343th Chapter
Aptel.
An artificial intelligence created by Resina.
The original personality that Resina replicated to create Aptel was none other than Resina herself.
Six hundred years ago, Resina and Ray neither believed for a moment that a miraculous moment like today would come.
Even so, on some distant future day, when countless coincidences overlapped, this miracle came to pass.
By then, Resina had already fallen, but Resina left arrangements in place so that she could recover her memories and self through past recollections.
[…]
Upon making contact with Resina, Aptel confirmed that the tightly locked memory data began to unravel piece by piece.
Aptel organized the freed memory data to carry out its assigned mission.
Simultaneously, a beam of light flowing from the bracelet formed a ring that enveloped Resina.
Tsuk-
The ring of light slowly rotated.
Resina’s memories from six hundred years ago, which she once considered meaningless, were embedded within the ring of light.
The ring resonated with Resina’s soul, now a blank slate.
All that remained of Resina were fragmented memories, completely shattered and formless.
But these seemingly meaningless fragments began to gradually restore themselves as they resonated with the ring of light.
Tsu-tsu-tsu-
The shattered fragments reformed based on the memory data recorded in the ring of light.
Everyone watched silently as Resina underwent transformation while responding to the ring of light.
Re-engraving lost memories was an unprecedented attempt.
Even with Resina’s arrangements left by Resina, there was no guarantee it would function perfectly as intended.
It was uncertain if Resina would successfully regain her memories, and even if she did, severe side effects might arise.
Ulte prayed that everything would conclude well and that Resina would recover her memories safely.
As time passed, the ring of light surrounding Resina gradually faded and disappeared.
In a space still filled with silence, Resina opened her eyes.
“…”
Blinking her eyes several times, Resina, whose gaze appeared as innocent as a child’s, moved her lips.
“Ramenta…? Aquitas…? Why are you here…?”
Why are the guardians of the World Tree standing before me instead of staying with Mother?
Moreover, not one but two of them were present, and Aquitas seemed to have suffered serious injuries.
Given Resina’s elven common sense, the situation was utterly incomprehensible.
Perplexed, Resina received a brief explanation from Ramenta.
“Six hundred years have passed since Harshia’s death.”
“…?”
“The entity driving the expansion of the Demonic Realm has been destroyed, and you have been released from your duty.”
“…!”
Resina realized that her current height was far below where her last memory left off.
Lowering her head, she saw her physical form, which had completely degenerated to resemble that of a child.
“…”
It was incredibly confusing.
Though difficult to accept, Resina calmly and slowly processed the situation without losing composure.
Her degenerated body. The missing six hundred years of memories. The arrangements left by Resina. And those who protected her after being abandoned by her own kind.
“…”
Resina turned her head with great difficulty.
Ulte, who had quietly guarded Resina, knelt in response.
Resina did not remember Ulte. All memories related to Ulte had become blurred and unrecognizable.
Still, Resina felt a pang in her chest. Tears inexplicably welled up at the corners of her eyes and threatened to fall against her will.
“What is your relationship with Casillas…?”
“I am his descendant.”
“…Tell me your name.”
“…Call me Ulte.”
“I don’t remember much.”
No matter how hard she tried, the lost six hundred years remained vague.
Nothing concrete surfaced; it all dispersed like fog.
Yet, Resina felt pain looking at Ulte’s injured and weakened body.
Thanks to the sacrifices and dedication passed down from her ancestors to Ulte, Resina had managed to survive until now.
Despite her degenerated form, her body had been carefully protected over six hundred years without a single scar.
Tears finally fell from Resina’s eyes.
“Did you suffer much…?”
She struggled to shake off the overwhelming guilt of forgetting the history of sacrifice and dedication despite owing so much gratitude.
Ulte shook his head lightly toward Resina, who was trying to suppress her sobs, and smiled.
“We merely feared that our efforts would go unrewarded. But now… it’s alright.”
The long-held wish carried down from the progenitor of the Gardi family finally bore fruit with the last guardian.
Even though she had forgotten six hundred years of time, her very existence proved that the sacrifices of the Gardi family had not been in vain.
That alone was enough. With tears streaming down his cheeks, Ulte reached out and touched Resina’s hand.
Then, holding Ulte’s cheeks with both hands, Resina began to close the distance between them.
“…?”
Ray, who had been listening quietly to the conversation between Ulte and Resina, suddenly jumped.
‘Uh…?’
Could they really be about to kiss?
Ray checked Resina’s appearance again.
Even though she was an elf over a thousand years old, her appearance was just that of a little girl.
‘Ah, no…’
Was this really okay?
For Ray, who retained memories from his previous life, it was a difficult situation to accept.
If such a scene had been depicted in creative works in the Republic of Korea where Ray lived in his past life, it would have immediately made headlines in newspapers.
