1.
Everything was a coincidence.
The fact that Luna, cornered, instinctively reached for and wore Mother’s mask.
The fact that Mother, weakened and fallen, was pushed down the priority list of Lactea’s vigilance and ended up crawling toward Nahan.
The fact that trauma awakened as she was being strangled, snapping her back to consciousness.
Even the fact that, at the very moment she barely opened her eyes, Mother’s mental world and reality connected, allowing her to perceive Mother from afar.
If things had followed the original story, the two should have lived out their lives apart, drowning in regret, never to reunite. Their encounter was nothing but a coincidence.
Of course—
【“Nahan. Walk a different path from mine.”】
【By the contract between <Black Wolf (EX)> and <Aria (???)>, the world shall assist you.】
【<Mother (S-)>’s memories are flowing into you.】
There were some coincidences in this world where someone had intervened.
“…Mom.”
“…!”
Regardless of the circumstances, the two were able to face each other again, different from the original events.
And that wasn’t all.
— I feel shameless asking this, but I hope you can teach her what a normal life is like.
— A life without danger, making friends, falling in love. Having children, raising them, living happily with everyone… That’s what a normal life is.
Because Luna had been connected to Mother to the point of losing control, she had been able to hear every word Mother spoke from the moment she regained consciousness.
A tidal wave of questions surged within her, but she swallowed them down and turned her gaze toward Nahan.
“Captain. Sorry, but just for a moment…”
Normally, she would have kept apologizing, ready to take her own life. But this time, Luna did not avert her gaze.
Nahan found it strange.
Even after learning the whole truth, the sins Mother had committed would not disappear.
Even if there were reasons behind the abuse she inflicted on Luna, the cruelty had gone too far.
“…I will accept any punishment for my wrongdoings. But just this once, please…”
Why was she so desperate to talk, even pushing aside the <Black Wolf> she had always feared most?
— That’s what family is. No matter how messed up they are, you can’t throw them away so easily.
…Well.
I still don’t really understand.
But it wasn’t something I could stop.
“…I’ll wait.”
Nahan quietly stepped back.
And so, time that belonged only to the two of them arrived.
Two people who had spent their whole lives in darkness, finally standing together under the moonlight.
“…”
“…”
A deep silence settled between them.
Amidst the floating dust, Luna hesitated before forcing out words.
“…What happened?”
She truly could not comprehend the situation.
“Mom… Mom, you were definitely…”
She had died.
Four years ago, killed by the attackers who raided the <Ashen Wasteland>, right in front of Luna’s eyes.
Unable to say the words out loud, Luna hesitated, and Mother took a step back.
“I am not your mother. I am merely a lingering thought left behind by that woman called ‘Mother’ because she didn’t want to die. A parasite, so to speak.”
“…What?”
“You didn’t know, but I have been living inside you, feeding off you to survive. I was conserving power, waiting for the day I could take over your body and be reborn… but unfortunately, I was discovered just before awakening.”
A dry, emotionless voice.
Mother took another step back, retreating into the shadows without the slightest hint of hesitation.
“So now, leave.”
Step, Step, Step…
She kept speaking as she walked, and just as she was about to disappear into the darkness—
Luna suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist tightly.
“You’re lying.”
“…You idiot. No wonder you could never escape from that monstrous woman.”
“No. I’m not a fool anymore.”
Luna calmly continued, gazing into the ashen eyes behind the mask.
“No matter what others say, I know for certain. That day, Mom protected me.”
2.
That day was still vivid.
The criminals being slaughtered.
The thick scent of blood wafting from outside.
And finally, the attackers who stormed into the caravan.
—They’re just kids.
—So what?
—…Tch, heartless bastard. You all heard that, right? We’re killing them because he said so.
One by one, the children were executed. And when it was finally Luna’s turn, trapped in the last room—
—Luna!!!
Mother, drenched in blood, dashed in, her face pale as a ghost. In an instant, she butchered all the attackers and pulled Luna into her arms.
—Over here!!
—Fuck! How many times did I tell you that Mother’s in this place?!
—Doesn’t matter! We’ll just swarm her and kill her!!
But the ones Mother had taken down were nothing more than cannon fodder. The real threats, alerted by the commotion, began flooding into the underground cell.
—Ah…
Seeing the overwhelming force gathering, Luna instinctively felt the urge to give up on life.
—It’s okay, Luna.
Mother whispered softly, pushing Luna back into the cell before stepping forward to face them.
The battle lasted for hours.
—Kill her!!
