Yun opened her eyes with a start.
Her blurred vision gradually cleared, and soon, she saw a familiar middle-aged man before her.
"...Father?"
"Yun!"
The middle-aged man with the same lush, copper-toned hair joyfully called out.
It was none other than King Miller Ariane of the Northern Arian Kingdom, who had come down to see his youngest daughter.
"Yun, you've come to! Your father was worried sick that something terrible might have happened to you..."
"Father, how did you come all this way?"
"When I heard that my beloved youngest daughter had fallen gravely ill, of course, I had to come, didn't I?"
The king smiled, but Yun frowned in displeasure.
Her father, King Miller Ariane, was a good king but hardly a good father.
He was a man who could easily throw his children into the political arena if needed.
Was it not just two years ago that he had pushed for an engagement between Yun and Prince Ash without so much as asking her opinion?
In front of his daughter, he might shed tears of love, but behind her back, he could let his own children die if it benefited the nation. Such was the political figure of the king of the Arian Kingdom.
"For your healing, we've used our kingdom's treasure... the 'Tears of the Apex'."
Thus, when Yun heard that her father had used such a precious national treasure to heal her, she felt apprehensive first.
Then, the clergyman next to him cautiously spoke to the king.
"Your Majesty. Although the relic is working, it hasn't fully healed the princess's injuries."
"What? How can that be? Do whatever it takes to cure her!"
"The 'Tears of the Apex' is a condensed body of divine power... it has no effect on injuries that divine power cannot heal. It's a miracle that the princess regained consciousness at all."
The king furrowed his brow.
"So you're telling me, not only will my daughter not recover, but she'll soon lose consciousness again... Is that what you're saying?"
"It is with regret that I must confirm, yes."
"Oh, what a tragedy..."
King Miller Ariane tugged at the hair beneath his crown and lamented.
"My most beloved youngest daughter... to suffer such a fate at the distant front lines, oh..."
"..."
Yun's eyes narrowed slightly.
She was beginning to understand why her father was overreacting.
"Our Arian Kingdom has not only lost the airship 'Ariane Bear' but also our beloved youngest princess and brave warriors have either died or been injured. Even the use of the national treasure 'Tears of the Apex' couldn't heal my daughter. The loss is overwhelming compared to other nations, isn't it, Yun?"
Her father intended to use even this for political purposes.
"To all the kings gathered here, and to the leader of the World Guardian Front... I will demand appropriate compensation. And I declare that our Arian Kingdom can no longer afford to bleed."
"..."
"Therefore, Yun, explain how much you have suffered, how much pain you have endured. Then, leave the rest to your father."
Though the Arian Kingdom participated in the World Guardian Front, it had always been under Yun's lead as the king's proxy.
The king had never come down from the northern homeland and had always been reluctant to join the war.
"To avoid helping the south and expose the critical losses our north has suffered, and to secure just compensation. And we must withdraw from this affair. So, Yun, for your father, for the country, speak now. Right?"
"..."
Yun turned to the side. Were the scribes ready to record her words before she lost consciousness again?
Her father would use every word she uttered for political purposes.
Yun sighed deeply.
"Father. The world's end is near. Even now, do you have to do this?"
"Yun, you are a smart girl."
The king holding his daughter's hand smiled gently.
"There's no way the world is actually coming to an end. This is just a monster outbreak in the south. It happens every year."
"..."
"It's the southern fools who don't want to bear their losses alone, trying to drag us into shared responsibility. It's the same old trick of the empire. This is purely a political battle."
"..."
"Everything I do is for the nation. For you as well. So..."
Yun clenched her mouth shut.
It was then. The guard shouted from outside.
"Announcing, King Kuilan of the Beastmen has arrived!"
King Ariane furrowed his brows.
"A king of the Beastmen? Since when did they have a king? Who—"
Bang!
The door swung open forcefully, and Kuilan stormed into the room.
The appearance of the towering werewolf startled everyone from the Ariane Kingdom who had just arrived, but Yun greeted him with a smile.
"Kuilan! Wow, you've become very handsome?"
"...Yun."
Ignoring the others around, Kuilan strode over and carefully sat beside her bed.
"You're the first to say I look good in this form. Everyone else is too busy being scared."
"Your muscles have gotten bulkier, and your fur looks fuller, doesn't it? Handsome is as handsome does."
A faint smile crossed Kuilan's wolfish face.
"I'm glad you're conscious."
"Ha, sadly, it's not because I've gotten better. They poured divine power from our national treasure into me just to momentarily revive my consciousness... It seems I'll soon be asleep again."
"That's..."
Kuilan swallowed his words as Yun looked him straight in the eye.
"Kuilan. I have a favor to ask."
"Anything, if it's within my power."
"Before you go into battle, please make my will public. Let everyone in the World Guardian Front know."
Surprised by the unexpected request, Kuilan's eyes widened.
"A will, you said it was embarrassing?"
"It is embarrassing. But it's necessary."
Yun extended her dry hand. Kuilan firmly grasped it.
"Will you do it?"
"If that is your wish."
"Hehe, thank you. I trust you."
The effect of the relic seemed to be fading, as the light wrapped around Yun began to diminish.
Yun's eyes slowly closed again, and a faint smile crossed her lips.
"I'm not sure if I'll ever wake up again, but..."
"You will wake up."
