Episode 44. The Desire to Give You Something Better
A giant red snake raised its head.
"I'll show you my secret first. That's the best way to dispel your suspicions. You're not the only ones who've been caught. People don't know how I wield the power of the snake."
Knights gathered around Kassius.
They kept Kassius at their backs, keeping the crowd in check.
Renisha, too, had never heard of such a story, and stared at Kassius with a surprised expression.
"This is why no enemy has survived my battles."
Kassius's red tongue slurped.
A row of golden dots etched across the snake's body.
It looked more sacred than repulsive.
The scales were so crimson they almost resembled blood.
The sunset blended mysteriously with him.
Kassius shone with the sun that had melted into the sky.
His golden eyes, surrounded by red scales, shone as if they were made of molten gold.
It was beautiful.
Renisha unconsciously licked her lips.
“Kassius...”
Kassius lowered his head at Renisha’s call.
As always, he moved slowly in front of Renisha, bringing his massive face close to hers.
Renisha raised her hand and stroked the bridge of Kassius’s nose.
The red snake rubbed its face against Renisha’s palm as if being playful.
[Renisha.]
Those who had been astonished at Kassius’s appearance let their guard down.
“Are you okay? Really?”
The child, who had been showing its scales, tilted its head and leaped forward.
Kassius nodded at the child.
“Wow. I can do that too.”
The child soon transformed into a small, cute black snake.
Compared to the giant red snake known as God, it was insignificantly small.
The black snake raised its small, triangular head and wriggled as it climbed onto the red snake’s body.
[Wow!]
The child let out a joyful scream.
Seeing this, the children, emboldened, rushed out.
“Rando!”
“Hey, me too! Mommy wants to play too, right?”
The child, ignoring his parents’ dissuasion, ran out and transformed into a snake.
Cute little snakes climbed onto the red snake’s body.
Hearing the children’s pure laughter, Renisha smiled too.
Those who lived in Hiloshine were those who were ostracized and hurt because they were different.
They were born, raised, and died in Hiloshine for thousands of years.
Their remains were buried in the ground, creating the Hiloshine we know today.
Lottera was the one who placed them in Hiloshine and protected them until now.
Lottera’s ancestors felt compassion for the Hiloshine people rather than rejection.
Lottera’s ancestors believed that all people had the right to be protected and kept the Hiloshine people completely hidden.
That was the secret of Hiloshine, passed down only to the Lottera family.
After being tormented by the children for a long time, Kassius returned to human form.
As Kassius straightened his clothes, children rushed toward him in human form.
The innocent children seemed to feel a kinship with Kassius, who looked just like them.
And their innocence let the adults down.
“...If you’re one of our kind, you can trust us.”
“Welcome to Hiloshine.”
Kassius and Renisha’s eyes met as they exchanged greetings with the villagers.
Renisha smiled faintly. Kassius’s response earlier had been swift and effective.
If Kassius hadn’t made that decision, mediating between Hiloshine and Kassius would have been difficult.
“We just need to resolve the issue with the other tribesmen.”
The other tribesmen, like the Hiloshine, were driven into the alleys. They wouldn’t attack someone in the same situation.
Renisha harbored a bit of optimism.
Since meeting Kassius, everything seemed to be going smoothly.
“Everything will be alright.”
Renisha approached Kassius.
Kassius, freed from the crowd, stared at Renisha.
"I think it's time to give me what you've been hiding?"
"This is..."
When did she realize that? He thought she would never know.
Kassius swallowed, unable to say anything.
Renisha was still smiling.
The dreamy sight penetrated Kassius's eyes.
As if entranced, Kassius held out the flowers he had been hiding.
Compared to Renisha, the bouquet was infinitely shabby.
Renisha, bowing her head in despair, accepted the bouquet.
"Is this a wedding present?"
"..."
"I like it."
A giant red snake raised its head.
"I'll show you my secret first. That's the best way to dispel your suspicions. You're not the only ones who've been caught. People don't know how I wield the power of the snake."
Knights gathered around Kassius.
They kept Kassius at their backs, keeping the crowd in check.
Renisha, too, had never heard of such a story, and stared at Kassius with a surprised expression.
"This is why no enemy has survived my battles."
Kassius's red tongue slurped.
A row of golden dots etched across the snake's body.
It looked more sacred than repulsive.
The scales were so crimson they almost resembled blood.
The sunset blended mysteriously with him.
Kassius shone with the sun that had melted into the sky.
