In the heart of the majestic castle, the grand hall burst with life and celebration. Towering marble columns adorned with intricate carvings framed the space, their surfaces bathed in the soft glow of countless chandeliers. Velvet drapes in regal shades of crimson and gold cascaded from the lofty windows, billowing gently in the evening breeze.
A sense of victory hung in the air, as heroes from various lands mingled amidst the tapestries depicting battles and heroic deeds. The clinking of glasses resonated as toasts were raised to commemorate their triumphant victory. Laughter and joy filled every corner, echoing against the polished marble floors, while musicians played lively melodies that set feet tapping and hearts soaring.
At the center of the hall, a colossal banquet table stretched out, laden with an opulent feast fit for champions. Glistening platters held succulent roasts, vibrant fruits, and delicacies from across the realm. Crystal goblets sparkled, each brimming with exquisite wines and bubbling ales. The scent of fragrant flowers mingled with the rich aroma of spices, creating an intoxicating ambiance that spoke of both indulgence and achievement.
As the heroes regaled each other with tales of their daring exploits, their armor glinted in the warm light, bearing the marks of their recent battles. Adorned in vibrant attire, they danced with the castle's nobles, their exuberance matched only by the grandeur of the hall itself. It was a night of revelry, a celebration of valor and camaraderie, as the grand hall became a symphony of colors, sounds, and emotions—a living testament to their shared triumph.
While I stood in silence, my gaze was drawn to Julius and Seraphina engaged in conversation. Julius wore a light smile as Seraphina spoke animatedly. My attention was caught by Julius scratching his nape—an unmistakable self-soothing gesture.
Ahh.... Julius is acting like a wimp. Should I push him towards her?
A thought crossed my mind, but I dismissed it swiftly. It seemed counterproductive to interfere, considering the potential for drawing unnecessary attention from onlookers. After all, the atmosphere was already charged with the festivities of the moment.
Raising my goblet to my lips, I took a sip of wine and let myself be enveloped in the serenity of the moment, my eyes closed in quiet contentment.
A voice broke through the tranquility. "So this is where you are."
Startled, I opened my eyes slightly, catching a glimpse from the corner of my vision. "Eveline," I murmured as I recognized her approaching form.
Once she reached my side, Eveline leaned casually against the wall, her gaze fixed on the scene before us—a sea of joyful revelers.
"Are your wounds alright?" Her voice carried a note of genuine concern, though her attention remained focused on the crowd.
With a small smile, I extended my right arm, demonstrating my regained mobility as I replied, "As you can see, I can now move my body."
Eveline turned her head, her gaze finally shifting towards me. "That's a relief, I guess." Her amusement was evident in her voice. "Hey, is it just me, or did you manage to stay hidden during the entire battle?"
I maintained a composed demeanor, anticipating her inquiry. Tipping my goblet gently, I took another sip before explaining, "I was preoccupied with dealing with the smaller monsters that were lurking around. By the time I managed to break free, the Boss Monster had already transitioned to its second phase. I barely had a chance to intervene before I was blasted away."
"Uh huh..." Eveline's head bobbed in comprehension as she absorbed my explanation. "Traveller... No, Saber. Why did you lie about your identity when we first met?"
Her question prompted me to close my eyes for a moment, composing my thoughts before responding. "Well, even though it was evident that you were the one who rescued me that day, I couldn't simply place blind trust in a stranger."
"Fair enough," she nodded in agreement. "So... is it true that you were abandoned by your companions, as you mentioned?"
I met her gaze squarely, my response immediate. "Yes, that part is true. Although, I wouldn't say I was 'abandoned' per se. It was more a result of my carefree demeanor wearing thin on them until they eventually decided to part ways."
Anticipating her reaction, I observed her thoughtful silence. Deciding to lighten the mood, I conjured up a playful joke to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"Life hasn't exactly been kind to me, I suppose. But perhaps I brought it upon myself."
Confused, Eveline turned her head toward me, clearly intrigued by my words.
With a theatrical gesture, I thumped my chest lightly and proclaimed, "I'm actually a born pathological liar."
Her brows furrowed as she tried to make sense of my statement. "What?"
"Legend has it that when I was born, my first words were a lie."
"...."
A moment passed, and I couldn't help but chuckle. "I'm just joking."
She sighed, a smile tugging at her lips. "It's not funny."
