Chapter 56: Like a Moth to a Flame (3)

 

Arwin woke up to the rustling sound in the early morning.

 

“...”

 

Berg was already awake.

 

This was the first time she had ever fallen asleep next to someone, and the unfamiliar noise seemed all the more amplified because of it.

 

As Arwin stirred, Berg reacted to the sound.

 

“Are you awake?”

 

He asked as if it was no big deal.

 

Arwin didn’t quite know how to evaluate this human.

 

He was such a different being from herself.

 

Although she had seen other races like Ner visit the territory of Celebrien, she’d never had the experience of sharing thoughts from such a close distance.

 

Of course, she gleaned much about humans through reading, but experiencing them firsthand was another matter.

 

So far, Berg didn’t exhibit any of the negative characteristics often associated with humans.

 

Arwin wondered if Berg was just good at hiding them.

 

As Berg put on his clothes, he concealed his muscular body, riddled with scars.

 

It was surprising that someone could acquire so many injuries in such a short life.

 

But that thought was fleeting.

 

Struggling to find the right words, Arwin finally closed her eyes which had been slightly open.

 

“...”

 

She didn’t want to face the awkward situation.

 

Berg chuckled at her behavior.

 

He continued the conversation as if it was alright that she didn’t speak.

 

“Shall we say we’ve formed an alliance?”

 

With her eyes still closed, Arwin gave a slight nod.

 

“I’m not sure what the plan is. We might head towards Stockpin, our village, today. We’ll have to consider your situation as well.”

 

“...”

 

“So, if you have anything to pack, better pack it. I’m going to go check on the members for now.”

 

Once again, Arwin nodded.

 

There was a pause, and then she heard the sound of the door opening and closing.

 

Berg had left.

 

Only then did Arwin open her eyes and take stock of the empty room.

 

“...”

 

The night had been far less uncomfortable than she had anticipated.

 

Arwin felt like she understood why Ner had evaluated Berg the way she had.

 

As she organized her thoughts, Arwin looked at the two empty glasses that Berg had left behind the day before.

 

She recalled the moment when Berg had emptied his glass.

 

****

 

Before checking on the members, I first went to Ner.

 

Since this was the first time I had to be considerate of two wives---two people who should be most important in my life---I had no idea how to handle the situation.

 

Still, I thought it was only polite to check on Ner first.

 

She must have had a peaceful sleep, being alone for the first time in a while...

 

Perhaps...

 

- Knock, knock.

 

“Ner?”

 

As I called out my wife’s name and entered our lodging, the rustling sound was followed by Ner’s appearance.

 

She hadn’t gotten out of bed yet.

 

Awakened by my entrance, she propped up her upper body with her arms and looked at me.

 

“Berg.”

 

Quietly, the blanket slides down her back. Her tail was still covered.

 

“Did you sleep well?”

 

“…”

 

In response to my question, she blinked and nodded her head.

 

Her eyes seemed a little misty, for some reason.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

As expected, an awkward atmosphere prevailed.

 

Slowly, I walked towards the window.

 

I saw a diary that looked like it was written by Ner last night.

 

“Ah…”

 

Ner let out a brief sigh, but I smiled at her and said,

 

“It’s not like I can read anyway.”

 

Suddenly, I was reminded of the difference in our backgrounds.

 

I came from the slums, and she was the young lady of the Blackwood family.

 

If I thought about it that way, I could grasp just how abnormal our relationship was.

 

I could also understand the aversion they felt towards me.

 

Even in the long years living in the slums, it wasn’t just the aristocrats who looked down on me—ordinary people did, too.

 

There was no reason the nobility would be any different.

 

“...”

 

Once again, silence filled the room.

 

I stand still, staring at the scenery outside the window.

 

It seemed Ner’s curiosity got the better of her. Sitting on the bed, she asked,

 

“Did... did you leave something behind?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I mean... did you leave something in the room?”

 

“I came to see you.”

 

I said it plainly, without hiding anything.

 

At that, Ner blinked and lowered her head.

 

- Swish... Swish...

 

I heard the sound of something rubbing against the blanket.

 

I wonder if it might be her tail.

 

“Ner, it looks like we’ll be leaving for the village today or tomorrow. I’ll have to speak with Adam Hyung and the Elf Elder to know for sure.”

 

I informed Ner of our plans. She should be aware to feel at ease.

