Farewell to the hero! chapter 17

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“Yeah,” I nodded, motioning toward the back of the restaurant with my chin.

There, Alice was hastily slurping down cold corn soup.

She claimed she didn’t even have time to make herself proper food, so she always finished the cold soup to the last drop.

Since the restaurant’s break times revolved around Alice’s schedule anyway, she had the luxury of taking her time. It was quite a stubborn habit.

Lowering my gaze, I saw today’s newspaper spread out in front of her.

Whatever article she was reading seemed to have her full attention, as she hadn’t even noticed Sehir’s arrival.

Without a word, Sehir glanced at Alice, then sat down next to me.

“What did you eat?”

“Rye bread and cheese.”

“You should eat more.”

His soft laugh came with a gentle reprimand.

The concern in his voice was clear despite the teasing tone.

I responded with a light smile.

A few days ago, I’d been startled by how often this soft-featured beauty showed me kindness.

But now, I was becoming used to Sehir’s warmth.

After learning that he was the same age as Kaindel, I’d started speaking informally with him as well.

Sehir quickly insisted I do the same with him, and so our current dynamic had developed naturally.

“Were you studying writing again?”

“Ah.”

His question brought me back to reality as I recalled what I had been doing.

Sehir curiously flipped through the pages filled with my messy handwriting.

He stopped when he reached a section where Kaindel’s and my writing alternated.

I watched him and answered, “Yeah.”

“You must really enjoy studying, since you even do it during your breaks.”

“Hmm…”

Seeing his genuine admiration, I could only let out a small hum.

It wasn’t that I enjoyed studying, after all.

It was because of Kaindel.

The reason I spent my free time practicing writing was solely because of him.

He always looked pleased whenever I understood something new.

He would even pat my head, as if praising me.

There was something strangely comforting yet frustrating about those moments of contact.

I liked it.

That’s why I kept studying, even when I was alone—just to get more praise from Kaindel.

Of course, there was also a sense of accomplishment that came from improving my skills.

But that wasn’t what motivated me to keep going.

Before Sehir could grow suspicious of my long silence, I spoke up.

“It’s fun.”

“That’s good to hear. Knowing how to write will be useful in many situations.”

“It’s already made work easier since I can read the menu.”

I had also come to realize just how pretty the name “Isaac” was.

I used to prefer the nickname because the full name sounded too stiff, but once I saw it written out, I thought it was a beautiful name, especially with all the round letters.

“That’s great.”

Sehir’s soft voice filled the space.

Even though it wasn’t a profound statement, his voice had the power to capture everyone’s attention.

There was something about the way he spoke that made even the simplest words sound meaningful.

They had a way of sticking with you.

Just as I was beginning to feel a tickle in my ears, he casually changed the subject.

“By the way, I heard you’ve been sharing information with Kaindel about the great Catastrophe.”

His tone was so natural.

“Isa, do you plan on leaving with us?”

“…….”

“Did I hear that right?

For a moment, I doubted my ears.

I stared at Sehir just to make sure, and his sincere gaze made it clear he meant what he said.

…Not just Kaindel, now even Sehir.

I bit my lower lip without realizing it.

As I clenched the hand resting on my knee, a sharp sense of reality hit me hard.

I looked down at myself, noticing how out of place I seemed, dressed like someone who should be wiping tables at a restaurant.

If what he said was true, it was absurd.

For starters, Kaindel, the hero, was a master of swordsmanship.

Even before reaching adulthood, he had defeated the captain of the royal knights.

Ruen had eyes sharp enough to navigate mazes effortlessly, and Owen possessed healing powers called the blessing of the gods.

Sehir wasn’t just skilled with the bow; he was a brilliant strategist. Lastly, Daniel could communicate with beings that didn’t speak human language.

They were going to defeat a great Catastrophe, every one of them exceptionally capable, trusting each other to have their backs.

And they wanted me to join them?

After much thought, I had turned down Kaindel’s offer, realizing that I’d only be a burden.

With no strength or special abilities, tagging along would be foolish.

Surely, Kaindel and Sehir knew this as well.

Yet they still insisted I come with them.

