PRB | Chapter 7

The parade a814494930 had ended, 851b91c817 but the f9eb86778e festival was 9784d5ee84 just beginning.e63da68c863e602e

The square was eb0f9876ac messy with flowers 2dcbcba8ed and paper scattered fdc138f665 around, but no 7e22705a76 one complained.bb604aee62221ca3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

People wandered around with 87f9df23a1 eyes wide open, looking 25b1a96d5f for any silver coins 016d4a3f83 they might have missed c230dae78d on the ground, and 3faa49edae they clinked glasses joyfully 64aba01783 in inns and pubs 7df6b13840 until late at night.df25f740214febe8

They ordered a326e4a9a5 expensive snacks 641c92fa23 without hesitation. It was d36f410f6c partly because cf13772908 they were efcbc6c503 in high 69ea9f8447 spirits, but 6214fa987d also because 78f2eee75f so many a4fda319bb silver coins 2e34d240a9 had been 2ef83ebe26 tossed around 03252db2ad during the 4486b1bf18 day, making dc4680503e them more 197885796a generous.4ce8bc1d71f0d67e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The city was as lively as when the news of the Demon King’s defeat first spread.1e036ed92f691847

Thanks to this, Eddie’s Inn was also packed with tourists eager to enjoy the festival.51f4e149239027d1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

This meant that more be7b995fe6 people were trying the da00429a0e Fire Chicken Noodles.dbfc95c3c7dcc2c1

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.ff89989d8662c7af

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Ahh!”f70d346f88f111b3

“My lips are on fire!”2b5b90203f023453

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Poison! It’s poison, for sure!”8ddb7ec0c2107ad2

“Milk!”e78713d73d4a0595

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The intense 25c394f2c0 reactions that 757b3c530a followed eating 1af2df957c it sparked 2279bcea3a curiosity, and dd195929e3 soon everyone bdf07a22a2 wanted to 6c544e60c7 try it, 6aa6056031 making the a99933f5ba Fire Chicken 01d57fe5b6 Noodles sell b2872968f0 like hotcakes. Milk was also sold a58c3fabe9 alongside it as a c8083d7f6f set.7e19003dc6ce3d7a

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.6a10a826ea90d8c4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Good, good.”aff590a64c05c842

It was a devilishly 61860db315 developed smile.2104aeffa8eb44ea

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Business is all 161946a4e6 about timing. Having succeeded in capturing 36a8bb6014 interest with a bold 72db6bec1b flavor, Eddie thought it 4d6d1b92fe was time to introduce 2cfafb7d39 something else, and he c1258a61be looked at the packed 0d94cfe717 pub on the first 7f05bcfd48 floor with satisfaction.7db8d5fec33601d8

Before the crowd arrived, Eddie had prepared a room for Ketron on the inn’s second floor.de7e7a5548c8281c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It was next to Eddie’s room.7ce99512e03d68a7

And that was an honor(?) even Gerald hadn’t received, so Gerald spoke with genuine bewilderment.cb26dfe8c52d3beb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Why are you doing so much for that vagabond, Eddie?”8d9ab73c1026b3ea

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.7dc8227c3061f0c8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

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?a811c60203a11bb0

“He’s just a kid, and it’s pitiful.”9cbe3cc4e462b6b0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

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.382b78f16b7a5698

He died 75829a84fa at twenty-eight. To someone like 306e88f4f8 him, a twenty-year-old f132b9fb12 was just a d161ade2d3 baby. A soft, fluffy baby.ade17302de72bdd4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

How could f9a601b521 he not 0a66ed98b5 feel pity e677aad250 for a ab54c76867 kid who 7a2e8e6e68 had gone 423c1c3288 through so 4033d6c98d much and 3a664abda9 was wounded de72684cf1 right in 953af92a4c front of cffaacb381 him?deb948b06be62979

Moreover, there were few 21cec9f7eb left who remembered the 21a2f85fef harsh things he had baddca2826 gone through.b84572b1093bdc71

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“He’s injured too. I’ll take care of him until he heals.”58c831de04e74b16

“….”0930a97dfbfa8922

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

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.f9f421286215f204

“Will those wounds even heal? He refuses treatment.”086306d0074b0369

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Well.”99f58e5ac9f1ceaf

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.bf0b309699de783c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Despite claiming they were 234603a574 medicines from the East, c9d55f0b14 Ketron, like a shy a676c5f7c2 cat, refused the touch 009a5edee5 of a stranger.28be7237f72d9f38

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.341fd4bb18f99eab

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Eddie was just satisfied that Ketron hadn’t turned dark and had settled in his inn.e2c42de817dfb7ed

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.47ce125e82800ea9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It felt like he had prevented the world’s end. Thinking that, Eddie winked at Gerald.fa8b64e08a105113

“I’ll handle it. I’ll make sure he eats too.”8f08c3d6ab4da11a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

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.a57041664bb6061a

“Hmm.”2dfc811e1d465d22

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Eddie stood in front of Ketron’s room, looking down at the ignored items.e268714acc13dacb

The soup and banana milk Eddie had brought for Ketron hadn’t caught his interest.4f24ffade2e0c3eb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Since entering the room on the second floor, Ketron hadn’t stepped out.0ea9e947d232c76a

Eddie had left the ignored medicines, food, and banana milk at the door, but Ketron hadn’t opened the door.37fa9337864fd94a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As if 93d1943732 declaring a eee00f3ad7 break from d37ea17bcb the world.0dafd3a2f2af45bf

Sometimes, leaving someone alone d9aa93fbb5 is the right answer.00667e46a12ad56a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