 

“...Okay.”

 

Ner, who still wasn’t making eye contact, simply nodded her head.

 

“Have you thought about what you’ll do when we get back to the village?”

 

I brought up the conversation we had last night.

 

As expected, it seemed she hadn’t figured anything out in that short span of time. She shook her head.

 

“Not yet.”

 

I had a reason for revisiting this topic.

 

Last night’s conversation with Arwin helped me make up my mind.

 

“Then let’s go on a journey here and there, following the request for the mercenary group. If we travel around with just a few people, you two will find it enjoyable.”

 

“...You two?”

 

“Arwin also dreamed of traveling the world.”

 

The rustling sound ceased.

 

Ner’s blinking eyes also froze for a moment.

 

“...You’re already calling her Arwin?”

 

“What else should I call her?”

 

“No, it’s just that I call her ‘Arwin-nim’. Given the age difference.”

 

“Referring to your wife with such formalities is amusing.”

 

“...”

 

Ner nodded in response to my comment.

 

“...Anyway, once we arrive in the village, I’ll ask Hyung for a favor. I think it’s time to start taking on smaller requests.”

 

The more I thought about it, the better the plan seemed.

 

This would also benefit the mercenary group.

 

Just the fact that I married Ner had already significantly elevated the status of our group.

 

Adding Arwin to the equation... If we traveled around and showcased our relationships, the attitudes towards our group—known as the Red Flames—would likely shift even more.

 

Of course, there would be risks involved in taking them both along.

 

Operating on too small a scale wouldn’t be advisable either.

 

Maybe a party of about 20 would suffice?

 

...Yet again, who would dare to mess with members of the Blackwood and Celebrien families?

 

Their mere names would offer a certain level of security.

 

The only possible threat would be from ignorant groups of thieves, who would be no match for us anyway.

 

Feeling that the conversation had pretty much covered what needed to be said, I started to turn away to end the dialogue.

 

“...Arwin-nim is your wife as well now?”

 

But Ner inquires first, as if seeking confirmation.

 

She seemed curious, likely because she had not witnessed the wedding ceremony.

 

“Yes.”

 

“...I see.”

 

“...”

 

“Ah...we should get along well moving forward.”

 

I nodded my head and started to turn away again.

 

“I should go, Ner. I need to speak with Hyung and the Elder...”

 

“...Have you embraced her?”

 

But Ner interrupted, asking in a near-whisper. She didn’t even make eye contact.

 

Her question gave rise to another moment of silence.

 

“...”

 

I was clear that I would tell others that I had consummated my marriage with Arwin.

 

But should I also lie to Ner about it?

 

She was in the same situation... and she was also my wife.

 

I couldn’t treat her like a stranger.

 

The decision was quickly made.

 

“No.”

 

Only then did Ner finally look at me.

 

“I haven’t embraced her.”

 

Her tensed shoulders visibly relaxed.

 

“...I see.”

 

“We’re not there yet.”

 

“Right, of course.”

 

Her response was quicker now.

 

I made sure she understood.

 

“...You know this is a secret, right?”

 

“Of course, it’s obvious.”

 

“...Alright.”

 

“Ah. If you’re going, then go, Berg.”

 

It was as if Ner’s curiosity had been satiated, and she finally gave me permission to leave.

 

For some reason, the whole scene made me chuckle.

 

Ner’s face flushed at my laughter.

 

“...I was just curious.”

 

She explained, almost defensively.

 

“I know.”

 

I responded.

 

“Isn’t this the first time you’ve ever asked what I’ve been up to?”

 

“............”

 

Ner clamped her mouth shut at that.

 

“I wonder where the person who values freedom so much has gone.”

 

To be honest, as a human, I didn’t quite understand the werewolf culture.

 

A culture that refrained from asking questions wherever one goes, whatever one does.

 

I was puzzled by how conversations were held or whether worrying was off-limits if questions were never asked. Still, I tried to understand.

 

However, this might be a challenging culture for me to adopt now that I have another mate.

 

Their reluctance to ask questions stemmed from the premise that a couple would forever only look at each other, eliminating the need for doubt.

 

If I hadn’t taken a second wife according to the werewolf culture, perhaps she would never have asked these questions.

 

In any case, I finally got the chance to tease her a bit about it.

 

“...”

 

In response, Ner’s cheeks only grew redder.

 

Ultimately, she covered her face with the blanket.

