TACBD 08

Chapter 08..

It’s because it’s embarrassing for two grown adults to kneel and cry in front of a child….

“Really, she’s utterly charming to the very end. That’s why it’s even more regrettable.”

“I wish we had treated her better from the start.”

I could read the sincerity in their eyes. That sincerity made my ears feel hot.

Feeling awkward, I scratched the back of my head and spoke cautiously.

“Uh, just… treat her well next time you meet her.”

My words, meant as mere comfort, made their eyes widen.

“You’ll come again?”

“Someday…?”

I nodded earnestly, worried they might start crying again.

‘As long as I’m a crow beast, I’ll eventually come back here, won’t I?’

It was just a casual thought, yet the faces of the servants brightened as if they were about to leap for joy.

“You absolutely must come! Definitely!”

“That time, we’ll give you a proper bath and make you new clothes too!”

Uh… no, that’s… I’ll pass on that.

‘I still want to bathe alone…’

Whether I reveal I’m a girl or not, by the time I return, I’ll be too grown up for anyone to walk in while I bathe.

After managing to send them off, I sat back on the floor and sighed.

Still, receiving their apologies had eased my mind a bit. I thought it would be the same whether they apologized or not.

With the gloom lifting, my heart felt lighter.

‘I’m grateful. They apologized before I left.’

It was fortunate, just as they said, that I could take away good memories rather than bad ones.

Thus, I spent the last day at the ancestral home leisurely, entirely alone, unaware that it was the crow clan’s way of giving me some consideration.

That day granted me, a bearer of the heavy responsibility as the Jinmyung Sorcerer, complete freedom. No lessons to attend, no teachings to receive—just free time to enjoy alone.

I would realize this much later, very late.

After peacefully spending the last day, morning came—the day to depart.

“I’m going to… miss you, Dohee….”

Gulp.

‘Crying again?’

The servants I had seen yesterday were already sobbing, their sleeves wet. The elders of the house stood stiffly, scrutinizing everything with a disapproving look. Their complaints didn’t seem to be directed at me, though.

“Jinmyung Sorcerer, and yet she only had such dull clothes? Didn’t give her something better?”

“It’s winter, and the remaining silk was only black and red.”

“No, to emphasize Dohee’s bright eyes and charm… uh, loveliness, white would have been better.”

“Indeed. If our clan had been a bit more prosperous…”

Ah, no? Why?

‘This is already perfectly fine clothing.’

I had never worn clothes like this before. Thin, warm, soft—and now they were mine.

It’s more than enough. How much better could they have dressed me?

I hugged the clothes I was wearing tightly and expressed my gratitude to the disapproving elders.

“Dohee’s never had such pretty and nice clothes before. Thank you. Ehehe, I love them.”

“Ah, ahh! It’s nothing. The clothes simply met a good owner.”

“We apologize for not providing even better clothes.”

“No, it’s fine. These clothes remind me of you all.”

I made sure they knew how much I liked the clothes. In a poor household, having new clothes made for me was something to be truly grateful for.

“The black and red seem to carry all your hearts. I’m really thankful.”

When I bowed deeply again in gratitude, they all looked up at the sky, holding their noses. Was a nosebleed involved?

“To think we must send such a person to a place full of vile, cruel men.”

“Oh, why is it suddenly raining…?”

“That is falling from your eyes.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle quietly.

‘What interesting people they are.’

At first, they had seemed terrifying, but now, they weren’t scary at all.

Just a few men who looked a bit fierce. They were blunt, yet subtly caring—not much different from the men I had seen in my previous life.

While everyone was saying their goodbyes, I saw the elder and Suryun walking from afar. It reminded me of our first encounter. Back then, he had said he wouldn’t let me go if I didn’t obey.

‘Has the elder… softened a bit since then?’

His barren gaze and cold aura were still intimidating, but somehow, warmth seemed to emanate from somewhere. Perhaps it was just my imagination.

The elder frowned upon seeing me, flinched, and trembled slightly.

“New clothes, huh?”

“I received these as gifts from everyone.”

“Not bad…”

Not bad? Everyone, including Suryun, turned their attention to the elder.

“Cute.”

“Uh…”

Hearing that, everyone froze. Even I did. No one would have expected the elder to say something like that.

Recovering from the shock, I quickly grabbed the elder’s robe. Before Suryun could stop me, I hugged his legs.

“E-elder?”

Before Suryun could react, I said first.

“Ehehe, it’s the first time the elder called me cute.”

“Hohoho!”

I could feel everyone flinch at the word “elder.” Understandable. Who would dare call the clan elder “grandfather”?

But it’s fine. I had permission, right?

“I’m so happy. Thank you, Elder.”

“Hohoho!”

While everyone froze, watching us, he laughed out loud.

The big laugh carried no malice or coldness, only pure joy.

“It’s an unfamiliar title, but it does sound good.”

“Right, Elder?”

Those who could no longer protest simply covered their mouths and stepped back.

Incredible. I never expected him to treat me so warmly.

After laughing for a while, the elder spoke quietly.

“Until now, I thought of you merely as a gift from the gods to save our clan. But my thoughts have changed.”

“Eh…?”

“You are a child sent by the gods to save everyone.”

I widened my eyes at the grandiose words.

‘Me?’

I stayed silent, feeling I shouldn’t question him.

“Learn well and grow. If you continue as you are now, you’ll be fine wherever you go.”

“Yes…”

Overwhelmed by the weight of his words and some unidentifiable embarrassment, I bowed my head. Something, probably his hand, landed on top of my head.

“When you go, there will surely be hardships. You are a crow, after all.”

“I know…”

Is he about to tell me to endure and take revenge again?

I waited silently, but then he said something unexpected.

“If you can’t endure it, report to us. We’ll secretly eliminate anyone who gets in your way.”

“Uh… what?”

“That’s what we do best: removing obstacles to your future from the shadows. We will gladly clear your path.”

“But isn’t it wrong if I cause trouble?”

“What does it matter?”

Then, in an unbelievable way, he referred to me.

“We will personally protect our clan’s treasure.”

Only then, foolish as I was, did I understand why they had changed—at the very last moment.

‘Ah, I see.’

These people cherish me. I have become important to them.

With a sudden surge of emotion, I looked up at the elder with teary eyes.

“Dohee, are you precious?”

“Yes.”

“Even if you’re not the Jinmyung Sorcerer… are you still precious?”

“Before being a Jinmyung Sorcerer, you are also a crow.”

“Hehe.”

Unlike the tears that slid down my cheeks, my face must have lit up with a smile. I was happy.

I was overjoyed to be recognized as part of the family. Belonging somewhere felt so warm. It felt as if I had a place to return to.

“I’ll do well, Dohee. I’ll definitely come back.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll keep the promise we made then.”

The elder, smiling warmly at my reply, looked nothing like the head of a massive assassin organization. He looked just like an ordinary grandfather.

“I’ll be waiting happily for that day.”

“Yes. The promise!”

“Dohee, it’s time to go now.”

Suryun, holding me up, spoke, and everyone stopped sobbing and waved.

“Goodbye, everyone!”

“Take care!”

“Please come back!”

With their hearty farewells, I was finally able to leave. The crow clan stood there until I was out of sight. Even as I kept walking, they remained visible as tiny dots in the distance.