Chapter 141: The Graveyard Of Meetings
Shin Yura.
Excluding family, shes the person Ive known the longest. Consequently, I have many memories of her.
Among those memories
There were good times, but just as many, if not more, bad times. Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, as we spent time together, I painfully realized I wasnt better than her in any aspect.
Thats to say, I did have one thing over her.
Yes, I was taller, and I fought better. But boasting about just those two things felt foolish.
During relentless teasing, if I clenched my fist, I wouldve immediately been teased again, Eek~ Even dumber than me and barbaric to boot!
This wasnt a doubt but a certainty.
Yura teased me mercilessly right up until we parted ways. Of course, it wasnt like that from the beginning.
I still remember vividly. How could I forget?
It was during the summer vacation of our elementary school years.
Kids, unlike adults, can become friends quickly even if theyve just met. However, Yura wasnt like that. Her eyes were fiercely sharp, and frankly, her personality was so prickly that it seemed difficult for her to make friends.
Wasnt her personality prickly?
Thinking about it now, she seemed like a shy child who was just very reserved.
At even the smallest argument, she would clam up and, when she couldnt bear it anymore, would spit out curses.
You could say, for a kid, having a foul mouth doesnt equate to being shy, but considering she didnt like going out much and preferred playing with me over other kids, she was indeed shy.
But that was only for a while.
After middle school, she changed. Maybe she felt more confident? Trying to remember Perhaps it started when the school began ranking students by grades.
[Shin Yura 1/346]
The look on her face when she received the notification with her name among the top was something I hadnt seen before there was a certain pride.
I dont remember my rank. It wasnt embarrassingly low, but Yura started teasing me quietly right after we moved up to middle school.
Hyun-jun, look at this? Im first, first!
Why?
It must have been helpful studying with you.
What help? Its your ability. You worked hard for it.
Well but you taught me a lot that I didnt know. Without you
I didnt know.
Hyun-jun, where are you going?
Home. Im so tired after the exams. Sorry.
What about me? Arent we going to see a movie? You promised
Did I? Its such an old memory; I cant quite recall. Now that I think about it, maybe I did.
Perhaps at that time I was making excuses. The feeling of being surpassed by someone who always relied on me might have inadvertently sparked jealousy in my young heart.
Looking back, I was just a pathetic kid, but I couldnt help it.
At 14, I was indeed just a kid, and back then, I had a bit of an impulsive nature. Being around her and feeling increasingly bad, I might have been embarrassed to show my jealous feelings.
However, that didnt make our relationship distant.
Hey, are you upset because I came first?
What are you talking about? Stop talking nonsense and eat.
Youve been sulking. Thats why.
Youre the one. Are you just picking a fight because I didnt go to the movies with you?
Pfft.
Why are you laughing?
Pffhaha! Right, right. Hyun-jun, why are you so cute? Huh? Look at your face turning red.
Do you want to die?
Yura teased me, and I simply tried to retaliate.
Looking back now, I think she knew deep down that I harbored jealousy and feelings of inferiority. Whether good or bad, Yura and I never directly got angry or fought.
Not until we parted ways
But teasing should only go so far.
I told you, didnt I? That wont work. I know what youre thinking, but after about ten years, shouldnt you have learned by now?
She crossed the line. I never imagined shed freak out over my failure to get into my desired university. So, I really got angry.
Learn what?
If you just tried a little harder
What does trying hard have to do with learning?
If I had taught you, it wouldve been different! You just had to follow me exactly! You kept avoiding me!
Do you think that makes any sense?
I dont know, idiot! Anyway, its your fault!
What happened next?
I think I yelled at her to stop freaking out. With my veins bulging and eyes wide, I told her she was really annoying and irritating before I turned and walked away. I heard her screaming from behind, but I fervently ignored her and went home. The frustration that had been building up couldnt just be overlooked.
Not only that, but after I went home, I blocked her phone number and passed by her without acknowledging her, not wanting to deal with her anymore. After a few times, Yura did the same to me.
Strangely enough, a relationship of over ten years broke so futilely.
I shouldnt have blocked her.
If I knew she would die so soon, leaving these feelings unresolved
Sob-
[For Hyun-jun, whom I always miss.]
Wouldnt I have not cried so miserably like this?
Tears streamed down from my heated eyes, but it didnt last long. This was Kyries spiritual tomb. Being conscious of crying in front of many people, Shiron quickly wiped his face with his sleeve.
