Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Side Story 1, Gentia - If I Were to Stay Here for You...
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Several years had passed since arriving here, and he had finally obtained one fragment. A ring named the [24th Fragment, Carpediem]. Judah quietly gazed down at the ring resting in his palm. He had originally planned to leave Serenia Castle after acquiring this fragment.
That had been his intention.
That had been his plan.
He had intended to play along with Cyan's scheme, gathering all the fragments to return to his original world. But after spending those few years with someone, giving his heart to her, it wasn't so easy to leave impulsively.
Judah slipped the ring onto his finger. He had obtained a fragment that anyone would covet, yet it brought him no particular thrill. All he felt was regret at the fact that he now had to leave this place.
*What if I just stayed here?*
Such temptation cautiously reared its head in his mind. Judah descended to the first floor and entered her room. She lay on the bed.
"Judah?"
She called his name. Her sleepy eyes soon lit up with joy. Lying there on the bed, she smiled warmly and stretched out both arms.
"Come here. Let's sleep together."
Without a word, Judah slipped into her embrace.
"You said you wanted to be alone earlier, but you changed your mind?"
With her eyes closed, she asked. She seemed delighted just at the thought of sleeping together—her voice was drowsy but bright enough.
"I was going to, but I wanted to be with you, Tia."
"Heh. I knew it."
"?"
Tia narrowed her previously closed eyes and gave a knowing smile.
"You can't sleep without your master's embrace, right? Oh, my sweet Judah. Even as an adult, nothing's changed."
That wasn't it. But it didn't matter if she thought so. She pulled him close, her face content, and soon fell asleep with soft, steady breaths.
He planned to leave.
No, he had planned to leave.
To return to his original world.
But Tia, lying beside him and drifting off to sleep, lingered as an attachment. She was becoming his compromise. What if it was okay to stay here? If she was with him, did he really need to endure hardships? Even if he gathered all twenty-four fragments, would Cyan really send him back without a fight?
Doubts and suspicions swirled in Judah's mind. As he watched her sleeping face, his thoughts chained endlessly.
Did he really need to return to his original world? There were reasons to go back. He missed his family and wanted to see his friends. The thought of precious connections waiting for him had always given him strength. But those connections weren't the only important ones— the bonds here had become precious too.
Above all, he loved Tia. His love for her chained his ankle like a shackle of lingering attachment. Deciding to stay a little longer to sort out his feelings, Judah closed his eyes.
But the next day was consumed by the coming-of-age ceremony, leaving no time for anything else. Before he knew it, evening had arrived without accomplishing much. After enjoying a lively banquet and banter at the ceremony Caseune had hosted, he returned home. Tia grabbed his hand, saying she felt sticky and wanted to wash up quickly, pulling him along to the bathroom unexpectedly.
Perhaps because they were tipsy from the drinks, they ended up scrubbing each other's bodies in the bathroom and locked eyes. Without needing to decide who started, they naturally began exploring each other's bodies and made love right there. Having already shared intimacy with her once before, there was no hesitation.
No one interrupted their private time, either. After making love, Tia and Judah fell asleep in the same bedroom, staring at the same ceiling. He didn't know when he drifted off, but Judah woke in the middle of the night. Moonlight seeped through the window.
He turned his head to gaze at her lying beside him. She slept with a blissful expression. Watching her peacefully, Judah suddenly looked as if he might cry—no one had struck him—and reached out to brush her hair behind her ear. Feeling the soft texture of her hair on his fingertips, a sudden thought struck him.
*Come to think of it, she has four ears.*
Human-like ears adorned the sides of her face, while beastly ears perched atop her head. Amazed by the structure, he toyed with her ears. But his curiosity faded quickly, and melancholy returned.
"......"
At that moment, perhaps sensing his touch, Tia opened her eyes. Her drowsy gaze met his. She smiled sleepily.
"Not sleeping?"
"Tia."
As he called her name, the beast ears atop her head perked up.
"Yeah?"
Judah silently gazed at her. With the hand that had brushed back her hair, he caressed her cheek, nose, and ear. His expression remained troubled as he felt the soft texture of her skin through his fingertips.
"Why the long face? Are you hurt somewhere?"
Judah shook his head. Then, looking at her, he slowly released the words he had suppressed deep in his heart.
