episode_0177

Ruyef’s blue eyes were resolute.

Like looking at a clear sky without a single cloud. Like the infinite ceiling always spread above our heads. A firm, unshakeable will could be felt.

“I’m sorry, Ritsu.”

After speaking so confidently, he added a superfluous remark at the end.

“I egged you on, telling you not to despair but to take revenge instead, and now I’m the one bailing out first. I wouldn’t blame you if you cursed at me.”

“No, don’t misunderstand.”

In front of a friend with such resolve, I also needed to speak firmly.

“I’m the one who chose revenge.”

“……”

Even if Ruyef hadn’t pushed me, I would have followed this destiny someday. It would merely have been a difference in timing.

If you thought I would give up on Tia so easily….

You were wrong.

Even if I’m thrown off a cliff countless times.

I will climb back up until the very end.

No one knows where the end of this journey will be.

Perhaps the destination could be a very long distance, or a very long time.

There’s no guarantee that the path to the end will be as smooth as it has been so far.

Nevertheless, I will gladly walk that path.

Because that’s how I defined my life.

“From the start, I’ve only moved according to my own will. Whether you come with me or not doesn’t matter. You’ve decided to stay according to your own will as well… Whatever you choose, I won’t mind.”

“Is that so.”

Honestly, if I were to make a selfish calculation, it would have been better for Ruyef to follow me to the end.

Not only is it naturally better to have many than to be alone, but Ruyef possessed talents that I did not.

This friend was the one who protected me like an unshakeable rock when I sometimes got agitated.

This friend was also the one who followed without complaint and persevered when I doubted myself.

If Ruyef hadn’t been here, it would have taken a truly long time to get this far on my own.

“Thank you for understanding, Ritsu.”

“Now you’re the village chief of Breezedon, Ruyef. Please take good care of the village.”

I couldn’t have imagined a year ago that we would be facing each other like this, having such an honest conversation.

It feels truly foolish that I’d disliked and hated him until now.

Still, I think we’ve sorted things out well.

I don’t have much affection left for the people of Breezedon who drove Tia out. However, just as salmon that had gone as far as the Deseo Sea eventually struggle their way back up the small Dragonez River, I too had a debt of gratitude left in that village.

It was the place where I grew up, and the place my father tried to protect.

And… the place where memories with Tia remained.

There’s nothing sadder than one’s hometown, where life itself is woven, disappearing.

It’s a real relief that Ruyef said he would carry on Breezedon.

At least when this journey of revenge ends, I’ll have a place to return to.

I opened the money pouch.

Fortunately, enough funds had been gathered to rebuild the village. Wouldn’t this much money be enough to eat well for a year, repair old houses, cultivate fields, and even buy a few livestock?

For the skilled Ruyef, it wouldn’t be a difficult task at all.

I tightened the string again, closed the pouch, and handed it over to Ruyef.

“I don’t need it. Take it all.”

“……Thank you very much, Ritsu.”

*Thud.*

Ruyef received it with a grateful expression.

I didn’t regret it. I had gathered the money with this intention from the start.

I needed Fosao’s blood, and Ruyef needed money to rebuild his hometown.

It was simply returning to where it was needed.

Just as I was safely handing over my chieftainship and the money pouch to Ruyef.

*Creak-.*

Suddenly, the inn door opened a little.

We both turned to look.

“……”

A small face peeked out from the gap in the door.

It was Marie.

Judging by her expression… it seemed she had been eavesdropping on our conversation for quite some time.

Marie, who had entered the room, asked Ruyef.

“Oppa, aren’t you going with Ritsu Oppa anymore?”

“That’s right. I decided to stay.”

“-What about me?”

Ruyef raised an eyebrow.

His look suggested that the question itself was strange.

I thought so too.

If Ruyef, as her elder brother and guardian, was staying, then Marie would follow him.

It was as obvious as the ‘common sense’ that the sun rises in the east in the morning; it was so natural that I hadn’t even considered there could be another choice.

However, Marie, surprisingly, raised the question of why her opinion hadn’t been asked.

Ruyef replied bluntly.

“You’re staying too.”

“……Do I have to?”

“Yes.”

“I want to go with Ritsu Oppa.”

Just like in Taildon last time, Marie rebelled once more.

Considering Marie’s quiet and obedient nature, this was highly unusual.

Ruyef wasn’t used to this kind of reaction either. His face showed considerable surprise.

“What? Do you even know where Ritsu is trying to go right now?”

