Chapter 520. Farewell Festival (2)
Twilight saw Shalyh gradually enveloped by shadow and darkness. However, thanks to the light shining throughout the city, it wasn’t completely dark. Chi-Woo sat on a hill outside Shalyh with a clear view of the city’s landscape and looked at the city in motion. He became sentimental as he looked down at everyone laughing and enjoying themselves as he wished.
After some time, Chi-Woo murmured to himself and quietly got up. ‘Yeah, this is good enough. It’s not bad.’ He turned around and looked back at those waiting for him one by one. Evelyn, Flora, Wallie, and…
“Don’t you also have to return to your original place?” Chi-Woo tickled the lump on his shoulder with his index finger. Asha wriggled and twisted their body.
“So.” Chi-Woo smiled wryly and turned to the side. “Why are you all here?”
His visitors were beings familiar to him, but those who should not be in the Middle World.
—Well, we’re giving our farewells in a way.
It was a heavy and rough voice—the White Horse General’s voice.
—I also have a message for you.
—General, you’re being quite rude. Do you know in whose presence you are speaking?
—How can you talk like that to him?
“A message?” Of course, Chi-Woo asked without caring about the White Horse General’s attitude at all.
—I’m talking about Princess Sahee.
The White Horse General calmly continued.
—She asked me to tell you that she is anxiously waiting for you at the blue arch of heavens.
“Please tell her I won’t be going,” Chi-Woo answered immediately. Then, after thinking about it once more, he said, “Well, I guess I can go and visit if I want to.”
Surprisingly, the White Horse General didn’t look annoyed. Rather, he seemed to be holding back his laughter a bit, as if he was looking forward to her reaction when he delivered Chi-Woo’s response.
—…Yeah, I’ll make sure to tell her that.
“Then…” Chi-Woo turned around and made eye contact with someone. A woman with a gown draping over her body and a balance scale in one hand. It was La Bella. When their eyes met, La Bella put her hands together and bowed politely. He didn’t know whether she was thanking him for saving Liber or expressing her awe—perhaps it was both. Chi-Woo had finally earned La Bella’s respect, which he had never received since meeting her at the Evelaya Volcano. However, he didn’t feel particularly happy. Rather, he felt a bit bitter. While he pretended like this wasn’t the case, he realized again that he was not really human, but something else now. He had prepared himself. Still…
Anyway, it was now time for him to really return. If he wanted, he could immediately go back to Earth. He could teleport right to the front door of his house even before he could blink. However, Chi-Woo didn’t do this. He turned on his device by tapping his left wrist with his thumb. A white light encompassed Chi-Woo, and in an instant, light soared into the night sky like a shining shooting star and disappeared. The festival below was still ongoing. The light illuminated the hill that Chi-Woo and the others had stood on, but it was now empty.
* * *
As the night deepened, the festival, which seemed like it would last forever, gradually came to an end. When the night passed and dawn broke, the boisterous streets crowded with drunk people became quiet. They had either collapsed on the ground, returned home, or returned to where they needed to go. Of course, this was not the case for everyone. There were still people moving on and about, and Eshnunna was one of them.
After thinking all night, she finally made up her mind and stood up. Then she went looking for the one person she had thought about all throughout the night. However, no matter how hard she looked, she couldn’t find him. She searched every corner of the streets where the festival had taken place as well as the entire Shalyh at large, but didn’t even spot his shadow. The same was true when she went out of the city’s gate.
After returning to Shalyh at around dawn, Eshnunna had no choice but to admit it in the end. ‘Ah, he left. He really left like the wind. I was too late. I didn’t think I left that late.’
Of course, they had said their goodbyes before participating in the festival, but she had thought she would see him once more before he left. Disappointment and sadness mixed with all kinds of emotions crossed through her mind. Tears didn’t come. No, it was more accurate to say that she was just holding them in. If she opened her mouth even a little bit, Eshnunna thought tears would come bursting out nonstop, so she clenched her teeth hard and struggled to fight the tears. She just stood and stared at the now empty Seven Stars building. However, in the end, she couldn’t suppress it anymore, and tears flowed down her cheeks.
“Get out of my way and don’t just stand in the middle of the road.”
Dazed, Eshnunna was taken aback by the sudden chastisement. She felt someone hit her before walking past her, and her eyes widened when she turned to see a silver-haired girl. Judging by Hawa’s clothes and the large bag on her back, she seemed to be setting out on a trip.
