Suddenly, I chuckled at Shasha, who kept repeating that something was strange.

“What’s strange?”

“Suddenly, a strange power filled the area where we are. But I felt that power coming from unnie.”

“Ah.”

Could Shasha feel it? Something that neither Lian nor I could feel.

“But… it’s a really comforting power, so it’s okay.”

“Really…?”

“Yeah! But it surprised me because I felt it from unnie.”

I approached Shasha and hugged her tightly.

“It’s not strange, Shasha.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yeah.”

It’s a power that protects us, or so they say. I couldn’t believe it, but thanks to Shasha, I realized it was real. All the actions of Sehelus that made me uneasy were not just casual words.

So now, I regret it. Why couldn’t I have noticed it properly back then?

“Unnie?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you sad?”

Shasha raised her head and stared at me.

“Does it look like it?”

“Yeah, it looks like you’re sad. I hope unnie isn’t sad. I’ll get rid of the things that make unnie sad!”

“Really?”

“Yeah! If… if by any chance going back home makes unnie happy, then I’ll do that!”

“That will never happen. And Shasha, although unnie’s happiness is important, your happiness is the most important. So, you don’t need to sacrifice yourself for someone else. Even if I say so myself.”

Shasha’s young life began and ended with sacrifice. In the past life and the present life. And hearing the story that Shasha might be Noah’s reincarnation, my heart hurts even more.

“Never sacrifice yourself for someone else. Shasha’s life belongs to Shasha. You can live selfishly. Got it?”

“Ung…”

“Dear Shasha, even if you’re selfish or only someone who knows yourself, it’s okay. I’ll love you, no matter how you are. So, do what you want and live your life. Got it?”

“Yeah! If unnie likes it…”

Shasha smiled brightly as if she were happier than ever. Just then, a flock of doves flew in through the window, as if they knew Shasha’s heart.

“Then let’s go to sleep. Should unnie put you to bed?”

“Yeah! I think I’ll sleep well if unnie puts me to bed!”

“Sure.”

I still don’t know. What happened to me. What I should do now.

But I know there’s nothing I can do. Perhaps for this day, Sehelus did not reveal his presence.

According to Merkin’s words, he is not coming out of the room. Even if I go to find him, nothing will change. He has already transferred all his power to me.

‘When we meet again… I won’t let it slide.’

He, who has lived for a long time, alone in a world where all the people he loves have disappeared, must have had a hard time, so I had mixed feelings.
“If he really appears as a cat… very… very… I will torment him a lot. Rubbing his belly thoroughly…”

Knowing that it was all I could do, I only had one wish – that he would appear quickly.

The next day, waking up from a night’s sleep, I entrusted the children to Aenna and headed to the library.

I needed someone to consult about this tremendous situation, and Hwang Do-ju was the only person around me who knew about magic. So, I urgently sought him out.

“Hwang Do-ju-nim! Something big happened!”

Of course, not in a loud voice but in a small voice. As expected, as soon as I found him, Hwang Do-ju appeared somewhere with a purring sound and perched on a shelf within my sight.

“What’s this big trouble?”

“Ha… It’s a big deal. Sehelus… No, Matapju has transferred all his power to me.”

“Oh, is that sudden surge of strong magic what it is?”

He looked at me as if I were fascinating.

“Is that the end of your reaction?”

“Well, what reaction should I have? Oh my, it’s surprising. Something extraordinary must have happened. What are you hoping for in this situation?”

“…Is it not a big deal?”

“Whether it’s a big deal or not, if it is or if it’s not, it’s that kind of thing.”

“Sometimes you really seem like an old man at times like this.”

I talked to my friend, making a fuss, but he wasn’t as surprised, making me feel awkward.

“But… is this possible? That I have… such power…”

“There’s nothing that can’t be done. It’s called magic. It’s like a dream. If you believe it can be done, it can, and if you believe it can’t, it can’t. That’s why it’s truly beautiful and terrible.”

As if thinking about the distant past, Hwang Do-ju lightly stroked his chin.

“Ha… What is that? I’m really too serious. A power that doesn’t suit me. Such… such strong power is too…”

It felt burdensome, seemed unbearable. It felt like it could be abused anywhere…

“What if bad thoughts arise? What do I do? Let’s just get rid of it all! If I throw it away like this? Then… then…”

“The one who gave you that power believes in you. That you’re not the kind of person who would do that. And what’s the problem if you use it like that?”

“But…”

“Originally, power is something you can’t use just because you’re upset. The greater the power, the more so. So don’t worry. I also know very well that you’re not a bad child.”

Hwang Do-ju hopped up to my head and gently stroked my head.

“Why are you climbing up?”