CHAPTER 60…………………………………………
In the end, Emily was revealed to be a spy, and the mood of the village became unsettled.
Sael had already warned them, so the villagers were cautioned in advance to prevent any important information from leaking.
However, many people quickly let their guard down around her, seeing her as harmless.
Because of that, the mere confirmation that Emily had broken through the sanctuary’s barrier was a huge shock.
For a strategy meeting, the village leaders and those with specific roles gathered in front of the World Tree.
Ashur was also included on the list of attendees.
“Sierra… I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay. Be careful.”
The day before their indefinite farewell, the two shared a deep sense of regret.
Because of that, when leaving the village entrance where many came to see them off, they were able to part calmly.
“We finally just got to be together.”
After seeing him off, Sierra tried to soothe her lonely heart while drying herbs in front of the cabin.
Next door, someone was shaking out laundry and hanging it in the warm sunlight, and from the square came the sounds of children playing happily.
It was a peaceful day, no different from any other.
“Sigh…”
“[It’s such a nice day—why the sigh? Want some help?]”
Kadya approached, lifting a bundle of herbs in her hands.
“[No, it’s fine. Hmm…]”
Sierra suddenly recalled the misunderstanding she had once had about Kadya and Ashur.
It had been a misunderstanding, but at that time, the atmosphere between them had been strange.
But now, was it really okay to speak casually about being close to Ashur?
“[What’s wrong? Is it about Ashur? Is that guy treating you badly?]”
Unexpectedly, Kadya spoke as if she had already noticed the relationship between them.
“[Uh, well…]”
Sierra’s cheeks turned pink at the unexpected question.
“[Just speak freely. I haven’t really dated either, but a guy’s thoughts are predictable.]”
Kadya giggled teasingly.
“[And Ashur, that blunt guy… you’re probably his first love, right? Isn’t he super stiff?]”
“[Hmm, no. He treats me well. No problem at all.]”
“[Oh really? Surprising. If that guy does anything strange, tell me immediately!]”
Kadya shook her fist as she spoke, and Sierra couldn’t help but laugh.
Talking nonsense with a friend her own age felt like this.
At the Mana Tower, there were hardly any women her age, and even peers were rare. Most were grandfatherly figures, at most a few uncle-like people.
“They’re probably doing well too, right?”
A fleeting memory of that time passed, making these small emotions feel unexpectedly fresh.
“[But Kadya, what about Rohita? What’s going on there?]”
Lately, they seemed to be getting along well, but it clearly wasn’t like before.
Sure enough, Kadya’s behavior suddenly stiffened.
“[Why are you bringing him up here?]”
“[Because the two of them seem suspicious.]”
“[No, never. We’re just old friends.]”
“[Does Rohita think the same?]”
“[Ah, I don’t know, that guy.]”
Kadya grumbled, shaking the dried herbs in her hands.
“[Honestly, I’m not thinking about dating at all right now.]”
“[Really? Well, that makes sense. You guys just became adults not long ago.]”
“[Exactly. Ah, why is everyone already like this? It’s way too early to have kids.]”
“[Who’s saying that?]”
“[The village elders always do. ‘At your age, I already had three kids,’ that sort of thing.]”
Sierra couldn’t help but laugh at the all-too-familiar topic. She had heard it often at the Mana Tower too.
“[Adults say the same things everywhere.]”
“[Yeah. It’s exhausting… So, when are you going to get together with Ashur?]”
The sudden topic flustered Sierra.
“[Huh? We haven’t even talked about marriage… Oh, right, there’s no wedding ceremony in the sanctuary, is there?]”
“[‘Wedding ceremony’? Well, in the kingdom, it seems they have some elaborate procedure for couples.]”
“[Hmm, I guess you could say that.]”
“[Here, as long as the two of you agree, you can just live together. And maybe have kids later.]”
Marriage or cohabitation felt far off for now.
“[We only recently became certain about each other… we should take it slow.]”
“[Geez. Ashur must have been so frustrated, and yet you only just got together? Everyone noticed you liked each other a while ago.]”
“[Really?]”
“[Yeah. Every time you two make eye contact, you grin like idiots—how could you not notice?]”
Kadya’s blunt words made Sierra fidget with her nails.
“[Ah… r-really?]”
“[Yeah. Even the village kids knew from the start. Hehe.]”
Sierra’s face flushed bright red.
“[Well, everyone just acknowledges it because it’s you. So, are you staying here for now or what?]”
“[We’ll see after the current matters are resolved…]”
Kadya nodded but suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke.
“[By the way, do you know that a divine beast can’t leave the sanctuary?]”
“[Huh?]”
Sierra had never heard this before.
She thought a divine beast, being connected by soul, was always nearby. Ashur had never mentioned this.
“[What happens if they go far away?]”
“[They can go to the edge of the sanctuary, but if they go further or stay apart too long, the contract will be broken.]”
“[How long? What happens if the contract is broken?]”
“[Hmm, I think about a year. To lose a soul-linked being… it would feel terribly empty, like the soul was ripped away.]”
Kadya frowned, imagining the horror.
“[…Disappear? The divine beast?]”
“[Yes. The contract is broken. They won’t die, but you’ll never meet again.]”
Kadya continued calmly, clearly expecting Sierra to choose to stay in the forest.
Sierra’s mind became endlessly complicated at this new information.
Late at night, the warning magic circle went off for some reason.
Sometimes it would happen when a beast stirred.
Since the linked magic circles would have received the alert too, it would probably be resolved soon.
Because of Emily’s incident, Sierra always went to check the circle herself.
“Sierra.”
While examining the circle, a strangely familiar voice reached her ears.
“Ashur…?”
It really was him.
Under the bright moonlight, his masculine features were revealed.
“Ashur! When did you come back? Is the meeting already over?”
Sierra approached him with joy.
“…I wanted to see you quickly. So I came first.”
“Is that okay?”
Ashur said nothing, simply gazing at her with a silent smile.
His half-closed eyes looked a bit tired.
‘I wanted to say something…’
But seeing his face, she forgot everything.
It no longer seemed important.
Sierra was captivated by his strangely bright blue eyes.
“…Why?”
For some reason, he answered dryly, not coming closer, looking different from usual.
“Ashur, what happened?”
“…Nothing.”
“Hmm.”
Even someone as strong as Ashur would be tired after a long meeting—it had been three days.
Sierra went to him first and hugged him tightly.
His fast heartbeat soon reached her ears.
Her soft voice came naturally.
“I wanted to see you too.”
Ashur stiffened as if surprised, then belatedly patted her back.
After enjoying the warmth of each other’s embrace for a while, he slowly let her go and pointed beyond the forest.
“…Sierra, want to go over there for a bit? I want to show you something.”
“Hmm? Oh… okay.”
Even though it was late, wanting to see Ashur after days apart, she followed him without hesitation.
“Wow, the full moon looks huge.”
“Yeah, right?”
As Sierra pointed to the sky, he slowly approached from behind.
She stood still, pretending not to notice.
She expected to feel his warmth soon.
Thunk-
“Ah… Ashur?”
But what she saw was his face quietly smiling.
Ashur stood on a cliff with the strong wind blowing, gradually moving away.
She was swallowed by the darkness.
