Chapter 831
Side Story 06. [After Story] Ash
In front of Crossroad's lord's manor.
Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!
Lucas, riding his horse at full speed, dismounted with an agile leap.
"Huff, huff, huff!"
Sweating profusely from the nonstop ride, Lucas didn't even bother catching his breath before asking,
"E-Evangeline?! Where's Evangeline?"
"Sir Lucas!"
It was Damien who came running out to meet him.
Seeing his old comrade for the first time in a while, Lucas's eyes widened in surprise.
"Damien?! What are you doing here…? How was your journey?"
"Ah, thanks for asking… I just got back from the west this time…"
The two men, both notoriously lacking in situational awareness, momentarily forgot the urgency of the moment and began catching up.
AAaaaaaaahhhh!
A piercing, almost inhuman scream echoed from inside the manor.
There was only one person in the world who could scream like that.
"Evangeline!"
Lucas gasped, and Damien quickly snapped back to reality.
"She's about to give birth! Go inside, quickly!"
"R-Right! Let's catch up later—gotta go!"
Nodding hastily, Lucas practically threw himself into the manor, using both arms and legs to scramble inside.
And not long after—
Waaaaaah! Waaaaaah!
The loud cries of a newborn echoed through the manor.
The faces of everyone anxiously waiting outside, including Damien, lit up with joy.
Waaaaah!
Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd as if they were celebrating their own achievement, filling the area with a wave of happiness.
"Wow…"
Evangeline, pale-faced and utterly drained, mumbled to herself.
"I thought I was going to die, seriously…"
Of all the pain she had experienced in her life, today was undoubtedly the worst. She let out a hollow laugh.
"From now on, if anyone tries to torture me, I'll just laugh it off. 'You think this is pain? Try giving birth!'"
"Uh… no one's planning to torture you, though…"
Lucas murmured awkwardly.
He was seated beside her, holding her hand tightly. Fortunately, he had made it just in time for the birth.
"Cutting it real close there, mister…"
Initially, Evangeline had been planning to tear into him the moment she saw him, but now, none of that seemed to matter.
As she mumbled weakly, Lucas gave her a faint, wry smile and gently brushed aside her sweat-soaked bangs.
"You did well. Let's eat something nice later."
"I've completely lost my appetite… I just want to sleep…"
Evangeline's eyes, which had been fluttering shut, suddenly snapped open.
"Oh, wait! So, is our baby a boy or a girl?!"
"…"
"We made a bet, remember? You said it'd be a boy, I said it'd be a girl. Which one is it? Huh?!"
Suppressing a laugh, Lucas quietly replied,
"Both."
"Huh?"
At that moment, Zenis, who had acted as the midwife, approached them.
"Congratulations. Both the mother and the babies are healthy."
"Babies…?"
"They're twins."
"What?"
Zenis carefully placed the swaddled babies—plural—into Evangeline's arms.
"…"
Evangeline stared in disbelief, her mouth hanging open.
The two babies, who had screamed loud enough to shake the heavens at birth, were now peacefully sucking on their fingers, each cradled in one of Evangeline's arms.
The boy had shimmering golden hair, a blend of Evangeline's platinum and Lucas's blonde, with green eyes like his mother's. The girl shared the same golden hair but had her father's striking blue eyes.
"Wait, wait, hold on. I only felt one baby kicking in my belly this whole time…"
Still unable to process the situation, Evangeline alternated her gaze between the two babies, and then a realization dawned on her.
"…No way. Were these little rascals taking turns kicking me in unison this whole time?!"
Lucas, who had been smiling like a proud father (for real), nodded with a hum as he gazed lovingly at his wife and children.
"I made them, but wow… both of them are so beautiful and handsome."
"Excuse me? You made them? I'm the one who did all the work!"
"Doesn't half the design credit go to me?"
"Half the design, sure. But I did 100% of the manufacturing!"
The two bickered over such a silly topic that they both ended up laughing, until Evangeline suddenly glared at Lucas with sharp eyes.
"Now that I think about it, mister, you barely made it in time! You were supposed to arrive days ago!"
"Uh, well…"
"You almost missed their first cries! What were you doing that made you so late?!"
Lucas broke into a cold sweat as he stammered,
"Well… I would've been on time if I came alone, but there were… people who insisted on coming with me. I ended up traveling with them, and at the last minute, I had to rush ahead by myself. That's why I was a bit late…"
"Huh? People? Who?"
And then—
"Evangeline!"
A familiar voice called out from outside the room.
Evangeline's eyes widened in surprise as she turned toward the doorway, where a man with jet-black hair was waving at her.
"I'm here!"
"Senior?!"
It was none other than Ash "Born Hater" Everblack, the Duke of the Bringar Duchy and Crown Prince of the Everblack Empire.
Having heard of Crossroad's margrave giving birth, Ash had decided to finally use the vacation days he had accumulated over the past five years to visit in person.
Beside Ash, a woman with blue hair, Serenade, smiled warmly and waved.
Evangeline, overjoyed, waved back enthusiastically.
"Serenade! It's been so long!"
From behind Serenade, Elize and Daram peeked their heads out with smiles.
"We're here too."
"It's been a while, Lady Evangeline!"
"Elize! And Bodybag—I mean, Sunflower seed-lover?!"
"It's Daram now…"
Daram corrected her name meekly, but no one seemed to pay much attention to it.
"And that's not all!"
Ash declared dramatically, pointing to the side.
This time, a blonde-haired woman with her hair covering one side of her face, and a short-haired woman with beige locks, stepped forward, waving their hands.
"Junior! Hecate?!"
Junior and Hecate had traveled all the way from the Everblack Empire's capital, New Terra.
The two glanced at each other, scratching the backs of their heads sheepishly.
"Well, the truth is, we were already planning to come for Crossroad's autumn festival. We just happened to time our vacation right…"
"But hey, isn't this wonderful news? Congratulations!"
Outside the room, Lilly, Damien, and Sid also joined the growing crowd, gathering excitedly near the bedroom door and chattering away.
Zenis, trying to maintain order, raised his voice authoritatively.
"Alright, everyone, calm down! Don't get too close. Both the mother and babies need rest."
"But I want to touch the babies!"
"I want to kiss them!"
"I want to nibble on them!"
"Keep your voices down! You'll scare the babies."
The playful protests from the group continued, but Zenis paid them no mind.
Ash, who had been smiling and catching up with his comrades, finally turned his attention to the babies in Evangeline's arms.
"So, these are the 'Bean Rice Cakes' I've heard so much about—"
He froze, eyes wide with shock.
"Wait, hold on. There are two of them?!"
"That's how it turned out…"
"Then… who's 'Bean,' and who's 'Rice Cake'?"
Evangeline and Lucas exchanged a glance, both looking equally puzzled.
The twins, having been born as a pair, had unintentionally become "Bean" and "Rice Cake."
With a grin, Ash asked again,
"Alright, the nicknames are fine and all, but what are their real names? I want to know what you've named them."
"…"
"…"
Lucas and Evangeline exchanged nervous glances, clearly unsure of how to answer.
