498. Love

“What’s going on over there?”

Scarlet the Red Rose came to a halt as the question was asked. She turned around, looking at the source of the voice. Then she turned to face the large bonfire in the distance. There were hundreds of figures huddled around the fire, with even more adventurers and soldiers slowly trickling in. Their shadows milled about, some talking, others laughing, but there was a quietus held over them, muffling their voices so that they would always speak in a hushed whisper. Even the large flame, despite its size, burned weakly, without the raging roar of a fire meant to ignite the spirit of the night.

“It’s a party, I guess. But you don’t need to worry about that, Titus. You just arrived, and Mori is—”

She started, but Titus spoke over her and stepped forward.

“A party? I do believe that that is not a party. It is too.. somber.”

He stood there, facing the crowd with his white eyes. The reflection of the still fire visible in his irises, yet he didn’t see it. Not in his hollow gaze. He walked forward, shaking his head.

“A party should be jovial— is aura soothing. It should relieve the souls that mingle amidst its atmosphere, not remind them of their downtrodden day. This is no party, Scarlet. This is a funeral. They are lamenting those that will die in the coming siege. It is not right. And I will make things right.”

“That’s—”

She tried to protest, but she couldn’t stop him. Of course not. He marched ahead, his lute in hand and eyes closed, heading for the bonfire. Scarlet sighed. That was Titus the Thrilling Bard for you— he would do whatever he wanted whenever he felt like it. Even if he was a member of the Remembered Order Company, he wasn’t beholden to them in any way.

In fact, he had taken so long to join the battle despite being called for over six months ago because he had been busy wandering the Alterian League, listening to stories and telling tales that would weave wonder into the heart and mind. Or at least, so were his words.

Scarlet sighed as Titus left her standing there, unable to fulfill her job.

“I’m going to have to tell Mori about this..”

“...do you not understand, Daniel Song? [Archbishop] Siegfrid will not approve of this! It is an affront to not just the Den of Souls, but to the rest of the—”

“Yeah, yeah, I don’t care.”

Daniel Song ignored Kacey’s words, even as she hounded after him. The [Crusader] was upset. She had also seen Salvos’ ascension into a Lesser God. Everyone had seen it. It had been glorious. It had been magnificent. There were so many words that the young man from Earth would use to describe it.

However, he would never describe it the same way she did.

Fake. That was what she said. She had asked him, as the Cardinal of the Council of Cremont, to denounce Salvos’s apotheosis.

She was the reason why he’d taken so long to join Salvos and Edithe at the bonfire for food and drinks. All the [Crusaders] and representatives from the three sects present in the encampment were incredibly upset. But he listened to their complaints and told them to fuck off.

Well, he didn’t actually say that. But he really felt like it. After all, how dare they insult his friend like that. How dare they ask him to demean and attack the very woman who taught him how to escape his self-loathing.

So Daniel ignored Kacey. The [Crusader] shouted at him in frustration, saying something about how accepting Salvos as a Lesser God would forever tarnish the reputation of the three sects. But he didn’t care.

He just left her behind, and she eventually gave up.

“I am so late..”

The [Hero] reached the bonfire at the center of the encampment soon enough. He swept his gaze around, and a few heads turned to face him. Soldiers and adventurers alike lit up when they saw Daniel. They pointed and whispered, but they didn’t approach him.

It wasn’t something he was unused to, having had this exact same experience when he was first summoned into the Elutra Kingdom. But he still found it uncomfortable when his every action was watched and monitored by those around him.

He walked ahead, ignoring the glances as he searched for his two friends. He circled around the large fire and came to a halt as he spotted a redhead in the distance. Edithe Dawnrise sat amongst members of the Valiant Dreamers Company, drinking and eating as they chatted quietly with themselves.

Raising a hand, the young man called out.

“Edi—”

But a soft voice interrupted him.

“Daniel.”

The [Hero] blinked and glanced back. He saw a silver-haired girl standing behind him, hands behind her back. His eyes grew wide, and he stared at her.

“S-Salvos?”

