Chapter 138

***

The lodgings Akron had arranged for us was a grand, six-story mansion.

When we arrived at the estate by carriage, a middle-aged woman in a fine gown came out to greet us.

“Welcome to Akron. We received word from the Council of Elders and have been expecting you.”

Johan exchanged greetings with her on behalf of everyone.

“Thank you for the warm welcome. I am Johan Scha Nute.”

“If your surname is Nute… you must be a paladin. I am Suren Zac, the master of Hwaon, and I will be ensuring your comfortable stay.”

“What is Hwaon?”

“That is the name of this mansion.”

“Ah, I see. It’s a very fine estate.”

“That’s kind of you to say. Thank you.”

Suren smiled gently. The fine wrinkles on her face gave her an elegant air.

“I do apologize, but I wasn’t provided with a description of everyone. Might I ask which of you is the guild master of Guardian?”

Everyone turned to look at me, currently being carried on Alex’s back. Suren asked with a worried expression.

“Could it be… that the one being carried is the guild master?”

Unable to even open my mouth, Alex answered for me.

“Yeah.”

“Oh my, is the guild master unwell?”

“Motion sickness. From the teleportation magic.”

“Oh dear… She must be sensitive to mana. I will have some tea prepared to help settle her stomach.”

“And some warm soup.”

“Won’t that be too hot for her?”

“She threw up. Three times.”

“I see, we must soothe her stomach as well. And you are, sir…?”

“Alex Ruthius.”

“You must be the Young Duke of House Ruthius. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Just call me Alex.”

“Understood, Alex. And may I have the name of the gentleman beside you?”

Even if they weren’t close allies, the name of the Taikan Empire’s prince was known even in Akron.

“You don’t need to know.”

Dante’s cold reply made Suren’s expression falter slightly.

“Ah… Then, I shall simply call you ‘guest.’ Lastly, may I know the name of the person behind you?”

She was pointing at Kaiel.

He was tall and completely wrapped in a black robe, exuding a chilly aura even while standing perfectly still.

“…Kaiel.”

“Welcome, Kaiel.”

After greeting everyone, Suren gestured with her eyes to a child who was waiting nearby.

“You must be tired, so I will show you to your bedrooms first. Gentlemen, please follow this child. I will escort Guild Master Astell myself.”

I followed Suren while still on Alex’s back.

The bedroom assigned to me was on the third floor.

Judging by its location and size, it seemed to be the best one in the mansion. They must have given it special consideration for the guild master.

Upon entering the room, Alex carefully laid me down on the bed.

“You okay? You look like a corpse right now.”

“…I’m about to be one.”

“Want to try drinking some water?”

“…No.”

“Tsk, who does she take after to be so frail? Honestly, it’s one thing after another.”

Though he grumbled, Alex still took off my boots. Then he spoke with Suren.

“Suren, the guild master’s in no state to eat soup. Could you bring the tea first?”

“That would be best. Please wait just a moment.”

Suren went outside.

Alex finished removing my uniform jacket and pulled the sheet over me.

He must have seen it somewhere, because he started massaging my hands and feet.

“Your hands and feet are cold… But you should have said something if you were feeling sick. Why’d you just foolishly endure it?”

I thought I only had to endure it once or twice. I never imagined we’d have to switch between six different teleportation circles.

Thanks to that, we arrived in the Akron Magic Kingdom in the afternoon. We had crossed a distance that would have taken over a month by horse in just half a day.

The problem was me.

Being sensitive to mana, I couldn’t handle the six teleportation circles. I felt as if I were on a constantly rocking ship, my stomach churning and my head spinning.

Of course, Johan had tried to heal me, but it hadn’t helped.

I would feel better for a moment, but as soon as I stepped onto another magic circle, the motion sickness would return worse than before, as if I had never been treated at all.

Eventually, I lost all strength to even stand and had to be carried by Alex from the fourth magic circle onward.

A short while later, Suren returned with the tea.

“Alex, the tea is ready. What should I do?”

“Give it to me.”

Alex helped me sit up and brought the cup to my lips.

“Try to drink. Slowly… That’s it.”

The minty-scented tea flowed down my throat.

I was in no condition to drink anything, but I had to if I wanted to live. I honestly felt like I was going to die.

After I forced down the tea, Alex gently wiped my mouth.

“How is it? Feel any better? Want some more?”

When I shook my head, Suren offered her opinion cautiously.

“The tea will make her drowsy. A good, long nap will help her feel much better when she wakes up.”

