Chapter 10:
Despite knowing she was nothing—knowing that her presence only added weight to the battle, that being there or not would make no difference to Moli whatsoever—Rin screamed in desperation atop the bird, hoping it would soften and turn back, returning her to the battlefield where she had left Moli fighting alone.
“Turn back, you stupid bird! Don’t be so stubborn! I can’t run away and leave Moli fighting for me!”
The bird answered with a violent cry—an ancient, primal screech that silenced her instantly. Tears welled in her eyes, and she lowered her head in painful surrender. Only seconds passed before Sez’s voice reached her ears, calm yet cruel, resonating beside her.
“You would be a fool if you believed he took your place in your own battle.”
Despite his sudden appearance, his voice didn’t startle her. She wiped her tears with a trembling hand and whispered in confusion,
“I don’t understand.”
He didn’t sit on the bird. He stood firm despite the wind tugging at his clothes. He fixed her with his sharp, shadowed gaze, then spoke after a heavy pause.
“Even if your father is the one who found us, that’s no reason for us to stay with you all this time—let alone ensure your safety like paid personal guards.”
She murmured in a broken voice,
“I know that… and that’s why I’m grateful to you both.”
He scoffed coldly, devoid of pity.
“There is no gratitude in magic.”
She frowned in genuine confusion.
“What do you mean? Sez, what do you mean?!”
His voice lowered into a whisper carrying deeper meaning.
“Haven’t you noticed the harmony between you? You and Moli? Haven’t you realized how easily you accepted him into your life, as if he were a lost member of your family? Doesn’t that seem… a little magical?”
Stolen story; please report.
Then he said it clearly—painfully clear.
“Ask him, girl… why do i matter to you.”
Sez vanished as if he had never been there, leaving behind only a faint sound, like the snap of fingers. Rin lowered her gaze to the ground, lost in his words, as though a door had opened inside her—one she wasn’t ready to look behind. She barely noticed the passage of time until the bird finally landed.
Moli was standing in front of her house.
Her heart trembled at the sight of him—bruises scattered across his body, dried blood staining his face and clothes. He held the bird’s head as Rin jumped down from its back and rushed toward him, worry clear in her voice.
“Are you okay?!”
He replied grumpily, trying to lighten the mood,
“I’m fine, I’m fine. I was thinking of taking a shower before seeing you, but this stupid bird arrived early.”
The bird growled stubbornly and rammed Moli hard, knocking him to the ground. Rin hurried to help him up, but he suddenly spoke seriously.
“We need to leave this place, Rin.”
She froze where she stood. He added in a low voice,
“Sez pulled a few tricks to hide the house within the mountain, but they’ll discover its location within hours.”
She pressed her lips together, trying to suppress the question that had been choking her chest since Sez’s words—but she finally let it out.
“Moli… why do I matter to you?”
He laughed mockingly, as if he had been waiting for this.
“I knew you’d say that!”
Then he added provocatively,
“You didn’t even try to rephrase it.”
Her cheeks flushed red as she shoved him with all her strength. He caught her before she could fall.
“So you were listening!”
He smiled.
“No—but I know what Sez might say. He is my childhood friend, after all.”
She stepped away calmly, but kept her index finger pressed against his chest as she spoke sincerely.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious, but… you don’t have to explain anything to me.”
He cut her off decisively.
“Actually, this time, I do.”
Then he added as he removed his torn leather jacket,
“And I’m going to shower anyway, so you’ll find out even if i refuse.”
Unease crept into Rin’s expression as she watched him remove his upper clothes. He pulled off his inner shirt, revealing his torso—broad shoulders, clearly defined muscles. They weren’t as massive as she’d imagined, but their density and strength caught her off guard. He interrupted her thoughts with a sly tone.
“That’s because of the lack of body fat.”
Her face burned red as she stammered,
“T-that’s obvious!”
He sighed at last and turned around. His back slowly came into full view—and the moment it did, she cried out in shock and confusion.
“Why is my name tattooed on your back?!”
He spoke calmly, without embellishment.
“When your father found us frozen, he made a magical pact with me. He would melt the ice binding us, in exchange for my vow to protect you. But the price was insufficient—so he paid with his life to balance the pact on his side.”
Rin’s eyes widened. Moli added without turning around,
“I didn’t kill your father. But he would have died even if he hadn’t encountered that Katakai sorcerer.”
He turned and headed inside the house, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument.
“You must respect his decision… and obey my orders, no matter what they are.”
Then he finished in a deep voice, heavy with meaning.
“From now on… your life is my life.”