“Yes. I know. I heard he’s leaving Taildon and going to Charak.”

“Ritsu said that place is a mountain range as rough and rugged as the Dragonez canyon. Don’t you think that if you, with your weak body, come along, you’d only hold Ritsu back?”

“Oppa. Have I ever been a hindrance to you so far?”

Marie’s voice wasn’t accusatory. It was a pure voice, asking out of genuine curiosity.

Ruyef, frowning, rolled his eyes as if recalling their journey so far.

I also thought for a moment. But I couldn’t recall any instance where Marie had caused things to go wrong or made things inconvenient.

Instead, I only remembered things that Marie, because she was Marie, had been able to accomplish that we couldn’t.

“Alright. Well, you haven’t been a hindrance. But we don’t know what kind of path Ritsu will have to take going forward. It could be even harder than what we’ve done so far. It’s not something you can handle.”

“You’re so worried. And yet you’re going to send Ritsu Oppa off alone?”

Seeing a sibling quarrel firsthand was a rare opportunity.

Though to call it a ‘quarrel’… it seemed Ruyef was unilaterally losing.

“Ritsu. You say something.”

He must have realized he was no match for her, so he asked for my help.

“You don’t have to worry about me too much, Marie. I can go alone.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Marie lowered her head.

“…I’m scared.”

“Scared? Why?”

“Ritsu Oppa is chasing after Tia Unnie, right? So, the closer you get to Tia Unnie, won’t you hurt like that again?”

“……”

I couldn’t answer.

Because I couldn’t be sure either.

I’m sitting here calmly now, but as I read Tia’s memories in the future, I might gradually lose my grip on reason and go mad.

Who would hold me back then? Ruyef and Marie have kept me grounded so far, but if I’m alone, there will be no one left to help.

And yet… do I have the right to say I can set off alone?

“I’m sorry, Marie. I’m so lacking that I made you worry.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Marie tightly clasped her small hands over her chest.

“Every time Ritsu Oppa hurts, my heart hurts too…. I want to help you.”

What more could I say?

I turned my head to look at Ruyef. He thought deeply, then let out a heavy sigh.

He knew he could never break his sister’s will anyway, and his face showed resignation.

“What will you do, Ritsu?”

Well. Perhaps each of us made our own choice.

Ruyef would stay. I would go my own way. And Marie would follow me.

The three of us had thus set our own directions.

“Well, alright. Just as you entrusted Breezedon to me, I should be able to entrust something to you too.”

*Thud.*

Ruyef’s hand rested on my shoulder.

“Take good care of my sister.”

* * *

The next day.

As always, two backpacks were placed on the floor.

One was mine, and the other was Ruyef’s. But as of today, Ruyef’s backpack had a new owner.

“Ugh-.”

Even though the weight had been greatly reduced so Marie could carry it, it looked very awkward once she put it on her shoulder.

It was like a little kid who had playfully tried on their father’s clothes, perhaps. The backpack was too big for her body.

“Can you walk?”

“I’m okay.”

She answered bravely, but we’d know how it truly was once we started walking.

I checked everything meticulously once more. Were there any worn spots on the shoes? Were the clothes new? Were all the necessary items for a long journey packed? I looked through them several times, completing the preparations.

I needed to be more careful than I had ever been.

The place Marie and I were heading was ‘Mesrode’.

Because we had to walk the very path Tia had taken with the tribute delegation.

“Ritsu.”

Just as we were about to depart, Ruyef appeared from behind.

He didn’t speak at length. Briefly and concisely, he bade us farewell.

“Go, and when everything is over, let’s drink together.”

“…Alright.”

“Marie, you too. Always stay safe.”

“Yes, Oppa. I’ll be back.”

Lastly, I tightly fastened the Rose Sabre to my waist.

I turned my back and walked.

*Thump. Thump.*

Leaving Ruyef, who watched our backs until the very end with his arms crossed.

We slowly headed towards the outskirts of Taildon.

The feeling wasn’t new.

With every step, it felt as if destiny was slowly thumping its way into my chest.

I raised my head.

In the far distance, the faint shadow of a dark mountain range could be seen on the horizon.

Was Tia… there?

*Tap.*

On the back of my hand, chilled by the morning air, a warm touch suddenly rested.

It was Marie’s hand.

“……”

My mind snapped alert as if by magic.

I shook my head and started walking again.

Perhaps… this journey wouldn’t be as lonely as I had thought.