His golden eyes, surrounded by red scales, shone as if they were made of molten gold.
It was beautiful.
Renisha unconsciously licked her lips.
“Kassius...”
Kassius lowered his head at Renisha’s call.
As always, he moved slowly in front of Renisha, bringing his massive face close to hers.
Renisha raised her hand and stroked the bridge of Kassius’s nose.
The red snake rubbed its face against Renisha’s palm as if being playful.
[Renisha.]
Those who had been astonished at Kassius’s appearance let their guard down.
“Are you okay? Really?”
The child, who had been showing its scales, tilted its head and leaped forward.
Kassius nodded at the child.
“Wow. I can do that too.”
The child soon transformed into a small, cute black snake.
Compared to the giant red snake known as God, it was insignificantly small.
The black snake raised its small, triangular head and wriggled as it climbed onto the red snake’s body.
[Wow!]
The child let out a joyful scream.
Seeing this, the children, emboldened, rushed out.
“Rando!”
“Hey, me too! Mommy wants to play too, right?”
The child, ignoring his parents’ dissuasion, ran out and transformed into a snake.
Cute little snakes climbed onto the red snake’s body.
Hearing the children’s pure laughter, Renisha smiled too.
Those who lived in Hiloshine were those who were ostracized and hurt because they were different.
They were born, raised, and died in Hiloshine for thousands of years.
Their remains were buried in the ground, creating the Hiloshine we know today.
Lottera was the one who placed them in Hiloshine and protected them until now.
Lottera’s ancestors felt compassion for the Hiloshine people rather than rejection.
Lottera’s ancestors believed that all people had the right to be protected and kept the Hiloshine people completely hidden.
That was the secret of Hiloshine, passed down only to the Lottera family.
After being tormented by the children for a long time, Kassius returned to human form.
As Kassius straightened his clothes, children rushed toward him in human form.
The innocent children seemed to feel a kinship with Kassius, who looked just like them.
And their innocence let the adults down.
“...If you’re one of our kind, you can trust us.”
“Welcome to Hiloshine.”
Kassius and Renisha’s eyes met as they exchanged greetings with the villagers.
Renisha smiled faintly. Kassius’s response earlier had been swift and effective.
If Kassius hadn’t made that decision, mediating between Hiloshine and Kassius would have been difficult.
“We just need to resolve the issue with the other tribesmen.”
The other tribesmen, like the Hiloshine, were driven into the alleys. They wouldn’t attack someone in the same situation.
Renisha harbored a bit of optimism.
Since meeting Kassius, everything seemed to be going smoothly.
“Everything will be alright.”
Renisha approached Kassius.
Kassius, freed from the crowd, stared at Renisha.
"I think it's time to give me what you've been hiding?"
"This is..."
When did she realize that? He thought she would never know.
Kassius swallowed, unable to say anything.
Renisha was still smiling.
The dreamy sight penetrated Kassius's eyes.
As if entranced, Kassius held out the flowers he had been hiding.
Compared to Renisha, the bouquet was infinitely shabby.
Renisha, bowing her head in despair, accepted the bouquet.
"Is this a wedding present?"
"..."
"I like it."
"I'll give you something better next time..."
Kassius muttered involuntarily.
Seeing her smile like that after receiving these mere flowers, he felt a desire to give her something better.
Renisha shook her head and said,
"I told you I liked these. I appreciate your heart contained within them."
For some reason, Renisha found Kassius endearing and reached out.
She stroked his head, which was far above her.
The wind caused Renisha's body, tiptoeing, to sway unsteadily.
Kassius bent down and grabbed Renisha's waist.
"Good, my puppy."
Kassius, savoring Renisha's touch, opened his eyes.
He looked around with sharp eyes.
Everyone was looking at him with interest.
The destructive Renisha had made another move. Kassius gritted his teeth and muttered,
"This is driving me crazy."
This little woman was trying to manipulate people, driving him crazy.
Laxus rode his horse around the capital.
It was a familiar place, yet strangely unfamiliar. He hadn't been able to breathe for the past few days.
He had to chew and swallow medicine before he could finally fall asleep, and even then, it was brief.
When he opened his eyes, the cold dawn air settled everywhere.
Perhaps because of this, no matter how many blankets he pulled around himself, he was still cold.
"Damn it."
Laxus muttered curses repeatedly.
No place felt comfortable.
Even his attendants were the same, so why did it feel so unfamiliar?
Only one thing had changed:
Renisha was no longer in the capital. Renisha finally set off on her long journey.