"I like you so much, Tia. I love you, Master. What should I do? I was going to leave, but I don't think I can anymore."
His voice trembled as if on the verge of tears. She widened her eyes in surprise, then closed them with a smile. She grasped the hands cupping her cheeks. The warmth from her hands felt comforting.
"Can I ask you something?"
He nodded instead of answering. Though her eyes were closed, she seemed to sense it and parted her small lips.
"Were you really planning to leave?"
"...Yes."
"No. Don't go. I won't let you. How can you settle into my heart like this and now say you're leaving?"
That had been his plan. But the attachment and looming regret tormented him.
"I like you too— so much. I love you. The thought of spending even a day, tomorrow, every day without you would be agony for me. Don't go. Let's live together, just us. I'll make sure you never lift a finger. Your big sister, your master— I'll love you. I can do it so well. So... don't go."
Tia's eyes grew misty too. The moment Judah saw it, his resolve broke. He chose her over returning to his original world. Judah smiled brightly.
"But isn't that something a man says to a woman?"
"Pfft, who decided that?"
"Well... true."
Judah chuckled unnecessarily. Hearing such a confession from her filled him with uncontainable joy.
"Come here, Judah."
She pulled him into an embrace. Naked as they were, they held each other, feeling each other's warmth as they kissed. The room filled with the sounds of their deep kisses. After their intense exchange, they slowly closed their eyes and fell asleep.
Morning came, and he opened his eyes. Having clung to each other all night, they were drenched in sweat. The summer heat made their bodies sticky, but he didn't mind. As he gazed at her quietly, Tia opened her eyes.
"Staring like that makes me shy."
"You get shy too, Tia?"
He couldn't recall ever seeing her embarrassed— neither during their lovemaking nor in daily life. As if reading his thoughts, she pressed a finger to his lips and wriggled her body coyly.
"Aww. So from today, I'll go back to being a girl. That okay for getting shy?"
Hmm, claiming to be a girl with that mature body? Impossible. Judah shook his head with a laugh. Tia's eyes twitched.
"Oh? What's with that reaction? What, you prefer the shameless me?"
"Well, if I had to say... I like the confident Tia more."
"Fine. If that's what you want, no helping it."
"Huh? Wait, ah."
Suddenly, she flung the blanket off the bed, straddled him, and reached down to grasp his penis.
"Wait? I'll show you what happens when you poke at a mature woman's pride."
With deft hand movements, she hardened it, then let out a moan and took it into her lower mouth. It seemed she wasn't going back to being a girl anytime soon.
+ + +
After a passionate morning lovemaking session with Tia, Judah washed up with her in the bathroom using cool water. Having confirmed each other's feelings, every action and gesture brimmed with love. His heart felt full from some inexplicable warmth rising from below.
Judah completely scrapped his plans to proceed after the coming-of-age ceremony. He had intended to prepare at dawn and head to the western forest to recruit the Blue Spear Knight as a companion, but with his decision to stay here with Tia, there was no need.
After confessing their love, Judah and Tia grew even closer. They still hunted together to earn money, but he shortened hunting time and lengthened their time together.
Two months later, the Blue Spear Knight vanished. Rumors said he went missing in the western forest—likely defeated in battle by the battle slave.
And that battle slave, having some connection with Cain who had undergone his coming-of-age ceremony, left the castle with Liel toward Phloria, the land of knights. Whether they could find fragments as in the original game story was questionable, but Judah wished them luck.
About a year passed. Amid spreading rumors, he simply held a wedding with Tia. Caseune called her a thief, but she didn't deny it. Lord Pierceen offered congratulations, as did many others with their blessings.
They said marriage reveals new sides of one's wife, but that didn't apply to Tia. If anything, the opposite. They became more considerate of each other, with no fights.
Everything matched perfectly with her. Conversations flowed, favorite foods aligned, hunting together was fun. Above all, their bedroom compatibility was phenomenal.
However, perhaps due to her virtuous wife traits, her aura changed greatly. The seductive vixen became demure. The natural allure from her body vanished. But at night, she turned into an insatiable seductress tormenting Judah.
A few months later, she suddenly dry-heaved. She was pregnant. Her gradually swelling belly was proof.
