Chapter 467 – The First Demonic Conquest, and What Followed (1)

【You failed, A.B.】
“I’m sorry.”

Returning with a body that was no different from a decimated form, A.B. had no time to recover before he knelt before the queen. His torn suit revealed a section of flesh that had been sliced away. Blood gushed like a fountain from his bulging arteries.

“…”

Beside A.B., who neither screamed nor showed pain, a small child covered in bandages murmured.

[I won! You didn’t do anything.]
“Lerad.”
[Why, it’s true.]
“You didn’t do anything well either.”

At Lerad’s words, A.B. glared resentfully at her with his one remaining eye.

This war could be seen as having been entirely ruined by Lerad’s impulsive actions. If only Lerad had struck Soo-yeon’s neck without waiting for Gu-seul, then the Camellia would have already been handed over to the ATU.

[Hmph.]

Lerard feigned innocence with an untroubled expression.
A.B couldn’t bring himself to reveal his surging anger in front of the queen.

If you had fought well, you wouldn’t even mention it.
If even one officer had been killed, you wouldn’t say such things.
Having been so thoroughly defeated under the name Samjae… the future of ATU looks grim.

[I wasn’t defeated.]

Lerard, who had seen through A.B’s thoughts, cried out in a fit.

[…I said I wasn’t defeated!]

Lerard’s injuries, no matter how generously assessed, seemed to require at least six weeks for full recovery.
From the bullets lodged throughout his body, one leg utterly destroyed, eyes bruised like chestnuts, and as if he’d been in a brawl with women, a small patch had found its place on his head.

[…This was just bad luck.]

Under A.B’s blatant gaze, Lerard discreetly covered the top of his head with his hand. Even for someone called a monster or a psychopath, hair loss appeared to be a source of embarrassment.

It was only natural.
The pain and stress of hair loss were more severe than inflammation of the heart.

[Don’t look! Eek!]

Lerard, at the peak of his humiliation, struck A.B.
Bang! A.B. crashed to the floor at a terrifying speed. As death loomed, blood began to pool on the floor.

【Lerard.】
[But, big brother…]
【Stay still. I’m in the midst of finding a way to heal you right now.】

The queen’s hand reached out from her dimension and embraced A.B.’s body.
At that moment, the pitch-black magical essence emanating from his body crept up the queen’s wrist.

-Ugh!

The queen’s crown resonated.

【…This is.】

The royal crest; even magic could be harnessed in this manner.
The queen gathered A.B.’s unconscious body. No matter how disappointed she was in him, A.B. was like her own child.

【Lerard.】
[Yes?]
【…As soon as A.B. recovers, establish contact with the king.】
[Contact?]

【I need to talk to you. 】

* * * * * * * * * *

It’s all over.

‘…….’

– Woo woo woo.

With heavy steps, Shiba took her first step back to her hometown.

Seoul Incheon Airport.
Inside, numerous refugees and travelers formed groups, moving about. Swept up in the flow of people, Shiba found herself naturally pushed to the outskirts of the crowd.

“Ah.”

Her friend had been kidnapped. She had promised to protect them, but in the end, no one could be saved. Shiba, recalling the moment she awoke from her faint, brought her hands together and wiped her face.

Injured Soo-yeon and Saku, who had shouted out asking if she was okay. And Bam, who had suffered significant injuries as well. The helplessness and sorrow that immediately followed were too much for Shiba to bear.

Azalea was Shiba’s first friend.
A genuine connection in which she divulged her past for the first time, sharing an unconditional friendship.
Shiba couldn’t protect such a cherished person.

– Ugh.

The automatic door opened, and Shiba emerged from the airport. The sound of feeble footsteps echoed.
It was precious, and that’s why the shock was immense.
Shiba extended her hand and stared at her powerless grip. A slight tremor conveyed her emotional and physical state.

“…”

Following the battle with ATU, during the process of checking on those who were caught up in the conflict, Azalea learned of Shiba’s involvement. Consequently, Shiba might not be able to serve as a Triknight in the future.

It didn’t matter.
For now, she just wanted to feel a little more at ease.

– Trudge.

Shiba continued to walk forward steadily. In front of her was her mother, who had come to greet her.

“Mother.”

It’s my mom.
Shiba murmured.

Azalea, clutching a closed tumbler, awaited Shiba with a face brimming with maternal love.

“Come here.”