If Renisha had come to Laxus and begged him not to kick her out, he would have feigned defeat and given in.
Where could a woman who had never known hardship in the capital go?
Laxus covered his eyes with a trembling hand. He couldn't help but imagine Renisha tangled with that bastard.
That arrogant slave knight.
He couldn't forget them, shamelessly kissing in the pouring rain.
'Renisha, how could you...?'
Laxus ran his hand down his face.
He'd been having the same fantasy ever since.
In Laxus's imagination, Kassius and Renisha kissed and embraced each other.
Then she'd look at Laxus and laugh wryly. He felt all the blood drain from his body. Jealousy seethed.
"Kassius, Kassius,"
Laxus muttered, his mouth wide open.
His words were filled with malice.
Renisha had ultimately chosen the filthy slave knight and would have reached Hiloshine by now.
'Let's see how long she keeps going.'
He knew the harshness of Hiloshine well.
"You'll be begging to be let back soon, Renisha,"
Laxus was certain.
The attendants were frozen in fear of what Laxus might do.
The Emperor looked even crazier today.
"I'm going back now,"
Laxus muttered, regaining consciousness.
The first night in Hiloshine had come to an end.
Kassius muttered involuntarily.
Seeing her smile like that after receiving these mere flowers, he felt a desire to give her something better.
Renisha shook her head and said,
"I told you I liked these. I appreciate your heart contained within them."
For some reason, Renisha found Kassius endearing and reached out.
She stroked his head, which was far above her.
The wind caused Renisha's body, tiptoeing, to sway unsteadily.
Kassius bent down and grabbed Renisha's waist.
"Good, my puppy."
Kassius, savoring Renisha's touch, opened his eyes.
He looked around with sharp eyes.
Everyone was looking at him with interest.
The destructive Renisha had made another move. Kassius gritted his teeth and muttered,
"This is driving me crazy."
This little woman was trying to manipulate people, driving him crazy.
***
Laxus rode his horse around the capital.
It was a familiar place, yet strangely unfamiliar. He hadn't been able to breathe for the past few days.
He had to chew and swallow medicine before he could finally fall asleep, and even then, it was brief.
When he opened his eyes, the cold dawn air settled everywhere.
Perhaps because of this, no matter how many blankets he pulled around himself, he was still cold.
"Damn it."
Laxus muttered curses repeatedly.
No place felt comfortable.
Even his attendants were the same, so why did it feel so unfamiliar?
Only one thing had changed:
Renisha was no longer in the capital. Renisha finally set off on her long journey.
If Renisha had come to Laxus and begged him not to kick her out, he would have feigned defeat and given in.
Where could a woman who had never known hardship in the capital go?
Laxus covered his eyes with a trembling hand. He couldn't help but imagine Renisha tangled with that bastard.
That arrogant slave knight.
He couldn't forget them, shamelessly kissing in the pouring rain.
'Renisha, how could you...?'
Laxus ran his hand down his face.
He'd been having the same fantasy ever since.
In Laxus's imagination, Kassius and Renisha kissed and embraced each other.
Then she'd look at Laxus and laugh wryly. He felt all the blood drain from his body. Jealousy seethed.
"Kassius, Kassius,"
Laxus muttered, his mouth wide open.
His words were filled with malice.
Renisha had ultimately chosen the filthy slave knight and would have reached Hiloshine by now.
'Let's see how long she keeps going.'
He knew the harshness of Hiloshine well.
"You'll be begging to be let back soon, Renisha,"
Laxus was certain.
The attendants were frozen in fear of what Laxus might do.
The Emperor looked even crazier today.
"I'm going back now,"
Laxus muttered, regaining consciousness.
***
The first night in Hiloshine had come to an end.
It was clearly not a proper castle.
The whole place was in ruins, and she should have been grateful for shelter from the rain and wind.
However, Renisha thought there was no place more comfortable than this.
She had slept soundly last night, without waking even once.
"Did you sleep well, Kassius?"
Renisha greeted the first face she saw when she opened her eyes.
Kassius, too, had fallen asleep quickly yesterday, perhaps tired.
Kassius blinked and sat up abruptly.
"You're up early."
Kassius quickly cleared his throat.
"There's much to do. And Kassius has his own work to do."
Kassius stared at Renisha with a puzzled look.
"We need to gather the surviving tribesmen. Wasn't that Kassius's wish?"
“...Is that okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Right now, the Hiloshine people seem overwhelmed just accepting us. If the Yi tribe joins us in that situation...”