Ash tilted his head, letting out a curious, "Hmm?" as he waited. Finally, the two hesitantly replied,
"Well… if it was a boy, we were going to name him 'Ash'…"
"And if it was a girl, we were also going to name her 'Ash'…"
"…?"
Ash blinked in confusion, his expression blank. After a moment, he managed to ask,
"…Why?"
It wasn't unusual for people to name their children after great figures, especially heroes.
Unbeknownst to Ash himself, ever since the World Guardian Front's victory against the monsters, many babies born in the last few years had been named "Ash."
After all, he was the hero who saved the world.
And he was someone they deeply respected…
But Lucas and Evangeline, embarrassed, couldn't bring themselves to say this out loud. They just mumbled awkwardly, unable to look Ash in the eye.
"Ash…?"
From a distance, Damien—who had been listening—suddenly looked conflicted and started glaring at Ash.
"What's wrong with him now? Get a grip, Trigger!"
In any case, since the twins were born, the pre-planned name "Ash" couldn't be used for both of them.
"Alright then…"
"Guess we have no choice."
Lucas and Evangeline exchanged determined looks and nodded.
"Let's split it!"
"Into A/Sh!" (TL Note: The name Ash is 애쉬 (ae-swi). They were going to name one 애 and the other 쉬)
"…?"
Ash's face went completely blank.
"So, which one is 'A,' and which one is 'Sh'…?"
As Evangeline and Lucas wiggled their fingers back and forth over the peacefully sleeping babies, Ash finally snapped.
"Just pick new names, you idiots!"
And so.
Following Crossroad tradition, a naming contest for the twins was held on the spot.
However, also in line with Crossroad tradition, naming contests never produced reasonable results.
The list of proposed names grew increasingly bizarre and absurd. Lucas and Evangeline, indecisive and too agreeable, seemed ready to accept anything, leaving Ash no choice but to step in as the judge and veto every single suggestion.
Finally, it was decided.
The boy would be named Emerald, after his green eyes, and the girl would be named Sapphire, after her blue eyes.
"Great names!"
"They're beautiful!"
"Way better than Bean/Rice Cake or A/Sh!"
"…"
While everyone seemed satisfied, Ash alone was sweating nervously.
The names Emerald and Sapphire reminded him of countless Earth-related puns and jokes, which now flooded his mind.
But he decided to keep quiet. No one here would get the references anyway.
"Alright, the mother and babies need to rest, so everyone, please head out!"
Zenis shooed the crowd away. The group, still buzzing with excitement, relocated to the first-floor drawing room of the lord's manor.
There, Ash caught up with old comrades, exchanged news, and shared stories. They enjoyed a nostalgic dinner prepared by the manor's head chef, accompanied by tea and desserts.
The lively gathering lasted until late into the night.
When it finally ended, Ash initially intended to stay in one of the guest rooms in the manor. However, at Lucas's insistence that such accommodations were unfit for a Duke, Ash reluctantly agreed to move to the Crossroad Hotel instead.
The hotel, built during Ash's time as Crossroad's lord, welcomed its former owner and founder with great honor.
The current manager—a young, sharp-looking man who had inherited the position—greeted Ash and Serenade with a respectful smile and personally escorted them to the top-floor suite.
"Wow. I built this hotel, but it's my first time staying in this room."
Ash's belongings had already been unpacked. He walked over to the window, drew back the curtains, and gazed outside.
The view of Crossroad had changed significantly over the years. The city was vibrant, even in the evening, illuminated brightly. It seemed the townsfolk were also celebrating the birth of their lord's children.
As Ash took in the nostalgic and heartwarming scenery, a faint smile crept across his face…
"Hehe."
A soft, familiar laugh came from behind him.
"Hehehehe."
"…"
Breaking into a cold sweat, Ash turned around slowly.
Click!
Serenade hung a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door and gently closed it before walking toward him with light, deliberate steps.
"Weren't the babies adorable, my dear husband?"
"Huh? Uh, yeah… sure, very adorable…"
"Well then, shouldn't we try our best too?"
Serenade's bright, radiant smile remained fixed as she took another step closer.
Ash let out a nervous laugh and instinctively began stepping backward.
"W-Wait, Serenade. I mean, we've been riding in the carriage all day, so I'm a little tired…"
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Eeeeek!"
From the top floor of the Crossroad Hotel, a faint, high-pitched scream rang out.
It trailed off… and then silence returned.
And a few days later.
Crossroad's famous autumn festival began.
Chapter 832
Side Story 07. [After Story] Autumn Festival (1)
Imperial Year 657.
Five years after the final battle with the monsters.
Southern Empire. Crossroad.
The first day of the Autumn Festival. Central Plaza.
"It's been a while, everyone!"
Ash stood on the prepared stage in the plaza, flashing a broad grin.
"How has everyone been?"
Waaaaahhh!
The crowd erupted with cheers at the appearance of the former lord and Crown Prince, whom they hadn't seen in years.
Ash had governed this city for only three years, but in those three years, the world had changed forever. Once a remote frontier, Crossroad had stood at the center of history during that time.
Remembering the challenges and glory of those days, the citizens still adored Ash. Applause and cheers filled the air as everyone welcomed the return of their former lord.
"As you may have heard already!"
Ash, with a satisfied smile, scanned the faces of the people who used to be his citizens.
"Our Crossroad Margrave has had heirs. And not just one – twins!"
Waaaaahhh!
The crowd roared with joy at Ash's announcement of this happy news.
"So, normally, the lord would be the one to announce the start of the festival. However, as the Crossroad Margrave has not fully recovered yet, it falls to me to declare the start of the festival after such a long time!"
Ash playfully winked at the crowd.
"No need to drag it out, right? Let's get started! Alright then! The Autumn Festival everyone's been waiting for…"
Ash deliberately stretched his words as he raised his arms high into the air.
"Begiiiins-! Right now!"
Bang! Boom! Pop!
Even though it wasn't yet noon, colorful fireworks painted the sky.
Those who had secured spots in the plaza early and were already drinking and reveling cheered loudly as they raised their glasses.
"Alright, let's all have some fun!"
As Ash pumped his fist into the air,
Pop! Pop-pop-pop!
Another round of fireworks burst into the sky.
Amid the thunderous applause and cheers, this year's Autumn Festival officially began.
"Wow, how long has it been since we've last been at the Crossroad Autumn Festival?"
Standing at one side of the bustling plaza, Junior murmured to herself.
Hecate, sipping her drink through a straw beside her, smirked.
"Isn't it more like it's been ages since we've been to Crossroad itself? Let's see, when was the last time we came here?"
"Was it four years ago? Oh, right, for the joint wedding of the Crown Prince and his wife, and the lord and his wife…"
At the mention of that legendary wedding four years ago, both women's expressions stiffened.
Recalling the events of that day sent chills down their spines.
"A-ahem…"
"Y-yeah, anyway. It's nice to be back in Crossroad after so long."
Naturally steering the conversation away from that day, the two women walked through the crowded streets of Crossroad.
