Chapter 77: Whispers of the Love God (Finale)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 77: Whispers of the Love God (Finale)
The afterglow of the setting sun stretched their shadows long.
Amidst the ruins of the small fishing village, Muen held the shovel An had manifested. He found a spot where the sunlight hit best and began to dig, one scoop of fresh soil at a time.
A pit soon took shape. Once it was about half a meter deep, Muen stopped.
It was enough.
He stepped aside, and An came forward, cradling Eluka’s head in her hands.
Eluka’s eyes were tightly shut, as if she were in a deep sleep. A faint curve lingered at the corners of her mouth. She seemed to have received a satisfying answer, leaving this world without many regrets.
An gently placed the head into the pit. Then, using her hands, she covered it with soil, handful by handful.
Muen didn't help this time. Instead, he leaned against the shovel, watching the distant sunset while listening to An’s low whispers.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t find anyone to bury with you.”
An’s eyelids drooped, her expression tinged with sorrow.
When the Evil God had descended in person, all flesh and blood had become its sustenance. Not even a scrap remained. In the end, An could only bring Eluka back to this deserted fishing village for burial.
At the very least, she was home.
The beautiful head was gradually covered by the earth. An placed the final handful of soil over the small mound. With a flick of her will, a metal tombstone rose at the head of the grave.
An reached out, wanting to engrave something upon it, but she hesitated for a long time, unable to write a single word.
Eluka’s Grave? That felt too lonely.
The name of the village? But beneath the soil, there was nothing but a young girl’s head.
“Forget it,” Muen said softly, still gazing at the sunset. “There is no need for tragedies to be remembered.”
“Is that so?” An looked momentarily dazed, then withdrew her hand. “Then I shall do as the Young Master says.”
The silent village was now devoid of any sign of life.
An stared at the blank tombstone for a long, long time, as if deep in thought. It was only when she was certain she couldn't find the answer herself that she asked, her voice carrying a hint of trepidation:
“Young Master.”
“Hmm?”
“Was I wrong?”
“Wrong? About what?”
“About my love.”
Love is possession.
Love is obtaining everything the beloved possesses.
Love is being together with the beloved forever.
Love is using any means necessary.
Until recently, that was how she understood it.
That was love.
What a beautiful thing love was!
But earlier that day, seeing Eluka turn into a monster, desperately trying to devour the one she loved, An felt as if she were looking into a mirror. The version of herself in that mirror, whispering of love just like that monster, was utterly hideous.
It made one wonder: could such a nauseating thing truly be love?
“Young Master, is my love... wrong?”
“Perhaps.” Muen nodded, then shook his head. “Or perhaps you simply mistook possessiveness for love.”
“Possessiveness?”
“The desire spawned from a frantic need to own something,” Muen explained. “Possessiveness is usually a derivative of love, and they are very similar. Though they are fundamentally different, it’s easy to confuse the two.”
“The Young Master means... I confused possessiveness with love?”
“I don’t know,” Muen said quietly. “Everyone has different thoughts in their heart. Whether what’s hidden inside is love or possessiveness—only you can truly know.”
“And yet, oneself is the hardest person to see clearly,” An said with a self-deprecating smile.
She turned to look at Muen’s profile. His handsome face, silhouetted against the sunset, traced lines that made her heart race. It made her want to pull that face into a fierce embrace.
In this moment, was it love in her heart, or possessiveness?
“What exactly is love?”
What should have been the simplest question for An had suddenly become the greatest riddle in the world overnight. But perhaps, if she looked at it from a different angle, she could understand.
At that thought, An couldn't help but feel a bit shy.
“Young Master, I remember you said it before, didn't you?”
“Hmm? Said what?”
“You said...” An’s cheeks flushed slightly as she whispered, “That you could date me... as a normal couple.”
“I think I did say that.”
Muen suddenly remembered. Those were the words he’d used back in the cell to keep An stable. But why was she bringing this up now?
Muen’s brow furrowed slightly. He sensed that things were about to get complicated.
“Since the Young Master said that, can we start over?”
“What do you mean by ‘start over’?”
“I mean, like ordinary people. Becoming an ordinary couple.”
Dating. Marriage. Even having children. Using that to seek the meaning of true love.
