Editor : Amethyst00



Leo silently looked up at the blue sky.

The sky of the Age of Gods appeared unusually clear and beautiful.

Was it because it was an era that had completely driven out the existence known as Erebos?

Or, like how the sky is brightest just before the sun sets— Could it be that the sky of a world on the verge of destruction is at its clearest?

No one knew the reason.

What mattered was that Leo missed Kyle's childhood.

"Why?"

Leo wondered.

Looking at Kyle's life as a whole— His childhood might have been the only somewhat happy time.

At the very least, it wasn't a time when the world was ending or on the brink of destruction.

It was also a time when he still had hopes for his future.

But compared to the lives of others, it wasn't particularly good either.

An orphan with unknown parents.

He had caretakers, but they were women from the back alleys.

Compared to that time, his current life was immeasurably happier.

Born into a noble family, and eventually becoming the king of an entire nation.

As he questioned this— Leo recalled an old memory.

It was when they had just begun their final expedition to subjugate Erebos.

Everyone was asleep.

Kyle was on watch when Luna woke up.

Luna yawned widely and walked over to sit beside Kyle.

"It's not your turn yet. Go back to sleep."

"I can't sleep."

Luna replied, then began nodding off, her head drooping before she jerked awake, straightening her posture.

"You're drooling."

"Churp."

She quickly wiped her mouth.

Then let out another wide yawn.

"Why can't you sleep?"

"I just had a dream about my childhood. When I had just entered Balharun."

Balharun.

A school for High Elves only.

An educational institution meant to raise the Elf King.

"A nightmare? That's unlike you."

Luna had a very carefree personality.

In all the time they'd known her, she had never once mentioned having nightmares.

The timid Aaron was often tormented by nightmares, as were the steadfast Dweno and the leader Lysinas.

Even Kyle sometimes had nightmares, but not Luna.

"Well… considering the circumstances."

At Leo's murmur, Luna tilted her head.

"What are you talking about? It wasn't a nightmare."

"You said it was a dream about the past."

"Yeah."

"Your school days weren't exactly happy, were they?"

Luna wasn't a High Elf of noble lineage.

She was also an orphan.

And at that time, Balharun had become an exclusive institution for High Elves.

The High Elves of Balharun were notorious for treating common Elves like peasants.

They were like royalty among humans, so it was unthinkable that they would accept someone like Luna, even if she had extraordinary talent.

Instead, they severely bullied and ostracized her.

The stories Luna had told about those days weren't exactly pleasant.

So dreaming about that time couldn't have been a good thing.

'Come to think of it, none of us had a happy childhood.'

Kyle glanced at his companions.

Dweno, who had to suffer because of his uncontrollable powers as a child.

Aaron, who was born into an age of calamity.

And Lysinas, a dragon who, as a black dragon, had to devour the world's darkness and live in its shadows.

None of them had joyous childhoods.

Kyle rested his chin in his hand.

"Now that I think about it, none of you seemed particularly upset when talking about your pasts."

At Kyle's murmuring, Luna looked exasperated.

"Just because that time wasn't all happy doesn't mean none of it was."

"Huh?"

"Sure, it was hard and difficult… but it's natural to feel nostalgic about childhood, isn't it?"

Luna swung her legs.

"Just remembering the past can sometimes give you strength, right?"

"Really?"

"Hasn't it ever been like that for you, Kyle?"

"Nothing comes to mind that's worth remembering. Even if there were, I'm not sure it would matter."

"Hmm? You really do have a tough life, don't you?"

Luna grimaced.

"Being too attached to the past is a problem… but never thinking about it is a problem too, I think."

She gave Kyle a gentle smile.

"Nostalgia for the past can mean your present is hard, yes. But it also means you're trying to draw strength from happy memories, doesn't it?"

"…So what was your dream about?"

"I dreamt the High Elves were bullying me."

"Sounds like a nightmare."

"Nope. Because of that, I got to beat them up in self-defense! Even better, I didn't get punished!"

Luna laughed heartily, clearly delighted, and Kyle stared at her in disbelief.

"One day, you'll long for the past too."

Luna propped up her chin and glanced at Leo with a charming smile.

"When that happens, you better thank Lady Luna for her wisdom."

"……"

Leo remained silent.

'Is that it… am I just tired?'

Then he chuckled faintly.

He had never thought of it that way.

