PRB | Chapter 20

Since that day out, Eddie and Ketron often ventured outside the inn together.

Of course, it wasn’t some grand journey. They just strolled around the nearby park, wandered the neighborhood, or went to the market. At first, Ketron was reluctant to go out, but he got used to it and even started waiting for Eddie.

‘Finally, our Ket is going out on his own!’

Of course, Eddie got overly excited about it, which made Ketron frown and refuse to go out again, but their short outings became a part of their daily routine.

During this time, Eddie bought some clothes for Ketron at the market and picked up some yarn. Surprisingly, knitting was a thing here too.

For Eddie, who used to knit everything from dishcloths to scarves with his mom every winter, it was a nostalgic activity.

“That’s right, that’s called knitting with needles. You’re really good at it, just like your mom.”

“…”

Eddie’s expression turned a bit sad as he looked at the yarn and knitting needles. He bit his lip, feeling a tightness in his chest, but soon returned to his usual expression.

With a light smile, as if he hadn’t been gloomy at all, he called out to Ketron in a bright voice.

“Ket! Let’s go exercise!”

That day, they planned to walk around the nearby park.

Eddie easily coaxed Ketron out, greeted Gerold, and cheerfully left the inn.

Though it was called a park, it was more of a dirt path around a large lake, not as pleasant as modern parks. But as the season got colder, the chilly air from the lake filled their lungs, giving a refreshing feeling.

Of course, if it got any colder, it would be hard to enjoy such leisure… But Eddie, considering himself a proud member of the “cold-resistant” group, thought he’d be fine.

“Ket, want some?”

Eddie took a sip of the sports drink he had brought from the convenience store and offered it to Ketron.

But the blue drink seemed suspicious to Ketron, who squinted his eyes. After the Americano incident, Ketron had developed a habit of doubting anything Eddie offered.

Still, he eventually took it and tasted it, finding it surprisingly okay, and gulped it down without hesitation.

“…Not bad.”

The 600ml sports drink was gone in an instant.

Maybe I should have brought another one.

Thinking that, Eddie made a mental note with satisfaction.

Our cat really likes sweet things.

Though they called it exercise, it was just a lap around the lakeside, so it ended quickly.

Eddie still held onto Ketron’s sleeve as they walked, and fortunately, Ketron didn’t reject or push away Eddie’s touch, so Eddie was gradually adapting to the outside world.

Though he still flinched a bit when strangers passed by.

Still, it’s going smoothly.

Eddie thought everything was going smoothly.

Of course, it didn’t take long to realize that was a misconception.

𐙚 𐙚 𐙚

That day, after the walk with Eddie, Ketron came down to the first floor alone.

The holy sword’s noisy chatter was getting tiresome.

Since Ketron realized he was forgotten and betrayed, the holy sword, more furious than him, constantly shouted for revenge, disapproving of Ketron settling in the inn as if it were his home.

「Didn’t you say you’d stay only until your injuries healed?」

There was nothing to say to that. The injuries were almost healed, leaving only traces, barely visible as wounds. In the past, such injuries wouldn’t even be considered wounds. The holy sword was pointing that out.

However, despite its disapproval, the holy sword didn’t press Ketron too harshly, as if it knew the reason.

“Hoo.”

Ketron sighed and rubbed his face.

He still didn’t know. Why he settled here without thinking of leaving, why he kept postponing the day he’d run out once his thoughts were sorted.

Or why the thought of leaving didn’t even cross his mind.

Is this really okay? Is it okay to stay here doing nothing?

He no longer had the sense of duty to save the world. It had already faded and scattered into ashes. But even without that, he didn’t particularly want to do anything.

The holy sword insisted on revenge, but it was such a daunting task that he didn’t know where to start.

Maybe, he could rest a bit before starting.

Such weak thoughts crossed his mind.

If he expressed these thoughts, the innkeeper—no, Eddie would probably smile and say:

“Of course. Why not? Rest as much as you want, Ket.”

Even knowing that Ketron disliked that nickname, Eddie would still use it, treating him like a cute cat. That’s just how he was.

Thinking that way made all worries seem trivial. It gave a vague sense of reassurance.

As Ketron leaned back in his chair, the surroundings became noisy. Voices seemed to be coming from outside the inn.

Voices saying things like ‘It’s really him!’ or ‘Lucky to see him in person!’ made Ketron squint. He couldn’t tell what the commotion was about.

