Ch.BONUSEpilogue – The Story Between the Lines (2) / The Wedding

When the imperial people hesitated at the unexpected answer, silence awkwardly intervened. Only after a long while did Anna carefully ask.

“Could you explain that in more detail?”

She didn’t add, ‘So I won’t hastily contradict what you’re saying.’ She didn’t need to—Kairos understood anyway.

“Someone who sets an example for others. Someone who turns even their flaws into human charm. When I took on my final mission, I too thought heroes were such beings.

If that’s the case, I must be the furthest thing from a hero. I didn’t take on this task for any noble reason. It was just a mission, one I accepted for entirely personal reasons.

I barely managed to complete it, but failed at everything else.

I couldn’t bring a single one of them to trial. I exercised force that sometimes bordered on overstepping my authority, though it was necessary. I ignored procedures I should have followed and chose the easiest paths.

When I finally borrowed the Shadow’s power to cut down those beasts, I almost lost myself completely.

‘I must protect Laios and Ismene.’ With only that in mind, I became as blind as anyone could be. Just like those seven justified themselves. Just like Laios walked that sorrowful path while trying to comfort himself.

If Knight Liliana Brynhildr hadn’t pulled me out, I would have walked the same path as Laios.

There’s little difference between those called heroes and myself. Just as they made mistakes as humans, I too made human mistakes, and couldn’t escape from them at all.”

“But you didn’t fall into corruption like they did.”

At Joannes’ question, Kairos nodded.

“Because I had good people close to me.

There were stubborn people who forcefully interfered when I made unilateral decisions, and people who helped me stay on the right path even while cursing at me.

Of course, there were also many encounters that weren’t helpful or were even harmful. But without any one of those good intentions, indifferences, and malices, I could never have come this far.

I am foolish. Stubborn and hasty. I don’t think or expect that I’ll change in the future. But if there’s one thing that has improved, if there’s one thing I’ve gained from this journey…”

Only after mustering his courage could Kairos finish his words.

“It’s moving forward while holding onto failure, just that one thing. I now know that failure isn’t an end, but a fork in the road leading somewhere else.

I’m not trying to say that all of it is nourishment for growth. That would be… that would be too disrespectful.”

Kairos remembered the sea of Venelucia. The roses floating leisurely on the water as he departed.

“Whether you fail or succeed, whether it’s ugly or beautiful, if you try to live somehow, you can live. As long as you hold on…

That’s the only thing I’ve barely realized. Nothing simply ends.

It just continues endlessly, something so vast I can’t recognize it, and will continue forever. All I can do is decide where to go, that’s all.”

Embarrassed, Kairos lowered his head.

“But a hero can’t live like that. Sitting in an unwanted chair, struggling until the fame I can’t suppress rises from my knees and waist to just below my chin, until I’m finally devoured.

Someone else might be different. The world is wide, after all. But not me. I wasn’t someone who could be that.”

“You’re right.”

The Emperor’s words were slow.

“Everything you say is right. But I think a little differently.

People can’t reach rainbows or the North Star. Even children know that. Yet we still dream of them and look at them because they guide us.

I won’t ask you to lead the way. Selfishly, I’d like to say I’ll push with everything I can, so please go. If you said you would, I would do so anytime.

But that would be difficult. Asking for such a thing would be shameless. However, Kairos, there are still many people left behind you.

At the very least, couldn’t you give light to them? In a world where hope is fading, where even the so-called seven heroes have broken down, must you cut off the last remaining support from people who have no pillars left?”

The firewood in the fireplace crackled and collapsed. Sparks flew onto the floor. They wandered aimlessly for a moment before going out.

But the firewood grew brighter. Having shaken off the burnt ashes, it glowed red and was more brilliant than ever. Pushing away the old, only the truth remained.

And Kairos decided the direction of his life.

“Then may I make one request?”

“What is it?”

“What I did, I did as a Security Bureau agent. So, I would like to place the name of Kain, Chief of Security Bureau Section 4, on the hero’s altar.”

“…Then what about you?”

Anna asked in surprise.

“I was born as Kairos, so I will live again as Kairos. In a cold land, living with the woman I love, growing apple trees.

That’s how my family lived, it’s something I enjoy, and above all else.”

Kairos smiled lightly. It was an untroubled smile that Anna had never seen since knowing him.

“It’s something I can do well.”

