A week had passed since the feast ended.
Thank you. You did well.
I had asked a mber who had so knowledge in talwork to complete simple pieces of jewelry.
It was a necklace intertwined with Arwins World Tree leaf.
A hole was made in the leaf to insert a ring, and a string was attached to that ring.
Fortunately, the leaf was tough, and its condition had improved since I first saw it.
Otherwise, I wouldnt have even attempted to make such jewelry.
I put the completed necklace around my neck.
Thus, Ners ring decorated my left hand, and Arwins World Tree leaf decorated my neck.
And the second piece of jewelry I received was a wedding ring with Arwin.
Given the circumstances, the human wedding ceremony was hastily skipped over.
Adam Hyungs mood wasnt great, and my injuries compounded it.
Moreover, having had the wedding in the Elfs way, I thought there was no need for more formal procedures.
Arwin would find it botherso and tiring as well.
So, I thought it would be better to just hand over the ring at the appropriate mont.
To vow again, in my way.
I didnt think how one gets married was particularly important.
...
I looked at the received ring.
I had roughly checked the size of Arwins finger last ti, during the feast, when I held her hand.
Though she was surprised and pulled her hand back.
This ring seed enough. It looked smooth and comfortable. It seed like it wouldnt be botherso once she got used to wearing it.
I kept the two rings I received and moved on.
The night was almost over.
It was ti to explain the future schedule to Arwin and Ner.
****
Upon entering the house, Arwin greeted .
Youre here?
I looked around the house and asked,
Wheres Ner?
Shes out for a walk.
I nodded my head.
Ever since Ner comnted that the human marriage culture was like a leash, we had developed our own pact.
I would not say anything on Ners walks but she would only go to designated places.
Ner seed to be outside today as well.
Shall we go look for Ner together?
I suggested to Arwin.
She blinked her eyes and suddenly changed the subject.
Whats that on your neck?
Arwin seed to be asking about the chain around my neck.
I pulled out the necklace from under my clothes to show her.
The Arwins World Tree leaf was revealed.
to not lose it.
I explained to her.
Upon hearing that, Arwin froze for a mont...then nodded.
It still required more effort to beco closer to Arwin.
There was still a slight awkwardness felt even now.
Since the ti we spent together was itself insufficient, it was only natural.
So, are we going together, or are you staying here?
Ill go with you.
Oh. One mont.
As Arwin stood up, I stopped her for a mont, and I picked up one of the liquor bottles stacked against the wall.
I thought it wouldnt be bad to have a drink while going for a night walk.
While pondering which liquor to choose, my eyes fixated on a new bottle.
Bardi liquor.
Seeing that liquor, Arwin spoke from behind.
Bardi liquor seems to suit your taste.
I nodded my head.
It grows on you.
And with that conversation, I made a decision. I picked up the bottle of Bardi liquor and proceeded.
Lets go.
...
About to leave the house after uncorking the bottle, I found Arwin, who was not coming, and turned to look back at her.
She seed frozen, silently blinking while looking down at the ground.
...Arwin?
...Yes. Ill go.
.
.
.
I found Ner at the designated place.
Her head was slightly tilted towards the full moon.
I approached through the grass field so as not to startle Ner.
Her perked ears twitch, pointing toward us.
Seeing that, I called out her na.
Ner.
...You ca?
She looked back at , responding in a comforting voice.
...
Then she slightly stiffened, her eyes turning towards Arwin.
...Arwin-nim ca with you?
Soon, a small smile ford as Ner spoke.
Ner and Arwin seed to get along well.
Maybe it was because they had a rapport from the beginning.
Or perhaps, because they were both nobles.
Whatever the case, I found it relieving.
The potentially uncomfortable polygamous arrangent seed sowhat mitigated by their friendship.
I could only hope they continue to get along like this.
I took a swig from the bottle and plopped down next to her.
Looking at the moon again?
I asked with a playful tone.
Youre drinking again.
At Ners following response, I just smiled.
Arwin also cautiously sat next to Ner.
For a mont, we enjoyed the night air, the scent of grass, and the atmosphere that ca with it.
Then I spoke.
Well be leaving soon for the next quest. As promised, imbued with the aning of the trip.
Huh?
What?
The two asked back in surprise.
I continued the explanation while drinking.
So, you two should be prepared too. Well probably leave tomorrow or the day after.
Really?
The most delighted seed to be Arwin.
Her reaction even made feel contagious.
Where are we going?
Youll find out when we get there.
They revealed their anticipation with small gestures and nodded.
The place we were going to was a village called Dems.
It was rumored to be beautiful.
I didnt know what it was like now that the war had been prolonged.
