Ascal and I ca to a halt in front of the room where Arwin was staying.
The hand of the elf elder, poised to knock on the door, froze in mid-air.
He then turned to and said, as if cautioning,
Ah...perhaps.
...?
It might be better if we wait outside for a mont.
Confused, I asked him, Why?
Arwin doesnt like the idea of becoming nourishnt for the World Tree. She might not be fond of the tradition of saying goodbye to the World Tree either.
Not liking to beco nourishnt?
At those words, I wondered why the image of World Trees leafto be specific, Arwins withered leafca to my mind.
Regardless, his explanation didnt give a reason to stay outside.
As I silently looked at Ascal, he added,
...There might be an argunt.
Finally, I shook my head.
Its fine. Besides, I need to explain why the rcenaries left early, so lets go in together.
If you say so.
With that, Ascal promptly knocked on the door.
Arwin, are you in there?
...Co in.
At the responding voice, Ascal pushed open the door.
Arwin was sitting on a chair, dressed in simple clothes.
Around her, half-packed belongings were scattered.
It seed like she stopped packing upon seeing the rcenaries leaving through the window.
She raised an eyebrow upon seeing .
...I did think it was odd that you left so abruptly.
The rcenaries had urgent matters to attend to, so they left early. You and I will head back tomorrow. I spoke up.
...Tomorrow? Why not today?
A puzzled expression crossed Arwins face.
Ascal cleared his throat and continued the conversation.
You have to perform the final ritual.
At those words, Arwin visibly tensed.
It seed she disliked the ritual, just as Ascal ntioned.
Her agitation only grew and her unfocused eyes waver.
...Till the end...
I dont like it either, Arwin. But its tradition. What can we do?
Arwins lips, tightly sealed until now, trembled.
The more she showed aversion, the more perplexed I beca.
Her resistance seed much greater than that of other elves.
Was it regret for not leaving this territory sooner?
...Ha.
Finally, like a string snapping, Arwin lets out a sigh.
Then she shot a sharp glance at Ascal.
Her weary eyes were filled with a staggering amount of loathing, enough to even make wonder.
...Torturing to the end... Its all just hypocrisy.
...
If you really hated it, you wouldve let go without acknowledging it. But you didnt. So please, stop pretending to be kind. It only makes angrier.
I quietly observed the situation that I couldnt quite understand.
I even considered suggesting that if she disliked it so much, maybe Ascal could refrain from the ritualbut it was not my place to interfere in another culture.
...
As we waited in silence, Arwin finally gave a feeble nod.
Ascal whispered at the nod.
This is truly the last ti.
...
Arwin didnt respond.
****
I followed Ascal and Arwin toward the World Tree.
Arwin appeared increasingly agitated.
She tried to stifle her emotions, but they inevitably seeped out.
Her cold, stoic expression montarily broke, her brows furrowing for an instant.
Every now and then, she bit her lip as if struggling.
The usually emotionless Arwin was even trembling.
My confusion deepened as I watched her.
...Are you alright?
...
It was only after my question that she straightened her back, as if regaining her composure.
Once again, she put on that cold, emotionless face and didnt answer.
...?
We changed direction as we headed toward the World Tree.
The adow where other elves sat, contributing their essence to the World Tree, was not in this direction.
But Ascal and Arwin had apparently already determined their destination, and I had no choice but to follow them.
Vice-captain!
A voice called out to from sowhere.
Turning my head toward the sound, I saw Baran waving his hand in the distance.
Ive inford Ner-nim!
Alright, take it easy!
I saw the cheerful mbers of the head hancho team staying behind and smiling.
Soon, we arrived at our destination.
There, many elvesor rather, elderswere already waiting for Arwin.
It was clear that this final ritual was important, even the elders had co out for it.
Ascal touched his forehead in a greeting.
Elders.
Ascal.
One among the over ten elders greeted Ascal back.
As for Arwin...
Yes, we will proceed...
They began their own conversation.
Vice-captain.
Next, Gallias, who had been with the Elders, walked toward .
The elf swordsman, who had honed his swordsmanship for centuries, smiled as he addressed .
Are you here to accompany Arwin for her final ritual?
...Yes.
Its going to take a while. If youd like, how about another round of sparring?
I briefly glanced at Arwin.
I had been told the ritual would take all day, so I was looking for sothing to pass the ti.
With a nod, I answered him.
Yes.
...Arwin. Lets go.
Soon, Ascal called for Arwin.
