1.
Rose had a strange habit.
“Rose!! Ruby is…!!”
“…Please wait.”
“…Huh?”
A habit of sometimes staring into the air and saying things with no clear meaning.
“Some things only have meaning when you confront them and realize them for yourself.”
“…? Rose?”
Just who was she speaking to?
“…Thank you.”
What did the eyes of the Great Prophetess, who mumbled to herself, see?
But curiosity was just that—curiosity.
“…Always.”
“Ah, are you back with us, Rose?”
“…Thank you for waiting, Dalan.”
Whenever those softly glowing eyes calmed again, Dalan would embrace her.
“You find this off-putting, don’t you? A woman like me.”
“Not at all. You are deeply lovable.”
Dalan still loved her.
“…Such a foolish man.”
Because of that, a few strange things meant nothing to him.
2.
Nahan was troubled.
‘Now begins the descent into despair.’
Eclipse’s attack targeting the Great Prophetess, and the involvement of Dalan and Ruby.
Through the memories of the <Black Wolf> mercenaries gained as a reward, he had come to know of the horrifying future.
That’s why he was torn.
‘Wouldn’t it be better to somehow wake them up before misfortune begins?’
Even if it was just a dream, what lay ahead was merely a reenactment of despair.
‘…Yes. Let’s wake them.’
Rather than letting them experience the same despair—an even deeper sorrow—it was better to wake them.
After deciding that, he began approaching the dream versions of Dalan and Rose.
“…Please wait.”
“…Huh?”
Nahan met eyes with Rose.
“There are things that only have meaning when you experience and realize them yourself.”
Words directed precisely at him.
“So please, punish me… so that I can face the sorrow and pain without running away.”
A trembling hand.
Quivering pupils.
Eyes turning red with heat.
Realizing her sincerity, Nahan unconsciously let go of his power and gave a small nod.
“…Thank you.”
Their gaze broke apart.
“……Always.”
Muttering something again while looking elsewhere, Rose then returned to the past and finished her conversation with Dalan before rising to her feet.
“I know where Ruby is.”
“Ah, as expected of the Great Prophetess…!! That’s a relief!! If you tell me, I’ll go bring her right away!!”
“…But before that, just for a moment.”
After hesitating for a bit, Rose slowly turned and embraced Dalan.
“Don’t waver, Dalan.”
“Yes?”
“Like always, live out the rest of your life pursuing what you truly loved.”
“…Huh? Why are you saying that all of a sudden……”
Dalan didn’t get to finish his sentence.
“I love you, Dalan.”
“…!”
Rose, who had never approached first, leaned in and pressed her lips to Dalan’s.
After that brief kiss, Rose whispered something in his ear.
“Under the tree where I stayed my whole life. In the cabin where you first came to find me—Ruby is being held there.”
“…I’ll be right back.”
Dalan immediately stood up.
As he equipped himself and warmed up his Aura Heart, Rose, unlike usual, lingered near him.
Fingers lightly interlocking.
Lips meeting every chance they got.
A cautious embrace.
She wanted to hold him tight, but Ruby might be in danger.
“Rose. I’m really sorry, but I need to go now.”
Dalan gently pushed her away.
“…Don’t worry. Ruby will be okay.”
“If you say so, then I believe it. I’ll be back soon. Then—”
“W-Wait, Dalan!”
…Hug.
She hurriedly reached out and grabbed Dalan’s hand, smiling at him as she asked:
“Dalan. What was it that you truly loved?”
No need to ask—It was you.
Just as Dalan was about to answer that, a scream rang out, picked up by his Aura-enhanced hearing.
“L-Let me go…!! Mister Dalan!!!”
Ruby’s voice.
“I shall answer soon.”
“Ah…”
Without having the chance to respond, Dalan launched himself toward the cabin.
He didn’t know who the enemy was, but he believed he would deal with them quickly and return to embrace happiness.
However—
“They ruined a night with the bold Rose… I won’t let them off easy.”
A faint smile curled on his lips.
Only later did he realize how much he regretted the choice he made at that moment.
There were three big reasons for that. The first—his emotions clouded his judgment.
“Ruby!!”
“M-Mister Dalan!!”
“…Luring of the Monstrous Dragon successful. Withdrawing.”
The moment Dalan rushed in to rescue Ruby, the intruders disappeared immediately.
It had all been a diversion—
Their true objective had always been the village.
BOOM!!
A massive explosion.
A giant fire demon engulfed the village of the Red Clan.
“Ah…!!”
“T-The village…!!”
“Stay here, Ruby!! Until I return—don’t move a single step!!!”
