917

 [Chapter 227]

[Relife (3)]

"For the development of the North!"

""""For the development!""""

Although there was an unexpected incident in the middle that greatly shook the war situation.

Nevertheless, the 2nd Battle to Recapture Uijeongbu could end successfully.

Zero casualties from Pandora Clan.

The clan members were greatly rejoicing at the fact that they recaptured Uijeongbu without anyone dying.

...Fortunately, no one died.

At the grand company dinner.

The clan members drank alcohol and chatted excitedly with carefree faces.

Mok Min-ho, who was among them, silently sipped his drink.

"Hey guys! Mok whatever Sub-lord is drinking alone again! Someone go keep him company!"

""""Ahahahaha!!""""

"Jin Pa-rang, that's..."

A shout heard from far away at that moment.

It was Jin Pa-rang shouting while getting his butt smacked by Kim Min-ji as he stood on the table.

People burst into laughter seeing him jumping around on the table.

Mok Min-ho was in a good mood too, so he decided to let Jin Pa-rang's prank slide.

Yeah, everyone have fun.

It's a pleasant sight.

Mok Min-ho smiled, covering his mouth with his glass while looking at them.

It was then.

"Sub-lord, may I sit next to you?" "Ah... Seong-hwan. Sure, sit down." "I'll pour you a drink."

"Alright, then I'll pour for you too."

Pandora Clan member Dealer Oh Seong-hwan.

One of Noh Eun-ha's fanatics suddenly took the seat next to him.

Mok Min-ho smiled slightly as he approached with a friendly face and spoke.

Oh Seong-hwan poured alcohol in the glass.

The two toasted and downed their drinks in one go.

The taste was cold and bitter.

There was a subtle sweetness mixed in at the end of the bitterness.

Min-ho gave in to the tipsy yet languid sensation.

"...I'm sorry."

"Seems you remembered."

Then he fiddled with the empty glass and opened his mouth softly.

So this isn't reality.

Although he could have fallen into a happy dream in the languid mood if he wanted.

Mok Min-ho rejected it.

Because the bitter taste spreading through his whole body awakened him to reality.

This world was a world reflecting his wishes.

"..."

Authority comes with duty and responsibility.

In that sense, he felt the duty and responsibility to protect clan members even at the cost of his life as a Sub-lord.

But he didn't have the power to protect all clan members.

Ideals were too far away.

Reality was too cruel.

"I'm sorry for being weak."

""""...."""

Due to his choices and judgments.

Many people he should have protected lost their lives.

So he felt guilty towards those who departed first.

In that sense, this world was a world that eased his guilt.

A world where people didn't die from the deaths he stepped on.

In this world, there were clan members, and friends who gave their lives for him during academy student days.

"I'm really... sorry. I have no face to look at you."

Mok Min-ho deeply bowed his head and apologized to those he was seeing after a long time.

"But thank you."

And he expressed gratitude.

He was grateful for their sacrifices, and grateful that they believed in him.

He wanted to laugh and chat with them, having long conversations.

But there wasn't much time.

Mok Min-ho raised his head.

"Whether I get beaten or cursed by you. I'll come receive the responsibility next time. I have something else to do now."

"There's no need for that. None of us blame the Sub-lord."

"...Is that so."

Oh Seong-hwan speaking on behalf of people.

Mok Min-ho could relax his stiff face hearing unexpected words.

Then people each gave words of encouragement.

"You know the way out, right?" "Yeah."

Since when was it?

No, it was from the start.

Mok Min-ho was holding a sword.

He drew the sword and turned to the space behind him.

There's a wall.

The wall of this dream.

Gift <Severance Principle>

The Wall Breaker

There was a time when he faced a wall.

Feeling the limits of his skills, he almost sat down in that place.

But not anymore.

If a wall appears, cut it. Break it. Overcome it.

He will live such a life and move forward from now on too.

Mok Min-ho looked out at the space beyond the broken wall.

There was only darkness.

He set foot in that darkness.

"Sub-lord."

At that moment, Oh Seong-hwan called from behind.

Mok Min-ho took in the sight of people waving their hands behind him.

Oh Seong-hwan at the very front spoke.

"Please send our regards to the Clan Lord too. Tell him we're doing well." "Ah, sure."

"And please ask him not to come to the National Cemetery alone and have heavy conversations. He can come have fun and enjoyable conversations now, right?"

"...That guy did that?"

"He doesn't talk much either." "...Right. Okay. Next time I'll come prepared with fun stories with him."

"We'll be waiting."

Mok Min-ho smiled slightly.

Pandora Clan Lord, Lord Noh Eun-ha.

He was also someone who tried to shoulder things alone and didn't speak his mind well like himself.

Though he may act calm on the outside, he must surely be carrying various hardships while running the clan.

That guy really... He can't do without me by his side, seriously.

Mok Min-ho gauged his inner thoughts and moved his steps into the darkness.

"Make sure you win."

"Watch from there."

☆

Thwack.

The arrow hit the dead center of the target.

