Chapter 153: The Last Old Friend
Time continued to flow endlessly, never stopping for anyone's will.
Kurtz and Serie, through countless cycles of physical aging and soul reincarnation, spent a couple of centuries together.
The stories of heroes gradually became background elements in the bards' songs.
The world was changing, new magical theories were constantly being updated, but none of this concerned the two individuals living quietly in the forest.
However, there was still something they absolutely had to do.
The Kingdom Of Dwarfs
The atmosphere in the once glorious Dwarf Kingdom was heavy at this moment.
Somo, the former Dwarf King, a hero who saved the world, and Kurtz and Serie's last companion, had reached his own end.
His once strong body now struggled even to move a finger, and his eyes had become cloudy, yet when he looked at Kurtz and Serie, a final spark of light still burst forth.
The empty room was left only with the heroes of yesteryear; everyone else had been sent out by Somo, including his family members.
In his view, he had accompanied his family long enough, and for this last period, he wanted to spend more time with his old friends from the past.
Kurtz sat beside Somo, his magic unfolding, sacred light surrounding him as he tried to ease his final pain.
Somo was approaching the end of his natural lifespan; sacred magic could no longer heal him, at most, it could only lessen his suffering before his departure.
Serie, meanwhile, sat by the window a little further away, looking out at the scenery; although she didn't look at Somo, her presence there was the last farewell she could offer.
"Kurtz, it seems my time to say goodbye has also come." Somo's voice was very faint, like a candle flickering in the wind.
Kurtz replied gently, "Indeed! Your life has been extraordinary, and I hope you have no regrets."
He did not propose the idea of extending his life.
He understood his dwarf companion, knowing that he would make the same choice as Norn.
"Yes! No regrets at all! It's time to go see those two guys." Somo's gaze settled on Kurtz's still-youthful face. "Kurtz, are you happy with your life?"
Over these past few centuries, Kurtz had also come to find him, and he had learned the secret of his immortality.
However, he didn't feel any envy, only a little pity for his old companion.
It wasn't really pity, though.
After all, Serie was by his side, so he wouldn't have to endure these long years alone.
If it were Somo himself, without someone to accompany him, he couldn't imagine his future days.
This was also an important reason why he had never asked Kurtz to extend his life.
After all, his life had been extraordinary enough; there was no need to continue on.
Hearing Somo's question, Serie's body moved almost imperceptibly by the window, but she did not turn her head.
In fact, she was also very curious: during the time Kurtz spent with her, was he truly happy?
Had she caused him any trouble?
Companionship needed to be mutual.
She needed Kurtz to stay with her always, and Kurtz should need her, too, right?
The elf was a little uncertain.
For some reason, she subconsciously hoped to hear Kurtz mention her.
Kurtz smiled and answered honestly, "Very happy. As long as there's someone to accompany me, everything is happy."
Serie turned her head with relief, thinking to herself:
Sure enough, this man needed her, too!
"Is that so? Then continue this happiness! Kurtz, the path ahead will be up to you and Serie." Somo's breath grew weaker and weaker, his eyes began to lose focus, as if he saw the figures of his old friends, and with all his strength, he raised his hand, "I see… Have you come to pick me up?"
His voice finally faded into the air, and his raised hand lost its last bit of strength, falling limply.
Kurtz silently placed his hand back on his chest, tidying his old friend's appearance. The ritual felt both sacred and final - a last act of care for someone who had walked beside him through world-shaking battles.
Once again, he had seen off a friend.
Serie finally stood up from the window and walked to Somo's side.
She extended her pale fingers, and the magic of comfort and blessing emerged from her fingertips, offering her farewell to the dwarf who lay in eternal sleep before her.
"Goodbye, Somo," her voice was very soft, "I will remember you."
Somo's funeral was as grand as Norn's; after all, both were kings, and upon their deaths, a dignified funeral was expected.
Kurtz did not attend the funeral; he merely glanced at it from a high vantage point before leaving.
But before leaving, he still took the armor his friend had used, along with the longsword Norn had used back then, and Eric's staff, setting up three gravestones for them.
To remember his companions of yesteryear.
It was a pity that they had not left behind any statues or similar monuments; only the legend of their god-slaying was sung by all.
And legends would eventually fade away with the passage of time, and the stories of the heroes would be buried in the long river of history.
Even Kurtz could not change this.
After seeing off their last companion, time seemed to become even thicker and longer for Kurtz and Serie.
Kurtz would still reincarnate every so often, and during the waiting periods, Serie would research various magics, occasionally strolling through the forest to pass the time.
The years blended together in a comfortable rhythm of study, waiting, and quiet companionship.
Until one ordinary day.
A slightly flustered sound of footsteps came from within the forest, and an elf girl appeared before them.
Her emerald eyes were filled with curiosity and a hint of fear, and her slender ears trembled slightly from nervousness.
Serie was somewhat puzzled by the elf girl who suddenly appeared before her.
She had clearly set up many warning spells on the outer perimeter, so why was this girl able to silently bypass these spells and appear before her?
Could she have used some special concealment magic?
But from her appearance, she seemed too young, probably not even a magic apprentice; it was possible she possessed some innate special ability.
Even Kurtz was drawn over, peering out from the window, watching this uninvited guest with interest.
The elf girl also saw Serie and was immediately drawn to this ancient and powerful elf, rumored to live deep within the forest.
After all, over these past few centuries, Serie had cleared all the magical beasts from this forest, and her existence had become known to the elf villages on the forest's edge.
At first, they had sent people to contact Serie, but they were all driven away.
This was the first time in nearly a hundred years that someone had suddenly appeared before her like this.
The elf girl felt somewhat flustered under Serie's calm gaze, standing awkwardly in place, unsure where to put her hands. Her small frame seemed to shrink further under the weight of that ancient, knowing stare.
Kurtz was curious what Serie would do next.
[End of Chapter]
NOOO SOMO, Sniff everyones goneee, mhwaaa