Chapter 44: The World Tree (4)

 

The morning began early for the Red Flames group.

 

I gradually awakened from a deep slumber.

 

Though it was still dark when I slightly opened my eyes... the noise outside seemed to be growing louder.

 

Given the busy day ahead, it seemed everyone was getting ready.

 

I also decided to get up after taking a moment to catch my breath.

 

But at the same time, I realized something.

 

Strangely, my body felt unusually light, lighter than it should’ve after a typical rest.

 

It was also unexpectedly warm.

 

“...?”

 

Waking up in a daze, I became curious about the source of the warmth that I had unconsciously felt throughout the night.

 

When I opened my eyes and turned my head, I found the answer.

 

“...Mmm...”

 

Ner had nestled close to me at some point, deeply asleep. Her hand, drawn to her chest, and her forehead lightly touching me.

 

Even though our bodies weren’t fully intertwined, we shared each other’s warmth.

 

This was the first time we had slept so close.

 

The comfort of sleep I had enjoyed thanks to her warmth was one thing, but it felt like her warmth had also seeped into my heart.

 

I felt like the distance between us had shrunk.

 

Thinking so, I couldn’t help but smile.

 

I guess, approaching slowly like this seems to work.

 

For a moment, I closed my eyes again and just lay there.

 

I didn’t want to end this moment too soon.

 

When was the last time I felt like this?

 

‘Don’t forget me, Bell.’

 

- Swish

 

A sudden voice, almost like a whisper next to me, jolted me upright.

 

Ner, startled by my sudden movement, murmured as she opened her eyes.

 

My heart raced, like it hadn’t in a long time.

 

“...Berg?”

 

“...”

 

I responded, hiding my expression from my wife.

 

“...Sorry, did I wake you?”

 

“...There’s no need for apologies.”

 

Soon after, Ner blinked her drowsy eyes, touching her forehead.

 

It seemed that she was also gradually realizing the source of the warmth she had felt throughout the night.

 

“...Uh, well...”

 

She murmured something, but then closed her mouth.

 

Truth be told, between a married couple, there was no need to make excuses for this.

 

Well, we couldn’t exactly be considered a conventional couple, as our relationship wasn’t entirely rooted in profound love.

 

I hesitantly got up and began preparing to leave.

 

I needed to debrief with the members who had returned after the night’s reconnaissance about the boss monsters.

 

Based on that, a suitable strategy had to be planned.

 

“...Ah, Berg?”

 

But a puzzled voice from behind stopped me.

 

When I looked back at Ner, she hesitated, seemingly trying to say something.

 

“What?”

 

“It’s just...um...you...”

 

She seemed unsure of what to say, then I remembered something.

 

I was supposed to receive the spell today.

 

“Ah.”

 

I promptly took off my top again.

 

At the same time, I felt grateful to her, for wanting to cast the spell on me to the point of stopping me.

 

She had said it was a spell given only to one’s partner.

 

Though she had added many explanations, the fact that she was doing this for me remained unchanged.

 

“How should I position myself?”

 

“...Turn your back to me and sit down.”

 

I nodded and sat down on the bed.

 

Ner, who had just woken up, rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath.

 

“...Ah.”

 

Her fingertips barely touched me and then retreated.

 

“...Why?”

 

“I...to be honest, it’s my first time...so it might not work properly.”

 

“It’s okay.”

 

“...”

 

Ner seemed to be lost in thought for a moment.

 

“Wouldn’t it be better if I practiced more? Maybe I should do it after-”

 

“-It’s okay, Ner. Please go ahead.”

 

Upon hearing my words, Ner swallowed hard.

 

I could hear her nervous breaths.

 

Slowly, her cold hand touched my back.

 

Even though we had already held hands and slept side by side, making direct contact...

 

This was the first time she consciously put her hand on my body like this.

 

“Relax your muscles,” Ner instructed.

 

I did as she said.

 

Truth be told, I didn’t request this ritual because I believed it would be particularly beneficial to me... but rather because I had heard this was a part of the werewolves tribe’s culture, and I didn’t want to miss out.

 

After all, outwardly, we were acting as a loving couple.

