Chapter 43
Beautiful Memories
Einver was furious.
Furious because, in this very moment, he was being accused of being a murderous criminal. That feeling angered him somewhat, but what truly pushed his anger to the brink of eruption was Princess Sun Mi's words about his way of life—how he lived it.
Einver had once lived his life devoted to keeping a promise he had made to his father, then later devoted to protecting his mother. But everything collapsed the day his mother passed away.
And yet, after meeting her and Void on the Path of the Universe, he was given a new chance—a second chance at life.
In that moment, Einver swore deep within his heart that he would live his life to the very end—he would live it the way he wanted, the way his mother and his young disciple would have wanted.
But now, his dream and his way of life were being belittled—by someone who had never lived their own life freely. And that enraged Einver deeply.
Suddenly, a loud cry came from behind him:
"Stop, big brother!"
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice, coming from beneath Einver's bed, as a small girl crawled out, covered in dust from lying hidden there for a long time.
Mai Na shouted in anger:
"Mai Ko! What the hell are you doing? Get over here right now!"
Mai Ko looked at her father, then at Einver with a smile filled with joy and pride, as if she were revealing everything.
"I knew you wouldn't let me see my big brother, so I sneaked in before you brought him here and hid under the bed."
Then she knelt down, pressing her forehead against the ground, and spoke in a soft, gentle voice:
"Big brother, thank you for saving us. Thank you for saving my father, my elder sister the princess, thank you for saving the city."
The onlookers were stunned by Mai Ko's action, for all she had done was the most natural thing: thanking the one who saved her.
Mai Na looked at his daughter, his eyes brimming with tears.
'My daughter is smarter and better than everyone else in this room. She thanked the one who saved us, with a sincere heart and a wide smile… and here we are, imprisoning him, interrogating him, refusing him the chance to leave. Damn it, how foolish I am.'
He lightly tapped his own head.
Einver looked at the kneeling Mai Ko. Then, placing his sword at his side, he crouched before her and gently placed his hand upon her head.
"There's no need for that. Raise your head."
Mai Ko lifted her head and said,
"Thank you, big brother, for saving me."
Einver smiled at her.
"Didn't I tell you not to thank me? Is there a brother who wouldn't save his sister in times of hardship and trial?"
Mai Ko replied in her soft voice,
"Even so, big brother, I did the right thing by thanking you."
Then she drew close and embraced him.
"My big brother isn't evil. My big brother is kind and wonderful and strong. Don't bully him."
She spoke those words gently, looking at her father and the princess. Silence filled the room in the wake of her words.
The princess tried to speak, but there was someone whose heart was utterly crushed by Mai Ko's words. It was Einver, being hugged by her. Hearing those tender words, a blurry, distorted, noisy memory surged up inside him:
"My big brother isn't weak. My big brother is kind and wonderful and strong. Don't bully him, do you understand?"
These were the words of a small, sweet, fiery yet peaceful girl echoing in Einver's mind. Then she turned and looked at him:
"Why didn't you fight them, big brother? You're hundreds of times stronger than them."
Einver raised his head to the blue sky and answered:
"Why should I? Why fight foolish idiots who aren't worth my time or effort? And if I did fight them, I'd end up breaking some bones or joints, and Father warned us about that—did you forget?"
The girl laughed gently and teasingly.
"Ah, yes, I remember now."
Hearing her laughter, Einver began laughing with her. Then suddenly she stopped.
At that moment, a boy leapt from behind and kicked the bullies who had been tormenting Einver.
Arthur shouted angrily, gripping one of the boys by the neck:
"Arthur, stop! Did you forget Master Kaizen's words?"
It was Kain-Rath who spoke calmly from behind—a boy with short, dark hair streaked with black and white, his left eye crimson, his right golden yellow. His body was strong and well-built, dressed neatly in a school uniform.
"Kain-Rath, damn you!" Arthur muttered, loosening his grip, then rushed back to help Einver.
"Brother, are you alright?"
Einver smiled at Arthur's words. Then he noticed something whistling above his head. A wooden sword shot forward, struck the first bully in the head, and dropped him instantly.
Kain-Rath leapt forward, seizing his wooden sword, and with incredible speed struck down the remaining bullies.
"You bastard! Didn't you say… what did Master Kaizen say, you fool?"
Arthur found himself speechless, staring at his younger brother, who stood smiling above the fallen boys.
