READ NOVEL ONLINE A request to become family.
Since then, after being bound together in the relationship named family, Lucy was always with Yoon Si-woo.
“Uh… Lucy, the girls are fighting again. Should I go tell them to stop…?”
[…Sometimes solving problems that way is the least troublesome solution, so don’t worry.]
“But Director Maria said to stop them when the kids fight…”
[…Trying to intervene will only backfire. Si-woo, I told you before that it’s better not to hastily accept invitations from girls to play house together, right? If you get involved, it will inevitably turn into chaos over who will play the wife role. Have you ever heard the phrase ‘beauty that can topple nations’? Let me tell you what can happen if you don’t act cautiously with that good looks of yours today.]
Thus, while living with Yoon Si-woo, Lucy sometimes acted as an advisor and teacher, teaching him things no one else had.
“…Sniff. Lucy, I miss Mom and Dad.”
[Seeing how much you miss them, Si-woo, your parents must have been wonderful people.]
“…Yeah. They always took good care of me, even when they were busy being heroes. Ugh, sniff….”
[The pain of parting means you have many good memories with that person. Don’t forget that and cherish it always. In that sense, Si-woo, if it’s okay, could you tell me about your parents? The best way to keep memories alive is to reminisce about them whenever you have the time.]
Sometimes, she would also be a comforter, soothing his sorrow of losing his parents at a young age.
Lucy wasn’t sure if this relationship could truly be called family, because until she met Yoon Si-woo, she had never experienced what family was.
However, one thing was clear: she had done her best.
To be the kind of existence Yoon Si-woo had wished for as family.
For him, and also for herself.
*
And as time flowed, Yoon Si-woo, starting to shed the traits of a boy, entered Aegis Academy to become a hero.
It was a place known for having strict standards when selecting talents.
However, how could the inherent talent for the sword and having once been taught by a legendary master be a stumbling block for someone like Yoon Si-woo?
“Ha… I passed! Lucy! Thank you! It’s all thanks to you!”
Of course, he didn’t think it was natural; the moment his admission to the academy was confirmed, Yoon Si-woo expressed his gratitude for everything being thanks to her.
But that was a huge misconception.
[…It’s not my doing. It’s all because you worked hard.]
No matter how much talent one has, or how great a teacher, nothing holds meaning without effort.
Still, Yoon Si-woo followed her training, which would be difficult even for many adults, diligently.
He had his own goal of becoming a hero, after all.
An impressive point was when he was once asked why he wanted to become a hero, his answer was this.
“Uh? Well… I guess it’s because I respect my parents?”
A vague response, as if he hadn’t really thought about the reason.
Hearing that answer, Lucy felt that Yoon Si-woo was truly a good-hearted person.
He simply wanted to help others and didn’t want to see others in pain.
A boy who would have helped others in some way, even if his parents were not heroes.
Lucy admired his admirable nature.
And realized anew that he was a different existence from before.
The swordsman who valued nothing but strength was no longer there.
She knew this.
Thus, she only trained Yoon Si-woo enough so that he could help others as he desired, just enough for that.
Anything beyond that was a promise only she remembered, and a greed.
Even if the promise of that day and the long wait of hundreds of years turned out to be futile, if Yoon Si-woo did not wish for it, she would not train him beyond that.
But perhaps, who knew what the world had in store?
After entering the academy, Yoon Si-woo met a girl.
At that age, it was quite natural for him to develop feelings for her.
However,
“Lucy, I want to get stronger.”
[Are you not already strong enough?]
“I’m not strong enough like this.”
[Then how much stronger do you want to be?]
After speaking with a girl who lost her arm protecting people from demonic beasts, Yoon Si-woo opened his mouth.
“As strong as to protect everyone.”
Lucy could only think.
Perhaps fate existed in this world.
To say you want to be strong enough to protect everyone was akin to saying you’d become stronger than anyone in this world.
‘…Of course, if I were reborn, I would want to be stronger than anyone too.’
In the end, your words rang true.
Muttering this to herself, Lucy looked at Yoon Si-woo.
Then, seeing him walk the same path as before, without remembering anything, she smiled and said,
[Ahaha, what an arrogant answer.]
[But truly, I really liked that answer.]
[Then let’s make a contract. I will help you awaken the true abilities of the holy swords.]
[So, while I grant your wish, you must fulfill one wish of mine as well.]
At that, the oblivious Yoon Si-woo asked.
“What do you want?”
And to his question, Lucy replied.
[I have no wish to see my contractor lose to anyone.]
[What I have always truly desired, you have already given me.]
[Therefore, now I have only one wish left. I told you before. In my next life, I will become your sword and support your path.]
[As I promised, I will do my best to help you.]
[So this time, please, just as you wished.]
[Become stronger than anyone.]
If she had any lingering attachments left, it would only be that.
*
Many events happened after that.
Yoon Si-woo, not caring about his own life, often put himself in danger to save others, causing Lucy to worry about him.
Even when he fell into a coma trying to save a girl whose sanity was taken by a witch.
When he pushed himself too hard and ended up being consumed by miasma.
She often pondered how many times she needed to use the holy sword of wishes as a last resort.
Luckily, Yoon Si-woo was surrounded by others just as dedicated to helping people as he was, allowing him to get through those countless crises.