 

At the same time, I hoped that through such a process, affection might blossom between us.

 

Thus, even if her spell itself failed, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But as Ner started murmuring something, I felt my body gradually heat up.

 

An orange light emanated from Ner’s body and entered mine.

 

What surprised me about encountering the werewolf tribe’s spell for the first time wasn’t the spectacle, but its effect.

 

It felt like each muscle in my body was awakening. Fatigue, which I thought was absent, was being washed away more thoroughly.

 

The earlier suggestion that the spell might fail seemed laughably modest now.

 

“Ner, this is...”

 

However, Ner focused on her spell, was undistracted by my call.

 

I felt her palm getting progressively wetter.

 

Taking a brief moment to look back, beads of sweat had formed on her forehead in this short span of time.

 

“Ner, that’s enough.”

 

At my urging, the radiant energy dimmed.

 

Ner let out a long sigh and opened her eyes, which she had previously shut.

 

As she wiped off the sweat, she asked even though she seemed visibly exhausted.

 

“How was it...? Was it successful?”

 

But instead of concerning herself with her own fatigue, she prioritized worrying about me.

 

Guilt surged in me, as I hadn’t realized this spell would be so taxing on her.

 

Simultaneously, an immense feeling of gratitude welled up within me.

 

Naturally, my hand reached out to wipe her forehead.

 

“....”

 

Ner’s body stiffened at the touch.

 

I couldn’t tell whether she disliked it or what, but it didn’t matter.

 

I wanted to do it.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Having been silent, Ner nodded in response to my words.

 

Once again, that tickling sensation encircled me.

 

It felt odd that we seemed closer since Arwin appeared.

 

It felt like a moment we should have been drawn further apart.

 

“Vice-captain!”

 

From a distance, Baran’s voice calling out to me echoed towards our tent.

 

“Yes! I’m coming!”

 

I shouted back outside the tent and quickly dressed.

 

Ner sat on the bed, brushing the very spot on her forehead where I had touched.

 

“Rest a bit more. We still have time before we depart.”

 

“Okay.”

 

As I was about to leave, I recalled yesterday’s event.

 

How she was touched by such a trivial comment about her tail.

 

Perhaps that tail was a source of pain for her.

 

“....”

 

Ner looked up at me, who had stopped in my tracks.

 

I was both touched by her demeanor yesterday and grateful for her presence today.

 

So, I suddenly thought of something to please her and to lift her spirit.

 

It might be a bit embarrassing, but it wasn’t inappropriate for a couple.

 

Jokingly, I blurted out, “Your tail looks beautiful today, too.”

 

Ner’s breath hitched, and her cheeks flushed a noticeable red.

 

“...Wh...at....”

 

Suppressing my laughter, I stepped outside the tent.

 

****

 

As time passed, we were on the verge of battle.

 

It had been a while since we could see the World Tree in the distance.

 

Its existence was astounding, given its massive size.

 

It was as large as a small hill somewhere.

 

Today, I was continually hearing the voice of the person I was trying to forget.

 

‘You must see the World Tree, Bell. It’s really, really huge. Oh, and the elves too...’

 

Back then, I firmly believed I would someday see the World Tree.

 

I just never imagined it would turn out like this.

 

With a sigh, I put away those needless thoughts.

 

This was the moment to focus on the boss monsters near the World Tree.

 

Looking at the surrounding, I seemed to understand why the elves said there was no time.

 

The nearby forest and plains were all destroyed.

 

All that remained were the walls built by Celebrien, the village within it, and the World Tree.

 

The boss monsters were close enough that arrows shot from the walls would reach them.

 

There was no more time.

 

The subjugation was the priority.

 

Everyone began to get ready.

 

The cavalry mounted their horses, and the infantry formed ranks.

 

“Ner, follow me.”

 

I instructed Ner, who had been following me all this time.

 

Then I led her to the rear of the mercenary group and entrusted her to the elves.

 

With Ascal around, Ner would be safe.

 

Looking at Ascal, I asked a favor.

 

“Please take care of my wife.”

 

“...Of course. May Dian be with you.”

 

Ascal accepted my request.

 

After that, I looked at Ner.