Kain-Rath said:
"Master Kaizen said never use your strength for evil, but for good. Helping my brother is good. And if you attack someone—attack without words. Crush them all quickly, leave their bodies to the wolves."
The three of them stared at Kain-Rath in disbelief as he spoke with a radiant smile toward the sky, utterly joyful.
Einver sighed quietly as he watched his brothers. Arthur noticed, pulling him aside to discuss what Kain-Rath had just said.
Their sister beamed happily as she watched the brothers together.
"Brother, you're strong and have a great heart. I know you'll never use your strength for evil, only for good—to protect me, right?"
Einver looked at her.
"Of course. I'll protect you from everything in this world. No one will be able to harm you while I live."
She smiled sweetly and stood beside him, while both turned to see Arthur and Kain-Rath speaking passionately about Master Kaizen's lessons.
Suddenly, the memory shattered in Einver's mind—like glass breaking—drenched in blood, regret, and loss. Three words burned across his thoughts, written in blood, trembling with rage and sorrow:
"I couldn't protect you."
A fierce voice thundered inside his head, and on that day Einver collapsed for the first time in his life. That day was etched into history—the day all his outward strength dissolved before the pain of his heart.
Einver returned to the present. After reliving those bitter memories, he embraced Mai Ko tightly, sorrowfully. Mai Na looked at him quietly, wondering, What is happening?
He wanted to speak, but at that moment, everyone heard a guttural, haunting cry—a sound of pain they all recognized. The shocking voice came from Einver himself, grinding his teeth in rage, grief, and anguish:
"I'm sorry… I couldn't protect you… I'm sorry!"
And with those words, tears streamed from his eyes.
Mai Ko looked up at him.
"Why are you crying, big brother? Please, stop crying, don't cry… If you cry…"
Before she could finish, her own tears began to fall down her pink, innocent cheeks—as though sharing her brother's grief, though she knew not its cause.
Mai Na wanted to speak, but couldn't. He was a wise old man, able to understand without needing clarity. He realized that beyond losing his mother, Einver had also lost a young girl—one he had considered his sister, or perhaps she truly was. And he had lost her through pain and injustice.
He sighed inwardly: What has this boy gone through in his life? Why does he always face calamities?
A few minutes later, Einver stopped crying. He lifted his head and looked at Mai Ko, who watched him hopefully, smiling when he finally ceased.
He smiled at her and whispered softly,
"I'm sorry."
Then he picked her up, stood, and placed her behind his head.
"Don't cry."
Mai Ko looked down from his shoulders.
"Alright, big brother."
She smiled, resting her hands on his head, glancing proudly at the others—as if to say, Look at me.
Einver then stepped forward toward the princess.
"What now?"
He said it with a gentle smile, but everyone present felt something else—they knew that any wrong answer would bring grave consequences.
The princess looked at Einver, sighed softly, then declared:
"From what I have seen, I, Princess Sun Mi, on behalf of the City of Sunlight, welcome you, Einver, as an honored guest."
Mai Ko beamed and shouted aloud,
"Yes! My brother deserves it!"
She raised her hands high, nearly leaping with joy, though she almost toppled from Einver's shoulders. He caught her quickly, smiled, and placed her on the bed, where she bounced happily.
Einver set aside his sword, placed his hand over his chest, and bowed his head slightly.
"It is my honor to be a guest of the City of Sunlight."
The princess left the room, followed by the barrier master—still shaken by the events, most of all by how his powerful barrier had been undone by nothing more than a single palm.
The princess turned to Mai Na.
"Could you send for one of the servants to prepare a chamber for our honored guest?"
Mai Na smiled.
"Yes, my lady."
As the princess departed with the barrier master, Einver remained seated on the bed, Mai Ko playing with his hair while Mai Na stood before him.
Mai Na approached and gestured to the side of the bed.
"May I?"
Einver smirked.
"Go ahead, old man. It's a free world."
Mai Na smiled and sat down beside him.
"Tell me honestly, young man—what happened to your hand?"
Einver sighed softly, gazing at him as though insulted.
"Damn it… Do you think so little of me? Fine. You have my word, and my word is my bond. I won't break it. Speak."
Mai Na nodded.
"When you dispelled your aura back then, do you remember what happened next?"
Einver tried to recall, but his memories were hazy.
