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“Ahhk!”
“Kieeekk!”
Before she even had the time to prepare, the monster’s nails already met head-on with Julia’s dagger.
A crushing, electric blow took place and a powerful shockwave swept the entire area. As she was thrown backwards, Julia eventually collided into a huge tree and collapsed helplessly.
“Hu-uhk, haaah!”
Julia’s slender fingers desperately scratched upon the floor. Just like her lungs had suddenly caved in, she couldn’t even breathe properly. Her shoulder, which had suffered the most, gradually caused her such unimaginable pain.
“Julia, Julia! Are you okay? Get yourself together!”
“My, heuk, breath…”
Julia couldn’t really speak anymore. A lump of red flesh was shattered like a bomb before it exploded in the place where the monster had been earlier.
Looking at it had sent a chill down her spine. If it hadn’t been for the dagger or the timing was just a little bit late, it could have been herself who would die in such a terrible way.
“Look at me. It’s okay.”
Legion noticed that she was actually hyperventilating. So, he tried to lower her breathing and started whispering softly.
“It’s okay now. Everything is okay.”
“Kuhk, haahh!”
“You’re okay. I’m here as well. The monsters are all dead. There’s no more problem.”
He brought his hands together and cupped over Julia’s nose and mouth so that she could breathe properly. As he repeatedly said that it had been alright and everything was now okay several more times, the sound of her desperate panting over breathing began to subside.
“You’re doing just great.”
“Huuuh…”
“That’s right.”
Julia’s forehead was all drenched with cold beads of sweat. As he gazed at it pitifully, Legion proceeded to carefully brush her wet bangs away.
A long time had passed when Julia’s eyes could finally find their original transparent light. Legion eventually let out a sigh of relief before he hugged her tight.
* * *
As soon as Julia had calmed down, Legion left the place where the skirmish had transpired earlier. It was because of Agares’s magical power that had been so strong which made all the monsters around them shattered to pieces. However, there was still a possibility that the other monsters who had smelled the scent of blood would rush in all of a sudden.
While searching for water to wash away the blood, Legion didn’t even question where she had gotten the dagger from. Instead, he simply hugged her without even asking anything as she was still struggling about. She refused several times saying that it was okay, but he didn’t even listen to her.
Julia felt nervous. If he had asked about the dagger, it would have definitely been very difficult for her to answer. Nevertheless, while she was truly grateful for his consideration, she was still uneasy about him not saying anything at all on the other hand.
‘Maybe he’s actually mad at me.’
He didn’t utter a single word the whole way. His expression had been uncharacteristically dull as well. But even though she had thought hard about it, she still couldn’t find a reason for his anger at all. Julia eventually changed her mind.
‘Maybe he was just tired. Since he had to deal with dozens of monsters all on his own. Besides, he’s even carrying me right now.’
Just then, a faint splash of water could be heard from nearby. It felt like it wasn’t too far away from the place where they were. Julia slowly tapped on Legion and called out to him.
“Looks like we’re almost at the water?”
“Just a little further.”
“You can put me down now. I can walk alone already.”
“……Just stay put.”
No matter how stupid she had been, she could still sense that something was truly wrong. Julia then carefully tapped on Legion, who was just walking steadily forward.
“Are you mad? Did I do something wrong?”
“…”
“I’m sorry. I’m not as quick as other people, so I don’t even know if I have foolishly offended anyone.”
Legion was still silent. Julia’s eyelids sank down helplessly as she waited for an answer.
“So, I’d like you to tell me. I will listen to it and fix it immediately. And I won’t do that again from now onwards. If it’s annoying that I just kept on being a burden, I don’t mind, but please allow me to stay by your side at least until we get down the mountain.”
“…”
“Mister Kimaris and Lord Lerazier are already in the west. And a child named Paimon is also with them. They will come and look for me.”
Julia carefully looked up at Legion, but this time, an answer had come straight back at her.
“You did nothing wrong. I don’t need those demons either.”
“But you’re actually mad right now, no? Then, whatever the reason may be, it’s all my fault.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Well, perhaps I’d better stay still. I’m sorry.”
The more she opened her mouth, the more Legion’s face seemed to have become hardened. Julia’s voice became so tiny—just like a crawling ant—but he, who had been silent while listening all along, simply stood still.
He was not able to face Julia properly as his own face had been heavily distorted.
“How far will you turn me into a lousy man?”
Legion chewed on his lower lip. It must have been painful, which made Julia become worried as she cautiously reached out to him, but he turned his head away instead.
“Right—actually, I’m quite mad right now.”
“I’m sorry……”
“It’s not your fault. In fact, it’s mine. I’m actually mad at myself for not being able to protect you. I shouted out loud that I’d definitely protect you, but I didn’t even realize anything right until the monster was trying to kill you. And if that wasn’t enough, I had only gotten help from you as well!”
His mouth crumpled bitterly in response.
“So, I took out my anger upon the innocent you. I think it’s only natural for you to point your finger at me for being so petty.”
“Legion.”
“Sorry to bother you. It’s all my fault actually.”
Legion simply couldn’t bear to see her as he avoided her gaze. Julia was a little surprised since she had never imagined that he would think in this manner and instantly shook her head in return.