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“Is it really okay?”

“It’s been a while. I really don’t mind anymore.”

Suddenly, Selian, who had been walking right beside me, asked. I knew well why she was worried. The place we were about to arrive at was a Nostalgic Place for me, but it wasn’t a welcome one either.

I may have said I didn’t mind, but as the outlines of the place started to come into view, my heart raced, and a drop of cold sweat trickled down my neck. However, I couldn’t show that side of me to my friends, so I just pretended otherwise.

Of course, if I wanted, I could have simply taken another route instead of this one. But despite that, I decided to pass through this city to steel myself a bit before facing the Demon King in the final showdown.

With the last battle approaching, it wasn’t much trouble to elevate my fighting spirit and increase my chances, even if just a little.

And… there was also the possibility, however slim, that this could be my last chance to step on my homeland and visit my parents’ graves. I knew I shouldn’t think weakly like this, but I couldn’t help it being human.

“Yuli…?”

Even though I had said I was fine, was it that obvious? Yuli, who had been walking a step away, came closer and held my hand tightly.

The heavy feeling in my steps, weighed down by tension, seemed to lighten just a bit.

*

“Lady!”

Perhaps because it was already well-known, there was someone there to greet us as soon as we entered the city, without making much fuss.

Although the city had recovered enough to look somewhat decent, there were still parts that were lacking here and there. Considering that there was no lord properly managing it, it was quite impressive that they had restored it to this extent.

Of course, it took us several days to even reach it, as teleport gates that only existed in large cities within the Empire were something one could only dream of. It seemed that while we were walking, someone in the capital had already informed others of our whereabouts.

“It’s been a while, Mr. Gil. I’m glad to see you safe.”

“I was overjoyed to hear that you’re safe as well, my lady… I can finally face the late Count’s face.”

Gilbert Graham. He was the butler whom my sister and I had been fond of when we were younger. Whenever we snuck into the kitchen at night and got caught, instead of reporting us to our parents or scolding us, he would secretly hand us a cookie and tell us to eat that and go to bed.

Not only that, but he was also quite capable, so most of the affairs of House Frentz passed through Mr. Gil’s hands.

Thus, it was natural for him to be almost glued to my father’s side during work, and I had just assumed he had perished alongside him on the day demon races attacked.

So it was only natural to feel happy seeing him alive when I had never expected it.

“I prepared the room you used, my lady, as soon as I heard you were coming. Please, let’s head there.”

Gilbert, unable to hide his joy, clumsily ushered us into the carriage, more than his age would suggest.

On the way to the mansion, I glanced around the Territory through the carriage window.

The streets looked clean enough that it was hard to find any traces of the attack. Memories from my childhood intertwined with the scenery before me, igniting a wave of emotions.

“Wait a moment!”

In the meantime, I spotted something unfamiliar on the street and quickly made Gilbert stop the carriage. Since we were moving slowly, the carriage halted without any resistance.

“Elysia?”

At my sudden shout, both Gilbert and my other friends looked puzzled.

But instead of replying, I got off the carriage and slowly crossed the street toward what I had seen.

‘For the friend who set off on a long journey ahead.’

In a small open space stood a tiny tombstone. Surrounding it were a few flowers that looked freshly placed, still vibrant with life.

The name inscribed on the tombstone was entirely unfamiliar. However, it caught my eye that a tombstone was set in a place where children would normally play, not in a graveyard.

“Mr. Gil, this tombstone…?”

“You’re correct. It’s a tombstone honoring the victims of that day. Most are gathered at the Memorial Hall, but some have small tombstones like this in nostalgic places. The residents understand that feeling a hundred times over, so even if it’s a tombstone of someone they do not know, they might briefly commemorate them as they pass by.”

Since most of the Territory was destroyed and the casualties far exceeded the survivors, the residents who had successfully settled down in this city shared a similar wound. Even those who came from afar and had not experienced that day could understand at least that much.

Even though I didn’t know this person, just staring at the tombstone made my heart ache.

Indeed, I hadn’t made a mistake in deciding to pass through this city.

“Before heading to the mansion… can I stop somewhere else for a moment?”

“…Understood. Please get back in the carriage. I will take you there.”

Gilbert quietly held onto the reins without questioning where we were headed. I, too, didn’t say a word about where we were going as I got back into the carriage.

Only the sound of the clattering wheels rolling quietly echoed in the air.

*

“Then I’ll wait outside.”

Perhaps to accommodate me, Gilbert decided to wait outside instead of following us inside.

“I’m sorry. Today… is it okay if I go alone?”

Furthermore, I asked my friends to wait outside for a moment. I knew how much of a shameless act it was to ask this after dragging them along with me, but today, I really wanted to be alone.

“What’s there to apologize about among us? We can greet them next time, so hurry along.”

Fortunately, instead of getting angry, my friends put on bright expressions, reassuring me. Feeling grateful for their kindness, I slowly walked into the building.

From the entrance, rows upon rows of Urns were displayed. Some didn’t even have Urns and just had small pictures or portraits in their place.

As I slowly made my way toward the center of the building, I would occasionally nod at those who passed by to commemorate their loved ones, but I had no idea how long I had been walking.

A more splendid but, given the location, not overly extravagant room appeared, contrasting with the previous spaces I had seen. Despite being a decent-sized area, only a few frames and Urns were placed right in the middle.

“Ah…”

A voice escaped my lips without thinking. I could feel it without needing to check.

Mom.

Dad.

I’m sorry for arriving late.

*

How much time had passed? I must have shed some tears as my eyes were damp, and my throat felt tight.

Having grown up as an Assassin, I thought I had learned to control my emotions, but it was the first time I realized I could lose my composure and cry like this.

Being a lord, my parents’ portraits were displayed in reasonably large frames. Since I was the only remaining family member and had come so late, surprisingly, many other visitors had left a plethora of white flowers around.

The image of my parents in the portraits placed amidst the flowers looked exactly as I remembered them from my childhood.

“Hehe… You must have been shocked seeing me like this, huh?”

I spoke as if I were truly conversing with my parents, feeling that if I rambled on like this, perhaps their spirits might come to hear at least one of my words.

I felt sorry for my friends waiting outside, but I sat on the floor and talked for a long time, sharing various stories. I talked about how I had taken on the role of a big sister, how I reunited with Yuli, whom my parents would know, how Selian saved me, and the many experiences I had at the Academy… There was so much to say.

“So I’ll take my leave for today. I’ll see you next time.”

After all that talking, I felt quite a bit calmed down. After all, today wasn’t the only day; before heading to the Demon King’s Castle, I could come back several times.

As I dusted off my backside and stood up, a portrait next to my parents’ caught my eye.

It was a familiar face.

Of course, it was mine.

To be precise, it was the face of ‘Zeno Frentz’ from my childhood.

Unlike my parents, whose portraits were placed alongside their Urns, there was only a portrait of me.

Of course, there couldn’t be an Urn for me. How could anyone find my remains when I was so clearly alive? It wasn’t even funny.

As I stepped outside and glanced back, I saw my parents and the portrait beside them, and seeing that family photo with one person missing made my heart ache again.

Truly, it wasn’t even funny.