Book 2: Chapter 439

The memory of that nightmare was still vivid.

He pa.s.sed away.

What?

It is something he wanted for a long time, and it was his own will. Even if I am his disciple, I have no right to stop him from doing what he wants.

A woman with black hair like her. She wasnt that bad. To be honest, there werent many things that could enter her mind, but there were definitely a few points that she couldnt ignore. Moreover, looking back, Sedi probably didnt hate her that much.

However, when shed heard that, Sedi had almost killed that woman, Min Ha-rin, in an instant.

You What the h.e.l.l are you talking about?

There were certainly several reasons why she was emotional and angry.

Her detached expression and low tone. All of this showed her that Min Ha-rin was trying to maintain her composure.

Had she lost her mind?

Could this woman really show that att.i.tude when talking about her Masters death?

Min Ha-rins face came closer. It was none other than her that made that so. Before Sedi realised, she had grabbed Min Ha-rin by her collar and pulled her closer.

dont try to beat around the bush, tell me straight. What happened to Father?

In fact, she already knew. She probably did.

Nevertheless, maybe, maybe it wasnt like that, it wasnt possible.

She denied reality. And desperately hoped that the answer she received was different from what she expected.

Hes dead.

She couldnt breathe. Her chest felt tight and her mind went blank.

While this happened, her mouth moved and asked.

dead?

Yeah.

And you just left him alone?

Min Ha-rins mouth opened again. She probably had something to say about the situation.

But Sedi couldnt accept it.

Bab.u.mp, Bab.u.mp.

Her vision shook with her heartbeat. Before she realised it, the surroundings felt like they had turned black, and it felt like every sound had become distant as if her eardrums had ruptured.

right. Its fine since you guys survived, since he saved your lives.

I dont think so.

Shut. Your. Mouth.

If that was really true, that wouldnt have happened.

Did he really want to die?

Then what about her?

Was the relations.h.i.+p with her not important for that person? Was it so insignificant that he wouldnt say anything to her in the face of death?

She knew. In the end, Sedi was the one whod forced herself to be his daughter, and it was Sedi who clung to the t.i.tle of family.

Nevertheless, Lukas accepted her stubbornness.

I wont accept this.

It would be more accurate to say that she couldnt accept it.

She felt like if she accepted the facts that were revealed as they are, she would go crazy.

* * *

When her head cooled, she realised something.

Just because Min Ha-rin was like that didnt mean she wasnt sad. She must have been experiencing pain similar to Sedi.

However, funnily, in the face of the death of a loved one, a mortal appeared far more mature than Sedi.

Even if it was just an act, it was still amazing. Because Sedi couldnt even do that.

I respect and accept Masters choice.

The Min Ha-rin in her memory seemed to make that claim.

Was your answer correct?

Was it correct to accept both Lukas choice and death?

No. That wasnt right.

That might be the correct answer for Min Ha-rin. Even for that woman named Beniang. And it might also be the right choice for the other disciples as well.

However, it wasnt for Sedi Trowman. It never was.

A daughter could never accept her fathers death so easily.

In any case, it is Fathers life I wont say childish things like that.

Sedi wiped her tears.

Then she looked up at the sky with her swollen red eyes.

Just because I want to.

That was all.

That was why, from now on, what she was going to do was completely self-righteous. Sedi understood and accepted that fact first.

Her desperation to meet Lukas again was a complete denial of the choice of Lukas, who had some kind of ulterior motive.

It was no different from that.

* * *

A lot happened.

And she gave up a lot.

It got harder day by day, but her desire for her goal did not fade in the slightest. It made her happy, but on the other hand, she was also scared. She couldnt tell what would happen if that aspiration disappeared.

She was afraid, but she didnt give up.

At some point, she stopped moving and recalled her goal.

And she found a clue to make her wish come true.

* * *

It stung. But that was it.

Lukas rubbed his cheek.

It didnt hurt as much as her previous attacks. Or at least that should have been the case, but that slap on the cheek hurt more than his tingling chin or throbbing stomach.

Its Trowman.

Sedis voice still didnt change as she spoke.

youre still saying that.

I will say it over and over again. And I mean it. This kind of act doesnt work for Father, you should give up.

You think Im acting?

I dont want to answer any more silly questions.

Sedi touched her hand. It was the hand that had slapped Lukas cheek.

I know youve been through a lot. It must have been really hard. It still looks like it is.

You asked me earlier, didnt you? Whether it would make a difference if you told me, did you mean that?

Of course

Look at me and say it.

Dont just put your eyes on me.

The words shed just said. And the end of her words that shed stopped herself from saying before.

The words he heard.

Are you hesitating because its hard to even talk about? How immense were the things you went through?

what are you trying to say?

The corners of Sedis mouth rose. In other words, she smiled.

ah. Well, I just have a bit of doubt. From Fathers perspective, it might seem mind boggling, but it might not really be such a big deal.