Becoming a father—something he hadn't done even in his original world—filled him with immense joy. Judah accommodated her to avoid stress, but she handled all her tasks as usual. She was perfect in everything, except one: no more daily lovemaking, which saddened her. And to ensure he didn't cheat with other women, she pleasured him orally every day.
She showed slight possessiveness, but otherwise it was fine. Knowing human pregnancies lasted about 40 weeks, hers reached full term around 15. She gave birth safely.
One daughter, one son.
Twins.
He was overjoyed. Tia was even more so.
As she said she was happy, kissing him and thanking him—though he felt he should be the thankful one.
Another year passed. Judah became a renowned hunter in the castle, even defeating the Black Wolf Leader Requiem, earning great fame. Lord Pierceen praised him lavishly. What started as money-making eradicated the terror of the black wolves, winning immense favor from the residents.
The children, though mixed with human blood, grew rapidly due to beastkin influence—faster than humans. They toddled around calling "Daddy, Daddy." Their growth speed was incomparable.
Thinking of seeing those children, Judah hurried home after hunting. The scenery whisked by. Spotting the castle gate, he ran through.
As usual, he sold hides and magic stones, bought treats, and headed home. Joyfully turning the doorknob and stepping into the entryway—
He was about to say "I'm home," when a lullaby drifted from inside.
"Sleep, sleep, my baby."
A beautiful voice. Listening, Judah paused mid-shoe removal without realizing. Her song continued. He stopped undressing, standing there absorbed in the melody from the room. As the babies fell asleep, the song ended. Soft footsteps approached as she emerged.
"You're home? My lord?"
She called him two ways: by name, or like just now, "my lord." Tia approached with her black eyes gleaming seductively and whispered in his ear.
"I want more kids. What do you think?"
To others, chilling words—but not to Judah. He grinned and lifted her effortlessly. She naturally wrapped her arms around his neck and pointed upstairs.
"Let's go. I'll make it blissful, my lord."
...
..
.
Long years passed. Though he had obtained a fragment, Judah was human while Tia was beastkin. Her lifespan outstripped his; he aged, lost youth, and faced death.
Many around him passed first. Caseune Savnak, Spirit Sword owner. The library librarian. The east gate guard captain. The fruit vendor uncle. Countless others departed before him. Now it was his turn.
Knowing this, Tia stayed by his side, holding his hand until the unpredictable end. And so, by his beloved Tia, he met death.
Happy to have been together.
Glad to have shared it.
No regrets for their time.
Grateful to say he loved her. Never returning to his original world remained a lingering regret, but recalling their time erased all remorse.
At Judah's death, Tia burst into tears. Her sobbing figure looked heartbreaking. Someone had watched it all from beginning to end.
Tap.
He emerged from a hidden subspace. The world turned ashen, time freezing.
The First Monarch, Cyan.
His foot touched the ground. His face looked conflicted, laced with guilt. With a small sigh, he sat in a chair and approached Judah's naturally deceased body.
"Thus, one fate concludes, Creator. Yet I cannot be satisfied with a single fate. I won't beg forgiveness—I know you won't grant it."
Cyan extended a hand toward Judah's body.
"Curse me, and let that hatred fuel you to the end. If you reach it, I'll give you everything without hesitation."
*All the memories of the woman you loved and ended with in this fate, her youth, and everything you'll achieve in countless futures—everything you cherished. So please.*
"Don't break. Press on."
...
..
.
..
...
"Gasp!"
He inhaled sharply, eyes snapping open. Startled, he scanned around, grasping the situation.
*Where am I?*
The second-floor room.
*Didn't I die?*
He had. He said all he wanted to his beloved Tia and closed his eyes. So why was he here? Suspecting, Judah slowly looked down. Gone were the wrinkled hands; youthful fists appeared. Feeling something in his palm, he opened it slowly. There lay the 24th ring, Carpediem.
This world had not yet ended.
─Side Story 1, Gentia - If I Were to Stay Here for You...
──Ending
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This side story is a "what if" scenario completely unrelated to the main story.
It has no connection to the main plot.
It's simply fan service imagining what if Judah stayed in Serenia Castle with Gentia instead of leaving to gather fragments.
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========== Afterword ==========
Ta-da, a gift for you all.
Oh, and to the comment about "three outfits but Unique grade?"—Requiem's hide is a Unique item, so the clothes made from it are set to Unique grade.