PRB | Chapter 7

The parade 831463854f had ended, 9c484b854f but the d03d373d0b festival was 298019569c just beginning.c020bd227dcca9d3

The square c85b01973b was messy 43c4365928 with flowers eaeb623200 and paper 180435f4ed scattered around, ff8e2c29bf but no a2d816d01a one complained.cfea24bd9364aab3

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People wandered around with 5465313fa8 eyes wide open, looking db7ffe017d for any silver coins aa11020ed6 they might have missed d8ee82513f on the ground, and fd22f559ef they clinked glasses joyfully 00cca376c0 in inns and pubs 11072700cf until late at night.8b65256ed75c002b

They ordered 41438871af expensive snacks 20960acb95 without hesitation. It was partly because b5412d7a7c they were in high 51c8588aa7 spirits, but also because fb98020afc so many silver coins fb01f9ce9b had been tossed around 77e41ff661 during the day, making 881154055d them more generous.f7e100a0d77f9de7

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The city was as lively as when the news of the Demon King’s defeat first spread.cba166da3be08356

Thanks to this, Eddie’s Inn was also packed with tourists eager to enjoy the festival.20c0c162330db40e

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This meant that e3e3c6ad11 more people were 3f8805d246 trying the Fire 527f7359ab Chicken Noodles.28d3adc91509790b

At first, the unfamiliar menu didn’t attract many orders. But then, a few brave diners asked, “Noodles? Is it a noodle dish? I’ll have one!” and that started it all.8516d3cd6f53cbe7

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“Ahh!”0957a256ee86c9ed

“My lips are on fire!”548e87d8b965dd12

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“Poison! It’s poison, for sure!”eb5bf6ae3e4eb518

“Milk!”fee3be62d3d2aa4b

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The intense reactions that a2fed1f672 followed eating it sparked e918a8d26e curiosity, and soon everyone 8700333e80 wanted to try it, 08494f2565 making the Fire Chicken fda239848e Noodles sell like hotcakes. Milk was also fb920350fa sold alongside it 51a9bcfdf3 as a set.c4ae7c36862aabea

For the first time since opening, Eddie’s Inn had a line of people crossing their legs in front of the restroom. Eddie, watching people eventually head to other buildings for restrooms, smiled contentedly.d852b16168ce64f0

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“Good, good.”da1a7c367f046c68

It was a f59614b779 devilishly developed smile.20d04536d0938203

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Business is all 753a4a4ea1 about timing. Having succeeded fbf644ea76 in capturing 364ad70f90 interest with 790fc2caca a bold faa3c12d37 flavor, Eddie e438a9e8d0 thought it 392990f706 was time 8b54a6d717 to introduce 053ea018b1 something else, 1fe5821b7c and he 280d66b709 looked at 8d666030ad the packed 28442998c6 pub on 7307ab7bd7 the first a71ad9a594 floor with 53e7a3cc0a satisfaction.8a966d3f0f462b26

Before the crowd arrived, Eddie had prepared a room for Ketron on the inn’s second floor.c115693d99a40df7

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It was next to Eddie’s room.0bddf6a5a4ec7f84

And that was an honor(?) even Gerald hadn’t received, so Gerald spoke with genuine bewilderment.269a3a504da54cae

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“Why are you doing so much for that vagabond, Eddie?”6f0624fcb3fba876

His face looked like someone who had just seen a rolling stone dislodge a settled one. Technically, Gerald wasn’t a settled stone nor dislodged, but it was similar.32e1fac7fb7b1b7b

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Eddie couldn’t explain in detail. How could he say that this was a world inside a novel, and that the guy Gerald called a vagabond was actually the protagonist and the real betrayed hero?e1a8b6ed0ba327d7

“He’s just a kid, and it’s pitiful.”641afb162916f41f

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In truth, there wasn’t much of an age difference, but Eddie made that flimsy excuse. To Eddie’s eyes, Ketron did seem like a very young kid.6018145e2b712222

He died a3dfbcbcdd at twenty-eight. To someone da1493adc8 like him, d12232dbdb a twenty-year-old d23b3c8809 was just 78fc1f9c20 a baby. A soft, c639bb96f3 fluffy baby.b23f09d2a16a235e

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How could he not 9bfb0c407a feel pity for a 971f509304 kid who had gone b33f71e319 through so much and ef550f0e3c was wounded right in 3aff02c2ff front of him?858f78e86a346379

Moreover, there 7813f60fc5 were few 3126d7e72a left who 5af8fbc742 remembered the ed86af50d8 harsh things 2704999a7d he had e67f0d06fc gone through.56eb16bd74e78656

