Chapter 137: Capital (1)

As time passed, we found ourselves nearing the capital.

Days of travel accumulated fatigue in our bodies.

At the same time, thinking about the forthcoming tasks brought an involuntary headache.

I wondered how many bothersome matters we’d get tangled with in the capital.

All I wished for was to finish only the necessary tasks and return to Stockpin.

Meanwhile, Gale approached me, steering his horse closer.

“The capital should come into view soon.”

At his words, I looked ahead.

Yet, nothing was in sight.

I sighed and asked Gale, “When do you think we’ll be able to return?”

Gale shrugged.

“Who knows? Perhaps once His Majesty deems enough time has passed, he’ll allow us to go back. It might not be anytime soon, though.”

“...”

“Don’t worry, Berg. I’ll be here to help you.”

Gale promised to stay by my side.

With each promise, I felt a bit more at ease.

Then, Gale warned me.

“Berg. There are things to be wary of in the capital.”

I looked at Gale, appreciating his cautionary advice.

He continued, “It’s best to avoid the nobles.”

“What do you mean?”

“The capital is home to various families. Carelessly stirring trouble might land you in an undesirable position. Especially with the issues surrounding the Saintess, it’s bound to be noisy.”

“...”

I nodded in agreement, adding, “I don’t want to get unnecessarily involved either.”

“That’s good to hear. But remember, whatever happens, I’ll be here to assist you, so don’t worry too much.”

“...I understand.”

After a brief silence, Gale, sly as a snake, suddenly asked.

“Speaking of which, Berg...”

“...?”

“...How about we train together while we’re heading to the capital?”

That topic again.

Now, it brought a smirk to my face, as if I’d heard an amusing joke.

Gale smiled as well.

It seemed he was always planning to teach me, whenever that might be.

I let out a sigh.

Maybe it was because of all the recent complications that I felt an itch to move my body more vigorously.

I looked at Gale.

“...”

And then, I nodded slightly.

Considering I had been somewhat resistant to training with Gale due to the issues with Sien... I could no longer find a reason to refuse.

Gale responded to my nod with a smile.

“A wise choice,” he said.

I looked ahead again.

“...Berg.”

“...?”

“How are things with your wives?”

I saw Arwin and Ner driving the horses ahead.

Things were somewhat mended with my wives.

There was still some awkwardness, but we made eye contact, occasionally held hands, and even shared smiles.

The handholding after a fight felt distinctly different.

Different thoughts swirled in my head.

It felt like these sensations stemmed from this unique relationship.

“...”

I didn’t bother to respond.

The answer was now beyond my grasp.

Gale, noticing my reaction, said, “Things will get better, Berg. Both of them smile happily when they’re by your side, don’t they?”

“It’s good to hear you feel that way.”

“It’s not just good; it’s remarkable. No one else is quite as extraordinary as Ner and Arwin—”

I chuckled at his words and added, “The head of the Pantora family said the same. He was amazed that such special beings as Ner and Arwin were tied to me.”

“Mir Pantora?”

I raised an eyebrow at Gale’s puzzled look.

“Is there a problem?”

Gale pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

“...There’s no problem. It’s just that the Lizardmen always have such... unique perspectives.”

I nodded at his trivial remark, and a silence lingered between us for a while.

...Eventually, I asked, compelled perhaps by the story Mir Pantora had shared.

“...Gale.”

“I’m listening.”

The question came out with difficulty.

“...Is polygamy going to be abolished?”

“...”

“...It seems the king wants it that way.”

Gale sighed as well.

“...It’s not impossible.”

I snickered at the absurd notion.

The fact that I reacted this way to a topic I would vehemently oppose under normal circumstances... might be because I thought my wives might actually prefer it.

After all, ours was a marriage of political convenience.

We were forcefully brought together.

And in such a union, conflicts continued to arise.

By diminishing my own desires, perhaps one of them could gain their freedom.

Of course, this was merely my own speculation.

Even though I had quarreled with my wives, it wasn’t proof they wished to part ways with me.

Everyone fights at times.

I hoped, in the end, they would choose to stay by my side.

So, I said to Gale.

“Gale.”

“I’m here.”

“...I’m against it.”

