Farewell to the hero! chapter 22

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The place Sehir mentioned was a clearing just past the reed field.

The patchy grass led to the edge of a small forest.

It looked like other travelers had used this spot before, as there were places to tie up the horses and spots to unload our belongings.

“I’ll check your condition.”

I straightened my back to make it easier for Owen, who had placed his hands on my back to examine me.

Despite it being some time since I dismounted, my body had yet to recover, so Owen was treating me.

As Owen’s hands moved down my spine, they occasionally paused, and whenever they did, I felt a warm sensation envelop my back.

It was an unfamiliar feeling that made my shoulders tense up.

I had expected riding for long hours to be tough, but not to this extent.

If this continued, it was going to be a real headache.

I couldn’t keep asking Owen for treatment every time I felt uncomfortable.

The more I worried, the more my body curled up.

Then it happened.

“Please stay still. You’re interfering with the treatment.”

Owen’s voice was sharp.

“Oh, sorry.”

I instinctively straightened my back, only for him to reprimand me again.

“Don’t tense up too much. Your muscles are still shocked and haven’t fully relaxed.”

“I’ll be careful.”

This is tough. I can’t do this, but I can’t do that either.

I clenched my fists softly, trying to hide my awkwardness.

As I carefully glanced back, I saw Owen concentrating on my back.

He seemed unsatisfied, his lips twisting slightly as he tilted his head.

His transparent blue eyes, revealed between strands of his hair, held no discernible emotions.

“Hmm.”

There were things I wanted to say, but I only let out a soft sigh.

When his hands reached near my tailbone, I hesitated but finally spoke cautiously.

“Um, Owen?”

“Is there something you’d like to say?”

“I’m sorry.”

Owen’s face, which had been crumpled with irritation as he focused, softened as soon as I apologized.

“What’s with the sudden apology?”

He looked surprised, as if he hadn’t expected me to apologize.

I placed my hands on my thighs, which no longer hurt like before.

“I think I’ve delayed the schedule because of me. I’m sorry for that.”

“Is that all? Don’t worry about it.”

Owen muttered dismissively, shaking his head.

“No matter how long it takes, we’re still heading for the nest of the Great Catastrophe. Simply put… whether we die tomorrow or in a week, it’s the same. The fact that we’ll die eventually doesn’t change.”

“……”

Are all of Kaindel’s friends this numb to death?

I widened my eyes at Owen’s comment, which reminded me of Kaindel, and let out a chuckle.

Well, if they’re heading off to defeat the Great Catastrophe, they must have accepted the possibility of death.

For people like them, reacting emotionally to life and death, as I did, might seem like a luxury.

Besides, Owen’s extreme example was clearly meant to console me.

So it didn’t bother me.

“People get sick, it’s inevitable. You don’t need to apologize to me, Isaac.”

“Please call me Isa, not Isaac.”

“Alright, Isa.”

Owen finally removed his hands from my back and stood up.

I hadn’t realized it while he was healing me, but now that it was over, my body felt significantly lighter.

I twisted and turned my body while seated.

The stiffness in my back was gone, and my muscles, which had been screaming in pain, had relaxed.

Even my legs were fine now, and I could stand without any discomfort.

So this is what divine power feels like.

It was amazing how quickly my body had healed compared to when I received treatment from doctors in the village.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. Healing is what I’m here for.”

Owen shrugged. Then, he shifted to sit beside me.

“By the way, I was surprised.”

“About what?”

“About Kaindel.”

He gestured with his chin toward a direction.

I followed his gaze and saw Kaindel sitting on a tree stump, polishing his sword.

He was meticulously wiping it down with a dry cloth, despite not having used it today.

What was surprising about Kaindel?

When I looked at him for an explanation, Owen smiled and said,

“If it were the Kaindel I know, he wouldn’t have stopped just because someone was sick. He would’ve had them treated by me while continuing on.”

“Oh.”

“That means it’s rare for Kaindel to change his plans for someone else’s comfort.”

“……I see.”

I hadn’t expected Kaindel to suggest resting so easily either.

That’s why I’d tried to endure the pain.

I didn’t want to mess up our schedule, neither for me nor for Kaindel.

So even others noticed.

I bit my lower lip, trying to suppress my rapidly beating heart.

Even though I knew it was too early to expect anything, I couldn’t help but feel excited.

The growing sense of happiness made me feel as though I might suffocate, like a flower in full bloom.

“Can you stand now?”

“Yes, I feel much better. Was that divine power you used to heal me?”

It was so warm.

I mumbled at the end, and Owen blinked slowly.

“Yes, but it’s not as impressive as people think. Divine power just feels warm.”

“Still, it’s amazing. Can divine power only be used for healing?”

“No. What I learned at the temple allows for things like breaking simple curses and performing minor miracles. It’s just that divine power is specialized in healing.”

“So, were you a priest, Owen?”

I blurted out the question that suddenly came to mind.

Now that I thought about it, I knew what abilities Kaindel and his group had, but I didn’t know how they came to be together.

Owen hesitated for a moment before answering my question.

“I took classes to become a priest at the temple, but I ran away because it didn’t suit me.”

“What?”

“They teach you to use your abilities to serve others, but I just couldn’t understand it. So, I fled. That’s when I met Kaindel while running away from my mentor, and we’ve been together since.”

Owen explained casually, brushing his disheveled hair back.

His platinum blonde hair, falling to his ears, shimmered, perfectly matching the sky just before sunset.

“I think you would’ve made a great priest.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Yes, don’t others say the same?”

“Everyone around me says it was a good thing I quit something that didn’t suit me.”

“You have mischievous friends.”

“That’s true.”

I grinned, mimicking Owen’s hearty laughter.

When I first spoke with him at the dining hall, his overly studious nature felt overwhelming.

But now, he seemed much more approachable.

His passion for his work didn’t feel burdensome anymore.

In fact, I found myself wanting to grow closer to him.

“But you, Isa, would suit the temple well.”

After the laughter subsided, Owen suddenly said something cryptic, fixing his gaze on my eyes.

He slowly scanned me up and down, then looked satisfied as if he’d found what he was searching for.

“That’s why…”

What is he talking about?

As I silently watched Owen muttering to himself, Sehir approached without a sound and tapped my shoulder.

“Are you feeling better, Isa?”

I nodded slowly, staring at the amber gemstone that hid beneath his furrowed brows.

“Much better. I can move without any pain now.”

“That’s good. Owen’s skills are top-notch, after all.”

“Yeah.”

I glanced at Owen as I agreed with Sehir’s words.

Owen only gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, as if he was used to such praise.

His aloofness, which could have seemed arrogant, instead felt familiar, even comforting.

When Sehir started putting on the robe he had taken off earlier, I decided to change the subject.

“By the way, where are you going?”

“It’s getting dark, so I thought I’d collect some firewood.”

“Ah.”

I looked up at the sky.

The orange hue that painted the sky while we were riding had now darkened.

Night was quickly approaching.

“I’ll help. Let’s go together.”

I gently grabbed Sehir’s sleeve as he turned to walk away.

Collecting firewood wasn’t something anyone should do alone, even if it was a simple task.

Besides, I thought it might ease the uncomfortable feeling gnawing at me.

I was confident I could do it well.

Sehir, however, seemed hesitant as he asked, “Are you sure? Even though Owen treated you, it might be too much to move around so soon.”

“It’s just gathering firewood. It won’t be too strenuous.”

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