The Villain Wants to Live Quietly

Chapter 9. End of story, new beginning (7)

There was still quite a bit of time until the night before the fireworks display.

It was good for Emilia to look around as it was, but thinking that she didn’t know, she asked for Ludwig’s opinion.

‘I wish I could tell you anything.’

It’s good to be considerate of myself, but sometimes I want to go to the places he wants to go and enjoy the things he wants to do together.

Could such a small wind have been conveyed?

Ludwig lightly touched his palms and his eyes lit up as if he had come up with an idea.

“Then could you hang out with me for a moment?”

“As much as you like.”

You must have had something in mind beforehand.

Emilia nodded happily, and Ludwig took her hand and headed in the opposite direction.

“Emilia, do you know of a place called ‘Venzerus Street’?”

“I have heard. A place to honor the artist Benzerus?”

Benzerus was an artist from Lutentia, who was famous as a painter and novelist.

As it is a place where such a person is honored, Benzerus Street used to be overflowing with free-spirited artists.

“you’re right. It’s a place I heard about from Julia’s wife not too long ago. They say that sometimes extraordinary scenery unfolds.”

What kind of a phenomenon is it? Emilia, who had been imagining it, smiled softly at him, who seemed even more excited than usual.

‘I feel like a child at times like this.’

He is a very colorful man. Normally, I can’t seem that mature.

Perhaps, since he is the eldest son of an artist family, he is inflating anticipation just by visiting a place with the name of a master.

‘It would be nice anyway.’

The important thing is that he, who always watched me enjoy himself, told me where he wanted to go.

Emilia thought that alone would be the meaning of finding Benzerus Street.

“They say it is a very famous place in Lutentia. There are a total of four places that are called the sacred grounds of masters among artists, and it is said to be one of them.”

“I didn’t know that detail. How is it that Ludwig knows better than me, who has lived here all his life?”

Ludwig made his way to Benzerus Street, babbling about tidbits of common sense she didn’t even know existed.

I got a little lost at the fork in the road that appeared, but I was able to head there without much delay by asking passers-by for the location of Benzerus Street.

“Venzerus Street seems like a place that somehow suits Ludwig.”

“A place that suits me… I have no imagination.”

What kind of impression do you have of yourself in her mind?

It was Ludwig whom I wanted to look into seriously at least once if the opportunity arose.

However, due to her personality, she won’t let me know. Because she really likes to make fun of herself.

Like that, Ludwig silently took his steps today, accepting Emilia’s mischievous pranks without fail.

Soon after, a spacious place like a plaza appeared in front of the two of them.

On the large sign visible beyond the statue of Goddess Hypresia erected in the center, it read ‘Venzerus Street’.

“Oh, I see there.”

“I thought it would be a little more secretive because it is an artist’s street, but I was surprised.”

“I agree. It was easy to find thanks to that.”

That would mean that the person named Benzerus made a name for himself as an artist while he was alive.

Before entering the street to honor an artist’s achievements, the two stopped in front of the statue of Goddess Hypresia.

Is it because she is the goddess who receives the most faith among the gods?

In front of the statue of the Goddess, people prayed or knelt down and bowed in front of the gate.

“Since it’s been a long time, shall we pray and go?”

Although he was basically an atheist, he was not one to deny religion or belief.

He knew very well that the Baiemurn family worshiped the Goddess Hypresia, so he asked her just in case.

“It’s good. I don’t know how much the Goddess of Peace will watch over us.”

“I don’t know, but Emilia might look down on her. Above all, she is the eldest daughter of the Bayemurn family.”

“Huh, that’s right. I wasn’t born into this family to be blessed by the goddess.”

That’s what she said, but Emilia wasn’t the type to rely too much on the existence of God.

There is a sense of duty to believe in the existence of God and to serve Goddess Hypresia as the eldest daughter of the Bayern family, but that is all.

Because she was a woman who knew better than anyone else that she had to carve out the path she had to go on.

Nevertheless, at Ludwig’s suggestion, she approached the statue of the goddess.

There was only one thing I wanted to pray for right now.

The reason I wanted to pray to the statue of the goddess that I would normally have passed by was because I wanted to grab a straw.

“Is there anything Ludwig wants to pray to Goddess Hypresia?”

“It’s a rule to keep this a secret, isn’t it? Still, if you ask, I’ll just tell you there is.”

“You are thorough.”

Emilia nodded because she didn’t think she would be able to hear it easily anyway.

I just asked because there was only one thing.

He thought that it would be a pleasure if he heard what he wanted to pray even to the goddess, and if not, it would be unavoidable.

“You will definitely listen. Since ancient times, it has been said that God recognizes the good and the devout.”

“Hmm, after hearing that, I feel less confident.”

He had never considered himself good in his life, much less had he been a devout believer as an atheist in the first place.

It doesn’t matter much because it’s not a sincere prayer anyway, but it’s strangely bitter.

“If God doesn’t listen, it’s probably because he believes that Ludwig has that ability. So don’t be heartbroken.”

“As expected, it’s more of an interpretation than a dream.”

Can you think of it that way?

It seems that there is room for positive interpretation depending on people’s mindset.

“Come on, pray together. Ludwig.”

“Yes.”

Now, the stage of being heartbroken even if God does not listen has passed.

The previous things were just a joke, and the important thing from now on is how you move forward.

Ludwig took a step closer to the statue of the goddess with her protecting him.

Then, he put his hand on his forehead and both shoulders, closed his eyes, and prayed with his head bowed slightly.

At the same time, he smiled strangely as a strong wind blew through his hair.

‘that’s interesting.’

Since ancient times, it has been said that the symbols of the goddess Hypresia are the wind and the swallow.