“...I know.”

“...I wish you could persuade the king.”

Gale looked at me.

I met his gaze.

After a long moment, he nodded.

“...Alright. I’ll try.”

Then, swallowing a breath, he added, “But as advice, in preparation for the worst-case scenario...”

“...?”

“...It might be wise to have a child.”

I chuckled again at his words.

“...I’ve heard that one before.”

...Though things are easier said than done.

****

Before reaching the capital, we set up our last campsite.

If I were to pick a moment when I felt closest to my wives in the past few days, it would be now.

We shared a temporary tent, slept together, and even had some conversations.

I, too, was looking forward to tonight’s rest.

I wanted to dissolve the awkwardness between me and my wives before we arrived at the capital.

I wasn’t the only one feeling this way.

Both Ner and Arwin kept stealing glances at me, and I could sense they shared my sentiments.

Perhaps it was also due to Gale’s advice.

I wanted to grow closer to them, even just a little.

It wasn’t about forcibly impregnating them to bind them to me.

Pregnancy still seemed like a distant concept to me.

But that didn’t mean I was averse to the idea of having children.

For now, I just wanted to be closer to them.

For that to happen, the current situation couldn’t continue.

As I pondered how to grow closer to them, I wrapped up the day with my comrades.

“Use the water borrowed from the quartermaster. Tomorrow, Burns will—”

“—Berg?”

Someone called me then.

All my comrades promptly showed respect.

Arwin was standing behind.

“...”

Her expression slightly betrayed her nervousness.

I had wanted to talk to her, and here she was, approaching me first.

I moved towards her.

“Yes. Speak.”

“...Can we talk for a moment?”

She asked, holding a small bag.

“The sunset is beautiful.”

She whispered.

“...”

From the atmosphere alone, it was clear she had come to reconcile with me.

I had no reason to refuse her.

Baran read the mood and nodded at me.

“Go ahead, Vice-Captain. I’ll finish up the remaining discussions with these kids.”

“...”

I nodded slowly.

I took hold of Arwin’s cool wrist.

“...Ah.”

She let out a brief moan but didn’t push me away.

I looked around and found a spot where we could rest.

****

Arwin walked with Berg, watching the sunset.

They moved away from the grand campsite set up by the royal family, walking into the distance.

Being alone with him like this wasn’t frightening.

She felt safe with Berg by her side, reminiscent of the times they went hunting together.

Perhaps it was those memories.

The crisp wind seemed to clear the unease in her heart.

Berg seemed to feel the same, his expression more serene than usual.

“...Wow...”

Arwin exclaimed as they found a perfect spot.

Indeed, nothing was as good as freedom.

Everywhere they went, a new beautiful scenery unfolded.

It was the same now.

The red sunset and the green plains merged into a breathtaking view.

“Let’s sit here.”

Berg said, settling down on the grass.

Arwin nodded and sat beside him.

For a moment, they settled in, letting the awkward air drift away.

Arwin didn’t know what to say first.

Reconciliation was not something she was familiar with.

She had been accustomed to fighting for decades.

Yet, she mustered the courage because she was anxious.

Was it right to waste 60 years like this?

She couldn’t maintain the typical elven composure.

“...”

Knowing she wasn’t articulate when it came to making amends... Arwin pulled out a bottle of liquor from the bag she brought.

“...What’s this?”

When Berg asked, Arwin mumbled shyly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“...It’s Bardi liquor.”

“What?”

“...You said you wanted to try it. I asked the royal guards, and they had some...”

There was a time when Bardi liquor felt off-putting.

Now, knowing Berg liked Bardy liquor, she wanted to bring him some if she could.

Similarly, Arwin handed Berg a glass she had brought out.

Then, she cautiously sat beside him and filled his glass.

“...”

Arwin also took out her own glass from the backpack.

She began to fill it as well.

Watching her, Berg asked.

“You don’t drink.”

“...I’ll try some.”

In this moment of reconciliation, Arwin wanted to share a drink with him.

Perhaps it was a desire to be more like Berg that moved her.

Berg smiled faintly at her words.

This was it.

Even the act of drinking had its meaning, just to see that smile.

Soon, they clinked glasses and drank.

