"Father... So you've already seen through all my thoughts?"

Sharon couldn't help but smile bitterly, because what his father said was absolutely right.

Twenty years passed. Despite spending those twenty years, Sharon had only successfully conquered one Great Labyrinth. Even so, he lacked the aptitude for the magic of the Age of Gods. He couldn't challenge his father's Great Labyrinth, as the prerequisite required him to successfully conquer two Great Labyrinths first. Of course, as a hero, his need to travel extensively to help others also contributed to his inability to focus on the Great Labyrinth.

"If you keep Colleen waiting any longer, I'm going to beat you up."

"Haven't you already started?"

"Thanks to my punch, you've made up your mind, right?"

Conquer the Great Labyrinth and become the Heir. Defeat the Gods and liberate the world. For twenty years, Sharon has dedicated himself to these goals. Now, this life has come to an end. It's time for him to embark on a new journey.

"I'm warning you, being a good father is far more difficult than conquering a large maze. You must be mentally prepared."

After saying this, Ross chuckled twice. Sharon's wry smile deepened.

"I will keep this in mind, Father."

"Well, you must not forget this. Otherwise, even if I wanted to teach you, I wouldn't be able to help you."

After hearing what her father said, Sharon bit her lip and looked at Ross carefully.

His figure grew fainter and fainter, his outline blurred, his hands becoming translucent, and his entire body emanating a faint phosphorescent glow.

Indeed, Rolls's lifespan had long since ended.

The one who was here now was a being created by fixing the soul that had separated from his body into a clone created with magic power through the soul magic "Shadow Mage".

Once the magic power contained in the clone itself is exhausted, it will disappear and Ross will truly pass away.

That was the last martial arts instruction, the last communication between father and son.

"Father...you left far too soon..."

"What are you talking about? It's surprising that this stinking body, which works so hard, can live to be sixty."

My son has given birth to a child with his wonderful partner. He was so happy to hear such a happy announcement before he left—Royce said with a smile. His smile looked truly happy.

"Sharon, look up. Actually, even if I didn't say anything, you were planning to tell me about your grandson and your decision to choose a new life today, weren't you?"

His father was absolutely right. Sharon never imagined that his father had already passed away, remaining in the world as a spirit, waiting for this day to come. Even when Sharon, lost and shaken, acted like a wimp, his father still encouraged him by offering his final martial arts guidance.

Sharon raised his head as his father had instructed.

In order to let her father pass away in peace, she could no longer show any worrying appearance - Sharon made up his mind and held his head high.

"Father, please listen to my report."

"Um."

"I'm a father now. From now on, my life will prioritize my wife and children."

Royce's presence became increasingly faint. Sharon continued.

"For many years, I have hidden the surname 'Byrne' and lived only under the name 'Sharon'. From now on, I intend to follow the example of the Liberal family and pass on the surname 'Byrne' in an abbreviated form."

"Is that so... Then, Sharon, we still need a new family name, right?"

"Yes. Please, father, name the new family and my daughter."

"Can I really name it?"

"Yes. This is also Colleen's wish."

A kind smile appeared on Ross's face, like a grandfather holding his grandchild for the first time.

"Then let's name it that."

The former hero, a loyal knight who served the Byrne family, was named Lionhead. His name means "to be the salvation of others." Rouse decided to use another name with the same meaning as his new family name.

The name of the successor hero, who was also the last head of the Byrne family, Sharon Byrne, was retained in the surname in the form of an abbreviation.

Finally, a part of the name of the original liberator, Berta, was adopted.

--Bell S. B. Heilig.

In the distant future, what the descendants of the brave will do, only God knows.

Prequel 6 Special: Searching for My Beloved Alchemist Three Thousand Miles ⑤ (End)

“Ahhh~~~~~”

The surface of Lake Ur was shimmering, and on the forest trail by the lake, a man sighed deeply.