"Phew."

When she relaxed her hand holding the bow, it spun around.

Hoshimiya Kaede who had the bow in her hand exhaled the breath she had been holding.

Clap clap clap

Then applause was heard.

Kaede turned her head towards the direction the sound came from.

"Ah..."

"Excellent."

A familiar face was standing there.

So there was no way she wouldn't remember that face.

Grandfather who acted as her parent in place of her deceased parents.

Kaede relaxed her expression seeing Grandfather with a benevolent smiling face.

"Child, try hitting that target over there next."

"That target over there?"

"It's a bit far, but you can do it."

"...I'll try."

Grandfather pointed behind his shoulder.

She looked at the target placed far away that Grandfather pointed at with his hand.

It's too far.

The center point isn't even visible well.

This will lower accuracy.

Can't hit it.

But─

─I couldn't hit it at this time back then.

Kaede gave a bitter smile.

The memory was clear.

It was around the time when she had just started learning archery from Grandfather.

Only then did she realize.

"...So that's how it is."

"What is, child?"

"Nothing."

She was dreaming of her young days.

A dream of the days when she acted childishly trying to get her skills recognized by Grandfather.

Kaede examined herself who had returned to that time's appearance, then looked up at Grandfather.

Grandfather didn't say much.

Then she nocked an arrow and aimed at the target.

"See with the eyes of your heart. Archery, magic is like that."

Teachings she had heard until her ears wore out.

Kaede raised the corners of her mouth, then released the bowstring she had pulled with all her might.

The bowstring trembled.

Thwack!

Meanwhile, the arrow stuck in the target.

There was no need to check exactly where it stuck.

"Try shooting further next time."

"Yes."

What a strange world.

The target keeps getting further and further away.

Nevertheless, Kaede stuck arrows in the dead center of the target over and over.

Thwack!

Each time she pulled the bowstring.

Her height gradually grew.

Like that, before she knew it, she had returned to the appearance of <Divine Archer>.

"Now, try shooting up there next."

"..."

"Is it too high?"

Kaede raised her head.

The sun was floating in a pure white world.

Can I hit it?

Kaede nocked an arrow on the bowstring.

She aims at the dazzling light.

Her focus wavers and her eyes close.

She calmed her mind and traced the path she had walked until now.

She went through many things.

She gained many things.

She became much stronger accordingly.

Zodiac

At some point, the bow she held in her hand had changed to the symbol of <Divine Archer>.

An arrow imbued with golden light.

She shot that arrow to knock down the sun floating in the sky.

Crack!

Such a sound was heard.

Pieces of the sun fall down.

In the place where they fell off, pitch black space was sitting.

Beyond there is reality.

"That's enough."

"It's because Grandfather taught me well."

Grandfather was clapping.

Kaede gently shook her head receiving Grandfather's praise.

Then Grandfather also shook his head, then suddenly embraced her.

"I didn't teach you much." "..." "You achieved everything with your own hands. You have now surpassed me." "Ah..."

"I'm really proud that you are called <Divine Archer>."

Those words were the trigger.

Kaede burst into tears she had been holding back and cried loudly in Grandfather's arms.

The dam of emotions collapsed.

Why did you leave her behind?

Does Grandfather know how hard it was living alone?

She expressed her resentment as if returning to childhood.

"Yes, I'm sorry. Child."

Grandfather only said that.

And just hugged her tightly.

Then─

"─But you're not alone anymore now. There are many by your side now." "...Yes, that's right." "Do you still dislike the people of this country?" "I dislike people who dislike me... But I like people who like me."

"That's enough. That's enough."

Hearing Grandfather's words.

Kaede recalled again the people she had tried to forget.

She wiped her tears with her hands.

It wasn't time to be crying.

She pushed Grandfather's shoulders and broke free from his embrace.

"I have to go now. They... my friends are waiting."

"Yes, go quickly. You know where the exit is, right?"

"Yes, I know."

Kaede nodded.

Then she turned her gaze towards the sky where pieces of the sun had fallen.

Beyond there. It's the end of the dream.

She infused mana into the bow in her hand towards the end of the dream.

Star Catching

An arrow shot from the bow soars up.

That arrow creates a trajectory, and she quickly grasped the trajectory.

Her body floats up following the trajectory, ascending from the dream world.

Below her feet, Grandfather was waving his hand giving a final farewell.

"Take care."

"You too, Grandfather."

Kaede responded.

And she glared at the end of the dream.

Darkness rushes in, and she prepared to face battle once again.

☆

"Now! Now! Why do you two always fight whenever you meet? Ugh, I really can't live like this..."

"No, Ara! This Noh Eun-ha guy..."

"I didn't do anything wrong."

These guys are starting again.

Jo A-ra sighed seeing the two people arguing while eating.

On Tae-yang and Noh Eun-ha.

The two had been in this state continuously since meeting in high school academy until now when graduation was approaching.

Well, does that mean they're close?

Still, this is much better.

In 1st year, On Tae-yang would constantly fight with Eun-ha.

