45 years ago...
"Wildom, do you think the day will come when we'll finally be happy?" Belinda asked, looking at me. My gaze drifted to the setting sun. I didn't answer for a few seconds. "Wildom?"
"Maybe."
She smiled brightly and nodded.
"I'll wait for that day!"
---
That was now just a memory.
A memory of the past that still lingers in my mind.
After that day, I never saw Belinda again. I only heard later that she had been sold to an official in Hiyosko. Sold.
We both grew up in a small village in Hiyosko. Our lives revolved around working for others. The little money we earned was barely enough for food—sometimes it wasn't even enough. But we never complained. Not once.
Belinda was beautiful. No matter what she wore, it suited her. That was why one of the officials took an interest in her.
I never saw her again after our last conversation on the mountain.
Years later, I worked as a courier, delivering letters across Hiyosko. My pay improved slightly, and I rented a small room. One day, I was ordered to deliver a letter to an official's house.
When I arrived, I was directed straight to his office. But as I stood in front of the door, I heard a thud. The door swung open—and there, lying before me, was the lifeless body of a woman. She wore only a thin dress, a knife buried in her chest.
My eyes widened as I stared at the familiar figure.
"Belinda… BELINDA!" My hearing faded. Everything slowed. I saw the man's expression in front of me—grinning, without a shred of remorse.
Something inside me snapped.
Only one thought consumed me.
Kill.
I didn't hesitate.
And I killed.
Over and over, I stabbed him. Over and over, the words spilled from my lips:
"This is for Belinda. I'll avenge her."
Those words changed me. But I felt nothing else. All I needed was revenge. Nothing more.
From then on, I did everything to grow stronger. I gained the power to fight back.
Our lives were hard. At first, I blamed no one—I thought it was just fate. But now I realize: we were poor, but we grew even poorer because of the rotten system. Officials who abused their power, doing whatever they pleased without consequence.
Everything that happened to us was because of this worthless world. If everyone were truly equal—if no corrupt officials existed—no one would suffer. No one would die for nothing.
I wanted to create that system.
But it seemed impossible…
Because…
I knew he was determined to protect her.
"Zeid Chen…" I whispered to myself.
---
I nearly screamed when a massive fireball nearly hit Zeid. Both he and Wildom were panting heavily, but Wildom was far more injured now.
They had been fighting relentlessly, neither showing signs of exhaustion. But now, their energy—both physical and spiritual—was nearly depleted.
Zeid fought with his sword, so his spiritual energy drained slower. But Wildom? He wouldn't last much longer.
Zeid lunged at Wildom—but before he could strike, I ran between them, stopping the blade that could have ended them both.
I looked up and saw a woman with half-white, half-black hair, glaring at me.
"Run, Wildom!" she shouted, but her eyes remained locked on me.
Their story ran deeper than I thought. Yes, they had orchestrated something massive—something that could affect countless lives. But… there were still things I didn't understand.
Zeid tried to charge again, but I kicked the woman away, sending her crashing into Wildom.
I raised my hand to stop Zeid.
"W-Wait, Captain Chen."
He looked at me. Instead of arguing, he stayed silent.
Wildom collapsed—his spiritual energy completely drained. The woman rushed to his side.
"Wildom!" she called desperately, gripping his arm.
They spoke in hushed tones, their words barely audible.
"I don't think they'll attack now," I told Zeid.
"Are you saying we should let them go? Tsk. They'll just come after you again. If you don't act now—"
"Relax, Zeid. I know. But for now… let them be." I grabbed his arm. "They won't escape. Wildom knows there's no running."
I pulled him away just as the other captains and lieutenants arrived, surrounding the two.
We left, reaching the plaza where people watched nervously as squad members secured the area.
I was about to check on the residents when Zeid suddenly yanked me back, gripping my hand tightly. His eyes bore into mine, as if searching for something.
"W-What do you want? Why are you looking at me like—"
"You're… Mira, right?"
His tone was unreadable.
I froze, unsure how to respond—but then sighed.
"I guess so."
I looked away, biting my lip. It felt like an interrogation.
Zeid exhaled slowly, releasing my hand. His expression darkened with thought.
But before he could speak, Lieutenant Ren arrived, his arm bandaged.
"Yo, Nyssa!" He saluted Zeid before turning to me. "I was just reporting—"
I didn't hear the rest—I walked away.
---
After the exhausting events in Artrias, we returned to Hiyosko. The details were classified to avoid public panic.
I went back to Saido to rest. Maxson, still shocked by Wildom's resemblance to him, also returned home. Our business operations paused for now.
Away from Hiyosko, my mind was a mess.
I felt like my conversation with Zeid wasn't over. And besides that… I felt something else.
I sighed.
I needed to calm down and face what was coming. For now, I was satisfied that those tormenting Artrias had been captured.
Everything went well… I think.
I made a lot of stupid moves…
But still…
Good job to myself...