“W-Where are you going?”
Hawa stopped at Eshnunna’s question, but didn’t reply. Instead, she stared at Eshnunna’s face. Eshnunna realized she had forgotten something under the piercing gaze. She hurriedly turned away and wiped her tears before quickly saying, “Come to think of it, the Shahnaz Tribe has also been revived, right? This is great timing as I have something to say to you. I talked to my father, and even though we’ve been fighting as mortal enemies, from now on…”
“Don’t care,” Hawa indifferently replied. “You people take care of that on your own. I’m not going back to my tribe.”
Eshnunna paused after clearing her throat. “What do you mean…?” She looked back at Hawa and asked, “Then what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to become a hero.”
Eshnunna blinked.
“That’s what I’ll be. A hero.” Hawa became irked; Eshnunna’s expression seemed to be strongly indicating that she was spouting nonsense, and that maybe she had too much to drink. “That woman said if we really wanted to meet again, I had to become a hero and go to the Celestial Realm.”
Eshnunna gaped in realization. On second thought, she had also heard Yunael, the fourth team leader, say that.
“So I’m going to be a hero. And not just any hero, but an amazing one that catches even the eyes of the Celestial Realm.” Hawa snorted and then tilted her head after letting out a long sigh. “Then…we can meet again,” she muttered to herself as she looked up at the slowly brightening sky. Then she left the Seven Stars zone behind and walked on without hesitation. Eshnunna stared at Hawa’s back as it moved further and further away. Those who did not know their circumstances might have told her to not joke around and laughed at her, questioning how she could be a hero.
‘I see.’ But why was it that Eshnunna could sympathize with and understand Hawa more than anyone else? ‘She felt the same way as me.’ Yeah, Hawa probably felt the same way and hoped that Chi-Woo wouldn’t go, or that he would at least forcefully take them with him like he had done with Flora.
However, Chi-Woo refused to do that flat out. Eshnunna understood the reason, but she was still disappointed and a bit angry. If he had forced her to go with him, she would have followed him, pretending that she had no choice. The thought had crossed her mind; seeing Hawa, however, she felt embarrassed. Although they were both rejected, Hawa wasn’t disappointed. She didn’t go around desperately looking for him to beg him to take her. Instead, Hawa had stepped back decisively and resolved to meet him again on her own terms, without borrowing anyone else’s power.
Eshnunna watched Hawa slowly walk toward her new journey, and her complicated and befuddled mind cleared. Although various worries and concerns came to mind at the moment, she shook them off. She didn’t want to miss her chance again after being swept by various worries. She now wanted to throw away all her duties and responsibilities and live as she wanted for once.
Thus, Eshnunna shouted, “Wait!”
Hawa, who had been slowly walking, stopped as if she had been waiting for this moment and turned around.
“I heard that heroes don’t travel alone.”
Hawa’s eyes widened.
“You said you’ll become a hero. Then you need a comrade worthy of that position.” Eshnunna crossed her arms, and Hawa’s eyes became a full circle. She slightly tilted her chin, as if she found Eshnunna’s proposal quite convincing. “…So what do you think?” Eshnunna continued, “Do you need a skillful mage as your comrade?”
Hawa snorted, and one corner of her mouth went up. Rather than mockery, Hawa seemed pleased by Eshnunna’s attitude.
“Wait for me here. I’ll be right back after I get ready.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter to me…but unlike me, don’t you have to go and tell your kingdom?”
“Wouldn’t there be a time when I can stop by later? I can tell them then. Anyway, wait for me! Don’t even think about leaving on your own.”
Hawa smirked as she watched Eshnunna quickly disappear into the building. She sat down with a shrug and waited for her. In the distant future—this was how the legend of the Empress of Salem, who would divide Liber into two, and the great prophet, who led the La Confederation, began.
* * *
Chi-Woo pressed the return button on his device, but did not immediately return to the Celestial Realm as there was a place he needed to stop by before that. There was something he needed to give back on the way as well. When Chi-Woo entered that space, he looked around, and his expression turned a little surprised. He found himself in a place that looked completely different from his memory. Rather than a space with a faint light that seemed as if it would shatter at any moment, there were trees, bushes, and flowers blooming everywhere. The whole place was brimming with lives, and it was beautiful.