I had wrapped up my conversation with Gallias.
Ill just see her off for a mont and return.
Alright. Ill wait for you.
I joined Arwin at her side.
Though I was not sure I needed to accompany her from here, after seeing her trembling earlier, I felt the urge to offer so comfort.
We headed to a small cave located beneath the enormous World Tree.
Before entering the cave, Ascal stopped and turned to look at .
Vice-captain, this is as far as you go. Beyond here, no one but elves can enter.
...
I nodded in acknowledgnt.
Then I looked at Arwin and said,
Take care and co back well.
...
Arwin looked up at and turned away with a light, mocking laugh.
Like before, she made no reply as she moved into the cave.
She seed quite irritated.
...
Ascal, left behind, briefly showed a face that appeared apologetic, then followed Arwin inside.
I watched as they walked away.
They disappeared into the darkness within monts.
I turned back and made my way toward Gallias, who was not far off.
Then, I gazed at the cave Arwin had disappeared into and asked,
...All the other elves were sitting in the adow; why did Arwin head there? Is it because its her last ti?
Gallias shook his head.
...No, its because shes special.
Special?
She was born with a lifespan that can stretch for 1,300 years. Naturally, she contributes richer sustenance to the World Tree.
Then he looked at with bittersweet eyes and said,
Just think of it as one of our long-standing traditions.
...
I nodded at his words.
As Arwin moved inside, the Elders also started to prepare to leave.
Gallias then spoke to ,
Well, Vice-captain, lets go. Lets cross swords once more.
...Yes.
I turned my body as well.
As I would train with him once again
Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!!
At that mont, a piercing scream from a woman froze in my tracks.
A wail intermingled with a cry of despair.
A shriek that raised the hairs on the back of my neck.
I looked up; the Elders and Gallias were still moving, undeterred.
Did I imagine the sound?
Everyone else seed unaffected.
Ahhhhh ahhh ahh ahh!! ahhh ahhhhhh!!
But the scream continued to echo.
...What was that sound?
Finally, I asked Gallias.
He looked at and heaved a long sigh.
Then, with a face full of regret, he explained.
...Its Arwin.
What?
My heart leaped as if just awakened.
Her long lifespan requires a different kind of lifespan-absorbing process. Ive heard that process is painful.
...What?
Ahhhhh ah ah ah!! Ah... Haaa!!
The following scream made the blood in my veins churn violently.
I never knew she could scream like that.
My eyes trembled uncontrollably.
Now, I started to understand why she detested the ritual so much.
Why she was so nervous and afraid.
I reconfird with Gallias.
...Youre saying thats Arwin?
He nodded his head.
I let out an incredulous laugh at this absurd situation.
...Ha.
****
Arwin scread once again, engulfed in her ceaseless pain.
For 170 years, the ritual had been an ongoing affair, but familiarity did not lessen her suffering.
Each ti, she had to scream until it felt like her throat would burst, praying for the ordeal to end quickly.
Arwin tried to reassure herself that this would be the last ti, but it was futile.
No amount of self-consolation could alleviate the pain.
All she wished for was for this agony to end right now.
After all, there was no other way.
No one among the other elves empathized with her.
And she could not simply opt out of her obligation.
If she didnt go through with this, she had no idea what repercussions might follow.
It was better to conclude this filthy ritual once and for all.
But deep down, she felt wronged.
Why was she born with a longer lifespan only to endure such tornt?
Why was there not a single soul to share her pain?
Why did everyone ignore her when she was screaming, and aching like this?
Arwin didnt know.
- Thump...!
Haa...! Haa...! Haa...!
With an indescribable sound, Arwin found herself gasping for air instead of screaming.
The pain had disappeared.
For a mont she thought she might have passed out, but her consciousness was fully intact.
She felt a sudden warmth.
Exhausted, Arwin lifted her head.
Are you okay?
Soone asked.
She realized she was nestled in the arms of a man.
Feeling uneasy in the absence of her pain, Arwin looked up at him.
She discerned his face in the darkness.
But she couldnt believe it.
Why was he here?
...Berg?
Arwin rolled her eyes, trying to make sense of the situation.
The roots of the World Tree had detached from her body and were now at rest.
The wooden door that led to this room lay shattered.
It was clear that Berg had entered.
...Haa... Why are you here... Haa...
Drawing ragged breaths, Arwin asked with effort.
She still couldnt understand why he was here.
It was a space where beings of other races shouldnt be able to enter.
