The Lord's Manor. My Room.
Around Noon.
"Is that everything?"
I packed the last set of clothes from the closet into my bag and stood in front of the mirror. I tidied my hair and adjusted the collar of my coat, then glanced around.
The room was empty, stripped of everything.
I slowly looked around the place I had called home for the past three years and smiled warmly.
"I hope you get along well with the new lord too. My sweet home."
Of course, there's a high possibility that the new lord will decorate the walls and floors with pink and glitter, but… well, what can you do? You'll just have to endure.
Taking one last deep breath in the room that had become so familiar, I opened the door and stepped outside.
"My Lord."
Lucas, dressed in his uniform, was waiting in the hallway and bowed his head.
"Have you finished your preparations?"
"More or less."
Lucas took my bag for me. Together, we descended the staircase to the first floor of the manor.
"When will we see each other again?"
"I'll head to the Duchy of Bringar as soon as I finish my business in the capital."
"Make it quick. How am I supposed to wander around without my ever-present bodyguard by my side?"
"Fufu. Elize is more than capable of protecting you in my absence."
"She's not my guard. She's Serenade's…"
As I grumbled, I elbowed Lucas in the side, asking slyly.
"By the way, how did it go with Evangeline last night? Did you have a good talk?"
Lucas paused for a moment, then sheepishly scratched the back of his head.
"Well… I think it went pretty well. Fortunately, we share the same feelings…"
This clumsy bear's ears were slightly red. I patted Lucas on the back with a whistle.
"Nice job, buddy!"
"Ahem! And how about you, my lord?"
"Me? Hohohoho."
I waved my left hand, showing the engagement ring. Lucas nodded in admiration.
"I still have a long way to catch up to you, my lord."
"Of course. I am your elder, after all. I should be at least a year ahead."
When we reached the first floor and stepped outside the manor, a carriage from the Silver Winter Merchant Guild was waiting.
The attendants from the Silver Winter Guild took my bag from Lucas's hand. I nodded to Lucas.
"I'll see you at the Duchy, Lucas."
"I'll be there soon, my lord."
Leaving Lucas, who gave a respectful bow, behind, I approached the carriage…
"…Phew."
On the coachman's seat, with a scowl and growl like a guard dog, sat Elize, her navy-blue hair almost bristling.
"Why the sighing on such a beautiful day, Elize?"
I asked, smiling. Elize glanced at me.
"Well, I've been waiting for the day you and Lady Serenade would be together."
"And?"
"Now that it's actually happening… I feel a bit… unsettled…"
Ah, so that's why she looked like a little sister who disapproves of her older sister's marriage on her wedding day.
"You'd better make her happy. If you make her cry, I won't forgive you…"
"Give me a break. You know your mistress cries a lot."
"…Then make sure to offset it with ten smiles for every tear."
"That's a tough exchange rate…"
While we were exchanging these trivial jokes, the carriage door opened from inside.
On the seat, Serenade and Bodybag were sitting opposite each other.
"My Lord!"
"Serenade."
"Please come inside. Though it's warm outside, you must still take care of your health."
I approached Serenade with a smile, bent down… and kissed her gently.
Serenade's face turned bright red, and she looked flustered.
"My, there are so many eyes watching, my lord…"
"What's there to hide at this point?"
I waved a hand dismissively at Elize and Bodybag, who were already rolling their eyes in exasperation.
"If you're going to complain, why don't you get yourselves boyfriends?"
"If you're going to say that, then at least introduce us to some nice guys…"
Bodybag grumbled. At the same time, Elize, who received a signal from the carriage ahead, nodded.
"We should get going. It's a long journey."
"Alright. Let's go."
I had already said all my goodbyes yesterday. I had finished my conversation with His Majesty, the Emperor, as well.
The carriage began to move, and I sat next to Serenade.
Leaning back against the seat, I yawned. I had stayed up all night and was feeling a bit tired.
"If you're tired, would you like to rest your head on my lap, my lord? I could… ahem, offer you a lap pillow."
"What? Really?"
Was it okay to enjoy such luxury while traveling?
I was seriously considering it when Bodybag, sitting opposite us, rolled her eyes.
"Can I switch to a different carriage…?"
"Of course not. You're my most trusted sunflower, my number one assistant. You need to stick close to me."
"Are you really going to call me that?"
"Blame Crossroad, not me. This city's contests always have such ridiculous outcomes…"
Bodybag rubbed her forehead, looking resigned about her new name. It seemed like she wasn't keen on the rodent-themed name.
As we continued our light conversation, the carriage passed through the gates of the lord's manor and entered the city…
"Huh?"