For a moment— for whatever reason— his heart jumped in her chest. He took in his friend’s appearance, and she looked different. He had already noticed the difference after her apotheosis— the sheening beauty she radiated, elegant and enchanting— but for whatever reason, he found himself flushing at her appearance today.

Salvos didn’t dress any differently than she normally would. She wore the same blue jacket he had given her. A gift he had handed over when he finally told her the truth he had been hiding for so long. Her hair was tied up into a ponytail, practically luminescent— reflecting the fire’s light. A kind smile spread across her face, and Daniel caught himself from staring. He quickly averted his gaze as she spoke.

“I was just looking for you, Daniel.”

Stepping forward, Salvos grabbed him by the hand and pulled him off to the side. The young man from Earth blinked as she led him away from the gathering.

“W-wait, where are we going?”

“I need to speak with you.”

She replied simply as she glanced back at him. He found his heart pounding in his chest— racing with him as he followed the silver-haired girl. He glanced back, looking at where Edithe had been.

“What about Edithe?”

He opened his mouth to protest, but she shook her head and waved a hand off dismissively.

“It’s fine, Daniel. We’ll join her later.

“But—”

Daniel started, only to see the look in her face. Salvos gave him a reassuring nod and continued bringing him away from the encampment.

“Let’s talk, alright?”

“I.. alright.”

Finally, he acquiesced.

“I can’t believe it’s all finally coming to an end..”

Edithe muttered as she stared up at the starry sky above. A dark dome hung overhead, illuminated only by the glinting dots speckling the black-blue canvas, the moon nowhere visible in sight.

A figure sidled up next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. She glanced to the side and stared at Hadrian. The leader of the Valiant Dreamers sat next to her with the rest of their company as he gave her a smile.

“You looked lost in thought. I felt like bringing you back to reality.”

She chuckled and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“I was just thinking about how it’s been so long since we’ve had any reprieve. We haven’t had time to rest at all since the company war began. And we’ve lost so much.. Paige.. Baris.. so many lives..”

Edithe trailed off, raising an arm to the sky. She stared at the back of her hand and remembered the events that sparked the company war. Even now, those few weeks were burned into her mind. She closed her eyes as she whispered.

“But finally, it’s all going to be over. We can rest and grieve now.”

“We can.”

Hadrian spoke, running a hand through her blood-red hair. He tightly clutched onto her, and she felt his warm embrace. The pair stayed this way, luxuriating in the moment.

The large bonfire crackled in the distance. Edithe could hear the soft susurration of the gathering— the hushed whispering of chatter like she’d hear in a temple. Even the Valiant Dreamers weren’t acting as rambunctiously as they normally would.

They talked, yes. They laughed, of course. Celine, Edithe’s normally loud friend, was softer than she normally was. It was almost a solemn moment. No one refused to act boisterously as an adventurer normally would. They were held in this solemnity— at least, until they heard the music.

Edithe blinked her eyes open and raised her head as she heard the stringing of a lute— the soft voice singing in the distance. She looked up, and Hadrian turned towards the approaching figure. A man stood there, tilting his floppy hat for a moment as the music stopped. He swept into a bow and spoke in a charming voice.

“If it is no trouble, I would love to join you here by the fire.”

The redhead blinked.

“Who are you?”

But before he could respond, Celine’s eyes grew wide.

“You’re— Titus the Thrilling Bard! I have heard about you! You’re an Elite Ranked adventurer from the Remembered Order Company!”

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, young maiden.”

Titus nodded her way, and she flushed. But an azure-haired girl elbowed Celine, glaring. The Thrilling Bard just took a seat before them and smiled.

“I apologize, but I have overheard a bit of your tale, and I couldn’t help but be intrigued by it. May I know more about your story?”

Edithe exchanged a glance with Hadrian. A few of the Valiant Dreamers looked uneasily at the stranger. One of them— Sophia— stepped forward with a frown.

“It’s not a story! Go bother someone—”

“Sophia, it’s fine—”

But she was dragged back by her friend. Cless just pulled her out of the way before she could snap at the [Bard]. Titus leaned back as he placed his lute on the ground.

