CHAPTER 722

[T.L: punisher87]

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Terrace Garden, Tikan Palace

"Oraboni, when did we become close?"

[T/L:- 친해졌었지 - "We became close," "We got to know each other," or "We became friends." It implies that the two individuals mentioned in the context have developed a close relationship or friendship over time.]

Mary asked as she fiddled with the fruit juice in front of her. The ice clinked against the spoon, making a pleasant sound.

"Why are you suddenly asking that?"

Diphus took out a cigarette from his pocket.

"I'm just curious. I can't seem to remember."

As he put his finger inside, the cigarette case was empty.

"Oh, it's all gone. I don't feel like going to get more. Do you have any cigarettes?"

"No, but can you please pay attention to my question?"

"Well, we probably became close naturally at some point."

"No, that's not the kind of answer I'm looking for. I've been restless for days because of this. I haven't been able to sleep properly."

"What's bothering you so much?"

"You know, whenever something bothers me, my entire focus is on resolving it. I can't let it go until it's solved. Don't you understand?"

"Fix your personality, you punk. Sometimes you have to let things go without worrying too much. Oh, Sir Hedo."

Diphus motioned for Hedo as he passed by, and Hedo handed him a cigarette.

"You can repay me with two next time."

"Of course, I'll give you the finest from Mila."

Feeling pleased, Diphus took out a matchbox from his pocket and sighed.

There was no fire.

Cheek-!

"Whenever you're in trouble, just find me at the entrance. I'll have a lighter for you, Sir Diphus."

But this time, as Jet was passing by, he swiftly brought a match to Diphus' lips.

"Jet, that's quite appropriate. I've realized while staying here that you're always such an appropriate person."

"My lord hired me for a good reason, it seems. Is there anything else you need, gentlemen? Shall I bring some specially made cookies from Lord Latrei's shop?"

"Go and fetch a hammer. And if possible, get one made by Lord Picon."

"Oh, Mary. A hammer? Why...?"

"You're really pushing my question aside, oraboni."

"Haha, have a good time. Well then, I'll take my leave."

Phew...

Diphus exhaled a puff of smoke, and a sense of satisfaction appeared on his face. Irritated by Mary's impatience, he gave her a stern look.

"Ok, fine. I got it, I got it. Let me think about it."

"Yes, think about it right now."

"Let's see... nanny Gilly! Wait a moment."

Diphus called out to Gilly as she passed by.

"Yes, Sir Diphus. What can I do for you?"

"When the nanny first came to the clan, was I close to her?"

"Well... Honestly, I'm not sure. I think I mostly had to take care of Young master Jin at that time, so I wasn't paying much attention."

"Did I tell you to ask nanny Gilly for answers!?"

"But when I and the young master started living at the main house, your friendship already seemed very deep."

"Well, it's understandable since we were both flagbearers at that time. Thank you for answering. By the way, how's your injury?"

"Thanks to the care of my comrades, it's been improving. And Sir Diphus, you don't need to apologize anymore."

"Well, thanks for saying that... Anyway, it's better for you to go and rest instead of making the youngest angry by working."

As Gilly nodded and walked away, Mary clinked her spoon against the plate.

"Hmm, hmm! We became friends when you graduated from the beginner's class. I helped you choose a sword back then."

"You picked a sword for me so carelessly. I remember your unfortunate line. Hey, use this one. It's called the viper, a chain sword. It suits dirty-faced brats like you."

"But how long did you actually use the weapon I carelessly chose for you? Until it broke in Rikalton."

"Well, you got it wrong. I chose the viper back then to give you a blow, oraboni. After defeating you one-on-one, I wanted to show that I could even beat you with the sword you chose without any effort... That's all I wanted to say."

"Unfortunately, I never heard that line. Since then, you've always come at me, but you've never won."

"Oraboni, you were already a flagbearer back then, so it would be awkward to brag like that. But do you not remember the time when you underestimated me and got poisoned by viper and suffered for days?"

"When you attacked me during the friendly duel event in the bathroom? Completely breaking the rules. I still have the scar here. Anyway, you should be grateful to me. If I had made an issue out of it, it would have been a big problem. Oh, then we became friends just because I kept my mouth shut!"

"No, that's not it. After that day, you looked at me like I was some kind of pest."

"Mary, does that mean what you did was something a person would do?"

"It was kind of like that. I lost even after doing that."

"I think it's a bit off. I think… It's the day when Joshua prepared a dinner for all siblings, I felt homogeneity while arguing with him. It's that day."

"Well, it felt like it. Even after that day, it was the same during the long years we spent together, feeling the wall between us with elder sister Luna."

