Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Its okay, Evangeline. Nothings going to happen.

It was a memory from her childhood.

Monsters had ambushed the city that night as well.

The city had become a battlefield, and the Margrave of Crossroad had urgently dashed out from his mansion towards the front lines.

As always, her mother had come to Evangelines room and held her close.

Theres nothing to be afraid of. When the sun rises, all the monsters will disappear.

Evangeline knew.

The person most afraid was her mother.

Every time her father went to battle, her mother trembled in fear that he might get hurt or die.

However, instead of expressing it, she would come to her daughter and silently hold her.

...

Evangeline turned her head. Far off, flames sprouted from the front lines.

Despite the considerable distance between the fortress and the mansion, the sound of iron was clear. The smell of ash made her nose tingle.

The peoples screams and cries, the monsters howls. And, the stench of blood.

Mom.

Evangeline asked.

When will I have to go there?

What?

Her mother looked at her young daughter in surprise. Evangeline had a mature expression uncharacteristic of a child.

I heard it from dad. The heir of the Cross family must go to the front lines and fight.

Her mothers expression fell as if the world had collapsed. Evangeline cocked her head.

Does mom not want me to fight?

Its not about liking or disliking. Its the destiny of the Cross family.

Her mother once again held Evangeline close.

Its just... sad.

Sad?

Because your mother is a coward. Im scared that your dad might get hurt, and that you might suffer in the future... Its frightening and saddening.

Evangeline hesitated for a moment, then asked the question that had been on her mind for a while.Alll latest novels at novelhall.com didnt know this would happen, right?

Huh?

You didnt know that youd worry about dad every time monsters attacked? You didnt know Id have to fight there when I grow up?

The fear that her husband might die. The sadness engulfing her as she worried about her daughters future.

Every night the monsters attacked, her mother trembled in such a way.

If you knew this would happen... would you have not married dad?

Her mother, who had been silently looking at her daughter, answered,

No. I knew.

Slowly, a soft smile spread across her lips.

I knew that if I married your father, every time monsters attacked, Id spend the night in tears.

Her mothers rough yet warm hand stroked Evangelines hair.

I knew that if I gave birth to you, you too would eventually face the destiny to fight. I knew Id be saddened by that destiny. I knew everything.

But why? Why did you marry dad?

Unable to understand, Evangeline asked again.

Why... did you give birth to me?

Why did she choose this path, knowing it would bring suffering and sadness?

Even though she knew what lay ahead was pain. Why.

"Hmm? I wonder why..."

With her voice trailing off, her mother finally offered a faint smile.

"Maybe because of what continues."

"What continues...? Whats that?"

Cradling a blinking Evangeline in her arms, her mother slowly replied,

"Youll understand when you grow up, Evangeline."

"When I grow up?"

"Yes, youll surely understand then."

Her mothers large, warm hand gently stroked Evangelines back.

"Youll understand why your mother did what she did..."

Why she moved towards a future steeped in fear and sorrow.

Even three years after her mothers passing, Evangeline still didnt understand.

And perhaps she thought... she may never understand for eternity.

***

"Cough?!"

Gasping for breath, Evangeline opened her eyes wide.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Coughing violently, she spat out blood. A dull pain surged from her back.

Rubbing her rough mouth, Evangeline tried to grasp the situation.

She had been hit by the golems fist and was flung all the way to the mansions wall, slamming her back.

How long was I unconscious?

It didnt seem like a long time. The golem that had hit her was still coming at her.

Roar!

Why was there a golem here?

Her body reacted before her mind could question.

Clang!

Evangeline quickly strapped a shield to her left arm and blocked the golems punch.

Thump-!

The shield brilliantly heated white, successfully blocking the attack.

But before Evangeline could prepare for the next stance, the second attack came.

It was then that Evangeline realized.

The three steam golems from before were merely the scout vanguard. These behemoths were the real threat.

I have to escape.

There was no other option. Evangeline knew instinctively.

If she tried to confront them head-on, shed be killed.

Wheres my horse?

Evangeline scanned her surroundings for her horse, but it had long since fled.

Should I run all the way to Crossroad?

Evangeline looked down at her limping leg. Could she possibly run with this injury?

Its not a matter of can or cannot!

If she didnt create some distance now, shed never be able to escape this place!

Gritting her teeth, Evangeline attempted to sprint towards Crossroad. It was at that moment...

Vroom-

Two golems that had been at the rear of the group ascended into the air.

They were a type of golem shed never seen before. While the other golems were rough and sturdy, these two boasted elegant and sleek designs.

Sensing an unusual threat, Evangeline quickly raised her shield.

That move saved Evangelines life.

Zing-!

From the fingertips of the two levitating golems, dozens of bright red beams were fired.

It was the same kind of laser magic that the boss monster used during the free exploration period.

But the number of beams was far greater, and there were two of them.

Ping! Pivivivivivivng!

Kwaag-!

Dozens of red lasers obliterated the ground where Evangeline had been standing.

Each time a beam swept across the ground like a whip, explosions and flames erupted.

Evangeline, with her shield raised, absorbed the magical attacks. Her crouched body was relentlessly pushed backward.

"Cough...!"

She could feel the durability of her shield rapidly depleting.

Though straining, she was managing to withstand the attack. The problem was,

Roar-!

As Evangeline held her ground to fend off the magic, the rest of the golems were charging at her.

I cant get stuck here! I have to hold them off and create distance...!

Evangeline, holding her shield, began to backpedal.

But just then, her twisted ankle gave way, and she lost her balance.

Oh no.

Just her luck, another blunder right here.

With Evangelines stance compromised, a gap appeared in her defense. The red beams didnt miss the chance and broke through.

Ping! Pivivivng!

"Ah!"

The beams were scorching and sharp. They merely grazed her, but it was enough to sear her skin and inflict wounds.

Droplets of blood spurted from Evangelines petite body.

The beam that had grazed Evangeline set the ground on fire and immediately caused an explosion.

Tookwaag-!

"Augh... Urgh...!"

Buffeted by blasts and slashed by beams of light, Evangelin tumbled roughly along the ground.

When she managed to barely lift her upper body with a choking sound, she could see giant golems closing the gap.

Ahh.

Slowly, Evangelin bowed her head. As clear-headed as she was, her ability to assess the situation was swift.

Its the end.

So empty.

Abruptly and suddenly. Death was approaching.

"Theres so much I havent done yet..."

She hadnt dated, hadnt drunk alcohol, hadnt smoked a cigarette.

She hadnt even become an adult yet.

She hadnt had the chance to really figure out what she wanted to do.

"Its ending."

Evangelin slowly closed her eyes.

There was no anger. No sadness.

Just, regret.

That was the emotion the girl felt in the last moments of her life. Evangelin let out a quiet sigh.

"I regret..."

Thats when it happened.

"Then you should just do it."

"...?"

"Do all the things you havent done, one by one."

Suddenly, a voice sounded right in front of her.

Thinking she might be hallucinating, Evangelin slowly opened her eyes and looked ahead.

"Life is short. Dont regret it and waste it diligently, alright?"

A man was standing upright in front of Evangelin, his back to her.

His shirt was soaked with sweat, revealing how hastily he must have run, and he was heaving, his shoulders rising and falling.

Unable to believe it, Evangelin opened her mouth slightly.

"...Senior?"

Then, the man glanced back at her.

The third prince of the Everblack Empire - Ash Born Hater Everblack was grinning, revealing his teeth.

"I came to rescue you, cute junior."