I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 94
“Jeshuan?”
Lia was puzzled by Jeshuan’s words, unable to understand him.
But Jeshuan had no time to explain in detail.
“Run. Get as far away from here as possible.”
This was the only way Lia would be even slightly safer.
The danger Lia needed to worry about was no longer the demons’ attacks.
It was Jeshuan himself.
This realization dragged Jeshuan into a deep pit of despair.
It left him feeling powerless and utterly hopeless.
He just… wanted to protect Lia. Because he was the only one who could protect her.
But his actions, meant to protect her, were now putting her in danger again.
“…Jeshuan.”
Lia still couldn’t grasp why he was saying such things.
She couldn’t understand what he feared, or why his expression looked so pained.
Regardless of the reason, Lia could not abandon him and run away as he asked.
It felt wrong to do so.
“Please, Lia… go away.”
Time was running out, but Lia stayed, her worried gaze fixed on him, making Jeshuan’s face twist as if he were about to cry.
Then, he suddenly coughed up blood.
Lia’s eyes widened at the sight.
“I… I’ll help. At least, let me hold… your hand….”
Whenever Jeshuan had been in pain before, she had always reached out her hand. When he held her hand, his condition somehow improved.
So maybe this time too… it might help Jeshuan.
But Jeshuan, with a resigned look, shook his head.
This time was different.
It was not something that could be solved by simply holding her hand.
No, it was uncertain whether that could solve the issue, but it was clear that Lia would be hurt in the process.
So how could he hold her hand?
Now out of words, Jeshuan urged her to run with just his eyes.
He had reached his limit.
There was nothing more he could do.
At that moment, a massive energy burst from Jeshuan’s body.
A wild force, like a raging storm, violently swept through his surroundings.
The ground shook as if an earthquake had struck, splitting apart and destroying everything nearby.
Fortunately, Jeshuan had managed to put some distance between himself and Lia, but it wasn’t enough for her to be completely out of harm’s way.
The force engulfed Lia as if to devour her.
But before it could, the power of the magical tool activated again, creating a protective barrier around Lia.
However, the strength contained in the magical tool was not enough to completely block Jeshuan’s energy.
In the end, the overwhelming force shattered the barrier.
“What is…?”
Lia couldn’t understand the sudden situation.
What was going on?
This was a situation she had never experienced before.
But there was no time to think.
She needed to run away immediately.
If not, she would surely be severely injured by the uncontrollable force.
Yet, for some reason, Lia couldn’t bring herself to run.
If she ran, she might be safe.
But what about Jeshuan…?
Could such a menacing force really not harm Jeshuan at all?
Jeshuan’s condition was unusual. Though not certain, it seemed like he was rampaging.
The rampage of a human with abilities was dangerous to everyone, including the one rampaging.
How could she abandon him and prioritize her own safety?
But there was no other way to resolve this situation either.
Lia had no idea what to do, how to save him.
However, if she ran, she would not be able to do anything.
Lia could not give up on Jeshuan. She couldn’t ignore his danger.
So, instead of running away, Lia took a step toward him.
Even now, a fierce force was emanating from Jeshuan, threatening to consume her.
But for some reason, it did not affect Lia as much.
She felt a strong pressure pushing her away, but that was all. The force didn’t hurt her.
Gathering her courage, Lia took another step closer to Jeshuan.
Jeshuan, already in a state of rampage, had lost all focus.
His eyes were blank.
“Jeshuan, it’s okay. I… I’m here with you.”
Naturally, there was no response to Lia’s words. But did they reach him? Jeshuan’s body flinched slightly.
“You would never hurt me, Jeshuan. Your energy….”
It was a strange certainty.
And a strong trust in Jeshuan.
“Please, don’t get hurt, Jeshuan. Don’t be in pain. Nothing should be able to hurt you.”
Tears flowed from Lia’s eyes as she earnestly wished for someone’s help.
At that moment, a bright light radiated from Lia’s body. It was blinding to look at.
The light engulfed Jeshuan’s energy, surrounding his body.
With that, the rampaging force calmed down, becoming gentle and returning to its master.
Then, Jeshuan collapsed, unconscious. His face looked peaceful, as if the earlier rampage had never happened.
Before him, Lia also fell unconscious.
Where Jeshuan’s rampage ended, only traces of a devastating storm remained.
Not a sound could be heard, and everything was silent.
A moment later, a figure appeared.
It was Cassian.
The protective barrier from the magical tool given to Lia had activated, and another magical tool had sent a warning signal to him.
He had come here immediately upon receiving the signal.
“……….”
Cassian quietly observed the scene before him with calm eyes.
The garden was a mess, with two people lying on the ground.
There were also remnants of demons and wounded knights, bleeding and collapsed.
While he couldn’t understand exactly what had happened, he could guess the general situation.
Cassian slowly approached Lia and gently lifted her into his arms.
Although Jeshuan, who lay beside her, caught his attention, Cassian’s priority at the moment was Lia.
She didn’t seem visibly injured, but he couldn’t be certain. She needed to be examined to ensure she was truly okay.
***
Cassian carried Lia to the medical office in the imperial palace.
The doctor, initially tense upon seeing Cassian, quickly began examining demon under his silent pressure.
Fortunately, Lia was unharmed. She had no injuries or pain.
“Send someone to the garden of the detached palace. The Crown Prince and the injured knights are there.”
While Cassian didn’t necessarily need to concern himself with that, he required their testimonies to understand the situation clearly.
Even though he could guess what had happened, he needed confirmation to handle the aftermath properly.
Moreover, he intended to hold those responsible accountable.
Whether it was the Crown Prince or even the Emperor, it didn’t matter.
Whatever the starting point, Lia had been put at risk.
This fact alone ignited Cassian’s deep anger.
Though he wished to rush to the Emperor’s office and grab him by the collar, Cassian restrained himself.
It wasn’t due to any shallow respect for the Emperor.
It was simply… for Lia’s sake.
Lia now needed to know the truth.
And the Emperor had to realize the consequences of his request.
His decision, made for his son, had ultimately endangered a child unrelated to him.
***
Meanwhile, Lia was dreaming.
In her dream, she felt a strange sense of peace and warmth.
It was as if she were resting under a sun-dried blanket.
In reality, she was in someone’s embrace.
She appeared younger, almost like a newborn.
Instinctively, Lia knew the person holding her was her mother.
This warmth, this loving gaze… were the same as a mother’s toward her child.
When Lia, who had just opened her eyes, looked up, she saw her mother.
The woman matched the image from the pendant.
‘Mother….’
Even if it was only a dream, it was the first time Lia had seen her mother with her own eyes.
Seeing her mother in person, not just in a photo, she found her even more beautiful than imagined.
Filled with emotion and joy, Lia reached out with her infant hands.
Even if only in a dream, she wanted to feel her mother’s warmth.
She longed to cling to her mother.
As Lia reached out, her mother gently took her hand. It was a careful and tender touch.
Her mother’s gaze conveyed a clear message.
‘I love you deeply.’
‘I am so happy to hold you in my arms.’
Lia felt happy.
The warmth of a mother’s embrace, felt for the first time, was so comforting.
But soon, another figure appeared in her sight.
It was a man.
He was looking at Lia and her mother with a warm gaze.
It seemed to be her father.
But somehow, his face looked familiar.
