“Sir Knight, are you truly certain you don’t require Yuina’s healing?”
“I do not.”
“Sir Knight, may Yuina gaze upon your face?”
“You may not.”
“Sir Knight, how old are you, and why does your voice sound so hoarse?”
“I do not know.”
“Sir Knight…”
Throughout their journey, Yuina resembled a curious child, ceaselessly plying the Abandoned One with question after question, to which he invariably responded with the same detached indifference.
Thus, two days elapsed.
****
A roar echoed!
Before them stood a five-meter-tall Iron-Spined Bear, a Tier 4 magical beast radiating a ferocious aura, its might comparable to that of a High Swordsman.
Yet, this formidable magical bear, after emitting a mournful shriek, collapsed lifelessly, its colossal, hill-like body plummeting to the ground.
“It’s over. You may come out now.”
Perched atop the magical bear’s head, the Abandoned One, his form wreathed in dark light, indifferently withdrew his Blazefire Sword, turning his head to speak to Yuina, who had been hiding in a distant corner.
“Sir Knight, is your body truly alright?”
Stepping out, Yuina posed the question she had asked countless times over the past two days.
‘She has noticed, then…’
“If you don’t keep up, I will leave you behind.”
Catching the faint glimmer of worry in Yuina’s eyes, a wry smile touched the Abandoned One’s heart, though not a trace of it showed on his face. He stepped forward in silence, leading the way, his back to Yuina, and spoke in a tone of detached finality.
Having no other recourse, Yuina gritted her teeth and hurried to follow closely behind him.
The Abandoned One had, perhaps, underestimated Yuina’s constitution, and more significantly, the allure of her Light Elemental Spirit Body. During these two days of travel, powerful magical beasts, akin to the giant bear they had just encountered, were distressingly numerous, forcing the Abandoned One into a bitter struggle with each one.
Fortunately, no magical beasts above Tier 5 had appeared along the way; otherwise, given the Abandoned One’s current state, he would have struggled immensely to cope.
The Dark Seed, in its activated state, constantly exuded a formidable, malevolent aura. Consequently, most magical beasts below Tier 4 dared not approach, which, in turn, saved the Abandoned One considerable effort and afforded him moments of respite.
For along this route, the most numerous and troublesome foes were not the Tier 4 magical beasts, but rather those below Tier 4, the creatures that often roamed in packs. If they had truly swarmed them, the Abandoned One would likely have had no choice but to flee with Yuina.
After slaying the Iron-Spined Bear, the remainder of their journey back was unexpectedly smooth. As the third day drew to a close and twilight descended, the vast outline of a city, resembling a blooming rose, finally emerged on the distant horizon, catching both their eyes.
Rose City, the capital of the Blue Rose Kingdom, renowned as the ‘Flower Capital Beneath the Moonlight’…
“We’ve arrived… finally…”
The moment the silhouette of Rose City came into view, a smile of profound relief touched the Abandoned One’s lips, hidden though they were by the shroud of dark light. He strode forward once more, intending to deliver Princess Yuina back in a single, determined push.
It was then, however, that a slender, pale hand reached out and gently tugged at the corner of his tunic.
“I am weary. Might we rest here tonight?” Under the Abandoned One’s bewildered gaze, Yuina lowered her head. Her golden-pink eyes held a struggle he could not comprehend as she uttered the words in a voice barely above a whisper.
Casting another glance at Rose City on the horizon, the Abandoned One sighed with resignation, ultimately acceding to Yuina’s request.
That night, Yuina found sleep elusive for a long time.
The Abandoned One, however, had long since fallen into a peaceful slumber. Yet, when the dawn of the fourth day arrived, the moment he should have awakened, he simply did not.
At last, the Abandoned One’s body grew utterly cold; at last, his soul found complete liberation from the demon spirit’s curse.
As the dark light shrouding the Abandoned One dissipated, his repulsive visage and decaying body were finally revealed without reservation before Princess Yuina’s eyes.
“Sir Knight… indeed… indeed… I knew it… I knew it would be you…”
Yuina had never imagined that the second time she saw the face she longed to behold again would be under such circumstances.
Clutching the Abandoned One’s frail remains, Yuina could no longer contain herself and burst into a loud, heart-wrenching sob.
‘Truly… because of this face, because of this body… would I ever hate you, would I ever despise you?’
‘No! Never!’
‘Sir Knight, you will forever be Yuina’s respected Sir Knight!’
‘Yuina… will forever, forever remember you. She will forever hold you deep within her heart… your resolute face, your gentle soul, the words you spoke, your figure battling through blood…’
‘The warmth remaining in Yuina’s heart will endure, cherished until eternity…’
After her tears had run their course, Yuina bravely wiped them away. She dug a grave in the sandy soil with her bare hands, using her last reserves of strength to inter the Abandoned One.
Only when night descended once more did Princess Yuina rise to her feet, her blood-stained fingers curled into tight fists. With resolute steps, she embarked alone on the final leg of her journey home.
Shortly after Princess Yuina’s departure, a man cloaked in a long grey cowl appeared with unsettling stealth. He stood before the unmarked grave of the Abandoned One, watching in profound silence for a long, drawn-out moment.