*****
NOVELASIUS
- TL: the guild
- Discord: https://discord.gg/GBKEa55867
- Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/topasius
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ENJOY~ PYUUN~
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Long Live the Queen (3)
The moment Tates reached out his hand, it was clear that he could kill her with his bare hands.
‘I should have asked.’
Miriam thought of the visions Ria Pal had shown her, wondering if they were truly the future. What did those wistful gazes mean? Why did he try so hard to push her away? Regrets swirled in her mind, but there were no choices left. As she closed her eyes, a flood of thoughts passed by, but even after all that, the pain she expected didn’t come. Miriam opened her eyes.
“…”
Tates Valtazar was standing there, smirking as he held Ria Pal.
“Aren’t you going to kill me?”
“There are plenty of reasons to kill you, but this is quite a monumental occasion.”
“What do you mean…?”
Miriam’s expression was puzzled by Tates’ actions. She had abandoned her quest for revenge and was no longer his ally. In fact, she could be seen as a traitor, having been persuaded by his enemy, Korin Lork. As his former ally, she knew many of his secrets—about the Frost Giants, the North Kingdom alliance, and the revival of the World Tree—any of these would have been reason enough to kill her.
“I was quite surprised that ‘your fate changed.’ Your future was never certain, but the end was always the same.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Oh, just the ramblings of an old man.”
His demeanor and actions were clearly unusual. It was certain that she would now become his enemy, so why was he acting this way?
“Information…?”
“Go ahead and tell whoever you want. Korin Lork likely already knows anyway.”
With that, Tates stepped out onto the terrace, as if retrieving Ria Pal was his only purpose from the start.
“Next time we meet, we’ll be enemies.”
Tates jumped off the terrace, leaving Miriam standing there, bewildered by what had just happened.
“Not going to kill her?” Ohad’s voice came from behind. He had recently returned from Merkabah, where he had been inspecting the Rune of Origin – T, and was now casually sipping wine in the royal capital.
“Let’s leave her alive as a memento. It was quite unexpected that she survived.”
“Is it a love that defied fate? Romantic, but she could become a bothersome enemy.”
Tates only smiled enigmatically. Ohad, though aware of the romanticist’s inclinations, was still puzzled by his actions.
“I thought you were planning to kill the youngest.”
Erin Danua. The last divine king of this era. She had a rightful claim to the hidden paradise beyond dimensions. Unlike Tates, who could only play trivial tricks with the Rune of Origin, she could summon the paradise herself if she wished. Tates Valtazar sought to usurp the throne and steal the king’s authority for this very reason.
To fulfill his goal of bringing about the complete destruction and rebirth of the world, Erin Danua’s death was essential.
“That was the plan.”
“The plan?”
“Knowing my commandment, they would have made their move then. Anyone else would have taken the bait…”
Tates stopped walking, his gaze turning towards Miriam’s palace.
“I want to face him head-on in a full battle. It will be an incredible fight.”
“Hah… I’ve fought him, but he wasn’t strong enough to be a match for you. I could have killed him myself.”
“This time, it’s different.”
Ohad was likely the only one who understood the cryptic meaning behind Tates’ words. He shook his head.
“Knowing too much can be a nuisance. If it were me, I would have killed him immediately.”
“You’re lacking in romance, former king.”
“You have too much of it. Do you really think he’ll come to you? What if he just takes the Rune of Origin and disappears? It would be hard to find him.”
Ohad’s skepticism was clear. They didn’t have the Rune of Origin or the treasures required for the coronation yet. Despite that, Tates was confident that they would come to him.
“They’ll come. Both of them… are romantics like me.”
He trusted his fated opponent. That grinning, friendly man had always been like that. That man would overcome every trial and disadvantage to reach him. This time, he would not be disappointed.
Regardless, Tates had no intention of changing the fate he had decided upon. He raised his hand towards the rising sun as if to seize it.
Come, my destined opponent. My nemesis. I am in the north. Let us engage in a battle so fierce it will melt the permafrost.
The chaos of the hidden world began to subside, the morning arriving despite all the preparations and anxiety.
“It seems the future has changed.”
“It wasn’t completely unexpected.”
There was always the possibility that Tates Valtazar wouldn’t come. Unlike the last time, his forces were depleted, and aside from the old church, his allies had fallen. Dun Skai, Fermack Daman, the Sword Demon—none of them were alive. It was safe to say that his actual power had been halved. Given how much had changed, it was possible he might abandon his attack.
“But… it was an ideal opportunity for him.”
Tates Valtazar’s goal was to bring forth the paradise. To achieve this, he needed to obtain the eight Runes of Origin that made up Tir Na Nog and the four treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann, which were the key to the coronation. Most importantly, he needed to kill the current divine king, my master.
The timing couldn’t have been better for him to unleash chaos on the academy using the Rune of Origin – T to open the entrance to paradise.
“Is it over…?”
Despite the relief I felt, there was a deep sense of anxiety within me.
“Are you alright?”
My master approached, concern in her voice. It was exactly two years ago. She had led Sihoo, myself, and the others to safety. The city was burning, and the academy was engulfed in chaos. The shadow beasts had overwhelmed our defenses, and countless monsters poured in, accompanied by the agonizing screams of the fallen. My master had shown us only her back as she fought, and I believed it would be the last time I saw her.
“Master.”
“Yes?”
“May I… hug you for a moment?”
“W-What? So suddenly?!”