Since then, Junior and Hecate had been living together in New Terra, the Imperial Capital.
They shared a room in an old boarding house owned by a kind elderly lady who rented it out at an affordable price.
Junior worked for the newly founded historical foundation, the Jupiter Foundation, established by Ash. Hecate, on the other hand, worked at the orphanage where she had grown up, Whiteblossom.
No longer a mage or a knight, they had become a junior historian and a rookie orphanage teacher.
To adapt to the changed world and make a living as beginners in their new fields, the two women had endured hardships together. And so, five years had quietly passed.
"…"
"…"
As they walked through the familiar streets of Crossroad, now somewhat changed, both were lost in thought.
While the city had transformed in many ways over the years, it still retained the essence of the place they remembered. Memories of the days when they wielded swords and magic in this very place came flooding back.
Junior muttered unconsciously.
"It was tough… but those days were good too."
Her voice carried a faint sense of nostalgia.
Now, in a world without magic.
A world where neither magic, miracles, nor mystery remained.
To say that she didn't miss the past as a mage would have been a lie. As an exceptional mage, she missed it even more.
Even now, Junior occasionally felt a sense of loss. In the mana reservoir within her, which no longer held any magic, she sometimes felt phantom sensations, as if remnants of the past lingered like a phantom pain.
"But."
Hecate, who had also lost all her powers and could no longer live as a knight, smiled softly.
"I like it better now."
"…"
Junior blinked in surprise for a moment, then returned her smile.
"…Yeah. Me too."
A world where no one dear to them had to die anymore.
A world where they didn't have to tremble in fear of monster invasions and could dream of the future in peace.
This was exactly the kind of world they had fought to create.
Hecate extended her hand to Junior. Junior hesitated briefly before taking it.
Hand in hand, the two women strolled through the festival streets together.
The Crossroad Autumn Festival, which they hadn't visited in years, had a slightly different appearance now. Especially notable was the line of food stalls along the central avenue – what people were calling Gourmet Street.
"Wow, what's this place?"
"It looks like it's full of specialties from nearby towns and famous restaurants from neighboring cities."
Chefs and vendors from neighboring nations and cities had brought their specialties here to showcase them at the festival.
Nowhere else on the continent had such an impressive gathering of renowned eateries, so the crowds kept growing.
Meanwhile, the chefs at each stall sharpened their gazes with determination. Today's sales would undoubtedly turn into a battle of pride for their respective countries.
"We absolutely cannot lose!"
"We must take first place no matter what…!"
The nations that once united under the banner of the World Guardian Front were now putting their pride on the line, giving their all as they began their "battle" (in the form of cooking).
In any case, gathering only the most famous eateries from each country made for an impressive display, and it was delightful for guests who could wander around, sampling food from all over.
With famous desserts in hand, Junior and Hecate nodded in agreement.
"So, this is how they're running it."
"Our Lady Evangeline really put her brain to work on this one…"
Though, in truth, half of it was because Evangeline wanted to try the food herself and had invited these gourmet stalls for her own indulgence.
Unfortunately, Evangeline herself couldn't attend due to being in recovery after childbirth.
Nevertheless, thanks to an unexpected synergy, the Autumn Festival's food street was turning out to be far more successful than Evangeline had anticipated.
It was then that the two women, busy sampling food from different countries, stopped in front of a stall from a nation they hadn't expected to see.
"Huh? The Lake Kingdom…?!"
"Wait, hold on a second. Is this for real? A stall from the Lake Kingdom?"
Junior and Hecate froze in place for a moment.
While they could guess what kind of ingredients and cooking methods other countries might use, the Lake Kingdom was a complete enigma.
Culturally, geographically, and historically, the Lake Kingdom was a country that had essentially been pulled straight out of the past, five hundred years ago, and only recently returned to the present day. All of its traditions and customs were shrouded in mystery.
And yet, here it was, boldly setting up a gourmet stall at the Crossroad Autumn Festival…!
"We have to try this."
"We're ordering the entire menu!"
Their minds instantly aligned. The two women exchanged glances, firmly nodded, and dashed into the stall.
"Welcome!"
The waiter guided them to a table, where menus and tourism pamphlets were neatly placed. Junior and Hecate opened the pamphlets and let out an impressed "Ooooh—."
"What? Starting next year, we can visit the Lake Kingdom as tourists…?"
"Wow, they're finally opening their borders."
"Should we plan a vacation to the Lake Kingdom next year?"
"Sounds fun! Guess we'll have to visit Crossroad again for that…"
Despite the fact that their current vacation wasn't even over, the two were already talking about next year's plans.
When the food from the Lake Kingdom was served, it turned out to be… surprisingly normal and delicious.
"It's good, but it's more ordinary than I expected."
"Still, if this really was made using recipes from five hundred years ago…"
"Hmm?"
"Isn't it incredibly refined for something from five centuries ago? I mean, it's delicious even by today's standards."
"Wait, hold on. How does that even make sense?"
By the time the two finished their meal, the Lake Kingdom stall was already packed with a massive crowd.
As they considered where to head next, they looked around and spotted another nearby stall.
"To celebrate the birth of the Margrave's twins—!"
It was a stall run by Crossroad itself.
"We're offering free samples! Come and get your Bean Rice Cakes!"
"Huh? Bean Rice Cakes?"
"Is this a local dish? Feels pretty traditional."
This year, the Crossroad stall's featured item was Bean Rice Cakes—a basic rice cake dusted with soybean powder.
Although Evangeline had experimented with various flavor combinations, she ultimately decided to present the original, unaltered version for its debut as Crossroad's representative dish.
And to make it more accessible, she opted to offer free samples.
The simple combination of flour-based rice cakes coated in soybean powder might not have seemed particularly appealing under normal circumstances. But during a festival, where it was being given away for free, hardly anyone could resist trying it.
Chewing on the chewy Bean Rice Cakes at the same time, Junior and Hecate blinked in surprise.
"Oh, this…"
"It's better than I thought! Maybe it's because of the soybean powder?"
"If they're giving it out again tomorrow, I'll definitely come back for more."
Laughing as they teased each other about the soybean powder sticking to their mouths, the two enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
The festival had just begun, and there was still plenty to eat and see.
With lighthearted laughter, the two strolled together into the lively festival streets.
'End your summer vacation in Crossroad, with the Autumn Festival!'
Thanks to this slogan—and the hard work of Evangeline and the people of Crossroad—the Autumn Festival turned out to be even richer in attractions and activities than those in other southern cities, drawing large crowds of visitors.
"…Phew."
After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, Junior stood on the eastern hill overlooking the bustling festival.
"I'm thinking about buying some land in Crossroad."
Hecate, standing beside her and basking in the autumn sunlight, looked puzzled.
"What? Land? In Crossroad?"
"Yeah."
Nodding, Junior explained.
"Two ladies told me I should build a retirement villa in the south—with a swimming pool and everything—and spend the rest of my life relaxing."
"Oh, the resort idea?"
Recalling an old conversation, Hecate asked, and Junior chuckled awkwardly.
