Chapter 65

"Um... hmm..."

Flam's eyelids trembled, and her eyes slowly opened.

"Master!"

The bandaged girl leaned forward, appearing in her field of vision. Even though her vision was blurry, there was no way Flam couldn't recognize her.

"Milkit... where are we...?"

"We're in the guild's infirmary. Linus and Kiril brought you here."

"Linus... Ah, right, I..."

Gradually, her consciousness and memories became clearer. She had finished off Mute and then collapsed, reaching her limit.

"Are the others... like Eterna and Gadio, are they okay?"

"Yes, they are currently having a discussion with the others."

Flam sighed in relief, "I see." She had been worried that if Mute died, the people who resonated with him might act out.

"Ah... I'm really... really glad I woke up..."

Milkit hugged Flam's stomach and buried her face in it. Feeling her warmth, Flam realized that she was indeed alive.

"If you never woke up... I was so worried... so worried..."

"Was I that badly injured?"

The battle had been intense, but she didn't think she had been wounded to the point of death. However, it seemed they had been so worried about her waking up.

"Thank you, Milkit."

"There's nothing to thank me for... I didn't do anything... I really didn't do anything..."

"Still, thank you."

Flam was always so kind to Milkit. Every time she felt this, Milkit's heart would tighten, and her body would grow warm. Even just hearing those words made her feel this way, and being hugged and smelling her sweet scent made her emotions uncontrollable. Her mind was filled with Flam, and she was enveloped in a sense of happiness, wanting to stay together and never part.

"By the way, where's Kiril?"

Milkit's heated thought process suddenly became calm. She realized she couldn't just be clingy. There were things she needed to convey.

"She's sleeping in the curtained bed opposite. Her wounds have healed, so she should wake up soon."

Milkit raised her head and told Flam. Indeed, there was a bed covered by a curtain in front of them, but it was unclear what condition the person lying there was in. However, there was no smell of blood, and since Milkit described her as "sleeping," she was probably fine. After fleeing from the royal castle and continuing to camp out without eating, and even activating Brave—she was clearly exhausted. The first time she used Brave, she slept for a whole day, so it was likely she would sleep for a while longer.

"That's good..."

Just knowing she was safe was enough. Mute's death might have been a bitter experience for Kiril, but Flam was relieved. When she woke up, they could talk and resolve any lingering issues—everything would be fine, she was sure of it. However, the battle was not over yet. Nect, Luke, and Mother were still out there. Her body felt heavy, but she couldn't keep sleeping alone. Flam tried to get out of bed, and Milkit supported her. The two of them leaned on each other as they left the infirmary and stepped into the familiar guild entrance. Gadio, Eterna, Ink, Ira, and Slow turned their heads towards Flam at the sound of their footsteps.

"You finally woke up. I was worried you might just pass away."

Ira was the first to speak. It wasn't just a formality; her expression showed genuine concern—

"Surprised you care."

Flam couldn't help but say that.

"What? I'm showing you rare concern, and that's your reaction?!"

Ira immediately snapped, as usual. It was more reassuring to see her act like herself... but saying that would probably make her angry again.

"Sorry, sorry, I just wasn't used to that expression. Thanks, Ira."

"Hmph."

Ira crossed her arms and turned away. Next, Eterna and Gadio spoke.

"Good morning, Flam."

"You woke up earlier than expected."

"Is that so? I feel like I've been sleeping for a while."

"You used so many powerful techniques, you must have been exhausted."

"Comparing me to Gadio's stamina is unfair."

Eterna naturally shot a barb. Gadio, with his hand on his chin, seemed slightly bothered by the "stupid" comment. However, seeing Gadio, who had been even more active than her, still in good shape, Flam couldn't help but feel inadequate. She realized she still lacked the strength to fight Origin. Next, Flam's gaze turned to the girl sitting next to Eterna. She called her name awkwardly.

"Ink..."

Another person whose family she had killed. She didn't feel guilty; it was a necessary action. However, she didn't know how to face her.

"It's okay, Flam. I understand."

"...Yeah."

No, Flam didn't need to worry; Ink had already come to terms with it. But it was too heavy a burden to place on a ten-year-old girl.

"Mute died peacefully, they say."

"He said so himself."

"His body is being kept in the guild, and they will give him a proper funeral."

"That's good... I promised."

"That's enough. Living happily is the best, but if that's not possible, dying happily is the next best thing. Thank you for letting him die without suffering, Flam."

Ink said this with a smile. She didn't seem to be forcing it; it seemed to be her true feelings. If so, it was best to accept her words sincerely. Flam stopped feeling guilty towards Ink.

"By the way, where's Linus?"

Looking around the guild, she couldn't see him, who had fought alongside them—until she spotted him in a corner of the reception area, looking down. He clearly looked depressed. Had something happened?