She seemed taken aback by my sudden request, but I didn’t wait for her permission. I pulled her into a tight embrace. The warmth of her body, the softness of her cheek against my neck… it made me realize she was alive.
“I’m sorry… can I just stay like this for a moment?”
“A-Ah… um…”
She struggled for a moment, then gently hugged me back.
“It’s alright… I’m here.”
“…”
I had been so anxious. Even with all the preparation, even after devising the most advantageous conditions, I was still afraid. If we failed, if I fell short, she would surely sacrifice herself for me. I couldn’t allow it to happen again. I couldn’t fail twice. Knowing the future, having already experienced that despair, losing her again would be unbearable.
“This isn’t over yet… but I feel relieved.”
There must be a reason Tates Valtazar didn’t show up. The danger isn’t over.
“I’ll protect them. I’ll risk everything to protect them.”
Marie, Arisha, Hua Ran… anyone could be lost at any time. So I can’t relax. I have to anticipate his moves and prepare—
“Thank you. I’m always grateful and sorry.”
“Master… why?”
“For putting too much burden on you. For how hard you work to save people.”
She pulled away slightly, looking straight at me, sunlight streaming down around her. Her face wasn’t just gentle this time… there was something bittersweet in her expression.
“I am blessed.”
She spoke as the last Ard Rí left in the world, a divine king who wandered the earth, protecting justice for centuries.
“I met you, and you protected me. This long life was worth it because it led me to you.”
She placed her hands on my face, her cheeks blooming with a soft blush.
“I was supposed to be dead by now, wasn’t I? But look, I’m alive, standing before you.”
“I know how much you’re relieved and happy that I survived. I know how much you’d do for me, and though I feel guilty… I’m also incredibly happy.”
“My disciple. My beloved disciple. Korin, who vowed to walk with me and protect me. I’ll make a vow too, for you and for myself.”
She closed her eyes and kissed me, a gesture filled with love and devotion. When our lips parted, her smile filled my vision.
“I will survive. My duty is to live and walk with you, to make sure you never have to grieve. I’ll give everything I have for that.”
“So… treasure your life more than anything. Think of those who would be hurt if you were hurt. Worry about me.”
“My beloved Korin. Let’s be together, for each other’s sake.”
I was at a loss for words.
I’ve already lost her and many others. I know that despair. I know what it feels like to look back at those I couldn’t save, even though I could have. But this time will be different. This time, I will save everyone.
My commandment was that vow, and I was ready to lay down my life for it. It was my way of atoning for the lives lost because I failed to recognize the threat that Park Sihoo posed.
But she didn’t tell me to stop. She asked me to join her.
“Thank you. You always give me strength, Master.”
“Not Master.”
“What?”
“Call me by my name. I’m your companion now… yes, so please, call me by my name.”
“Uh… Erin?”
Erin smiled warmly at my awkward attempt.
“I like how that sounds. Just being called by my name… it tickles my ears and makes my heart race.”
“Master?”
As I began to speak, her slender fingers pressed against my lips.
“Erin.”
“E-Erin…”
“Yes, Korin.”
She called my name as if savoring something sweet, her expression filled with joy. Then she leaned in and kissed me gently on the lips.
A fleeting touch. A brief moment.
And yet, that short moment felt so long… When our lips finally parted and we stepped back, we couldn’t hide our flushed faces.
“E-Erin…?”
“O-Oh…”
Erin’s fingers lightly brushed over her lips as if she couldn’t believe what she had just done. Then, suddenly flustered, she stood up abruptly.
“Whew… This isn’t good for my heart. Really… not good. That’s it for today.”
“Erin—”
“That’s it for today! From now on, just call me Master again!”
“Wait, what…?”
“That’s enough! Now, call me Master!”
Erin playfully tapped my forehead and fanned her flushed face with her hand.
“Whew… whew…! I’m tired! I’m going home to sleep!”
Before I could say anything, she jumped off the clock tower. If it hadn’t been her, I would have thought she was committing suicide with such a carefree leap.
“Uh… Master, wait for me!”
I jumped down after her. We could have just used the stairs, but…
“W-Why are you following me?!”
“Well… we’re going the same way, right?”
“Ah… I see… then, let’s go together.”
“…Okay.”
“…”
“…”
We both walked in silence, awkwardly glancing up at the sky.
After the Harvest Festival and Tates Valtazar’s sudden visit, Miruam felt the emptiness in her heart more keenly. The Ria Pal, the stone of coronation, was gone. Through it, she had seen countless unknowable scenes.
“You foolish woman… I told you to wait.”
“I wanted to have our child… I’m sorry. I’m sorry…”
“You were my destiny. I realized it too late…”
“…”
Even though the stone was gone, she remembered those visions vividly. She saw herself grieving, having fulfilled her mission but lost everything. And she remembered how he had grieved for her.
She had planned to bury those memories deep within. To ignore them and forget. But she couldn’t forget, and on the day Tates came to visit, when she felt death approaching, those memories resurfaced like regrets.
“…December 25th.”
This year. That day.
The approaching 25th.
“What… should I do?”
Now she knew.
That had become her regret.
And because of that, she felt a sense of obligation to find out.
“Korin Lork.”
What should she do… about that man?
As the date approached, Miruam was lost in contemplation.
*****
NOVELASIUS
- TL: the guild
- Discord: https://discord.gg/GBKEa55867
- Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/topasius
*****
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