Chapter 56: Qualification (3)
Furrowed brows, a flushed face, and tightly pressed lips.
The raised voice and slightly faster speech.
The girl in front of me was clearly angry with me.
Annoyed, I forcefully brushed away Lateras hand. The sudden outburst made me respond in kind. Where on earth did she learn to grab someone by the collar when shes slightly annoyed?
You.
I got up, dusting off my hands. Due to our height difference, Latera naturally looked up at me.
You sure have a funny way of talking.
Funny?
Latera glared at me. My face wasnt exactly welcoming or mild, but she neither retreated nor seemed intimidated.
If I retreat just by a mere glare, Id be disqualified as a guardian angel.
It wasnt just the glare. I wasnt fond of what she said. Showing me Kyries body, implying my decisions were wrong.
Of course they were wrong!
Lateras eyes widened as if wondering what was on my mind.
Do you even understand the implications of making a deal with a demon? They etch the transaction onto your soul! That mark will never fade. Even if youre lucky to reincarnate
Is that it?
I cut off Latera mid-sentence.
Regardless of what you say, I dont see how having a transaction with a demon etched onto my soul hurts me.
I smirked at the girl in front of me. Returning the same attitude she gave me made me feel slightly better.
Feel better?
Confusion marred Lateras face, but not long after, she managed to regain her composure. It seemed she was quite adept at it.
Making a deal with a demon puts a penalty on your soul. You might not have made it here.
Which is more important? Having a penalty or facing immediate death? Id go with the latter.
Theres a chance for reincarnation.
Just a chance, huh? So its not certain.
Even if Im about to die, what does reincarnation matter? Even with the penalties, I still qualified. So its fine.
I rubbed my neck in irritation.
Then, a thought struck me.
Didnt you just say I had a penalty of 500 points?
I wondered how many points would disqualify me from coming to this place.
Oh, no! What are you thinking?
Lateras calm demeanor was once again taken over by panic.
Seeing my point get through to her, I grinned.
I didnt care about Lateras flustered state. Given that she already knew what I was thinking, there was no need to be subtle.
Why cant I?
If you cant come here youll surely regret it.
Regret? What can I do here?
I smiled wryly.
Let me be clear: since the opportunity has arisen, I dont care about coming here.
A place not even in my knowledge had no value to me. The same applied to the cheeky brat in front of me. What I didnt know could potentially harm me.
?
Actually, it seems like youre the one in trouble.
If Latera wasnt lying, then I was the first in 500 years to possess the qualifications to enter this place.
With a hero not appearing for so long, the value of my existence would inevitably rise. A hero would be even more essential, especially if the demon lord was still alive.
So, heres the thing.
I crouched to look her in the eyes.
Arent I the dominant one?
Excuse me?
Im the dominant one, and youre the subordinate. Your arrogant attitude has been bothering me. You shouldnt grab or interrupt me, right?
I gently patted Lateras head. Even to me, the touch didnt seem very affectionate.
Latera pouted like a little child.
She sat down on the ground, hugging her knees, and refused to even glance in my direction.
She mustve read my thoughts, yet she didnt respond even when I teased her about sulking. This made me feel even more awkward.
Ignoring the silent girl, I observed the transparent vessel. I was curious about what it was made of, but I had no intention of breaking it.
Ting ting-
I merely tapped on the glass with the back of my hand.
I turned my gaze back to the sulking child.
Let me ask you something.
Ask away.
Latera, looking dejected, nodded slightly. It seemed that she was still willing to answer.
You mentioned this place exists for souls.
Yes.
Then what is this?
I pointed at Kyries body.
The lifeless, pale corpse just lay there with its eyes closed.
In a place for souls, why is there a body that isnt even a soul?
Because youre alive.
Despite her gloominess, Latera reluctantly answered.
The Heros House is like the final destination.
Wouldnt it be better to call it The Heros Hall then?
No.
Latera firmly disagreed.
House is better. A hall isnt somewhere to return to. This place is where Hero Kyrie rests, not a place for others to worship.
You seem to care a lot about Kyrie, even considering the state of the deceased.
Its a bit different.
Latera smirked with a hint of bitterness.
I admire the relationship with the hero.
You admire the relationship?
My goal is to become a wonderful angel like my senior.
Whos your senior that you admire so much?
The Guardian Angel, a companion of Hero Kyrie.
Latera said so after hesitating for a moment. Then, she seemed to check my reaction, moving her gaze from side to side.
I approached Latera.
As far as I knew, Hero Kyries companions were an elf mage and an alchemist. I had never heard of a Guardian Angel.
Tell me. Im curious.
Can I really tell you?
If you can read my thoughts, you should understand well.
As you say.
Latera looked straight into my eyes and began.
My senior told me stories of their adventures when I was here. Like when Kyrie first met them and how they recruited members one by one.
Latera, narrating the story, looked somewhat joyful.
And their stories were recorded in the scriptures. Theyve etched their names in history. Its clear that future generations will remember them.
You seem to be guessing that part.
Ive never left this place.
Latera giggled as she fidgeted with her fingers.
I dont really know much. All I know are the emotions of those who came here and the stories my senior shared.
Then, Latera looked at me.
Being here, you tend to yearn for an adventure, especially after continuously hearing such fun tales. Ive been here for 500 years. Ive waited patiently all that time. Ive been really good
Lateras words trailed off, and her eyes began to redden. This wasnt a good sign.
Reading my thoughts, Latera thumped her own chest with her hand.
I am! The Guardian Angel who exists to assist the Hero in defeating the evil deity. You can say Im the heros sidekick, chosen by fate. I certainly wont cry over something like this.
Youre impressive.
I ran my hand over my face.
Listening to her, it sounded like she had been waiting for the next hero for the past 500 years, acting like a tomb guard
Thats right. Do you know how lonely I was during that time? Just think about how I felt when I heard that the Hero Ive waited for so long had made a contract with a demon.
Yet Latera, with a big smile, took my hand.
Ive been waiting for you here all along. Youre the Hero of my destiny.
Lateras eyes, big with anticipation, revealed a burning desire from her purple irises.
So, please take me out of here.
I cant.
What?
Latera leaned in closer, almost interrogating me.
Her previous gloomy attitude was nowhere to be seen.
No, its a clich to accept such a request here, right? Just when the atmosphere is perfect! After a touching line!
Calm down.
What do you mean? Calm down!
Sigh.
I couldnt help but laugh out of disbelief.
Acting upset and then being so brazen about it. I had never encountered someone of her sort before. But regardless, I had to explain why I couldnt take her out of here.
If I take you out now, you wont be able to do anything, right?
What do you mean I cant do anything? What are you talking about?
Im only 11 years old.
At my words, Latera blinked in surprise.
What?
Im not ready, and Im too weak to do anything right now.
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