#125

The moment Kiyen spoke, Cullen’s mind went blank for a moment. He couldn’t believe he was hearing something Kiyen would never utter. Kiyen had never directly spoken about the terms of their contract since the day it was made until today. For over half a year.

He had staked a single wish. Unlike his long journey, unlike his complex, intertwined revenge.

He had vaguely inferred what that condition would be from the beginning. Kiyen only wanted to be freed from his long bondage, and even when he didn’t know him well, he was sure of that.

However, he couldn’t fathom the method. It was clear that Larkan was the one who could release him, but all clues were concealed. And Kiyen, the only one who knew the method, had never given Cullen any hint.

Like a hunter waiting for his turn.

After dreaming due to the goddess’s Artifact, it became more certain. He was wary of Carias’s words reaching Cullen. He wanted to know what she had said in his dream, and he even threatened her in the village where Pir was.

Watching him, Cullen realized that the condition for release was by no means light. In fact, it was heavier than he had imagined.

Watching Kiyen like that, Cullen had vaguely anticipated his own death.

Otherwise, Kiyen couldn’t have reacted so cautiously and sensitively. Even knowing that, he couldn’t stop his heart from being drawn to him. After all, his life should have ended long ago.

So, it was fine. He was okay with being sad. Kiyen had even been kind, always granting his excessive requests and even becoming his lover out of pity.

Therefore, Cullen hadn’t anticipated this situation. Kiyen bringing up the contract first. Even without guessing what he would say, he felt an unusual flutter of excitement. He was happy. Why had he made this decision? Had something changed?

Looking up at Kiyen blankly, Cullen was lost in thought. The overflowing hope made him dizzy. He had always believed his feelings were one-sided. Kiyen had always firmly stated that different races could not love.

But had Kiyen made this statement because he had changed, as Cullen had felt recently, and as Ulli had said?

Just a single assumption made him overflow. It felt like he had gained a precious heart he never expected to receive. It wouldn’t be all of it. He wouldn’t dare hope for that much. Even this much felt like having everything.

“May I ask, even briefly, what it is?”

Cullen asked cautiously. Kiyen looked down at him with deep eyes and said briefly.

“It’s about the wish I desire.”

His guess was correct. Cullen moved his lips and whispered softly.

“If you mean your wish… are you talking about liberation from bondage?”

At Cullen’s words, Kiyen slowly nodded. Kiyen didn’t seem too surprised that he had vaguely guessed.

“When did you suspect?”

“I thought so from the beginning. There would be nothing else Kiyen-nim would need.”

As he answered indifferently, Kiyen showed a subtly wary expression he had shown before.

“Do you know the method?”

“I don’t know.”

At that, Kiyen squinted one eye.

“Did you agree to the transaction without even guessing what price you would pay?”

Kiyen looked confused, like when he received Cullen’s confession. But it was different from then. It felt more like concern, and Cullen smiled inwardly.

“Yes.”

Because I’m not afraid of dying. He swallowed the rest of the words. Instead, he asked something else.

“I don’t know what you want, but I will do anything for Kiyen-nim. If you’ve decided to talk about the contract… can you tell me now?”

Kiyen released Cullen’s jaw, which he had been holding. Cullen closed his mouth as Kiyen seemed to pull back as if to avoid him. It was a mistake. He had tried to get too close.

“I need time.”

However, Kiyen said this instead of retreating.

“For over a thousand seasons, I have only seen distrust. Now I trust you, but I need a little more time to think. So….”

Kiyen, who had pulled back, approached again.

“Don’t be disappointed.”

This time, his hand touched Cullen’s cheek. Cullen smiled, his eyebrows curving. The disappointment vanished before it could even form, dissolved by Kiyen’s words. He liked that. Past memories flashed through Cullen’s mind. Kiyen, who never accepted what Cullen gave him…

He was slowly approaching him.

The moon waxed quickly. On a morning when a hint of coolness could be felt in the wind, Cullen felt it was time to leave. Entering the border of the southeastern region indicated by the compass and facing the full moon would make his location more certain. Therefore, he had to leave without further delay.

People who would head to Duke Refellon’s territory were also preparing from the morning, matching the departure of the main group. A messenger had already been sent ahead, so preparations should have been made in the ducal territory.

Even if he didn’t reach them, a duke with a disposition like Moet would accept them. Although the two dukes were not on good terms, a true leader would not prioritize emotions in such a situation.

And Moet, as Cullen had assessed, was not that kind of person. He believed so.

“Pleasant times always disappear quickly.”

Arne, who had packed his belongings, said with a regretful face. He was as quick to form attachments as he was to regret leaving passing territories. Moreover, the situation here was far worse than in Refellon Territory, so he would feel a sense of responsibility. Cullen felt similarly. He just didn’t show it.

All the survivors gathered and formed a large circle to see them off. Having always left quietly, this kind of farewell was an unfamiliar sight.

The people in the long procession heading to Duke Refellon’s territory approached Cullen. The one leading them was Baron Wester. The Baron wanted to integrate businesses, including southern plants, into the Refellon Territory and grow there. Leading his horse to Cullen’s side, he bowed.

