Chapter 1056: Picnic (19)

The fun atmosphere suddenly became solemn.

“I really… really… hope this time would never end,” I added.

It sounded sad, and although I wasn’t crying, my eyes looked like tears were going to well up in them anytime soon. My gaze also looked meaningful. Of course, this wasn't a positive sight.

Moreover, my words meant that I knew this moment was going to end at some point.

Elias had to have noticed that as well.

‘He knows that I know.’

Elias wasn't questioning when and how I had discovered it. It also seemed that he wasn't worried about the possibility that he was being too obvious.

He was staring at the red thread on his left finger, and I could deduce that he had become aware of my feelings.

“But it will end at some point, right?” I asked.

“...”

“This dream will scatter like dust someday,” I added.

I was screaming at him to deny it and that my words weren’t true, but the heartless jerk ignored my screams. He remained quiet and avoided my gaze by looking into the distance.

“...”

“...”

“All right… shall we get going?” I suggested.

“Sure,” Elias answered.

“Where should we go next?” I asked.

We both got up as if nothing had happened.

‘Hang in there, Ki-Yeon.’

'Cheer up and work hard… try to make this the happiest day of your life. And don’t forget to smile. It’s not over yet. There might… still be hope.'

Tears were welling up in my eyes, and I was trying to hold them back.

I became determined while we were walking down the street. I believed there was hope, and I chuckled as the two of us continued on our date while "holding" hands. I was forcing myself to be happy by having fun daydreams.

Lore-wise, Lee Ki-Yeon was strong regardless of her trials and tribulations, and I had to act that way right now.

“Come to think of it, have you heard of the Rainbow Cotton Candy?” Elias asked.

“

Huh?

I heard of it before…” I answered.

“It’s famous for being the favorite dessert of the Democratic Country's Honorary Cardinal. I heard it’s only sold on the famous streets of Lindel, but it looks like they've started selling them in Laves,” he explained.

‘I actually want to stop eating cotton candy, damn it. I really didn’t expect this. Everyone is talking about cotton candy.’

“What… flavor is this?” I asked.

“Do you like it?” Elias asked.

“It’s delicious. It’s really delicious,” I replied.

‘And I’m tired of it, damn it.’

“Come to think of it, do you watch movies often?” I asked as we ate our Rainbow Cotton Candy.

“No, I don’t really watch movies, but I heard that

How the Alchemist and the Genius Swordsman Loves

has gotten really popular among the young elves these days. No, it’s actually popular all over the continent—

Ah!

What about you, Miss Ki-Yeon?” he asked.

“I prefer plays more than movies. Whenever I watch plays, it feels like I'm working together with them, and I'm one of the actors…” I answered.

“That’s a relief,” Elias mumbled.

“What?”

“I heard there’s a popular play today,” Elias answered.

“

Oh

, really?” I asked.

“Yes.”

We headed to the theater while talking about our hobbies.

‘Not bad, but it’s kind of historically wrong.’

The play was about the Sunset Swordsman's awakening during the 27th Legion Summoning.

The play was titled

"Sunset of the Two People."

I wasn’t sure if they had been funded to do this, but it was a story about the Sub Guild Master of the Blue Guild's attempts to awaken the sleeping guild master, who retreated into the deepest recesses of his mind.

It was a touching story depicting Lee Ki-Young's offer to carry the burden with Kim Hyun-Sung, who was afraid of responsibilities.

It looked like they had reimagined that touching story, and they had to have received a lot of funds because the production quality was pretty high.

“Damn it… damn it! Don’t imitate him! Don’t imitate him, damn it! Don’t show up to me looking like that, and don't force me to take responsibility! Don’t force me to take on those burdens.

"I never said I wanted to start over again. I never asked to start over again! Leave me alone! Please stop! Leave me alone! Stop trying to make me take responsibility, you bastard! Don’t… force the responsibility on me! Damn it! Damn it!”

“...”

“Please stop… please… please don’t put those burdens on me while looking like him…”

He had actually uttered those words, and now that I thought about it, he had truly improved immensely. Actually, he was practically cured of his illness.

“No one has ever told you to take responsibility, and no one has any right to tell you that. I understand that people’s expectations can feel a bit burdensome sometimes and that it’s difficult to endure things when they’re too heavy to bear. There’s no need to feel stressed all by yourself. We can carry the weight together.”

“...”

“I’ll help you carry the burden.”

These lines were almost the same, and they were pretty aggressive with the production.

Lonovera’s production at the time wasn’t bad, but there were special effects made out of mana for this production, so I could see the radiant sunset on the stage.

The audience members sitting with us stared agape.

‘The actor isn’t as handsome, so it's a shame.’

***

“That was so entertaining; I think it's because it was based on a real event. I've heard of the 27th Legion Summoning incident so many times before, but I had no idea that something like that had actually happened.

"Come to think of it, haven’t you met those two?” I asked.

“I've met them, but not privately. Of course, we do meet occasionally in public. Of course, we don't meet often…” Elias added.

“What are they like?” I asked.

