Final Preparations (8)

“I’ll say it again. Never overdo it and don’t get hurt. If you feel at a disadvantage, run away right away.”

“I understand. I said I understand.”

On the day of departure. Julia gave a request that bordered on obsession.

I’ve probably heard it more than twenty times.

I fully understood her feelings, but she was stretched to the point where there was a delay in departure.

Schnella, who was worse off, approached Yulia to stop her.

“It’s all Seohyun’s fault. Please accept it.”

“…”

No, you came here to harass me.

As if that wasn’t enough, she joined in with Julia and continued nagging.

After listening to complaints under the guise of worry for an hour, I was finally able to free myself.

Finally, when Julia and Schnella walked away, Colin, who was quietly watching, left a word.

“I always trust Seohyun.”

“…”

“Honestly, I’m worried, but I’ll stop. I’m sure you’ve heard enough.”

“Thank you, Colin. Trust me and wait for me.”

“Yes. I will be looking forward to it as always. With a bouquet of flowers that I made myself.”

Colin leaves with a light hug.

I was reassured by the sight of him leaving with a smile until the end.

No matter what happens, I will return safely.

I pledged to never get hurt and to finish everything perfectly.

And the last guest.

He quietly came up behind me and tapped my shoulder.

When I looked back, I saw a woman wearing a robe deeply pressed down.

And two escorts follow her.

I immediately knew who it was.

“King. “Did you come all the way here?”

We already said our goodbyes at yesterday’s banquet.

Gearko came to see me in expedition person on the day of the.

“Seohyun, please. Can you back down on your decision right now?”

Have you come to hold me until just before you leave?

But there was resignation in her eyes.

I knew that even if I said something like this, they wouldn’t be able to stop me.

He gently held the two hands hidden under the robe.

Although it was an act that did not conform to etiquette, the king calmly gave his hand.

“King, don’t worry too much. I always came back safely.”

“But I heard you were injured in the last battle…”

“Please believe me just this once. It’s really the last time.”

No matter how much the king is, he is just a child in my eyes.

He nodded with anxious eyes.

“I can’t stop you. I’ll be praying for good luck every day…”

As expected, the king did not stop me any longer.

Instead, he held both hands tightly and stroked them.

“I can’t be of much help to you. I’m sorry. But this is my best.”

“No. The King has provided sufficient help.”

There was already enough support. There was an abundance of supplies and the highest quality equipment was provided.

In addition, a large amount of elixir was also available and the knights cooperated.

I would decline any further support than this.

The people around me did their job well.

Now it’s my colleagues and I’s turn to step forward.

“We will definitely bring you good news.”

“Okay… “

The king leaves after a brief greeting.

It was better this way because if I took more time, the worries would only increase.

Finally, Catalina approached, making a fuss.

“Be sure to defeat the demon lord. Understood?”

“Don’t worry. I will finish it properly.”

“Okay. I’ll just sit back and wait.”

Then he looked back without any regret and left.

Malcolm, who was following behind, smiled and said something.

“Seohyun. Thank you. And I will believe in you.”

Finally, once the sendoff was over, all that was left was to leave.

“Master. The preparations are complete. Please get on the carriage right away.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

Since I rested for a long time, my condition was at its best and I felt good.

Finally, the long-awaited time to set out.

I boarded the carriage for the final battle.

Even my steps were light and even the weather was helping me.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

With my horse, all my companions got into the carriage.

I also finished seeing off my colleagues waving through the window.

***

“Ha…”

As Seohyun’s colleagues left, the square suddenly became deserted.

A scene where only those who saw off the expedition remain.

Since the king was out during his free time, he returned to the palace.

Catalina, Malcolm. And only the members of the requesting office remained.

“It’s finally gone.”

“Yeah. I wanted to stop you this time.”

“It can’t be helped.” No one can stop Seohyun’s stubbornness.”

Only after he disappeared did Schnella complain.

In fact, Schnella was more opposed to the expedition than Julia.

There was even an opinion to delay the supply by blocking supply for the time being.

After Colin’s passionate persuasion, it was decided to respect Seohyun’s decision.

“Seohyun will return safely.”

“Colin. How can I know where your confidence comes from?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. I just believe.”

Schnella shook her head as if she couldn’t understand.

I decided to just think of it as a child’s immature sense.

“Well, what can I do? Now I just have to trust and wait.”

Catalina also added a word to Julia’s words.

“Okay. I’ve already left, so what can I do? I’ll take care of it.”

“That’s right. I will trust and wait for Seohyun and my colleagues.”

After Seohyun went to war, most of the Federation’s work was completed.

Of course, there is still work to be done regarding selecting new members of the alliance and settling accounts.

Since there was nothing urgent to do right now, I was able to take a breather.

“Anyway, Catalina. “What did you think?”

“What do you mean suddenly?”

“Will we really be able to defeat the Demon King? I’m not sure.”

Julia is the founder of the Federation, but not a combatant.

Not only did we barely see Seohyun and her colleagues fighting.

I was also quite ignorant about battles and war.

