Chapter 226 – Travel (10)

The time I stayed in Sacreure was not long.
After confirming the coordinates, Terra took some necessary belongings and said that he would come and go separately to fix the place for the time being.
After checking on Lehel who was sleeping one last time, we departed for Parenzia.
There was no rain on the way.

“Are you here, Louis?”

We passed through the gate, greeted by Darling, who was leading the reclamation project in the western forest.
When I asked her why she was here during the day on a weekday since she didn’t graduate last year, I got an unexpected answer.

“The academy has been temporarily closed. “Because it was not yet an election, Princess Erzébet was able to exercise her authority as chairman of the board on her behalf.”
“School closure order?”
“The idea is to avoid unnecessary fuss…”

Darling looked at me for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders and said.

“Because it might be registered as a famous landmark at the Academy under the name of the building where the saint was buried.”
“…”
“Anyway, I finished preparing the transport while you were away, so let’s go to the canteen. “I will follow you as soon as this place is cleared up.”

As Darling said, everything was already ready in front of the store.
We were greeted by royal knights, a bishop from a wandering missionary group dispatched by the Holy Kingdom, and transport personnel.
Erzsebet, who returned to Parenzia after a long time, was also seen.
Before she could say hello to her, Adela and Liv approached her first.

“Ah, teacher!”
“Did you manage to find the floating island?”
“Yes! “I came back after seeing the skirmishers settling in!”
“Good job.”

In contrast to Adela running towards her, Liv stands with her arms crossed and remains silent.
She had seen me fall twice, so her stern expression showed the same concern.

“Are you okay, boss?”
“Yes. I don’t have any problem.”
“If anything goes wrong, tell me right away, Louis. “Caroline is probably praying at Monarch right now.”
“I said it’s okay.”

Why is everyone making such a fuss?
I answered lightly as usual.
It was a really strange thing, but my heart felt fine.
Rather, I was worried that the stall might break while removing the coffin buried deep in the basement.

“How do I proceed with the transport?”

I asked Erzsebet.

“Terra will use magic to remove the coffin. We even prepared a carriage to take you to the back of the Bayou Pavilion. “I need to tear down some of the basement walls, but I’ve recorded the numbers and all I need is your permission.”
“Last time I tried to go in without permission, but this time I got permission.”
“Then… !! Because I didn’t know, there was such a thing…”

I didn’t like the deep look on Erzsebet’s face.
I remembered that I was trying to take out a cigarette out of my pocket out of habit, but decided not to smoke it either.
As if I was already experiencing withdrawal symptoms, I felt something rattling in my chest.
I should have hung up later.

“Do.”
“Yes?”
“Let’s hurry and get it over with. “It’s been a while since I came home. I need to get some rest too.”
“Then…”

Instead, perhaps because she was even more nervous, Erzsebet muttered in a low voice.

“Let me begin.”

After a while, the sound of the basement floor being torn down began to be heard from inside the store.

***

The funeral proceeded smoothly without any problems.
Eris’s coffin, taken out of the dark and damp basement, was wrapped in a simple cloth and placed on a carriage.
When we arrived at a low hill overlooking the Parencia Academy, the priests offered a prayer.
Holy water was sprinkled and Erzébet read a eulogy sent from her royal family, praising her for her merits.
While the burial was completed and the proper stone monument was erected, I watched the whole scene from a step back.

Several weeks passed after that.

.
.
.

“President. Should we move these miscellaneous items to the back warehouse?”
“No, leave it there. “I’ll go to the blacksmith shop and hand it over to you.”

It was an afternoon when general cleaning was in full swing.
Flyers announcing the salon’s opening began to appear on the outdoor terrace where peach blossoms were blooming beautifully.
In order to reopen the cafe we ​​ran last year, Adela, Liv, and I were cleaning up the back of the cafeteria where the dragon stayed.
Since all the iron dogs were handed over to Goliath, there was no need for Japcheol anymore.

“Oh my.”
“President… ! Are you okay!?”

I almost lost my balance while trying to tear off a door with a hole in it by hand to replace it.
Liv was startled and tried to use her magic, but I waved her hand and reassured her.