“

Hm

… the Sub Guild Master of the Blue Guild is a man of deep faith, worthy of his title as a saint. He always thinks about others before himself, and he is extremely considerate. He’s also

very

delicate. There were times when he was so unstable that I thought he was going to collapse.

"However, he becomes stronger than anyone else during a crucial moment,” he answered.

‘He’s nice. I kind of like him.’

“What about the guild master?” I asked.

“It’s hard to describe him. There’s something…” Elias paused.

“What?”

“I don’t know if I should tell you this… but I feel like he’s no different from ordinary humans,” Elias continued.

“That’s…”

“Sometimes… I think about how glad I am that he has the sub guild master. It’s my first time telling someone this… but the Guild Master of the Blue Guild can become the Sunset Swordsman—a hero, in other words, but he can also turn into evil.

"If it hadn't been for the honorary cardinal, I'm sure he would have turned into a slaughterer instead of a hero…” Elias explained.

“Hey… no way,” I commented.

‘This jerk is hopeless.’

Anyway, we experienced many things while talking about many topics. We walked on long trails and sat quietly in a high place while looking over the city. We also visited an art gallery where we admired and talked about the work of the elves and other races.

“This artist is still active,” Elias informed me.

“What? But this was… created two hundred years ago—

Ah

, right,” I said.

There were many things we could do in the city, but he was considerate of me because he planned many quiet activities for us to do.

“

Ah,

that’s pretty.” I pointed out.

“I’ll buy it for you,” Elias offered.

“No, it’s fine. If you do that, it makes it seem like I’m begging you to buy it for me…” I told him.

“It’s fine. I just really want to… buy it for you,” Elias said.

“Then… you don’t mind if I accept your gift?” I asked.

“I don’t mind,” Elias answered.

“Then I’ll give you this,” I said.

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

We stopped by the shopping center and looked around. When it was time to eat again, we went to a decent restaurant and drank wine. When we became tipsy, we had an honest, heart-to-heart conversation. It was a picture-perfect date.

“This day feels so short,” I commented.

This day was actually really long.

‘It’s because there are many things I have to do.’

At this point, this was work rather than a vacation. My idea of a vacation was spending time doing nothing but reading. However, I had no choice but to do something else, as our plan was already underway.

“You think so?” Elias asked.

“Yes. Maybe it’s because I'm with you, but a day normally feels

really

long for me. It’s like that whenever I’m working and sleeping as well as whenever I’m alone. Today… felt really short,” I answered.

“...”

“Our time together… felt so short. Really. I can’t believe how short it was… Maybe that’s why I feel even sadder,” I added.

“Miss Ki-Yeon…”

This was the end of our happy and dream-like day.

I touched the ruby-colored wine glass and smiled bitterly at the realization. Of course, Elias wasn’t all that different. He seemed nervous, but he looked like he wanted to end this once and for all.

It was time.

“Miss Ki-Yeon, I have something to tell you,” Elias said.

“...”

“You see…” Elias paused.

“...”

“Well…

Whoo…

So…” Elias mumbled.

“You don’t have to tell me,” I told him.

“What?”

“...”

“...”

“I already knew,” I said.

“...”

“Whenever we were together, you always seemed like you were thinking… about someone else, Mr. Elias. I’m kind of quick-witted,” I explained.

“...”

“It’s funny, right? I clearly told you that I didn’t want to become a mere replacement, but now, I don’t mind being a replacement at all. We've only met a few times, and we’re just acquaintances, so… I must be out of my mind,” I said.

“I’m sorry,” Elias said.

“You don’t need to apologize. This was bound to happen. I was being… kind of… greedy because I've been holding onto you despite knowing the truth. Actually, I knew you'd be surprised, and I kind of went too far, but…” I paused.

“...”

“But I didn’t want to miss this opportunity. No, I couldn’t miss out on this opportunity. I wasn’t lying about the red thread of destiny. I truly believe that a string of fate connects you and me. I believe it… even now…” I continued.

“I believe it as well, but Miss Ki-Yeon. Please listen to me. Did Elune—”

Start crying!

“Please don't make me feel miserable any longer,” I interrupted him.

“...”

Tears were flowing down my face, and I was feeling desperate.

The scene was so perfect that even I thought that it was the work of an artisan—that was how perfect it was. It hadn't even been twenty-four hours since we met, but the separation of lovers connected by the red string of fate was like the separation of a couple who had spent an eternity together.

“It was really fun,” I said, smiling as if everything was okay.

I was crying, but there was a small smile on my lips. Elias instinctively stretched out his hand toward me, but I moved his hand away and disappeared into the lights of Laves—the City of Dreams.

Just then, I heard an unfamiliar voice.

[You’re ready, my child.]

“W-Who… are you?” I asked.

[God of Sacrifice and Revival, this is Gela.]

“No. Immerse yourself in your own role. I need to send this to noona,” I replied.

[I-I’m sorry.]

“Who… Who are you? What… is this?” I questioned.

[I-I-I’m—

Cough

… I'm the deepest darkness inside you.]

‘That's a voice crack...’

“...”

[I’m the darkness in your abyss.]