"Yeah. But if I'm going to build it in the south anyway… wouldn't it make sense to do it near Crossroad? I've grown attached to this city. And besides, land here is way cheaper compared to New Terra."
"That's just because New Terra is ridiculously expensive. Anywhere seems cheap compared to that place."
Hecate covered her mouth as she laughed softly. Clearing her throat, Junior continued.
"Anyway, I don't have the money to build a villa just yet… but if I find a good spot, I'm thinking of buying some land little by little."
"Already planning for retirement? You're so diligent, my dear roommate."
"It's because it was a dream."
For a moment, Junior looked westward—toward the graveyard where Jupiter was buried.
And she remembered the figure of another mage who had once called herself Jupiter's daughter and had come to pay her respects at his grave.
"It wasn't just my dream… it was the dream of many."
Even in a world where the two mages, and magic itself, no longer existed…
The ideals they had carried still lingered, alive and unwavering.
"…"
Whoooosh—
The autumn breeze swept across the fields, sending ripples through the grass and stirring the hair of the two women.
As Hecate quietly gazed at Junior's profile, she spoke.
"You're going to let me be part of that dream, right?"
When Junior looked at her, Hecate gave a faint smile.
"I've heard you talk about it so much, it feels like I'm dreaming it with you now… You're going to keep the promise you made back then, right?"
Junior laughed at that.
And then she answered.
"If you pitch in some money."
"Ugh, you bloodsucker!"
"I know you've saved up plenty. Don't think I don't know, former captain of the Glory Knights."
"And do you really think a knight's salary could ever compare to even the dirt under the fingernail of a mage? Former chief mage of the World Guardian Front?"
"I don't care. Pay the entry fee if you want in!"
"Five years ago, you promised I could get in for free!"
Playfully bickering, yet now dreaming the same dream, the two women laughed together.
The wind continued to blow, and the sunlight poured down over them.
Thus, the first day of the Autumn Festival passed by.
Chapter 833
Side Story 08. [After Story] Autumn Festival (2)
"Ahahahaha!"
Riding down the grassy slope on a sled, Sid laughed gleefully.
Behind him, Damien sat close, skillfully steering the makeshift sled as they glided smoothly down the hill.
"Hold on tight, Sid!"
"Yes, brother!"
Giggling, Sid clung tightly to Damien's arm with his small hands, doing exactly as he was told.
With one arm, Damien securely held Sid, and with the other, he expertly maneuvered the sled.
"Here we go—!"
"Ahahahaha—!"
As the two led the way down the slope, their sled was followed by a stream of children and adults, all sliding down with excited screams and laughter.
It was the second day of the Autumn Festival.
South of Crossroad. The Grass Sledding Hill.
Five years ago, during the final battle against the monsters, this once-flat area had collapsed, creating a slope and leaving it completely devastated.
Now, five years later, the land had transformed into a firm hill covered in lush grass.
Perfect for sledding.
"Is this… is this safe?"
From a distance, Lilly watched the scene with visible unease.
The activity was simple and intuitive: spraying water on a grassy slope and sliding down it on sleds.
Since the grass sledding hill was run directly by Crossroad, safety personnel were stationed everywhere, and various safety measures had been installed.
But…
"One more time! Let's go again, brother!"
"Shall we? Alright, let's go!"
Sid and Damien, who had already gone down the hill three times, were laughing and heading back up to the top.
"…"
Watching Sid having so much fun, Lilly couldn't bring herself to tell him to stop.
She sighed inwardly.
'If my legs were normal, I could have played with Sid like that too.'
Until recently, Sid had never shown much interest in outdoor activities. He was a calm child who preferred reading fairy tales quietly indoors.
For Lilly, whose legs were impaired, it had been a relief that her son was introverted. But now, she realized that wasn't the case at all.
Seeing how much he enjoyed running and playing like this…
"Brother! One more time! One more!"
After going down for the fifth time, Sid tugged at Damien, urging him for another ride.
Though he was starting to look exhausted, sweating profusely, the six-year-old showed no signs of slowing down. Just then—
"Sid! How about riding with your uncle this time?"
"Oh, Uncle Zenis! Yes, please!"
Zenis, who had been supervising the safety of the sledding hill, appeared at just the right moment.
'Thank you, Zenis!'
Damien mouthed the words of gratitude to him.
With a grin, Zenis effortlessly hoisted the sled under one arm and Sid under the other, carrying both up the hill. Sid, overjoyed, burst into giggles.
"Sid has… whew, so much energy! Whew…"
Panting, Damien walked over to Lilly and sat beside her.
"Thank you, Damien, for playing with Sid."
Lilly smiled, but her voice carried a hint of bitterness that she couldn't completely hide.
"Without a father and with me like this… it seems Sid hasn't been able to play as much as he wanted."
"…"
Damien looked at her with concern. Lilly brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face.
"I've been worrying a lot lately. About the things we don't have in our home. About the scars Sid might carry because of that. So…"
"Lilly."
Damien gave her a warm smile.
"You'll only exhaust yourself thinking like that."
"…"
"I think… instead of worrying about what you can't give Sid, it's better to focus on what you can give him. Don't you think?"
'What I can give him… '
Lilly repeated his words in her mind. Then she held up her hands in mock surrender.
"You've really grown up, haven't you?"
"We're all still kids in some ways and adults in others. That's just life."
Lilly and Damien had known each other for a long time.
They had met as mercenaries in Crossroad, fighting side by side against the black spider at the forward base.
Lilly was also one of the few survivors who remembered Van, the young mercenary girl who had died in Damien's place.
For a while, the two sat quietly together, watching Zenis and Sid laugh as they sledded down the hill. On land that had once been a battlefield against monsters, the children now played without a care in the world.
"After I lost Far-Sight…"
Damien began slowly, breaking the silence,
"It was tough at first."
"You were born with exceptional vision, weren't you?"
"Yeah. I had lived my whole life in a world where seeing like that was normal. So, even though my vision just became ordinary… it felt like a huge loss. A kind of reverse adjustment, I guess you could call it. It felt like my eyesight had deteriorated drastically."
Lilly tried to imagine it.
To suddenly lose Far-Sight, a gift you had always had.
Would it be like suddenly losing all color in your vision or losing the ability to perceive depth? Would that be comparable to the sense of loss Damien felt?
Or perhaps even that wouldn't come close.
"For a while, especially at the start of my travels, it was really difficult. Adjusting to normal eyesight was harder than I thought. Without Jörmungandr, I probably wouldn't have even been able to navigate."
"…But doesn't he only want to go north?"
"Exactly. He's basically a compass that only points north…"
"Ahaha."
Lying in the shade nearby, Jörmungandr hissed in irritation, clearly displeased at being treated like a compass.
Damien chuckled and patted the serpent's head, nodding.
"But, after losing it, I started to see things I hadn't noticed before."
"Like what?"
"For example, things that are close by."
Damien met Lilly's gaze.
"I used to always look at something far away, but now I can focus on what's right in front of me."
