episode_0076

“What?”

“People said I died?”

A chill ran down my spine at the incomprehensible words.

“I’m the one who doesn’t know what you’re talking about. Why would I be dead?”

“Well…”

“Tia!”

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind.

Turning my head, I saw my Master standing there.

“Master!”

“Oh my goodness…! You’re alive!”

My Master threw the object he was holding and ran over.

Then he hugged me tightly.

“Huh…?!”

“Thank goodness…! Really, thank goodness!”

I was able to hear the whole story from my Master.

When the news that the tribute convoy had been annihilated reached Taildan.

Taildan’s Lord immediately ordered mercenaries to be dispatched to help with the aftermath.

My Master also went to the attack site to look for me. He couldn’t find a girl’s body, but he found my bag and brought it back.

It seemed they had practically concluded that I was dead.

Even if I had survived, it would have been impossible for a young girl alone to survive in the rugged mountains of Charrak.

They had held onto the possibility of me being kidnapped by bandits, but since the bandits’ identity, scale, or whereabouts hadn’t been revealed, they didn’t have the capacity to form a subjugation team.

“But how did you come back?”

“Well… it just happened by chance.”

“By chance?”

“While the convoy stopped for a moment, I went up the mountain, and that’s when the bandits attacked, so I barely managed to avoid being discovered. After that, I crossed Charrak to Rotenban… and went all the way to Deseo to safely bring back the medicine.”

Although much of the story was omitted, my Master nodded without much suspicion.

His gaze simply showed gratitude for the fact that I was alive.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No. I’m perfectly fine.”

I stretched out my body and spun around to show that I didn’t have a single scratch.

“Haha! It’s a relief to hear you’ve been well. How was Deseo? Wasn’t it scary?”

“Not at all! It was actually fun! It was my first time in such a big city, so it was quite hard to adapt when I first arrived… But, well, it turns out people live there too-.”

“Ahahahah!!”

His hearty laughter echoed loudly.

“Tia is truly amazing, as expected. Really amazing…”

“You’re the amazing one, Master! Do you know how many crises I overcame thanks to your name? And why did you keep it a secret that you were such an incredible person back in your prime?”

“What’s important about the name of an aging Swordsman? Still, if this useless name was helpful to you… it seems ‘Bin Carlos’ didn’t live in vain.”

*Tap.*

Suddenly, my Master placed his hand on my head.

“Tia.”

“Yes.”

“I am truly grateful that my disciple has returned healthy and unharmed.”

“Hehe-.”

My Master, who had been stroking my hair, stood up.

“You need to give Ritsu the medicine now, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Then I can’t keep you any longer. Hurry back to Breezedon. When Ritsu gets a little better, come down together and we can talk about all the things we haven’t told each other.”

“Okay-! I’ll be back soon!”

“Alright.”

My Master smiled contentedly and waved his hand.

To return to Breezedon, I crossed the streets of Taildan.

Vincent kept buzzing around me, chattering excitedly.

Thanks to him, I was able to hear all the news about the incidents and accidents that had occurred in Taildan while I was away.

Hearing the little boy’s voice, other children also appeared one by one.

Their reactions were all the same. They trembled and ran away, shouting, “It’s a ghost!”

Fortunately, this time Vincent explained on my behalf, saving me the trouble of repeating myself.

“Unnie, Unnie! Tia Unnie! Ritsu Hyung, is he really alive?”

“What happened? I heard Unnie caught a bear?”

I didn’t think it was something to brag about, but they said the rumor that I fought a bear had spread widely in Taildan for a while.

The children said they had made a bet on whether it was true or not and needed my testimony.

Sigh-. Why is that heartbreaking incident for me being mentioned even in the children’s bets in Taildan?

I don’t really want to talk about it, but it’s not the kids’ fault, so I guess it’s fine.

“That’s right. I fought a bear.”

“See! I told you so!”

“Tia Unnie is so strong! She’s a hero!”

…A hero?

I’m not such a great person.

I can’t be called that, not after I dragged Ritsu into danger.

“The hero is… Ritsu.”

“Huh?”

The chattering children looked up at me.

“Thanks to Ritsu. I’m alive.”

“Ritsu Oppa? What did Oppa do?”

I gripped the ruby necklace tightly.

“He protected me.”

The children exclaimed ‘Wow-‘ and their eyes sparkled.

“So, call Ritsu a hero.”

“Okay! Understood, Unnie!”

“Ritsu Hyung is a hero!”

“Well then, kids, I’ll be going now.”

“Bye-!”

Receiving the kind farewells of the Taildan children, I climbed the hill once more.

*Crunch. Crunch.*

Finally, at last.

This is the way back home.

The tranquil scent of the forest thrilled my hands and feet.

The wind rustled past, bringing the sound of insects singing from over the mountain pass.

Even though it was a dim evening, I wasn’t scared at all.

Even this bag I brought from Deseo felt as light as a feather.

“Huu-.”

After walking diligently, the sign ‘Breezedon’ appeared at the village entrance.

My heart swelled.

“Finally…”

I wanted to shout cool lines like, “I’m here-!!” but.

Just in case the elders were startled, I decided to suppress this joy for now.

I walked lightly along the narrow path.

Everything felt nostalgic and welcoming.

The cabins, the small vegetable gardens, stone walls, firewood stacks, chicken coop, and cattle trough.