“It’s okay, I just caught something on my foot.”
“You were surprised… “Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Yes yes. Instead, go and help Adela. “You also have to check the inventory of coffee beans and syrup in the warehouse.”
“Still…”

After Eris’ funeral, the number of women who were worried about me increased, and I was unhappy.
I grabbed the cart containing the miscellaneous metals and ran away.

“It’s okay. “I’m finishing the cleaning since I’m going to the blacksmith shop.”
“Ahh… ! President!”

As I was pulling a cart full of heavy metal pieces, I heard a rattling sound coming from somewhere.
A piece of my broken soul was moving around in my mind like a stone.
I definitely broke my oath, but there was no recoil or loss of consciousness like last time.
Neither Caroline nor Terra could find the cause, so they just carried on as usual.

“You bought a lot last time, why did you bring it back?”
“My dog ​​left.”
“What… ?”

After handing over the scrap metal to the blacksmith who lacked understanding, I looked around the city with my slightly heavy pockets.
While looking at some props that could help with the interior of the cafe, a small flower shop caught my eye.
Come to think of it, I haven’t visited the place where Eris was buried since that day.
Even though I was busy, I thought I should at least do some weeding, so I bought a bouquet of flowers and a pair of scissors and returned to the academy.

On a green hill where the breeze sings.
The place where the person who pledged eternal love was sleeping was quiet and peaceful.
It is a simple but not shabby tomb with no words telling you not to forget your oath and no dampness that will cause mold to grow if it is not maintained daily.
It was a beautiful place that showed the simple side of Eris Prashura that I remember.

I shook off the dust on the tombstone, pulled out some weeds that were sticking out, and placed the flowers.
Maybe it was because so much time had passed, but even with her death in front of my eyes, I couldn’t feel any emotions.
I wondered for a moment whether I should at least blow the bottle to suit the Cheongseung, but if I did that, I wouldn’t be able to finish cleaning within today.

“Where on earth did my oath go? … Tsk.”

I straightened her back and turned my gaze towards the view that could be seen from where she was sleeping one last time.
The majestic city, the forest regaining its green color, and the brilliant weather where you can even see the mountain peaks in the distance.
If she follows in my footsteps, wouldn’t she have achieved something?
I always wanted to go on a trip.

— I said up to three people.

For a moment, a strong wind blew.
At the same time, I turned around without realizing it when I heard a voice.
The wind lightly tore through my hair, taking a few flower leaves with it and flying them away.

“Ah…”

Then suddenly tears flowed uncontrollably.
It felt like a part of my soul that had been wandering around in my heart had melted and was coming out through my eyelids.
As my legs gave out and I sat down, the grass I had cut a little while ago pricked my palms.
Because they don’t hurt at all.
I was weaker than a blade of grass, but I was no longer like that, so I buried my head on top of it.

***

Did he lose his mind while sobbing for a while?
When I opened my eyes, it was evening with the sun setting.
There was a lot of work to do, but I forgot and fell asleep.
Just when I thought I had to quickly go back to the cafeteria, I saw Adella who had come to look for Luis.

– Teacher teacher!!
– Huh?

Blue jade-colored hair that looks like it has been cut and pasted into waves.
A blue cape draped gently over the shoulders.
The Order of the Grand d’Orificie Four Leaves, which represents the family’s status.
A beautiful smile without the slightest wrinkle.

— Check this out! I made it!!

As soon as he spotted him, he ran at full speed and shook the large basket in his hands.
Adela Sylvester chattered as she rolled up the cloth and held out freshly baked bread from inside.

— How did you make it… ? There are no baking tools in the store.
— It’s magic! How about selling this at our cafe?
— You can eat it, right?
— Would you like some?

She took the bread and thought for a moment.
Louis changes his mind when he sees ice ducks lying on the street.

– No.
– Yes!?
— Have you finished cleaning? Are you going to get scolded if there is dust left?
– I’m done! Make sure the ducks clean the water… Breath!?

The two soon slowly walked down the hill and disappeared from sight.
With a smile that no longer burdens my heart.
Now, he falls into an inexplicably long sleep in the carriage.
There won’t be a small piece rolling around in his chest and pricking his conscience.

– Wanna die?
— Miss Apa! It hurts!!

Surely we will live happily ever after?
Because the journey I saw through his eyes was very enjoyable.
There will be no change in the happiness of my beloved Luis in the future.
For a long time, forever.