He had always assumed it was natural.

But thinking about it now, it made sense to be exhausted.

Throughout Leo Plov's life, one single thought had ruled his mind.

The complete eradication of Erebos.

That thought never once left his head.

He always carried hatred and rage toward Erebos in his heart.

The being who had taken away friends more precious than his own life.

Defeating it was his only purpose in life.

Leo had always silently burned with a murderous will toward Erebos.

Of course he was tired.

He just hadn't realized it.

This illusion… was clearly the embodiment of Leo's weary heart.

'……'

Looking back on his childhood, he couldn't say it was happy overall.

But… there were happy moments.

Perhaps, across both his past and present lives, this was the time he had been most purely happy.

A time when he dreamed countless possibilities.

That's what made it special.

Just like his friends now.

'Maybe that's why I don't want to leave.'

Even though he knew it was an illusion.

Even though he knew the threat of Erebos loomed close.

Like falling into a sweet sleep—

He couldn't leave this place… maybe that was the reason.

'It's about time I woke up.'

As Leo thought this—

"Medea, I've always wondered… what are you always writing?"

Lasha asked curiously, looking at Medea.

They were at the mercenary guild, looking for new requests together.

At Lasha's curious question, Medea smiled softly.

"A letter to my mentor."

"Mentor?"

"Yes. Sort of like a teacher."

"I don't get it at all."

"We can't read, so let's have Kyle or Shen read it for us."

At Kasam's suggestion, Shen shook his head.

"Kasam. Reading someone else's letter without permission is rude."

"I don't mind. There's nothing special in it anyway."

"Well then, go ahead and read it."

When Medea handed him the letter, Kasam passed it to Shen, who scratched his head and began reading.

"Hello, Professor Depeser. The eastern days are as cold and refreshing as ever… Hmm. Medea, you must really like the eastern weather?"

"That last part wasn't in the letter, was it?"

"No."

"I thought so. Just read it properly."

Kasam pressed him.

Meanwhile—

Leo stared in shock at his old companions.

'Depeser?'

A name he knew all too well.

Back in the Age of Calamity.

He was the one who devotedly supported Lysinas.

Also a member of Arhi.

The Gold Dragon, Depeser.

As Leo stared blankly at the four of them, Shen finished reading the short letter.

"P.S. I've enclosed a letter for Lysinas as well. Please be sure to deliver it to her."

"Lysinas is…?"

Leo murmured blankly, and Medea smiled brightly.

"Yeah. Last night I told you I wrote to someone like a younger sibling, right? That child's name is Lysinas."

"……"

"Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Medea looked slightly embarrassed as Leo stared at her intently.

"It's just… funny how fate works."

He never imagined they'd be connected in this way.

As Leo gently closed his eyes—

Bang!

The door to the mercenary guild burst open, and a beautiful woman appeared.

"Ugh! Why did the illusion suddenly change?! And what's with this weather?!"

A voice both familiar and unfamiliar rang out.

Everyone turned to the woman.

Leo opened his eyes.

Then rose from his seat and approached her.

"…You've become quite impressive."

"Leo oppa?"

Chelsea's eyes widened.

It was Kyle.

But it was also a version unfamiliar to her.

Kyle with remnants of his boyhood—just like the current Leo.

Within him, she could glimpse Leo.

"Kyle?"

"Do you know her?"

Lasha and Kasam asked with wide eyes.

Shen and Medea also looked puzzled.

Chelsea clearly appeared to be a woman of noble status.

Seeing her act like she knew Kyle raised questions.

"……"

Leo looked at the comrades he had parted from so long ago.

It was time to part again.

What should he say to them?

They weren't able to entrust him with anything.

Nor could he offer them encouragement.

The time allowed to them was short.

Leo's hand trembled.

His lips parted.

Before him stood a past that could never be saved.

A past that would forever remain an unhealable wound…

Leo opened his mouth with difficulty.

"Guys… I'll do my best."

That was all he could say.

"Kyle?"

"What do you mean by that…?"

Leo turned around without hesitation.

Though it had been happy—because it had been happy—he left behind the painful memories and stepped forward.

Chelsea, bewildered, followed after him.

"Who are they?"

"……"

As Leo reached to open the guild's door, he paused at the question.

Then he gave a bitter smile and looked at Chelsea.

"My friends."

Bang!

The door opened… and Leo's illusion ended.