“We have to accept it, so it’s better to accept it quickly.”
Renisha said a little coldly, her expression unsuited to the warm morning sunlight.
“We have a long way to go. We don’t have time to wait for someone who falls behind. Kassius, I didn’t come here to stay in Hiloshine. I came here to use Hiloshine as a stepping stone to bring down Laxus.”
“Is that so?”
Kassius asked in a calm voice.
“Kassius, everything will be as it should be. Hiloshine and the Yi tribe can never be at odds.”
“Why?”
“Because we have a common enemy. Just as you and I have joined hands like this, so too will they.”
Renisha smiled softly, the coldness from before gone from her face.
“I will do as Renisha wishes. However,”
Kassius hesitated for a moment.
Still, she thought it wouldn't be okay.
She'd avoided Kassius for a few days, but hadn't she been by his side since he left?
Even when Kassius had offered himself as a human shield to block the dawn wind, Renisha had leaned against his embrace and rested.
The breath of that day still seemed to cling to her chest.
Kassius carefully kissed the back of Renisha's hand.
"Don't push yourself too hard, Renisha."
"...I promise."
It had been a long time since she'd heard those words. Renisha smiled faintly.
Kassius was human.
And he kept digging into Renisha's gaps.
Renisha covered the back of his hand, where the hot brand had been, with her other hand.
She thought that way, she could bury this connection and emotion without anyone noticing.
Kassius, as always, stared at Renisha with straight, burning eyes.
"I hope you're not hurt."
Renisha bit her lip at Kassius's addition.
She'd thought only family would say such things to her.
Kassius had become part of Renisha's family.
Renisha nodded slowly.
Renisha returned the same sentiment to Kassius.
"Don't get hurt, Kassius."
No matter the situation.
Before I knew it, you had become important to me.
Renisha swallowed those words, which she couldn't bring herself to say.
The whole place was in ruins, and she should have been grateful for shelter from the rain and wind.
However, Renisha thought there was no place more comfortable than this.
She had slept soundly last night, without waking even once.
"Did you sleep well, Kassius?"
Renisha greeted the first face she saw when she opened her eyes.
Kassius, too, had fallen asleep quickly yesterday, perhaps tired.
Kassius blinked and sat up abruptly.
"You're up early."
Kassius quickly cleared his throat.
"There's much to do. And Kassius has his own work to do."
Kassius stared at Renisha with a puzzled look.
"We need to gather the surviving tribesmen. Wasn't that Kassius's wish?"
“...Is that okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Right now, the Hiloshine people seem overwhelmed just accepting us. If the Yi tribe joins us in that situation...”
“We have to accept it, so it’s better to accept it quickly.”
Renisha said a little coldly, her expression unsuited to the warm morning sunlight.
“We have a long way to go. We don’t have time to wait for someone who falls behind. Kassius, I didn’t come here to stay in Hiloshine. I came here to use Hiloshine as a stepping stone to bring down Laxus.”
“Is that so?”
Kassius asked in a calm voice.
“Kassius, everything will be as it should be. Hiloshine and the Yi tribe can never be at odds.”
“Why?”
“Because we have a common enemy. Just as you and I have joined hands like this, so too will they.”
Renisha smiled softly, the coldness from before gone from her face.
“I will do as Renisha wishes. However,”
Kassius hesitated for a moment.
Still, she thought it wouldn't be okay.
She'd avoided Kassius for a few days, but hadn't she been by his side since he left?
Even when Kassius had offered himself as a human shield to block the dawn wind, Renisha had leaned against his embrace and rested.
The breath of that day still seemed to cling to her chest.
Kassius carefully kissed the back of Renisha's hand.
"Don't push yourself too hard, Renisha."
"...I promise."
It had been a long time since she'd heard those words. Renisha smiled faintly.
Kassius was human.
And he kept digging into Renisha's gaps.
Renisha covered the back of his hand, where the hot brand had been, with her other hand.
She thought that way, she could bury this connection and emotion without anyone noticing.
Kassius, as always, stared at Renisha with straight, burning eyes.
"I hope you're not hurt."
Renisha bit her lip at Kassius's addition.
She'd thought only family would say such things to her.
Kassius had become part of Renisha's family.
Renisha nodded slowly.
Renisha returned the same sentiment to Kassius.
"Don't get hurt, Kassius."
No matter the situation.
Before I knew it, you had become important to me.
Renisha swallowed those words, which she couldn't bring herself to say.
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