Chapter 258 Epilogue - Hebarons POV

Epilogue – Hebaron’s POV

In just a few weeks, the weather has inadvertently turned warm. Hebaron sighed deeply as he sat by the break room window and gazed at the field where the bright sunlight was shining down. The wind was still cold, but the sunlight was already glowing so vividly. The season of water has finally arrived.

As visitors increased, Anatol became more vibrant than ever. Merchants from the southern continent entered the port with all sorts of rare goods, and merchants from the western continent began to flock in Anatol to buy the goods they brought. However, the brimming prosperity seemed to be missing in Calypse Castle. The atmosphere in the castle had heavily plummeted over the past few weeks.

“What are you doing, not preparing yet?”

Hebaron, who was immersed in his own thoughts, turned his head. Uslin Rikaido was coming down the stairs already dressed flawlessly in his armor. He looked skeptically up and down at his dark blue cloak that was spotless, his armor was always immaculately shiny, as if revealing his peevish and prim attitude, and his coat was always as clean as if it was new. Hebaron’s eyes narrowed, in suspicion that if the maidens would be swayed by his clean-cut face and in turn, he would be discriminated against.

Uslin shot him a glare and frowned. “Hey, didn’t you hear me tell you to get ready?”

Hebaron rose from his seat and mumbled in an annoyed manner. Just in time, Lombardo and Gabel Laxion opened the door and stepped inside.

“Sir Nirta, Lady Calypse says she is ready to go.”

“Already?”

He looked out the window toward the castle gates and frowned. Two wagons full of luggage were already lined up. Looking at it, he realized that that person was really leaving that place. He blinked uncomprehendingly and Uslin roared at him as if his patience had run out.

“Are you going to make Lady Calypse wait? If you don’t intend to go, then just stay here.”

“Fine, fine, I’ll get ready and come down soon.”

He grunted and went up the stairs at a nimble pace that didn’t suit his sheer size. He snorted at Uslin’s unusual attitude which blew him away. Who would have known that there would be a change in his stance? Hebaron, who wore armor with swift skill, smiled bitterly. Not that he didn’t understand his change, he also came to like the little lady very much. What was more, hadn’t Uslin personally first handedly witnessed the horrendously unfortunate incident while accompanying her to Castle Croix? It must have been heart-wrenching.

Not only him, Elliott was also quite shocked, and at the time of the declaration of war against the Duke of Croix, he was more fiercely in favor of war than anyone else. He hadn’t heard a detailed explanation of what happened, but based on their reaction, it must have been pretty harsh. Suddenly, he couldn’t stand the inner anger he was holding and slammed his cloak to the ground.

Croix, when he thought of that dog-like bastard, a thousand ignitions arose from within. He aggressively swept his hair back. His heart sank when the expressionless face of their commander came to his mind. He sat back in the chair and heaved a long sigh. When he heard that Lady Calypse had decided to go to the World Tower, he thought the commander would never allow it. However, breaking everyone’s expectations, the lord allowed her to leave. Not only that, he began to faithfully fulfill the duties of the knight commander and his duties as a lord, which he had neglected for a while. At first glance, everything seemed to have found its place. However, Hebaron couldn’t help being anxious at Riftan’s abnormally calm appearance. The commander had always had an unpredictable reaction when it came to Maximilian Calypse.

‘Damn, it’s useless to worry about that now...’

He wore a blue cloak with a white dragon over his armor, clicking his tongue anxiously. After arming himself, as he came out, Uslin gave him a nasty look.

“How long are you going to delay us! Are you planning to leave after sunrise?”

“Stop nagging me. Are you my wife?”

Uslin made an expression as if he wanted to scold Hebaron some more, but then quickly turned around as if he didn’t want to bother dealing with him.

Hebaron asked, chasing after him. “By the way... have you formally apologized to the lady?”

Uslin paused and answered bluntly. “... I haven’t had the timing.”

He answered and then stepped forward again. Hebaron sarcastically spoke, crossing his arms behind his head.

“You’re just making excuses. You’re just like a skittish teenager.”

Uslin kept his mouth shut as if he was speechless, a rare occasion that was. Hebaron let out a laugh as he watched him walk fast with a resentful face. It was very interesting to see Uslin looking at the little woman’s eyes with such discomfort.

“Stop stalling and do it before she leaves today. If you overlook the opportunity, it will forever remain as a bothering feeling in your chest.”

Uslin glared at him like he didn’t care, then turned his head. Hebaron leisurely followed him while Uslin marched in an uptight manner. After passing the entrance, he saw the servants gathered in the Great Hall. In it, he could easily find a woman with dark mahogany red hair: Maximilian Calypse was taking something from the old wizard who became a member of Castle Calypse last year. It looked like it was a bag of herbs.