"Close… right in front of me…"
Lilly murmured, repeating Damien's words. He smiled and gestured subtly with his eyes.
"Isn't it the same for you, Lilly? There are things you see now that you couldn't before, right?"
"…"
He was right.
After her three years in Crossroad, Lilly had been seeing a world that she couldn't before.
A world she hadn't noticed when her legs were whole.
A world invisible to her before she lost someone she loved.
And a world that she couldn't comprehend before she had a child…
"Becoming an adult… perhaps it's the process of seeing new worlds, little by little, ones we couldn't see before."
Just as Lilly had lost Kalail and her legs…
Damien had lost Ban and Far-Sight.
Even after such profound losses, life continued.
Grass grew on the once-ruined land, and on that grass, children rode sleds.
Autumn returned, and the festival was held once again.
And children, bearing their scars, grew up into adults.
"…I want to be a good mom."
Lilly's voice was soft.
Damien replied with a gentle smile.
"The fact that you're worrying about it so much already means you're a good mom."
"…"
Taking a deep breath, Lilly let out a faint smile.
"Thank you, Damien. I'll remember. To focus on what's close, on what I can give—not on what I can't."
Damien grinned.
"Sid is going to grow up just fine. I'm sure of it."
At that moment, Zenis and Sid returned.
Sid's red hair was covered with bits of grass, and he was beaming brightly. In contrast, Zenis looked drenched in sweat, his face one of utter exhaustion.
"Haah… Six-year-olds… haah… have way too much energy… haah…"
"How many more times did you go?"
"Seven… seven times…"
Lilly reached out to pat Sid's head, who had now ridden a total of twelve grass sled rides.
"Did you have fun?"
"I did!"
Sid grinned widely, then hesitated for a moment, fidgeting awkwardly.
"…Mom, you must've wanted to ride too, huh? I'm sorry I rode so much by myself."
Surprised by his unexpected words, Lilly opened her mouth to comfort him. But before she could say anything, Sid clenched his little fist and declared proudly,
"But when I grow as big as Brother and Uncle, I'll take you sledding too, Mom!"
"…"
Lilly tried to respond, but instead, she held back her words and wrapped her son tightly in her arms.
"Alright. Mom is already looking forward to that day."
The grass sledding hill, which had opened in the morning, temporarily closed for lunch.
The midday sun was hot, and the grass needed to be repaired and smoothed out.
Zenis and Damien strolled toward Crossroad's city center, chatting as they went. They had agreed to have lunch together.
"To think the Margrave decided to turn this place into a sledding hill… she really is something else."
"Lady Evangeline must have put a lot of thought into this festival. She must really want to revitalize the city."
Of course, neither of them knew that part of the reason was simply that Evangeline wanted to try grass sledding herself…
When they arrived at the Crossroad restaurant district, the streets were bustling. But as soon as the restaurant owners noticed the two of them, they greeted them warmly and began arranging seats. It was clear they recognized the two as former priests who had served in the city.
Feeling slightly overwhelmed by the attention, the two wandering priests settled into a modest restaurant. Before they could even place an order, a platter of fruits and drinks was set on their table.
"On the house! It's on the house!"
"Oh, no, you don't have to…"
"Do you remember how five years ago you saved my husband with your healing magic? You probably don't, but I do!"
The restaurant owner chuckled loudly and disappeared into the kitchen. Left with no choice, the two graciously accepted the complimentary offerings.
"So, are you heading north as soon as the festival ends?"
Zenis asked as he peeled a fruit and popped it into his mouth.
"Yes. I don't have much time left, actually."
Damien gently stroked the snake coiled around his neck.
"Jörmungandr is getting weaker."
"…"
Zenis looked at Jörmungandr, who lay resting with its eyes closed, his expression complex.
After the final battle, all beings born of the Evil Dragon had vanished. However, there were a few exceptions.
Some had transcended into higher beings, while others had downgraded themselves into lower entities. A small number had managed to alter their very nature, breaking free from the Evil Dragon's influence and continuing to exist.
"According to His Highness, the Succubus Queen transcended her nature and became a higher being. That's why she was able to keep living. Apparently, she's in another world now…"
"And what about Jörmungandr?"
"The opposite. He downgraded himself into a lower entity."
During the battle against Night Bringer, Jörmungandr had repeatedly shed his skin to preserve his life, becoming a small snake in the process.
Since then, he had abandoned his former stature and intellect, continually reducing his essence until he became a completely different, weaker existence just to survive.
The reason he had gone to such lengths to stay alive was simple.
"To reach the northernmost end of the world."
"…He's ridiculously consistent, isn't he?"
Zenis shook his head in disbelief. Damien smiled bitterly.
"But he's getting weaker and weaker. His molting cycles are becoming shorter and shorter too."
"Now that you mention it, he's definitely… smaller than he was five years ago. A lot smaller."
"Right."
Damien plucked a grape from the bunch and held it out in front of Jörmungandr's mouth. The snake hesitated, clearly reluctant, but eventually nibbled at it.
"…"
"Even though Jörmungandr managed to survive, his main sustenance is ambient magic in the atmosphere. And right now, there's practically none left."
"…"
"I was too complacent. I should have gone straight north. I thought he'd stay healthy for longer, so I took my time, but… I didn't expect him to weaken this quickly…"
As Damien began to blame himself, Zenis shot him a sly look.
"But, there was 'something' out west, wasn't there?"
"What?"
"You knew Jörmungandr was getting weaker, yet you still went to the western edge first… That means there was 'something' there. Am I wrong?"
"…"
Damien fell silent. Zenis pressed him further.
"What did you see out there, in the west?"
"…I'm sorry. I can't tell you, Zenis."
Damien shook his head slightly.
"This is something I can report only to Prince Ash."
That was why he had returned.
To meet with Ash.
When Zenis noticed the sharp glint in Damien's eyes—the same sharpness he'd had during his active duty days—he raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Alright, alright. This old man didn't hear anything."
"Thank you, Zenis."
"Just finish reporting that to him, and after the festival ends, let's head north together."
Damien blinked in surprise.
"You're going north too, Zenis?"
"Not to the world's edge like you, but… there's a place in that direction I need to visit."
Zenis grinned mischievously.
"One of our old comrades has been appointed priest-chief of a little island village up there. I thought I'd drop by and visit. Want to come along?"
Chapter 834
Side Story 09. [After Story] Autumn Festival (3)
Crossroad, the Lord's Manor.
"It's so unfair…"
Sitting on the bed and staring out the window, Evangeline grumbled.
"I worked so hard preparing for this festival, and I can't even enjoy it at all… It's just so unfair…"
The grass sledding hill, Gourmet Street, the orchard experience…
All the new events she had introduced this year were a resounding success, but Evangeline herself couldn't even see them because she was stuck recuperating after childbirth.
"I understand it's disappointing since you worked so hard on it."
I said, chuckling as I tried to comfort her.
"But you need to rest right now. You've already done something as important as the festival itself."
"Ugh…"
Evangeline let out a groan as Lucas diligently peeled an apple and offered it to her.