After taking a sip, Berg looked at Arwin and smiled.

Only then did Arwin realize her expression had softened a bit.

“...It’s harsh.”

She blurted out, almost as an excuse.

Berg chuckled.

The reconciliation happened without words.

Neither felt the need to explicitly say sorry.

As they sat together, Arwin found herself pondering if this was what being a couple was like.

It seemed they shared an unspoken understanding.

For a while, they engaged in this silent conversation.

After some time, Berg quietly broke the silence.

“These moments, Arwin...”

As Arwin refilled his glass, she looked up at him.

He was gazing at the distant scenery and the sunset.

“...With each moment like this, you become more precious to me.”

“......”

They had shared many such moments together.

When she was rescued from the World Tree.

In the Dems village.

During their hunting trips.

And when they got caught in the rain in the forest.

There were endless moments when they could feel affection for each other.

Berg seemed to cherish each one of them.

Arwin found herself at a loss for words.

In a soft and earnest tone, Berg almost seemed to ask himself, “...Is it just me?”

“...”

As Arwin hesitated, pondering her response and choosing silence, Berg turned to look at her.

Their eyes met.

In Berg, Arwin saw... once again, a fleeting and endless beauty.

Her emotions intertwined.

There was much she wanted to say, yet the words wouldn’t come easily.

Could there be a more perfect opportunity than this moment...

...to whisper love?

“...”

But at the same time, the quarrels of the past haunted her mind.

Practical issues also existed.

The concerns she had been suppressing hadn’t just vanished.

Yet, there was something she wanted to say right now.

Matching his courage, she decided to open up.

“...Me too...”

She bit her lip, starting and stopping.

“...If it weren’t for the lifespan issue...”

“...?”

Taking a deep breath, Arwin whispered while looking into Berg’s eyes, reflecting the hues of the sunset.

“...I would have fallen in love with you long ago.”

“...”

It was the truth.

If not for the issue of lifespan, she would have been sharing a deep love with him without any reservations.

Now, Arwin was aware of her own feelings.

That’s why she gently let Berg know her heart.

“...”

Berg remained silent for a moment, then chuckled at her words.

He then raised his filled glass towards Arwin.

Arwin, doing the same, clinked her glass against his.

They swallowed the liquor once more.

The taste was undoubtedly different from before.

They didn’t engage in much conversation after that.

They simply enjoyed the moment of the setting sun, feeling the breeze.

Arwin felt her mind clearing up.

Through their conversation, what was important became visible.

The issue of lifespan.

She knew it was a problem, but in another sense, it was the only problem.

If only there was a way to resolve it.

...What if she could share her extended lifespan with Berg?

Not just a mere 60 years, but hundreds of years together.

Creating memories hundreds of times over than those they had already made.

By that time, there would be no one to hinder them.

Not Ner, not the saintess, no one.

They wouldn’t be around.

Sharing her lifespan could also solve the issue for their children.

Their half-elf offspring might not have to face the tragedy of dying prematurely.

“...”

It was a fleeting thought.

...But it felt surprisingly right.

Sacrifice was undoubtedly necessary.

Under the assumption it was possible, it would mean offering up one’s lifespan.

One would have to give up their days of living.

The future of becoming a mythic being, living for more than a thousand years, would also have to be forsaken.

...But Arwin knew.

The few months spent with Berg were far more meaningful than the past 170 years.

Thus, the choice could be made astonishingly easily.

She felt she could make the sacrifice.

No, if only it were possible, she would want to.

She couldn’t imagine a life without Berg anymore.

Thinking about it, they would indeed live a profoundly touching life.

Leaving this world on the same day.

Berg was already precious to her now, how much deeper would their bond grow after centuries together?

Perhaps in the moment of closing their eyes for the last time, they could whisper to each other about the happiness of their life together.

“...”

Whether there was a way to share lifespans... Arwin didn’t know.

But looking at the World Tree, it was evident that lifespans could be shared.

Perhaps there was a way.

If not, maybe it was something to be discovered.

Moreover, they were on their way to the capital.

The capital might hold the answers.

The more she thought about it, the more exhilarating the idea became.

“...”

With these thoughts, Arwin gazed at the setting sun.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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