“If it is not a tale you wish to tell, then I shan’t force you to talk. It is but a humble request from an interested traveler such as I.”

Hadrian nodded at Edithe, and she pursed her lips.

“It’s.. not really a story of glory and adventure. I doubt you’d like to listen to it— it’s not the kind of story a [Bard] tells at a tavern, you know?”

The redhead remembered all that she had lost. She remembered all that she had been through. The deaths she had witnessed. The lives she failed to save. It was all forever burned into her mind— not really something to display.

But Titus just stared at her with a glint in his eyes.

“Ah, but I am not hearing it to spin a story for travelers to behold. For one such as I, who have heard stories far and wide, there is nothing I have listened to for the vanity of being heard.”

He strung the strings of his lute, speaking in a melody, but without breaking into song. Edithe blinked, and her memories were given life. She saw apparitions, visible only to her eyes— born from the flames, weaving memories before her very eyes.

Edithe stared as she saw the last moments of Baris. The deceased leader of the Valiant Dreamers— Hadrian’s father. He looked just as she remembered. The bravery he wore on his face, knowing that there was only a single outcome, yet for the sake of the company, he sacrificed himself by facing a Primeval Demon.

Hadrian must’ve seen it too. He teared up, watching with wide eyes as Titus played a single string on his lute once more.

“I have been an audience to both glory and tragedy— all these stories that I have been told, they are merely tales I will regale. They are memories I will remember and retell ‘til my bones lie bare on the soil. Not for a crowd or the loud ovation and adoration of an audience.”

That note attracted more attention than just that of the Valiant Dreamers Company. A few heads turned to face the Thrilling Bard, and Edithe’s eyes flickered. Everywhere she looked, there was a flash of memories. She saw Paige standing there— the young [Warrior] so eager to welcome the redhead when she was still a brand-new [Summoner] who joined the company.

It was almost like Edithe was quite literally reliving the moment. She heard Paige’s voice as it was back then, feeling the same nervousness that was quickly soothed by her then-senior. It reminded the redhead of everything she lost, but more importantly, everything she had to cherish.

Titus smiled as he took his finger off the strings of his lute.

“But I wish to hear your tales as a witness. Because it is my duty to bear.”

“What.. was that?”

Hadrian asked, breaking free from his stupor. The visions around Edithe vanished, and she realized she was gasping— crying. She looked towards the Thrilling Bard, and he just replied simply.

“[A Heartfelt Minute]. I did not get to see what you saw, but I can see the emotions in your eyes. I know this is something you wish to tell, and it is a story I wish to hear. So, please, may I hear it?”

Titus bowed his head, and Edithe’s lips quivered. Hadrian slowly turned to her, looking uncertain— as if he wanted her support. She closed her eyes and nodded in response.

“I.. fine. We’ll tell you everything.”

And Titus smiled.

“Thank you.”

“Where are we going, Salvos?”

Daniel asked as he followed the silver-haired girl out of the encampment. She glanced back once, tilting her head fractionally as the smile never left her face.

“We’re going to talk, of course!”

She replied simply— as if that explained everything. But the young man from Earth was as perplexed as before. He passed a line of tents, following Salovs as she led him around the war tent. He looked through the flaps and saw Scarlet there. The Red Rose was speaking quietly to Mori Gladius with her lips pursed.

But Salvos didn’t stop. She continued on, dragging Daniel behind her. Even as they left the encampment. He just followed, watching her from behind. He saw her silver hair swaying. Her soft locks limned by the moonlight. He looked on as she paved the way ahead, unable to break his gaze away from her, only capable of walking after her like he normally did.

This was a familiar feeling to him. The young man from Earth— the [Hero Of Demon And Man]— was used to this. He was aimless and lost before he met Salvos. A coward who couldn’t fight for himself; a fool who often failed to muster up the courage when he had to do what was right.

Perhaps it was fate, or maybe it was destiny, but it was only when he met the silver-haired girl, did he finally succeed in overcoming his fear. Sure, that led to the two of them fighting— which he so hilariously lost. But after that, it was always the same.