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“He’s injured too. I’ll take care of him until he heals.”b331ab846a7332c4

“….”5ddf65eaa6a18516

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Gerald looked complicated but said nothing more. He just sighed deeply, poking at Eddie’s faint conscience. It was like looking at a sibling who had recklessly picked up a stray dog.d41ea48f6fc7e589

“Will those wounds even heal? He refuses treatment.”80571a25e31cf780

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“Well.”5a7bd8ccd422d9dc

Eddie had failed to tend to Ketron’s wounds. Not because he was clumsy, but because Ketron didn’t allow Eddie to look at his wounds.3ec64cbf015dad2f

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Despite claiming they were 2b501fcac1 medicines from the East, a433f5f362 Ketron, like a shy fe2bb3865c cat, refused the touch d50158fb28 of a stranger.9b601b43885fcbbf

But that wasn’t surprising, so Eddie didn’t mind. If someone betrayed by their most trusted comrades wasn’t wary of strangers, that would be odd.eddd20ddb6f5bd1d

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Eddie was just satisfied that Ketron hadn’t turned dark and had settled in his inn.b06abf92e0bc7ffa

Though the aftermath of Ketron turning dark wasn’t described anywhere, considering the ominous descriptions and Ketron’s character, which was depicted as quite ruthless despite being righteous, it probably wouldn’t have been a bright future.a6e5df3daee8a57e

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It felt like he had prevented the world’s end. Thinking that, Eddie winked at Gerald.ff1ba9d56cb840ce

“I’ll handle it. I’ll make sure he eats too.”e62c89af570ed12a

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It was a bit embarrassing, like promising to take care of a stray dog in front of parents, but Gerald eventually stepped back with a deep sigh at Eddie’s promise.c7556431c41f9455

“Hmm.”bf7b9e6a8d0e7020

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Eddie stood in front of Ketron’s room, looking down at the ignored items.ba4e8295e0665a2d

The soup and banana milk Eddie had brought for Ketron hadn’t caught his interest.9a241dfed1492487

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Since entering the room on the second floor, Ketron hadn’t stepped out.2045094a9f69e450

Eddie had left the ignored medicines, food, and banana milk at the door, but Ketron hadn’t opened the door.23347307282bfd53

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As if 419893fc95 declaring a bbae0436a3 break from ab46591eae the world.184db4ad8eec4894

Sometimes, leaving someone d5674da407 alone is the 0989068c70 right answer.21f5e08f83f3fa1b

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But Ketron had bfdf7b3f9b probably spent enough c2077c7bed time alone over c3cf890c75 the past month.77cae9ae0e813581

Now was the time when he needed someone’s touch. Eddie decided.6af551015bdb5d4e

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Eddie grabbed a cold banana milk and a straw from the fridge at the entrance and headed to Ketron’s room.1b5718ac265e8889

After briefly contemplating the cold soup, lukewarm banana milk, and medicines in front of Ketron’s room, Eddie picked up the ignored items and knocked on the door.bedcb2d2911a31b3

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𐙚 𐙚 𐙚977ac61ecf44e130

Ketron sat 11251a6a58 quietly beside 22cb3e3b33 the bed. He had propped addb7373a4 up the holy 5a0bfddc06 sword Albatross, wrapped af2c454a16 haphazardly in thick e7ace4b227 cloth, next to ac7777c2a1 him.934c5e4f2fc6d69c

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“Are you just going to sit here?”845ffdf0d701d78f

The holy sword, Albatross, whispered in an angry voice. It was a voice only Ketron, the sword’s master, could hear.8c61178b9d80f4ee

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“Even a puppet with its strings cut has more strength and spirit than you. Where’s the Ketron I knew?”6387f90a18f2d687

“….”07a8f26bee3cce5c

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“Just destroy the world. If you decide to, I’ll gladly lend you my power.”498824c995c35ae9

The holy sword, Albatross.46f0bfb3cb2316be

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Typically, a holy sword would be thought of as a sacred weapon that only realizes justice and guides the hero’s faith, but not Albatross.793c661fdc26e516

It had more emotions 3e23084230 than a human, was dd1543b8b2 proud, and arrogant.2f15306cb43d941d

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This sword, which couldn’t be lifted by anyone it didn’t acknowledge, was angrier about Ketron’s situation than Ketron himself.3fc3d22c1fe6ffd1

“I can’t believe that fool who always wanted to have me finally took your place.”81f36d1b502ebcd2

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Even at the holy sword’s voice criticizing Arthur, Ketron showed no reaction. He had nothing to say. As Albatross put it, he was more lifeless than a puppet with its strings cut.a82f3af556680997