Slowly, her strength returned.
Pushing Berg aside, she sat up and struggled to regain her composure.
- Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
Soon after, the sound of nurous footsteps echoed, approaching through the corridor.
...Keep taking deep breaths.
Saying so, Berg stood up and looked towards the corridor.
Monts later, a multitude of elders and Ascal entered the room.
What is the aning of this!
One of the elders thundered, the sound resonating in Arwins bones.
This is not a space where beings of other races can enter! You should not be here!
Arwin continued her deep breaths, struggling to understand the situation.
Haa... Haa...
With a foggy mind, she thought: Could Berg have willingly co here?
But that couldnt be. There was no reason for him to do so.
Just then, Berg nodded his head.
...I will leave.
With that, he slided his hands under Arwins back and legs.
Arwin felt her body lifting off the ground.
...and Ill take Arwin with .
The elder continued to shout.
Arwin is currently in the midst of a sacrificial ritual! You cant just take her away!
...I cant even take my own wife?
There was a newfound iciness in Bergs voice that she hadnt detected before.
A lone human stood facing a multitude of elven elders.
As Arwins head gradually cleared, she had no choice but to accept that this unbelievable situation was real.
That Berg had co all this way for her.
That the first one to step up for her wasnt one of her own, an elf, but a human, Berg.
Ascal stepped forward next.
...Vice-captain. Stop it.
...
This is our culture. You have no place to intervene. Put Arwin down and step outside.
Berg, who didnt even love her.
Their relationship was purely one of mutual benefit.
He had no reason to do this; she couldnt think of any no matter how hard she tried.
...I was sincere.
But then, she recalled what Berg had sworn just the day before.
The promise to make her happy and protect her as long as he lived.
...Could he be doing this just to keep that promise?
For just those words?
Arwin couldnt believe it.
But before Ascal could convince him further, one of the elders shouted.
Gallias!
Through the corridor, Gallias also walked in.
Without a word, Gallias stared intently at Berg.
The atmosphere in the room was instantly subdued by Gallias.
...Vice-captain, stop.
Gallias spoke.
...I dont want to kill you. Youve already crossed the line enough.
...
As the elders said, this is our culture. Your comrades have already gone back to their hos. I understand the surprise, but let Arwin go. This is sothing you can overlook for just one day.
Arwin also looked at Berg.
He had stepped up for her, but this was the end.
With Gallias stepping in, it was over.
Just as Gallias said, the rcenary group had left too.
Berg had no allies here.
Life was too precious; it was Bergs turn to step back.
...
Was it because Berg had stood up for her?
Or was it because her mind hadnt fully cleared yet?
Although Arwin had been seeking Bergs death, she couldnt hope for it here.
She twisted her body to escape from Bergs embrace.
Berg couldnt say anything to her actions.
...
...Go back.
Arwin spoke.
...Its our culture, just like they said.
Suppressing her reluctance, she turned back toward the roots.
...Because today is the last day...
- Grab.
However, Berg forcibly grabbed her wrist.
This small action shook Arwins heart again.
Despite pushing him away, his actions felt like a window into her soul.
- Shing.
At the sa ti, Gallias drew his sword from his waist.
...Vice-captain, this is your final warning. Let go of Arwin.
Quietly, Berg took sothing out from his pocket.
Just monts before wilting, Arwins leaf beca visible.
Both Arwins and Bergs gazes t.
For once, she couldnt avoid his eyes.
...
...
But nothing would change because of it.
Any further rebellion by Berg would be foolish here.
Gallias would subdue him.
Arwin shook off his grip and moved back toward the roots.
...Its done, so...go.
She spoke again.
The roots of the World Tree quivered as if they regained consciousness.
Swallowing hard, Arwin braced herself for the impending pain.
- Snap!
But Berg grabbed Arwins wrist again and pulled her away.
...Ah!
Weakened, Arwin was led away from the roots.
She collapsed onto the ground, drained of energy.
- Clang...
Then, a wholly unexpected sound of tal rang out.
Turning her head, she saw Berg unsheathing his sword, locking eyes with Gallias.
The elders stumbled backward, bewildered by Bergs decision.
This...this fool!
They cursed, practically spitting the words.
...Step aside, Gallias.
But Berg spoke with an unyielding voice.
Even with death looming, he stood his ground, like a moth to a fla.
Arwin looked up at Berg.
A human with no allies here, yet still committed to keeping his oath.
...Because theres no compromising on this.
The End of The Chapter
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