"The festival is running just fine because of all the effort you put into it. Don't worry about it and just eat this apple."
"Enough, stop giving me apples already… I told you I'm not hungry… munch munch…"
Despite her words, Evangeline kept eating every slice of apple Lucas handed her. Of course, it was impossible for her to lose her appetite.
Meanwhile, Lucas was turning the apples into works of art. As expected of the Empire's finest swordsman, he put extraordinary care into every apple he prepared for his wife.
Perfectly sliced pieces of apple were shaped into little rabbits, dolphins, and even adorable heart shapes. For someone with the physique of a bear, Lucas was surprisingly adept at cute gestures when it came to his wife.
The problem was that Evangeline, completely oblivious to these details, just stared out the window as she devoured the apples. It seemed like I was the only one noticing Lucas's artistic efforts.
"As long as my lady appreciates them, that's enough for me."
Lucas said, nodding solemnly as he handed me an apple slice shaped like a crescent moon. I couldn't help but admire it quietly—if there were a championship for apple carving, Lucas would surely win.
Just then, Evangeline shot us a sharp glare.
"Hey, are you peeling apples for some random man instead of your wife who just gave birth?!"
"Well, you told me to stop… said you weren't hungry…"
Lucas shrank back, looking sheepish, while I muttered under my breath.
"And by the way, 'some random man'? Sure, I'm not exactly family, but still…"
But the ruler of this household was Evangeline!
Having just given birth to twins and being in her recovery period, she wielded absolute power. Naturally, we couldn't argue any further and quietly submitted to her rule. This time, I brought her freshly washed grapes, feeding them to her one by one, while Lucas busied himself massaging her arms and legs.
"Ah, that feels so nice! Hahaha!"
Seeing her laugh so heartily, it seemed her recovery was going well.
In truth, Evangeline and Lucas had had quite a tough time even after the childbirth. Of course, with newborn twins, how could they not struggle?
"The babies cry so much at night, it's impossible to get any sleep. Just last night, I didn't sleep a wink. Huaaah~"
Evangeline let out a big yawn.
The twins, Emerald and Sapphire, were lying side by side in their little crib nearby. Fortunately, they were sound asleep now.
When we first arrived, the babies had been crying non-stop. But as soon as Serenade began rocking the crib and singing a lullaby, they fell asleep as if by magic. Was Serenade's voice still imbued with the powers of the Merfolk?
Thanks to that brief respite, Evangeline and Lucas had been able to relax and chat with me. Serenade, meanwhile, was still softly rocking the crib and humming gently.
"Cute, cute, so cute~"
"…"
My wife… she must really love babies.
'Hang in there… '
Anyway, leaving the baby talk aside for a moment, I wanted to discuss the festival with the current lord, as her predecessor. Smiling at Evangeline, I said,
"You put a lot of effort into this festival. Honestly, I'm impressed."
Evangeline had come up with innovative ideas, established new trade routes with nearby countries like the Lake Kingdom, and even personally restored an orchard. Her dedication was evident in every detail.
The culmination of all that effort was this Autumn Festival. It was bound to succeed.
"During those three years of fighting monsters, the Autumn Festival became a really good memory for me."
Evangeline admitted, looking a bit bashful.
"Having a moment to forget everything and just enjoy ourselves during those suffocating days… looking back, it's such a cherished memory."
At her words, everyone present briefly recalled those times.
Yes.
It was moments like those that had helped us endure those difficult days together.
"I hope this festival can be a moment like that for people—where they can set aside all their daily worries and just relax."
"It will be."
Indeed, Crossroad was bustling with visitors from nearby towns and cities. The festival was a resounding success.
But Evangeline, her face now serious, shook her head.
"For now, we're seeing a surge in visitors because of the festival, but that's not enough. We need people to come here even when there's no festival."
"So, you're planning to develop Crossroad into a proper tourist city?"
"With its identity as a military and fortress city fading, we're in desperate need of a new and sustainable future. Tourism might be the answer."
Evangeline faced me with a serious expression, her earlier playfulness completely gone.
"The harvest from the newly cultivated southern fields isn't bad, and trade with the Lake Kingdom is growing, but… it's still not nearly enough."
The main source of Crossroad's income—the processing and sale of magic stones—had completely halted, and with the war over, the industries that catered to mercenaries were shrinking as well.
While Crossroad's identity as a military city responsible for guarding the southern edge of the Empire would remain, the primary enemy—the monsters—had been eradicated.
As the new lord in this new era, Evangeline was doing everything she could.
"Lucas has been keeping me updated on everything."
I'd been concerned about Crossroad's situation, so I'd been hearing about it through Lucas. I'd even considered offering my help.
But in the end, I didn't. I chose to simply observe how Evangeline would develop Crossroad on her own.
Part of it was because I wanted to see her grow as a lord, but the bigger reason was this:
"You're doing well, Evangeline."
Evangeline was handling everything so competently that she didn't need my help.
"You're achieving what was once my dream—a tourist city out of Crossroad. As the former lord, I'm proud of you, and I'm grateful to you."
"…"
Evangeline, her lips trembling slightly, hesitated before carefully asking:
"Am I going in the right direction?"
"That's for the future to decide. It's history that will judge whether we chose correctly. All we can do is pick a direction and move forward with determination."
"…"
"And above all else, from where I'm standing… Crossroad seems like a pretty great city right now."
The familiar faces who once stood beside me in armor on the front lines… now had dirt on their hands instead of gunpowder, raising their voices to attract customers rather than shouting orders to fend off attacks.
After governing Crossroad for three years, then overseeing the Bringar Duchy for five years, I'd been leading cities and regions for eight years in total. I could tell the state of a place just by observing the expressions of its people and the atmosphere in the air.
Right now, Crossroad was doing just fine.
"In any case, since you've set your direction and laid the groundwork, the next step would be…"
I snapped my fingers.
"Marketing!"
"Haha, exactly, my lord."
Serenade chimed in, her eyes sparkling as soon as the subject of commerce came up.
"Packaging is everything when it comes to selling a product."
Advertising!
With Crossroad's tourism products seemingly well-prepared, it was time to start selling them properly.
"But… we've already been promoting diligently throughout the southern regions. What more can we do?"
Evangeline asked.
Serenade and I exchanged a knowing smile.
I had all the insidious—I mean, effective!—advertising techniques I'd learned in 21st-century Earth, and Serenade had the talent and ability to execute them flawlessly.
It was time for the husband-and-wife marketing team to take action!
"If you'll allow me, Evangeline, I'll lend a hand just a little."
I offered.
While the future of Crossroad would ultimately depend on Evangeline and its people, I could at least give them a gentle push in the right direction.
'And if the benefits trickle over to the Bringar Duchy, that wouldn't hurt either!' I thought, picking up a long bun from the plate beside me and taking a bite. Delicious.
"But let's talk more about that later."
I said.
"You're looking like you're starting to feel better. How about going out to see the festival tomorrow?"
I expected Evangeline to eagerly nod and accept, excited by the suggestion. But instead, she looked at her babies for a moment and then said,
"…No. I think I'll trust in the preparations I've made and in the people around me."
