[... It seems like you had a good night's sleep today.]

Those sarcastic words felt strangely familiar.

'Pymon!'

The boy muttered, casting a cold glance behind him.

[Your only talent is waking up early.]

[What!?]

[Stop it. How is it that every time we get together, you guys get into a fight? Child, give me the handkerchief. Let me wipe off your eye boogers.

'...... Boone.'

Before I could reach out for Boone's hand, the boy smacked it away. Then, he grabbed my face and started rubbing it with my sleeves.

[Ouch!]

The boy grabbed my nose and shook it as I screamed in surprise.

[It would have been better if you woke up a little earlier and washed your face.]

[You're the one who woke me up late.]

I covered my mouth in surprise. Unlike the first time, the mouth moves on its own. It was as if someone was controlling them. The boy narrowed his eyes and replied,

[You're very shameless huh? I've been telling you to go to bed early.]

[But, Boone called Uncle Nikour and Aunt Adelteva yesterday.]

[I've been telling you not to play with Boone. How many times do I have to tell you that...!]

[You're getting along well as usual.]

The door opened and another familiar voice entered her ears.

When a person dressed in a tattered robe walked into the temple, the people gathered in the temple immediately lowered their heads.

I didn't greet the person and instead simply smiled, but the boy quickly pressed my head down.

I lifted my head and made eye contact with the person in shabby robe, then laughed brightly.

That was also not my intention.

This body moved on its own.

'Does that mean I'm dreaming right now? Is it possible that I'm seeing this girl's life through a dream?'

I couldn't make out the person's face beneath that tattered robe.

[It's nice to see Neliard and.... getting along well.]

When he heard those words, the boy laughed bitterly.

[...... It's because she's immature. I can't take my eyes off her.]

When the person was about to say the girl's name, the voice faltered.

The girl murmured under her breath while pouting.

[My brother is a nag.]

[You...!]

[You nagged at me every day. Even a woodpecker couldn't win against you.]

The boy's demeanour clouded. I dashed towards the person wearing a tattered robe and hid behind their back, so that the boy couldn't come closer.

Laughter erupted all around us. Boone chuckled gently and covered his mouth. Glasalabolas, who was visible in the distance, bared his fangs and growled.

The person in tattered robes grinned and sat down on the chair. I chattered away as I leaned my face on their lap.

[Yesterday, Boone called Uncle Nikour. Uncle Nikour said his son was sick and he could not go to bed. Serga-nim*, can you heal the child?]

*TL Notes: The girl called him politely, hence the nim, but I couldn't find the equivalent for a gender neutral address.

'Serga?'

It took me by surprise when I realized that Neliard, whom I had seen in my previous dream, referred the Evil God as Serga.

Serga, Neliard...... Neliard's younger sister and 72 devils.

'It's the ancient times. I'm dreaming of the ancient times about Serga and the shepherd siblings!'

***

I gazed at the old crop with a look of dismay.

[Come here, child. It is a crop that humans in my jurisdiction have successfully harvested. I brought it because it seemed to suit your taste.]

I met Boone, Pymon and many more people here. We often banter, and we were quite familiar with each other.

'To be precise, it's not me, but this girl.'

I took a bite of the sweet potato that Boone gave me and shouted.

[Sweet!]

After saying so, a huge smile appeared on my face.

'I felt so uncomfortable sharing consciousness with this girl.'

[I thought you'd like it! Now your favorite strawberry!]

[Boone, you're the best! You're dazzling!]

When I came face to face with Boone, the boy grabbed my wrist and dragged me away. I coughed due to the impact. The boy sighed and patted my back.

[Water?]

I nodded and wiped the sweet potato crumbs from my lips with the back of my hands. The boy took my hand off my lips and gently wiped my lips. Then he gives me water from the bottle.

It seemed like the siblings were very close, and the boy was used to taking care of his sister.

[If you want to, you can go home.]

[What about you?]

[I have to go across the river with Serga. It will take a few days, so please be patient. Okay?]

[But......! Can't I go too? I'll be quiet. I'll keep my mouth shut like this, please?]

As I said with both hands covering my mouth, the boy who was staring at me opened his mouth.

[No.]

[Ugh...]

Just then, a man who had come to deliver Serga's words beckoned to the boy.

