Chapter 421 – The Age of Peace (2)

An accident.

Much had transpired during the three years I’d been absent from the world. Minor transgressions from the past had come back to haunt me.

Like the swollen belly of a woman with whom I had shared a relationship.

‘It gave me goosebumps.’

To call it solely my fault would be unfair; we were both negligent. We had neglected to consider the birth of life that might arise from our actions.

And there was a reason for this oversight. After learning the art of ‘Color Sphere,’ contraception had become quite simple.

I had been in the habit of making adjustments each time to prevent accidents, but alcohol had proven to be my nemesis. It had entirely disrupted my ability to maintain control.

If only I had been aware, I could have exercised caution and experienced regret.

“Honestly, don’t you think it’s too much?” I asked.

“I don’t,” came the reply.

On my way back from meeting Tae-yang, I used space magic to locate the chamber of the wandering sage.

No. Perhaps now I should call myself a former sage.

Having descended from the seat of the sage, she became a benevolent figure, traveling the world and providing relief to those suffering from hunger.

While I took lives, she saved them.

Non-intervention, a rule that a sage must uphold. By casting it aside, she was as free as a fish in water. Though it is against the principles for a sage to step down from their position, it seemed she had found a loophole, utilizing the accumulated goodwill of Sephirot.

But that is not the issue at hand. The greatest problem lies in the small child formed between her and me.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you might have asked me to erase it?”

In your eyes, I must have seemed like trash, willing to erase a child.

The feeling of injustice is not insignificant, it’s overwhelming.

“And would I have even considered it?”
“…True. Who would have thought it could happen all at once?”

Alba, unchanged from three years ago, was cutting fruit with the same maternal grace.

The reason the (former) sage embarked on his journey was to raise his child well, as though to show off their growth.

Simultaneously, it served as a treatment for our venerable master.

“My condition has improved significantly. The medicine you procured is incredibly effective. With some luck, in a few months… consciousness may be regained.”

I felt a sense of relief at the sage’s reassurance and gazed at our master seated beside me. How much time had passed for the once-miserable half-corpse to transform into a woman with a healthy complexion?

It had been a long time since I had seen her, much like her daughter.

Nearly a year had elapsed, and throughout that period, I couldn’t even relay news of her life or death.

We would remain out of touch for quite some time in the future, given how busy I had been.

*Tak-tak-tak-tak!*

Alba chuckled at the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs.

“Is your daughter arriving?”

*Whoosh!*

A dark-haired girl appeared as the door swung open, raising her hand towards Alba before stopping midway.

“Mom, I’m here…”

A lengthy silence ensued as our eyes met. It was only natural, considering we hadn’t been familiar with one another since childhood. The situation must have felt surreal, with me suddenly appearing and declaring myself as her father.

However, the resemblance was undeniable for both of us. That black hair, bright and fierce eyes – all exuded a unique atmosphere that couldn’t have come from anyone else’s lineage.

“…Is the ugly dad here?”

Look at this kid.

Her subtle mannerisms were strikingly similar to my own. At the same time, she fidgeted restlessly, unable to contain her excitement.

“Wiki.”

Wiki Clipport was the name bestowed upon her by the sage even before I laid eyes on her.

I never imagined that ‘Wiki,’ a name I loathed so much, would be chosen for my daughter. To me, it sounded like a beautiful name, but I wondered how she felt about it. I offered an awkward smile and opened my arms, and Clipport, who had been cautiously observing me, carefully approached and embraced me.

Feeling guilty about calling myself a bad father, the words I’d just uttered weighed heavily on my heart.

“…Kind dad.”

At that single remark, both Alba and I laughed.

Physically and mentally, she was nine years old. That was the age when I separated from Shiba. Her development was slower compared to Shiba’s, but it was still impossible to ignore.

The knowledge Alba had accumulated under her strict tutelage had already surpassed my own.

There were times when she subtly hinted at her disapproval of my parenting, questioning why I treated my daughter so harshly despite her exceptional education.

“Siheon, in this world, there are beings born for their own unique purpose. Just as I was.”

At times, Alba’s dismissal of me made me wonder if she saw her daughter as a mere tool.

However, whether considering the frequency of love given or the magnitude of her affection, Alba was always ahead. Having avoided my fatherly duties, I had no room to criticize.

A child born between me and the sage. Although we spoke of her as such, our treatment of her was different.

My role was closer to that of a seed provider than a father. Wiki was Alba’s successor rather than her daughter, and such an ambiguous relationship had persisted for years.

In truth, she hadn’t even wanted to inform me that I had a daughter.

I still don’t know what Alba is thinking.

“Dad, do you have to leave?”
“Wiki.”
“…Fine.”

At Alba’s word, Wiki’s complaint subsided.

Alba didn’t even permit the affection I should have given as a father to my daughter.

That was one aspect she was unyielding about. All I could do was embrace Wiki or pat her back for a short while.

With just that, Wiki giggled and happily wrapped her arms around the side of my neck.

“Dad, it must be tough.”

Wiki pouted her lips at Alba’s continuing words and slipped out of my hold with a displeased expression.

I gazed at her with sympathy and signaled Alba.

“Let it be for today.”
“…….”

Alba glares at me with wide, unyielding eyes.

It’s futile.
No matter how much of an absentee father I am, I won’t be silenced.

“…Fine, I understand.”

Father, daughter. Both with expressions wide open.

A grin spreads across Wiki’s lips as she turns away from the sage’s softened gaze.

We play together for a while, and I even give her a kiss on the cheek.

“…Kyaaak!”

* * * * * * * * *

The time spent between a father and daughter can feel long and short all at once.
The more I look at Wiki’s face, the more I’m reminded of another child.

