Volume 5 - CH 22.2

Sin and Blame



** Lark **



She still remembers the day when her “younger brother” was brought to the mine. A boy who was filled with despair and had given up on life.



When she saw that boy, she was overtaken by the feeling to absolutely “protect” him.



And that feeling has never disappeared until now.



That day—the day when Sixth Mine collapsed, the contract magic which bound them was released. Suddenly, everything in front of Lark seemed clear as the day sky, as if the locked door to her heart was thrown wide open.



Every suppressed desire gushed out to the surface. She picked up the skill orb【Shadow King ★★★★★★】which was in front of her, and absorbed it into her body.



An omnipotent sensation wrapped her whole body.



She cut down the soldiers who tried to attack her one after another.



And then, she suddenly noticed the gaze on her.



「…………」



He didn’t say anything. He couldn’t say anything.



He was the only source of strength and hope in Lark’s life as a mining slave. She would protect him – her younger brother – at the cost of her own life.



She realized at a glance that he was afraid of her.



The omnipotent sensation that wrapped her rapidly faded away. She realised that she transformed into a “murderer” in the last few seconds and felt filthy.



“Regret” filled her heart. Later on, she understood that there was no other way to save her brother, but even so, at that time, Lark’s heart was almost crushed by unbearable regret.



——Little brother.



She reached out her hand to him.



She wished with all her heart that he would take her hand.



If he was by her side, she thought she could live on even with the sin of “murder”.



——Eek.



Lark withdrew her hand when she saw him terrified.



Obviously, she thought. No one would love a person who kills people so easily because their desires were let loose.



Lark turned her back on him and started walking.



She was able to save his life. It was she who was even willing to die for that. So she persuaded herself to be satisfied with the fact that he was safe.



She doesn’t remember much after that.



When she came to her senses, she was at the town at the foot of the mine. There she heard the people talking about the slave rebellion. She realized that she was in a mine slave attire, so she entered a clothing store, stole a few clothes, and changed her clothes. She also stole food from the town. Then she moved from town to town until she eventually arrived at the Achenbach capital city.



She never thought she could meet him there again.



However, she thought that the reunion was probably the last chance God gave her.



She killed soldiers and took in a 6-star skill orb which old man Hinga said could topple an entire nation. If she was found, she would definitely be executed. And if her little brother was found with her, he too will be killed.



So she decided to stay away from him.



However, she still left behind the words – “someday, somewhere”. Even though she thought there’s no way he would see it.



After that, various things happened.



She saved many people, as if atoning for all the people she had killed. Her health continuously worsened and she vomited blood many times. She knew it was because of【Shadow King】, but she couldn’t help but use that power. This skill was already a part of Lark’s body. After that, she finally stole the “Queen of the Night”. If that nonsensical crack didn’t appear in the sky, she would have traveled to a faraway land to cure her condition by now.



(…Shit!)



The battle with the monsters that emerged from the Red Gate was fierce, but the regret in her heart lightened little by little. She was at least helping other people now. All of Lark’s actions until now have been to atone for the sin of massacring even the innocent soldiers in the mine.



(To think that I would recall that time at this moment… I guess I don’t have that much time left.)



The moment she saw End Fang, she didn’t believe she could win. But at the same time, she also thought, “I have to do it”. She thought an opponent such as that would be the most appropriate for her to put everything she has into it.



She believed that she should not reunite with her younger brother “someday, somewhere” unless she first cleansed herself of the “sin” she carried.



That was the “blame” that Lark placed on herself.



She had a slight suspicion that this sin and blame will not disappear until she dies. Even so, she could not stop walking down this path.



That was because she was his sister.



Lark has been thinking of living a life that would bring pride to her brother ever since she vowed to protect him.



(Was I… able to live a life that wouldn’t bring shame to my little brother…?)



She was unable to defeat End Fang.



She could only think that she finally ran out of luck. But she didn’t want to give excuses.



Just that, she lamented thinking how this giant monster could run wild into the world and bring harm to her younger brother.



The adventurer who tried to protect her was blown away, and she felt End Fang approaching her.



(Aa-ah… I couldn’t protect anyone this time…)



However, for some reason, End Fang leapt back. Someone used magic, it seemed.



「You gave your all, right…」



Lark opened her eyes.



He was dressed in shabby attire, just like the time they were in the mine. Even a tool bag was hanging from his waist. The sword was the only thing that seemed unfamiliar, but she instantly recognised him.



Instead of being astonished by his appearance at that place, there was another feeling that swelled within Lark.



His hand that reached for her was the same as the hand that Lark extended towards him that day – the day the mine collapsed.



……I wanted you to take my hand.



……I wanted you to take it because you are my little brother, after all.



Such thoughts filled her mind.



However, such complaints did not reach her mouth.



Before she knew it, her younger brother had grown up so much that he might actually be taller than her.



His hand which touched her was big. When he pulled her into a hug—she felt warm.



She never imagined herself in a position where he would be the one to protect her.



「…You have grown so big.」



Those were the only words that came out of Lark’s mouth.