Chapter 136…………………………….
Epilogue (1)
It was Rio and Leri, returning with reinforcements. They seemed to have brought not only the Duke Etval’s soldiers and Wyd’s soldiers but also the royal magic knights. Rio reported that the reinforcements were so abundant that the situation was resolved quickly.
Since Lowell had effectively crushed nearly everyone, their task was simply to restrain anyone and ensure nothing went wrong. They even extinguished the fires that had spread throughout the villa without breaking a sweat.
“Um… what happened to the people who were lying on top here?”
“Of course, we asked the temple’s healing mages to treat them. Just in case, we also sought help from the temple itself, and someone stepped up willingly. I believe her name was… Vanessa—?”
“…!”
“I heard the fallen ones were your servants. I told them to care for them diligently, so don’t worry.”
By the way, it seems we have some things to discuss.
At that moment, Rio smiled faintly and subtly called Temia over. Unsure what to expect, Temia looked confused at first, but upon seeing the broken orb fragment in Rio’s hand, she nodded.
‘Now that I think about it, Rio was said to be the one who knows the most about gold dragons.’
Then perhaps he knows something about this relic? After all, he had once been the head of the Information Guild, so it seemed plausible. As she recalled this, Temia’s eyes naturally shifted to Lowell, who let out a deep sigh.
“Just go hear about that orb fragment, that’s all.”
“…He’s not coming with me? Is it okay if I go alone?”
“No, it’s not okay. This will be the last time we leave you alone. From here on, it’s my territory. You did say it yourself—you promised a date after all this.”
“Y-You… are a dragon?!”
However, what she heard during the conversation with Rio was more shocking than any information related to the orb.
Looking again, his blond hair seemed to gleam unusually. Rio smiled lightly.
“Yes. Do you know why I knew everything about you from the start?”
“W-Well, I thought it was because you were the head of the Information Guild?!”
“Haha. That was just a smokescreen. There’s no better title than claiming to know the origins of all the mysterious things floating in the world.”
“But—! Ah, no. I thought I had kept everything completely hidden! And Rio, if that was the case, why did you threaten me?! You said something about telling Lowell!”
“Hm? That was just a friendly prank because I was glad. More than anything, a child of Etval coming to me of their own accord—what could be more amusing than that?”
Temia wanted to argue with him, but thinking of the current situation, she restrained herself. Fortunately, her discontent faded with the next question.
“But… how did you end up using that orb? I gave it just in case, but I never expected it would actually be used.”
“Oh, right. Even my father didn’t fully understand it. I only learned there was a relic in the basement after I turned back time. The orb was truly used by chance.”
“By chance?”
“I smashed the orb in anger. If Lowell’s goal was that, I wanted to ruin it.”
Looking back now, her sense of burden and guilt had eased considerably. Probably because everything had truly been resolved. Temia smiled faintly and began recounting past events, out of respect for those who had left gifts long ago.
Rio listened seriously to the story and, at the end, let out a wry laugh while brushing back his hair.
“Hah… Lowell went that far too? Truly a troublesome mage!”
“At the time… yes, that was the case. But not anymore.”
“No wonder you’ve always stuck in my mind.”
His pupils, when he slowly opened and closed his eyes, were thinner than usual, perhaps closer to his true form, looking more natural.
“Luckily, the relic was used properly.”
“Properly…?”
“Yes. Everyone may have forgotten now, but originally it was meant as an opportunity for those loyal to the royal family.”
“So that’s why Etval had it.”
“Exactly. Etval hasn’t changed much, even now. When the kingdom faced a crisis, he wisely resolved it.”
“I never thought of it in such grand terms. I just wanted to save a friend.”
“As long as the outcome is good, that’s all that matters. Had it been used for ill intentions, the results would not have been the same.”
He added a quiet thanks for using it well. Within those words were the sincerity of someone who had built and protected the kingdom. Temia whispered in response.
“…Thank you, for giving me another chance. For giving me the power to make up for my regrets.”
Ha ha ha—Rio laughed heartily. His golden eyes flashed brilliantly. The bright smile beneath them matched the brilliance of his eyes. Like when he had once handed down relics he had forged for those who devoted themselves to the kingdom, he spoke graciously and kindly.
“Child of Etval, I hope you find happiness.”
Thus, the incident that almost struck the kingdom ended with minimal damage.
Once reinforcements arrived, the situation was quickly resolved. After speaking with Rio and returning, Temia was dazed as someone guided her out of the villa. The solemn voice she had just heard was replaced by chaotic noise in her ears.
‘Something… feels strange.’
Outside, the scene was far worse than Temia had imagined.
The villa, ravaged by flames, was in a terrible state. Despite the chaos, it had miraculously retained its form. It looked ready to collapse at any moment, and it was easy to understand why non-combatants had been evacuated so quickly. Had she stayed longer, she would have been buried under the falling debris.
Yet Temia could not leave the front of the villa. This was where she had cried, thrown tantrums, suffered from fever, and struggled to survive against those who disturbed her peace—but also where she had grown under the care of those who loved her.
Childhood memories.
And the guilt that had always lingered from Kylie’s death.
She watched as all of it turned to ashes. Relief and comfort spread through her chest.
Meanwhile, for treatment and recovery, the group moved to a location away from the scene.
Wrapped in a blanket in the temporary shelter, Temia was surrounded by people.
“Miss, are you okay?”
“How are your injuries? Do you feel dizzy or unable to move?”
“Temia, you didn’t faint standing up, did you? If you’re okay, say something!”
The familiar faces surrounding her were full of concern. They were all covered in grime and sustained various injuries from the attack in the villa. They included the duke’s soldiers who came with Rio and Kylie. Especially Kylie, who sprang up as if she hadn’t fainted at all, grabbed Temia’s shoulders, and shook her. The usual composure of the noble lady was gone; in disheveled and torn clothes, Kylie checked on Temia anxiously.
‘Fools… who’s worrying about whom…’
In truth, everything still felt unreal to her.
Even after experiencing it all, seeing Kylie alive and knowing she herself was safe felt strange. It was as if the clock had been turned back to childhood, and a new struggle was beginning—but now it felt as if she had overcome a wall.
“If you keep rushing me like this, I might get sick. Let Temia rest. You all should rest too.”
As her thoughts spiraled, someone grabbed her hand and led her to another tent. Soon, a solid back filled her view.
The touch of the hand was familiar. Slightly warmer than usual after the chaos, but the tone of voice was the same. It was Lowell.
“Are you okay? You didn’t inhale too much smoke and feel dizzy, did you?”
His crimson eyes, full of worry, met hers. Those fierce eyes always seemed so gentle when looking at her—it was still astonishing. At the same time, she felt the reality that it was truly over. Those eyes had once held madness that attacked her, but now only concern remained.
Then, without restraint, tears began to fall uncontrollably.
“Huh… it’s really over, really over?”
“Y-Yes. Don’t worry. If anything happens, I’ll take care of it.”
For a moment, the usually composed Lowell stammered, and with his remaining hand, gently pulled Temia into an embrace. The awkward pat on her back betrayed his embarrassment. Despite the joy of survival, her tears flowed endlessly. He couldn’t ask why—seeing her like that, all he could think of was to reassure her at any cost.
Fortunately, her sobbing soon stopped. A strange sense of relief spread, and her tension finally eased. Amid it, an incongruous thought arose.
‘…I can’t show this face. It must be so swollen.’
