Chapter 152: Winds of Change (1)

Chapter 152: Winds of Change (1)

Ner approached Arwin, who was looking in the direction Berg had left.

...

...

Neither of them opened their mouths first.

There wasnt much to say in the first place.Rêạd new chapters at novelhall.com

After all, her farewell with Arwin was imminent.

Ner gradually began to feel that the distance between herself and the elves was greater than the difference between herself and Bergs human race.

Despite being nobility and a woman herself, Ner found she understood Berg more than Arwin.

But whatever that was, now was not the time to ponder it.

They simply shared a silence, filled with worries for Berg.

Stockpin was abuzz with new developments.

There were rumors that the hero party had killed the Demon King.

The news that the war is over.

Despite the numerous casualties and the hero himself being gravely injured, the unchangeable truth was that the war had ended.

Yet, Ner found herself unable to feel joy for some reason.

It had been a war that brought endless suffering to the commoners of Blackwood, and Ner herself had despaired greatly due to this war... but the mere fact that the war had ended wasnt enough to make her happy right away.

There had been no word about Berg yet.

His battlefield, and that of the hero party, were entirely different matters.

If he wasnt safe, then everything else was meaningless.

Ner clasped her hands together.

She prayed endlessly to her native gods.

Kissing the ring Berg had given her, she wished nothing more than for his safe return.

...Arwin-nim?

Then, Ner called out to Arwin.

Arwin turned to look at Ner with lifeless eyes.

Ner, looking at her, made a request.

...Bergs World Tree leaf...

...

...Can you show it to me...?

The World Tree leaves that Berg and Arwin had shared at their wedding ceremony could reveal the condition of the other person.

Seeing Bergs World Tree leaf would tell them what situation he was in.

Arwin, staring blankly at Ner, cautiously showed the leaf she held.

...

The leaf was slightly torn here and there.

Ner collapsed on the spot at the sight.

It was a relief that he was alive, but the thought of him being so badly injured was overwhelmingly painful.

She continued to pray.

For Berg to return.

Ner had never wanted anything more.

The only person who had ever been on her side.

The most important existence in her life.

Only with him could she also live on.

...Wha...What...?

Then, Arwin, uncharacteristically, began to voice her concern with an anxious voice.

Ner, feeling a sinking pain in her heart, immediately looked at the World Tree leaf.

The leaf was rapidly withering away.

****

I couldnt let go of Adam Hyung even after he had left.

Holding him in my arms... I just froze in place.

I couldnt believe it.

That Adam Hyung had died.

He, who had always been stronger than anyone and had always led me, was gone.

I couldnt accept that Adam Hyung, heavy in my arms, would never open his eyes again.

It felt like he would open his eyes any moment and tell me it was all a joke.

But Hyung did not move.

He lay there lifelessly, resting with a peaceful expression.

Seven years flashed by like a lantern show.

The moment I first met him.

The moment I joined the first mercenary band, our relationship strained.

The memories of being trained by him.

The battles where we saved each others lives.

The endless conversations we had sitting side by side in front of a fire.

The moment we formed the Red Flames group.

The day we first shared a drink.

The day we entered Stockpin.

The memories of supporting each other after the deaths of our comrades.

All the laughs and jokes we shared.

I couldnt believe that all of this would now become just memories.

I couldnt even cry.

It was more numb than any death. Maybe because it didnt feel real at all.

It all seemed like a dream.

..Hy...Hyung...now...

I blinked and whispered to Adam Hyung.

...now the war is over...

This was supposed to be the end, so why did this have to happen?

In hundreds of battles, where weve crossed the line of life and death countless times, why couldnt we avoid it this time?

...There was nothing left but happiness ahead of us...

I tried desperately to persuade him, as if saying these words would make him rise again.

Adam Hyung must have suffered more than I did.

For that reason, she couldnt even bring herself to offer consolation prematurely.

Berg, carrying Adam, momentarily met Ner and Arwins eyes.

His expression twisted briefly, then returned to its original state.

After fixing his expression and closing his eyes for a moment, Berg moved forward.

Without saying a word, he headed into Stockpin.

Ner and Arwin silently followed him.

****

I carefully laid down Adam Hyung and the members who had met their deaths in the village center, and looked around at the villagers watching me.

I stood where Adam Hyung should have been standing, feeling awkward and confused.

But I knew what I had to do.

Not good with words and lacking the energy, I recited only the necessary information in a business-like manner.

It was the roll call of the deceased. The names of those deeply etched in my memory couldnt be forgotten.

I looked around at the villagers and called out each name.

...Lance.

A cry erupted from somewhere.

Even though I had only learned of these deaths upon entering the village, declaring them like this felt differently.

...Alfrin.

Another sob followed.

With each name I uttered, I felt the weight on my shoulders, calling out each one by one.

How had Adam Hyung managed this? I couldnt know.

Parents who lost their children. Wives who lost their husbands. Children who lost their fathers.

With each name, it was as if I was driving a nail into their hearts.

Ner and Arwin stood behind me.

I hadnt exchanged a single word with them yet.

I didnt even know what to say.

Name after name after name.

The endless list went on in my mind.

And as I spoke... I finally reached the last name on the list, longer than any before.

...And....

But that last name wouldnt come out of my mouth.

I opened my lips, but no sound emerged.

Perhaps I had unknowingly saved that name for last.

...

After struggling for a while, I finally managed to say it.

...Adam.

At that name, many people began to cry.

With that, I closed my mouth and turned around.

I didnt want to be there anymore.

I needed a break.

I turned and walked towards home.

Perhaps I walked a bit too briskly.

Ner and Arwin seemed to struggle to keep up.

-Thud.

Thats how I entered the house.

I stood in the living room, staring blankly into space... and let out a long sigh.

My breath came out shaky.

Thats when I turned around.

-Drip... Drip...

Ner stood there, tears streaming down her face. Arwin was slowly approaching me.

...Why are you crying?

I tried to put on a strong front, smiling as if nothing was wrong.

...Why do you hold it in...?

As if reading my inner turmoil, Ner cried in my stead.

Only then did my emotions start to surge.

I clenched my mouth shut, swallowing my tears.

Until now, the tears wouldnt come out... but now, I was holding them back.

Crying felt like I would have to accept Adam Hyungs departure.

So, I forced myself to swallow my tears a little longer.

-Swish.

Arwin buried her face in my embrace.

Only then did I feel her shoulders begin to tremble.

I understood that this was her way of offering comfort.

Pretending to be calm, I gently patted her back.

Ner did the same, coming over to hug me.

After that, they said nothing.

They simply comforted me with their silence and warmth.

Before I knew it, I was accepting their embrace.

Their comfort gave me a lot of strength.

...Do I really have to part ways with them?

Is polygamy truly being abolished?

Is there no other way?

Why must I face so many farewells?

My inner greed keeps wanting to hold onto them.

...

But that was a conversation I didnt want to have right now.

I closed my eyes tightly, steadying my breath.

The End of The Chapter

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