As if asking when the storm had passed, the weather was good from this morning.
Thanks to that, Dehan was excited at the thought of finally being able to return today.
However,
– To, today, guests are coming to the Margrave’s…
– I feel like we should stay just one more day…
He let go of the excitement he felt at Yuriel’s words.
Although Dehan somewhat sensed that Yuriel had been attacked by a member of the Margrave’s household, he didn’t ask if they had to meet them.
After all, they were the ones who had saved him, so he couldn’t bring himself to say anything. Moreover, Yuriel’s condition was deteriorating, so he didn’t want to create any additional concerns.
Besides, Yuriel had been acting strangely for the past few days.
It was too much to say that they had become sensitive due to the threat to their life.
Startled for no apparent reason, not eating or drinking all day, praying incessantly, banging their head against the wall while muttering strange phrases, taking out and putting back their prosthetic leg repeatedly… What could have happened?
Dehan realized that something had changed since Yuriel went out a few days ago and returned with the prosthetic leg.
‘With whom did he talk to.’
Although there was a suspect, it didn’t seem likely that Yuriel would lose their mind just from talking to them. Dehan pondered, pressing his inner cheek with his teeth.
“Ah…! You, you were already downstairs?”
“Yes. I was bored staying in the room.”
“Uh, yeah…”
Approaching Dehan, who was sitting at the table in front of the stairs, Yuriel whispered in a somewhat small voice.
“The people coming today… they’re the ones who rescued us… and the child who rescued you. You… you just need to be with the child…!”
A child? Dehan furrowed his brow.
“Are you referring to Shekina?”
“Uh, yes. Probably.”
“…Alright.”
Dehan wore a slightly uneasy expression. It was understandable, as within the fog of his mind, he kept recalling the strange words Shekina had said.
– This reminds me of the old days.
– You may not remember, but I do.
Did I hear that wrong?
I’ve never met anyone named Shekina or anything like that.
‘But even when we met before, she seemed to know something about me.’
Dehan pressed his temples firmly.
“Why, why?”
Yuriel looked at Dehan with concern.
“Your expression… doesn’t look good… is something wrong?”
“Ah.”
Dehan quickly composed himself.
“No, it’s nothing. Just nervous, that’s all.”
“I see…”
Yuriel glanced at Dehan a bit more before pushing back the chair and getting up.
“Eat first. Ca… Cause I… I’ll be go for praying…”
“You’re saying that because the Margrave’s party is coming, right? Alright, I understand.”
“Yeah… Thank you…”
Dehan watched Yuriel until they disappeared upstairs, then sighed deeply.
‘Shekina Daimon.’
What could it be?
Why does this child keep getting intertwined with me?
‘Could it be that I’m the one who don’t remember?’
He quickly dismissed the thought.
He left the village two years ago. If Shekina was just a newborn then, how could she remember him and talk about old memories?
‘It doesn’t make sense.’
Therefore, Dehan has never met Shekina. No, he has never even mentioned such a thing. At that time, he was feverish and likely experiencing hallucinations.
‘Let’s stop thinking about it.’
Let’s not get more involved with Margrave’s Daimon.
With that resolve, Dehan stared out the window at the approaching Shekina.
***
“Hey. Long time no see.”
Shekina greeted Dehan as she sat down in the chair that Dehan had pushed out for her. Dehan nodded in response.
“Yes. It’s good to see you often.”
Shekina stared at Dehan, who was smiling forcibly, with his chin in his hand.
He looks much more tired than a few days ago.
Did he not sleep? Why are the dark circles so severe? And why are his cheeks so sunken? Doesn’t he take care of his handsome face?
Shekina thought it would be a good idea to say a word to Yuriel later. Thinking that being in the same indoor space would make it dirty, she recalled Calvin, who wore a mask and went to find Yuriel.
‘He thinks he’s dirtier than a cat.’
Shekina chuckled, thinking about Calvin, who cherished cats so terribly but disgusted others.
Then Dehan spoke again.
“I wanted to say thank you first. Thank you. If it weren’t for Shekina, I would have died.”
“Hmm. Yeah. You should be grateful. You know it’s tough taking care of you too.”
“Uh, yes.”
Dehan felt a bit awkward at the unfamiliar tone, but he soon got used to it. He didn’t meet Shekina many times, but she seemed to have this kind of personality.
“I actually considered letting you die, but I saved you so you could save me if something happens to me later.”
Dehan nodded.
“I won’t forget.”
“Alright.”
Shekina, after replying, tapped the table with her fingers and gazed at Dehan again.
How amusing.
I’ve lived here for nearly a hundred years, but this is the first time seeing your childhood.
And now, you and I are beings from different factions.
Shekina chuckled softly.
“I’m curious about something.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“You…”
Leaning slightly forward against the table, Shekina rested her chin on her hands and asked,
“Do you see any hallucinations?”
“Um, what?”
“Or hear any auditory hallucinations?”
Dehan was momentarily taken aback. Wasn’t he just thinking that Shekina had auditory hallucinations? Dehan swallowed involuntarily.
“No. I don’t see or hear anything like that.”
“Hmm.”
Shekina narrowed her eyes.
If what Dehan said was true, then the ‘system window’ was something only she could see.
There were supposed to be two systems.
But the protagonist, Dehan, couldn’t see the system window.
Shekina’s mind raced with possibilities.
Then how is the other one operating? How is it protecting Dehan?
“Well…”
Shekina cautiously spoke up.
“Do you feel like someone is protecting you?”
Dehan chuckled.
“Are you talking about divine protection?”
“Divine protection already?!”
Shekina inadvertently raised her voice. It was inevitable. In the game, Dehan’s divine protection manifested much later than now.
‘It certainly changed a lot.’
Shekina tapped the table again and continued.
“No, not divine protection… What should I call it? Just a feeling that everything in this world revolves around you?”
“……..”
Dehan hesitated for a moment.
“Books with unusual tastes are abundant in bookstores.”
“Ugh! It’s not about that!”
Knows nothing!
Shekina breathed heavily, glaring at Dehan. Dehan, avoiding Shekina’s gaze, subtly smiled.
“If this world revolves around me… I wish it were true.”
He clenched his hand tightly under the table.
“If that were the case, then everyone in the village wouldn’t have died.”
“……..”
Why bring up such a sad story all of a sudden?
Shekina scratched the back of her neck.
‘If people knew they all died because this world revolves around him…’
Would Dehan lose his mind?
That was something that must never be revealed. It had to remain a secret.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I said something unnecessary…”
Then, Dehan’s eyes widened.
“Watch out!”
In an instant, he lunged forward, grabbing Shekina and rolling them both to the floor.
Crash!
The glass shattered, and fragments rained down on the chair where Shekina had been sitting.
“Are you okay?”
Upon examination, fortunately, Shekina wasn’t injured. Dehan let out a relieved sigh and got up.
“Uh, uh… thanks. But what just happened…”
Shekina felt dizzy, but she tried to assess the situation first.
So, she looked beyond the broken window…
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
There were twins there.
“Why are they two here?”
