Chapter 349 Extra (4)
“I don’t want to.”
Is it because it’s been so long since I had a conversation with Si-hu?
The moment Liam heard those words, he was left dumbfounded.
“J-just think a little more… This isn’t just a matter of inconvenience; it’s a critical issue that could threaten humanity—”
“—Even if you say that, my answer won’t change. Neither I nor Alicia will assist the Peacekeeping Force.”
Si-hu firmly added his reasoning.
“There are many reasons for not providing support, such as the uncertainty of Beris’s location and survival, but the most important reason is that I don’t want to involve myself and my family in this incident and take on the risk.”
A highly personal and selfish reason.
But that was Si-hu’s will.
With Liam facing him and struggling to persuade him actively, Emily decided to step in this time.
“The Peacekeeping Force is considering your position. They’re not asking you to go into battle. Just enough to assist in the search… even if you can be used as backup power, that’s sufficient.”
“Emily, from the moment you came here, the Peacekeeping Force has practically disregarded our position.”
“Bar… no, Park Si-hu. How desperate do you think we are to come this far? Can’t you think a little more about the greater cause?”
“The greater cause… You want us to be dutiful to the traitors who betrayed humanity?”
“…That’s…”
Emily was left speechless.
She now knew that Si-hu wasn’t truly a traitor to humanity, but acknowledging that made her lips feel as heavy as lead.
Si-hu had already shouldered far too many burdens and was still carrying them.
A weight that nobody besides Si-hu could bear.
“…I’m sorry.”
An apology slipped from Emily’s lips.
Anyone unaware of the situation would think she apologized simply for raising her voice.
“….”
An awkward silence settled between them after such a long time apart.
Trying to lighten the mood was Alicia, who was tightly holding Si-hu’s hand.
“The tea’s going to get cold. Since I used especially good leaves, you should give it a taste.”
As Alicia said, a sweet aroma wafted from the tea she prepared, gently enveloping their noses.
It smelled like flowers or perhaps the dew of a deep forest.
Liam and Emily slowly reached for the tea and brought it to their mouths. The warm, steaming liquid filled their mouths, offering a preview of early spring.
“…I genuinely apologize for coming here with a purpose.”
Liam began to express his true feelings.
“You were right. Both you and Alicia… in fact, you’ve worked so hard that it’s unreasonable to ask you to help humanity any longer.”
“Honestly, it doesn’t even make sense to ask you to keep working for humanity anymore.”
Si-hu wasn’t fully recovered yet.
Even though he looked fine on the outside, he had to endure pain that felt like he might die once a day and forcibly twist his mana circuits just to be able to move.
Alicia was also in a similar situation. Her condition was better compared to Si-hu, but if she had worked the same workload for another two years, she would have completely broken down.
“I came to seek your help even though I know everything. We… are always suffering from a shortage of manpower. Just a little frail hope, you know? But this way, it seems I was mistaken.”
Liam hung his head.
He expressed his opinion not as a member of the Peacekeeping Force.
“I sincerely apologize for interfering with your family’s peace. And I promise I won’t come to bother you again for this reason. I am really sorry. Si-hu, Alicia.”
“……”
Si-hu looked at Liam, who had his head down.
There was a huge dark red bruise running from the back of his neck down to his spine, revealed by his bowed head.
That bruise was the result of repeatedly adhering artificial skin over the badly torn flesh.
It clearly showed how deeply and often Liam had been wounded.
“Maybe I’ve matured with age. It used to seem like you were just a copy of that guy, but now you are better than them.”
Vargan muttered something perplexing to himself before continuing.
“Listen carefully. Once again, I will say this: Alicia and I will not provide any help related to this incident. Right now, the comfort of my home and this village is more important to me than any external situation.”
“…I understand. You don’t have to worry.”
“Listen to what I say until the end, Liam.”
Si-hu continued.
“Alicia and I will not get involved in this matter, but it is entirely possible for me to ‘accidentally’ mention someone I know who could help with this issue.”
“…What?”
“Moreover, it is quite likely that a magical paper, which will burn up by itself in a week, with my signature on it, could also spontaneously appear.”
“What are you talking about….”
Si-hu took out a piece of paper from his pocket, quickly wrote down a name, and handed it over.
When Liam checked the paper with a bewildered expression, it had the name ‘Bram’ along with a location on it.
Bram was one of the most loyal followers of Vargan, even in the original work.
And he was the god of war Burtemberg, who could become an absolute force.
Vargan smirked slightly as he finished his statement.
“Then your job is to turn these coincidences into opportunities.”
“…….”
Only then did Liam understand Si-hu’s intention.
He bit his lip, holding back all the words he wanted to say, and nodded.
“Thank you, Si-hu.”
“If you’re truly grateful, you better hurry and leave. As you can see, a promising genius who was expecting to have a picnic with his family this afternoon is eyeing you as if he’s about to devour you.”
As Liam turned his head, there was indeed a girl resembling Si-hu, glaring at them with eyes like a snake.
If Liam and Emily hadn’t visited, Martina would have been enjoying a picnic with her family in the wide park by now, growing more resentful towards Liam and Emily as time passed.
Liam scratched the back of his head, sweating cold.
“I guess we picked the wrong day to come….”
“Is that even something you should say? You fool!”
“Nya? You little brat!”
Martina shouted. Her younger brother, Rita, jumped in surprise and ran over to hug Alicia.
Martina didn’t even notice the commotion.
“What the heck are you doing here bothering Dad and Mom with that ugly face? Get outta here!”
