Chapter 49
The Lake of the Dead (3)
The greater part of the reason we couldn’t sleep outdoors was my fault.
And the rest?
“Let’s move out.”
Of course, that was Lilliana’s doing.
No matter how much she steeled herself, she had spent her entire life in the palace, treated with care. Compared to her, even I—who had been dispatched as a Saint to remote regions—had more experience with hardships. Proof of that was Lilliana, leaning against the carriage wall with her eyes closed, as though she didn’t have the strength to sit upright.
“Lilliana, are you sleepy?”
“Don’t talk to me.”
“…Yes.”
Izumi, cut off with a single stroke, quickly turned his head away.
“Yus, even if it’s tough, hang on just a little longer. I think the village has an inn.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m just worried about you.”
Meanwhile, Cedric, seated at the driver’s perch, kept glancing at me, as if worried, striking up conversation whenever he could.
Hmm. It’s nice, but…
‘Something feels off.’
Right now Cedric was far too dependent on Justinas. If I were to die, it wouldn’t be surprising if he snapped and triggered some world-ending scenario. After all, in the original story, his rampage was also suspected to have been because of Justinas. It wasn’t just idle worry.
‘I need to fix this.’
I needed to keep a leash on Cedric, but also allow him some independence. If he could build bonds with the others, perhaps it would dilute his dangerously skewed personality.
“Hey, Cedric.”
“Mm, I’m listening.”
“I’m tired… Do you mind if I close my eyes for a while? Sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Rest easy.”
For now, let’s try pretending to sleep.
If both Lilliana and I were out, naturally Izumi and Cedric would be left together. In the original story, Cedric preferred people who were clear and pure-hearted. So if I wasn’t in the way, maybe he’d naturally warm up to Izumi.
“If it gets hard, say so, Cedric. I’ll take the reins anytime!”
“Shut it. Yus is asleep.”
“Roger that.”
…Or not?
‘My head hurts.’
What should I do about Cedric being the only one unable to mesh with the group? I wrestled with the problem so much that my eyelids grew heavier and heavier…
‘No! I mustn’t fall asleep!’
It would disgrace the Saint’s dignity!
In, out. In, out.
Alright. I’m awake. Wide awake.
…Wide awake.
…Mmph.
“Hey, Cedric.”
“……”
“Cedric?”
“……”
“Cedric Cedric Cedric Cedric Cedric Cedric Cedric Cedric~”
“Shut up. You’ll wake Yus.”
“You didn’t answer me.”
Izumi stuck his face through the little gap in the carriage, letting the crisp forest air wash over him. His brown hair fluttered in the breeze, and his green eyes sparkled like fresh spring leaves.
“I don’t really feel like talking.”
“Why not?”
Cedric faltered.
Izumi Foley.
He was the kind of human Cedric had never once met before.
A person utterly pure.
His honest country-boy eyes often curved mischievously, but even when ignored, he kept coming back, relentless, radiating a kind of unbearable warmth.
This sort of person was—
‘…No. Not the first.’
“I’m Justinas!”
When he thought back, his first encounter with Justinas had been similar. Perhaps that’s why Izumi was so irritating.
Izumi Foley and Justinas were alike, aside from gender. No matter how deep the shadows, their light naturally illuminated everything around them.
Some might say it was excessive praise for a boy Cedric had only known for weeks. But Cedric, who had held Justinas in his heart for so long, recognized it clearly.
The two were of the same kind. Different, yet alike.
“How did you and Yus get so close?”
“…None of your business.”
“Why not? Can’t I be curious?”
Izumi leaned out of the carriage hole, resting his chin on his hand.
“Was she covered in honey or something?”
“That tone is unpleasant.”
“Oh, just now you sounded like Lilliana.”
“Who are you saying looks like who—”
…Ha.
Cedric let out a short, incredulous laugh. The boy was impossible to deal with. From when had his speech become so casual, too? Cedric had been speaking informally from the start since he was common-born, but it was hard not to think, ‘Look at this kid, huh?’
“To be honest, I’m kind of jealous of you.”
That was unexpected.
“What part?”
“Being Yus’s childhood friend. If I’d met someone like the Saint when I was young, would I have turned out different?”
Cedric stirred quietly inside.
“I never wanted to do anything as a kid. School, success, romance… none of it mattered. I just wasted time, listless.”
“…Pathetic.”
“Yeah. Pathetic.”
Izumi admitted it without hesitation.
Cedric said nothing, guiding the horse in silence.
“But now I want to change.”
The words blurred with the rustling of leaves and wind, but Cedric’s keen ears caught them.
“……”
It wasn’t surprising. Everyone carried their own burdens. Even someone who looked carefree like Izumi had his worries.
Still, Cedric scoffed inwardly.
As if it matters.
He had lived in the back alleys since before he could remember. His clearest first memory was of a freezing, starving day when Justinas appeared like an angel.
And even Justinas had a dark past. Orphaned young, she had enough wealth to live comfortably, yet shared it all with street orphans.
Even as a child, Justinas gave up her own crust of bread to others. That unnatural selflessness had nearly driven her to death…
Or so he thought.
She had survived.
But she kept sacrificing herself. She had lost her sight in that fire. Now she had lost her legs as well.
“Cedric. I’m not normal. My eyes, burned blind by the flames, my leg injured this time… they’ll never be what they once were.”
“Of course, if I can save others, I don’t mind giving up my body. But still…”
As a boy, Cedric hadn’t understood. He had thought Justinas simply strong, admirable, beyond comprehension. How could anyone be like that?
Even while suffering herself, she still reached out with kindness to those with even less. It inspired awe.
In truth, Justinas was just an orphan from Kieto’s slums, the continent’s trash heap. Yet anyone who witnessed her deeds would never dare call her a “pitiful orphan.”
To Cedric, she was always a noble idol, like a delicate blade of grass trembling on the edge of a cliff.
That never changed, even after her disappearance and their reunion.
…But now, it was different.
“The moment the title of Saint is gone, I’ll just be a useless cripple. Maybe that’s why you avoided me. I was a little sad. …But don’t worry. By tomorrow, I’ll be fine.”
Justinas was human.
She hurt, she grieved, she cried alone where no one could see.
And yet, she endured.
Because that was the path of sacrifice.
From childhood, she had done nothing but endure.
Once Cedric realized this, he could no longer simply admire her.
Like someone who had learned to read a clock could never go back to ignorance, Cedric could no longer see Justinas the same way.
Justinas…
Cedric bit his lip.
I just want you to be happy.
Saving the world didn’t matter. He only wanted her suffering to end.
But that was impossible.
Happiness that turned away from others’ pain was a lie. Justinas would never accept it. And that knowledge filled him with despair.
“Ah, I see it!”
Izumi’s shout broke through his heavy thoughts. The boy pointed ahead, where a clear lake, thick forest, and a small village nestled around them came into view.
[ Welcom t Lacus E ]
“…Mm.”
The sign at the village entrance was half-rotted, letters missing, ready to collapse.
“Cedric, is this really it?”
“We don’t have any other options.”
“Well, yeah, but still…”
Izumi scratched his cheek, looking uneasy.
“In hero stories, villages like this are where demons suddenly pop out.”
“Hero stories? What’s that?”
“Uh, nothing. Just means this place reeks of trouble.”
“I don’t follow.”
Cedric ignored him and slowly guided the carriage into the village.
Not long after—
“It’s been a while since we’ve had visitors.”
A young woman appeared.
“In Lacus, carriages aren’t allowed. Please disembark.”
Both men stiffened.
