Chapter 190: Physical Contact (2)

 

Arwin's words froze my thoughts.

 

Krund.

 

The name of the demon that took Adam Hyung's life.

 

“...What?”

 

Gale, who had been listening nearby, frowned and asked again.

 

That name held as much significance for Gale, who fought alongside me, as it did for me.

 

“...”

 

I couldn’t even respond to the sudden news.

 

Just meeting Arwin had already left my head in a whirl.

 

But now, hearing Krund’s name on top of it all, everything became a tangled mess.

 

The plague, the bandits, the farming work... and now Krund too.

 

How many more obstacles do we have to overcome before all this ends?

 

I glanced at Sylphrien in disbelief at hearing that name.

 

She was also nodding in agreement as she looked at us.

 

As Arwin spoke, she added more details.

 

“...I’ve heard that Krund is raising an army again. The royal family is preparing for it...”

 

“Are you saying another war could break out here...?”

 

“...Possibly.”

 

“...”

 

Arwin watched my expression and then moved closer.

 

-Swish.

 

While I was lost in thought, she lightly placed her hand on my arm.

 

It was a gesture one might make only with a long-time friend.

 

With that natural motion, she continued speaking with the same solemn expression.

 

“I’m just letting you know so you can be prepared.”

 

“...”

 

“It would be best if the fighting doesn’t spread... but as you know, you might not be able to avoid getting involved.”

 

At the word ‘you,’ Sien, who was beside me, grabbed my hand.

 

It was only after Sien reacted that I realized Arwin's choice of words and action had crossed a line.

 

But Arwin, as if to prove she hadn’t forgotten me, spoke without a hint of hesitation.

 

“The Hero has lost an arm and can’t fight. The warrior of war, Acran, is missing and being searched for. Sylphrien unni... is reluctant to engage in this fight...”

 

Arwin’s gaze shifted to Sien.

 

“...And the Saintess has lost her power. In the end, all that’s left is the one who’s called the Warrior of solitude ...”

 

“...”

 

I understood what Arwin was saying.

 

Being hailed as the Warrior of solitude meant I might not be able to avoid this fight either.

 

Arwin continued.

 

“...I know you’re not to blame. There’s no need to start fighting again. I’m not saying I want you to fight either.”

 

Sien spoke in a trembling voice full of fear.

 

“...Of course, there’s no reason to fight. Berg... isn’t the Warrior of solitude.”

 

The title of the Warrior of solitude might be nothing more than an illusion.

 

It doesn’t grant a special mark on the body, nor does it bestow any special powers.

 

It’s not something that can be clearly identified with just one person.

 

Sien continued from beside me.

 

“Berg was only named the Warrior of solitude... because there was no one else. After paying all the costs, why should Berg go to war again...”

 

I could feel Sien’s heart, not wanting to lose me again.

 

The grip of her hand on my arm tightened with growing strength.

 

“If they call for Berg... that’s just... finding someone else to fight in his place...”

 

Arwin responded to Sien’s words.

 

“I think the same way. I’ve even found reasons why Berg might not be the Warrior of solitude. For now, I suspect that Captain Adam might have been the Warrior of solitude instead...”

 

Arwin looked up at me.

 

“So, Berg. If His Majesty the King summons you, please let me know. I’ll help you avoid being sent to the battlefield.”

 

“...........”

 

I remained silent.

 

My head was spinning from all the sudden new information.

 

Half of what Arwin was saying went in one ear and out the other.

 

I was only focused on the idea that war might once again descend upon our land.

 

I turned my head slightly to look at Gale.

 

Gale met my gaze and let out a small sigh.

 

“...Ha.”

 

I followed suit and sighed as well.

 

Then, to bring this situation to an end, I spoke.

 

“...Let’s go back.”

 

****

 

After that, I lost track of how much time had passed.

 

We gathered in the office with the group that had arrived from Celebrian and began discussing matters.

 

Baran and Gale handled nearly all the conversation.

 

They talked about the accommodations for their stay, matters related to farming, information about Krund, the situation with the plague, and so on...

 

These were all topics I couldn’t focus on, my mind too cluttered to contribute.

 

When I did regain some sense, all I did was glance at Arwin from time to time.

 

She sat there with a calm demeanor, sipping the tea placed before her.

 

She showed no interest in me, much like Ner did before.

 

Her claim that she had forgotten me seemed more believable with each passing moment.

 

...And yet, for some reason, even that made my head spin.

 

After the conversation ended, as always, I went out to take a break.

 

Sitting in front of Adam hyung's grave, I gazed at him.

 

“...What should I do, hyung?”

 

I sought an answer from him, but of course, he gave me none.

 

So all I could do was imagine.

 

What would hyung have said?

 

Even though we were so close, I couldn’t say with certainty.

 

-Crunch... Crunch...

 

At that moment, someone approached.

 

It wasn’t Sien’s footsteps.

 

From the sound—simple yet dignified—I could guess who it was right away.

 

Even after all this time, I still recognized it.

 

“...So, you were here.”

 

It was Arwin.

 

When I looked back at her, I saw she was also wearing a mask around her mouth.

 

Arwin slowly approached and placed a single flower on Adam hyung's grave.

 

She then paused for a moment of silent prayer.

 

“...”

 

Seeing that, I didn’t bother to push her away.

 

There was no need to be on guard against someone who seemed to have forgotten me.

 

“...Have you been well?”

 

She asked after finishing her prayer.

 

“...”

 

I slowly nodded.

