A strange liveliness lingered over the village.
The team members, who had been wielding farming tools, picked up their swords for the first time in a long while, savoring their familiar weight.
It made my long, drawn-out worries feel foolish.
Each member was loosening their stiff bodies in their own way, preparing themselves.
I, too, steeled my resolve as I observed them.
Now that I had made my decision, I intended to act swiftly.
I had no intention of waiting for Krund.
The deeper Krund ventured into the territory of Stockpin, the greater the inevitable damage.
Thus, I was planning to confront him directly.
“...So, you’ve made up your mind.”
It was Gale who approached me as I looked over the team. His expression was full of confusion.
“...I’m
I addressed Gale with an apology.
But Gale simply let out a small chuckle.
“Even with that relieved expression of yours, I won’t believe it.”
“...”
Clicking his tongue bitterly, he added,Nôv(el)B\\jnn
“...I really don’t get it.”
“...”
“Is it because you’re special? Or because the Red Flames is a group of eccentrics? Or maybe... it’s just how humans are?”
“...”
“I have no idea.”
Gale scratched at his horn.
I stood still for a moment, gazing at him.
For some reason, he seemed to wear an expression of regret, as if he was apologizing to me.
“Berg. Let me give you an apology.”
As expected, Gale handed me an apology.
“...An apology?”
“Yes. To be honest... it’s a bit funny, but I knew all along you’d end up making this choice.”
I raised a questioning brow.
“You knew?”
“Of course, I did.”
“...”
“...Because if it were Adam, he would have made the same choice.”
“...”
“Adam wasn’t one to fear something like the Demon King’s right hand. He didn’t agonize over it as long as you have now.”
In hindsight, Gale’s words contributed to my newfound sense of relief.
I realized, albeit belatedly, that he was right.
Adam Hyung would have made the same decision I did.
Gale continued,
“...I was just afraid. Afraid you’d meet the same fate as Adam. That’s why I kept trying to stop you. But it seems my interference only complicated your thoughts.”
With a smile, he added,
“You look good, Berg. This must’ve been the right choice.”
“...”
Everything he said felt genuine, but at the same time, it seemed like he was trying to ease my burden.
Still, his effort was unnecessary.
I had already prepared myself for what lay ahead.
“...Gale.”
“Hm?”
“That promise—does it still stand?”
A puzzled look crossed Gale’s face.
“What promise... are you talking about?”
“You know, the one where you said you’d take care of the village, even if I were to disappear.”
Gale’s eyes twitched.
“Berg, you...”
I smiled faintly at his reaction.
“Who said anything about dying? I’m only speaking in hypotheticals.”
“...”
“...So, is the promise still valid?”
Gale looked up at me before finally responding.
“...Of course.”
He nodded firmly.
“It’s valid.”
I placed a hand on his shoulder.
A weight seemed to lift from my heart.
Perhaps it was because I was starting to believe Arwin’s words, if only halfway.
Perhaps this battle will be the one that claims my life.
...But that fact could not deter me.
On my shoulders rested an endless number of things that needed protecting.
If this was my destiny, then I could accept it.
After all this time, I had come to believe in such a thing as fate.
“I believe in you.”
I said to Gale.
He nodded once more.
***
When I entered Sien’s room, she was silently gazing out the window.
She seemed to have noticed the commotion stirring in Stockpin.
For some reason, I felt like a guilty man, quietly staring at her back.
“...Why?”
“...”
After a long silence, she asked.
“...”
I couldn’t deny it.
Ner’s body was unfit for the long journey ahead.
My decision had likely played a significant role.
But that didn’t mean Ner needed to feel any guilt.
This was always my responsibility to bear.
It was only natural to protect those who were precious to me.
I spoke to her as if in jest.
“Nothing bad will happen.”
Yet she kept shaking her head.
Tears began to fall slowly from her eyes.
“Only now...”
“...?”
“...Only now... have I made peace with you...”
“...”
“...Please... not like this again...”
I sat down slowly beside Ner.
I cupped her cheek gently.
Then, leaning in slightly, I whispered to her.
“I’ll come back.”
-Grab!
Ner dug her nails into my hand.
She continued to shake her head.
“No... No... Don’t go...”
“Ner, I promise. I will retur—”
“I dreamed of your death.”
“...”
Her words silenced me.
Given her mastery of magic and premonitions, this wasn’t something I could dismiss easily.
“Please... please...”
Now that I saw her closely, she was using every ounce of strength she had to hold me back.
Her desperation to keep me from leaving was palpable.
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
Then, I smiled at her.
Ner blinked at my expression, clearly puzzled as to why I would smile at a time like this.
“Ner.”
“...”
I asked with a faint confidence in my voice.
“Did you see me lose the fight?”
“...........”
She couldn’t refute my words.
“I’ve crossed countless lines of death up until now. At this moment, there isn’t a single swordsman stronger than me in this world.”
I added a touch of exaggeration to reassure her.
Gradually, her expression softened.
“...And I grow even stronger when I have something to protect. This land, the graves of my comrades, the families they left behind...”
“...”
“...Sien, our child, Arwin... and you.”
“...”
“I will never lose, Ner. Trust me.”
The tension in her nails, which had been digging into the back of my hand, eased.
I could feel her beginning to trust me.
I pressed my lips to her forehead.
“...”
Even so, she couldn’t completely relax her expression.
-Pack.
I kissed her lips next.
Finally, she closed her eyes and let go of my hand.
Tears streamed from her shut eyes.
“...You must come back,” she whispered.
I nodded, offering her one more promise.
“I will come back, and you will regain your health.”
“...Okay.”
“And together, we’ll have a child too.”
I made a lighthearted joke to ease her worries.
At that, she let out a soft, helpless laugh.
Her laughter was a mix of tears and sorrow, spilling from her lips.
I stroked her one last time.
Then, I stood and turned away.
“...You must,” she said, choking back her sobs.
“You promised to return...”
“I will.”
“If you don’t... I’ll follow after you...”
“...”
I looked back at Ner.
Then, with a soft smile, I turned and walked away.
– – – The End of The Chapter – – –
[TL: Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up to 5 chapters ahead of the release: /readingpia
Join Our Discord for regular updates and have fun with other community members: invite/SqWtJpPtm9 ]
Support /novel/193562?sid=main5
Join Discord
invite/SqWtJpPtm9