The Sage that the Sword Saint is Obsessed With - Chapter 42



42 – 11. A New Relationship (1)

1.

Returning to the inn room, Evan lay on the bed, sipping whiskey.

“Sigh….”

The breath escaping through his lips felt warm.

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His strength drained away, and his body relaxed.

It was a satisfying feeling.

Was this how a pilgrim felt after gaining enlightenment?

After seeing everything about Leven, all the emotions toward her had been digested.

It wasn’t forgiveness.

It was never something forgivable from the beginning.

Because of a few words she spoke, he had miserably wasted years.

She asked him to compensate for that time, but honestly, he believed it was impossible to compensate unless it was a divine act.

The bitterness of hating her for the past mixed with the emptiness.

It was a complex emotion.

Difficult to describe.

If one had truly hated oneself, there wouldn’t be such a headache from these mixed emotions. But even after the breakup, he had sincerely loved himself, and that feeling continued until now.

However, defining the feelings he experienced in Leven’s inner world as mere “affection” wouldn’t be accurate.

Anyway, to put it bluntly, when it comes to expressing emotions towards Leuen in numbers, it’s a solid zero.

Nothing more, nothing less.

It’s the end and the beginning.

“…Complicated.”

Understanding humans is more challenging than dissecting and analyzing 10th-level magic. Despite being of the same essence.

Can one become a sage when they cannot understand themselves?

Peel away the outer layer, and there’s another layer, and within that, another layer.

The end of exploration is not in sight.

It would be nice if human emotions were constructed like magic circles, with straight lines and curves.

Then it would be easier to destroy unnecessary emotions.

2.

While immersed in sleep, Leuen, who had weakened, recovered in just two days thanks to the care of those around him.

He might be even healthier than before the curse.

“Commander, have some fruit. Ah~ Try this.”

Karen prepared various fruits and fed them one by one.

“For health recovery, nothing beats meat!”

Barda, who had hunted a giant wild boar and grilled the meat until it sizzled with oil.

In addition, several members worried about Leuen, and his sisters nursed him with utmost sincerity. His younger brother, Raven, lent a helping hand, even though his arms and legs were fine.

It was the first time he received help in this way.

Learning how to rely on others had only recently begun, but through this incident, he truly felt the lesson sinking in.

…Not bad.

Although he always tried to handle things on his own, he learned that receiving help is also good.

It wasn’t a burden.

No one considered it a nuisance.

As much as he values others, he now realizes that others value him just as much. He wishes he had realized it earlier, but he’s grateful to have finally understood it now.

Leuen went around the village, expressing his gratitude to those who had worried about him one by one.

“It’s not something to be thankful for. We just did what anyone would do.”

As if receiving thanks was awkward, Karen clapped her hands.

“But still… if you’re really grateful, how about a drink? A fancy one.”

Leuen chuckled.

“…You claim to like alcohol even though you can’t even drink it.”

“That’s a separate matter altogether.”

They made a promise to buy expensive liquor next time, and Lewyn headed towards the person he had to bid farewell to for the last time.

It should have been the first thing to do, but due to personal reasons, it ended up being the last.

…I’m not sure if I can do it.

Nevertheless, considering the atmosphere of that final moment, I dare to think I can.

He ascended to the second floor of the inn.

The room at the far end of the corridor.

It’s where Evan is staying.

Lewyn stared at the door.

But staring won’t make the door open.

He needs to reach out and knock.

“Ha… hoo…”

Placing a hand over his chest, Lewyn took a deep breath.

Several times, he swallowed his nervousness and cautiously raised his hand. Then, with a trembling heart, he knocked, clutching his fist like a cat.

-Knock knock.

As soon as he knocked, he awaited a response.

He held his breath, afraid he might not hear a reply due to the sound of his own breathing.

“….”

There was no answer.

-Knock knock.

He tried knocking a few more times.

No response.

“…Is anyone in there?”

Lewyn gently pressed his ear against the door.

He couldn’t sense any sign of movement inside.

If Evan were asleep, he should have heard the sound of breathing, but there was none.

It seems like they’re not inside.