It was a secret that it was unsightly how he would always lose and come back.

"Let's not fight while eating! Are you kids? Come on, handshake of reconciliation!" ""..."

"Re, con, ci, li, a, tion, hand, shake, now!" ""Now!!""

"I really can't rest comfortably because of you guys."

When Jo A-ra growled threateningly, the frightened On Tae-yang and Eun-ha quickly grasped hands and shook them.

She was relieved seeing that sight.

Then the three burst into laughter.

"Hey, Noh Eun-ha. Seems you're scared of Ara too?" "What about you?"

"Ugh, are you insulting me now?"

The three siblings of the academy.

At the point of approaching graduation, the three were being called that by people.

Their relationship was that close.

Well, it's understandable.

How many things have we been through...

The 4th rank Gakgunbong incident too.

The three were involved in all sorts of incidents and accidents over 3 years.

It was natural for their relationship to become closer because of that.

"Really..."

As if it happened just yesterday.

Memories entangled with the two vividly arise in her mind.

But Jo A-ra knew.

"I wish it could have been like this..."

""..."

That she was dreaming.

A dream she once wished for.

That dream has become an illusion captivating her now.

She who had some knowledge about illusion magic could quickly notice.

Nevertheless, this dream was so sweet that she didn't want to wake up at all.

"You don't have to wake up. Everything you wish for will come true in this world."

"Tae-yang..."

Jo A-ra blankly stared at On Tae-yang taking her hand.

On Tae-yang's face was infinitely serious.

Perhaps she would have fallen for his words when she was an academy student.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go."

But not anymore.

She couldn't delay time any longer.

<Nocturne > Jo A-ra now had many more people as friends than back then.

She built fun memories with them.

She couldn't be bound by the past.

"Do you really have to go?" "Yes."

The scenery ripples and melts away.

Noh Eun-ha disappears.

Before she knew it, only herself and On Tae-yang remained in the pure white space.

Just as she thought that─

"─Ah..."

New people appeared.

On Tae-yang's mother.

<Fantasy Vision> Do Wan-jun.

<Florist > Bang Yeon-ji.

They were sending warm smiles looking at her.

All were welcome faces.

Then she let go of the hand On Tae-yang was holding.

"Thank you all for coming to wake me up. You too, Tae-yang."

"..." "Tae-yang."

"I know, Mom."

On Tae-yang bows his head deeply.

Then On Tae-yang's mother approached and placed her hand on his shoulder.

Only then did On Tae-yang sigh.

"It's just bitter that there's no place for me inside you anymore." "You should have done well when you had the chance." "I'm sorry. I was too young. I only thought about myself." "So have you changed now?"

"...How do I look to you?" "To me, you look the same." "You have no filter with childhood friends." 

"That's because we're childhood friends."

I'm glad. That we can talk comfortably.

Jo A-ra was inwardly relieved to be able to converse with On Tae-yang like before.

On Tae-yang seemed to feel the same.

Then he hesitantly moved his mouth slightly.

"Ara." "What?"

"...Please take care of Tae-hee."

"..."

"I'm asking you."

"...You call that asking. Don't worry. I'll take good care of her. Even without me, Tae-hee is doing well now."

An unusual request from On Tae-yang.

Jo A-ra grinned discovering this unexpected side.

Then she turned her body.

"Are you leaving now?"

"Be careful."

"Yes, thank you for worrying. And I'm really glad to see you two look happy."

"It's all thanks to you. Thank you."

<Fantasy Vision> Do Wan-jun.

<Florist > Bang Yeon-ji.

The two, with their arms linked, wished her good luck.

Jo A-ra responded with a bright smile to them, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.

Then she swiftly turned around.

"...I can't help it. Even if I'm leaving, I should play a tune as a memento before I go!"

With a face that seemed to say "Oh well."

Jo A-ra decided to enjoy the moment for just a little while longer.

She waved her hand in the air.

A conductor's baton appeared in her hand.

Then she conducted the magic she had cultivated over time.

───♪

The white world shook.

The world transformed according to her imagination, and before they knew it, they were on an orchestra stage.

I want to leave behind a life without regrets.

Standing at the conductor's podium.

Jo A-ra put on the brightest face she could and presented a song to the people.

Harmonizing different notes, she performed a concert without regrets in life.

Harmony.

That was the dream she longed for and the regret she couldn't fulfill.

If only I had been more mature back then.

If only I had done better back then...

If she had become an excellent bridge connecting Eun-ha and On Tae-yang.

If she had shown the ability to beautifully harmonize their relationship.

If so, wouldn't the same future shown in this world have unfolded?

Let's not just regret.

From now on, I'll live each moment to the fullest with my friends.

But what's past is past.

It can't be undone.

Because it can't be undone, I move forward.

Using regret as nourishment, I reflect so as not to commit such regrets again.

Therefore, this song is dedicated to them and also to herself.

In the crumbling world, Jo A-ra conducted her illusion until she awoke from the dream.