BONUS CHAPTER :)
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Chapter 145: Somo, Already Has a Family?
Somo's hand gripped the cup tightly, even trembling slightly from the force, making Kurtz suspect the cup would shatter in his grasp at any second.
Fortunately, that didn't happen. Somo's hand relaxed slightly: "When I went to see him the year before last, I already guessed."
"That stubborn guy, he's busy all day long, and he's fainted from exhaustion several times. Yet, even when he's in bed, he still has to deal with government affairs, not giving himself any time to rest."
Kurtz didn't reply, just quietly looked at his old friend.
Besides Serie, Somo was the only remaining companion from their past. The weight of that reality settled heavily between them.
But one day, he too would meet his end, just like Norn. At that point, only he and Serie would be left.
However, there was still some time until then.
For Dwarves, creatures with lifespans of several centuries, forty years was not a short time.
Today's Somo had changed considerably; not only had he grown that magnificent beard, but his demeanor had also become much more composed. But even then, only when he was with Kurtz and Serie did he seem to revert to the Dwarf youth who fought alongside them back then.
Perhaps only the two of them could make him show this unguarded side.
"Did Norn mention Eric?" Somo suddenly asked, his eyes complex with old pain.
Kurtz nodded: "He did, and he hoped I could end Eric's suffering, allowing Eric to rest in peace as a warrior."
Somo's breathing became heavier. He put down the cup with deliberate care, propped his hands on his knees, his arm muscles taut with suppressed emotion.
After a long while, he exhaled slowly: "So, Norn, finally made that decision!"
"Yes, there's no better option besides that."
Perhaps Eric still retained a sliver of consciousness, his sanity not completely eroded. But in the end, it was too late for any other solution.
Somo looked up, meeting Kurtz's gaze directly. "Kurtz, did you promise him?"
"I promised." Kurtz's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable strength.
Somo stared at Kurtz for a long time, finally speaking: "Good! I believe you will surely bring peace to Eric."
"Want to come along? Consider it sending our old friend off one last time." Kurtz suggested to Somo, though he already suspected the answer.
"No, forgive me, Kurtz, this time... I can't go with you."
Kurtz raised an eyebrow slightly, but didn't speak, waiting for Somo to continue.
"Just like Norn, I can't bring myself to do it." Somo's voice was almost inaudible. "And..."
He stood up, walked to a small cabinet by the fireplace, and took out a portrait from it.
A talented artist recently painted this of another race. The other Dwarves had said that he was about to become the new Dwarf King, and how could he not have a portrait?
So Somo could only agree.
However, the protagonist of this painting was not just him; there was also a Dwarf woman with kind eyes and strong hands, holding a Dwarf infant in her arms.
"These are my wife and child." Somo's eyes showed a hint of tenderness that transformed his entire expression.
"This little one is almost one year old." His finger gently traced the infant in the portrait. "So I can't accompany you on adventures, I'm sorry."
The once fearless Dwarf warrior, now with the ties of family, found himself with an added constraint.
However, this constraint was actually a blessing, something Kurtz understood completely.
Kurtz gazed at the portrait, a genuine smile on his lips: "Congratulations, Somo. Truly." He said with heartfelt sincerity: "You have people to protect, and that's more important than anything."
Serie also nodded gently: "You made a wise decision, you don't have to feel guilty for it."
In fact, even Serie herself didn't plan to go. Among their old team, only Kurtz would be there to send Eric off one last time.
Somo put the portrait back in its place with careful reverence, and when he turned to face Kurtz, "Kurtz, although I can't go myself, the Dwarf Kingdom will always support you. Whatever equipment and supplies you need, just ask!" He patted his chest with renewed energy.
"No need." Kurtz smiled and shook his head. "I'm already prepared."
Actually, his invitation to Somo was just to let him send Eric off one last time; there would basically be no chance for him to take action on what needed to be done.
But now that he had a family, it was safer not to let him take risks again.
"Really? That's good. But do you really not want some new equipment? We just recently reproduced a lost technique successfully; it is similar to a magic orb that can explode and flash a strong light."
"It wouldn't happen to be the kind Eric used, would it?"
Kurtz still remembered that when they first met the goddess, Eric had used similar magic items, and even during the final battle, that guy had used a weakened version of it.
"Yes! That's it! This is a powerful item that even gods must back away from!"
"Actually, they just found it dazzling."
For the rest of the time, Somo enthusiastically showed Kurtz the latest tools forged in the Dwarf Kingdom, trying to persuade Kurtz to take a few with the persistence of a worried friend.
Kurtz politely declined most, but eventually accepted a small bag of special Dwarf magic recovery potions, the enhanced version at that, though the cost was that they were even more bitter than before.
Meanwhile, Serie only felt a chill run through her body, as if something unpleasant was about to happen. Her expression grew wary as she watched the exchange.
After Somo had someone bring the magic recovery potions, Kurtz smilingly accepted them, and Serie felt that sense of dread instantly reach its peak.
Originally, Kurtz had planned to leave after meeting Somo, but Somo insisted on holding a grand banquet to send them off properly.
At the banquet, Somo single-handedly outdrank everyone, putting a pile of Dwarves under the table with impressive efficiency.
But only Kurtz knew that this guy was cheating, using fruit juice instead of alcohol. Of course, no one could beat him with that strategy.
For this, Somo had even specially created a tool, such as a double-chambered drinking vessel, truly going to great lengths for his deception.
During this time, Somo never mentioned Norn and Eric again, just kept patting Kurtz's shoulder, wishing him a smooth journey ahead.
Late at night, when the banquet finally came to an end, Somo personally escorted Kurtz and Serie to their guest rooms.
In the shadows of the corridor, the warrior who was about to become the Dwarf King suddenly grabbed Kurtz's arm, his voice incredibly solemn: "Kurtz... If, and I mean if, Eric still retains a shred of his consciousness, could you deliver a message for me?"
"I can."
"Tell him I will never forget our past adventures. He is the bravest warrior I have ever seen!"
Kurtz nodded solemnly, committing these words deeply to his heart, where they would remain safe until needed.
The next morning, Kurtz and Serie quietly left the Dwarf Kingdom.
They thought they hadn't disturbed anyone, unaware that a lone figure stood quietly on the city wall behind them, watching the two departing forms grow smaller in the distance.
"Have a safe journey, my friends." The future Dwarf King whispered to the morning wind.
[End of Chapter]