Chapter 229

Chapter 229

The day after the defensive battle.

Crossroad had fully regained its usual peace.

The citizens who had evacuated returned to the city, and the streets bustled as if they had never been emptied by monster invasions.

While the citizens enthusiastically resumed their daily lives, the heroes who had endured grueling days on the back of Jormungandr were utterly spent.

After a hearty dinner at the Lords mansion, each one of them collapsed onto their beds and fell into a deep sleep.

Even with the sun high in the sky, they remained knocked out, unable to move.

Thump. Thump.

Only Damien, who hadnt climbed on Jormungandr, was up and about early in the morning. With bandages tightly wrapped around both arms and donning a large cardigan, he left the mansion. He quickened his pace and exited through the citys west gate.

Beyond the western outskirts of the city lay a graveyard.

Damien paused as he passed the countless stone monuments, finally stopping in front of a tall communal tombstone.

...

The tombstone had been erected for soldiers who had not been properly buried following the battle against the Black Spider Army at the forward base.

Some had died horrifically, while Damien had cremated her at the base.

It was a promise they had made to each other in life: to cremate, not bury, each other should one of them die.

Thats why there was no separate tombstone for her in this graveyard.

A blue sacred flame burned in front of the communal tombstone. Damien silently stood in front of it, gazing into the fire.

"More than half a year has passed since you died," Damien spoke softly.

"I still cant believe it, Ban."

Damiens bandaged hand slowly caressed the tombstone.

"It feels like we were together just yesterday."

If he closed his eyes, it felt like he could grasp her smiling face.

For a moment, Damien recalled his memories with Ban. The days they had spent together, from his childhood up to the present. And perhaps, the future they couldnt experience together.

"Since becoming a sniper, Ive learned something," Damien slowly opened his eyes.

"Life is like an arrow that has left the bow, or a bullet that has left the gun barrel."

The boy looked down at his bandaged hands.

"Once the arrow is in the air, you cant go back to the moment before it was shot. No matter how much you want to turn back time... you cant."

No matter how much you regret the past, or relive memories, you cant return to the moment before the trigger was pulled.

Life has already been shot into the void.

"So, I have to decide," a faint smile appeared at the corners of Damiens mouth.

"Where Im going to land."

Damien looked back at the tombstone.

"Ban, I looked up to you. I wanted to be strong like you... yes, I wanted to be you."

Thats why he had followed in her footsteps.

Imitated her bravado, acted like a stronger version of himself.

Hoping that by doing so, the current painful moments would pass.

But he was wrong. He realized the futility of pretending to be her.

Ban was strong not because she put on an act, but because she faced her life without running away.

"Remember when the orphanage director pressured us to become his son Willer?"

A faint smile hung on Damiens lips, gradually becoming clearer.

"You, Ban, never once tried to become Willer. You always wanted to live as yourself."

Life is like an arrow that has left the bow.

"Admiring you, I tried to abandon myself and become you. Isnt that laughable?"

Either youre shot toward someone elses target, or you aim yourself toward your own future.

An arrow must make a decision.

And Damien made his choice.

"I wont chase after you anymore."

There was no longer any hesitation on the boys face.

"Because I am neither Willer nor Ban, but Damien."

Not someone elses life,

Nor following someone you admire,

By my own will. By my own beliefs.

"I will exist as me."

He decided to live.

Damien had made his choice.

"Even if it takes a long time, I promise to keep it."

Not because of a promise with Ban, but entirely of his own will.

Damien resolved to set off on an adventure to the ends of the world.

"So, Ban, you too... be yourself."

Wow, you look like a different person after a bath! You shouldve been doing that all along!

I couldnt help but admire the rejuvenated Nameless.

In other words, just how dirty had she been? Do all people in Lake Kingdom lack basic hygiene? I was somewhat disappointed deep down.

The people of my kingdom are suffering in a hellish condition. How could I alone indulge in luxury?

Nameless shrugged her shoulders.

No, luxury or not, youre supposed to maintain basic hygiene, you resident of this fantasy world! Just wash regularly!

Anyway, I was thinking of heading back.

Clean-Nameless stretched her long neck and looked around.

Do you know where my stuff is? I cant see my clothes or my sword.

Your stuff?

I felt a momentary pang of anxiety. What if the maids had thrown them away because they were too filthy? It was a definite possibility.

Thats when it happened.

All your belongings have been stored here.

Aider appeared, holding a clean bag.

Your clothes and robe have been washed. And your sword is here, placed in a new sword sheath.

Ah, thanks for that.

Clean-Nameless gratefully took the bag and slung the sword sheath over her back.

Aider, who had been inspecting the long, trailing white hair on the floor, cautiously asked,

If its not too impertinent, may I tie your hair for you?

Huh?

"I thought it might get in your way while you walk. It will be much more manageable if I tie it up a bit."

"Ah, please do. Ive had moments where stepping on my hair threw me off balance while swinging my sword."

Aider walked behind Nameless, pulled out a long red cloth from his pocket, and meticulously braided her long white hair before tying it up.

I didnt know the first thing about how he did it, but Aiders skills were impressive enough to prevent Namelesss hair from dragging on the ground any longer. Although it was still long and wavy, it now draped like a cloak behind her.

"Thanks. This is much more comfortable."

"Youre welcome. Then."

Aider nodded his head and prepared to step back. Just then, Nameless tilted her head and hesitantly asked,

"By any chance"

"Yes?"

Nameless seemed unsure, but she asked anyway.

"Have we met before?"

Aider blinked a few times behind his bangs and glasses, and then let out a wry smile.

"No, we havent, my lady. You must be confusing me with someone else."

""

Nameless, who had been standing blankly, eventually offered a crooked smile.

"Right. Of course not. Its been centuries since Ive ventured into the outside world; I must be getting careless."

Nameless scratched her cheek awkwardly, then gave Aider a subtle smile.

"Thanks for tying my hair."

Aider bowed deeply in return.

"It was my pleasure."

***

Flash-!

Nameless teleported back to Lake Kingdom.

There was no need for a grand farewell since they were going to see each other again soon. They simply waved their hands.

As soon as Nameless disappeared and the magical particles subsided, I asked,

"Whats the relationship between you two, Aider?"

Aider immediately responded,

"No comment."

"This guy"

Spoilers, please, for the love of God!

"Dont you have plenty of other questions for me?"

Aider spread his arms wide, smirking mischievously.

"How about the long-delayed interview with the director? Lets do it now."

""

"Im always eager to hear from our players!"

The moment I heard that, I couldnt help but think,

...Why do the operators of failing games always say things like that?