“This is a good medicine for colds. This herb helps to replenish magical power. The medicines in this bottle help relieve dizziness. And this...”

She was listening intently to the description of the old wizard pouring out phrases and phrases without any mortification, but Hebaron observed that from time to time she would avert her eyes to find someone. A deep sigh broke out.

“Apologies for keeping you waiting.”

Uslin walked over to her and bowed courteously. Then, Maximilian Calypse turned her head and smiled brightly.

“D-don’t worry about it. I was still... bidding farewell to everyone.”

Hebaron had a confused expression. As he watched her hide her pain, he felt like he was doing something terrible. She looked behind them and asked hesitantly.

“Thank you... for e-everything. Everyone, take care and be healthy.”

“I wish the lady good health too. Have a safe journey.”

Hebaron said shyly and scratched his cheek, and the other Knights greeted her one by one. Uslin, who was watching silently, finally opened his mouth.

“I apologize... for everything.” At the sudden apology, Max appeared confused. Uslin slowly lowered his head. “I wanted to apologize for being rude all this time.”

“It’s a-alright. I... didn’t take it to heart.” She was startled and waved her hand. Uslin spoke with a bitter smile.

“Please come back as soon as possible. Our commander needs his wife.”

Suddenly, the smile disappeared from her face and he thought she might burst into tears, but unexpectedly a calm voice came from her.

“Please take good care of... Riftan. Don’t let him do anything too reckless... Please watch over him.”

“Don’t worry about Sir Calypse. I’ll be by his side, scolding him diligently.”

Ruth, who wore a robe to the tip of his nose, suddenly intervened in the conversation. He appeared uncomfortable in the presence of the royal wizards, but he still walked over to her and tossed something.

“It is the most expensive mana stone I have. Please keep it. It might be of use.”

“T-thank you. In the meantime. I owe you... a lot for everything.”

“Thank you for acknowledging it.”

The stricken wizard hesitated for a moment, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. He sighed deeply and spoke as if coughing the words out.

“Please, take good care and come back.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care... and come back.”

She straightened her posture and suddenly, it came to his mind the first time he saw her. Shoulders that hunched anxiously, pale and terrified face, and vivid fragile eyes that seemed to be about to break at any moment. He wondered if she really was the same fragile woman who was standing in front of him now.

She smiled and looked up, climbing up the boat. The intense sunlight shone brightly against her red hair. When he thought of the girl who gave him healing magic, and that he would no longer be able to see her wandering for a while, a corner of his heart felt empty. He stretched his head over the railing and waved at the woman waving one hand. Before long, the ship began to move slowly away from the dock. They stood still until the boat got smaller and her figure became invisible.

At that moment, suddenly, a loud sound of horseshoes clattering against the ground came from behind his back. They placed their hands on the handle of their swords and turned at once. The man jumped over the dock at once, and someone ran at a terrifying speed.

Hebaron, realizing it was a Riftan, grabbed him without thinking. Riftan shook his arm and tried to jump into the sea like a madman. The knights who had been rigid with faces of horror rushed towards him at once. Riftan rioted like a chained beast.

“Let go of me!”

“Damn, are you crazy?!”

“I said let go of me!”

He fought violently. He was so strong that they couldn’t handle it despite four people holding him back. Hebaron cursed and threw him against the ground.

“Stop it! What are you going to do now? Even if you’re the commander, you can’t chase her!”

Riftan pounded his chest harshly and gasped breathlessly. His eyes trembled violently as he watched the ship get smaller and smaller, his appearance completely disheveled. Hebaron held his breath. As if a dam had collapsed, his body fell forward helplessly.

He heard a weak voice speaking. “...It was a lie.”

Drops of water fell to the ground. Hebaron, still restraining him, blinked blindly. Riftan seemed unaware that he was even crying. He muttered with a grief-stricken expression.

“That I won’t wait for her... It was a lie.”

Looking at his shoulder trembling relentlessly, no one dared to open their mouths. The sound of the calm waves echoed softly over their heads. Riftan gazed at the rough sea with yearning eyes, then his face slowly distorted. The ship gradually faded beyond the hazy horizon.

~ End of Book 1 ~

Note – LF: Thank you all for the support and riding this roller coaster of emotions with us. Book 1 ended in pure heartbreak, but we’ll gladly go through the same rough ride with you in Book 2 <3

Nymeria: Thank you dear readers for your patience and for going through this journey with us! See you in book 2 <3