The faint flow of mana.
It was a weak current that I wouldn’t have even noticed under normal circumstances, but with focused concentration, I could sense it now.
‘So this is what it’s like.’
I finally understood what Artisha meant when she said that living beings unconsciously release mana. Feeling the flow of mana, I slowly opened my closed eyes.
Nod.
—Nod.
In response to my signal, Da-eun also nodded.
“Kana. Did you know that your sister really, really likes you?”
It was a phrase I wouldn’t have been able to understand before, as I had only just started learning Arkish.
But it’s different now.I’ve learned how the Demonic Race communicates from Artisha.
I read the intention Da-eun conveyed through her mana.
“…‘I’m an expert who can’t even properly use a sword. What a noob I am’?”
“No! That’s totally wrong!”
Da-eun shouted.
“How could ‘I really, really like you’ turn into ‘I’m a noob’?!”
“Hmm, I think it’s possible.”
“It’s not possible! That’s completely different!”
“But if I can’t understand, what am I supposed to do?”
“Then could you just say you don’t get it…?”
“I don’t want to. It hurts my pride.”
“…Ugh, I can’t stand it! You’re so annoying!”
S-t-r-e-t-c-h—
“…Mmngng.”
Da-eun pulled at my cheek, stretching it out.
I couldn’t help but think, ‘I didn’t know my cheek could stretch this far.’
“Be honest. You’re just understanding what you want to understand, right? Otherwise, how could you catch words like chocolate, meat, or kid, but not understand other sentences?”
“Mmmng?”
“…What are you saying? I can’t understand you.”
“Mmng….”
If you want me to understand, at least let go of my cheek and talk. It doesn’t hurt, but looking at my cheek being stretched out like a sticky rice cake makes me feel weird.
When I sent her a pleading look, Da-eun finally let go of my cheek. I didn’t need a mirror to know that my cheek had turned bright red.
I rubbed my warm cheek as I grumbled.
“Is this really my fault?”
After I began to understand Da-eun’s words, we conducted a lot of experiments.
Checking if I could understand when Da-eun and Celine spoke Arkish, and testing if Celine could understand me in return.
The success rate was less than half… around 30%, or perhaps even less.
It’s not a high success rate overall, but considering that it’s a skill I’ve only just acquired, wouldn’t you say it’s a satisfactory achievement?
That’s what I think.
“You can’t expect to be good at something right from the start.”
“…Of all people, you shouldn’t be the one saying that, Kana!”
“…Why?”
“You seriously don’t know? You always teased me, calling me a noob!”
With an indignant voice, Da-eun reached out to grab me again.
I was caught off guard before, but not this time.
I shook my head vigorously, dodging her grasp.
“It’s easier to understand things you’re interested in….”
Artisha, who had been quietly watching our exchange, spoke up.
“It’s the same with listening…. If people are talking about something you’re not interested in, do you really pay attention to it…?”
“Hmm… Not really, I guess?”
“That’s how it is…. Honestly, it’s amazing you succeeded even once…. You’ll be able to read other things once you get used to it….”
“See? Even Artisha says so.”
This means I wasn’t doing it wrong.
“Don’t look so smug.”
Unable to catch me, Da-eun clicked her tongue in frustration and lowered her hand.
Even though she looked at me with an irritated expression, she didn’t seem to have the resolve to try again. It was quite a sight.
I guess she should’ve trained harder instead of slacking off.
With that in mind, I also needed to train to develop my newly acquired skill further.
“We’ll have a simple meal and then head out.”
I decided to put that off for later.
Since we already had plans for today.
“Are we leaving already?”
“I understand.”
“Got it…”
There was only one objection.
But even that was more of a differing opinion than a complete opposition.
“We don’t know how long it will take, so we should head out as early as possible.”
If we end up getting there late and it’s already dark, it’s going to be a hassle.
Even though I’ve long surpassed the point where darkness hinders me, I still feel an instinctive aversion to it.
“Kana, you don’t like the dark either? No matter how mature you act, there’s still something adorable about you.”
“Yeah. It reminds me of the time I lived in the back alleys, so I don’t like it.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“I’m joking.”
The mood suddenly turned somber.
I said it was a joke, but Da-eun’s expression showed no signs of brightening up.
…It really was just a joke.
Despite my efforts to lighten the mood that I had unintentionally shoved into a metaphorical gutter, all my attempts ended in failure.
No, failure would have been better—my efforts only made it worse.
No matter what I said, her gaze was filled with a deep understanding, so I eventually gave up trying to explain.