I saw something strange.
"What is this?"
We were planning to leave through the north gate of Crossroad, but on the wide streets leading to the north gate… people were everywhere.
I mean, it was the citizens of Crossroad.
"Your Highness!"
People lined up on both sides of the departing carriage, waving and shouting.
"We'll never forget these past three years!"
"You were truly the best lord we've ever had, Your Highness!"
"Crossroad will always be open to you, Prince!"
"You must come visit us again!"
"We'll miss you…!"
Waaahhh…
I sat frozen for a moment, staring blankly at the endless procession of people flanking the carriage.
My eyes grew hot, and my lips trembled.
"…Thank you."
I opened the carriage window and leaned out.
I shouted with all my might.
"Thank you!"
Facing the people who had been my citizens for the past three years and who were now cheering wildly at the sight of me…
I waved back and made a promise.
"I'll definitely come back, so please, take care!"
As the procession of regular citizens ended, familiar faces began to appear.
The heads and members of the production guilds were lined up, waiting for me.
"I was a frog in a well, confined to the outskirts, but meeting you opened my eyes to a new world!"
The guild leaders shouted in turn.
"Thank you for showing us a new world!"
"We will always remember your teachings, Your Highness!"
"We will continue to work hard!"
I shouted back to all the guild members who bowed their heads in unison.
"Thanks to your hard work, our Frontline was able to hold."
Remembering the city I built with these people, I nodded firmly.
"Keep giving it your all for Crossroad and for yourselves…!"
When the line of guild members ended,
next came the soldiers, standing in orderly rows.
These were the finest warriors in the world, who had fought more bravely under my banner than anyone else in the past three years.
"To the Commander of the World Defense Frontline, the new Duke of Bringar, the Crown Prince of the Everblack Empire, the greatest commander of all time!"
An old soldier I had seen many times bellowed.
"A salute to His Highness Ash 'Born Hater' of Everblack!"
Swish-!
My soldiers, lined up flawlessly on either side of the carriage, saluted in unison, without a single gap.
I leaned out of the carriage and returned the salute.
"It was an honor to serve with the greatest commander in the world!"
"We were able to fight with our lives on the line because we believed His Highness would lay our souls to rest!"
"Because of your guidance, Your Highness, we, who were once clumsy rookies, have become veterans!"
"Savior of the world!"
"I hope to serve under your command again someday!"
All my soldiers, regardless of their unit, were weeping. As they saluted me, all of them were shedding tears.
"It was an honor for me to serve alongside you."
I didn't hold back my tears either.
Crying openly, I shouted to my soldiers.
"Until we meet again! May fortune favor you!"
The soldiers responded in unison, as if they had planned it.
"Loyalty!"
As the soldiers' procession ended,
I saw the Emperor and the world's other kings waiting.
I hadn't expected this at all, so I was quite startled.
"You founded an organization that represented the entire world, and you could have enjoyed its power for a long time to come."
My father smiled, baring his teeth.
"But you, my admirable and pure-hearted son, disbanded it the very night you achieved your goal of saving the world. My son, Born Hater!"
The kings laughed together. The Emperor glanced at the kings to his left and right.
"Last night, we realized something. We had never properly thanked you."
Then, the Emperor slowly bowed his head.
Before I could respond, all the crowned heads present bowed their heads to me.
"Thank you. For saving the world. And for giving us the invaluable experience of seeing the world come together as one."
"…"
"This world owes you a great debt."
Raising his head, the Emperor gave me a gentle smile.
"We will not forget this."
I replied in a choked voice.
"It's no debt. We did this together, not just me."
I had the carriage stop for a moment and stepped out, bowing deeply to the kings on either side.
"Thank you for trusting and following my reckless path."
The kings applauded in unison.
Amidst their applause, the Emperor approached with a smile and patted my shoulder.
"Now, off you go! The journey you must take will be many times longer than our own."
The Emperor then glanced at Serenade, standing behind me.
"I look forward to your wedding invitation. I'd love to deliver the speech myself…"
I stepped forward and hugged my father.
He seemed more surprised than ever by the unexpected display of affection, but I held him tight and spoke sincerely.
"Thank you for trusting and supporting your foolish son."
"…"
"I'll visit often. Father."
Releasing the embrace,
I bowed to the kings once more and climbed back into the carriage.
As the carriage began to move again, I shook hands one last time with each king who approached.
"Thanks to you, I didn't run away and held out till the very end. Consider yourself highly praised!"
Balendio, the leader of the City-State Alliance, whose burnt beard had begun to regrow.
"I have so much marriage advice to share! See you soon, Ash!"