“I see. I think I get what you mean.”
Muen nodded. The sunset seemed to hurt his eyes, and he inconspicuously took a few steps back.
“But just to be safe, I have to ask—are you planning to take me back to the Duke’s estate next?”
“Of course!” An nodded vigorously, her expression bashful. “I grew up in the Duke’s estate; it’s my only home... Of course, I’m not trying to become the mistress of the house or anything. I’ll still serve the Young Master as your personal maid. But while I’m serving you, could we...”
The girl turned her head shyly, her blushing face full of beautiful expectations for the future. Building a love nest for two at the Duke’s estate, doing this and that... maybe even having ten or twenty children... Just the thought of it was—
Whoosh—!
An heard the whistling of wind.
The moment she turned back, she saw the Young Master’s cold, stern face, and—
A shovel.
Before she could react, there was a dull thud. An’s expression froze in a flicker of bewilderment before her vision went black and she slumped to the ground.
“Hmph. Wicked woman.”
Looking at the unconscious An, Muen’s lips curled into a rakish, arrogant smirk.
“You really thought you could trick me into going back to the Duke’s estate for some confinement play? Do I look that easy to fool?”
“A Saint Seiya never falls for the same trick twice!”
“The Duke’s estate? Not even a dog would go back there!”
The darkening sky reflected the man’s boisterous laughter.
A pair of affectionate waterfowl, hidden in the grass by the lake, peeked out at the man standing solitary in the cold wind. Their gaze was filled with pity.
*
“Where am I...?”
An woke from her stupor, her eyes meeting a familiar ceiling.
“Head Maid, you’re awake!”
The young girl waiting by the bed leaned over in surprise. “How do you feel? Does anything feel wrong?”
“Noel?”
Looking at the girl dressed in the same maid uniform, a trace of confusion appeared in An’s eyes. “Why are you here? And... wait, where is the Young Master?”
An bolted upright, scanning the room. “Where is he?!”
“This is the Duke’s estate, so of course I’m here.” Noel blinked, speaking hesitantly. “As for the Young Master... after he brought you back, he changed his clothes and left in a huge hurry.”
At this, Noel’s cheeks flushed slightly as she muttered, “How could the Young Master wear such shameless clothes? Did he pick up bad habits while he was out?”
“The Young Master left?” An’s eyes widened. Then, she snapped angrily, “Why didn't you stop him?!”
“He’s the Young Master, how could we stop him?” Noel said with a long face. “Besides, he said he was going to school. We didn't have a reason to stop him.”
“Is... is that so?” An slumped back onto the bed.
It was true. If the Young Master really wanted to leave, how could ordinary maids stop him?
“Then... I’ll take my leave. Please rest, Head Maid.” Noel bowed and hurried out. She felt the Head Maid was acting strange; it was better to make an exit.
*
After Noel left, An got up and walked to the window.
She looked at the scenery outside. In the gardens, maids were busy pruning the greenery into various pleasing shapes. Even so, An felt the vast Duke’s estate had suddenly become cold and lonely.
“So you ran away, Young Master.”
“And to Saint Maria Academy, of all places, where outsiders are strictly forbidden. How cunning of you.”
An leaned her head against the window, gazing into the far distance. Unfortunately, the person she wanted to see was long gone.
“I won't give up.”
An placed her fingers against the glass and suddenly clawed downward. The sound was ear-piercing as her nails left jagged marks on the pane.
“No matter where you run, I will bring you back. And then...”
“I will keep you by my side forever and ever. We will never be apart again.”
The intense obsession returned to An’s eyes, just as it had always been.
“But...”
An slowly crouched down.
Through the gaps in her falling hair, her dignified, exquisite face turned as red as a ripe apple. It was the bashfulness and worry of a young girl. There was no longer darkness flowing within her, only a clarity as pure as a spring.
“I don't think I can bring myself to hurt the Young Master anymore. What should I do...?”
*
I love you, Young Master.
*
[Jealousy Progression: 100%]
[Fixed Progression reached. Fate Interference initiated.]
[Partial memory blurring completed.]
[...]
[Please continue to struggle, Muen Campbell.]
*
(End of Volume 1)