Chapter 208: Arwin’s True Feelings (5)

Chapter 208: Arwin’s True Feelings (5)

Arwin sat in her room, watching everything unfold with Berg through the bluebird.

It had been days since their argument.

An awkward tension still lingered between them.

No matter how many tears Arwin shed or how desperately she pleaded with Berg to run away, she knew he wouldn’t listen.

The same went for her request for him to accept her lifespan.

Nothing she did could force him to follow her wishes.

Perhaps that was why she had avoided approaching him these past few days.

Whenever she was in front of him, tears seemed to flow uncontrollably.

The thought that Berg was once again planning to sacrifice himself, that she wouldn’t be able to spend centuries more by his side, tormented her.

But Arwin was also aware of the unbearable weight pressing down on Berg.

If she compared him from a few years ago to the man he was now... Without needing words, she could see how much happier he used to be.

It was painfully clear how he was slowly grinding himself down for the sake of others.

Arwin knew that Berg had been offered a chance to escape with the Dwarf family beyond the estate.

She wished he would accept the dwarves’ offer.

For once, she hoped he could act selfishly, even if it meant abandoning everyone else, and choose the safer path.

After all, everyone only has one life.

Berg had crossed countless lines between life and death... but that fact never changed.

If he died, everything would come to an end.

While Arwin was still lost in these thoughts, Berg let out a deep sigh and began to move.

Arwin, through the bluebird, kept a relentless watch over him.

Today, more than ever, she wanted to know his every move.

‘...Perch on Berg’s shoulder.’

Chirp! Chirp!

Obeying Arwin’s request, the bluebird landed softly on Berg’s shoulder.

Berg smiled warmly, as he always did, and gently stroked the bird before continuing on his way.

He first went to where Sien was.

While many had recovered, there were still plenty of patients remaining.

Berg moved methodically, checking each patient one by one.

It was as though he was measuring the value of his life through the lives entrusted to him.

With a deep sigh, he eventually entered Sien’s room.

Arwin’s bluebird, Lua, flew freely around the room as soon as it entered, finding a suitable perch to settle.

“...Sien.”

“You’re here?”

Thanks to Ner’s sacrifice, Sien’s health had improved significantly.

Though she hadn’t completely shaken off the plague, it was now only a matter of time before she fully recovered.

Her recovery was so visible that one could see her body growing healthier by the day.

Along with it, her pregnant belly was also starting to show.

Berg sat beside Sien and placed his hand gently on her belly.

“...Nothing unusual happened, right?”

He asked softly.

Sien nodded.

“...No.”

“...”

Berg silently stroked her with a firm expression.

Even Arwin could sense the anguish weighing heavily on Berg.

“What’s wrong...?”

Sien, seemingly noticing the difference as well, asked Berg.

Instead of answering, Berg smiled.

But Arwin, who knew everything, understood what Berg was truly doing—he was evaluating Sien’s condition, assessing if she could endure the long journey ahead.

And yet, Arwin already saw the answer.

It might be possible, but the burden it would place on Sien’s body would be immense.

“...It’s nothing.”

So, Berg simply smiled brightly again and gently stroked Sien.

Then he held her close for a moment, remaining silent and still.

“It’s time for your medicine.”

The Blackwood nurse entered the room and reminded them.

Berg nodded at her words and rose from his seat.

After placing a soft kiss on Sien’s forehead, he walked away.

Arwin, who had witnessed everything, couldn’t even put into words what she was feeling.

“...”

His wavering eyes.

“...”

Seeing the conflict in his gaze, Arwin thought to herself.

...Berg was someone she could never overpower.

She didn’t want to force something upon him that went against his resolve, only to see him regret it later.

At last, she understood.

She, who had always considered lifespan the most important thing, could now comprehend Berg’s perspective.

There were times when something more important than one’s own life existed.

...To Arwin, that something was Berg.

“...Alright, then.”

Arwin finally managed a smile.

“Berg... in that case...”

Drip... drip...

It was something she never wanted to say, but if she were to truly support Berg, she felt she had to.

“...In that case, Berg. I will be on your side from now on.”

“...”

“...Go and fight Krund.”

“...Arwin?”

“You’ve already made up your mind in your heart, haven’t you? But because of everyone’s opposition... you just couldn’t bring yourself to make the choice, could you?”

Berg’s eyes began to tremble.

Arwin understood better than anyone how difficult it was to be in a situation where you had no one on your side.

Even having just one person to affirm you could make a difference... yet there were often times when that one person was absent.

That was why she was trying to be Berg’s strength now.

Perhaps, deep down, she was grappling with her own selfish desires.

Berg, too, surely had a longing to exact revenge for Captain Adam.

If that feeling existed within him, he must have suppressed even that.

Arwin was lending her strength to such a man.

“When I think about it... you’ve always been this way. Always reckless... impulsive...”

“...”

“...And beautiful.”

Rational choices aren’t always the only right ones.

Sometimes, choosing a path that seems hopeless and succeeding in it can be more beautiful than anything else.

Choosing to be with the ones you love over a lifespan of centuries.

Choosing to stay and fight instead of running away.

Tap.

Arwin softly pressed her lips against Berg’s.

It might have been the last time.

Such an opportunity might never come again.

Berg was now preparing to head into battle.

Arwin had resolved herself to face his death.

The man who was more precious to her than her own life—she had steeled herself to lose him completely and still stand by his side.

As she pulled her lips away, she whispered.

“Berg. Go. And please...”

Holding back the overwhelming urge to cry, she added,

“...Please, come back to me.”

What she had done was ultimately just a small gesture of support.

She had gently pushed his back, which had been frozen in hesitation.

Yet Berg smiled.

The tremor in his gaze settled, replaced with a look of determination and relief more resolute than anyone’s.

“...Thank you, Arwin.”

He said.

“...This was what I needed.”

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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