“Thank you very much for everything, Your Highness. With someone like you, the Empire will move forward again. And… I will surely bring the many people who trust and follow me safely to Refellon Territory.”

“I ask that of you.”

It wasn’t the Imperial Palace, and the situation was chaotic, so Cullen didn’t try to assert his authority over them. It was also because he didn’t need to forcefully suppress them like he would when dealing with high-ranking nobles. In the first place, that wasn’t what Cullen wanted.

“Please go ahead. You have a long way to go.”

At his urging, the Baron hesitated for a moment, then said to Cullen with sincerity.

“I heard you are going to the East. Please, I beg you, I will pray for your safety. Duke Lenon…”

He corrected his title mid-sentence.

“The reason the former Duke Lenon couldn’t claim all the eastern lands was due to the dangerous zone located in the middle. I don’t know exactly what happens, but I heard many people never returned. All the Demonic Beasts are also concentrated there. Ogre seem cute compared to that place.”

Had the situation in the East worsened again? Cullen had also glimpsed that place, so he roughly knew about it, but judging by Wester’s expression, it seemed to have become truly dangerous. He looked frightened.

“If you encounter a foggy area, please be careful.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

“It’s nothing compared to what Your Highness has done for us. I will not forget this grace… I will see you again.”

At Baron Wester’s polite greeting, the people lined up behind him also bowed. Their expressions varied. Bitterness, regret, fear for the future…

But there was no terror. Cullen felt relieved by that fact.

“It would be best for you to leave now.”

At Cullen’s urging, the Baron nodded, asked for permission, and mounted his horse. After looking back at Cullen several times, he turned his horse. The surviving knights from Duke Lenon’s territory surrounded the procession like guards. Watching the group ascend the hill and disappear, Cullen turned back. Now, the remaining people were looking at them.

“Don’t go, pretty Dragon-nim…!”

As Kiyen moved as if to leave, the children who had been gathered around earlier burst into tears. At the cries of over dozens of children, the adults also seemed overwhelmed with emotion.

Kiyen squinted one eye, gazing at the small hands holding him back. Was he flustered? Cullen watched, finding the sight cute. Then, Kiyen reacted.

“Stop crying. It’s noisy.”

It was clearly a clumsy attempt to soothe them, but the children cried even more sorrowfully at his words. Ulli nudged him and whispered.

“Hey, speak a little more gently…”

“They’ll cry even more if I do that.”

As Kiyen firmly detached the children, Viscount Reeferd approached. As the representative of the nobles who chose to remain in Duke Lenon’s territory, she had the ambition to rebuild the place somehow. She seemed to have lived in the South for a long time and felt a strong sense of duty to care for those who wished to stay.

“Baron Wester must have told you, but the East is the most dangerous place in this land. Please be careful. I hear there is fog where sad souls gather. Thinking of the lives that faded there… it seems like it’s not an unfounded saying.”

Viscount Reeferd, with a serious expression, said that, then smiled gently. She slightly bent and straightened her knee, then said to him.

“We young nobles have never had any expectations from the Imperial Palace. The reason we gather in Duke Lenon’s territory or other large territories is because we know it’s the only way to help each other and develop. However, if Your Highness returns to the Imperial Palace, I believe something will change.”

Cullen, who had been receiving an excessive amount of gratitude this year, more than he had ever received before, quietly listened to her words. He had only done what he had to do. He wasn’t a good enough person to receive thanks from anyone.

“We will not forget the grace that helped us not lose hope.”

“Thank you!”

“Thank you, Your Highness, Guardian Dragon-nim!”

Following her words, voices echoed from various places. The children hugged Kiyen tightly and whispered, “Thank you.” Gratitude was expressed not only to Cullen and Kiyen but also to the entire group.

“Arne-nim, you must come back and cook for us!”

“Ulli-nim, thank you. It was great that you were stronger than most men!”

The gratitude towards Lasano was also overwhelming.

“Thank you for healing those who were about to die, High Priest-nim. The goddess will be pleased too.”

At the same time, many people knelt for the group. One by one, like knights pledging allegiance. Cullen, taken aback, stepped back, but Kiyen took his hand.

“You are the most suitable leader I have seen among humans. So, seeing this scene, do not shy away.”

Kiyen’s face was gentle as he said that.

“If the human race truly needs a leader… only you have the right to be it.”

Fingers dug in and clasped. As if there was no need to run, as if it was alright to be a little proud of what one had done.

Holding Kiyen’s hand, Cullen looked at the people. Even after learning his name and his destiny, he had never wanted to be a leader. It was the same now.

But perhaps, if everything concluded well and they all went to the palace together…

Helping Kihelene change the world didn’t seem like a bad idea.

It was because, before he knew it, he had come to care for the people of all the lands he had passed through. It was a heart he had gained while being with Kiyen. The emotion he had tried so hard to eliminate had, in the end, been revived through love. It was clearly something he had feared, yet strangely, he felt good.

I’m so glad I met Kiyen.

With that thought, Cullen’s eyes curved into a smile.