A dull longsword and a heartbroken villager

His thinking had changed a long time ago.

He simply wanted to take this young lady, who had never set foot in the outside world, to see it for herself.

I don't know if it's still pure "love".

But Diman felt that this idea was very gentle, how should I put it? Like a spring breeze that occasionally blows in his heart.

He really liked how he felt about Angelia.

“…” Angelia reached out her rough hand and touched Diman.

"But I can no longer let you take care of me, and you can no longer stay with me."

"You wouldn't say you'd commit suicide with me, would you?"

“No.” Diman shook his head.

"That's wonderful." Angelia could feel the strength of Diman's grip on her hand; it was tight, as if he feared she would die at any moment. Angelia realized she was falling for this artist.

When did it begin? Angela herself couldn't say for sure.

What was the reason? Angela couldn't explain it either.

However, she felt she might understand why Diman didn't like being asked questions like "Why do you like the other person?"

Because I couldn't answer it.

Of course, it's not that we can't come up with an answer, but the answers we do come up with are generally similar in style.

"I love your eyes."

"I like your lively personality."

"I like the way you look when you're quietly reading."

It's a meaningless answer, but people love to hear it.

“I think I might have fallen for you,” Angelia said.

"If only it had happened sooner." Diman sat on the ground, holding Angelia.

“I guess… he liked her a long time ago,” Angelia said softly.

"It's just because I'm a young lady from a wealthy family that I have to be reserved."

"So it's a bit too late to say it."

"..." Diman is not a resolute man; he is currently shedding tears.

However, even the toughest men would shed tears in this scene.

He took Angelia's hand and placed it on his forehead.

At the same time, a cat ear twitched beside them.

112 stood beside Angelia and Diman.

Bray had already spotted 112, but he hadn't said anything.

112 was covered in blood, but there were no visible wounds.

The cat-man's tail swayed gently, and it patted Diman's shoulder with its paw.

“Let me say a few words to the young lady,” 112 said to Diman.

Diman turned slightly to the side so that Angelia could see what 112 looked like.

112 remained the same, but the young lady had aged considerably.

“112, I may finally be able to die,” Angelia said to her loyal servant.

This servant had been with him for nearly a hundred years and was like family to him.

“Young Miss shouldn’t die like this,” 112 said earnestly.

"It's not beautiful for you to die like this."

"What beauty can a cursed person talk about?"

“No, in my heart you are more beautiful than anyone else,” said 112.

“Even if you grow old, you will still be beautiful,” the cat-man said to Angelia, shaking his head.

112 swore to himself that he would be forever loyal to Angelia, also because of the kindness of the girl from a hundred years ago.

This young girl's life was full of misfortunes; she could not find happiness in family relationships, nor in love.

A tranquil life is the only thing that can comfort a young girl.

But 112 doesn't think that such a girl is happy enough.

It is too tragic to live for more than a hundred years and still not find happiness.

112 is willing to pay a price to make this girl happier.

He was already fortunate enough to be saved from death; that was enough.

He lived so long, perhaps only to repay the girl's kindness.

For a young girl, living that long would only be torture.

What else could a long period of time devoid of happiness be but torture?

Now that the lady is free, Miss Angelia should be free too.

“Young lady, you want to be free, but not now.” 112 knelt down and smoothed Angelia’s dry blonde hair.

"You've just found happiness, so don't let it go."

The cat-man was referring to Diman.

After standing beside the two for so long, he finally recognized the artist.

If he could take Angelia to see the vast world, if he could let this ill-fated girl understand simple happiness—112 would be happy to pay some price.

112 bit his own finger.

The wound, which should have healed, did not recover immediately.

112 dripped the drop of blood hanging from the wound on his finger into Angelia's mouth.

"112, what are you doing?" Angelia swallowed the drop of blood subconsciously and looked at 112 in confusion.

"Let you live, young lady," 112 said.

After she finished speaking, Angelia regained her youth at a speed that could be seen.

It was as if the aged appearance from a few seconds ago was just an illusion.

Diman stared blankly at the girl in his arms, wondering if he was dreaming.

“Young Miss, you can live for several more decades and have a normal life.” 112 stood up, the crimson in her eyes seemed to have faded a lot.

"What will you do?" Angelia asked, as if something had occurred to her.

“I’m fine.” 112 shook his head.

"But now that you, young lady, have gained your freedom and are entitled to take control of your own happiness... it's time for me to seek my own freedom as well."

Are you leaving me?

"Yes, Miss."

"I will be very lonely." Angelia couldn't imagine what she would do if 112, who had been with her for a hundred years, left.

“You won’t be lonely, Miss. You already have someone to keep you company.” 112 patted Angelia’s head, then patted Diman’s head.

In that instant, Diman felt as if he were facing a kind elder.

112 stretched his body and took off his tattered leather armor.

"Young Miss, I also want to leave the old mansion and see this vast world."

"Is that so? Go ahead." Angelia looked at 112 with no sadness, no reluctance, and made no attempt to persuade her to stay.

If this is the will of 112, then let it be.

112 has wasted too much time with me. Even though it's not that it can't leave the old house, it still stays with me inside.

"Take care of yourself in the future," 112 said to Angelia after thinking for a moment.

There's nothing else to say, and 112 doesn't know how to be sentimental—so let's just leave it at that.

He nimbly leaped onto a fallen pillar and glanced at Bray.

“Adventurer, there’s nothing more for us here. We should leave,” 112 said.

After hearing the 112 call, Bray turned to look at Angelia and Diman, then shrugged.

112 followed Bray's figure as they left the old house that had been razed to the ground.

Only Angelia and Diman remained in the ruins.

Diman is holding the girl.

He never imagined he would one day embrace Angela.

Angelia looked at Diman's dazed expression and reached out to pinch his lips.

“…” Diman was startled by Angelia’s sudden action.

Will you take me to all parts of the world?

“I will,” Diman solemnly promised.

"You won't think I'm dirty, will you?"

“You’re not dirty.” Diman lowered his eyes and brushed aside Angelia’s messy bangs.

"I will take you to the places you want to go, and then draw the scenery you want to see."

"Mmm." Angelia held Diman's head and gently pulled his face close to hers.

Diman lowered his head and kissed the girl.

From now on, the girl will grow up, grow old, and be able to enjoy a very ordinary life.

---

112 wagged its tail and walked step by step on the muddy ground.

Instead of heading towards the city, he walked into the wilderness.

He has devoted all his time to Angela.

I don't care where I go.

112 walked in a secluded place, leaned against a tree, and sat down.

His cat ears drooped limply.

The cat-human, who was once very young, is gradually getting old.

The 112 drops of blood given to Angelia were "Heavenly Fox Tears," but they were all the "Heavenly Fox Tears" he had left.

If it is pure "Heavenly Fox Tears", as long as the essence is still there, it can continue to provide vitality after a period of time.

However, the "Heavenly Fox Tear" inside 112 is not pure; it only gives him the vitality of a dozen or so people.

This vitality can be consumed and is irreversible.

Resilience, immortality, and longevity are all manifestations of this vitality.

After the battle with Qasim, 112 only had enough "Heavenly Fox Tears" left to sustain him for a few decades.

That is exactly a person's normal lifespan.

112 decided to dedicate all of this time to Miss Angelia.

Angelia needs this time more than he does; she can use it to grasp her own happiness.

As for 112, he had no other desires but for Angelia to be happy in the future.

That's why he didn't explain too much to Angelia; explaining too much would only upset the young lady.

Let her find a worthwhile love and avoid encountering any more scumbags.

112 sat still, neither eating nor drinking, staying in a place where there was no one else around.