Her mother called. Shiba, who had been walking feebly, gradually quickened her pace and embraced Azalea tightly.

“…Mom.”

Her voice trembled, yet it was tinged with sadness. Azalea didn’t reproach her, conscious of her past ways.

“Why did you do that?”

Shiba appeared to bear many scars, and Azalea was likewise weary, both physically and emotionally. For a long while, Shiba remained silent, before finally whispering.

“I’m sorry… Mom.”

Following their brief reunion, the pair decided to take a respite.

Mother and daughter faced each other, seated in chairs for travelers.

“Drink this.”

Azalea offered the tumbler to Shiba. It was filled with the warm lemon tea Shiba had been frequently drinking since three months prior. As the lid opened, steam billowed forth. Shiba cautiously took a sip, concerned that her mother might chastise her.

Sour yet sweet… Azalea’s homemade tea.
As her limp body warmed and melted, Shiba’s hands trembled.

*Thump.*

Azalea’s side hair brushed against Shiba’s shoulder. The pink strands that slid down tickled the bridge of Shiba’s nose, causing discomfort.

“Why did you do something so dangerous?”

Shiba couldn’t hold back any longer.

“…Mom, I…”

With a short, choked sob, tears streamed down Shiba’s face.
It was more of a feeling of injustice than an apology, and it was also painful.

“I wanted to do well, too… *sniff*…*sob*.”

She couldn’t finish her words. Burying her head, Shiba cried wholeheartedly like a child.
Although the people nearby glanced at her from time to time, it didn’t matter.

“*Wail*…”

In a childlike cry, Azalea wrapped her arms around Shiba’s neck and pulled her close, cradling Shiba’s face against her chest.
The hot lemon tea that had spilled over seeped down Azalea’s thighs.

It was so hot that her skin turned red, but Azalea showed no sign of pain.

“Ah, Mom…”

Tear stains marred Azalea’s white dress. As she tidied Shiba’s disheveled hair, Azalea soothed her daughter with a warm voice.

“My girl, you’re still just a child.”
“Hic, h-hic…”

“Will you tell me everything later? Your mother was so worried.”

Shiba wiped her tears and looked at her mother. Faint dark circles lingered beneath her eyes, and her makeup remained uncorrected. How long had she waited? For some reason, this made Shiba feel even sadder.

“My girl.”
“…Yes.”
“Do you know how much your mother loves you?”
“Yes.”

Azalea, all that remained of her mother. Shiba thought that she must be the only one left. Azalea had always said so, and Shiba had received such an abundance of love that she was well aware of it. In front of Azalea, Shiba wanted to be a good daughter.

But why, what did that man say?
How did such trivial curiosity lead to this?

She didn’t regret her choice, for Shiba had made a friend.
Yet, she felt a tinge of regret for losing that friend.

If only she had been stronger,
would the outcome have been different?

– Swish –

Azalea gently wiped the corners of Shiba’s eyes with her thumb.
It felt as if laughter might burst forth even amidst the tears.

A warm motherly touch, wiping away her own tears.

…

For a moment, Shiba’s vision darkened.
In an instant, Azalea’s hand transformed into that of a coarse man.
Her vision flickered, and the space where Shiba sat changed into the room where she had fainted days before.

“My daughter?”
“…Beep.”

Why,
did she just think of that man?

As the images of Azalea and the king overlapped in an instant, Shiba shuddered with goosebumps.
The despicable king who had stolen her friend away.

Could it be from sheer exhaustion?
In her mother’s embrace, Shiba’s eyelids gradually closed.

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“Hey, Lee Shiba.”

The sharp and fierce woman’s words caught Shiba’s attention.
The supreme authority of the Korean Hunter Association, Hanbyeol lectured Shiba with her arms crossed and a visibly irate expression.

“Who gave you permission to join the Tree Knights without a word?”
“…”

Shiba bowed her head, her face fatigued. Seeing her daughter like this, Azalea glared at Hanbyeol.

“…My daughter is exhausted right now. Can’t this wait, Hanbyeol?”
“No, Azalea. Don’t you understand the gravity of this situation?”

Hanbyeol, who was ordinarily so bright and endearing, was genuinely furious.

Shiba glanced to the side. Lee Se-Young, seated on the sofa, was gazing at the stars with her chin resting in her hand.

