"Will you be there, Sara?"
Ender hissed, drawing her attention. They were sitting on a bench outside the shop.
"Huh?"
"Will you be there when I know the truth about this world?"
She didn't understand what he was trying to say.
"What truth are you trying to pursue?"
"It's not some big thing. I just think people are always misdirected by illusions, living within them until their deaths. I want to know the truth about this world. Even if it demands power or authority, I would have to climb high enough to see the truth."
Sara's eyes dimmed before she spoke in a low voice.
"So... one day, you'll leave me..."
Ender, whose gaze had been locked on the sky, looked at her this time. His expression suddenly softened.
"As I said, will you be there and see the truth with me?"
Yet his tone remained firmly composed.
"If it's good for me, then I will..."
She didn't know what to say, so she asked another question.
"Will you be the same Ender I know?"
Her expression became firm.
"I'll be the same."
He smiled before flicking her forehead.
"Ouch!"
"Seriousness doesn't suit you. Smile more."
He mumbled, observing her with a stern gaze. She pouted before turning her head away. Though her face didn't portray anything serious, her mind was somewhere else.
~ Truth is useless. It brings only misery... But if you want to know it, then I'll be there. Just don't hurt yourself… or the ones around you.
She wondered, twisting her hair around her finger before speaking again.
"By the way, what's with your behavior around Ruis?... You're overacting in front of him."
"He's weird. The day I saved him from those bandits, he suddenly asked my name out of nowhere, then yapped about himself before asking me for a job. I had no choice but to offer him one."
Sara chuckled. Ender stared at her blankly.
"You're like a coconut. Hard on the surface but soft underneath."
Before he could reply, his head was suddenly wrapped by something.
"Hey! Stop that! I can't breathe!"
She had wrapped his head against her shoulder, locking him in place and squeezing him before finally letting go.
"Cough!"
Seeing him catch his breath, she spoke solemnly.
"You were talking some shit about power moments ago, yet you couldn't even free yourself from a girl."
He looked at her while catching his breath, stunned.
"Haaaa... You thought I meant physically?"
"Idiot."
He leaned back against the bench, looking at the sky. She looked up as well. Silence shrouded them as both became lost in thought.
"Someday..."
He mumbled while staring upward. Sara glanced at him.
But his lips froze there. They couldn't move.
***
CLANG-HISS!
Carefully striking the hot metal after taking it out of the blast furnace, I wore the provided gear to avoid burning myself. It's been two days since I've been here.
Luckily, on my first day, I got to meet two people I knew who helped me learn everything in no time. Of course, it could be a coincidence… or simply the play of fate. Who cares, though?
My boss had tasked me with making some tools. Carefully cutting and shaping the molten metal, I began forming a crowbar.
After a while, when the shape was complete, I let it cool down in a bucket of chillingly cold water. My work was done.
Now, only time would reveal the result.
I sighed before coming outside, where I saw Ender and Sara sitting on a bench. The breeze around them was gentle.
Ender was saying something before getting up and leaving.
Seeing him go, Sara lowered her head, her self-esteem seemingly fading away.
Watching her like that made my heart ache, so I walked toward her.
"Did something happen? He left early today."
I mumbled, standing beside her. She looked at me as though surprised before lowering her head again. Then she began speaking steadily in a soft voice.
"He's really passionate about his little sister. This morning, she twisted her ankle while playing outside, and when he found out... he didn't leave her for a single second. If it weren't for his sister persuading him, he would have taken the day off."
This amazed me. At this time, Marine was alive. Wow.
Well, I knew what kind of obsession he had for her, though he would probably die before admitting it to anyone's face. Damn... It made me feel empathy for both siblings.
Her death was the reason he turned out like this… Or maybe there was something else. I didn't know.
I turned my gaze toward the river. The sight of it made a sense of tranquility erupt within me.
"By the way... are you not from here?"
She suddenly asked an unexpected question. Though it didn't really matter. I had nothing to hide.
"Ahh... yeah. I moved here with my mother recently, though it's been a while since we arrived."
She giggled at my clumsy response before looking toward the forest, which was alive with noise. But I couldn't see her face clearly.
"My father was from the northern areas before traveling and settling down here. He was the one who bought this land and built this place. I... just inherited it."
That pause carried a level of guilt.
I remembered that even in our current lives, somewhere deep down, she had always carried something like that within herself. Despite appearing so stoic yet sweet on the outside…
I wanted to console her.
"My mother died shortly after I was born. My father passed away last year because of a revolt against the prince."
She spoke before I could.
But hearing those words confused me.
"A revolt against the prince?"
Her gaze met mine with an unreadable expression.
"The king has gone far away, and his son, Darian, rules in his place. He's a cruel prince who claims to be a prophet of God, yet does things that even a disbeliever wouldn't dare to do."
I almost fell. She became puzzled and approached me, but stopped before instead trying to console me with her words.
"There's nothing to worry about. The prince usually keeps to his own business and doesn't interfere much with ordinary people."
She spoke in a pleading tone. But my mind wasn't there.
Instead, I was thinking about that name.
Darian…
That was someone I dearly knew.
Wait... This isn't what I'm thinking, right?This can't be right. No way… It can't be. It can't be!
Not even taking deep breaths stopped my intrusive thoughts.