A woman, her long blue ponytail swaying, strolled along the path with a look of melancholy on her face. She was the former waitress at a restaurant in the Beruka capital, a love-struck girl who had traveled across the continent for love—Aisha.

"...Two years have passed since then."

Now, she recalled a strange time in the past. Back then, her mind was suddenly filled with strange thoughts like, "God is the best! He will not let the rebels go!" She wandered aimlessly through the capital. Her memory was hazy, and looking back now, she realized she was probably just drunk.

Aisha wandered aimlessly along the forest trail. The sunlight filtered through the branches, creating a pleasant atmosphere. However, she couldn't help but sigh again.

To earn travel expenses, Aisha worked part-time at a hotel and restaurant in the capital. Two years had passed in the blink of an eye. Now, she was the restaurant's most popular waitress. Now, the elderly owner wanted her to inherit the hotel, a matter that had become her biggest worry.

"Should I really inherit it? Or should I just give it up..."

This shop is beloved by the locals. The fact that the owner is offering it to someone who isn't even related to her is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Aisha. Something this good might never happen again.

And now her beloved has become the greatest criminal of the century. Worrying about someone like that is foolish. Even Bibitelli and Hedal—two adventurers who, for some unknown reason, were willing to continue following Aisha despite having no money to hire her—persuaded her in this way.

"Wow, it's all Oscar's fault! His handsome looks are just my type!"

Aisha was helpless against the lingering affection, so she could only complain irrationally and head to her hidden resting place.

"Ah. Hello."

"Huh!? I didn't expect someone to come to a place like this. Hello!"

Unexpectedly, someone else had already arrived. They were two people wearing cloaks with hoods pulled deep down over their heads. Their appearance alone was suspicious, and they seemed troubled by Aisha's presence. From the sound of their voices, they seemed to be women. This reassured Aisha a little, and she greeted them.

"Excuse me, are you here for sightseeing?"

"No... rather, I came here to remember the deceased."

"I came to return the relics."

Hearing this, Aisha nodded in understanding. At the same time, she noticed a large metal box at their feet. Leaning over to take a closer look, she discovered a ferocious-looking scythe inside. Aisha decided to pretend she hadn't noticed.

"Miss, may I ask why you are here?"

"Ah, uh... Whenever I'm troubled, I always come here to ponder."

"Ah, I'm so sorry. It seems we've taken over your place. It's not really compensation, but if you don't mind, I'd be happy to listen to you. Don't look at me like that; I have a lot of life experience."

"No, thank you. This isn't something you should bring up when you're meeting someone for the first time."

"But we have to stay here a little longer. I know this is very unfair to you, so please tell us."

"Uh, t-Is that so? Okay, then..."

Incredibly, Aisha felt that these two people didn't seem like complete strangers, and seemed trustworthy. So, she explained her experiences so far to them. They were both impressed by her incredible initiative.

"What's your crush's name? What are their characteristics? We might find out as we travel around the world."

Although Aisha was grateful for the kindness of the two, she still didn't know how to explain it. After all, her lover was the greatest sinner of the century.

"Uh, no, I understand. That person doesn't have a good image in the world..."

"But if you continue like this, your troubles will never be solved."

Even if I inherited the hotel, I'd definitely be haunted by this for the rest of my life. While it's inevitable to have one or two such concerns in life,...

"...No one knows how long that person will live, right?"

The woman said this, her tone sounding utterly lonely. Perhaps the person they were commemorating was also someone very special to this woman—Aisha couldn't help but think so. Because the other person's attitude was so sincere, and because Aisha still had an inexplicable feeling that the person before her was trustworthy, she decided to speak out.

"Well, please allow me to introduce myself. I'm Asia Orcus. I'm Oscar Orcus's wife."

“Eh!? What!?”

The two screamed at the same time, their voices overlapping. But Aisha didn't care at all!

"No wonder you're so surprised. Yes, he is one of the notorious rebels! However, like him, I was born in the capital and have dated him countless times. No matter what, I just can't forget him!"