Realizing the trap too late, Dalan cast a barrier over the cabin and dashed toward the village.
But the invaders’ power far exceeded what Dalan had anticipated.
“…Why the Imperial Guard?”
“We appreciate your sacrifice.”
【<Cheonmyeong (SSS+)> Skill #1 – <Wind Troupe (SSS+)> has been activated.】
【30 minutes – Count-up in progress.】
【00:29:23】
A rupturing sound pierced his ears.
Wearing garments embroidered with the Imperial crest, the attackers ran rampant, destroying the village at will.
“No!!!”
Dalan charged in at full speed.
He blocked the torrent of attacks and evacuated the survivors, desperately trying to make his way back to Rose.
But it was all in vain.
【Accumulated: 218 clones have been generated.】
【30 minutes – Countdown begins.】
【00:29:59】
Struggling before overwhelming force was just that—struggling.
“Name?”
“To hell with you!!!”
“…I see. Either way, I won’t forget.”
Thud!
CRACK, Thud!
“Gah!!”
Dalan, pierced by countless greatswords, crashed to the ground, his body mangled.
And it was—tragically—right beside the home he and Ruby had once chosen as their newlywed cottage.
“…”
He, who had descended to deliver the final blow, hesitated from guilt—
Creeeaak…
The wooden door opened and Rose, with a calm expression, walked out and blocked Cheonmyeong.
“You’ll regret this. That man will be your salvation.”
“…Are you the Great Prophetess?”
Rose nodded.
“Finish your task and go.”
“…You came out here even knowing what it would cost you.”
She nodded again, knowing fully what consequences her actions would bring.
“W-Wait…!!! Ro…se…!!!”
“Shhh, Dalan. It’s okay, my love.”
“I won’t forget your sacrifice.”
Thud.
A flying greatsword pierced her slender body.
“…This is the price for the life I surrendered willingly.”
Having completed the mission, Cheonmyeong pulled out a <Transcendent> elixir and poured it over Dalan’s body.
“…I look forward to the day of your salvation.”
Fwoosh!
At the same moment, the retrieved greatswords vanished into the air.
Unlike Dalan’s wounds, which slowly began to heal, Rose was dying—rapidly.
“A-Aaaah…!!”
Dalan crawled across the ground.
Drawn by fate, he followed the trail of Rose’s blood, red and soaking into the earth.
“Wh… why…!! Why did it have to be…!!”
He would’ve gladly died in her place.
“Why…!! Why did you have to step in…!!!”
Instead of me…
“Rose, you—”
Clench.
Finally reaching her, Dalan pulled the pale, dying Rose into his arms.
“Da… lan…”
“Rose!!! Please—cough—please…!!!”
“The one you… truly loved…”
Gush.
A terrifying amount of blood poured from Rose’s mouth as she tried to speak.
“Please… please…”
Dalan held her hand tightly.
Afraid to hurt her further, he couldn’t even embrace her properly—just watched, helplessly, as the woman he loved passed away.
And then—
A small, trembling footstep that defied orders quietly approached.
“S-Sister…”
Ruby, her body shaking uncontrollably, finally collapsed beside Rose.
– On the day the old girl’s first love blooms, the calamity of the Red Clan begins.
– The old girl’s love will be led by the jewel of the Red Clan…
“I… I killed them all…?”
Ruby couldn’t even shed tears.
Her breath hitched and caught, and she barely managed to speak, holding Rose’s hand.
“It’s all… my fault…?”
Ruby quietly trembled.
And Rose, still somehow able to speak, whispered to her.
“Just like… always… don’t be afraid… shine, Ruby…”
A gentle smile.
Holding Ruby with her left hand, and Dalan with her right, Rose said.
“Thank you, Dalan. For… letting me know I could love.”
“Rose!!!”
“Please… take care of Ruby…”
And with that, she passed away.
.
.
.
【Warning.】
【The individuals <Ruby Red (S+)> and <Dalan Esteban (SS+)> turn away from despair once again.】
【Warning.】
【The <Seed of Regret> within <Ruby Red (S+)> begins to bloom.】
“It’s all… because of me…”
【Warning.】
【The <Seed of Regret> within <Dalan Esteban (SS+)> begins to bloom.】
“I shall… soon… follow…”
【Alert.】
【Rage and sorrow with no place to go are now directed at <You>.】
Nahan stared at the countless red warning windows and recalled Rose’s words.
– There are things that only have meaning when you experience and realize them yourself.
– So please, punish me… so I can face the sorrow and pain without running away.
That’s why—
“I’ll punish you until you snap out of it.”
【Activating < Veil of Shadows>.】
【Output – [30%]】