[Hurry, let's go.]

Seeing the boy following the messenger, I shouted.

[Jerk! Neliard is a jerk!]

As I sobbed, Boone became restless and came over to console me.

[The war was getting fierce across the river. Neliard is afraid you'll get caught up in battle.]

[But my brother is always going there all the time. I'm afraid every day until my brother comes back. Boone, when do I become a pioneer?]

[When the time comes, you will manifest your power.]

[Like Boone summoning the dead?]

[Yes, it's a skill.]

[My brother had no power but he became a pioneer....... Why can't I be like him too?]

As I put on a melancholy expression, Pymon hit my forehead.

[It hurts!]

[[A pioneer is a person who leads others in the right direction. You are not good enough to be a guide. Don't change the topic.]

[But Pymon only plays instruments every day!]

[Shut up.]

[Idiot! Fool! Stupid!]

[What?! Where did you learn to say that!]

[Stupid Pymon!]

[Hey?!]

As I was getting into a heated debate with Pymon, a blue-haired man came up to us and said, [Hey, stop it. Let's just go. I'll take you home.]

Pymon was still enraged when I snorted at him and turned my head away from him.

Boone grabbed Pymon's arms and stopped him, as he smiled softly at me.

I took the blue-haired man's hand and walked through a field full of rice.

[Everyone sees me as a child. I mean, I'm eight now. I'm all grown up.]

[Eight years old is still young.]

[My brother carried me across the desert at the age of eight.]

[That's the great thing about Neliard.]

[Why am I not great....... Am I just a burden to my brother?]

The man who stopped walking bent one knee and made eye contact with me.

[Why do you think so?]

[People said so. Even though my brother is a pioneer, it's because of me that he hasn't been able to manifest his powers yet. I'm a cursed child who made my parents dead, even my brother's powers are fading away.]

[There are worms in the human heart. In times of strength, it coils up; in times of weakness, it digs into the human's heart and causes them to get ill. Thus, jealousy, greed, and selfishness arise.]

[.......]

[Those who spoke such words were obviously weak. They passed their pains to others.]

[.......]

[Does Neliard think you are a burden?]

I hugged the blue-haired man's neck and cried.

[No.]

[Then?]

[My brother always strokes my hair in the middle of the night and tells me in a friendly voice. He wants to make a better world for me, and he doesn't want to make anyone hungry again.]

[So what about you?]

[When I grow up, I want to help him too.]

The blue-haired man lightly rubbed my face.

[How could he have such a wonderful little sister?]

[...... Really?]

[Of course.]

I covered my mouth and laughed.

The wind gently brushed my hair. As if God was stroking my hair.

The boy went to the other side of the river with God, and every day I waited in front of the river for the boy and God to return.

The passage of time was brisk. Winter had already arrived here.

A blanket was draped over my shoulder as I squatted in front of the frozen river, staring out into the distance. Next to me were a white rabbit and basket of fruit.

The basket containing potatoes was given by Boone, the white rabbit was given by Pymon, the pioneers took turns to take care of me.

'She is loved.'

Once again, time went by, and spring came. The frozen river melted and the fire on the other side of the river was extinguished.

And then it rained heavily for a while. From a distance, a boat could be seen gliding along the rushing river.

I got up and waved my hand.

[Brother, brother!]

[There....... water...... above......!]

Because he was far away, it was difficult to hear the boy's voice.

[You're here early this time! brother! I waited patiently. I was quiet-]

I went near the river with a joyful heart, and then I tripped. I felt like my body was leaning, and in an instant, the water rushed over me.

My nose was filled with water. It was painful because I couldn't breathe. It seemed like the shadow of death was grabbing my ankles, and I struggled with fear.

As the force entered my body, I continued to sink.

A voice echoed in my head.

Mom, dad... Serga.

'Brother......!!'

My body became limp in the water. My vision turned black, however a faint light appeared amidst the darkness.

'A resting place.......'

While I was thinking about it, my body was suddenly pulled towards me.

[Wake up!]

It was the voice of a boy who called me.

'Brother.......'

A hand fervently shook me, but I was unable to open my eyes.

[Wake up, please!]

The boy sobbed.

[Leblaine......!]

And called me that.

He called me 'Leblaine'.