In that sense, I wanted to hear Catalina’s judgment after fighting countless battles.

In fact, she once fought alongside Seohyun and her colleagues.

Then Catalina said with a strange smile.

“I think it’s very possible.”

“…Really?”

“It’s because you don’t know. Each and every one of them is a monster.”

No matter how arrogant Catalina was, she was not stupid.

Seohyun’s colleagues were the best combatants in their respective roles.

Catalina didn’t want to praise others, but Malcolm was different.

Malcolm left an evaluation of his colleagues on her behalf.

“Seohyun is the most reliable member of the line. Although she is strong, she specializes in protecting her comrades.”

Although he has excellent sword fighting skills, he is an anomalous magic swordsman who uses ice magic.

He possessed a force worthy of the title of Dragon Knight.

“Kayla’s magic is unparalleled. There is no one who can match her fire magic.”

In addition to Yongin’s unique magic, he also had considerable strength as a fighter.

Literally versatile. He could be said to be the most ideal colleague.

“Tyria is the most perfect archer. Her arrows have never missed.”

As he said, no one could follow Tyria in terms of long-distance support.

In particular, her arrow ratio was comparable to that of the knights’ archers, so there was no need to say anything.

“Selika’s healing miracle is by far the best. I was amazed the first time I received healing.”

Although its combat ability was low, there was virtually no need for it.

If there are miracles of sanctuary and healing, your comrades will never fall.

The last person left is Erina.

“Erina-sama…”

Malcolm suddenly stops talking.

Then Julia looked with puzzled eyes.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem with Erina?”

“No. Rather, I think the strongest person is Erina.”

After hearing his words, Catalina had no choice but to admit it.

Because I have sparred many times and have never been able to win.

“It doesn’t make sense. I couldn’t even come close to seeing them sweep away monsters in a trance.”

Next, Malcolm wondered if he should have the last word, but decided against it.

When I saw Erina fighting, I felt more afraid than reassured.

I can’t even imagine what it would have been like if it weren’t for our allies.

Erina was a being beyond the human realm.

‘Is it really human?’

Erina was so strong that it seemed absurd.

So on the one hand, Malcolm was able to relax.

They clearly believed that they could defeat the devil.

“So don’t worry too much and just wait. Our job is done.”

“Okay. Let’s go and have a drink.”

Catalina is looking for alcohol again after drinking too much last night.

Malcolm tried to stop him, but Julia fought back.

“Okay. I don’t have anything urgent to do either.”

“…I hope you eat just a little bit.”

Schnella also gave permission, so there was no way to stop it.

In the end, Malcolm is about to give up and follow along.

‘Hmm…?’

Suddenly, I felt someone’s gaze from afar.

The feeling that someone is watching them.

I felt too strong of a conviction to be mistaken.

“Sister. Just a moment.”

“What? What’s wrong?”

Malcolm turned his gaze to where his intuition told him.

And when I looked around the alley, I was able to find a human print.

And the person hiding in the alley.

“Saint…?”

It was Renee, squatting on the floor.

Renee’s face turned bright red, as if she didn’t know she would be caught.

Given the circumstances, it appears that he continued to watch while he was on the expedition.

“Oh, no. I was just watching by chance!”

“Why are you so angry…”

No matter how you look at it, it seemed like he came on purpose, but Malcolm decided to keep his mouth shut.

In fact, Malcolm and Renee were almost like meeting each other for the first time.

This is because I didn’t want to embarrass people I met for the first time.

“What? Why is the saint here?”

Julia, who came by at the right time, also looked at me with puzzled eyes.

Then Rene was embarrassed and couldn’t say anything.

“Well, I was just passing by and saw it!”

“Well… I don’t have anything to say in that case.”

Even though it was said that way, I thought I could roughly understand the reason.

He must have come to see Seohyun and her colleagues off.

But it looks like I was just paying attention and missed the timing.

“Seohyun would have liked it if the saint had seen her off.”

“Well… That could be possible.”

It is too late to feel regretful now.

The carriage had already left the capital and did not see Rene.

Then Colin, who was watching, left a message to Rene.

“But wouldn’t it be okay to welcome you when you come back?”

“Huh…? When you come back?”

“Yes. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

Then, Rene’s expression also turned bright red.

I couldn’t say hello when I left, but I can probably greet you when I return.

The day we return from defeating the devil.

Wouldn’t they be happy if they were the first to welcome among the large crowd of people?

“…I hope you come back safely.”

“You have to believe it. It’s Seohyun and no one else.”

Then Rene stood up from his seat and nodded.

Although I have never seen how strong he is, I have heard many testimonies from those around me.

Rene also put down his mind and decided to wait.

I decided to give him a warm welcome when he came back.

“Anyway, saintess. Why don’t we have a meal together?”

“I’m thinking of going to my favorite restaurant.”

Then Rene thought for a moment and nodded.

Wouldn’t it be a good idea to take this opportunity to become friends with people around Seohyun?

Rene willingly accepted the offer and took a step forward.

That day, Rene ate with people and talked a lot.

It was probably the first time I hung out with people who were not members of the Vatican.