“Ugh, seriously! Am I the only bad one again? Dallae, my darling, isn’t always the answer, you know? Hey, Lee Se-Young.”
“What?”

As Se-Young responded playfully, veins bulged on Byul’s forehead.

“You know very well. No, you know it too, Dallae. The world is falling apart these days.”

Usually,

“Kyaa~ Shiba, my love~♡”

Byul would have reacted like that.
Lee Se-Young was thought to be the one who got angriest the most.
Shiba, feeling disheartened, lowered her eyes.

“Right now, with the king… He said he met the king, where the ears are!”

A matter that couldn’t be taken lightly.
As Byul had been devising countless strategies against the king, her eyes couldn’t help but roll.

“You… Did you know who the king is and what he does?”
“…….”

“Then what if something serious happens, or you have a physical problem? Have you ever considered your mother’s feelings?”
“Byul, I’m fine.”

Shiba closed her eyes tightly, as if trying to ward off her mother’s concerns. Byul diffused her anger with a sigh, and Se-young observed Shiba’s face, her lips pressed together.

“…I’m always the one scolding you, right?”
“It’s already in the past.”

Se-young responded to Byul’s words. As Se-young’s charismatic gaze turned to Shiba, she tightly closed her mouth and placed her hand on her knee.

“Let her rest for now. She looks… quite exhausted.”
“…”

It was true. There was no guarantee that blind anger would reach Shiba. Byul held her tongue, and Azalea tightly grasped Shiba’s hand. She hadn’t yet explained the reason, and Shiba appeared quite saddened. Se-young looked at Shiba with concern before quickly averting her eyes.

“…Aunt, second mother. I apologize.”

“No, go ahead. With Azalea.”

As soon as Shiba left the room with Azalea, the star slumped down and buried her face in her lap.

After struggling alone for a while, she finally gave in.

“Sniffle…”

Byul, on the verge of tears, made Se-Young sigh.

“You always get angry. Why don’t you try changing your approach?”
“… She’s always choosing risky things, as if she’s not Si-heon’s daughter. How can I not worry… Sob.”
“Aren’t you afraid she’ll end up disliking her aunt?”

Gasping, Byul burst into tears.

“Waaaah…”

Byul, perhaps even more than Shiba, cried like a child. She crawled over to Se-Young, who was sitting on the sofa, clung to her lap, and sobbed.

“Sob, h-hic… I, gulp, just, sniff, was worried…”

Her tone was reminiscent of a wronged elementary school student trying to hold back tears.

“Hey, why are you really crying?”

Se-Young, alarmed, hugged Byul tightly. Byul, wrapped in a black coat, rubbed her nose against Se-Young’s chest as she continued to sob.

“You all keep turning me into the bad one!! Sigh…”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Ugh… This is gaslighting!”
“Byul, it’s gaslighting, not gaslating.”
“Sigh…”

Byul cries even more sorrowfully. Se-Young chuckles and comforts her.
She knows Byul’s feelings well.

It’s because she’s precious that Byul shouted and raised her voice.
It’s because she’s precious that she’s crying like this.

Even though Azalea is a rare example of a true mother in today’s society, Se-Young and Byul were also experiencing an overwhelming amount of maternal love from Shiba.

“So, we should quickly make peace.”
“Uhm… Yeah. That’s right.”

Byul, rubbing her nose against Se-Young’s soft chest, tightly hugs Se-Young and sniffs loudly!

Startled by the sound of the sniff, Se-Young grabs Byul’s shoulder and pushes her away.
Since Byul was wearing fine clothes, a long trail of transparent mucus stretched across her exposed chest.

“Hey, you really…”

With her eyes swollen from crying, Byul pouts her lips as she wipes her nose.

“…We were supposed to visit Mom’s grave this evening. How can we go like this? Sigh. Huh?”
“Why bring that up now?”
“Mom would understand, right?”

Perhaps she’d still see our daughter as a baby and dote on her.
Her face remains as cute as ever, so it’s quite likely.

Se-Young, holding the sobbing Byul in her embrace, sighed and gently stroked Byul’s head.

“Byul, why does it seem like your mental age is regressing as time goes on?”
“Hmph.”
“We’re both getting older, you know. It’s bewildering.”
“Didn’t they say women age like wine?”
“That’s a saying for people who’ve actually aged.”
“Gasp.”

Se-Young let out a sheepish, charming smile.

“…Are you done preparing for the tower raid?”