 

It had been tough handling official matters, but with Sien by my side, I managed to get by.

 

Besides, I didn’t want to show any weakness to Arwin.

 

“...And you?”

 

Out of courtesy for her question, I asked in return.

 

After all, we were once husband and wife.

 

Even if that was over, I saw no reason not to ask such a question.

 

Though Arwin had once tried to kill me... I now understood the reasons behind her decision.

 

The betrayal I felt at the time, much like with Ner, was something I had let go of.

 

All that remained was the acceptance that we could no longer walk the same path together.

 

Arwin slowly sat down beside me.

 

The distance between us felt close, but perhaps that was just my imagination.

 

“...It was tough for a while, but I’m doing well now.”

 

“...”

 

“I’ve been traveling freely, seeing beautiful landscapes... living the dream I’ve always dreamed of.”

 

Her words carried a sense of ease, as if she had found happiness.

 

Somehow, that eased my mind as well. I responded with a faint smile.

 

“...That’s good to hear.”

 

“...”

 

But why did her sense of ease make me feel envious?

 

I suddenly wondered if living without worries was true happiness.

 

“...Berg?”

 

Arwin called out to me.

 

When I turned to look, she was gazing up at me with a serious expression.

 

“...Have you forgiven me?”

 

“...”

 

I had no intention of lying to her.

 

If I hadn’t forgiven her to some extent, I wouldn’t have accepted her help now.

 

“...To a certain degree.”

 

She lowered her gaze, frowning slightly at my response, and said quietly.

 

“...Thank you.”

 

“...”

 

“I’m glad to see you’re living a new life too. You and she seem to suit each other well.”

 

I smiled at her words.

 

“...Thanks.”

 

After a moment of silence, Arwin spoke again.

 

“Berg, I have a favor to ask.”

 

“...”

 

“I’ll do my best to help you too... so please grant me this one small request.”

 

“...”

 

Arwin gently placed her hand on my arm once more, her touch light.

 

“...Can we be friends?”

 

“...”

 

It was a phrase that brought a sense of déjà vu.

 

When we were first married and Arwin had been wary of me, I had said the same thing to her.

 

I had asked if we could start by being friends.

 

Though the circumstances and intentions were undoubtedly different now, the memory resurfaced.

 

Perhaps Arwin no longer remembered that memory at all.

 

“...I don’t want to continue living in conflict with you.”

 

“...”

 

I sighed at Arwin's words.

 

I thought it over for a while.

 

But the decision didn’t take long.

 

I had been feeling the same way.

 

Managing the estate was already exhausting and burdensome.

 

I didn’t want to feel that kind of pressure from Arwin too.

 

“...Alright.”

 

Arwin let out a breath of relief at my words.

 

Nodding, she smiled and said.

 

“...Thank you. I’ll be in your care, then.”

 

With that, Arwin lightly extended her hand for a handshake.

 

I reached out to meet her gesture.

 

-Swish...

 

“...”

 

Then, Arwin gently grasped my hand.

 

Her thumb softly brushed the back of my hand.

 

As the light handshake ended, she rose from her seat.

 

“I’ll be going now, Berg. Take some more time to rest.”

 

I nodded at Arwin.

 

“Alright. I’ll do that.”

 

Talking with her like this and sorting out the situation made me feel a bit more at ease.

 

-Chrip! Chirp! Chirp!

 

As Arwin left, Lua flew over to me, now alone.

 

She seemed unusually excited today, fluttering around me.

 

Lately, Lua had become difficult to predict.

 

One moment she seemed angry, and the next, she was being affectionate like this.

 

Lua started rubbing herself all over my face, even lightly pecking at my lips.

 

-Chirp! Chirp!

 

I chuckled at her affection and gently held her.

 

“...What’s got you all worked up this time?”

 

I realized that I had been talking to two beings who couldn’t answer me.

 

****

 

“Ha... Ha...”

 

The moment Arwin parted ways with Berg, she hid behind a large tree, sharing her vision with her bluebird.

 

‘Be affectionate with him.’

 

At Arwin’s request, the bird, which Berg had named ‘Lua,’ began rubbing herself all over him.

 

Arwin buried her face in her hands, letting out the excitement she had been holding back.

 

Being so close to Berg made her body feel hot.

 

It seemed she had made a good start.

 

She had succeeded in approaching him without resistance.

 

By acknowledging Sien, she seemed to have lowered his guard as well.

 

She managed to start over as a friend and even held his hand.

 

For Arwin, who had always awaited this moment... the physical contact, however brief, felt insufficient.

 

Yet she couldn’t help but feel optimistic about the start.

 

She just needed to slowly and steadily get closer to him.

 

If she played her cards right, she would win in the end.

 

Once Sien’s lifespan came to its natural end, she would have centuries to spend with Berg.

 

For now, Lua’s presence was helping her suppress her immediate desires.

 

The only reason she could keep her intense emotions and desires in check was that Lua was currently sharing her vision with Berg.

 

Through Lua, she could easily see Berg’s bright smile.

 

When Lua pecked at his lips, it felt as though she herself was kissing him.

 

Without this, it would have been difficult to maintain her composure.

 

Arwin steadied her trembling hands, trying to calm herself down.

 

“Haa... Haa...”

 

Through Lua’s eyes, Arwin watched as Berg gently petted her.

 

She reached out to the empty air, as if to caress Berg's face.

 

‘...For now, I’ll let Sien have him...’

 

She thought to herself.

 

‘...But in the future...’

 

And with that, Arwin struggled to suppress her emotions once more.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

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