LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 62
A quiet space.
Only the dim light of a bulb illuminated the dark room. It was quite messy and disorganized, filled with incomprehensible materials and old books. On the other side, there were eerie-looking substances and occult symbols lined up.
In this space, which resembled a witch’s house, sat an individual who felt completely out of place.
A woman lazily slumped in a chair, her dusty hoodie draped over her.
Just by looking at her expression, one could easily guess her discomfort.
The closed door opened, and a new figure entered.
A girl wrapped in a robe that made her look like the owner of the house.
“You’re already here. You’re quick.”
“Really? Are you sure you saw properly?”
“Is that why you rushed over? Who even is this person?”
“Just answer quickly! Is it real or not!?”
Well, she’s as hot-headed as always.
Lea sighed and nodded.
“Curly cream-colored hair. I definitely saw that.”
“……..”
Yeon Hwa, biting her lip hard, finally asked the girl.
“What did her face look like?”
“Um… It’s hard to explain in words.”
“Then at least draw a picture.”
Lea looked at her with a baffled expression at the command-like request.
“You’re kidding, right? Anyone would think you owe her money. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”
“Just… please. This is really important to me.”
“Ugh. Fine, I’ll do it. Just wait a moment.”
The girl leisurely hummed a tune while grabbing some paper and a pen.
Each second felt precious, but Yeon Hwa couldn’t help but fidget her feet with no room to protest.
Finally, Lea finished and presented the montage based on her memory.
“Done. This is what she looks like.”
“Your drawing skills are awful.”
“……That’s harsh.”
Yeon Hwa frowned as she glared at the drawing.
Aside from the lack of drawing skills, the face was entirely different from her expectations.
“Is she really like this? You’re sure?”
“Of course. What do you think I am, a sorceress with poor memory?”
“Doesn’t she look a bit more gentle? A bit like a herbivore…?”
Lea tapped her chin and thought back while shaking her head firmly.
“No. She had a more deadly style. More predator than prey. Yeah, definitely.”
She checked the drawing again.
Indeed, the person in the sketch exuded a cold and aloof vibe, not that Lea’s drawing skills were bad; it was just a completely different person.
Yet, she clung to this fraying hope with desperation.
“Any other features? Don’t you remember anything? Like… a mole on her cheek.”
“No, nothing.”
Hearing the firm reply drained all the strength from her body.
Well, I guess it’s to be expected. Who would have thought I’d cling to such useless hope?
Yu Hana was already dead.
She had fallen from a cloud so high that the ground was out of sight; there’s no way she could’ve survived.
Even if, by some slim chance, she did survive, the gate has closed, and she can’t return.
Why did I ever think she was alive?
There are tons of people with similar hairstyles everywhere.
Was it because she was with a demon? But Yu Hana wasn’t a demon.
She sighed deeply, running her hands over her face.
Even after six months, it seems like a short time to completely forget.
Well, considering the time I spent with her was even shorter, that’s a moot point.
Lea, who had been quietly observing, cautiously extended a word of comfort.
“That girl? The friend you’re looking for.”
“I’m not looking for her. She’s already dead.”
“What are you going to do from now on? Are you just going to keep living like this?”
A first-degree criminal. Essentially treated the same as a demon.
She was lost, wandering around the world, evading the association’s pursuit.
“I have a goal.”
“That thing you said last time. You’re serious about it.”
“I’m always serious.”
Their first meeting wasn’t that long ago.
The situation back then was drastically different from now. They were two people in distinctly different positions.
“You said you want to destroy the academy? Even after thinking about it, you really are insane.”
“Maybe. But it’s true. It’ll be tough for now, but I’ll get stronger and absolutely destroy it someday.”
Lea chuckled lightly.
“Is that something you can say in front of an S-rank hero?”
“Who was the one hiding me?”
Even now, it’s a puzzling aspect.
Why did this woman hide me from the association?
When I ask, she only babbles nonsensically, never providing a reasonable explanation.