The noise from outside gradually got closer, and when Ketron looked puzzled, the source of the commotion boldly opened the inn’s entrance and came inside.

The first thing that caught the eye was a large, muscular body. The man, who stood out even more because he liked wearing white clothes, had a smiling face.

It was a very familiar face to Ketron.

In an instant, Ketron felt a tightness in his chest, as if he couldn’t breathe.

The man, wearing a white priest’s robe that seemed both fitting and unfitting, with a large, long staff on his back, was Augustine, a hero known as a saint, part of the hero’s party.

“Do they really sell such unique snacks here?”

His bright green eyes curved gently. Though he wore a priest’s robe, the aura he exuded was that of a warrior.

Unlike the image of a man kneeling before the proof of God and praying quietly, he was a man who, like the saintess, was a testament to divinity but preferred fighting over peace.

Ketron first met Augustine five years ago. They clashed over a minor misunderstanding, fought, and Ketron won, leading Augustine to want to adventure together.

“You’re the best, Ketron!”

If Ketron had to name his only friend in life, it would be Augustine. Despite the age difference, if they weren’t friends, what kind of relationship would be?

But after defeating the Demon King, Augustine didn’t look for Ketron.

At first, Ketron was shocked, thinking Augustine had betrayed him too, but soon realized Augustine wasn’t that kind of person.

He too was caught in the magic and forgot Ketron entirely.

And because of that, their betrayal succeeded.

Very smoothly.

Ketron unknowingly stared at his lost friend. Despite not having been apart like this since they first met, his friend didn’t seem much different from before.

Even with titles and being called a hero, he remained the same.

As Augustine, who was looking around the inn, met Ketron’s eyes.

“Oh.”

As soon as their eyes met, Augustine’s eyes curved. Ketron’s heart sank, thinking he had been recognized, but Augustine’s gaze didn’t hold the warmth of looking at a friend.

Augustine scanned Ketron up and down, then naturally approached and sat across from him.

The attention from people was overwhelming. The sight of a large man in snow-white clothes and a man in dark attire sitting across from each other was eye-catching, even without the fame.

“You’ve got a good build.”

“Kid, you’ve got a good build?”

“Where did you come from?”

“Where did you come from to be like this?”

The voice from the past overlapped with the present.

“Your eyes are impressive too.”

This was something he hadn’t heard before. Back then, Ketron was just a young man full of malice.

Ketron unknowingly made an uncomfortable expression.

How Augustine took it, he waved his hand.

“No bad intentions, so don’t feel bad. It’s just that, someone like me can tell a lot just by looking at someone’s build or aura, and you’re quite impressive.”

At Ketron’s sharp demeanor, he scratched the back of his head.

“I’ve been told a lot to be careful with my words because they can cause misunderstandings. But it’s not easy to change.”

He smiled brightly.

‘If you’re going to talk a lot, at least fix your way of speaking. You always cause unnecessary misunderstandings.’

…That was what Ketron often told him. If Ketron was the quiet type, Augustine was talkative, direct, and often didn’t consider the other person’s feelings, leading to many misunderstandings.

Augustine’s voice, rebutting that, also came to Ketron’s mind.

“Are you one to talk? No matter how much trouble I cause, it’s not even half of what Albatross does.”

While Ketron was lost in his overwhelming memories, Augustine tilted his head.

“Come to think of it, who said that? Lately, my memory’s been a bit hazy. I’m still young.”

“…”

Seeing him unaware of his own forgetfulness, Ketron felt a tightening sensation.

Realizing his friend’s forgetfulness at such an unexpected time and place made Ketron feel suffocated. Somehow, it felt more painful than Arthur and Boram’s betrayal.

Ketron abruptly stood up. He wanted to leave. The overwhelming attention from people was uncomfortable.

“Wait a moment.”

But Augustine didn’t seem willing to let Ketron go easily.

“Hey, if I made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry, but if you’re okay with it, how about a spar with me? If you don’t have anything urgent.”

“…”

“I haven’t had a proper workout lately, and you seem like you’d be a good match.”

Huh? What do you say, want to go?

He said with a bright smile, without a hint of malice. Overflowing with positive energy, he naturally assumed the other person would accept.

Just like his friend always did in the past.

It was a different kind of overwhelming feeling from Eddie, and Ketron couldn’t bring himself to refuse.