Chapter 113
Cassius had heard that Theo went out with Stephanie, so he waited outside the fortress for the children. He knew Theo would be safe—Stephanie was practically the strongest being in this world. Nothing could harm Theo with her there.
But the mind and the heart often spoke differently. His head said Theo was safe, but his heart still worried. Ever since Charlotte had been gone, Theo hadn’t left his room. No matter how much Cassius tried, the boy wouldn’t even eat a meal.
Charlotte’s absence had spread across the entire North.
Everyone carried her in their hearts. Even in the middle of restoration work, people still went to the sacred tree to lay flowers and pray.
The knights and the servants of the castle were the same. After their daily work, they went in small groups to “visit” Charlotte. Cassius had heard about it from Giverny.
Why do they go so often? Charlotte won’t return just because of that.
They say it’s because they don’t want her to feel lonely. And they think she’d want to know how everyone’s doing. So they sit there for a while, talking to her, then come back.
But Cassius himself couldn’t bring himself to go. If he stood there, he would have to face it again—that Charlotte was no longer at his side. And then he would shatter. His spirit, already hanging by a thread, would break completely.
Others went in his place.
For him, each day was heavy. His heart felt like a stone. He feared opening his eyes each morning. He feared time itself moving forward.
Theo must have felt the same.
Cassius didn’t know how to comfort or encourage him when he could hardly hold himself together. But children are often stronger than adults.
Once again, Stephanie had dragged Theo out from under his blankets.
And so, once again, they returned safely—smiling.
“Brother!”
Theo leapt from the sky, with Stephanie spinning through the air behind him before they both dropped down. Cassius caught them with his whole body.
The heavy weight hit him hard. Theo exhaled softly against his chest.
“…Brother.”
“Theo.”
Cassius set them both down gently. Stephanie beamed, and Theo gave a sheepish smile.
Cassius crouched to meet their eyes.
“…Are you alright now?”
Theo nodded.
“I’m eating well, sleeping well, and I’ll study hard. Just like I promised Charlotte. When she comes back, I’ll have so much to show her. I’ll be taller too…”
Cassius pulled both children into a tight embrace.
“…Thank you.”
His voice was choked.
“Thank you, Stephanie. Thank you, Theo. Truly.”
Cassius himself had done nothing—yet the child had stood up again. Children really were stronger than adults. He took a deep breath, steadying the storm of emotions in his chest.
“I… really am grateful.”
He bit his lip. Everyone was waiting for Charlotte. All of them, with one heart.
It was the day the imperial knights departed for the capital. They burned or collected all the records they had brought, as well as the ones about the yetis.
Cassius cooperated with them.
Humans had long memories, but the yetis forgot quickly. By the time they forgot, humans would have quietly buried the truth. This way, there would be no more chaos.
“Give His Majesty the Emperor my gratitude.”
“When the North has recovered, you should visit the capital. His Majesty will gladly welcome you.”
“…Do you truly believe that?”
The surviving knight gave an awkward smile. No one could predict the emperor’s moods.
“Even so. Maybe not others—but we will welcome you gladly.”
Cassius smiled faintly. It was the closest he could come to a real smile since Charlotte had left.
The imperial knights began their journey home. Some of the wounded stayed behind for treatment, while the others departed. Knights from nearby lands did the same.
Every knight gathered to send them off. As they left the fortress with solemn respect, they found the people of the North lining the streets, scattering flowers before them.
It was in gratitude for their sacrifices and help.
In silence, petals rained down. The knights’ eyes brimmed with tears. They realized how complacent they had been—how peaceful the capital had been, while the North had always stood on the front lines. Some of them had even supported the oppression of the North, believing it natural.
But after seeing the battlefield with their own eyes, they were shaken. So many had died, and the springtime of the North had been lost. The North had endured this kind of sorrow countless times before.
They walked in reverence, burying the memory of fallen comrades in their hearts.
When the long procession was gone, they gave their final farewells to the yetis. Soon, they too would go their separate ways. Cassius promised them long-term support in grain, to help them recover from the devastation.
Prince Knini’s tribe would no longer raid human villages.
“We keep promise. Remember this. Watch forest. Gate, gone.”
“Thank you. We’ll watch carefully too, so this never happens again.”
“Careful. Gate.”
Cassius and Prince Knini clasped hands. They no longer looked at each other as enemies, but as comrades. They had stood together on the battlefield. Knini had even lost his left arm in the fight. The scars of war were left on both humans and yetis alike, as if a great beast had clawed through them all.
“May your future be full of light.”
“Blessings, we give, Prince.”
Cassius smiled faintly once more.
Those who had gathered for the North now departed, returning to their places in the world. If another threat arose, they would gather again—just as their ancestors once had.
The North was not alone.
Cassius and Giverny watched for a long time as the yetis disappeared into the forest.
They had lost their homes and moved deeper into the mountains. Fallen trees covered their path, with new green shoots swaying over them. It would take a long time for the forest to recover.
Cassius inhaled deeply.
“…Salute!”
At his quiet command, the knights raised their hands in salute.
These were the ones who had been brave enough to act first, to sense the danger first. Despite centuries of conflict with humans, they had risked their lives and extended their hands in alliance. Without them, the North might have fallen even sooner.
Cassius carved this moment into his memory, never to forget it—or the allies who had come for the North.
One year later.
“Brother!!”
Theo’s voice rang through the fortress. Cassius looked up from his desk with his usual stern face, staring at the office door. One, two, three—
Bang!
The door burst open and Theo rushed in, cheeks flushed and a huge grin on his face. He slammed something down on the desk.
“I passed! I got accepted!”
His voice was full of excitement, as if he’d climb onto the desk in his enthusiasm. Cassius pushed him back by the forehead.
Behind him, Stephanie came running too.
“I passed too!” she shouted.
“We’re going to the capital now! We’re going to the Academy!”
The children had grown by a whole head in just a year—both their bodies and their hearts.