"Even so, calling yourself my wife is a little weird, isn't it? Isn't it!?"

"It's not strange! Because we will become husband and wife sooner or later!"

"No, it's obviously strange! Oh right! I remember, you were at that time—"

One of the women complained excitedly, causing her hood to flip up. Seeing the woman's face, Aisha finally understood why she looked so familiar.

"Ahhhh! It's you! Fox Precision Reddy!"

"Who are you calling a vixen!?"

Aisha and the other woman pointed at each other and shouted. Meanwhile, another cloaked woman, Lutilis, shouted, "Is this the Shura Field?! This is amazing!" with her eyes sparkling.

At this moment, a whirlpool suddenly appeared on the lake. In fact, Oscar and Mel had already dived into the lake to seal Bart's partner, the demon-eating scythe Eggjesus, at the bottom of Lake Ur.

At the bottom of the lake lies a temple dedicated to ancient spirits. Therefore, Lutilis proposed leaving a stone tablet in the temple, inscribed with Bart's thoughts, for future inheritors of Aegges to see. The two who had gone to the lake bottom had just completed this task.

Water rose from the lake and descended upon Meredi and the others. Then, two figures emerged from the water barrier.

"Ryu, we're done. So... eh?"

"Oh, what's going on? Do we need to silence them?"

Ignoring Mei's insistent words that shocked the world, Oscar widened his eyes in surprise.

Aisha's reaction was the same. She was completely bewildered by the unexpected reunion with her beloved.

"Um...you're Aisha, right?"

"You, you, you still remember me!?"

"Of course. I'm a regular customer of your store."

Oscar said this. Although he seemed a little confused, he still narrowed his eyes and smiled, looking very nostalgic.

"Ahh, I can't take it anymore, it's too sublime."

Aisha rolled her eyes and fainted.

Thirty minutes later. The group hid Eggers at the bottom of the lake, and Lutilis, immersed in remembrance, was also satisfied. At this time, Aisha woke up. Mei'er had suggested leaving immediately, because if Aisha went to inform the guards, it would be troublesome. But after hearing Aisha's story, Mei'er decided to stay, and she kept laughing. Not only because of Mei—

"...Ao, just listen to what Aisha has to say."

Due to Meredith's plea, the group decided to stay here and wait for Aisha to wake up.

Aisha's face flushed red, her hands clutching the hem of her skirt. She and Oscar stood face to face by the lake. Meredith and the others watched from a distance. Meredith, in particular, looked as if she had fully grasped the possibility.

Although that concerned Oscar, he had to face the woman in front of him first.

(I had always felt that she had feelings for me, but I never expected that she would keep pursuing me, even to this point...)

Oscar found it hard to believe. And to be honest, it was a bit terrifying. Especially since Aisha claimed to be his wife.

But──

"I, I have always liked you. I still like you now, and that won't change!"

"But, you know. I'm a rebel."

"Of course I know that! But, but, as long as I can be with you, I don't care!"

Oscar was simply delighted that Aisha still had feelings for him even though he knew she was a rebel, so he also wanted to face Aisha's feelings sincerely.

"Thank you. I'm so happy about your kindness. However, I can't respond."

Aisha gasped. Then, she asked weakly, "Why?"

"Because the purpose of my future life has already been decided."

The two of them stared at each other for a long time. Then, Aisha finally spoke, muttering to herself:

"...Is it for Meredith?...No, it's more than that. It must be for a greater purpose, right?"

Oscar looked at her with such frankness and unwavering eyes that Aisha smiled. She felt as if she had found a certain answer in her heart. Tears continued to flow.

"There's no place for me in the rest of your life, right?"

Oscar nodded quietly. "Ahhh~" Aisha sighed to the sky. And then—

"Yeah! I feel much better now! Oscar, thank you for listening to me!"

Aisha was still shedding tears, but the smile on her face was incredibly bright and free of worries.

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