“There’s no rule that says a hero has to like the association.”
“But there’s definitely a rule against hiding criminals.”
“Come on. Don’t nitpick. What can I say? I can somewhat relate.”
Lea muttered with a complicated smile.
“The desire for revenge when you lose someone precious.”
“………”
“Of course, that doesn’t mean I can help you destroy the academy. Hiding you is easy enough, though.”
Yeon Hwa clenched and relaxed her bandaged fist.
“I don’t plan on staying here. I need to grow stronger to destroy the academy.”
“Don’t do anything bad. I helped you because I don’t believe you’re a bad person. You understand what that means, right?”
“Forget it. I’m not moving out of revenge.”
Yeon Hwa’s answer made Lea tilt her head.
But before she could say anything, Yeon Hwa changed the subject.
“By the way, what did you mean earlier?”
“Huh? What about?”
“You said she uses some weird abilities. Exactly what does that entail?”
“Ah, that.”
Lea paused to think about how to explain before choosing her words.
Out of nowhere, a brilliant word flickered across her mind.
“……Hallelujah?”
*
“Hah… hah…”
The girl breathed heavily, yet didn’t take a moment to rest and continued walking.
In the darkened sky, only the twinkling stars made their presence known.
In the silence, beyond her panting and the weak breath of the woman on her back, there was no other sound.
The night over the Alps was eerily calm.
How far had they moved? The faint view of the city they had once seen vanished long ago.
How much further must she go? Although she had traveled for quite a while, the mountain range showed no signs of ending.
She shouldn’t just keep walking like this. But descending into the city in this state was practically a death sentence.
Surely, not just in France but all across Europe, bounty notices for them were widespread.
Why had she encountered such an absurd monster at that particular moment?
Blaming misfortune wouldn’t change anything; she had to focus on what to do moving forward.
“Ugh…”
Finally noticing her senses, Pink Hawk groaned in pain.
After scanning the surroundings and assessing the situation, she murmured softly.
“I don’t think there’s anyone chasing us nearby… Ugh!”
“Are you okay?”
“It’s hard to say yes.”
The injuries were too serious for her to even pretend that everything was fine.
She was amazed her limbs were still attached to her body given the deep wounds—if she loosened her nerves even a bit, she might faint and never wake up again.
Pink Hawk was certain.
This beautiful mountain would be the last landscape in her life.
Here, she would die. There was no way out.
“Could you put me down for a moment?”
“Sure.”
The girl gently laid the woman down on the soft ground.
Looking at the beads of sweat rolling down, it was clear how long the girl had carried her without a break.
“Do you remember where the cave we came from is?”
“Yes, so don’t worry. Let’s hurry.”
“Go ahead without me. I’m in no condition to keep going.”
Speaking was exhausting.
Pink Hawk watched the full moon in the sky with half-open eyes.
It was a quite beautiful sight; she enjoyed it.
She wanted to remember this moment and close her eyes forever.
“Please hurry. I’m fine.”
“No way. I can’t leave you behind.”
“Ma’am?”
That’s quite a unique title, almost like calling her a candidate.
With that thought, all the pain in her body faded, replaced by a serene happiness.
The final hormonal response of the brain before death for her master.
Did this sense of bliss signify that falling into eternal sleep is what death truly is?
Not bad.
“Wake up.”
As the voice called out, a pure white light enveloped her consciousness.
It was an unfamiliar sensation she had never felt before in her life. A mysterious elation.
Tears streamed down Pink Hawk’s face as she fully comprehended the nature of holiness.
This light showering down upon her.
The girl’s voice was the very alpha and omega of sanctity.
As she opened her eyes wide, the breathtaking sight before her overwhelmed her.
The night sky, which had been only darkness, opened, and divine light poured down onto her.
Finally, when the girl reached out her hand.
The night over the Alps was suddenly transformed into a brilliant dawn.
It was, without a doubt…
A miracle.