"I remember you saying something… but I don't recall what."
Mai Na sighed, then explained.
"When you did that, the princess gathered her strength and lifted a sword nearby. She didn't know who you were—she thought you were an evil man who tortured her uncle, tortured me, tortured my daughter, and killed her soldiers. She saw you as a villain. So she gathered her power and attacked, intent on stabbing and killing you. But when I shouted in that instant, your body moved instinctively and avoided the fatal blow—though not completely. You avoided death, but lost your hand instead, and fell. That is what happened."
Mai Na finished, deeply worried.
Einver was kind and good, but he was also someone who exacted vengeance for the smallest slight—someone who angered easily and had the strength to kill the princess and half the City of Sunlight without a scratch.
This was the image Mai Na had drawn of Einver.
And he wasn't entirely wrong. For Einver was indeed a good man—but one who would retaliate against anyone who tried to harm him. Without hesitation or excuse, he would take vengeance. Status, power, identity—none of it mattered. If someone dared to harm the Sovereign of Death, Einver, did they think he would simply stand still and take it?
They were mistaken. If Einver knew someone intended him harm, and if they weren't worth his time, he would crush them—wipe them from existence.
Yet Einver was a man of his word. If he gave a promise, he would never break it—even if it meant death.
"What is a man without his word, without trust? If a man promises, he must fulfill it, even if it means death. If I must go to hell, I'll welcome hell with a wide smile. That is my law."
This was Einver's code—one he held to with all his strength.
Einver exhaled calmly, looking at Mai Na with a composed gaze.
"Well, in the battlefield, anything can happen. I don't blame the princess for trying to kill me—she was acting on instinct to save you all. As you said, she believed I was a mad killer. I only blame myself for not fully avoiding the blade. But losing a hand is just a small loss in the world of martial arts."
Mai Na let out a heavy sigh, then relaxed, looking at him.
"It's been two or three days, hasn't it? Just two days. And yet, after meeting you, I've faced countless horrors and disasters. You really do attract trouble wherever you go. I lost my hand and my eye… but I managed to save my son. My life truly changed after meeting you, boy. Thanks to you, I saved the princess I couldn't protect back then."
Einver looked forward, closing his eyes as memories rose within him. After a moment, he opened them and looked back at the old man.
"Everyone loses people and things in life. The true test of character is what you do after they're gone. What will you do now, having lost your hand and eye? That is your test. What will I do, having lost my hand? That is my test, given to me by the world. What will you do after losing them, old man?"
Mai Na looked at him and said with a gruff gentleness,
"Which of us is the old one here? Listen to yourself, spouting wisdom like you've lived a thousand years. An old man in the body of a boy. You really are old, aren't you?"
They stared at each other, then burst into loud laughter. Einver laughed at Mai Na's words, while Mai Ko looked on in confusion, not understanding—but then she, too, began laughing loudly.
The old man and Einver fell silent, staring at Mai Ko laughing without knowing why. They looked at each other again, then laughed even harder. The three of them laughed together in that small room until they were exhausted.
Mai Na looked at Einver.
"Thank you, Einver. Because of you, I saved my son and daughter. You saved the princess. You saved the city. All those lives were spared by your hand. Thank you."
Einver answered with a modest smile.
"There's really no need."
Mai Na smiled.
"Well then, come with me. I'll send a servant to show you to your new room."
Einver stood, Mai Ko clinging to his back like a child.
"I'll go with big brother! I want to see his beautiful new room!"
Einver chuckled quietly, glancing at Mai Na.
Mai Na looked at them helplessly.
"Alright… but don't bother Einver, understand?"
Mai Ko closed her eyes blissfully.
"I'm not a child to bother him. And my brother would never be annoyed with me, right?"
Einver smiled at the father and daughter.
"Of course not. Who could be annoyed with such a sweet little sister?"
Mai Ko smiled brightly, raising her hand like a commander and shouting:
"Let's go!"
Einver smiled and stepped out of the room. A guard was waiting outside. Mai Na explained everything to him. The guard bowed respectfully before Einver.
"Follow me, honored guest."
Einver walked toward his room, Mai Ko clinging to his back. Mai Na headed the other way, into the great council chamber.
Entering, he found the princess seated alone, her head bowed. He approached.
"My lady, what troubles you?"
The princess lifted her head, uncertainty clouding her voice.
"Einver?"
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