But Ketron ac71218361 had probably 0bf8e66cf7 spent enough 98f6abce5c time alone d911f379b3 over the 3ef5535a96 past month.483ca37db022280d

Now was the time when he needed someone’s touch. Eddie decided.7d04b587cf29e60c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Eddie grabbed a cold banana milk and a straw from the fridge at the entrance and headed to Ketron’s room.87308146a34dd0d0

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.def9d230d729a9ff

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

𐙚 𐙚 𐙚a8ea9c8ec6a77e99

Ketron sat quietly 80ad54781b beside the bed. He had 94afe9c80f propped up ed6f34cdc0 the holy 59da989f21 sword Albatross, d1b2610ac6 wrapped haphazardly f106610c8c in thick 80bd167c99 cloth, next cc38d67db8 to him.a9ccb39aa728a74b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Are you just going to sit here?”3646c2b72218d726

The holy sword, Albatross, whispered in an angry voice. It was a voice only Ketron, the sword’s master, could hear.0c3c34c9aa64e3b5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Even a puppet with its strings cut has more strength and spirit than you. Where’s the Ketron I knew?”be06e0fe2910edb3

“….”65523fd84af61c55

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Just destroy the world. If you decide to, I’ll gladly lend you my power.”a093927522a43500

The holy 5be5dcd42c sword, Albatross.1788f6866878c78a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

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.08d567dc92d3c408

It had aac63566ac more emotions 581995a86b than a 05ed4c146c human, was 769a0c210d proud, and c303155849 arrogant.55d75e8f7d03d5ae

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

This sword, which couldn’t be lifted by anyone it didn’t acknowledge, was angrier about Ketron’s situation than Ketron himself.3900248f7112a88b

“I can’t believe that fool who always wanted to have me finally took your place.”81602703a37d90e4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

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.6c4b8a4538289cb7

What should 08f40681d4 I do? What am I?d08ee5d6c6d79441

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

There were no answers. If Albatross hadn’t remembered him and spoken to him, he might have gone mad before even reaching the Empire.7341b6b55cd4441c

Just when ea9c5d2b64 he thought a7a1e9abc7 he had 93145baad9 reached the de73abb65b top, he d3bd675293 fell to e180656634 the bottom. And there was 70569b2f5b nowhere left to 76e18d6ca1 climb.d8e19203af958223

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Left alone 51203ed0a8 in an 06cd2840e8 empty space, acbd0fb0ec there were b924c64bd5 no choices.8f240a691f95e99c

He just existed. As nothing.825255dac424f628

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As someone d23ec595bf no one 7c099d5cc0 remembered.ae3812f839d03506

…No, he would remember.210a6ceb0132257b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Arthur. And Boram, who cast 940b965469 the spell.f89668f4606ff89a

Revenge? What would change 0754d4e644 if he took 6faea44dd7 revenge? What would bb74130e83 be left 2e0a767982 after venting 7e594a5de1 this resentment? Even if 601d3cf059 he claimed 9fe4567943 to be 04f41f67c0 a hero, 579ff56f47 would anyone 7b26f029ec believe him 7a960502c5 when the dcf281c102 whole world 0cc3a8b52b had forgotten e63b49ecea him?a1276415ab32ec1f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

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.c6783762ee0b6874

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.06a1624ea1ac122d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

You know me well, 250520a842 having spent so much 67889b674e time together.c614450851719eaa

“….”fd623be23a700195

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Ketron didn’t respond, closing his weary eyes.ada011abc376822f

He had be74ed1670 settled in 940b3a8ac3 this inn 771ee55cb5 because he 3be524ae4a disliked noise 64591f6338 and preferred a71ffecfd2 not to c53c89cdf3 be noticed, 7a78dfae07 but he 9546c1144c had no 5dc13ef438 intention of eac29ee1f2 putting down b463ab11f7 roots.bfa5541390bcb879

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He was just staying because he hadn’t figured out where to go or what to do.babaa9c077646fed

“Sigh.”68343a2e5d6d13ff

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

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.b5f831e818fd4132

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.f853cf13272e085a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

With silence 46677e3489 all around, 9e898fcf1b Ketron closed e2d5eee0de his eyes.f760ef5c519a9c67

Silence was good. He preferred it to 0eecfd4c04 noise. Though he had spent 8104d0a9ca noisy times with many c445ffcf2c people, this silence was 98a75b4650 what Ketron truly desired.3fefb1ac0bcf145b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Ketron sank 218e3fd668 back into 071e213c63 the depths c2d3a43c43 of the c3911cbbde ocean. To that terribly c86386d88e dark and cold bdd74b5bf8 place.46dffe291d65e778

Knock, knock.1117a6f90162e141

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But before f48f1d46e4 he could ed8dac1edd fully dive ffab64edf8 into those c689d2b6c2 deep waters, f3350666a5 the silence d49e4df30a was broken.abd933c8eb7b5c06

“Hey, can I come in?”365b297439da0a76

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

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.12862528282d0041

The door opened, c4796e8814 and the innkeeper eae53f5ffe appeared.9109d26344943085

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The bright silver hair ee423b55de caught his eye first, 67f4e6b286 and the handsome face cd786e268f that matched the brightness 1dea408ea4 winked at Ketron as b628015b01 soon as he saw 2f55a968fb him.9afa5b7dabce8b61

“What, you’re not crying and doing well?”dad8ca4bbe48471e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

At those words, Ketron couldn’t help but make a bewildered expression.e4701ec2858056b1

…Who was he 9e61b9489d calling a crybaby?6970d98a3fec18d4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com