She smiled maturely.
"The festival will do just fine without me being there. For now, I'll stay here with my babies."
"…"
I blinked in surprise, my mouth slightly agape.
Was this really Evangeline?
Becoming a lord and a mother… she had grown so much. She seemed so much more mature now. It was a bit startling.
"Instead, let's all have dinner together tonight!"
Evangeline continued, her face lighting up in a mischievous smile more reminiscent of her old self.
"I've already invited Junior and Damien. Let's have a reunion with the main party and eat together!"
Beaming, she turned to Lucas and barked an order with her usual impish charm.
"Hey, go to Gourmet Street and buy a bunch of food from different stalls! Enough for everyone to share!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Lucas immediately sprang to his feet, bowing deeply before heading out the door to fetch the food.
Was this really Lucas?
Becoming a father… he was completely whipped now. It was almost unrecognizable.
That evening, the dining room of the Lord's Manor.
For the first time in a long while, the five members of the main party were gathered around the same table.
Serenade, who had been looking after the twins, had somehow managed to keep them asleep all day. She volunteered to watch them for a little while longer during dinner, with Elize, Daram, and Hecate accompanying her.
And so, it was just us.
Me, Lucas, Evangeline, Damien, and Junior.
The five of us, who had once fought together to protect the world from monsters, now reunited in this peaceful era, laughing and sharing a meal.
"How have you been lately, Junior?"
Evangeline asked.
"I'm still studying. Since the Jupiter Foundation is trying to dig into sensitive parts of history, I have to be well-versed in existing historical records to avoid unnecessary attacks."
"Where do you study?"
"They're letting me use the Ivory Tower. Dearmuid has been very accommodating. The Ivory Tower was recently converted into a historical research foundation focused on magic, so it aligns well with our goals."
For a while, the conversation revolved around Junior and the Jupiter Foundation.
As expected, since I'm the chairman of the Jupiter Foundation. This foundation, which aims to reinterpret the continent's history from a new perspective, is the first project I've initiated under the name of the Crown Prince.
However, we're still short on manpower, and more importantly, His Majesty, the Emperor, isn't particularly enthusiastic about this project. Because of that, I've been proceeding cautiously, carefully keeping an eye on his reactions.
Eventually, I'll become Emperor myself, and when that happens, I can fully implement the project without restraint. For now, I'm taking things slow and laying the groundwork.
The topic at the table shifted from Junior's current activities to Damien's recent journey. Everyone was curious about Damien's adventures at the western edge of the world.
After hesitating for a moment, Damien slowly began to speak.
"My journey… well, that's one thing. But there's something else I need to report to His Highness first."
"Hm?"
"While traveling west across the continent, I heard a rumor. I kept heading further west to confirm its validity. Eventually, I reached the westernmost edge of the world… and I met them."
Them?
Everyone except Damien blinked in confusion, unable to follow the context of the story.
"I debated whether I should keep this information to myself… but I've decided I need to tell you, Your Highness."
Damien looked at me, his face resolute.
"At the westernmost edge of the world, they're alive."
"Alive? Who is?"
And then, with Damien's next words, I couldn't help but widen my eyes in shock.
"…The wife of First Prince Lark, and their three children."
Chapter 835
Side Story 10. [After Story] Autumn Festival (4)
Lark's family: his wife and three sons.
It was believed that they had been captured and executed by Fernandez shortly after the "Imperial Succession Struggle" between Lark and Fernandez.
But that was merely Fernandez's cover story. Neither Lark, his wife, nor their three sons had been killed; they were all captured alive by Fernandez.
However, after I defeated Fernandez in the Siege of the Imperial Capital, their whereabouts became unknown.
Lark departed to the afterlife with Fernandez, and I, having known his family, searched everywhere for them to take care of them. But they vanished as if into thin air.
Had they been caught up in the chaos and met with tragedy?
Or had remnants of Fernandez's faction kidnapped them?
Despite my continued inquiries, Lark's wife and three sons disappeared without a trace. I had more or less given up.
And now, to learn that they were alive… at the westernmost edge of the world?
'Why there?'
I was bewildered, unable to make sense of it.
'They disappeared without even giving me a hint, and now they're living in hiding in such a far-off place?'
Lucas was the one to answer my unspoken question.
"It's about the matter of imperial succession."
"…!"
"With the deaths of First Prince Lark and Second Prince Fernandez, the imperial throne was naturally intended for you, my lord…"
Under the Emperor's declaration, I had been appointed as Crown Prince.
"During this process, Lark's family must have believed they were politically vulnerable and unable to protect themselves."
"What…?"
I felt a cold sweat forming.
"They thought I might eliminate them?"
"Even if Your Highness had no such intention, from their perspective, they may have felt threatened."
Lucas replied, his tone returning to the cold, logical one of the seasoned knight I knew him to be—completely different from the doting husband and father he had been moments ago.
"As a prince, collateral branches of the family are always a potential problem. After all, the Everblack Empire once sought to destroy the Bringar Duchy, which was also considered a collateral branch."
"…"
The irony wasn't lost on me. After all, the one who had commanded the operation to subjugate the Bringar Duchy had been none other than Lark himself.
"And while it would be simpler if they were merely hiding out of fear of you, my lord, things could become far more sensitive if they have other intentions."
"Other intentions… you mean they might have their sights on the throne?"
"Exactly. After all, Lark's three sons are undeniably legitimate heirs to the imperial succession."
Lucas cast a sharp glance at me with his icy gaze.
"The traditionalist nobles of the Imperial Capital might find Lark's sons a more appealing option."
"I see…"
Though I held the title of the hero who had saved the world, my origins were humble. My mother had been a slave, and my support base wasn't in the central heart of the continent, where the Imperial Capital lay, but primarily in the south.
The places where I had gained the people's favor were Crossroad, the Bringar Duchy, and regions beyond the Empire's borders. Among the nobles of the Imperial Capital, my popularity was far from as strong as it was in the frontier territories.
To them, Lark's three sons, with their noble bloodline, might indeed seem like a more attractive choice.
Of course, my Father's firm stance as the current Emperor left little room for major disruptions in the short term, but…
'Politics is unpredictable. It can shift in an instant.'
If Lark's wife and three sons harbored any ambitions, they could easily become seeds of a new struggle for the throne—even if not now, then in generations to come.
At that moment, Damien, who had been quietly listening, spoke softly.
"They said they just want to live peacefully."
Everyone turned to look at Damien, who continued,
"They told me they went into hiding because they wanted a quiet life. But…"
"But?"
"They also said there were forces constantly trying to use them. So, they had no choice but to keep running."
Forces trying to use them…
Be it someone from within the Empire or outside of it, as legitimate heirs to the throne, they were certainly tempting targets.
Lucas nodded.
"The blood of the imperial family is a weapon in itself. Even if they harbor no ambitions, there will always be those who seek to use them."
"…"
"It's obvious they'll become a source of trouble. It might be worth considering taking preemptive action to resolve this."
I bit my lip hard.