“Do you think about Shiba?”
“Well, yes. I think we should meet at least once when we have a moment like this.”
“I wouldn’t stop you if that’s what you want. I believe you know that too.”

Alba’s tone is much softer and more gentle than it was three years ago.

I know what she meant.
What I’m attempting to do now. If my old acquaintances were to find out, not only would I receive disapproving looks, but unnecessary conflicts could arise.

Of course, I’ve encountered a few of them.

Jung Si-woo, for instance, or Marronnier.

I had intentionally approached Jung Si-woo a year ago, and I had caught a glimpse of Marronnier once when I had business to attend to.
I didn’t see them in person, but from what I heard, everyone seemed to be doing well.

Nevertheless, I hope to meet them as soon as possible.

“Is it difficult?” Alba asked.

I whispered softly in response, “Very much so.”

“The more time passes, the more lies seem to accumulate. Haven’t we been together for quite a while? It would be nice to just tell the truth and live that way.”

“No matter how much time goes by, I still can’t trust you.”

“…Heh.”

I’m serious.

(Former) sage or not, I still can’t bring myself to think of this woman as a sage, nor can I trust her.
Even now, I sometimes dream of being betrayed by a sage.

“It doesn’t matter. If your goal is to return to the ‘old system,’ I won’t betray you.”

The old system. Ancien Régime.

A term referring to the absolute monarchy that existed before the French Revolution. It was also the time when King Mokryeong’s reign persisted.

As the power of the eighth leaf returned to my grasp, the system was modernizing and gradually taking shape. This world was different from the one I had known.

There were people who never died, and eternal rule could continue.

A form of governance by a select few elites, as referenced by Greek philosophers in the past.

Simultaneously, it is the system that can bring about change the fastest. I am the only form of structure capable of surpassing two forces.

“And when do I change my mind?”

Asking while licking my hardened lips, the sage responded calmly.

“That won’t happen, not when you care so deeply for your lover and Shiba.”
“What are you trying to say?”

“It means I’ll always be on your side.”
“If you had just said that, it would have been incredibly romantic.”
“Right?”
“Right, my ass.”

This task was no easy feat either.

No matter how strong you are, commanding troops requires intellect.
Winning the hearts of the people is another challenge altogether.

There were many who envied me.

“So?”
“…So what?”
“If you had given up, you wouldn’t have made it this far, right?”

That’s true.

“Heavenly Demon.”
“…….”

The black dragon robe draped on his shoulders swayed in the sudden gust of wind.

He lowered his gaze.
His calloused hands were thick, and his wrists robust.

Thanks to his height, which had increased significantly since they first met, his line of sight had risen, and he had become the embodiment of what they had desired.

“Now, all we need is for Master to awaken.”

That day is still far away.
Yet, everything seems hopeful.

I summoned my magical power.

“It’s time to go.”

Leaving a curt remark for Alba, I activated my spatial magic.
There was no such thing as a lengthy farewell.

– Flicker!

My view changed, and I found myself back within the ranks of the returning forces.

A pungent smell of blood grazed my nostrils.

“…”

Countless members of the Flower organization were gathered around me, as if to encircle me.
Numerous minor killers had assembled, reeking of blood.
The Flower, not accepting the change, sharpened its blade and aimed its weapon at me.

‘Should I change the coordinates again?’

“There’s nothing more cowardly than spawn-killing.”
“…?”
“Laugh. You whelps.”

I brushed the Black Dragon aside and drew my sword.
The enormous longsword clanged, emitting a sinister sound as the dark blade escaped its sheath.

– Swish!

* * * * * * * * *

“Did you pack your clothes?”
“I did.”
“The black ones your mom bought?”
“I packed them.”
“What about your mom’s love?”
“…Beep?”

Sometimes.

Shiba occasionally feels burdened by Azalea’s cunning love. Perhaps it’s due to age, but she’s honestly a bit shy.

“Hehe, did you pack it?”

Still, she can’t bring herself to spit on Azalea’s smiling face. Shiba stood up, leaving her packed belongings behind, and hugged Azalea.

“I packed it~ I packed it~”

Shiba sighed at the sight of Azalea’s mushy face.

Our mom… How will she live without me?

She wished for her relationship with her maternal grandmother to improve. Lately, it didn’t seem like they were in touch.

“Do you want to just attend like you did in the first semester?”
“Mom… You said that I can’t do that for the second semester.”

In the first semester, it was possible to attend school from home using a workaround, but there was no such option for the second semester.

She also had to participate in the recently revived Forest Keeper Tournament.

Shiba’s decision to leave home was largely influenced by the “Forest Keeper Selection Match.”

She had to go to the dormitory a day earlier since she needed special training for the event.

“If you encounter any danger, be sure to contact me.”
“…”

Contacting them would be more dangerous than the danger itself.

Shiba reminisced about an incident from long ago.

A seemingly trivial act of harassment that had escalated, moving even the president of the Korean Hunter Association to action. Shiba remembered a young boy who had tearfully pleaded.

‘…Mom and Aunt are so worried.’

Byul, in particular, was quite concerned.

In her own way, she had intended to merely scold!
However, at the level of the Association President, the scolding became a national warning. It was no secret that Se-Young’s mother had been reprimanded and was brought to tears.

“Nothing bad will happen.”

Shiba declared with her luggage on her back, thumping her chest.

“Si-heon said the same thing, and he fought in the selection match too, right?”
“…??”

“Take caution, then.”

Upon hearing Azalea’s plea, Shiba’s eyes widened.

Father…
Who could he possibly be?

The more Shiba heard of his tales, the more difficult it became to envision her father’s life.