Coincidentally, just as I was praying to such a god, a harsh winter wind blew.

It was an opportune moment that made me mistakenly thinking that she might have heard the prayer and came to this place.

After praying like that, Ludwig opened his eyes first.

The girl standing next to him was continuing her prayers with a serious expression to see if there was something she really wanted.

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Just as he was about to step back to get out of the way, his closed eyes opened and he looked up at him.

“My prayer was too long.”

“It must mean that I really wanted it that much. I hope that your wish will come true, Emilia.”

Ludwig’s encouragement made her blue eyes widen, but Emilia smiled and nodded.

If he knew what his prayers to the goddess were, he would never be able to say such a thing.

A wave of profound emotions, both bitter and happy, passed through my heart.

“Thank you, Ludwig. Then where shall we go? To Benzerus Street.”

“I see.”

Secretly revealing the desire they had in each heart only to the goddess, the two headed back to the streets of Benzerus.

‘This… The scent of a flower?’

Arriving at the entrance to the street, the thick scent of flowers tickles your nose.

Her head tilted a little at the scent that didn’t quite match the place.

“You will soon see an interesting sight. Look forward to it.”

Realizing that she was feeling deja vu, Ludwig led her deep into the street with a mischievous smile.

an interesting sight? What is it?

As it is an artist’s street, the fact that you don’t know what will come out further boosted the anticipation.

And around the time the scent of the flowers they were smelling deepened, an amazing sight unfolded before the eyes of the two people who were heading further inward.

Emilia, who had been dumbfounded, stood still and blinked her eyes.

Apparently, it was worth the surprise. Ludwig smiled broadly and took her hand.

“Ludwig, this is… … ?”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen it myself, so it’s amazing. How are you, Emilia? Are you surprised?”

“I can’t help but be surprised. How could this scenery… … .”

What unfolded in front of the two of them was a feast of flowers embroidered so splendidly that the expression of a flower garden was appropriate.

How could such a rare scene unfold in the middle of this city?

Even though the weather is quite warm today, it must still be the middle of winter with a bitter cold.

It was an incomprehensible view to her common sense.

“I heard that this is the reason why there are many passers-by looking for Benzerus Street. They say you can only see it three times a year… I’m glad I got the chance.”

A place where the touch of a woman who respected and fell in love with the artist Benzerus despite being a wizard is buried.

You can see this scenery only three times a year.

There is no regularity in the date, and I don’t know when I can see it, but that’s why it was more valuable.

How much more fortunate to see it with a woman who loves it.

“How did you know it was today?”

“Actually, I heard a tourist passing by. I’ve heard of this place, but I didn’t know that today would be the perfect day for the flowers to bloom.”

“It is literally a miracle.”

Emilia smiled brightly at the colorful flowers that greeted her.

Is this fleeting beauty?

At the very least, thinking that the landscape would disappear again by tomorrow brought a sense of regret.

On the one hand, that’s why I thought that I should engrave it in my memory for a little longer and more clearly.

“They say it was a flower garden that a wizard who missed Benzerus grew up to remember him. It is said that he put a spell on it, hoping that only this place would remain even after he died.”

“It is a heartbreaking story.”

Well, if only I could think of the person I had in my heart, what could I not do?

Thinking that if she had been that magician, she would have done something similar, Emilia put her hand over her chest.

Parting with a loved one is a sad law no matter the place or time.

The fact that this place was originally an end-of-life flower garden seemed to indirectly tell the story of two people who would never meet again.

Maybe it’s just that they can’t see it, and the two of them are still spending a cozy time walking together on this flower field.

Enjoying a short but heartfelt encounter that only happens three times a year.

“Actually, there is another reason I wanted to bring Emilia here.”

“Why?”

Ludwig silently nodded at her questioning question and pointed to the flower field.

Following his gaze, I saw several people drawing something while sitting on a chair.

“Didn’t Emilia tell you that? I hope you draw yourself someday.”

“ah… … .”

These are just words that he spilled excessively when he heard that he was well versed in painting.

Even so, have you remembered those words and waited for this moment?

With a low exclamation, she slowly approached the garden, following Ludwig’s hand as if possessed.

“I’ll be right back, so please wait a moment.”

After leaving those words, he went somewhere and soon returned with a chair, a canvas, and a large easel.

“Where did you get that?”

“It looks like you can rent it for a small amount of money nearby. Good to know in advance.”

It seems that the preliminary investigation has been completed.

Emilia was calmly moved by the thought that she had searched for such a place for herself.

Even though this flower field was not prepared by him, I thought that his sincerity might have reached the sky and the present scene might have unfolded.

“Would you like to sit down?”

Following his words, Emilia sat down in a discreet manner, like a butterfly flying over the flower field.

Even without taking any action, the picture was completed as it is.

“I hope you draw it pretty, Ludwig.”

“It is a great responsibility. I will do my best.”

Even if you bring a famous artist of the century, wouldn’t it be like picking stars from the sky to give her beauty as it is?

I wondered if I could draw it with my own hands, but on the other hand, it was also something I really wanted to draw.

After clearing up his paradoxical mind, Ludwig carefully took the pencil in his hand.

‘Let’s draw it as it is.’

There is no need to add or subtract anything.

I can assure you that the girl Emilia Bayemurn was the most beautiful being she had ever seen.

With a crunching sound, his pencil moved slowly, and the smile on another flower that decorated the flower garden deepened.

However, there was something that Ludwig was very sorry about, that he could not see a way to praise her other than to say that he was beautiful with his poor speaking skills.

What did Benzerus say to the lover he loved?

It was a moment when I wanted to receive a little advice from a master I had never seen before.