LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 16.2
“Let go! LET ME GO! What’s an honorary elf?! What’s an elf?! AAAARGH! LET GO! LET ME GO!”
Tears streamed uncontrollably from her wide, bloodshot eyes. Since the Sage left, Evangeline had changed more and more, until she came to loathe the very fact that she was an elf.
That hatred drove her to cut off her once-proud elves ears, and now she was even trying to cut out her tongue—the very tongue that had cursed and condemned him.
“Let goooo!!”
She had already attempted this several times, only to fail because Claire had been there to stop her.
Claire, looking at Evangeline as she thrashed in a spiral of regret, let out a heavy sigh.
At this point, she didn’t know what to do anymore.
“Evangeline. Hey… Hyun Woo is here. Hyun Woo came…”
Suddenly, Evangeline’s frantic hands, which had been groping for a dagger to cut her tongue, went slack.
She stared blankly at Claire for a moment before shaking her head.
“That’s not possible… That’s not possible… He wouldn’t come to where I am…”
He wouldn’t come to see someone as worthless as me.
He wouldn’t come to see someone as arrogant and foolish as I was, someone who selfishly relied on his kindness.
—
At first, it was arrogance.
He was just a human.
A mere human who dared to call himself a Sage—it was laughable, so I sneered at him.
Then came curiosity.
He was capable of so much, enough to be worthy of the title Sage.
So, I started depending on him, making all sorts of childish demands.
Elves easily lean on those they open their hearts to, so I leaned on him.
And that comfort led to corruption.
No matter what I asked for, he granted it. No matter what I demanded, he fulfilled it. It was so convenient… and I became used to it.
As my feelings for him grew—or rather, as I realized that he considered me somewhat special—my arrogance swelled even further.
So I wanted to make it clear: You should exist for me alone.
You should only see me.
That’s why I resented him for being kind to the Hero and Leventia.
No, I even resented the good deeds he performed throughout our journey.
If you’re going to be kind to people like them, then pay more attention to me instead.
You’re supposed to take care of me, aren’t you?
If you keep acting like this, I won’t grant you the title of honorary elf again.
I thought that being an honorary elf—a title elves considered a great honor—would be an equally great reward for him.
I thought he’d stay with me until the very end.
So I became haughty.
But that arrogance…
I never imagined it would amount to nothing. No, worse—it led to this wretched regret.
—
“Aaaaah… That’s not possible…”
I just… I just wanted him…
I just wanted him to look at me alone.
Then why…
Why have I ended up like this?
Yes.
It’s because I’m an elf.
It’s because I lived arrogantly, looking down on humans.
—
On the third day after Hyun Woo left, Evangeline, consumed by regret and despair, mutilated herself.
She severed her ears, the part of an elf they hold in the highest esteem, with her own hands.
“Heh… Hehehe… Now. Now we’re the same… Hyun Woo…”
My ears are small now.
So…
So, I’ll become a human, just like Hyun Woo.
So, please…
But Hyun Woo didn’t return.
In the end, there was only one thing Evangeline could do.
Drink, and take drugs.
Through hallucinations, she could relive the past and soothe her heart.
She apologized to those visions. She acted coy and playful toward them. She whispered her love to them.
That was all she could do.
Even though elves are immune to intoxication and cannot be addicted to drugs or any intoxicant.
Even though Claire knew that the hallucinations were only a manifestation of Evangeline’s desperate yearning.
Watching this unfold, Claire felt a mix of regret and bitterness.
If only I hadn’t stood by and done nothing.
If only I had stopped her.
If only I hadn’t ignored my responsibilities.
Because of me, the party fell apart.
Because of me, Hyun Woo was hurt.
Claire slumped to the ground, covering her face with trembling hands.
All of this was…
Because of me, the Hero.
That thought weighed heavily on Claire’s shoulders as they shook with emotion.
—
Meanwhile
As I was preparing in the tent, the lieutenant entered, her expression tense. Something was clearly wrong.
“What’s the matter?”
“Um… Sage. I deeply apologize, but…”
“What’s got you apologizing already? Just tell me.”
“Lady Leventia… She insists on participating in the mission to your next destination.”
“Hmm… Let’s take a look, then.”
I followed the lieutenant to the preparation area, where Leventia stood, fully armed with sword and shield, bowing deeply at the waist.
Her behavior had everyone around her baffled and unsure of what to do. Approaching her, I spoke bluntly.
“What are you doing?”
“Hy-Hyun Woo.”
At the sound of my voice, she straightened up and immediately dropped to her knees before me.
A knight isn’t supposed to kneel before anyone except their lord.
For Leventia to do this…
“You know groveling won’t undo what’s been spilled.”
“E-even so… Even so, please. J-just give me one chance. Let me fight for you. Please? The place you’re heading to is incredibly dangerous. I’ll be your shield. I’ll be your sword. So please, just this once… Just give me a chance… I’m begging you…”
She wasn’t wrong—the destination was dangerous. And as a tank, her skills would be valuable.
But there was no need for her to come along.
“Uh… No thanks.”
Despair shadowed Leventia’s face.
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