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Right after facing Mother.

The next day came, but the schedule didn’t change much.

We were still heading to Anhui, and just because the day changed, the path we were taking didn’t.

*Hiiiiing—!!!*

The sound of horses and wheels turning. I endured the damn noise I’d been hearing for days.

The jolting sensation and my shoulders constantly bumping into each other were the same as ever.

It’s truly unbearably unpleasant, but I didn’t show it. I’d heard Mi Hyo-ran’s warning that if I caused another scene in the morning, she’d throw me out.

Maybe that’s why Nangong Jin kept his mouth shut this time too.

Though the annoyance and discomfort on his face were still obvious.

*Hmm.*

Leaving that guy behind, I recalled what had happened earlier.

Of course, it was about Mother and Father.

*‘So, it seems they decided to go together after all.’*

In the morning, before the carriage departed, Father said something to Mi Hyo-ran and So-i. The two women’s eyes widened, and their reactions clearly showed they were troubled.

Seeing that.

*‘It’s because of Mother.’*

It seemed Father had informed them that Mother was coming along. Which means.

*‘They also knew about Mother’s existence.’*

By this point, it seemed everyone already knew about Mother. Moreover.

*‘It doesn’t seem like she’s been around for long.’*

Judging by their reactions and the situation, it didn’t feel like Mother had been by Father’s side for very long.

*‘How on earth did they meet?’*

How did Father and Mother end up meeting? I was so curious that I even tried asking Father about it last night.

I asked if they were hiding something, if they were in some kind of relationship. Maybe even fiancés or something.

*‘Do I really have to answer that?’*

Father just gave me the coldest response ever. In other words, he had no intention of answering.

*Tsk.*

Is there no way to find out?

*‘Still.’*

It’s not like I gained nothing.

Just when I was wondering what I should do in this world.

*‘Now the picture is starting to come together.’*

Father and Do-yun.

And now Mother has appeared too.

Looking at this, it feels like the path I’m taking isn’t wrong. No matter how I look at it, this seems to be the right way to go.

Anyway.

So, the method Father chose was simply to bring her along. I saw Mother getting into that huge carriage. It was at a level where I had to focus to even see her.

Since her presence was so faint, it seemed Do-yun and Nangong Jin didn’t notice.

*‘Is it okay to bring her along?’*

Seeing Mother’s state, I wondered if bringing her along would really solve anything.

Her appearance was just like.

*‘Wi Seol-ah.’*

Back when I used to take Wi Seol-ah around in my past life. Her body had grown, but mentally, she was still so young and hard to control.

*‘She’s different from the Mother I knew.’*

She’s quite different from the Mother who exuded an overwhelming presence as the Master of Mankye, or even the Mother who raised me and Gu Ryeonghwa.

At this point, I could guess that something was wrong.

*Hmm.*

What kind of events had happened, and what had unfolded?

Does Mother not have any awareness?

Clearly.

*‘Mother’s purpose was to appear as a calamity. Or.’*

To give birth to the day of calamity.

And the target she had marked for that was the Gu Family’s Bloodline, cursed by the world.

*‘Which was Father.’*

How do these processes and results connect?

Moreover.

*‘If either Father or Mother were to die now.’*

I wouldn’t be born, so wouldn’t that mean escaping fate? Such thoughts crossed my mind, but.

*‘……Anyway.’*

Nothing can be changed. There’s no point in wondering, as the ancestors had already said.

*Sigh.*

If this is what I’m supposed to do, then I’m satisfied just being on the right track. It’s time to clearly understand what this world wants from me.

*Jolt-!*

The carriage shook. Feeling the uncomfortable sensation, I narrowed my eyes.

The carriage was still cramped, and Nangong Jin’s skin was irritating.

—

A few more days passed after that. There still wasn’t much change.

*Kuuuuung–!!!*

As we entered the mountains, the demon beasts’ resistance grew stronger, and we spent a bit more time dealing with them.

*‘But this will be over soon.’*

It’ll end by tomorrow. According to calculations, we should arrive in Anhui by tomorrow night at the latest.

*Thud.*

While dealing with the demon beasts ahead, I scanned the surroundings. Green and blue demon beasts were mixed together, but this level was something anyone in our group could handle.

“It’s done.”

I spoke while clearing out the demon beasts. So-i, who was ahead, nodded.

“We’ve taken care of everything.”

At So-i’s words, Father nodded. Behind him, a pile of demon beasts was stacked up, and the thick smell of smoke stung my nose.

He must’ve burned them with flames.

*‘Yeah, that’s more convenient.’*

I would’ve done the same if I could. It’s a shame I couldn’t.

*Sigh.*

It takes so long to catch them one by one with my hands.

*Tap tap.*

I dusted off my hands and wiped them on my clothes.

“Ugh……”

So-i looked at me like I was disgusting. What’s with that look?

“What?”

“Why are you wiping that on your clothes?”

“I have to wipe it somewhere, don’t I?”

“There’s a stream coming up soon. Can’t you wait until then?”

