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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Three years had passed since Daniel McLean’s death.
Much had happened, but today was particularly special.
“Huu… waaaah!”
Serdi, the housekeeper, couldn’t hold back her tears. Eris smiled awkwardly and patted her head.
“Don’t cry. It’s not like we’ll never see each other again.”
“But… but…”
Serdi sniffled.
She would no longer be Eris’s housekeeper, but the housekeeper for the new Guardian of Yggdrasil.
“It’s retirement. You should be celebrating.”
Today was Eris Anen Serier’s retirement ceremony.
The day she would pass on the mantle of Guardian of Yggdrasil, a role she’d held for centuries.
It was earlier than expected, but Eris had pushed for it, and after three years, it was finally happening.
The Elven Queen, the new guardian, and countless other elves awaited outside, but…
Eris’s thoughts were elsewhere.
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– Yes! It’s finally over!
After the ceremony and farewells, I walked towards the edge of the forest.
I kept the Yggdrasil staff, it was mine, after all.
It had been annoying at first, but after three years, I was used to its incessant chatter.
“Let’s leave the forest. We have a lot to do.”
– Yes, yes. We’ve waited three years for this day.
I blushed, despite myself.
‘No, not yet. This is just the beginning.’
It wasn’t time to celebrate. Nothing had begun yet.
I pulled a small crystal from my pocket and held it carefully. It felt strangely warm in my hand.
The image of Daniel McLean dissolving into light was still a vivid nightmare.
This crystal was made from the remnants of light left on the staff after it pierced his heart.
“I have so many promises to keep.”
I remembered our conversation at the Fresian royal ball.
[I won’t come for the world, but for you, who protects it.]
“So many…”
Three years ago, on the day of the final battle, I’d let go of my romantic feelings.
Or rather, seeing the other women who loved Daniel, my own feelings seemed insignificant.
So I gave up on him.
I had to acknowledge that others needed him more.
“And another promise…”
– Haa… this again?
I knew I’d said it countless times, but the staff’s dismissive tone stung.
“We promised to get married. To fill the world with half-elves.”
– Yes, yes. You’ve said that three times a day for three years.
I whacked the staff against a nearby tree and continued walking.
The path ahead was uncertain, a thorny road paved with miracles, yet my steps felt strangely light.
“I’m coming, Daniel.”
I’d given up on my romantic feelings for Daniel McLean.
“No, Sherpa.”
But I hadn’t given up on you.
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“This draft is good, Eve.”
Professor Bertio smiled, having finished reading the manuscript. Eve carefully placed her teacup down and thanked him.
A year had passed since she graduated from Aios Academy. At twenty-one, she was a renowned novelist.
Her debut novel, ‘Forest of Shadows’, was a hit, popular not just in the kingdom, but among elves and dragon-kin as well.
“I’m glad you think so.”
Professor Bertio, a playwright, also made excellent tea. Perhaps from all the tea he drank while writing.
She was about to leave when he spoke.
“Eve, I’ve noticed your writing has a rather dark tone.”
“…”
“I know it’s rude to say, but your feelings seem to be reflected in your work. The story itself is hopeful, but the descriptions and word choices are dark.”
She knew. Her editor had pointed it out, and she was trying to change, but…
“It’s not easy.”
She sighed and took a sip of tea. It tasted strangely bitter.
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Eve left his office and walked through the academy. Students filled the hallways, enjoying their break.
Some boys blushed as they looked at her, but she ignored them.
The students’ energy made her wonder if they, too, were symbols of the continent’s peace.
“Let’s go to the cafe!”
“We only have five minutes left!”
“It’s okay, it’s Professor Chenil’s class! We can sneak in through the back door!”
They ran towards the cafe near the dormitories.
‘We used to go to the cafe a lot.’
A wave of nostalgia washed over her, and she wiped her eyes discreetly.
Three years had passed since the apocalypse was averted.
Three years since Daniel McLean’s death.
‘I lacked imagination when I said I wanted to be a writer.’
Why hadn’t she considered the possibility that Daniel, like Rin and Ares, might also be a calamity?
She’d sensed he was hiding something, but…
‘I probably assumed… it was a given…’
That he’d always be there. That foolish hope had clouded her judgment.
And now, she regretted it.
Those left behind had to bear the burden.
They had all cried until they could cry no more. Even after the grand funeral, many lingered, unable to leave.
But time marched on, and they had to keep living.
Perhaps their grief had lessened now.
“Haa…”
Eve stretched and headed out of the academy. She had nothing else to do after meeting with Professor Bertio.
A handsome man with glasses entered, dressed stylishly and wearing light makeup. Aldfric, a famous actor and academy alumnus.
“Eve, right?”
“…Yes, senior.”
She recognized him. An actor in a renowned theater troupe, thanks to Professor Bertio’s recommendation.
His fan club was already waiting at the main gate.
“Long time no see. I read your book. It was good.”
“Thank you.”
They hadn’t interacted much at the academy, but they knew each other through Professor Bertio.
“You were meeting with Professor Bertio? Is he free now?”
“Yes, he said he has no classes until lunch.”
“Good. I wanted to ask him about something.”
Eve nodded and was about to leave when Aldfric stopped her.
“Actually, I wanted to get your opinion too.”
“…As long as it doesn’t take too long.”
This was annoying.
“There’s a line in the new play that mentions the ‘Continent’s Nightmare.’”
The Continent’s Nightmare.
A dream everyone had shared three years ago.
The details differed, but the overall theme was the same.
The continent was destroyed three times.
Twice by an army of undead, and once by a giant meteor.
The dream had been disturbingly realistic, so vivid that many wondered if it had actually happened or was a vision of the future.
The dream had caused widespread panic and chaos.
Rin, the woman who led the undead in the dream, had even been put on a wanted list and disappeared before her fourth year.
Most people explained it away as a mass hallucination, a new type of disaster, or some mage’s prank, but…
Those involved knew the truth.
That it was the world Daniel McLean had experienced and remembered.
“And our playwright wants to write a play about the Continent’s Nightmare. What do you think?”
Eve was indifferent.
The panic had subsided, but the aftereffects lingered.
The Leiros family, for example, had fallen out with their allies after dreaming of their betrayal. There were even rumors of violence.
Bringing up the Nightmare in a play would do more harm than good.
Unless the playwright was a narcissist, obsessed with turning trauma into art.
“It’s been three years, but… it’s only been three years. There’s no need to dredge up bad memories for the audience.”
“Right?”
“Yes.”
Eve checked her watch.
“I have to go. I have an appointment.”
“Ah, sorry! Thanks for the advice. If I tell him the famous author Eve said so, he might reconsider.”
Eve left the academy.
Aldfric’s fan club glared and whispered, but she ignored them. The male fans were the problem.
They stared at her with undisguised interest. She clutched her manuscript to her chest, self-conscious.
She’d thought the thick sweater would be enough, but…
Her figure had filled out since her academy days, earning her the nickname “Mother Goddess” among some students.
‘I should wear a coat.’
She resolved to dress more conservatively and headed towards Elgrid Street.
The academy’s energy faded as she walked, replaced by the city’s bustling atmosphere.
Patches of snow lingered in the less-traveled alleys.
[You went on a date with Hayun!]
[It wasn’t a date! I went with her to the blacksmith!]
[If you go somewhere together, it’s a date!]
[So, is this a date, then?]
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🥲🥲