Do you think Im exaggerating?

I didnt say that.

He knew in his head. That this was just a childish provocation.

Nothing more than a half baked provocation to make Lukas open his mouth.

Even Lukas knew that.

What do you know about me?

And yet, a clear, angry voice still came out of his lips.

Do you know what its like to always be forced to make unwanted choices? Do you have any idea what it feels like to not be able to die when you want to, and not be able to live when you want to?

Really? It must have been hard.

The smile disappeared from Sedis lips.

Then what about Father? Do you know how I felt? I hope you didnt forget. You willfully chose to die in the preliminaries.

For a moment, Lukas didnt know what to say.

Im sure you thought it was a death without regrets. Right. Well. I was the one who forced Father to take on the role. You probably didnt even think about me before you died.

No. That

Be quiet. Its my turn to talk.

Lukas closed his mouth.

Do you know how it felt when Father died like that? Like that person didnt have anything to do with me. It was so ridiculous that you didnt even leave a single word for me before you died.

Lukas recalled that time.

Just before leaving to fight Nodiesop, when he had been ready to accept his death, when hed finished his final farewell with Min Ha-rin.

He had only felt carefree at that time. He had only thought that he would finally be able to escape his dreadful fate. He didnt even spare a thought for Sedi.

Im sorry.

He couldnt help but apologise for that. But Sedis expression became worse.

s.h.i.+t. I didnt bring it up because I wanted to hear something like that. Just because I showed my emotions doesnt mean I became childish. I just

like Father told me a long time ago. I thought about it since then. How a father should treat his daughter. What you can do for me. An ideal

Sedis voice became a bit hoa.r.s.e.

the ideal father-daughter relations.h.i.+p.

Those were obviously Lukas words.

I mean. I did the things Father said. I thought about it seriously, more seriously than anything else in my life. Thats why, when I heard Father had died, all I could think about was meeting you again somehow.

And this is my answer.

Sedi took a half step forward.

Then, without hesitation, she embraced Lukas.

This was the first time in his life that Lukas had felt such warmth.

I will fight for you.

Something seemed to rise up in his throat.

No matter what it is, I will get rid of everything that bothers Father.

It was then that he realised the reason.

No one had ever said something like that to Lukas.

Everyone, including his closest friends, considered Lukas as someone to rely on. Even Kasajin, the only one with a different att.i.tude, wanted a relations.h.i.+p where they supported each other.

This was the first time.

That a person wanted to take over that responsibility instead.

Lukas had always been someones shadow. Hed been their shade.

And now.

The daughter hed forgotten, and had continued to forget, was trying to become his shadow. She was telling him that she would fight instead.

Those words choked him up.

So just say something. All I want is for Father to look at me and tell me.

It was at that moment that countless voices resounded in his head.

[What the h.e.l.l are you doing? Lukas.

[Why are you hesitating? You arent really considering what she said, are you?]

[Thats not going to work. Why do you think we allowed you to absorb us and gave you our strength?]

[it is your responsibility. We entrusted you with our unfulfilled dreams because we wanted a Lukas with another possibility to accomplish them.]

The pain, which felt like his brain was being stabbed by a needle, faded a bit.

So he could ignore it.

Then will you listen?

Lukas spoke.

The situations I was in. The things that happened.

For the first time, Sedi truly smiled.

Tell me.

* * *

He talked.

Lukas told Sedi about his situation.

It was the complete opposite of what happened earlier. Sedi only asked a few simple questions which never interrupted the flow and just listened to Lukas. There was hardly any change to her expression.

Lukas voice was the only sound in the room, but the atmosphere was tender.

And when his story ended, Sedi said bluntly.

Im sorry.

huh?

Lukas was taken aback by the sudden apology.

The things Father went through, were really no joke. I understand why you didnt even want to think about it. You could hardly afford to s.h.i.+t. If that G.o.d guy, was still alive, Id love to kick his a.s.s.

Anyways, okay. Ive received Fathers request.

Received?

Sedi spoke in an indifferent manner.

The woman called Pale is bothering you, you are curious about the ident.i.ty of the Beginning Wizard, and you want to know the truth about the Castle*. Is there anything else? (TL: When referring to *what I a.s.sume to be* the Void Kings castle, Ill use Castle as a way to differentiate it.)

Lukas

Thought that his situation was more complicated than that. There were many things that he wanted to accomplish, and he thought that none of them could be solved immediately.

But when laid out by Sedi like that, his goals didnt seem as great as he thought.

Thats true, but

Good.

Sedi got up from her seat. Then, she turned around as if she was going somewhere.

Where are you going?

To take care of the closest one.

The closest?

Pale. Isnt she still in Demonsio?

With a wicked smile, Sedi cracked her knuckles.

Lets start with that woman. After all, I still owe her something.

(TL: T~T Sedi is our best girl.)