What should I b7838f28c5 do? What am I?01688aa171591b97

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There were no answers. If Albatross hadn’t remembered him and spoken to him, he might have gone mad before even reaching the Empire.3c15e8797d2de227

Just when he f86ce926af thought he had fb33c3db0d reached the top, a253139fab he fell to ec4ef2e253 the bottom. And there was 5f5a4edbcc nowhere left to dc56ca6d4d climb.62c60c1149d8db9d

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Left alone in an a342ad0a38 empty space, there were df9b28a339 no choices.9c80c4fdef38e3cf

He just existed. As nothing.035fa9a6e2a779ea

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As someone no a7c8ad3485 one remembered.f95899f0f40011b8

…No, he would 530de9fecf remember.bfe80bbbe21ba214

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Arthur. And Boram, 71c5a6f487 who cast 24c3db8132 the spell.1a4de2bd11d6ed79

Revenge? What would change a70fc2f52e if he took 16ba067f67 revenge? What would be left d08ff0048b after venting this resentment? Even if he claimed c1fbffde4b to be a hero, d9c04c0606 would anyone believe him 41d697b1b2 when the whole world 9eab124d8f had forgotten him?1ffb52481a23a0dd

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Having been Arthur’s comrade, Ketron knew Arthur well. A person more skilled in improvisation than physical combat. His old comrade, whose quick thinking was sharp.216161fb8b47fb0b

You’re probably preparing and planning a lot. To solidify your position as the hero. In case the hero you abandoned comes after you with burning revenge.465146f9f5643aa4

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You know me well, 1355e532ed having spent so much e7d2f8b3b4 time together.05a5a812fb514bb4

“….”242a0ca5cedf4c31

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Ketron didn’t respond, closing his weary eyes.e04996dbf75037a4

He had c05475f9cb settled in 9f1ebf9000 this inn 834fd1df8c because he 86b9e1a638 disliked noise f5c3444753 and preferred ef5a3e3392 not to b5b64189b8 be noticed, 4e59ab4f06 but he c9958268d5 had no 03609b11ba intention of ca002ee1c9 putting down 636fa34e51 roots.5f01eef1c78573c5

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He was just staying because he hadn’t figured out where to go or what to do.8c402817d43e9b5e

“Sigh.”1fded781a8ad5d57

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Albatross sighed deeply and fell silent. Albatross was a spirit dwelling in the sword. Having seen many humans over a long time, it understood human existence but couldn’t fully comprehend them.a03721aa7037f78b

No matter how holy a sword, it couldn’t understand the complex thoughts in Ketron’s mind, which was more tangled than anyone else’s at this moment.0d835485ee81b292

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With silence all f84dcfd625 around, Ketron closed b8dd54b53d his eyes.2a8e2795000d4ea5

Silence was good. He preferred it da3c8259ed to noise. Though he 09c322285a had spent f44fcad26d noisy times 83f02d135a with many 273616f11d people, this 3159370dbd silence was e7ef106797 what Ketron 768548be4a truly desired.aed76cf0135d67f2

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Ketron sank 818f9c890b back into c07ec3582f the depths 0c3b8157c2 of the d69e6ced39 ocean. To that a95d54cf77 terribly dark d7188088e1 and cold f6ff4287bc place.0d1fa5c0d718d3ca

Knock, knock.95c372e7519b6603

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But before he could 398e676bc6 fully dive into those 16c122e472 deep waters, the silence 5f682b2bf0 was broken.1f3c4aaff1b0ff91

“Hey, can I come in?”c4079199ac55ad6c

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The voice asked, but the person didn’t wait for Ketron’s answer. It was as if they knew Ketron wouldn’t respond. And indeed, he had no intention of responding, so there was no real grievance.058a76b214e5657b

The door fdaac55859 opened, and 198c9a3b7e the innkeeper 9bc6d0918e appeared.3a863d983e165456

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The bright a3ec42d79a silver hair eea0641691 caught his 83be1c3a55 eye first, f1fb093803 and the 8f0911f19b handsome face 6a6e8f0039 that matched d34b186605 the brightness 7a46b34e22 winked at 095042824e Ketron as f31cbe1089 soon as 037a636451 he saw b6091032a5 him.3fb6980244e6589e

“What, you’re not crying and doing well?”c9562ecc5564e08d

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At those words, Ketron couldn’t help but make a bewildered expression.c95d3fa049a4d3da

…Who was he calling c049f6ced1 a crybaby?0faf4fb9f439c8e7

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