The person I knew was good at heart. He would rather die than do something like this.
Moments Later...
My shift had ended.
After washing my hands and drying them with a towel, I remained lost in my thoughts while looking into the mirror.
Sara lived in the house beside the shop. Of course, I was still a newcomer, so it would make sense that she didn't fully trust me yet.
I thought about telling her about our truth.
But then that guy wouldn't let it happen.
At that moment, I heard footsteps approaching.
Turning around reflexively, I saw Sara standing there. This time, she was wearing a modest white and light-green night dress.
"You should go now. It's getting late."
It was strange that she lived here all by herself, so I decided to ask.
"By the way, do you live here alone?"
"Ender sometimes comes here with his sister, though usually, I stay by myself."
"Don't you find it scary? Imagine living in the middle of a forest beside a river. Even as a man, that terrifies me."
"Hahahaha, yeah. But as someone who has lived here my whole life and only goes to the city to shop or trade goods, I've gotten used to it."
"So you don't fear bandits attacking or stealing from here?"
"Ahhha! Nope. For your information, I'm pretty renowned throughout the town, so they don't come here. And even if they do, I can fight well on my own."
I was surprised.
Someone below my shoulder height was saying this?
"Hey! Don't underestimate me because of my appearance. If you want, we can have a sword fight here. Of course, with wooden ones."
"Alright, let's do it."
I spoke with a smirk. To be honest, I was more interested in spending time with someone I loved.
….
"...Damn it."
I lay on the floor while she cracked her fingers. A faint smile curved across her cheeks, making her look completely relaxed and relieved.
Yes, I hate to say it, but I was defeated by someone who barely reached my shoulder height.
Actually, defeated wouldn't even be the right word. I was demolished. After a while, I got back up.
"Well, boss, you really are something."
She shrugged casually. Well, I guess…
Smiling and waving at her, I picked up a lantern and started making my way home.
After a tiring journey, I finally reached the city.
Stopping by the bridge, I realized it was only 10:00 PM.Oh yeah, that's not all that late.
Considering my shift started around 4:00 PM.And my mother usually gave me lunch.
I knocked on the door and patiently waited until she opened it.
"You're finally here. How was your day?"
"I need to work out so I can adjust to the job."
"Fine. Anyways, dinner is ready, so no excuses."
"...I guess."
At night as I lay in bed, I couldn't shake that single name from my mind… Darian. Darian… I just hope my worst fears don't come true.
[One Week Later]
"Who's there?"
"Me."
The door opened, and Ender was flabbergasted to see me. His expression went blank instantly.
"H–How are you here?"
"Oh, our boss shared your address with me. She mentioned she was also planning to visit since it's been a while, but it seems I arrived before her."
"Who's there, brother!?"
Suddenly hearing that voice, my mind became confused as memories from my different lives overlapped.
From a corner, a young girl with purple eyes peeked at us.
"Ahh, come in..."
The way he said it made it clear he didn't really want me to come in. But he had no choice. As I was about to say something…
"The prince is arriving! Everyone, get ready!"
My gaze shifted toward the edge of the street. Sara was approaching us. Maybe she had already seen us, but the sudden interruption seemed to confuse her as well.
Seeing the situation, Ender sighed before turning around.
"Marine, will you come?"
The little girl began walking toward us. Damn, seeing her in person made me feel terrible about her death. Gosh… these memories are annoying.
"Uhh, I don't think my foot is walkable."
She spoke sluggishly while looking down at her foot. Ender muttered.
"Fine, I'll carry you."
Then he looked at me. I knew what he was trying to say with just his eyes, so I followed.
Standing amidst the huge crowd, Ender was on one side with Marine on his back, while Sara stood on my other side.
In front of us, three people were kneeling with their heads bowed.
On the other side stood a line of knights, preventing us from seeing what was behind them.
At last, the people standing ahead began blowing their horns.
Then… Silence.
Amidst the knights, heavy yet composed footsteps approached the center of the stage.The crowd went silent.
Ender, Marine, and Sara looked forward, waiting to see what he looked like.
When he emerged from the wall of knights, the crowd was shocked. It was rare for the prince to appear publicly.
Almost nobody knew what he looked like.
Crimson-gold armor gleamed faintly beneath the light.
Along with flaxen hair and a decent height.
Though perhaps the armor made him appear taller. He seemed around my height, though I doubted he would actually be taller than Ender.
Even though he was a young man, his face resembled someone I dearly knew.
Damn it. No... This can't be you. This can't be you. No... No!
I lowered my head. I couldn't watch.
"These people have committed the sin of robbery! So they should be punished! Shouldn't they!?"
The crowd cheered in response.
"Yeah!"
Then he unsheathed his sword. Ender immediately realized what was about to happen and covered his sister's eyes.
SCHLUK!
With one precise swing of his sword, the heads of the criminals were cut off.
Blood poured from their bodies, some of it splattering onto his armor. Though because of its crimson color, it was barely noticeable.
"As long as I am alive, I'll never let injustice exist in this world!"
He declared. Ender still covered his sister's eyes as she whimpered.Sara covered her mouth in shock.
I had seen it all. My gaze simply wasn't focused on the prince. He stretched his arms wide before yelling.
"I'm a prophet of the Lord, who has come to give you all salvation!"