Daniel walked a step behind her. Never beside, never in front. He was always trailing after the silver-haired girl. Because it was she who guided him. She was the one who showed him the way, and he could never overtake her. He couldn’t stop her, nor could he ever hope to walk next to her. To him, it just never felt—

“Daniel.”

Salvos spoke, interrupting his thoughts. The young man blinked and looked around. His eyes grew wide as he realized he was already outside of the encampment. The pair stood alone at a nearby hilltop, overlooking the expansive rows of tents. There was a bonfire raging at the center of it all, with a larger crowd gathered than before. He narrowed his eyes, but the silver-haired girl’s voice drew his attention.

“Can I ask you an honest question?”

She peered into him, and he raised a brow. Daniel looked down, seeing that she was still holding onto his hand. He nodded slowly.

“Uh.. sure. But why did you bring me all the way out here?”

He shifted his feet nervously. He didn’t know why, but he could still feel his heart pounding in his chest. Salvos just shook her head.

“I brought you out here to ask you a question. May I ask it? But you must promise me you’ll answer honestly.”

The young man blinked. He felt his heart rate skyrocketing for whatever reason. He breathed quickly, taking in short shallow breaths as what felt like a tight band of fear choked around his neck.

“I promise.”

He nodded slowly, and Salvos smiled kindly.

“Thank you.”

She let go of him and took a step back. He saw her every movement as she hid her hands behind her back. Raising her head, Salvos smiled kindly and held his gaze.

“Do you love me?”

And the world froze. Daniel’s eyes grew wide. The stars vanished from the sky as a veil of darkness blanketed over him. He could no longer feel the hammering of his heart, no longer could he hear the short gasps he took as he stumbled back. He tried to work his jaw, but everything malfunctioned.

Nothing worked. His hands trembled, and his knees threatened to buckle beneath him. The [Hero] tried to work up the courage to give a response, but his mind failed him. His brain couldn’t come up with anything to say at all. Daniel.. wanted to run. He wanted to turn tails and escape. He didn’t want to be in this situation. It was too much for him— too overwhelming.

He took a step back, and Salvos cocked her head.

“Is everything alright, Daniel?”

And that stopped him in his tracks. Suddenly, the world returned around the young man. The numb feeling in his hands vanished, and he could feel his heart beating in his chest again. He looked up, legs sturdy beneath him, jaw clenched as he met Salvos’s gaze. It was like her words alone restored his courage. Her concerned look somehow gave him strength to steel himself.

Daniel Song raised his head and took in a deep breath. Salvos waited, and he refused to let her wait any longer. He opened his mouth, answering from his heart.

“I do.”

Titus listened. The Thrilling Bard heard the tales of the Valiant Dreamers Company. He hung onto every last word because it mattered. Every bit of detail was important. He had to remember it all. So that when he regaled it, he got the story right, and that everything was told as how it was.

“I knew a girl named Paige who—”

“My father was a brave man—”

“I loved him— he was my teammate but..”

“I tried so hard to protect them..”

It wasn’t just the story of a company. It was a story of the individuals in the company. Titus the Thrilling Bard saw their memories with them. He knew it was all true. The bard strung his lute, and a soft melody played. A calming song.

[Soothe The Soul]. [Remember The Fallen]. [Past Sight]. [Truth Divination]. He was a [Bard], and he worked multiple Skills in tandem. But he never forced anyone to speak. He let them talk only if they wanted.

It wasn’t mind magic, nor was it a curse. It was soul magic. He reached into their essence and understood their very being. It was the power of [Bards]. The strength of Spirits. The terror of Demons.

But even as he sat there, watching the stories unfold before his very eyes, he knew this wasn’t the only tale that was being woven this night. His eyes flickered for a second— a very brief moment. And he sensed it.

[Truth Divination]. But not from him. It came from a nearby hill, its effects almost overwhelming, even compared to the Thrilling Bard’s own. His curiosity was piqued, however his attention never strayed from the stories he heard.