If Evan went out, there’s a high possibility they might be taking a walk.

Lewyn began searching for Evan by wandering around the village.

3.

Yesterday, Evan, who had been researching until late, rose when the sun passed its zenith to take a leisurely stroll, relieving his stiffened body.

“…….”

Evan stood still, closing his eyes tightly.

Taking a brief pause, Evan quickly turned around.

Shasha!

Something rustled and hid in the alley.

At some point, a pursuer had started trailing behind him.

…What’s their intention?

Not particularly sensitive to detecting pursuit, Evan felt as if the person behind him wanted him to know, subtly making footsteps. Evan didn’t need to ponder deeply to figure out who the pursuer was.

Black hair peeked out at the corner of the alley, and the person slyly stuck their head out. Upon confirming Evan looking back, they were startled and hurriedly hid in the alley.

Observing this scene, Evan chuckled as if finding it absurd.

It appeared foolish at first glance, but it was a clever act disguised as foolishness.

Evan approached step by step.

“You’re quite strategic, huh?”

“Heek!”

Suddenly approaching and speaking, the pursuer, Luen, was surprised, shoulders bouncing as if gasping. The surprise seemed genuine.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

Probably hoping he would initiate a conversation, Luen had been engaging in a pursuit that unintentionally revealed his presence.

“Huh… Hm….”

Luen placed both hands on his chest and looked up at Evan.

Just the act of facing each other up close made his heart race. He exhaled while pressing his chest with his hands, releasing trembling breaths.

The golden eyes looking up at Evan couldn’t stay still.

“E, Evan spoke first…!”

Luen, as if a devotee of a cult, looked at Evan, who had approached and initiated the conversation, with an ecstatic expression. Despite having followed with the expectation of being the first to speak.

Regardless of how it happened, Luen was genuinely pleased that Evan spoke first. He bounced slightly in his place.

“So, what did you want to say?”

Evan asked, looking down at the delighted Luen like a child.

“Well….”

Leuen carefully chose her words, fidgeting with her fingers to avoid making any mistakes.

“This time… for saving me… I, I want to say thank you. Can I say it?”

Already said, but seeking agreement.

“Do as you wish.”

Leuen’s face lit up with a bright smile.

“…Thank you, Evan!”

Leuen expressed gratitude with a smiling face.

A strong sincerity could be felt in her innocent and pure smile.

“Yeah.”

Evan nodded.

“Is that all?”

As Leuen tried to leave, she hesitated as if about to grab Evan.

It seems there is more to say.

Evan waited for a moment.

If she doesn’t speak, she’ll go back again.

As she took that posture, Leuen gathered courage and spoke.

“Evan…!”

Leuen called Evan as if she had made up her mind.

“W-well, it’s about the compensation.”

Compensation.

When they met in the inner world, she had asked Evan to compensate for the five years she had lost because of Leuen. She had given him that opportunity.

No matter how, she thinks she won’t be compensated for that time, but depending on how much sincerity he shows, she is willing to consider it.

“How can… I, I mean, how can I compensate Evan… I’ve been thinking about it.”

Still, thinking alone is highly valued.

“No matter what… I, I don’t think I can turn back that time.”

Evan nodded.

“Right.”

He knows it well.

“S-so… I’ve been thinking about what I can do… to, to compensate Evan. And there’s only… one thing that came to mind.”

*Gulp*.

Lewen swallowed dry saliva twice.

Evan silently listened to Lewen’s words.

“Even though it may not be necessary for Evan… I-I will dedicate my life to you. For five years… no, no, for ten years…!”

Lewen showed five fingers and hastily changed it to ten fingers.

“You’re dedicating your life to me for ten years?”

Lewen nodded eagerly.

It felt like compensating one’s life with another life.

“I will obey any command…! Please, just give me orders…!”

Lewen kneeled in front of Evan.

“Please think of me as your slave.”

Blushing with embarrassment, Lewen bowed her head and lightly kissed Evan’s shoe. Then, with round eyes, she looked up at Evan and spoke.

“…M-Master!”

Evan’s eyes widened at the unexpected title.

From the very beginning, their new relationship was strangely that of a master and servant.