The question I had asked myself hundreds of times over the past few days came back to me.

Why?

“I won’t be of much help.”

“You already are.”

“I don’t have any special abilities. If I go, I’ll only hold you back. Are you really okay with that?”

“Yes.”

“Because of the information I know?”

“No, more like…”

Sehir mumbled as if struggling to find the right words.

“Talking to you is comforting, like I’ve had a good two days of sleep. Besides, it’d be sad to part ways with a friend we’ve just made.”

“…”

“And Kaindel wants it too.”

Suddenly, the atmosphere quieted.

I was at a loss for words.

My mind raced, trying to figure out why Kaindel would want me to come along.

Meanwhile, Sehir stared at me intently, his amber eyes seemingly trying to read the chaos inside me.

Suddenly, I recalled what Kaindel had said.

“It’s just about whether you want to, Isa.”

The way he acted as if he would do anything if I just said the word—it was a cruel kind of kindness.

The fact that I wasn’t the only one receiving this kindness made it even more brutal.

I sighed deeply, feeling frustrated at how little I understood Kaindel’s true intentions.

Did he value our friendship like Sehir, and that’s why he wanted me to come?

Or was there another reason?

It was a dilemma.

Only by understanding the answer could I find clarity and settle my tangled thoughts.

Sehir broke the silence after a long pause.

“Anyway, that’s how we feel. Honestly, it’s going to be really dangerous. We’re going to fight a Catastrophe, after all. No matter how much Kaindel and I protect you, there’s still risk. In the worst case, you could even die.”

“That’s fine.”

“Take your time to think about it, though. No need to decide right away.”

Sehir glanced outside, then sighed with frustration.

“Damn, it’s raining again. Kaindel didn’t take an umbrella with him.”

I followed Sehir’s gaze to the window.

Dark clouds filled the sky, unleashing a torrent of rain.

It was a sudden downpour, likely a continuation of the morning rain.

“Where did Kaindel go?”

“He went to get a letter from the capital. It seemed urgent.”

So he’s at the town hall.

I imagined Kaindel’s whereabouts and stopped Sehir as he began to rise from his seat.

“I’ll go fetch him. You must be tired.”

It was a flimsy excuse.

Sehir didn’t look tired at all, and I knew how strange it would seem that I was offering to do something unnecessary.

But after talking with Sehir, I found myself wanting to go.

Despite avoiding Kaindel for days after our last meeting, I suddenly wanted to see him again.

I wanted to know the answer to the dilemma, to understand the thoughts he kept hidden.

I wanted to ask Kaindel what he really thought of me.

I wanted to understand him.

More than anything, I simply wanted to see him, even in the midst of this uncertainty about whether to stay with him or not.

The fog clouding my thoughts started to take shape.

Beyond it, I saw a glimpse of myself, knowing that despite how foolish it might be, I was ready to act.

My resolve had already tilted heavily in one direction.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, it’s my break time.”

Sehir eyed me suspiciously but eventually shrugged as if conceding.

He hung his robe back on the chair and handed me a large umbrella.

“Take this.”

“Thanks.”

I cast a quick glance at Ellis, who was still eating, then left the restaurant with Sehir’s umbrella, heading toward where Kaindel would be at the town hall.

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I found Kaindel after turning down the fourth alley.

He was standing motionless, seemingly indifferent to the heavy rain pouring down on him.

Without his usual robe, Kaindel’s well-built figure was clearly visible under his white shirt, and my gaze lingered longer than I expected.

The rhythmic splattering of raindrops against my umbrella filled the air.

The rain was intense, as if it intended to wash everything away, seeping into even the darkest parts of the world.

“Kaindel.”

“…”

I approached him, my voice slightly hoarse from calling out his name.

I had intended to scold him, asking why he was standing in the rain like this.

We would soon embark on a long journey, and it would be terrible if he caught a cold.

I planned to admonish him for not taking care of himself and offer him the umbrella.

But then, I noticed the letter lying pathetically at his feet.

I stopped walking and stared at it.

The letter, soaked and torn by the rain, lay crumpled on the ground, the ink smudged and blurred.

The words were barely legible.

The first word that caught my eye was death notice.

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