"Maria left a note and disappeared."

Eterna answered her unspoken question. Yes, after bringing Flam, Mute, and the others to the guild and getting them treated, she had vanished without a word to anyone, leaving only a note. It thanked Linus for believing in her and apologized, and it mentioned that hearing Flam's words had reminded her of a place she couldn't return to.

"Kind of expected this might happen."

Linus had had a feeling since yesterday. They seemed to understand each other, but there was still a part of her he couldn't reach.

"Yesterday, she didn't talk about anything important. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed, but in the end, that was her true feelings."

Linus was prepared to accept everything. However, he wasn't ready to bare his soul to her. He still didn't trust him that much.

"Still, I want to help her somehow."

Everyone who heard this remained silent. They couldn't affirm or deny it. They knew how terrifying the Core was and that those who used it rarely survived. However, they also understood Linus's feelings. Everyone in the party knew he had a crush on Maria. The silence was broken by Gadio.

"We're going to fight the Children, not Maria. We might end up opposing her, but there's still time to think about it."

"...Thank you."

Linus thanked him with a strained voice. He bit his lip and bowed his head again, deep in thought. There was nothing they could do about Maria; they had their own problems to deal with. To lighten the mood, Flam tried to change the subject, "By the way—"

At that moment, the door opened. Welsie appeared.

"Phew, good evening. Everyone fled the capital in a panic, and it was quite a journey to get here."

"Welsie!"

"Oh, Flam, you're awake?"

It seemed she knew Flam had lost consciousness. She had visited the guild before she woke up.

"We can't keep sleeping. By the way, what do you mean by fleeing?"

"Exactly that. We're evacuating. After what happened, the military and knights are helping, and it's quite a commotion. But don't worry, we've got a good handle on Slow's identity."

"My father's identity!?"

Slow stood up in reaction. He had been feeling left out and now seemed lively again.

"Good job investigating in this situation."

"It's not so much investigating as deducing and pulling out company records."

"What do you mean by deducing?"

"Once we knew what Satouki was trying to do, it wasn't that hard to find out."

Welsie grinned and spread out the documents she was holding on the table. Flam and the others gathered around to read them.

"To cut to the conclusion, Slow's father was Vassius Caroll."

"Eh, that's..."

It was a name that even Milkit found surprising. Slow, the subject, trembled and shouted loudly.

"The former king!?"

However, Gadio and Linus didn't seem too surprised. They had probably heard the "rumors" while working in the capital.

"He retired after passing the throne to his son, but he was famous for being a playboy. He would go to bars incognito and hit on girls."

"I've heard that too. The number of girls he hit on wasn't just a few."

Linus's words made Flam's cheeks twitch.

"Is it okay for a royal to do that...?"

"He probably tried to be careful not to have children... but accidents happen, you know."

"Was I an accident?"

"More like a major accident."

The merciless Welsie made Slow slump his shoulders, repeating, "An accident..."

"I asked a veteran journalist we poached from another company, and the records from that time are still intact."

"Even with the records, it was hidden?"

"It seems the pressure was too much to publish the story."

Among the newspapers in the capital, only Welsie's could resist the pressure from the church and the kingdom. Even if it was revealed that Slow was the son of the former king, he would still be a bastard. As long as the current king, the legitimate son, was alive, his status wouldn't change much.

"So, am I... a royal, then?"

"Well, as a bastard who wasn't recognized, it's hard to prove. But maybe your mother got some money?"

"Money... could that man...?"

"Man? Who?"

"Since I was little, there was an uncle who sent me presents. I never saw his face, but once I saw him. He was wearing a coat and a hat pulled down low. He looked really cool..."

"Most likely, he was a royal relation."

A hush money or a way to take responsibility. Since the former king was already dead, there was no way to confirm.

"Even so, why would the Children target someone with royal blood?"

Milkit whispered this, and Gadio answered her question.

"Satouki must have a plan to depose the current king. Then, they would make Slow a puppet king and take control."

"That's a bit far-fetched. The king has a son. If the father dies, the right would go to the legitimate son, not the bastard."

"They must have a way to deny the bloodline."

"Still, I think it's far-fetched. If Slow suddenly became king, the people wouldn't accept it."

Flam's straightforward words pierced Slow's heart. It was indeed unrealistic, and he didn't think he had the talent to be a king, but he felt a bit hurt.

"That's where we come in."

"For what? What do you mean?"

"In the tragedy that strikes the capital, we will appear as heroes, defeat the Children, and protect the country with the new king. The people's support will quickly gather. Easy."

Eterna said this dismissively. Indeed, the presence of a hero would move the people's hearts. However, there was a significant problem with this.

"Wait, Eterna, I have no intention of helping Satouki!"