—Even if you die, take a piece of her with you!!
—Everything is for Him!!
No matter how many she cut down, more took their place.
—Oh dear. Meeting like this outside the auction is a first… A shame I have to kill you, Mother.
Then, the first-ranked auctioneer arrived.
The regular attackers were already of considerable strength, but this auctioneer was on an entirely different level—far above Mother, who was one of the Great Ten.
And so, the outcome was inevitable.
—Any last words?
—…Guh, run… Run, Luna!!
Mother was defeated.
—Ah, what a thrilling moment. I do love a good tragedy.
Immediately after the battle ended, the first-ranked auctioneer made an offer to Mother.
—As long as you’re alive, I won’t pursue that girl. But the moment you scream or lose consciousness, I’ll send someone after her.
—…
Mother nodded.
Seeing this, the first-ranked auctioneer turned to Luna, then grabbed Mother’s finger.
Crack!
—Let’s begin.
The cell door swung open.
But Luna did not run.
No—
She couldn’t run.
—M-Mom…
Because Mother was still there.
—Good girl, Luna.
—No, I…
—Luna…!! Please, get a hold of yourself and run!!
—Ah… Ahhh…
Despite Mother’s desperate cries, Luna was too paralyzed with fear to move.
Even if she had chosen to flee, this was still the <Ashen Wasteland>.
A graveyard of the living, covered in a dense mist that led wanderers astray. There was nowhere to go.
—Then I’d rather die with Mom…!!
With that resolve, Luna bolted out of the cell and lunged at the first-ranked auctioneer.
Whoosh!
A clumsy, desperate punch.
—My, my. I really dislike being touched.
At that moment, Luna realized—
If that punch landed, she would die on the spot.
And so, Mother—
—I’ll become a strong mercenary like you, Mom!
—……Mom?
—If you want, I can be.
Recalling the precious memories, Mother used the last of her strength to push the first-ranked auctioneer away.
—Run, Luna!!
—But──!!
—Please!!
Crack.
Crunch.
Even in that brief moment, one of her arms was shattered beyond recognition. Yet, Mother still managed to smile at Luna and whispered softly.
—Good girl, my daughter.
Just as you see me as your mother, I see you as my daughter too.
—Run, Luna.
At last, something clicked in Luna’s mind. She clenched her small fists tightly and nodded.
—I love you, Mom.
There was no reply.
Snap.
Because the first-ranked auctioneer had crushed Mother’s entire lower jaw.
—Hah… I will keep my promise.
—…
Click.
Mother put on her mask.
Even if Luna returned here one day and found her lifeless body, she didn’t want her to mourn because of today.
To put it simply, Mother had succeeded.
—…How stubborn.
Her body was broken beyond recognition, but she had bought enough time for Luna to escape the caravan.
Of course—
—Bring her back. I want her to see this woman before she dies.
—Yes, Vice Executor!!
She had barely made it far before the pursuit party, sent belatedly, almost caught her.
—Please help me!! I’ll give you anything!! Even my life, if that’s what you want!!!
—?
—Should I kill her, Captain?
—Leave her be, Lactea. Let’s hear what she has to say.
But Luna grasped at a miracle first.
From there, everything fell into place.
—Dispose of them.
—Yes, Captain.
At Nahan’s command, the silver-haired woman erased the attackers—along with every last criminal in the area.
When Luna led them back underground, the first-ranked auctioneer had already fled. Only Mother’s brutally broken corpse remained.
Luna cried for a long time.
Good girl, my daughter.
She remembered those gentle words, the words telling her to survive, spoken by the only family she ever had—before disappearing forever.
At the same time, she made a vow.
—I will…
.
.
.
“…Become someone just like Mom.”
After joining the <Black Wolf>, Luna worked hard while remembering Mother.
—Smile brightly, that way you’ll survive.
—That’s right, smile a little more.
—Brighter, as if your mouth might tear apart.
—That way, you’ll survive.
She wanted to become someone who could protect others, just like Mother.
—Don’t tremble, that way you’ll survive.
—When it gets too hard, cry behind a mask.
—Keep trying, and trying again.
—Someday, you’ll be able to smile even with the mask on.
Setting aside her own sorrow and pain, she wanted to become someone who could protect those she loved.
And if she ever got the chance—using the power Mother left her before dying and the abilities she had awakened on her own—she would take revenge on the attackers.
Because it was all thanks to Mother.
She carried only Mother and the Captain in her heart.
She missed them every single moment.
So why, Mom—
“…Why are you trying to leave me behind again?”
