[CHAPTER 11] — RED DUTY

"Those who live for their mission only exist in this world," Rin reflected, her thoughts deepening as Hanno wept, his tears soaking into her shoulder. The young man's sobs seemed unending, and she could feel the warmth of his tears seeping into her shirt, saturating her skin. Her clothing, dampened by his despair, clung to her, the faint scent of his tears lingering. As the boy continued to cry, Rin gently pushed him away, the connection of snot that bridged their shoulders parting.

The extended strand of snot, resembling delicate spider silk, had spanned the distance between them during Hanno's tears, creating an odd connection between them. As she tried to comfort him and suppress her own welling emotions, Rin couldn't help but observe the strange sight.

"There, there, it's okay," she whispered, patting his trembling shoulder with an attempt at solace. Her own voice quivered slightly as she struggled to keep her own tears at bay. "You don't have to cry so much. Remember, you're a young man. You might lose face if you keep sobbing." She continued to offer her support, though her shoulders trembled from her own restraint.

Hanno made a feeble attempt to stifle his sobs and wiped his face and nose with the sleeve of his robe. However, his efforts only made his face more disheveled, smearing snot and tears across his cheeks.

Surveying the state of her clothing, now stained with snot and tear marks, Rin sighed and said, "I heard that you've been promoted to Krylo heir... Congratulations... Congratulations..."

Hanno sniffled in response, his despondency apparent. "What's there to congratulate?"

Rin offered a faint smile. "If you become the Krylo heir, you'll be the head of the Krylo family. Don't you want that?"

Hanno's brows furrowed once again, and he shook his head in silence. After a moment's reflection, he asked, "Is being the Krylo heir really a good thing?"

Rin, who had grown up as an orphan with no noble heritage or family name, considered the question thoughtfully. "Perhaps it is," she replied with uncertainty.

Hanno gazed up at her, a quizzical expression on his face. "Is it good?"

Rin nodded, her uncertainty evident. "I've heard my mentor say that in Saram World, power is highly valued. They say that with power, you can do whatever you want."

Hanno mumbled with disdain, "Shallow..."

Gazing at the magnificent Maedigol Clinic, Rin's thoughts shifted to the past. Her heart weighed heavy with a sense of sadness, and her voice wavered as she continued. "Do you remember the first day we met?" Hanno's question brought their initial encounter to the forefront of her mind.

"Yes, it does feel like a lifetime ago," Rin replied with a hint of nostalgia.

"At that time, I was just crying..."

"You're still crying now," Rin thought to herself.

"I was even bullied..."

"And you're still getting bullied even today," Rin muttered under her breath.

"Even the evil birds wouldn't spare me; they kept tormenting me. But then I saw you hurling a stone at them, saving me, and tending to my injuries. You were even younger than me..."

"Just half a year younger, if you want to get technical... is that really such a significant difference?" Rin offered with a hint of sarcasm. Her fingers absently tugged at the long sleeves of her robe to remove some of the snot stains.

"You were even shorter than me..."

"I was actually taller at that time," Rin noted with a wry smile, her eyes narrowing at him.

"But... you were braver than me... and skilled at healing... that's why I made you my goal..."

Rabert, who had entered Maedigol Clinic from another entrance, couldn't help but blush upon hearing Hanno describe Rin as his "goal." As he was about to enter the building, he inadvertently overheard the conversation unfolding inside.

"Becoming an Aves physician is becoming someone like you."

Hearing Hanno's words, Rabert, along with Rin, found themselves entirely taken aback. Hanno's admission about his motivations was an unexpected revelation.

Rin, ever the inquisitive soul, posed a casual question, "So, you like this path not because of saving lives, not because of herbs and medical knowledge, but because you wish to become like yourself?"

Hanno seemed momentarily lost for words. Rin, after a brief pause, continued, "It seems you're different from me. You often ask if I chose to become a priestess because of Norya. I've never given you an answer, but now I think I can."

Taking a deep breath, Rin began to speak with conviction, "I have nothing – no parents, no siblings, no semblance of a family. Everything around me feels hollow, like I'm living on a cloud, where reality and illusion blur. An overwhelming sense of emptiness engulfs me daily. When I was in Rigel, I found a sense of fulfillment. I could research herbs, cultivate plants, and visit Veerdars Pharmacy to treat ailments. At least, it staved off the emptiness. But once I mastered the art of healing, I felt I had nothing more to achieve. That's when I turned to religion. In this world, devoid of war and suffering, I thought I could find solace. It didn't matter if I was happy anymore. By forcing myself to contemplate my path and purpose, I could escape the overwhelming emptiness."

Hanno struggled to reply, "I really enjoy being an Aves physician. I never feel empty when I'm brewing medicine or tending to patients, even if I can't diagnose them..."

"Hanno, you don't understand," Rin interjected.

"I..." Hanno frowned, at a loss for words.

Rin grew solemn. "You possess a belief... a purpose... I don't. So, I must choose my path to fill the void. But you've already made your choice."

Hanno bowed his head. "This isn't the path I'd have chosen. I know that."

Rin looked at the darkening sky, her gaze turning tender. "Well, tomorrow is the day you ascend to the role of Krylo heir. Put on your best attire, be dignified, be happy, and accept your duty."