Chapter 41
“Because She’s His Fated One”
As soon as I got back from Delzers Village, I took a shower and flopped onto my bed, deep in thought.
‘This is so comfy… beds really are the best…’
That’s not what I meant to think about.
Still, I was genuinely grateful to have a dorm where I could lie down like this. Even new recruits at Elche could request a room if one was available.
My assigned room was a single. It was at the top floor, which meant it was hot in the summer and freezing in the winter, so no one really wanted it. But to me, it was a blessing.
“If I couldn’t even stay in the dorms, I’d have to return to the Bibi family… as an unwanted guest.”
I remembered how Uncle Dinel and his wife looked at me, and the words my cousin Glen had once said.
“Their eyes, when I, not Glen, was chosen as the Bibi family’s sword heir—those looks never changed.”
I’d grown numb to it, but I couldn’t ever like it.
‘Anyway. This isn’t the time for that.’
So—when exactly did I die in the original story again?
Since it was just a flashback, I never got a date. But I was sure it was soon. Maybe even this year. Especially if Roitz’s inner beast, Necroquad, was showing signs of breaking loose.
To stop that from happening, we needed the heroine: Lusiche.
“The girl with holy power strong enough to control and erase Roitz’s beast.”
I had to find her.
I remembered her first appearance—on a forest path, a few months after Roitz became Elche’s captain.
At that point in the story, he was very different.
He was still strong and respected, but in the original… he was closed off, darker.
“In the original story, Roitz was a man drowning in shadows. Someone who never let people near.”
It’s hard to imagine now, but his past—shown through flashbacks—looked more like the Roitz I knew.
The kind of person who drew people in, who suited warmth and sunlight.
“So maybe… everything that happened before the story began pushed him into that darkness.”
Like my death, for example.
Lusiche met him when he was in that state.
She had golden hair and soft, sky-blue eyes. She spoke gently but firmly.
To someone like Roitz back then, she would’ve been a beam of light.
“Of course he fell for her.”
More importantly, she erased Necroquad.
That same beast that killed me in the story.
“But she only met Roitz after I was dead. And destroyed the beast after that.”
That wouldn’t work in real life.
“I came to Elche knowing my fate—because I believed I could change it.”
If I found Lusiche first, I could help her meet Roitz before things spiraled.
Still lying in bed, I chuckled with hope. Then I got serious again and started thinking: how do I find her?
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t figure out where Lusiche was.
So I turned to the one thing that never fails:
“Money solves everything.”
I went to the best info broker in the capital. With enough cash, maybe I could buy my way to Lusiche’s location.
“If I died thinking ‘I should’ve let go of Roitz sooner,’ that would be the worst.”
I’d had so many chances to walk away.
Our first meeting.
The end of survival training.
Our last duel at the ball.
His departure two years ago.
Even recently, when he grew distant again.
But every time, I stayed.
“So now, at least, I shouldn’t have any regrets.”
I left the broker’s alley and took a step forward.
Suddenly, a hand touched my shoulder.
Reflexively, I raised my arm to twist their wrist—but stopped.
“This feeling… it’s familiar.”
I turned around.
“Senior?”
“You sensed me, huh.”
It was Roitz.
“Oh… I guess I did say your name out loud.”
Roitz looked at the alley I had just left—one that led only to the broker.
“What were you doing there?”
His sharp question put me on edge.
“…Uh…”
“You went to an info broker. What are you looking for?”
“If he finds out I’m looking for Lusiche… would that be a problem?”
…Or maybe, not a problem?
Suddenly, I snapped my fingers.
“Yes! Let’s just tell him!”
Roitz was the male lead, after all. If anyone was bound to run into Lusiche, it was him.
“Senior, I’m looking for someone!”
“…A person?”
“Someone really important. Please help me find her!”
“Who?”
“If you see a woman with blonde hair and a red bracelet—don’t pass her by!”
“Why?”
I thought fast.
“Because she’s your fated one!”
“…Fated one?”
Roitz’s expression stiffened.
‘Uh oh. Maybe that was too vague…’
But he didn’t press me for details.
“Whew. He didn’t ask. That’s a relief.”
I repeated, “Don’t ignore her. And tell me the moment you find her.”
“…Because she’s my fated one, right.”
“Exactly. You understand.”
For some reason, he looked annoyed. His eyes showed bitterness I couldn’t explain.
But that didn’t matter—what mattered was finding Lusiche.
I was still thinking about Lusiche, but decided to take a break.
“It’s not like she’ll show up just because I worry.”
For now, I’d rely on the info broker—and Roitz’s uncanny luck.
Until then, I just had to keep myself alive and dodge the beast’s eventual rampage.
“Serdin, what are you thinking so hard about?”
Herle handed me a ladle.
“Nothing.”
I shook my head and untied my apron.
We were volunteering at a free meal service run by a local temple charity.
Ever since that donation event two years ago—where Roitz moved me—I’d been giving and volunteering regularly.
“In a way, I’ve been trying to live a kind, upright life. All thanks to Roitz.”