“……Do you think I have a spacious carriage like some people? How am I supposed to sit still with bloody hands in that cramped space?”

“…….”

So-i made an awkward expression, as if my words made sense.

“Just focus on your work and don’t mind me.”

“Hmph hmph……”

I waved my hand as I spoke. At the same time, my gaze turned toward the carriage.

There was a carriage where Mother might be. Still, no presence could be felt. Staring so intently at the carriage.

“What are you looking at?”

So-i approached and asked. Earlier, she seemed like she wouldn’t come near because it was dirty.

‘Ah.’

Is it because Mother is inside? She hurriedly came over, trying to divert my gaze.

Perhaps when Father relayed the message, he didn’t mention that I already knew.

“No, I was just thinking how big and pretty the carriage is.”

“……”

“Ours is so cramped, you know.”

“That’s… well…”

Guilt appeared on So-i’s face. It seemed she was aware of the stark difference between the carriage we were in and the one they were in.

“……Want to switch?”

“……”

Was that what she blurted out after holding it in? I couldn’t help but laugh when I heard it.

“What? Why are you laughing?”

“Nothing, it’s just a bit funny.”

“What did you say…?”

So-i frowned because I laughed openly. But what can I do if it’s funny?

So this lady had this kind of personality back then too. That was interesting.

Then.

“You two seem close, huh?”

The carriage window opened, and Mi Hyo-ran stuck her face out.

“So-i, Young Lady. Do you like that prince?”

“……Huh?”

At Mi Hyo-ran’s words, So-i’s eyes widened.

“What are you talking about…?”

“You usually avoid men, saying they give off bad vibes, but you’re sticking close to this prince, huh?”

Mi Hyo-ran pointed at us with her chin. As she said, we were a bit close.

“……!”

At that, So-i flinched. Even she must have realized we were a bit too close.

“Why not? Might as well enjoy it.”

“……What are you saying?”

“Anyway, the Hwasan Sect doesn’t care much about marriage issues.”

Mi Hyo-ran’s words made So-i visibly uncomfortable.

“That’s not it. You know that, Mi Hyo-ran.”

“Do I?”

“……Mi Hyo-ran.”

“Oh my, you’re going to get mad.”

Mi Hyo-ran immediately closed the window at So-i’s reaction.

“Ha……”

So-i sighed at the sight. Watching her, I spoke up.

“Senior.”

“……Yes?”

When I suddenly called her, So-i flinched.

“Just in case, I want to clarify something.”

“……”

At that, So-i’s expression showed discomfort again. What did she think I was going to say?

Did she think I was going to confess or something?

No way. To clear up any misunderstanding, I quickly spoke.

“I’m not interested, so don’t worry.”

“Huh?”

“I have zero interest in you, Senior. None at all.”

The age difference is too much.

Even if the future Sword Demoness is beautiful for her age, I’m not interested. Especially since she’s also Gu Ryeonghwa’s teacher.

“Ah… Ah, okay.”

My words seemed unexpected, and So-i looked flustered.

“Just saying.”

No unnecessary misunderstandings, please. Honestly, no one else catches my eye.

‘No matter how beautiful she is…’

My gaze naturally drifted to Nangong Jin, whose face was still bruised.

Looking at him reminded me of someone.

‘No way, no matter what.’

A woman with blue eyes. Thinking of her, I smiled slightly.

As I tried to sort out the situation while reminiscing.

Kuuuuuuuuu–!!

“……”

At the sound coming from afar, I turned my head.

‘Is it still here?’

It was the presence of a demon beast.

A bear.

A bear-shaped demon beast. One that often appears in the mountains.

Its rank was green, I think. And…

‘It’s coming this way.’

The direction it was running seemed to be toward us. Others must have sensed it too, as they prepared themselves.

‘Hmm…?’

Something felt off.

The hurried presence felt like…

‘Running away?’

It felt like it was fleeing from something. The presence of something chasing it.

Huh? This feels familiar.

When was it?

Ah.

‘Nangong Bi-ah.’

When I first met Nangong Bi-ah. It was like this back then too.

A demon beast was running away from Nangong Bi-ah.

Kuaaaaaaang—!!!

Just like now, it burst out of the bushes.

‘And then…’

Whoooosh–!!

Crash-!!!

Though a bit different from back then, something flew in and smashed the demon beast’s head.

The object embedded itself into a tree without slowing down.

It was a hammer.

‘A hammer…?’

Why would something like that suddenly appear here?

“Ah, got it.”

Another living being jumped out of the bushes.

“Almost missed it.”

It was a woman drenched in blood. Her appearance was soaked in the demon beast’s blood, and her originally black hair was dripping with it.

Squish.

Then she tightly gripped her clothes, wringing out the blood.

Everyone was stunned by her sudden appearance.

“……What the?”

But the most shocked was none other than me.

The black-haired woman who appeared out of nowhere.

“……Nangong Bi-ah?”

Because she looked exactly like Nangong Bi-ah, to the point of being eerie.

 

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