"I know," I conceded, still amused. "At least I made you smile."
After a brief moment of silence, Eveline's reaction surprised me as she lightly punched my right arm before turning to walk away.
"What's up with—" I began to ask, but my words trailed off as I caught sight of her ear turning a shade of red.
Amusement bubbled up within me, and I couldn't help but smile to myself. "Not exactly my plan, but I guess I made her feel embarrassed," I mused aloud, recognizing the telltale sign of her bashfulness.
...
..
.
Having finished my wine, I made my way to the balcony, seeking a breath of fresh air to clear my thoughts.
"I wish cigarettes existed in their world... Unfortunately, they opt for cannabis for smoking over tobacco," I mused, my posture casual as I leaned on the balcony railing.
"The sunset is beautiful, isn't it?" came a voice, pulling my attention.
"Too bad the stars will likely be hidden by clouds later," I remarked, turning my head toward the speaker.
A wistful smile formed as I recognized the familiar figure. "It's been a while, Aria."
***
(Seraphina POV)
After concluding my conversation with Julius, I scanned the surroundings in search of Saber.
Ahh... It's her.
"Lady Eveline?" I addressed the stunning woman before me.
A gentle smile graced her lips as she responded, "If you wouldn't mind, could you refrain from using 'Lady'? I'd much prefer 'Miss' or even just 'Hero'."
Taking note of her preference, I nodded and continued, "Of course, Miss Eveline. Have you seen Saber?"
She pondered for a moment before clicking her tongue in thought. "I spotted him just around the corner a little while ago. If he's not there, he might have headed to the balcony."
Expressing gratitude to Miss Eveline, I followed her directions and arrived at the indicated spot, only to find Saber absent. This prompted me to change my course towards the balcony.
"Why are you concealing your strength?"
The familiar voice reached my ears, prompting me to hasten my steps and make my way to the balcony.
As I approached the glass door, preparing to open it, I noticed that it was already opened.
It was then, the conversation continued.
"You're the one who defeated the Boss Monster, right?" Aria began, her words quickening, "Why aren't you proclaiming your achievement to everyone? Instead, you're letting Julius hog all the cre—"
Her sentence was cut short by Saber as he lifted his hand to stop her.
"Why does it matter to you?" he asked, his tone devoid of emotion.
"...Huh? What are you trying to say?" Aria inquired, her confusion evident.
"Whatever actions I take hold no significance for any of you. Could you kindly refrain from meddling in my affairs? It's becoming increasingly vexing."
Upon hearing his words, Aria fell silent, her response quelled by his straightforward request.
Leaning against the wall nearby, I positioned myself to eavesdrop on their exchange.
"I never had any intention of hiding my capabilities," Saber's voice reached my ears, each word laden with a certain frigidity. "Strength wasn't something I possessed to begin with. All I did was train after all of you left."
A tremor of pain threaded through Saber's voice as he continued, "You know... it really hurts. The pain I felt when all of you turned your backs and left me behind was really excruciating, more painful than continuesly getting stabbed in the heart."
Aria seemed poised to interject, but Saber's words flowed on. "You don't need to provide any justifications. It was my own foolishness for ever placing my trust in all of you."
Listening intently, my heart seemed to quicken its pace within my chest.
His voice retained its chill, yet I sensed an undercurrent of raw emotions as he continued, "I placed my faith in every one of you, yet not a single one reciprocated that belief. 'Why...?' The question echoed incessantly in my thoughts ever since that moment."
Aria's response was simple, "Saber... Sorry..."
Saber held a moment of silence before resuming, his voice still carrying that cold edge, "You all turned your backs on me, shattered the trust we had, and broke the promises we made."
There was a brief spell of laughter that escaped him, as if the gravity of his words was an absurdity to him.
"I believed you were my friends... I was naive to think that," he halted his laughter abruptly.
"But you know what? Even though I've come to understand it, my heart still ached tremendously. I shed countless tears, even discarding my sword at one point. Yet, in the end, I reclaimed that sword and persisted, pouring my effort into every step. And fortunately, those efforts bore fruit... For that, I must thank you all for becoming the reason for turning me to what I am today."
With that, the sound of footsteps from the balcony drew closer to where I stood.
"Without you or anyone from our former group, I'll journey to the end, my destination known as the promised land..."
"The promised «PARADISE»"