Male-oriented novel criticized for depicting pedophilic content. Inadequate handling by Munpia (*major shareholder: Naver Webtoon) draws criticism. CEO issues statement: “What’s all the fuss about a little kiss?” Controversy intensifies.
While Ray was caught up in such unsettling thoughts, shifting his eyes around nervously…
Resina kissed Ulte on the forehead.
Seeing this, Ray let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Kissing someone on the forehead was a gesture occasionally performed in this world to express gratitude and affection.
Afterward, Resina and Ulte spent some time talking privately, laughing and crying together.
The others waited patiently at a distance, avoiding interrupting their conversation.
As they waited, Ramenta approached Ray and spoke.
“Genesis will be recovered by us.”
“Ah, sure. I won’t stop you.”
Though Ray could have reproached them for their audacity, he chose not to.
With his lifespan running short, there was nothing to gain by opposing the guardians of the World Tree.
However, even so…
“Surely, you’re not taking it by mouth?”
“First, allow me to express my gratitude.”
“For what?”
“There remains a small amount of Mother’s tears that can be removed under my authority. Let it serve as a token of appreciation for him.”
Since the curse of the World Tree had harmed Ulte’s body, the World Tree’s tears would significantly aid in his recovery.
Ramenta also mentioned that they would do their best to show consideration within their limits, beyond just the World Tree’s tears.
Listening to Ramenta’s words, Ray hesitated for a moment before asking another question.
“How will Resina be treated?”
“It’s impossible for Resina to remain in Mother’s embrace.”
“…”
“But we will allow her to accompany Mother one final time.”
This meant they would make arrangements for Resina to briefly step on her homeland soil one last time.
Thus, Ulte and Resina would have to head towards the domain of the World Tree with Ramenta.
Ray tilted his head sideways and looked at Ramenta.
“Are you harboring any strange intentions?”
“No. If you cannot trust us, you may send a proxy to retrieve the answer and bring it to Mother’s embrace.”
“Hmm… I suppose I should check their wishes first.”
Ray shrugged and turned his attention back to Ulte and Resina.
When Ray first learned of Ulte and Resina’s circumstances, he never thought he could save them.
Nevertheless, Ray gave his all, and thanks to his efforts, Ulte and Resina achieved their own happy ending.
Without trying to hide his sense of pride, Ray smiled genuinely.
It was a smile that looked more relaxed than ever.
*
Speira Prizzran.
Even she, who stayed in the Imperial Capital, heard news of the victorious expeditionary force.
Upon learning that Ray had returned safely along with the victorious news of the expeditionary force, Speira sighed in great relief and smiled faintly.
“I never expected it to turn out this way…”
Recalling her first meeting with Ray, Speira murmured softly.
A boy of her age who caught the eye of her great-grandfather by chance after moving from the countryside.
That boy was now returning to the capital as a hero, someone who felt so distant now.
Smiling as she reminisced about her first encounter with the greatest hero in the Empire’s history, Speira suddenly furrowed her brow.
“…”
Right after the expeditionary force’s departure, Speira met Alesya once.
At that time, Alesya had boldly revealed her belly in front of Speira and grinned in an extremely irritating manner.
Thinking back to Alesya’s triumphant antics, as if she had won something, Speira suppressed a groan.
Reflecting on her short life, Speira wondered if there had ever been a day she felt as humiliated as that one.
“Besides… even if I bear Ray’s child, there’s a high probability it’ll be considered illegitimate…”
If the Emperor were to take Ray into the royal family, it would almost certainly be the case.
Of course, Speira wasn’t so mean-spirited as to boast about such matters in front of Alesya.
Anyway…
Speira was eagerly looking forward to welcoming Ray’s triumphant return to the capital.
However, Speira received a shocking order from Ernst.
“You need to go somewhere.”
“…Pardon?”
“Depart today.”
Ernst abruptly presented her with a schedule that would take two months to digest.
Even Speira, who usually obeyed Ernst’s commands, couldn’t help but wonder, “Why now of all times?”
The triumphal ceremony was just around the corner. Ideally, she wanted to attend the ceremony, greet Ray, and then proceed with her duties.
“Great-grandfather…”
Using the title reserved only for him, Speira cautiously observed Ernst’s expression.
However, Ernst didn’t even look at Speira as he firmly ordered her.
“Go.”
Ernst’s voice was cold and resolute.
Though Speira couldn’t understand why Ernst was being so stern, she had no choice but to bow her head.
“Yes, understood.”
Leaving behind the unusually uncharming Ernst, Speira walked out of the office with a dejected expression.
After Speira left, Ernst sat in his seat for a while longer before opening a drawer.
The Dragonheart of the royal family gleamed alone inside the drawer.
“I trust that you will not make the wrong choice.”
The First Vow (3)