"Then, I hope it's to a peaceful world..."
"It will be peaceful."
"Kuilan."
Just before closing her eyes, Yun whispered.
"Just in case I'm saying this, don't wait for me."
"..."
Kuilan was about to respond, but Yun had already lost consciousness again.
After laying Yun back down on the bed, Kuilan slowly got up. The King of Ariane, who had been standing behind, cleared his throat.
"Well then, King Kuilan of the Beastmen. Nice to meet you. I am Yun's father."
"..."
"You have Yun's will, don't you? Would you return it to me?"
"I refuse."
Kuilan turned around after flatly refusing.
King Ariane's eyes widened in anger.
"By what right do you refuse? Why do you even have my daughter's will in the first place?"
"I am Yun's comrade-in-arms."
"You're planning to steal my daughter's will just because you were comrades at the front? You have no right to do that! Give me the will—"
"And."
Kuilan growled softly.
"I am also Yun's lover."
"..."
King Ariane's mouth fell open.
The warriors and priests who had long observed Kuilan and Yun covered their mouths in shock at this werewolf's declaration.
"If you want to hear the contents of the will left by your youngest daughter, King of the Ariane Kingdom."
Kuilan strode past the soldiers and left the room.
"How about participating in the upcoming deployment ceremony of the World Guardian Front?"
"The, the deployment ceremony?"
"To honor the heroes setting out to slay the Black Dragon... The ceremony is scheduled soon. According to Yun's wishes, I will read her will there."
"..."
"Listen then, if you have the courage to stay at the front until then."
No one stopped Kuilan, and he walked out of the barracks.
As he looked out at the streets of the city, darkened by the night, Kuilan took a deep breath.
- Just in case I'm saying this, don't wait for me.
Yun's last voice echoed in his mind.
Kuilan closed his eyes and then opened them. A golden glow surged in the wolf's eyes.
***
Winter Silver Merchant Guild. Crossroad Branch.
This place, brightly lit as always, was bustling. Workers hurriedly loaded materials to rush to various parts of the city, and messengers from different regions organized espionage and information.
And in the office of the guild leader.
Serenade, unusually stopping her work, was making a request to her bodyguard-dressed as a maid, Elize.
"Please take good care of Prince Ash, Elize."
Holding Elize's hand firmly, Serenade repeated the words she had said several times before.
"Please protect him. He is the one who always rushes into the most dangerous places..."
"..."
"You are the only one I can trust and ask. Tell me you can do it."
Elize glanced up with her deep blue eyes and faced her mistress.
Serenade's face was calm, but a faint anxiety was swirling around it.
"...I will accomplish it, my lady."
Elize bowed her head deeply as she responded.
Honestly, it wasn't a statement made with confidence.
Elize was certainly a skilled swordswoman. She knew very well that her talent and skills were exceptional.
Among humans, there were not many who could match her.
But—this time, the opponent was the Black Dragon.
Although she had been selected for the Black Dragon extermination expedition, Elize honestly wasn't sure. What could she possibly do?
Against that powerful evil dragon, would her sword dance have any meaning?
She knew just as well as she knew her own talent that the caliber of her opponent far surpassed her own.
'Can I really protect Prince Ash in front of such a being?'
But she had no choice but to answer, in front of her mistress's trembling silver gaze.
Serenade likely didn't truly believe that Elize could protect Ash either. She must be clinging to any hope she could find.
The last night had fallen on the world, and destruction was imminent. A catastrophe that could not be averted with all the wealth in the world was approaching.
Elize had to silently watch as Serenade's slender hand, firmly gripping hers, trembled.
It was then.
"My lady, a visitor has arrived."
A servant spoke from outside the door. Serenade, who had been holding hands with Elize, hastily adjusted her appearance and asked.
"Is it him?"
"It is, the Mer-King has arrived."
"Ah. Please, bring him in."
The door opened, and the Mer-King—King Poseidon XIII, with his deep blue long hair fluttering, entered.
Elize walked behind Serenade and stood at attention, while Serenade greeted him with her usual business smile.
"Welcome, Your Majesty Poseidon."
"Countess Serenade."
King Poseidon in front of Serenade gave a sour smile.
"Sorry about that. Ever since I inherited the divine power, my senses have become overly sharp... I unintentionally overheard the conversation inside the room."
"Ah? Oh..."
"You were worried about Prince Ash."
Serenade's face turned bright red.
Even in a soundproofed room, the Mer-King's physical abilities were strong enough to hear such faint voices.
"Heh, don't be embarrassed. It's natural to worry about a lover."
"..."
"But don't worry too much. The desire to protect him is shared by all the heroes who are part of this front."
King Poseidon gave a friendly smile.
"Everyone will throw themselves into protecting him. If the hunt, the expedition, is successful... the commander will return safely."
Of course, if the hunt... the expedition fails.
No one would return alive. But no one dared to voice such thoughts.
"I came here not only to inform Prince Ash in advance. It seemed necessary to tell you as well."
King Poseidon's expression became serious. Serenade, having composed her face, looked back at him.
"It might seem ridiculous to talk about what happens after this battle already, but we always have to prepare for the unexpected."
Taking a deep breath,
"I will not survive this battle."
King Poseidon declared.
Serenade gasped in shock, to which King Poseidon calmly continued.
"Therefore, I came to discuss with you... the future of the Merfolk after my passing."