The rain that had been beating loudly against the windows stopped. The sun, pretending as if nothing had happened, cast its light. The courtyard was once again filled with noisy voices.

“I understand.”

The Emperor finally answered. Kairos felt relieved.

“And I express my gratitude. I had a problem I’d been pondering for a long time, and after hearing your words, I’ve made up my mind. My sister and I had been trying to find out where this all began and how it flowed.

If the curse of the wasteland truly was the original sin of the Empire, born with the Empire… we, the descendants of the killers, had to decide what to do.

And just now, I decided to take a different path from my father. I will no longer conceal. More shameful than revealing our flaws is letting them fester until they burst…”

The price for breaking the illusion would never be light. Perhaps the Kommodus family would fall. After all, the Emperor’s position could be replaced at any time.

“But I believe in the Empire. I believe it’s not weak enough to turn away from its sins. A life walking with sin will be painful, but it’s worth it.”

The Emperor, too, seemed to have put down a heavy burden, smiling comfortably. Anna did the same.

“Yes. It will be worth it.”

* * * * *

8 months later.

The small rural village was in an uproar. It was because the eldest son of the orchard house was getting married.

The boy who had been known as reckless but smart since childhood had returned as a proper adult. The bride who held his hand was taller than the groom.

“I heard you did big business in the capital, why did you come back to your hometown?”

To the villagers’ questions, Kairos gave vague answers.

“I sold it to a good person at a reasonable price. I’m planning to start an orchard with the proceeds. Near the White Blood Mountains.”

“Oh my, I wonder what will grow there, it’s so cold. That’ll be difficult.”

“That’s why I need a lot of help.”

“I’ll think about it after seeing what kind of feast you provide.”

After waiting a while, people who called themselves “friends of the bride and groom” arrived in droves. They all brought ingredients rarely seen in the countryside.

Contrary to city people’s prejudice, people in the countryside don’t roast whole deer. The elders even asked why black sand was sprinkled on the roasted venison.

“Spices? I’ve seen herbs sprinkled before, but never sand. Do all capital people eat like this? It doesn’t smell gamey, which is good. Though it’s a bit spicy.”

After explaining that too much pepper burns the throat, the farm workers threw open the storehouse. It was full of apple cider, fermented just weakly enough for children to drink. Its refreshing tartness made it popular.

“When you move to that other place, do something about the apple varieties. They’re good for cooking, but they should be sweeter when eaten fresh—these are a bit too sour.”

It was mostly the older men who left such unnecessary advice. The ones carefully fixing the bride’s hair were none other than the groom’s mother and Kairos’s younger sisters.

Eventually Liliana appeared, looking awkward. She had put her hair up many times before, but never had it been so beautifully twisted, tied, and adorned with a flower crown.

The wind touching her smooth, long neck felt unfamiliar, but the blushing bride kept lowering her eyes. Not just because the groom was staring at her in a daze.

People with instruments appeared from somewhere. It might have been suspicious, but people already in good spirits were dancing.

Someone with musical knowledge would have recognized that these were sophisticated arrangements of famous local tunes, but what did it matter? On a wedding day, with plenty of alcohol, meat, and honey, wouldn’t even banging an overturned pot with a spoon be enough?

The commotion subsided a little only when the priest arrived. He was a tall, middle-aged priest, and the village priest who went out to greet him seemed somehow nervous.

Beside the man was a nun with reddish-blonde hair, and both the bride and groom welcomed her warmly. Before anyone could wonder what their relationship was…

The oil boiled vigorously. Skilled women used long tongs to drop pieces of dough. They took out the fiercely boiling fritters, dipped them in honey, swirled them around, and pulled them out.

When the well-fried bread and well-warmed sticky honey pastries were served, the nun was quickly pushed out of people’s attention.

By the time the priest appeared at the altar, people were adequately full, and both their faces and spirits were flushed.

Although it took three times longer because people clapped and cheered after each declaration, Kairos and Liliana still became husband and wife.

The bride and groom dance. Maria weeps with joy.

Children suck their fingers sticky with honey and oil, while the elders, still not tired of it, continue to chew the peppered meat. Beside them, an old dog and a short-legged puppy gnaw on tasty meat.

People hold hands and circle the square. The performers, having had a drink or two, play tunes casually but more entertainingly.

The apple blossoms in the orchard bloom profusely, swaying gently.

This year looks promising.