And thus, he finally reached a point where he could say,
“Finally, you’ve surpassed me. You’ve become stronger than anyone in this world.”
He finally achieved his past life’s goal of becoming stronger than anyone.
Now, the question was whether that man was happy with achieving his goal.
It was something Lucy couldn’t know.
But at least she felt genuine satisfaction in being able to keep her promise to him.
The moment when her last lingering attachment disappeared.
*
And now, reflecting on that moment when her last attachment was resolved, Lucy finally understood why he had tried to use the holy sword of wishes for her.
Because he likely felt the same way she did now.
Ah, so that’s how it was.
Though she didn’t say it with words, for you…
Lucy, feeling an urge to cry again, called out to Yoon Si-woo, who was looking at her.
“…Si-woo.”
Seeing him pose a question of why was she like this, he either waited for her answer or hoped she wouldn’t say anything at all.
But Lucy continued without regard for him.
“…You asked why? Why I go this far for you.”
“……”
“I thought about it for a while, and it turns out it’s simple.”
Saying this, she looked at Yoon Si-woo’s face.
From his childhood until now, memories of him rushed through her mind.
How had that small boy grown into such a mature being?
As she thought about this, she replied naturally to his question of ‘why.’
“Because you are family.”
Because you are family.
That was Lucy’s answer to the question of why.
If there’s anything left that she desired, it was only for Yoon Si-woo, her family, to be happy.
So, just as he had done for her in the past, Lucy could gladly sacrifice her life for Yoon Si-woo.
In the final moments of her life, only family would truly wish for the happiness of that person.
“Why… why go so far…?”
But perhaps it wasn’t enough of an answer for Yoon Si-woo.
Hearing Lucy’s answer of “because family,” he burst into tears, clutching her collar tightly while repeatedly asking why.
As if unable to comprehend her with just that reply without a more detailed explanation.
But Lucy turned his question back on him.
“…Is there a reason to need an explanation to wish for family’s happiness?”
“Ah, ah…”
Perhaps that was the decisive blow.
After hearing her words, Yoon Si-woo broke down in tears, clinging to Lucy.
Though he believed he was grown up, seeing this part of him revealed his childishness. Lucy embraced him, thinking this.
Of course, Lucy didn’t fail to understand Yoon Si-woo’s feelings.
For him, until now, she had been the only family and could also be regarded as a parent.
Maybe that’s why, with tears in his eyes, Yoon Si-woo complained like a child.
“But, but Lucy. I don’t want you to disappear. You promised to stay by my side until the day I don’t need you anymore.”
“…That’s right.”
Lucy also remembered.
The first contract when she had promised to become his family.
However, Lucy knew that for him to be truly happy, the survival of that girl was essential.
If the girl were left to die like this, Yoon Si-woo would surely live a life filled with the guilt of having been unable to protect her.
But if Lucy saved the girl and left…
Yoon Si-woo would be sad for a long time, but eventually overcome that pain and live on.
Thus, Lucy whispered to Yoon Si-woo, who was weeping in her embrace.
“…Si-woo. If possible, I would like to stay by your side as long as I can. The time spent with you is precious to me, too. But for everyone, there will inevitably come moments of parting with family. This is just that moment.”
Did he feel Lucy’s sincerity?
Yoon Si-woo, still in her arms, nodded a few times at her words, gradually quieting down.
After a while, he pulled back from her embrace, and tears had ceased to flow from his eyes.
While still filled with sadness and the pain of separation, he was ready to accept the unavoidable farewell.
However, he still clung to her clothing, not to hold her back, but because he had lingering questions.
“…Lucy, are you really okay with this?”
Yoon Si-woo asked.
More than anything, were you okay, Lucy?
Were you genuinely okay with this, and not doing this out of obligation?
“Ahaha, what a foolish question! Si-woo, what do you take me for?”
However, in response to his question, Lucy laughed as if he were being ridiculous.
“I am Lucifer, the Witch of Arrogance. Do you really think I would do something I don’t truly want? I have achieved everything I ever desired and have no lingering attachments left, so I made up my mind that it’s okay to leave. Don’t worry too much about this matter.”
In the green light that the Holy Sword wished began to emit, she spoke with an immensely proud smile, as befitting the Witch of Arrogance.
As if to show Yoon Si-woo that this was truly her wish.
“…Even if you say don’t worry, you’ll cry again.”
But in the end, although Lucy had intended to leave with that haughty demeanor, she couldn’t maintain her expression upon seeing Yoon Si-woo start crying again.
“I really can’t help you.”
Lucy shook her head with a slight smile and began wiping Yoon Si-woo’s tears.
“…Si-woo.”
Then, with a smile that was not arrogant but filled with infinite compassion, she spoke to her family.
“Be happy.”
The last witch remaining in this world, so transformed into green light, met her end.
*
Right after the last witch scattered into green light, that light gathered in the air.
At a certain moment, the gathered light took the form of a person.
The boy standing below, with tears in his eyes, slowly reached out to accept what was descending.
Flames of hair, like burning fire.
The witch, who had become flames to protect the world, returned to this world in the form of an ordinary human girl.
But what could be the issue?
Although the girl was definitely alive, she didn’t open her eyes.
However, believing it to be a small problem, the boy decided to wait for the girl to wake up.
And thus, two years passed.