 

“See you later, Ner.”

 

I offered my farewell.

 

After my engagement to Arwin, it was a relief to be able to conclude the conversation with Ner in a jovial manner.

 

If she had loved me, could we have conversed so lightheartedly?

 

I couldn’t be sure.

 

Contrary to what I’d expected, that the conversation was over,

 

“...Yeah.”

 

A belated response came from Ner under the blanket.

 

I left the room with a smile on my face.

 

****

 

“Are you tired today?”

 

Adam Hyung asked the Elf Elder once again.

 

The Elf Elder let out a long sigh and nodded.

 

“...Arwin has something she needs to finish.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“As you know, the elves of Celebrien serve as nutrients for the World Tree. Arwin is no exception. However, now that she will be following you, she can no longer provide nutrients to the World Tree. She must perform a final ritual. It’s a long-standing tradition of ours, bidding farewell to the World Tree.”

 

“A farewell, you say...”

 

Adam Hyung stroked his chin, intrigued.

 

“How long will it take?”

 

“It should take at least a day. Even if it ends sooner... Arwin probably won’t be ready to depart today.”

 

“...Well, that’s unfortunate.”

 

Adam Hyung seemed a little disappointed.

 

“I was hoping to hold a feast as soon as we got back.”

 

“Sorry for the inconvenience.”

 

“No need to apologize. It’s a tradition after all.”

 

“...”

 

Ascal nodded.

 

Hyung soon crossed his arms and started tapping his fingers, appearing deep in thought.

 

What he was pondering, he kept to himself for a long time.

 

Finally, he sighed and spoke.

 

“...Berg. We’ll depart first.”

 

“...?”

 

“I’ll leave you and Head Hunter Unit behind. You guys can come back at your own pace.”

 

I looked at Hyung without saying a word.

 

This wasn’t like him, wanting to go back early just for the sake of having fun.

 

There had to be a solid reason.

 

As I kept my puzzled gaze on him, he leaned toward me.

 

And then he whispered so that Ascal couldn’t hear.

 

“...I need to go prepare for a funeral.”

 

“...”

 

Thanks to the unexpected appearance of the third boss monster, the damage was more extensive than anticipated.

 

Seven casualties, just like before.

 

Considering we had downsized our forces thinking it would be an easy task, the number of casualties was significant.

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

I saw the fatigue in the eyes of Hyung, who looked up at me.

 

His squad had suffered the most losses.

 

Of the seven casualties, three belonged to his squad.

 

He had deliberately led his squad into the most dangerous area to minimize the losses for the rest of the team. The result was that he had led those who followed him to death.

 

I knew he was quietly suffering, writhing in pain.

 

I knew just how hard it was; I’d been in that situation myself.

 

“Understood.”

 

No one here would say no at this point.

 

Hyung nodded.

 

“...Since it’s come to this, we’ll depart immediately.”

 

I nodded again.

 

Adam Hyung then turned to Ascal.

 

“Elder, I’ll take the troops and depart first. There are circumstances. Berg will stay behind, so I would appreciate it if you could bid them farewell tomorrow along with Lady Celebrien.”

 

“You also don’t have to rush—”

 

“-No, I think I should go.”

 

“...”

 

“Besides, wouldn’t it be impolite to continue staying within these lands with our mercenary troop?”

 

Ascal slowly nodded his head.

 

He then extended his hand for a handshake with Adam Hyung.

 

Hyung looked at the hand for a moment... then gripped it.

 

“Adam, the captain of the Red Flames. You’ll be someone I’ll remember for a long time.”

 

“...I’ll look forward to your promise to connect us with the nobility.”

 

“Of course. Once again, thank you for saving the World Tree.”

 

Adam Hyung nodded his head.

 

.

.

.

 

Not long after, Adam Hyung led the mercenary troop and set out toward Stockpin.

 

Being a mercenary group, their pace in pulling out was faster than anyone else’s.

 

Ascal and the elves within the territory saw them off with light farewells.

 

I watched their receding figures.

 

“Well, shall we go perform the ceremony?”

 

As the last member following Hyung stepped out of the territory and Celebrien’s gates closed, Ascal suggested.

 

I had nothing else to do, so I spoke up.

 

“I’ll go with you.”

 

Ascal nodded his head.

 

“Very well.”

 

And so, we took our steps toward Arwin.

 

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –