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Chapter 37
A mysterious forest whose existence was unknown to all.
Mount Nagi in the west.
It was an isolated place with very few people ever stepping foot in there, and so far, only its name was written on the map.
It was only recently that a journal was discovered, which revealed that Mt. Nagi had an abundance of rare herbs of high value.
Thanks to the hunter’s testimony, the forest became very famous and the number of travelers rose significantly.
Residents of a small village near the forest called Leorio began to sell fruits and fermented drinks found at the mountain entrance, and now they achieved great success as it turned into a tourism attraction.
And a woman appeared in Leorio Village.
“Hey you.”
“Hoo. She’s just a girl, right?”
“She must be here for sightseeing with her family.”
“She was alone, though.”
Even if there were many outsiders and travelers, it was strange for a young woman to walk around the village alone.
“She’s bringing a sword, and her clothes must be expensive.”
“I guess she’s not an ordinary person.”
Knowing the gazes that fell over her, Lerine sped up her pace right away. Her straight posture and confident steps were especially striking.
The pickpockets followed the woman with greedy eyes, but soon they flinched and retreated.
All she had was an old sword hung on her waist.
But Lerine kept walking. The blonde hair tied up high fluttered softly each time she moved.
Lerine’s determined steps stopped right in front of a fabric store. Her eyes were caught by the beautiful fabrics in different colors.
“Isn’t it pretty?”
Lerine nodded at the seller’s question.
“I colored it myself. There’s nothing more beautiful than the color of nature. The material quality isn’t bad either. I’m only using high-quality thread, you see.”
It looked delicate and shiny since it was made of a natural color. A long yellow ribbon caught Lerine’s eyes after looking around the shop.
“Do you like it? Do you want to try it?”
The fabric store owner offered a yellow ribbon, but Lerine took a step back and shook her head.
“My hands are dirty.”
“It’s okay. You can put it on. It’ll look good on you.”
“No. I’m really fine.”
As Lerine and the store owner were busy talking, people nearby gathered around them.
“Zig! Don’t you see your ugly face scares her?!”
“Yeah! If I were her, I’d run away in fear of getting rip-off.”
“No way. If I were her, I’d spit on him as soon as I saw his face.”
At their mockery, the store owner shouted his head off.
“What are you talking about? What’s wrong with my face? Why are you looking at me like that!”
“HAHAHAHA!”
Everyone around him burst into laughter. Only Lerine stood there awkwardly.
The store owner softened his tone when he spoke to Lerine.
“If it’s because you don’t have money, don’t worry, I can just give you for free.”
“No, you don’t need to.”
“No need to refuse. You came all the way here, so you need to at least take one! Zig’s fabrics are the best, you know!”
“No, it’s fine…”
The store owner pushed the yellow fabric on Lerine’s hand. It was so soft that Lerine just received it without realizing.
“As expected! My eyes are not wrong.”
Lerina, who was looking at the subtle yellow color as if possessed, raised her head. The store owner was seen smiling warmly at her.
“It’ll go very well with your hair color. Get rid of your worn-out hair tie right away. When you come back to this village later, make sure to stop by my store, alright! Bring a lot of friends with you!”
Lerine bit her lips. The yellow fabric crumpled helplessly on her tight grip.
“Thank you.”
Lerine bowed deeply, turned around and walked away.
“Have a great trip!”
The store owner sent her off with a cheerful expression.
“…Thank you. Thank you.”
Lerine, who murmured several times, raised her eyes. She could see an endless dense forest ahead. The vast forest that was said to be hard to approach was just around the corner.
The trees that soared high into the sky were bigger than expected, and she was amazed by how majestic it was. The soft yellow fabric she held in her hand fluttered in the wind.
As she took a step ahead without hesitation, the atmosphere around her rapidly changed. People’s chatter began to disappear and the chilling energy lingered around her body.
Nevertheless, Lerine did not stop her steps.
“Huh?”
People who watched her going in the forest direction began to shout.
“Hey! Where are you going! That is Mount Nagi!”
But Lerine continued her steps. People’s blood ran cold when they watched the black entrance swallow up all of Lerine’s slender body. Soon, the yellow-haired woman completely disappeared.
The forest was very quiet and mysterious. The darkness lingered in the space because of the branches that covered the sky, but she could navigate her way just fine even without sufficient light.
“…..”
After walking endlessly, she slowed down as the tears blurred her vision.
I worked my way up to become a knight. I’d be able to overcome anything now that I have enough skills and confidence. It’s true that anyone can become a knight in this day and age, but there’s nothing I cannot be.
But what should I do with my heart that has nowhere to return to now?
What’s the use of being a knight when my own parent denied me?
My parents always dreamed of a child who can wield a sword, yet their gazes at me were cold. I didn’t expect getting rejected by my parents would be this hurtful. I just went to see my younger brother, but the eyes that looked at me like a stranger were unbearably painful.
She recalled her younger brother in her mother’s arms. When was the last time her mother held her dearly like that? As far as she can remember, there was not a single moment when that happened.
But I wonder how warm it is being embraced by my mother? My brother looked very comfortable, too. My father, who was always cold to me, also looked at my younger brother with affectionate eyes.
Well, of course, my brother was very lovely. Their lives will be perfect as they have a boy who will succeed the family and reclaim my family’s honor.
….I just wanted to be by their side. I just wanted to stand next to my brother and my parents. I just wanted a hug, warm gazes, and even a little smile from them. Is it so wrong of me to wish something like that?
If you’re going to kill my son for revenge, I won’t let you go.
“Haha…”
She let out a bitter laugh.
I wonder if I was hateful enough to do that. How can I kill my brother? How can I do that unless I was crazy?1>
She clenched her fist with tears rolled down her cheeks.
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My younger brother who I didn’t know existed was terminally ill and didn’t have any time left. Did you hate me so much that I had to hear it from others?
She was worried about her younger brother whom she never met, so she ran around the street to look for medicines. She didn’t know what kind of illness he was having, so she bought every medicine with all her money and ran like crazy.
But what she encountered at home was only scornful gazes and gestures that treated her like a dangerous outsider.
I don’t care if I was kicked out from my own home. I don’t care if you throw the medicine in the trash. However, I couldn’t stand it when you told me to live my own life as I pleased. I felt so disappointed in myself for holding onto that thin bond so foolishly.
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