Mikhail, who was beaming alongside his five wives… and whose body still bore marks from whatever had happened the night before.
"I'll visit soon regarding the History Foundation, Prince Ash! Let's have an in-depth discussion!"
Dearmudin, who still spoke with his characteristic firmness.
"You'll let me officiate the wedding, right?! Or at least sing at the ceremony!"
Kellybey, making outrageous requests.
"I'll take pride for the rest of my life in having fought alongside you."
Verdandi, who now shook hands as naturally as any human.
"May you have fair winds!"
"May your journey be splendid!"
The Rompeller twins, still red-faced from their hangover but sincerely offering their well-wishes.
"Thank you so much for giving us new hope…!"
And Hannibal, now proudly recognized as a king.
One by one, those I had shaken hands with disappeared behind the carriage. I tried to remember the warmth and feel of each handshake.
After the procession of crowned heads ended, at the north gate,
"Your Highness!"
My companions, those who had shared life and death with me, awaited.
"Thank you so much, Your Highness! Really…! I will never forget you!"
Torkel, who had finally learned how to smile brightly.
"May your future journey be blessed, just as this one was."
"May it be filled with grace."
Zenith and Rosetta, smiling and offering their blessings.
"It was the best heist ever, Your Highness!"
"The heist was so spectacular I can't enjoy ordinary gambling anymore!"
"We're going to wander and sing, would it be alright to sing of your legend, Prince?!"
"If you refuse, I'll change every protagonist's name to Violet!"
"Then let this body tell the tale of saving the world?!"
The rowdy, laughing members of the Gambler's Club.
"Thanks to your kindness, I've found some purpose in life. I'm truly grateful."
Hecate and the Glory Knights saluting quietly.
And,
"Dya-boo!"
Sid, reaching out his chubby little hands, held by Lilly.
I stepped down from the carriage again and hugged each of my companions.
"We will meet again. Somewhere, somehow."
Gently stroking Sid's hair,
I said to Lilly,
"Until then, may peace be with you all."
Lilly shed tears but gave me a bright smile.
Under the northern gate, bathed in spring sunlight, my eternal party members were waiting.
"My lord!"
"Senior!"
"Your Highness!"
"Prince!"
I approached the four who called out to me in their own ways, and the five of us embraced each other.
"I was happy to be with you."
All the days of adventure I had shared with them.
All the joy, the pain, the laughter, and the tears.
They rushed through my mind like a waterfall, and I couldn't help but cry.
"Thank you for coming into my life, truly, truly… thank you…"
Looking around at my weeping companions, I said with heartfelt sincerity, as if making a promise,
"Please, be happy."
Wherever we are in this world.
We must be happy.
"Come on, go now! We've had enough goodbyes to last a lifetime!"
Evangeline, wiping her eyes roughly, shouted.
"We'll cheer you on as you embark on the new challenges ahead, Senior!"
Everyone nodded as they wiped away their tears.
I nodded back, full of strength.
"May luck be with you in your new challenges as well."
As I rode the carriage once more and passed under the northern gate,
flower petals began to fall from above.
Looking up, I saw people who had somehow climbed up the northern wall, scattering petals from baskets to coincide with the passage of my carriage.
"Be happy!"
Petals of all colors floated down, and everyone called out together.
"Be happy-!"
Under the shower of petals,
the carriage began to pick up speed.
My heroes, who had been walking behind the carriage, now started running, but they gradually fell behind.
"You must…!"
Everyone, as they grew distant, shouted together.
"Be happy-!"
Before long, the rain of petals, the people waving, and the city where I had spent the last three years.
All of it disappeared behind the winding path.
I didn't wipe away my flowing tears. I just quietly watched my dazzling memories fade further and further away with every blink.
Thus, one journey came to an end…
And another journey began anew.
"My lord."
Serenade, sitting next to me, held my hand tightly, tears in her eyes. I smiled at her, my face wet with tears.
"Let's go, Serenade."
I clasped Serenade's hand.
"To new adventures."
Just as in the past three years.
I know there will be more failures, more falls, more pain in the future…
But that's okay.
As long as I don't let go of the flag in my heart, the path will continue, no matter which dark valley I wander through.
'Even if other tough challenges, harsh trials, or difficult days lie ahead.'
All the love and support from those who watched over me and loved me.
I believe it will light the path ahead like starlight.
With that belief, I laughed.
Serenade wiped away the tears on my cheeks with a gentle hand. I carefully wiped away her tears too.
We kissed, crying and laughing, our lips meeting.
The carriage continued to move forward along the endless road before us.
Towards a new life, ever ongoing, like this…
— The End –