Crossroad Square.
Although restoration was progressing rapidly, there were still more ruins than anything else.
Zenis and Hannibal were walking side by side on the main street.
"Hehe, everyone seems so youthful..."
Zenis, who had been talking about what had happened at the gathering, chuckled and then looked at Hannibal.
"By the way, Hannibal, don't you have any romantic relationships?"
"What?"
"I bet there are a lot of people who like you. Any good news?"
Zenis laughed mischievously. Hannibal scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
In fact, Hannibal had a very colorful dating history for his young age.
He was popular even within the mixed-race community, and the number of lovers who had passed by his side easily reached double digits.
He just hadn't found the right person since coming to Crossroad.
...Hannibal felt awkward about revealing this, so he redirected the topic instead.
"What about you, Father?"
"?"
"Any good news?"
Hannibal asked with a sly smile, causing Zenis to beco flustered.
"Well... there's no such news for . I've been a priest all my life..."
"But priests of the Goddess's Order aren't restricted from marriage, right?"
"...And now I'm excommunicated."
"Doesn't that make you even more free?"
"Erm. Erm..."
Hannibal cautiously asked Zenis, who was at a loss for words.
"What about Priestess Rosetta? You seem close with her. How is that?"
"Khak!"
Zenis coughed loudly in surprise and waved his hand.
"Rosetta and I are not like that."
"Really?"
"Yeah. We're like siblings. Rosetta saved my life when I was young... We're connected on a much deeper, spiritual level than just a man and a woman..."
Hannibal, acting as if nothing was out of the ordinary, interjected as Zenis tried to explain further.
"Father."
"Hm? What?"
"I think it would be nice if I had a mother."
"Khak-!"
Trying to pry into his son's romantic situation only to get a blowback left Zenis sweating coldly and barely able to reply.
"I-I'll try..."
Though it wasn't sothing that could be achieved just by trying...
Hannibal, satisfied, quickly ran ahead, while Zenis folded his arms and groaned.
"Romance? ? I've beco a commoner now, but at this point?"
Suddenly, he recalled what Ash had once said.
- From now on, today is the youngest we'll ever be.
He also rembered what his son had said to him before.
- Father, how do you want to live from now on? You can do anything now.
"..."
A faint smile tugged at Zenis' stiff lips.
Yes. Today is the youngest we'll ever be, and we can do anything in the future.
If there's a good match, there's no reason not to.
"A good match... if there is one..."
This was the hardest part.
Zenis, with a bitter smile, quickly followed his son who had run ahead.
***
Crossroad. Back alley.
"Hey, Kuilan! Get a grip! Why did you drink so much when you can't even handle your alcohol?"
Chain was supporting a heavily intoxicated Kuilan as they made their way back to their lodgings.
It was a nightmare, trying to bring along a drunkard when Kuilan's injuries hadn't even healed yet, making it hard for him to move. Chain gritted his teeth and practically dragged Kuilan.
After hours of struggle, they finally reached the barracks and managed to get Kuilan into his room.
"Wow, I almost died. You owe a al later, got it?"
Chain pointed a finger at Kuilan, who was slumped on the bed, then turned to leave. It was then that Kuilan, heavily drunk, mumbled from within his pillow.
"Chain..."
"..."
"I should go ho..."
"..."
"It's not my place to say, having lived a shorter life than you... But it's best to be with the ones you love."
Chain clenched his lips. Kuilan's voice grew increasingly drowsy.
"They're all waiting for you... So, before it's too late, tell them how you feel..."
Soon, Kuilan was snoring loudly.
Sighing, Chain closed the door and returned to his own quarters.
The barracks room he shared with Nobody was completely empty. Leaning on his crutch, Chain entered the room and collapsed onto his bed.
"..."
Chain pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it.
It was a letter from his wife, received a few days ago.
"..."
Reviews
All reviews (0)