Chapter 156: Traitors (1)

 

As I gazed upon my frozen wives, I turned away and sighed.

 

“....Haa.”

 

Even though I have made up my mind, speaking was difficult.

 

The incident with Adam Hyung must have also had an impact.

 

I received much support from my wives during the separation from him.

 

Frankly, I can’t even imagine how tough it would have been without them.

 

I might have drowned myself in alcohol, as I had in the past.

 

It was about having to send away those who had been such a support.

 

I must kill my desires and act solely for their sake.

 

Even though I know it’s the right thing to do....it’s hard.

 

I opened my mouth but remained silent for a long time.

 

All the words I had prepared refused to leave my lips.

 

“...”

 

I closed my mouth again.

 

My wives still maintained their silence.

 

Once more, I looked towards Ner and Arwin.

 

Who should I send away?

 

Even this choice remains unmade.

 

Finally, with a sigh, I spoke.

 

“...so it has come to this.”

 

I struggled to start the conversation.

 

“I promised to always cherish you. But even if we part like this...I’ll keep that promise. If any problem arises, contact me. I’ll....”

 

As I spoke, I doubted my words.

 

Are these really words of parting? Even to my ears, they sound full of regret.

 

And why does it seem the order of things is all mixed up?

 

“...”

 

It was a difficult conversation.

 

I don’t know what to say first or how to say it.

 

And what will happen to the one who stays by my side?

 

It might feel like losing freedom right before their eyes.

 

Can I manage to regain that feeling?

 

Ner had her tail drooping, slightly opening her mouth.

 

Arwin’s eyes were still fixed on the letter.

 

Slowly, I began to reveal my inner thoughts.

 

“.............I...”

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

“...don’t know who to send away.”

 

Before my wives could turn it into a mess with their words, I continued.

 

“Ner. Should I send you away?”

 

Ner’s eyes trembled faintly.

 

“.........................What.........?”

 

Ner’s barely audible retort came as her fingers fidgeted nervously.

 

“This marriage might be for a lifetime for you, but for Arwin, it’s just a moment. And if you, who loves only one, end up not liking me... there would be no greater torture.”

 

I said, looking at Arwin.

 

“....Or maybe Arwin. Should I send you away?”

 

“...................Ber....”

 

“But if you were to like me... then what follows would be the issue, right? You said it would last a millennium. And you, who longed for freedom.”

 

I recalled the memories shared with them.

 

Leaning my elbows on my knees, I let out a sigh.

 

I fiddled with the rings on each of my ring fingers.

 

Finally shaking my head, I said,

 

“...........I can’t choose.”

 

I continued without looking at them.

 

“Honestly, I don’t want to send either of you away. So, as difficult as it is, please talk it out between yourselves. Decide who will leave me. If no conclusion is reached, I will have to make the choice myself. Who knows, maybe your conversation might turn out well?”

 

It felt wrong to make this decision alone.

 

Their thoughts also needed to be included.

 

Just as Ner and Arwin seemed about to speak, I raised my hand to stop them.

 

The conversation wasn’t over yet.

 

Seeing them more confused than I had anticipated, I said,

 

“....Just remember one thing, if one of you decides to stay with me.”

 

I straightened up, setting aside my pride and opening my heart.

 

“If by any chance... you want to envision a future with me...”

 

Looking directly into both Arwin and Ner’s eyes, I promised.

 

“...then I will love you for a lifetime.”

 

Words of love I had never uttered before.

 

At that word, Ner and Arwin hesitated.

 

“I will cherish and care for you for a lifetime. I’ll do what I can, and try for what I can’t... I would like you to stay, even if it’s just one of you.”

 

What would happen if both decided to stay?

 

...Truthfully, that’s like a dream. Just weeks ago, they were asking to abolish polygamy.

 

They had pushed me away and refused.

 

Since they had shared their true feelings with me.

 

So, it was a bit pathetic, but it couldn’t be helped.

 

Especially now, with the situation involving Adam Hyung, it was overwhelming.

 

I needed someone to support me now more than ever.

 

I stood up.

 

“....Take your time to think and let me know. I’m going to check on the wounded and will be heading to the capital soon. It would be good if a decision could be made before then.”