“Astell, want to sleep?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright. I’ll wake you up when it’s time for dinner.”

Alex and Suren left the bedroom.

“Haa… I’m dying.”

The moment I collapsed weakly onto the bed, a series of message windows popped up.

[System: You have successfully completed the quest <Accept Miyorn’s Proposal>.]

[You have acquired a Memory Fragment. (5/7)]

[The acquired item can be viewed in your inventory.]

[System: Would you like to play the Memory Fragment (5/7)?]

[YES] / [NO]

“I should check it…”

– Anonymous Constellation: It’s not like you’ll die if you don’t do it now. Do it later.

– Anonymous Constellation: You look like you’re about to die. Let’s rest for now.

– Anonymous Constellation: Tsk, tsk, tsk… The number one ranker gets motion sickness…

– Anonymous Constellation: ??? Is there a law that says the number one ranker can’t get motion sickness???

“…”

The constellations were bickering again, but I didn’t even have the energy to stop them.

I couldn’t do anything right now. I didn’t have the stamina to focus on anything.

‘Later.’

I selected [NO] and closed my eyes.

***

Someone gently caressed the leg in a cast. It was an injury I’d gotten from fighting a Dark Knight for a full day.

“…I’m so upset, I could die.”

A quiet voice.

I woke up instantly but didn’t open my eyes. I knew that if I did, Shinwoo would leave.

“You’re hurt again? Why are you always getting hurt? Are you the only Hunter there is? Everyone else is fine, so why is it always you who gets hurt!”

He was furious with me just a moment ago, and now he was worried. And he had come secretly while I was asleep…

‘Such a good kid.’

Afraid that Shinwoo might find out I was awake, I controlled my breathing and focused on listening.

I heard the sounds of him tidying up and the refrigerator door opening. He was probably checking if there was anything to eat inside.

Crinkle, crinkle. I heard the rustling of a plastic bag. I could tell just by the sound. He must have bought a ton of my favorite jellies.

After a long series of hurried footsteps, I heard the rolling of wheels.

It seemed he had brought the visitor’s chair closer to the bed.

‘He’s sitting right next to me? Is he looking at me?’

He was surprisingly perceptive. He might realize I was awake.

“Mmm…”

I mumbled in my sleep and naturally turned my face away from Shinwoo.

Shinwoo pulled the blanket up to my chin. Soon, the sound of a soft song reached my ears.

“Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth…”

‘He’s singing that song again…’

I didn’t have the skill to understand the Latin lyrics, but Shinwoo hummed it so often that I had memorized the melody.

‘Whose brother is he… to be such a good singer? Maybe I should make him a celebrity when he’s healthy.’

It wasn’t just because he was my brother; Shinwoo had a truly beautiful voice.

Listening to his clean, clear voice felt like it was washing away everything impure.

The song, which had repeated about three times, came to an end.

‘I wish he’d sing more…’

Just as I was inwardly lamenting, the scent of freshly laundered and dried clothes wafted over.

It was Shinwoo’s unique scent. I instinctively squeezed my eyes shut and held my breath.

The next moment.

Something warm and soft lightly touched my cheek before pulling away.

“Good night, sis.”

A moment later, the hospital room door opened and quietly closed. Shinwoo was gone.

I shot up and touched my cheek.

“What… what was that?”

It wasn’t my imagination. What just touched my cheek was…

***

*Creeak.*

A sound from somewhere made my eyes fly open. The ceiling was unfamiliar.

‘Where am I…’

Ah, that’s right, I’m in Akron.

My head was foggy. The effects of the tea must still be lingering.

‘It was a dream…’

This was the first time I had met Shinwoo in a dream rather than a Memory Fragment. It felt like a gift.

I gently touched my cheek.

I knew because I had been awake at the time. What touched my cheek was definitely Shinwoo’s lips. I remembered how his breath had trembled then.

But I never let on. I never asked Shinwoo why he did it.

It was because I was afraid everything would change if I heard Shinwoo’s true feelings.

So I pretended not to know. I thought if I desperately ignored it, it would be as if it never happened.

‘I was so stupid…’

I wouldn’t have acted that way if it were now.

‘What’s the point of regretting it now? Shinwoo’s gone…’

Just as I was thinking that and laughing at myself, a voice sang.

“My holy Mother, may you be praised. May you be praised.”

“…!”

I heard a familiar melody. I shot up from the bed.

“Astell, you’re awake?”

Shinwoo was smiling, bathed in the brilliant sunlight.