 

Fear, previously absent, now colored her face.

 

She kept blinking as she looked at my face.

 

I wanted to comfort her, but Arwin beside her caught my eye.

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

Arwin and I briefly locked eyes.

 

After this battle, I would be bound in marriage with her.

 

I sighed, looked at Ner, and nodded.

 

After all, I had said most of what I needed to say before departing.

 

There wasn’t any particular reason for further conversation.

 

Lowering my helmet’s visor, I turned my horse and galloped towards Adam Hyung.

 

“Did you say your goodbyes?”

 

Adam Hyung broached a light topic.

 

I nodded in response.

 

It wasn’t just that we were ready. This was our best state in recent years.

 

Piercing through Adam Hyung’s smile, the cry of the boss monsters echoed.

 

Two boss monsters were visible in the distance.

 

Unusually, these two always roamed together.

 

Given this, Adam Hyung had taken on additional responsibilities.

 

Krian and Theodore would act as bait, scattering the monsters. Meanwhile, Adam Hyung would lead one of the bosses away.

 

At the same time, our Head Hunter Unit would hunt the remaining one first. The plan was to eliminate both.

 

It had to go well. And it would.

 

The wait, as always, wasn’t long.

 

Adam Hyung didn’t waste time once the mercenaries were in position.

 

There was no point in prolonging the tense moments.

 

He signaled the beginning of the subjugation.

 

“Krian.”

 

“Captain! Let’s survive and see this through! Let’s go; Dian is watching!”

 

Krian, at the vanguard, led the charge, stirring up a dust storm.

 

*****

 

Ner’s heart raced as she intently watched Berg’s determined figure, reins in hand, advancing with unwavering resolve.

 

Her emotions went beyond her control.

 

Was it because she could see what he had been fighting against?

 

It seemed more vivid and more frightening.

 

“...”

 

Of course, there was more to it than just that.

 

Ner couldn’t deny that Berg was becoming someone meaningful to her...

 

...And she didn’t find these anxious feelings strange.

 

In fact, even a mere acquaintance in peril would evoke concern in most people.

 

...And to her, Berg was more than just an acquaintance...

 

“...”

 

...He was a friend, so it was natural to fear for him.

 

That was what she tried to tell herself.

 

Soon, from afar, the tumultuous blend of shouts and the violent clash between the Red Flames and the boss monster reached her ears.

 

The Head Hunter Unit led by Berg plunged headlong into the swarm of monsters.

 

“...Ah.”

 

Unable to bear watching directly, Ner turned her eyes away.

 

Even though she already knew that Berg would somehow come back alive, she still felt this tremor. He had reassured her that it wasn’t that dire of a situation.

 

“...Ner.”

 

As she looked away, there stood Arwin.

 

“...Arwin-nim.”

 

She was observing the battlefield that Ner couldn’t bear to see, with her mysterious expression.

 

“How do you think it will turn out?”

 

Arwin asked.

 

Struggling to calm her heart, Ner voiced her honest feelings.

 

“...It will succeed. The Blackwood situation was worse than this.”

 

...And perhaps, a faint hope was interwoven in those words.

 

Arwin nodded at her statement, answering with an equally neutral expression.

 

“...I see.”

 

Ner observed Arwin’s profile.

 

Berg was sure to succeed. He had said himself that he was in the best condition.

 

And once he succeeded, he would be married to Arwin.

 

Green pupils, long ears, breathtaking beauty, tall stature, and a feminine figure...

 

For a moment, Ner imagined Berg being with Arwin.

 

And with that imagination, a different unpleasant feeling tightened her heart, apart from the fear she currently felt.

 

“...”

 

However, she also recalled Arwin’s demeanor, which didn’t seem too enthusiastic about such a union.

 

At least, that was the impression she had when Arwin approached her in the forest of Stockpin.

 

It was Arwin who had spoken words of encouragement and support.

 

With that thought, Ner felt a bit relieved.

 

“...Let’s do our best together.”

 

Ner murmured.

 

Arwin, hearing those words, looked at Ner and nodded.

 

Regardless of what might come, the dice had already been cast.

 

There was no turning back now.

 

– – – End of Chapter – – –