 

And then, giving my wives some time and making an excuse, I stepped outside.

 

I did not want to watch them arguing about leaving me.

 

****

 

Arwin remained silent even after Berg had left.

 

Like Ner, she stayed in the office, frozen.

 

Those were the coldest words she had ever heard from Berg...

 

‘We need to get a divorce.’

 

Those words would never have been directed at her if Ner hadn’t expressed her desire to stay by Berg’s side.

 

But Ner had said she wanted to stay, and that implied only one thing.

 

It was uncertain who would have to divorce Berg.

 

The possibility of parting with Berg made Arwin’s heart ache momentarily.

 

A pain she couldn’t quite understand sought her out.

 

Blinking back tears, Arwin carefully asked Ner the question she had been wanting to ask since earlier.

 

“.............Ner. What was that all about earlier?”

 

“...”

 

“...You want to stay by Berg’s side? Did I misunderstand something?”

 

Arwin turned her stiff neck to look at Ner.

 

Ner appeared similarly shocked.

 

Trembling eyes. Ragged breathing.

 

...Everything about her was so similar to herself.

 

She realized even their feelings were alike.

 

...At the same time, Arwin noticed Ner was also flustered for the same reason.

 

Ner countered.

 

“...What are you talking about, Arwin-nim? Why would you want to stay by Berg’s side...?”

 

“...”

 

“....You said that you can’t love short-lived species. You wanted freedom, you told me so many times. Berg was the last trial before that freedom...over and over...you told me that.”

 

Ner’s voice brought up the past, prompting Arwin to respond.

 

“You are...?”

 

“...”

 

“.......You’re the one...you said there’s someone destined for you, that you couldn’t love Berg. You disliked him for being of the human race, a commoner, a mercenary. You later said it was just friendship...that you hated when Berg kissed your cheek...you told me that.”

 

They both just stared into each other’s eyes, frozen.

 

Arwin wondered if all this was just a joke by Ner.

 

A happy future with Berg seemed just within reach, but suddenly, an obstacle had appeared.

 

And that obstacle was big enough to take away everything Arwin had wanted.

 

She couldn’t mentally grasp this.

 

She had thought a future with Berg would be solid.

 

Her choice alone was the key, she believed.

 

But now, hoping to be with Berg, she faced the possibility that she might not be able to be with him.

 

With polygamy abolished, Berg would have to keep only one wife.

 

Could it be that it would not be her by his side, but Ner?

 

She had suffered a lifetime of pain due to the World Tree.

 

Everyone looked at her strangely, and no one came to her rescue.

 

In the midst of this, Berg appeared and fought for her, showing his anger on her behalf.

 

Berg had risked his life for the pain she had to endure every day.

 

He was the Berg who comforted her during her nightmares, always by her side.

 

She found salvation in his strength.

 

She was becoming so proud to have him as her husband.

 

When he smiled, she felt joy; when he struggled, she shared his pain.

 

Could it be that she might have to part ways with him?

 

Instead of 60 years together... maybe only one year, or even just a few days, were left.

 

Could this happiness be nearing its end?

 

“.......Ner.”

 

It was an unbelievable notion.

 

This happiness was the first joy Arwin had grasped in her 170 years of life.

 

After enduring prolonged suffering, she had finally found ecstasy.

 

It was the treasure she had sought in her travels around the world, one she hadn’t even known she was looking for.

 

Arwin slowly shook her head and whispered,

 

“........I can’t divorce.”

 

She murmured as if trying to convince Ner.

 

She continued amidst the incomprehensible situation approaching.

 

“...I just...can’t. A life without Berg...what is that even...”

 

Ner too trembled as she spoke, her disturbance clear.

 

It wasn’t just a light affection for Berg that kept her from leaving; it was as if she couldn’t bear to be apart from him.

 

“...Stop joking. It’s...enough.”

 

Ner clenched her fist tightly and raised her voice.

 

“Just like you always have....please say you want to leave Berg’s side. I am being utterly sincere, with no falsehood. I really...I was really going to live with Berg.”

 

“Ner you-”

 

“Stop it!!”

 

Ner suddenly shouted.

 

Tears began to well up in her eyes that had lost their light.

