Chapter 11: Kind and Cruel
Sigren’s mother, Carla, had cared for her son until the moment she died.
‘You have to live, Sigren’
Those words bound themselves to him, almost like a curse. Because of them, he couldn’t give up his life and had barely managed to escape those who sought to kill him. His existence was fraught with difficulty. As a ten-year-old boy fleeing from death, he had to worry about basic necessities like food and shelter. Fortunately, he found work in a mercenary corps, which kept him from starving. But that was the only stroke of luck he had. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com. The mercenary corps he joined was known for its rough and brutal members. Sigren was frequently assaulted, sometimes for no reason at all. Those with particularly bad tempers would burn his skin with their cigarettes, leaving him with numerous small scars from the untreated wounds.
Yet, he endured silently. His mother’s last words echoed clearly in his mind. Despite the constant pain and loneliness, a question persisted in his thoughts: “I have to live. But what am I living for?”
He couldn’t deny his loneliness. The thought of being needed by someone, even a little, would have been comforting. He wanted to find some value in his existence, rather than living as if he were an insignificant insect.
‘You bastard, you’re not even worth it. You have nowhere to go, just take it. I took you, but you’re a complete useless.’
The reality was harsh. An orphan boy who could only do menial chores was treated like a mere toy. The mercenaries hurled insults, knocked him to the ground, and ruthlessly beat him with their fists and feet. Those who didn’t partake in the violence did nothing to stop it; they simply watched with cold indifference. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
He lived in such an environment day after day. In a world devoid of sympathy, every day brought new bruises to his small body.
Eventually, the mercenary corps to which Sigren belonged was assigned to defend the Heilon territory. Although fighting monsters was perilous, the pay was substantial. Without a proper weapon, Sigren survived the battles using a sword he had picked up on the battlefield. The constant struggle was grueling, but it had one benefit: it made him stronger.
However, in one particular battle, the onagers were destroyed. One of the mercenaries who had frequently tormented Sigren pushed him into the midst of the monsters. “You’re so useless. Go, be a human shield!” the mercenary shouted before fleeing through a gap.
Sigren was skilled enough to survive, but no matter how much he had improved, the fourteen-year-old boy was still not strong enough. Eventually, he was severely cut across his abdomen and lost consciousness from exhaustion. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Is this my end…?
He felt a sense of relief at the thought that it was finally over. What he found unfortunate was that he was dying on behalf of someone so undeserving. The mercenary who had pushed him into the fray was one of the worst. There were others who needed help more than someone like him. He wanted to help the weak, because no one had helped him when he was alone. At the very least, he wanted to make a difference.
He knew his desire not to let anyone live like him was a weak mindset in a world where exploitation was the norm. He didn’t want to become one of those who climbed over others to succeed. In the end, he was beaten daily and met his demise.
Yet, even so, he wanted to believe that his wish wasn’t in vain. Perhaps there was a light somewhere, or he could be a light for someone else. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
But now, it seemed impossible.
Soon after, Sigren closed his eyes.
In the darkness, someone gently stroked his head. It was a touch he hadn’t felt in a long time, so comforting that it nearly brought him to tears. When he opened his eyes, he saw a girl asleep beside him in a room bathed in the soft glow of the sunset. Her silver hair spread gently on the edge of the bed, shimmering in the light. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
It was the most peaceful sight he had ever seen in his weary life.
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