"Preemptive action" was just a polite way of saying it would be safer to eliminate them now.
"So, you're saying they're like impacted wisdom teeth."
"Pardon?"
"You know, the kind of wisdom teeth that lie dormant in your gums. They might stay quiet for now, but you never know when they'll start causing trouble."
Everyone gave me puzzled looks, as if to say, What kind of analogy is that?
Of course, impacted wisdom teeth were a sore subject for me. I'd once left mine alone, convinced they'd grow in fine, only to end up needing surgery at a university hospital to have them broken and removed. Ugh… not a pleasant memory.
'Impacted… wisdom teeth…?'
Suddenly, an idea occurred to me.
I thought it over carefully before turning to Lucas and shaking my head slightly.
"Instead of trouble, they might become an insurance policy."
"Pardon?"
If the blood of the imperial family was a weapon, then I could wield it too.
"I need to go see them myself."
Then, I turned to Damien with a smile.
"Thank you, Damien. This is invaluable information."
"I'm glad I could be of some help to you, Your Highness."
Damien carefully glanced at me, gauging my reaction.
"And… I believe in you, Your Highness. That you wouldn't take the path of eliminating them… but would instead find another way."
"That you'd resolve this peacefully, without needless bloodshed."
"I will."
As I sorted through my thoughts, I laced my fingers behind my head and let out a long sigh.
"Still, this isn't easy… Back when all we had to do was hunt monsters, at least there was less to think about."
"That's just nostalgia talking, Your Highness."
Junior replied with a wry smile.
"Back during the World Guardian Front, you were constantly racking your brain to come up with strategies to deal with the monsters."
"Ah, right… That's true."
"Well, at least now it's better than back then, when we were fighting to prevent the world's destruction with no way out."
Junior was absolutely right.
At the end of the day, this was merely a matter of human power struggles and territorial squabbles. Compared to the days when we had fought on the brink of the world's annihilation, this was a far more peaceful and trivial issue.
"Still… the imperial throne, huh…"
Evangeline let out a small groan.
"It feels like you're drifting so far away, Senior. To think of you as the Emperor…"
"It's still a long way off, okay? Father is still going strong."
Of course, my father had already been gradually preparing to transfer power, and I, without much resistance, had also been quietly making arrangements behind the scenes for the succession.
While my ascension to the throne wasn't imminent, it wasn't exactly far off, either.
"But don't forget."
I said, looking around the table at the faces of the main party.
"No matter what we become in the future, we'll always be friends."
At that, smiles spread across everyone's faces.
Even if I became Emperor, or something else entirely, the three years I had spent with them on the World Guardian Front would always be unforgettable.
After the heavy discussion passed, the atmosphere lightened, and we returned to chatting casually over our meal. Most of the talk revolved around our plans for the future.
First was Damien.
He was heading north with Jörmungandr, aiming for the northernmost edge of the world. For the time being, he would be traveling with Zenis.
When asked why Zenis was heading north, he replied that he had some business on an island along the way.
"It's an island where leprosy patients live."
Damien explained.
"Torkel has been appointed as the priest-chief of that island."
"What? Torkel's already a priest-chief? It hasn't been long since he was appointed as a regular priest."
"Well, he's incredibly diligent and capable. Apparently, this is the first time in history that a temple is being built on an island for leprosy patients, and he immediately volunteered for the position."
"Huh… That's worth celebrating."
The current leader of the Goddess's Order was Rosetta.
After returning to the Order following the World Guardian Front, Rosetta had applied her signature strict and principled ways to its operations. She had pushed for the construction of temples in underserved areas and made personnel appointments solely based on merit.
As a result, a temple was finally being built on the island of leprosy patients, a place that had long been shunned by followers of the Goddess's Order. Torkel, a leprosy patient himself, had been appointed as its first priest-chief.
"It's a highly symbolic event."
"Indeed. That's why I've decided to accompany Zenis there."
Damien said, smiling gently.
"On the way, I plan to meet with some of our old comrades as well. I'll pass on everyone's regards."
"I'll count on you for that. And make sure to take care of yourself, Damien!"
Next was Junior.
Studying history at the Ivory Tower, Junior seemed to be the most cheerful of the five of us.
While the rest of us—me with politics, Damien with his travels, Evangeline with her duties as a lord, and Lucas as my attendant—carried traces of fatigue from our respective responsibilities, Junior looked radiant and energized.
'She looks like a college student studying her favorite subject.'
Back during the World Guardian Front, Junior had looked the most worn out among us. Now, she was the most vibrant. The twists and turns of life were truly unpredictable.
"I've been working closely with Dearmudin at the Ivory Tower. I'll keep doing my best until the day I become a proper historian!"
Junior said, her face glowing as she clenched her fist enthusiastically.
I clicked my tongue with a grin.
"Enjoy it while it lasts. Once the Jupiter Foundation starts operating in full swing, I'm going to work you to the bone."
"I'll be ready, Chairman!"
Lastly, there was Evangeline.
As both the lord of the city and the mother of two children, Evangeline was undoubtedly busy.
While nibbling on her food, she shared her plans for the city's future.
"Since members of different races have always been scattered, there hasn't been a central city to unite them. They seem to want Crossroad to take on that role, as it's the place where all the kings once gathered. I've invited the kings of the various races to act as ambassadors."
"Oh, that's a mutually beneficial move."
"And I've heard that the traveling troupe founded by the Gambler's Club is gaining a lot of popularity in the central regions of the continent. I'm planning to ask them if they'd be interested in holding regular performances in Crossroad."
"So they finally made a troupe, huh?"
"As for the kids… well, I'm sure we'll figure it out as we go! My dear husband will help out, of course."
I chuckled.
"Looks like Lucas will need some extra vacation time for a while."
Lucas flinched at my words, his shoulders trembling.
"M-my duties come first, my lord…"
Lucas quickly changed his tone as soon as he saw Evangeline staring at him with wide, rabbit-like eyes.
"Of course, if you give me weekends off, I'll gratefully accept them!"
"Looks like you've got your work cut out for you, kid…"
Still, fathers should be able to take proper parental leave too. I was genuinely planning to grant Lucas plenty of vacation time. He might as well live here for a while.
We continued to laugh and chat over our meal. The conversation stretched late into the night as we shared stories.
For some reason, none of us wanted to part ways, so we decided to spend the next day—the third day of the Autumn Festival—together as well.
The third day of the Autumn Festival.
The five of us explored the festival together.
Though Evangeline wasn't fully recovered yet, and we only wandered around near the Lord's Manor, it was more than enough to have fun.
We bought snacks from the stalls, wore hats we won as prizes, drank refreshing beverages, and sang songs together.
Just like during the World Guardian Front, we stood shoulder to shoulder, joking and teasing one another.
And under the fireworks that marked the end of the Autumn Festival, we burst out laughing as we joined in the final event—the dance festival—and danced together.
Though time passes and we all change little by little,
The bond we share and the way we care for one another remain the same.
Believing that we will meet again, we spent this joyful time together.
And then,
Another five years passed.