 

With empty eyes, Ner looked at Arwin and said,

 

“I love Berg.”

 

Arwin froze at her words.

 

She knew too well how heavy the word ‘love’ was for Ner’s race.

 

A race that loves only one person for their entire lifetime.

 

Ner was declaring her love for Berg.

 

“I don’t know why I’m saying this to you first instead of Berg... Ah, Arwin-nim... I love Berg. I can’t be apart from him. I...”

 

Ner’s hands trembled as she clung to Arwin.

 

She forced a smile and said,

 

“....Arwin-nim, you’ve always said it.”

 

“...”

 

“That you can’t really love short-lived species.... I, I think that’s the right idea... You should love someone who lives as long as you... That’s...no, so... please... find someone else...”

 

Arwin shook off Ner’s hand, insisting as she tried to think through this frightening situation.

 

“...You can be happy without Berg.”

 

“.....What?”

 

“....Somewhere out there, your destined one is waiting. If you miss out... you’ll be unhappy, prophecy said that. You said you were afraid of becoming unhappy... that you couldn’t love anyone else...”

 

Ner let out a weak, incredulous laugh.

 

“....How can I do that when I’m already in love...?”

 

“...”

 

“Even if a future with Berg turns out to be unhappy... I can’t be without him now...”

 

Arwin’s frustration grew as the conversation seemed to go in circles.

 

It felt like continually sinking deeper into water.

 

Could she have ever imagined that Ner would become so detestable in an instant?

 

She was finally ready to confront the secrets she had been hiding.

 

Information written in the diary... about the Red Flames. It could be seen as a weakness.

 

She had wanted to accuse her of what exactly that was.

 

It was information that couldn’t be used alone.

 

Surely someone else was involved.

 

Perhaps a family, or another mercenary group.

 

Ner had been contemplating betrayal.

 

“You.......”

 

Then, Arwin stopped herself.

 

...Upon reflection.

 

Upon reflection, might she not hold a leverage over Ner?

 

What would happen to Ner if Berg learned of this information?

 

Who would remain by her side?

 

...Even seeing all this... could Berg still cherish Ner?

 

Such a contradictory woman.

 

Pretending to be innocent and cute while harboring thoughts of betrayal.

 

Especially given Berg’s deep affection for the Red Flames group, he would not be able to look at Ner the same way again.

 

No matter how much Ner swished her tail, Berg would treat her coldly.

 

It wasn’t hard to imagine that even the kind Berg could come to intensely despise Ner.

 

The fight they were having now would seem meaningless.

 

Assuming that the demeanor Ner showed was genuine... Ner would suffer.

 

She would struggle with the loss of someone she thought she could love forever.

 

...And Arwin might feel compassion for that fact.

 

...But there was no other way.

 

It seemed they were on the verge of parting ways with Berg.

 

That terrifying future could indeed become reality.

 

There was no choosing between fire and water now.

 

Wasn’t it Ner’s fault to begin with?

 

Arwin then remembered the existence of Mel’s tears for the first time in a while.

 

...But who could know the true nature of that liquid?

 

Who would know that it becomes poison when mixed with Bardi liquor, known only to a few elves?

 

It was hidden deep within her things to begin with.

 

For now, Ner was the center of this story.

 

She had already asked her bird to keep an eye on Ner.

 

She hadn’t heard anything unusual from that bird yet.

 

The diary would still be the same.

 

It meant that she had a tight grip on Ner’s lifeline.

 

“....Ha.”

 

Thus, Arwin naturally sighed.

 

“Enough.”

 

“...”

 

“...I don’t want to keep repeating the same story. If it’s going to be like this, let’s give the choice to Berg.”

 

Perhaps this was no different than previous opportunities.

 

An opportunity to monopolize Berg’s love completely.

 

Berg might struggle with Ner’s betrayal.

 

But in the meantime... she could simply ensure her presence was more solidly by Berg’s side.

 

Ner, who had been silent, nodded her head.

 

“Okay.”

 

A certain assertiveness could even be glimpsed in her demeanor.

 

There was even a hint of arrogance, as if she was sure Berg would choose her.

 

Arwin scoffed to herself at Ner’s demeanor.

 

She could not let Berg go to Ner alone.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

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