Everything was just as it was, and at the same time, everything was familiar.

Tears welled up without my knowing.

Finally… I’ve returned home.

A small murmur of voices could be heard from somewhere.

Hurrying in that direction, I saw the elders chattering around a bonfire.

All their faces were welcome sights.

I ran towards them with all my might, shouting.

“Everyone-! I’m here-!”

Marvin Uncle stood up, startled.

“Tia? Is that really you?”

“Oh, my goodness! Tia-?”

“How could you…”

Just as Vincent had shown earlier, everyone was startled as if they had seen a ghost.

It seemed the elders also thought I had died with that tribute convoy.

After explaining this and that, that I wasn’t a ghost but Tia, alive and well.

And after correctly saying each of the elders’ names.

Merid Aunt opened her arms.

“…Welcome. Tia.”

“Aunt!”

I hugged her tightly.

It was sweet.

The smell of earth on Aunt’s clothes. And this smell on her apron was…

They must have all baked and eaten rye bread together this evening.

Ah, it’s so good.

I’m happy…

“Tia Unnie-?”

Marie screamed as soon as she saw me.

“Is it really Tia Unnie?!”

“Marie! Hehe. Have you been well?”

She ran over like a puppy and hugged me tightly.

“I missed Unnie…”

“I missed Marie so much too!”

While I hugged Marie tightly and stroked her hair…

Ruyef also appeared behind her.

“Loop!”

“You’re alive. Tia.”

“Yeah.”

Ruyef watched me silently, then quietly pointed to the house behind him.

It was Sherry Aunt’s house.

I immediately understood what that meant.

The reason I had left this village.

And it was a gesture telling me to go to the person who would be happiest to hear that I had returned first.

I nodded.

“Thank you. Ruyef.”

“…”

Ruyef turned away expressionlessly.

I greeted everyone, picked up my bag, and vigorously climbed the hill.

I went straight into Sherry Aunt’s house.

*Burst open!*

Sherry Aunt, who had been dozing in her chair, sprang up in surprise.

“Oh my! T-Tia…?”

“Hello. I’m here!”

“Is this… a dream, or reality?”

“Reality, of course-!”

“You… weren’t dead?”

“No! I’m alive!”

The startled Sherry Aunt soon smiled warmly, her eyes welling up.

“Yes. Seeing you so lively, it really is Tia… Hehe…”

“Why are you crying?!”

“Because I’m so relieved… And it reminds me of the past…”

Aunt stroked my cheek.

“You… really resemble Rina. When Rina traveled so far away. When Rina, whom everyone thought was dead, returned to the village… I felt this same kind of joy.”

“…”

“I’m sorry. I said something unnecessary.”

“No. Thank you for telling me about my mom.”

In the past, I wouldn’t have known how to react to such words.

But now, I could proudly and confidently accept my mom’s actions.

Because I knew that my mom was truly an amazing person.

“Ritsu is in the room. Go say hello to him.”

“Yes!”

I carefully opened the door.

And I could see the scene.

On the bed I had used until a few months ago.

Ritsu lay there quietly.

“…”

My tongue felt stiff.

Other than his hair having grown long.

Ritsu was just as he was.

I carefully approached and stared down at Ritsu.

What kind of dream could he be having?

What kind of dream would make Ritsu sleep for so long?

It must be a good dream.

So happy that he subconsciously doesn’t want to wake up.

Even with me back, he’s probably sleeping soundly like a baby bird, right?

“I’m back… Ritsu.”

I whispered that into his ear, but.

Ritsu remained silent, without even a breath.

His closed eyelids.

His prominent nose.

His tightly closed lips.

His sharp jawline.

A smile naturally bloomed.

Ritsu, do you know something?

I’ve seen countless men in Deseo.

From beggars in back alleys to wealthy elites and arrogant nobles.

But not a single man. None were as kind and handsome as Ritsu, you know?

Funny, isn’t it?

Coming back from a short trip, I was able to understand my feelings even more clearly.

That I like Ritsu the most, more than anyone.

I knelt down and opened my bag.

Among the tightly wrapped clothes, a small medicine bottle was carefully hidden, as precious as a heart.

I took out the medicine bottle with both hands.

Under the soft lamplight, the transparent liquid shimmered.

Dienbus.

I traveled for 50 days.

Overcoming life-threatening dangers, running a long distance…

And returned to Ritsu.

“Ritsu.”

This medicine is both atonement for myself.

And proof of my love for you.

*Pop.*

I popped the cork and slowly held Ritsu’s jaw.

I gently parted his lips and tilted the bottle into his mouth.

*Trickle.*

As if breathing life into a frozen body, as if watering a tender new sprout.

I let the medicine seep in very slowly.

Until the stream ended and the very last drop. I put it into Ritsu’s mouth.

Soon, the small medicine bottle was completely empty.

For this fleeting moment that was only a blink of an eye.

I had journeyed for all that long time.

“…Hic, hic…”

…But.

I was so happy that my tears wouldn’t stop.

Because if I just waited a little longer, I would see Ritsu smiling brightly.

Because I would be able to see the man I loved the most again.

I truly think I am the happiest woman in the world.

*Slide.*

I rested my head on Ritsu’s chest.

I could hear his very slow heartbeat.

…Thump. Thump.

Listening to that beautiful sound of life, I slowly closed my eyes.

“Wake up now… you sleepyhead.”