"That's a story that applies to all siblings."

"But not the youngest."

"At some point, you found a bundle of magic explosives and said you would blow up my room, and I happened to discover it and stopped you. The day you waited for our father to go to the bathroom so you could challenge him and I stopped you."

"No, you accidentally discovered it, right? I felt like you saw me as a problem child and were watching over me. Now that I think about it, there were no coincidences. It was all a result of oraboni watching over me."

"You did crazy things more than once, so maybe it was that day when I..."

Even after that, Diphus happily recounted numerous past anecdotes with Mary.

No, precious memories.

It had been a long time since they had such a relaxed afternoon. They were so delighted and comfortable that Diphus didn't even realize that he had finished smoking his cigarette, and it was stuck between his fingers.

Mary was also smiling. Sometimes, when Diphus brought up embarrassing stories from the past, she would cover her mouth and laugh, occasionally shedding tears.

"Hehe... Hehehe, sniff. Yes, there were such moments, agh! It surprised me!"

"Hehe."

"Yona! How long have you been there?"

"Since Sir Hedo gave Diphus oppa a cigarette earlier."

"No way."

"Hehe, both Mary unnie and Diphus oppa are such fools. I wonder why the two of you don't know what I know?"

"Oh, so you know when we became friends, Yona?"

Yona shyly smiled and pointed outside the terrace.

On the endless expanse of the blue sea, Mary's puberty ship and the fleet of Cosmos were floating.

"Ah...!"

Mary and Diphus both exclaimed as if they had finally realized.

"That's right! It was that day. The day when oraboni gave my ship a name!"

"Yeah, it was around the time you became a reserve flagbearer and left the clan. But how did you know that, Yona?"

When they turned around, Yona had already disappeared and was nowhere to be found.

And the two of them looked around for a moment and remembered the same moment.

-You are a reserve flagbearer, so there won't be anyone else who promises to protect your ship.

-Since we've fought a lot on land, I might as well intimidate the sailors too.

-It would be nice if the preferred puberty could save the ship. Please come back after experiencing various things and becoming an adult while sailing on that ship.

-Yeah.

-But if it turns out that becoming an adult is too difficult, just come back safely, even if you survive with that ridiculous personality of yours. The fact that you haven't died so far is solely due to me.

-Ah, it seems that the arrogant 4th flagbearer wants to provoke me. Shall we make a bet then? I bet that I'll become stronger and come back. You bet on the side where I become a corpse. What will you give me if I win? Just so you know, I can't give you anything if I lose. I'll be dead.

Looking back, it was that day.

Although Mary initially responded with a sarcastic attitude to Diphus's sincere concerns, that day was the day when the accumulated bond between the two, unknown to them, was conveyed directly through words.

"Once you come back, I'll start watching over you again. If you get into trouble, I'll have your back like I always have. If you recklessly put yourself in danger, I'll stop you... That's what oraboni said to me that day."

"You said I've become fond of taking care of your back as if it's my hobby. Well, you did show a glimpse of cuteness by leaving a note telling me to keep the promise. But it seemed like the first and last time."

"It might be because I was still a kid who caused trouble back then, but why did oraboni do that? Why did he say such awkward things to me, who was such a nuisance?"

It wasn't just words. In reality, Diphus had always taken care of Mary more than himself.

And Mary still didn't know the reason why. Why Diphus had been looking out for her since that time.

"Is there some grand reason behind it? At first, I just felt some strange attachment to you, but as I spent more time with you, it genuinely became enjoyable. Since you became a flagbearer, you've become somewhat more human-like. As your older brother, I feel a great sense of fulfillment."

The reason wasn't important either. The two of them burst into laughter like children.

"Now, do you feel relieved? Can you sleep well from now on?"

Diphus asked, and Mary nodded her head, but then she fell into deep thought.

"...No, there's still one more question I want to ask you, oraboni."

The smile vanished from Mary's face.

"Why did you do that? Why... why did you betray me, the youngest, the clan, the world, and receive the power of the evil god?"

Diphus plucked the cigarette that had completely burned between his fingers.

"Gilly said you don't need to apologize anymore. Even the other comrades... Even though oraboni eventually came to his senses in the end, I still can't accept it. So tell me now. There must be a reason why it had to be that way."

"Mary, let's go for a walk."

"Don't try to avoid answering again. I must hear it today. If I don't hear an answer from oraboni, I..."

"Follow me, let's talk while we walk."

Diphus suddenly got up from his seat and started walking.

Mary, still staring blankly, stood up and followed him.

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