How pathetic
Whether it was the salty tears or the roughness of the sleeve, my eyes stung considerably. I should have wiped my face with a handkerchief instead but I guess I was too flustered to even take it out.
I was collecting my old feelings when I heard a strange sound from under me.
Sob-
It wasnt Shiron who made the sound. As his eyes stopped stinging and the tears quickly ceased, he looked down to find the source of the sound.
Krheung!
Lucia was also crying.
Why is she crying?
Blinking for a moment, Shiron realized where he was: Kyries spiritual tomb. Was she overwhelmed by emotions upon seeing his grave and the memorial stone dedicated to him?
Here.
Shiron took a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Lucia. Knowing what to do in this situation, as Lucia had been crying for more than just a day or two, he reacted quickly.
Krheung Thank you.
Perhaps because it had been in Shirons pocket, the handkerchief faintly smelled of him. Lucia gently dabbed her tears with the handkerchief she received, looking at the memorial stone.
[In memory of my dear friend Kyrie.]
She had cried involuntarily, her tears stimulated, but her first thought was who could have written it.
Was it Seira? Anjei and Vinella cant write, and Yura died before me. Seira is the only one who would call me a dear friend
Lucia sobbed again and turned to give the handkerchief back to Shiron.
Huh?
The reddened eyes and the moisture that hadnt been wiped away
Why is he crying?
Shiron, is there something sad?
Something sad?
You cried Krheung!
Lucia looked at Shiron with her reddened eyes.
Just wondering why you were crying.
I wasnt crying.
Shiron put the handkerchief Lucia handed back into his pocket.
Dust It was just dust in my eyes.
I see.
Although it was clear to both that these were not tears caused by dust, since Shiron didnt ask why Lucia was crying, she decided not to pry further.
She couldnt tell him the reason for her tears, nor could she reveal her identity as Kyrie.
How unsightly.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Shiron blushed and started to closely inspect the area around the memorial stone. Now was not the time to be lost in contemplation.
Latera said that her location would be known when he arrived at the holy land. Intruders have invaded the Heros Abode before. There must be a hint somewhere here leading to the Heros Abode.
[Prepare offerings for the gods and prove your worth]
Indeed, the stele was inscribed with many phrases, not just Easter eggs or pranks made by Yura. Each engraved letter bore the marks of time, its age indeterminable. No matter how well maintained, being exposed to the outside air for 500 years naturally wore the edges down.
[The one who is qualified shall be the next warrior]
[The peculiar resurrection of a god is upon us. We must prepare the next warrior]
However, these inscriptions were merely phrases that appeared in a dialogue box when the stele was clicked.
Shiron straightened up from his stooping position.
What was he supposed to gain from these unoriginal phrases? He regretted not asking Latera more before they parted, as today was a day full of regrets.
It was then, as he was rolling his eyes.
Suddenly-
Someone approached him.
?
It was a man he hadnt seen before. Between his slightly opened eyelids, greyish-blue eyes were visible. Given the [Lions Eyes], he seemed to be from Brahhams defense force, but why a member of Brahhams defense force was here was beyond him.
As Shiron looked puzzled, the man started talking out of the blue.
Hello. My name is Asad.
Ah Yes, I see.
Whats with this guy?
Shiron cocked his head and stared at him.
Do you need something from me?
Yes, I do.
The man who introduced himself as Asad smiled subtly.
You have a kind-looking face.
Thank you. But what does that have to do with your business?
Why wouldnt it? Its said that those with true faith have kind faces.
I see It seems you have no business then, so Ill be on my way.
A strange person. Shiron, not wanting to be involved any further, quickly turned and walked away from him. However, the next words he heard stopped him in his tracks.
Do you believe in God?
Yes, I do. How could I, as a priest of Lucerne, deny God?
He was about to say he didnt believe but couldnt risk being branded a heretic here. Shiron collected his thoughts and gave an appropriate response.
Is that God the right God?
What are you saying Are you suggesting I believe in a peculiar god?
His response was sharp, unable to mask his irritation. Shirons mood soured instantly at the unexpected intrusion. A frown creased his brow, and before he realized it, Lucia had joined him.
Not at all.
Perhaps it was the strength in Lucias [Lions Eyes] that caused a flicker of unease in Asads narrow eyes.
By grace, last night I heard the voice of the Lord.
The Lord?
Yes. The Lord commanded me to meet you.
Shirons thoughts drifted to Captain Malleus. During his studies in Lucerne, he had been greatly indebted to the man rumored to hear the voice of God.
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