Flam raised her voice emotionally. Eterna, however, remained calm.

"So, they will force us into a situation where we have no choice."

"What do you mean...?"

"Hostages."

This time, Linus said it unhappily. They despised Satouki for using such dirty tactics.

"Before you woke up, we discussed evacuating Milkit, Ink, Keraina, and Harom from the capital."

"Eh... Milkit...?"

If Milkit were taken hostage, Flam would have no choice but to comply. It was safer to have her outside the dangerous capital, but—she would be lonely. Flam looked at Milkit with a worried expression. Milkit smiled gently and held her hand. They understood each other without words. Milkit was also feeling lonely but accepted that it was necessary. Flam wanted to say, "Don't go," but she held back.

"We'll evacuate them tonight."

"Will Satouki notice?"

"Many people are already evacuating due to today's chaos. We'll blend in with them."

"By the way, I've arranged for my brother to handle the evacuation, so it's safe."

Welsie said this confidently.

"Indeed, if it's Reach... it will be safe."

The situation was already set. No matter what Flam said, it seemed she couldn't stop it.

◇◇◇

Soon, the carriage arrived. Going outside to see them off, the arranged Reach got out of the carriage.

"I'm sorry for the sudden request."

Gadio bowed to him.

"No, no, it's not a big deal. I can't help in the battle, so I'm glad I can assist in this way."

Reach said this with a smile, but Flam sensed something off about his expression.

"Um, Reach?"

"Yes, what is it, Flam?"

"Are you... not feeling well?"

It was dark, but he didn't seem to be in good condition.

"Maybe. I'm not used to dead bodies."

"Oh, right... I see."

Countless people had died. There were still bodies buried under the rubble. In such a situation, it was strange to be in good spirits. Flam sighed and looked at Milkit, who was preparing to board the carriage. The carriage driver took her luggage and loaded it onto the cart. When it was done, Milkit suddenly looked at Flam. Their gazes met, and Milkit ran to her, enveloping her hands in hers. It had only been a few days, but the warmth of this embrace made her feel like it was a long time since they had been together, and she couldn't let go easily. On the other side, Ink and Eterna stood close together, talking quietly with worried expressions.

"Will it be okay?"

There were countless worries. Leaving the capital without Eterna, whether she would survive the upcoming battles, and the fact that she was leaving the city where Nect and Luke remained while she was going out.

"Don't worry. I won't die, and we will definitely... put the Children to rest."

Eterna, unusually serious, stroked Ink's head.

"Okay, I believe you."

"Understood, I'm believed. Still..."

However, her seriousness didn't last long. A smile appeared on her lips.

"I'm happy that Ink is worried about me, it means I'm loved."

Ink, feeling her way, touched Eterna's cheek and pinched it hard.

"Ouch!"

"Insensitive Eterna is to blame."

"Seriousness just doesn't suit me. Better to part with a smile."

"...Yeah, parting with a smile is better. But I wish Eterna would show a bit of worry too."

Eterna was slightly surprised by these honest words. Ink was so down that she couldn't put up a strong front. For Eterna, who had lived alone in seclusion, being so cherished by someone was a new experience—and she didn't mind it at all. She whispered, "I can't say it about Flam and Milkit," so no one could hear, and smiled at Ink again.

"Okay, I'll be worried too."

"Okay...? Ah, you and your ways!"

"I'm serious, I'll do my best to see you again soon."

The sincerity in her voice reached Ink's heart. She had been angry a moment ago, but now she became meek and lost for words. A surprise attack was unfair; she didn't know what to say.

"I don't lie at times like this. At least not to you."

"...Okay."

Ink nodded, unable to say anything else. Guided by Eterna's hand, she boarded the carriage. At that moment, Gadio was already talking to Keraina and Harom inside.

"Gadio..."

"Don't worry, I'm not planning to die."

The way he said it made Keraina even more anxious. If he really had no intention of dying, he wouldn't use the word "yet."

"Daddy!"

Harom, who was about to go on her first trip, seemed anxious. Understanding her feelings, Gadio didn't reject the term. He smiled gently and, like a real father, stroked her head with his large hand. Harom closed her eyes in contentment and felt relieved.

"Hey, can you come here for a moment?"

"What is it?"

Gadio approached Keraina as requested. She grabbed his collar and pulled his face close. Their lips touched lightly.

"Wha—"

"You say you won't die, but... watching you makes me anxious. You stole my kiss, so don't die easily."

"You're the one who stole it."

"Don't argue!"

Keraina's face was bright red. They laughed and parted. Harom, seeing this, blushed and seemed impressed.

Thus, the two couples finished their goodbyes, and the departure time approached. Flam, who had been holding hands with Milkit the whole time, pulled her into a hug.

"Mmm, Master... We'll meet again in a few days."

"