“Uh, what do you mean ugly face…”
“Did you think I was gonna say you’re pretty? Hurry up! Just scram!”
“Martina!”
As Martina’s words grew harsher, Alicia immediately intervened.
At their mom’s firm reprimand, Martina flinched but pretended to smile awkwardly.
“W-well, Dad said to step back. If you keep lingering, I’ll use my familiars to throw you out! Y-you, trash!”
“Martina.”
“Eek!”
Martina tried to skirt around the reprimand by subtly mentioning Si-hu, but to no avail.
With just one calm word from Alicia, the ferocious beast turned into a small animal.
She knew calling him trash was harsh, and the fact that her mom’s voice deepened as it got quieter only made it worse.
“Ah, Dad… say something more too, please.”
Martina skipped over to Si-hu, tugging at his sleeve.
With a slightly trembling voice and her large eyes filled with a sense of injustice, she put on her signature expression whenever she was at a disadvantage.
Pat, pat. When Si-hu lightly patted her head, a beaming smile appeared on Martina’s face.
But then…
“Martina, no matter how true it is, there’s a basic level of courtesy that should be upheld in front of others. Have you thought about how hurtful it can be to tell someone they’re ugly, even if they are?”
Si-hu didn’t give Martina the reaction she hoped for.
“B-but… they just suddenly showed up… and I can’t even go out to play…. It’s hard for me too….”
“Even so, saying hurtful things without any gain is just wrong. No matter how ugly this guy’s face is, do you think saying he’s ugly will give you what you want?”
“No….”
“Then you shouldn’t do it. It’s only okay to say nasty things or act badly if someone else is being nasty to you or if you stand to gain something significant from it.”
“…Si-hu.”
Alicia’s voice somehow felt weary.
Si-hu noticed tears welling up in Martina’s eyes and wiped them away.
“Okay, then there’s something you need to say to this uncle, right?”
“…….”
Martina nodded slightly and timidly stood in front of Liam.
Her neatly gathered hands fidgeted nervously.
“…I’m… sorry.”
“Martina, speak up clearly and say it again.”
“Ugh….”
Under Si-hu’s urging, Martina squeezed her eyes shut and bowed her head.
A single tear rolled down her adorable cheek.
“I-I’m sorry for saying he’s ugly and telling him to get out…!”
“Uh? Ah, um… it’s okay. It’s okay.”
Caught off guard by the apology, Liam felt a strange ache in his heart, as if a hole had been punched through it.
Si-hu hugged Martina after she successfully apologized, petting her head.
“Great job, Martina. Apologizing takes courage. If you make a mistake next time, this is how you do it.”
“Yes… I’m sorry, Dad…”
Martina sniffled while cuddled up in Si-hu’s arms. The already high temperature of the child felt even hotter.
Noticing this closeness, Rita came over, letting go of Alicia’s hand, and hugged his older sister from behind, grinning broadly.
“…….”
The three were stacked like a sandwich. Liam and Emily, who were watching this scene, couldn’t help but look surprised.
Could that man really be the same man they knew?
Doubts about whether it was linked to his specialty in Curse Magic began to stir, but looking at Alicia’s happy expression while quietly observing the three, it seemed unlikely.
“They say people change after getting married, and it’s true.”
Liam murmured in small admiration as he witnessed a vivid example right before his eyes.
*
Stepping outside, they bid an early farewell under the wide-open scenery.
“I’ll be going now. I feel like if I stay any longer, I’ll just end up getting unwanted attention.”
“Yeah. I won’t go far.”
“It’s surprising that you’re saying that. I’m worried there might suddenly be some major upheaval in the world.”
Liam chuckled. Then he patted the paper Si-hu had handed him, confidently asserting, “Since you did so much for me, I’ll make sure to finish my last mission before the big event brilliantly.”
“Big event?”
“Oh, I didn’t mention it? Emily and I are getting married next year.”
Liam turned his head. Emily, a bit away, was giggling while talking to Alicia.
“Although she’s a great girl, almost too good for me, I really dislike the idea of sending her off to someone else more than death itself.”
“I hope that’s not a death flag.”
“Why would you say something so negative? …It’s actually a little scary, so please don’t.”
“Don’t worry. If this were a novel, I just broke the cliché I just mentioned.”
“…That somehow sounds plausible.”
The two continued their small talk.
Something that would have been hard to imagine in the past now didn’t feel awkward after everything that had happened.
“Anyway, Si-hu, seeing you today has made a big impression. If I ever become a dad, I want to create a family like yours.”
“It looks like you’ve completely given up on the idea of stepping outside into the world.”
“…I realized that going out would only lead me to the inside of another world, so I’ve long since changed my thoughts to focus on the present without overthinking it.”
“You’ve changed.”
“Who’s changed the most?”
Liam laughed and extended his hand to Si-hu.
Si-hu hesitated but eventually took it.
“I’ll come by again next time. Maybe we’ll bring our kids along.”
“You should keep outside visitors to a minimum, so don’t come.”
“Even if you say that, you would still offer me a cup of tea if I showed up, right?”
“…It’s not completely impossible, I suppose.”
“That’s good enough.”
The two let go of each other’s hands.
Then, for some reason, Alicia’s face turned a little red as Emily, with a boyish laugh, linked her arm with Liam’s.
“Take care. I’ll bring something tasty for Martina next time, so tell her to go easy on us today.”
With that, Liam and Emily left.
Vargan briefly looked at the two as they chatted away, then entered the hut with Alicia.
Since their guests had returned earlier than scheduled, it was now time for the picnic they had promised the kids earlier.
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