Chi-Woo walked while the fragrance of flowers tickled his nose before coming to a stop. He waved at the three girls huddling together appreciating the flowers. Then a girl with short black hair glanced back and spotted Chi-Woo.
“Oh? It’s oppa!” She smiled brightly as soon as she saw him and ran to him. “Hi, oppa! It’s been a while!”
“Yeah, hi.” Chi-Woo also raised his hand and greeted Kabal with a wave. “I stopped by before I went back because I wanted to see you.”
“Oh my? Who? Is it me?”
Chi-Woo smiled at Kabal’s teasing tone and replied, “All three of you.” Then he asked, “How are you?” It was a short question, but one with a lot of implications.
“Good,” Kabal replied confidently. She had wished not to be forgotten and wanted to become an existence that everyone needed forever. Thus, at Chi-Woo’s recommendation, she became part of Liber’s World. The result was—perfect satisfaction.
“You can see for yourself.” No matter how much time passed, Kabal would never become obsolete or useless. As long as Liber survived, she would be forever necessary, and even more, she wasn’t lonely. “I’m happy. It’s the best!”
Chi-Woo looked around once and nodded. This place was probably the embodiment of the feelings of those who lived here. Otherwise, such a happy sight wouldn’t have been made. Then he heard a small sound behind him. When he turned around, Kabal smirked and immediately ran up to Balal and joined her. Then she succeeded in dragging out someone who was holding back with all her might and refusing to meet him.
“Ta-da!” She pushed Chi-Woo in the back toward a girl with a pretty flower wreath on her head. “What do you think? I’ve been working hard to dress her up since you’ll be dropping by someday.”
Chi-Woo looked at the shy girl with her hands on her head as if she was trying to cover the wreath. She was Liber’s World. The girl, who had been covered in injuries and looked as if she was going to disappear at any moment, thus inspiring feelings of pity, had changed into a cute and bright girl. The word ‘lovely’ was a perfect description for her.
“You look pretty.”
The girl’s eyes widened at Chi-Woo’s words.
“See. I told you that it’ll look pretty.” Kabal chuckled as she elbowed the girl, who was at a loss what to do.
Chi-Woo stared at the very shy girl, whose cheeks had turned red like an apple with round, wide eyes, and rummaged through his pocket. “Here, take this.” A seven-sided die was on the palm of his hand. It was the World’s Milestone that he had received when he entered Liber. He had hardly used it in the later part of his journey, but he couldn’t deny that it had significantly helped him in the beginning and the middle stage of his time on Liber.
“Thank you. I received a lot of help thanks to it.” Chi-Woo moved his hand, indicating her to take it back, but the girl hesitated. Chi-Woo tilted his head, and when he held out his palm further, she clutched it with both hands—not the die, but Chi-Woo’s hand. Then she tightly held onto it, as if telling him to not go. Only then did Chi-Woo realize her feelings and smiled broadly.
“I’ll visit again.”
The girl carefully looked up at Chi-Woo with a sullen expression. Chi-Woo read her sincere feelings from her tearful eyes and winked. “Yes, I really mean it. I promise.” It was only after he pinky-promised with her that she finally let go.
The girl dearly held the die and Asha. After hesitating for a long time, she mustered the courage to say, “You have to…come back and see me...” She spoke slowly but articulately. “I’ll show you…an even prettier…appearance, so…”
Chi-Woo burst into laughter. Since saving Liber, Chi-Woo had never laughed sincerely even once, but he couldn’t help but laugh this one time because of how proud he was of her. “Yeah, I’ll be looking forward to it.” Chi-Woo ruffled the flustered girl’s hair and messed it up. Then he turned around and disappeared into the light with the group waiting quietly behind him.
Soon after. “Is he gone?” Kabal confirmed that Chi-Woo was gone and fake coughed. “Hey, guys. Look at me.” Kabal drew the attention of the girl, who was still looking up at where Chi-Woo had disappeared into, and Balal, who was praying for Chi-Woo. She looked at them with half-opened eyes and struck the most seductive posture possible. Then she made a nasal sound as if she was copying someone. “Was it…I’ll show you…an even prettier…appearance? Ahhahahahaah!”
Balal looked at her with confusion before bursting into laughter. The girl’s face flushed. She glared at Kabal and chased after her as she quickly ran away, asking when she had ever said things like that.
“Kyahh! I’m kidding! Kidding!” As Kabal had said, it was a blissful sight seeing them chasing each other and jumping around in the flower garden.
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