In any case, I wanted Ner and Arwin to see it with their own eyes, without hearing about it beforehand.
...
Dems was also a place that I promised to visit at least once with Sien.
I was lost in thought for a mont.
It seed like I was erasing my mories with Sien one by one.
We had promised to see the waterfalls of Blackwood together.
We had promised to secretly engrave our nas in the World Tree.
There were hundreds of such promises, but now I was just starting to fulfill them one by one.
Dems was no different.
We had promised to watch the sunset there while admiring the beautiful scenery.
It seed that I would erase even this promise with my two wives.
...
And with such plans, I felt mixed emotions.
I couldnt express what kind of emotion it was.
Relief, perhaps. Fortune. Joy.
Or regret. Sorrow. Pain. Or even anguish.
One thing was certain; the mont I heard the na Dems Village from Adam Hyung, strength entered my fists.
Anyway, I decided to ignore those emotions.
And to pay attention to my two wives next to .
That was the right thing to do.
While organizing these thoughts, a long silence ensued.
And, feeling the prolonged silence awkward, Arwin spoke.
Ah, Berg?
?
It was a topic that ca up while Ner and I were talking.
I nodded.
Arwin asked.
Do you know the Saintesss na?
...........
At the unexpected question, I felt my body stiffen.
Fortunately, I wasnt in the middle of drinking. If I had been, they would have definitely noticed my disturbance.
I calmly looked forward and replied.
...I know.
Arwin showed suspicion.
How do you know? It should be information not disclosed by the church
Sotis, when one looks away from information for too long, they dont know even the most obvious things.
It had been seven years since Sien left .
Only now did I realize that the church had been hiding her na.
For too long, I had been in denial of any information about the Hero party.
Who would have expected a question like this at the mont when I was thinking about her?
With my heart starting to race, I instinctively retorted.
...They didnt disclose it?
Yes.
Then I pretended to have been mistaken.
...I must have been mistaken then.
At this mont, I couldnt be honest with my wives.
I wanted to escape this uncomfortable topic.
I always avoided this subject.
And because I kept avoiding it like this, even Adam Hyung didnt know the situation.
Co on, lets get up. Weve been here long enough.
Perhaps because I tied the knots well, my wives didnt show any suspicion even with the abrupt conclusion.
****
Yes. Be careful.
Adam spoke, watching Berg who had mounted the horse.
Berg, with his usual expression, nodded briefly.
Say goodbye.
When Adam complained about Bergs indifferent appearance, only then did Berg open his mouth.
Ill be back.
Soon after, Adam threw a glance at Bergs wives behind him.
Ner Blackwoods eyes were still fixed on the back of Bergs head.
...
Adam, seeing this, felt a lot had changed for Ner Blackwood too.
She, who didnt reveal herself at the first eting, couldnt take her eyes off Berg now.
Arwin Celebrien was ambiguous, but her atmosphere had changed.
The sharp expression she had initially was nowhere to be found.
It might be because the torture he had heard about from Berg had ended.
Whatever it was, Adam wished Berg got along well with them.
It was solely for the sake of his younger brother.
Adam soon turned his eyes to Baran.
Baran, please take good care of Berg.
Dont worry, Captain.
He also addressed the other mbers of the team.
Shawn.
Its just a short break, whats the big deal.
Jackson.
You seem particularly worried today, Captain.
At Jacksons words, the mbers chuckled.
However, everyone understood it was because the friendship between Berg and Adam was that deep.
Berg looked at Adam and nodded briefly.
Adam also closed his eyes lightly in greeting.
Lets go!
Berg led the way.
Thus, the Head Hunter Unit left Stockpin.
****
Not long after Berg left, Adam received news that a group was approaching the village.
Who is it?
It seems to be the apostles from the Hea Church.
Why would the Hea Church co to our village?
...I dont know.
Theodore expressed his doubt as he conversed with Adam.
With no other option, Adam stood from his place and went out to et them.
.
.
.
.
Soon, Adam stood atop the village wall and watched the approaching carriage.
There were also five holy knights guarding the carriage.
It seed like they ca with quite an important issue, though he didnt know what it was.
Otherwise, there would be no need to bring along five holy knights.
Adam soon stepped out of the village to greet them.
The carriage stopped, and a bishop from the Cat tribe revealed himself from inside.
Adam detected the anxious look in his eyes.
I am Adam, the leader of the Red Flas. What brings the Church of Hea to Stockpin?
The bishop, in a manner not befitting his status, hurriedly alighted from the carriage and approached Adam.
Then, he quickly composed himself and introduced himself.
I am Bellingham, an apostle of Hea-sama... uhm... by any chance
He asked anxiously.
...Is there a man nad Berg here?
The End of The Chapter
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