My lack of social skills and conversational ability weren’t enough to pull the atmosphere out of the gutter, so instead of trying to change the mood, I opted to switch topics altogether.
“Anyway, I plan to head out soon. Artisha.”
“Yes…?”
“Please guide us.”
“I was planning on going with you anyway… I want to see that thing fall….”
Despite her drowsy tone, the belligerent Artisha readily accepted my request.
“I’ll help, too.”
Through Da-eun’s translation, Celine, who had been listening to our conversation, also offered to assist without hesitation.
There was no reason to refuse help from a nun in training, so I gladly accepted her assistance.
Me, Artisha, Celine, and a few members of the Demonic Race who would help us.
Our party to hunt down Krumo’s Shadow was almost complete.
I wasn’t sure how much help Artisha and the other Demonic Race members would be, but since Artisha was confident, it should be fine.
“Then, let’s eat and head out right—”
“Joanie, stay here.”
“…Huh?”
I cut off Da-eun’s words.
“M-me?”
“Is there anyone else here with that name?”
“There isn’t, but… No, that’s not the point!”
Da-eun pushed her chair back with a forceful thud and stood up.
“Why am I the only one being told to stay behind when Celine and Artisha are going too?!”
“Because you’re weak.”
“….”
Her words of protest were cut short.
It seemed she couldn’t bring herself to deny her weakness. After hesitating for a moment, she finally found something to say.
“W-what about Laxia? Laxia is just as dangerous, but you said I could go there….”
“We’re not going to fight in Laxia—”
“Still! It’s dangerous all the same.”
“Hmm… Is that so? …So, do you really not want to stay behind?”
“I-it’s not that I don’t want to go. I just don’t understand why I can’t come with you this time.”
Was she that afraid of being left alone?
Unlike her usual self, who shuddered at the mere mention of “fighting,” she was being unusually stubborn this time.
No matter what I said, she stood her ground.
“Why are you being so stubborn about this?”
“…Kana, you were being stubborn earlier too.”
“That’s different.”
It wasn’t stubbornness—I was just stating something I was supposed to do.
Besides, combat ability is directly related to fighting.
“It’s not different at all.”
Da-eun shook her head.
“Are you saying all this because you’re worried about me? Because you’re afraid I might get hurt while fighting Krumo’s Shadow?”
“…Yeah.”
“I feel the same way. How can I just sit back and watch while my little sister is going off to do something dangerous?”
“…”
Da-eun said that her concern was the same as mine.
Honestly, I found it a bit frustrating that she kept insisting on coming to dangerous places.
For a moment, I even wondered if she had some other purpose. But then, the flow of mana carried by her words reached me.
It was filled with the worry and concern she had mentioned.
“I understand what you’re saying.”
“Then—”
Even so, I couldn’t just accept her words at face value.
“It’s still a no.”
I’m confident in hunting down enemies, but I’m not confident in protecting someone.
Protecting others was my father’s specialty.
“Fine… I’ll just wait here, then.”
Seeing that things were getting heated, Celine finally stepped in to mediate, and Da-eun reluctantly backed down.
But it was clear from her expression that she wasn’t happy about it.
…I don’t plan on changing my decision, but I do feel a little bad.
It’s partly because I made her feel left out, and partly because I had those unfounded suspicions.
Even though I hadn’t said it out loud, the fact that I even considered such thoughts weighed on my mind.
“…When I get back.”
“Huh?”
“When I finish the hunt and come back, I’ll do you a favor.”
Looking puzzled, Da-eun tilted her head.
“Oh… Usually, this is where you call it a ‘wish,’ right?”
“That’s too grandiose.”
“Then… does that mean I get to hold you and cuddle you all day if I want?”
“…Is that what you want?”
I hesitantly nodded.
Should I call that simple, or should I say she’s honest about her desires?
“If that’s what you want.”
“Yay! You promised, so you have to keep it. Okay?”
“Got it.”
Da-eun probably had no idea what I was thinking.
Even though I didn’t lie, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of guilt, as if I had deceived her.
“I’ll definitely come back alive.”
“…What?”
“If I come back safely… yeah, let’s have a meal together.”
“W-wait, Kana…?”
“Don’t worry. Joanie, you know how skilled I am. I’ll take care of it quickly and come back, so just wait for me.”
“…You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?! You’re deliberately setting a flag, aren’t you?!”
“A flag? What’s that?”
“Ugh….”
I told her not to worry, but instead of easing her anxiety, Da-eun’s face only grew more tense than before I said anything.
What’s going on with her?
I don’t get it.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter