Chapter 203: Ner’s Choice (7)

 

Days continued to pass and the same routine repeated itself every day.

 

Dealing with bandits, tending to the farm, meeting Sien, and caring for Ner.

 

All I could do was endure each day.

 

The weight on my shoulders felt as heavy as ever. The more I grew accustomed to Sien and Ner’s situation, the more the harsh realities resurfaced.

 

Trouble with Krund was also escalating.

 

“The Draigo family has retreated.”

 

One day, Gale approached me with this new information.

 

“They’re pulling back to the capital to properly regroup. It seems even His Majesty now sees Krund as a definite enemy.”

 

“…So, they couldn’t hold off Krund.”

 

“…It’s something we had anticipated, wasn’t it?”

 

With that, Gale unfurled a map in front of me.

 

“Berg, there’s something you need to know.”

 

He pointed to a specific location.

 

It was the Cryer family’s territory, which Krund had decimated a few days ago.

 

“The Cryer family, right.”

 

“Exactly. Krund waged its first battle here. After wiping out the Cryer family… Krund was spotted near the Depol Mountains, where they slaughtered nearby dwarves.”

 

He drew a straight line from the Cryer family’s land to the Depol Mountains.

 

“Next, they appeared in the Voltra family’s territory. Being a minor family, they too faced Krund’s devastation. That’s when His Majesty decided to withdraw.”

 

Then, he connected the Depol Mountains to the Voltra family’s land.

 

There was a discernible path to Krund’s movements.

 

“…If they keep advancing in this direction.”

 

If we extend Gale’s drawn line… at the end of it lay Stockpin.

 

“…It’s us.”

 

With that realization, I let out a sigh.

 

For some reason, I wasn’t even surprised.

 

It was something I’d somewhat anticipated.

 

“A territory with three war heroes gathered. It could be seen as an inevitable target, given the circumstances.”

 

“…Should we ask Lady Sylphrien to leave for safety?”

 

“That wouldn’t be a bad idea. Perhaps we should send back all our guests.”

 

“…”

 

I fell silent as thoughts of Ner flooded my mind.

 

Ner’s body wasn’t yet fit for a long journey.

 

Even if she were carefully laid down in a carriage, she wasn’t in a condition to withstand the bumpy roads and the cold nights.

 

And with bandits lurking everywhere, there’s no telling who they might encounter.

 

Besides, it didn’t feel right to part ways with Ner just yet.

 

She risked her life and made sacrifices for me, and all she wanted in return was a single embrace. To send her away now felt unbearably cruel.

 

Moreover, we still needed Blackwood’s assistance.

 

Although the number of recoveries had risen, there were still new cases emerging.

 

There were still severe patients. They needed Blackwood.

 

“…We still need Blackwood’s help.”

 

At my words, Gale reconsidered.

 

“A slip of the tongue, I apologize. Right, of course… I’d been too focused on external matters and overlooked Stockpin for a moment. Perhaps we should at least send Lady Celebrien back first.”

 

“…”

 

Silence lingered between us.

 

And in that silence, Gale once again offered a suggestion.

 

“…Berg. The escape plan…”

 

“…Ha.”

 

I sighed at Gale’s suggestion.

 

I still hadn’t made a decision on it.

 

Gale continued.

 

“I’m not saying we need to go far. As I mentioned, the Draigo family is gathering trained soldiers. We could retreat until they’re ready… then face Krund together.”

 

“…”

 

I blinked, my thoughts racing.

 

If we were to leave…

 

What about the children?

 

And the critically ill?

 

Hundreds of people were still suffering from the plague.

 

If we moved, the plague would spread even further.

 

And we’d have to load supplies for all of them onto carriages.

 

But we didn’t have nearly enough carriages.

 

We didn’t have enough horses to pull that many carriages, either.

 

Moreover, retreating would mean having to rebuild our village from scratch.

 

If Krund, in retaliation, decided to lay waste to Stockpin… our foundation would be destroyed.

 

All the fields we’d painstakingly cultivated would vanish.

 

We’d have no food for next year.

 

Perhaps I was being forced to make a choice between two fates.

 

Would I choose a swift end… or a slow one?

 

Which of the two would I choose?

 

“…”

 

And on top of that, Stockpin held the graves of my fallen comrades.

 

Countless companions who had stayed by my side lay resting here.

 

Even Adam Hyung.

 

Of course, I wasn’t so inflexible as to risk the living solely for the sake of the dead, but there was a definite reluctance.

 

“…Ha.”

 

I sighed as my thoughts came together, looking at Gale.

 

“Gale, I’ve given it some thought.”

 

“Tell me.”

 

I never imagined I’d find myself thinking this way.

 

But now, as the endless trials continued to weigh on me, I was plagued by thoughts of every possible kind.

 

“…I tried to ignore these thoughts back then… but with each issue that flared up, doubts began to grow. Perhaps the more family I gain, the greater my fears become.”

 

“…?”

 

After a pause, I asked him.

 

“…What if Arwin’s words were true?”

 

The tale that the Warrior of Solitude could not have a family.

 

As trouble kept erupting around those close to me, worry was inevitable.

 

Since hearing that story, Sien had fallen ill with the plague.

 

The moment I made what felt like a breakthrough with Ner, she collapsed too.

 

I couldn’t shake the suspicion that the world was relentlessly pushing me toward a lonely path.

 

“…”

 

Gale gave no response.

 

I continued.

 

“I’ve never believed in destiny, but… what if I’m wrong? If fate does exist, and I am destined to kill Krund…”

 

“…Even if that were true, it would still be wise to run for now.”

 

“…If I face Krund, will my family be able to survive?”

 

I was speaking of family in a broader sense.

 

The Red Flames Group was now, in every sense, my family too.

 

Gale answered in a near whisper.

 

“…Arwin-nim’s claims don’t hold much weight. Don’t let such talk sway you.”

 

“…”

 

“There’s only one thing you need to grasp. In this situation, if you face Krund, the odds are high that it will end in death. Not just for you, but for all the people of Stockpin who have been waiting for you in this village. We must avoid battles with no chance of victory. We can withdraw, wait for the right moment, and strike Krund down when we have a real chance.”

 

“I understand, I know that, but…”

 

I raked my fingers through my hair and leaned back in my chair.

 

I closed my eyes for a long time, and felt that perhaps a brief rest would be best.

 

“…I’ll go take a break.”

 

I stood with a sigh.

 

Gale nodded, speaking in a calm tone.

 

“Though I press my opinion, Berg, the choice is yours. If you decide to stay and stand against Krund’s forces here… then I will support that choice as well.”

 

I glanced back at Gale and gave a faint smile.

 

“Thank you, Gale. Always.”

 

“…Rest well.”

 

I moved forward, resuming the thoughts that had been interrupted by our conversation.

 

If fate did exist… and if I truly was the Warrior of Solitude, destined to face Krund.

 

And if all of Arwin’s claims were true…

 

Wouldn’t it be better to resolve everything swiftly, for everyone’s sake?

 

If I fulfilled my duty, perhaps the inevitable repercussions wouldn’t come for me.

 

But Arwin’s last words still lingered in my mind.

 

‘Most Warriors of Solitude met their end after the war.’

 

“…”

 

-Stop.

 

I halted mid-step, then shook my head.

 

“…Haa.”

 

These superstitions, after all, weren’t worth believing in.

 

Thinking about them only made my head ache.

 

Today, as always, I cared for Ner with my eyes closed.

 

I dozed off now and then, checking if there was any change in her.

 

Her shallow breaths kept drawing my hand to feel her breath.

 

And every time I felt her faint exhalations, my heart eased, even if just a little.

 

Perhaps because of my accumulated fatigue, I was drowsier than usual today.

 

Even as I kept my ears alert to any small sound, I couldn’t stop myself from drifting into light dreams.

 

I dreamed differently than usual.

 

In my dreams, Ner and I were living happily together.

 

We hadn’t divorced, and we wore our rings as we held each other close.

 

It didn’t feel strange at all, just natural.

 

Her face was bright with a radiant smile.

 

I could feel her happiness being near me.

 

Even though her head was tucked against my chest, so I couldn’t see her expression, the gentle swaying of her white tail revealed her joy.

 

Then Ner lifted her head.

 

I smiled at her.

 

“Berg.”

 

She whispered clearly.

 

I stroked her hair once and replied.

 

“Speak.”

 

But as soon as I blinked, the scene changed in an instant.

 

The peaceful surroundings vanished, and we found ourselves on a battlefield.

 

Krund, who had taken Adam Hyung’s life, was suddenly charging toward Ner.

 

Ner spoke.

 

“…Will you be happy even without me?”

 

“…Ugh!”

 

I jolted awake.

 

Cold sweat trickled down my face.

 

I took a deep breath.

 

A series of nightmares had come crashing down on me at once.

 

I blinked, shaken by that ominous dream, and checked on Ner.

 

“……Huh…?”

 

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

 

“…Did you… have a nightmare?”

 

Ner, with a feeble hand, was holding onto mine.

 

Her fingers were even intertwined with mine, though I had no idea when that happened.

 

I hurriedly leaned toward her.

 

Almost instinctively, I nearly let go of her hand, but somehow, Ner found the strength to keep her grip.

 

With my free hand, I caressed her face.

 

“Ner… Are you… awake?”

 

“…”

 

With her weak strength, she rubbed her cheek against my hand.

 

Then, as if she had exerted all her energy, she fell still, but managed to open her eyes and whisper.

 

“…Yes.”

 

She smiled gently.

 

“…I missed you, Berg.”

 

****

 

Ner, with her eyes now open, showed more strength than I had expected.

 

Though she still couldn’t lift her arm by herself, she didn’t easily drift back to sleep.

 

She kept herself awake, holding on.

 

“Not sleepy?”

 

I asked her repeatedly.

 

“If you’re tired, rest a bit more.”

 

But Ner simply shook her head in response.

 

“…Hand.”

 

I looked down at our hands.

 

Our fingers were still intertwined.

 

Ner smiled softly and said.

 

“…With this… how could I… fall asleep…”

 

“…”

 

She didn’t seem willing to let go of our clasped hands just to rest.

 

Her determination was so endearing and yet… so cute that I couldn’t find any words to say.

 

But despite my efforts, I continued to doze off.

 

Each time I did, Ner would gently squeeze my hand, as if reminding me to stay with her.

 

“…Sorry. I dozed off again.”

 

But instead of accepting my apology, she made a suggestion.

 

“…Lie down… here… with me.”

 

Her ears twitched slightly, showing that, even in her weakened state, she was embarrassed by the suggestion.

 

“…”

 

I looked down at her in silence.

 

I hesitated, just for a moment.

 

Noticing my hesitation, Ner added another word.

 

“…Cold.”

 

“…”

 

I chuckled at that.

 

Then, nodding, I prepared to lie beside her on the bed.

 

Back when we barely knew each other, sharing the bed that first night was easier than this.

 

But now, with so many shared memories and a deeper bond, lying beside her felt strangely difficult.

 

Gently, I shifted her to the side and lay down next to her.

 

Struggling to turn, Ner buried her face into my chest.

 

It was as if she’d been waiting for this moment all along—a reflexive gesture.

 

I was taken aback for a second as she nestled into my embrace, her body beginning to tremble.

 

Soft, faint sobs escaped from her.

 

I wrapped my arms around her, comforting her with warmth.

 

She had once betrayed me… put those dearest to me in danger…

 

But now, she had saved those precious people, my wife and child included.

 

I couldn’t bring myself to be angry with her anymore.

 

Any lingering resentment had been replaced by gratitude and tenderness.

 

I held her tighter, allowing myself to be honest with my feelings.

 

Ner hadn’t fully regained her strength yet, but if I’d let her go without giving her this, I would’ve regretted it for years.

 

This moment felt like a miracle.

 

I held Ner even closer.

 

She, too, used all her strength to hold me back.

 

And in that embrace, Ner eventually drifted back to sleep.

 

As she nestled into my chest, a soft, steady rhythm took over as she entered her dreams.

 

I looked down at her sleeping face… gently kissed her forehead, and soon after, I, too, fell asleep.

 

This time, there were no nightmares…

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

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