He watched as the redhead woman broke into tears, and the leader of the company comforted her. Titus looked on, sweeping his gaze over the Valiant Dreamers. They cried. They drank. They mourned. They grieved. Some of them got mad. Others just couldn’t bear it and stormed off. But they returned.

And it wasn’t just them.

There were onlookers— watchers. Adventurers and soldiers alike who’d lost so much. Not necessarily over the course of the war. They were all veterans in the battlefield some way or another, and they had seen plenty of death, whether it be comrades they knew, or enemies they killed. It didn’t matter. Everyone understood how the Valiant Dreamers were feeling. Some more than most, too.

Titus saw a group of adventurers standing to the side. A man led them at the front, crying his heart out. They mourned, but not out of empathy, rather it was because they experienced these memories as well. Perhaps there was history there, but the Thrilling Bard didn’t question it.

He just listened. He just played his music. And the adventurers spoke. They cried and drank their sorrows away. But when they had enough to drink— when their faces were flushed red with tears and alcohol— they remembered something else.

It wasn’t just what they had lost, but what they had treasured. They spoke of the good times. They remembered when they had fought and quarreled amongst each other. And they laughed. They cheered. The [Bard] changed his tune, and the fire bonfire danced, its flames growing larger.

The mood shifted. The somber atmosphere from before gradually fading away. It didn’t completely vanish. There was still a sense of melancholy that beheld the gathering. But they celebrated too. That it was finally coming to an end. That they could live on to remember their fallen comrades.

And then they danced. Hadrian took Edithe by the hand, leading her to the dancing fire. They laughed and cried at the same time as they embraced each other, and even leaned in for a passionate kiss. Celine danced intimately with Nora, and Sophia danced with Cless— although with less passion than the others.

A small smile slipped onto the Thrilling Bard’s face as he watched the atmosphere change. The grieving was not forgotten, but their spirits had risen. Titus continued strumming his lute, playing impossible music as the night went on, filled with the memories of all that had been lost.

Daniel’s heart was hammering in his chest. He could feel his entire body shake as he waited for Salvos’s response. The silver-haired girl just tapped on her chin, having heard his answer.

“S-Salvos—”

He started, but she just nodded.

“Huh. I see.”

For a moment, she didn’t say anything further. Then Salvos spun around and raised her head to the stars.

“Daniel, do you remember telling me about that girlfriend you had back on Earth?”

The young man paused. His heart ached as he closed his eyes, remembering the life he had before that terrible day. The accident which took the life of the one girl he loved. He nodded slowly.

“Emily.”

“That’s her.”

Salvos didn’t face him. She just stared at the scintillating stars as he lowered his gaze. Daniel stared into the palm of his hand, smiling bitterly. He remembered Emily— he recalled her laughing face, even now.

“I remember telling you about her. It was just after I revealed the truth about where I was from, wasn’t it? When I gave you that blue jacket.”

“Yep!”

The silver-haired girl nodded, still looking away from the [Hero].

“You said you loved her— this Emily.”

“I did. And I still do.”

Daniel knew it didn’t make sense. He was in another world now. And Emily was long dead before he was summoned to the Nexeus. But his feelings remained the same. Perhaps because she was his first love, or maybe it was just because she was the first person to show him affection— he didn’t know.

He just knew that his feelings then were true.

Salvos lowered her head, removing her hands from behind her back. She spoke softly, her voice almost lost as a susurration grew louder, coming from the encampment. But both the young man and the silver-haired girl ignored the music, focusing only on each other.

“Do you love me like you love this Emily, Daniel?”

“I.. I think I do, Salvos.”

Daniel pressed his lips into a thin line uncertainly. He couldn’t give her a definitive answer here. But he could say one thing.

“I would give you everything if I must. That is how much I love you.”

Salvos didn’t respond instantly. She just turned around, facing Daniel with round eyes. His heart jumped when he saw her— when he heard her question.

“Is that what love is?”

She asked, stepping forward. Daniel averted his gaze slightly.

“That’s right— love is giving a piece of yourself to someone else. To become one, together, whether it be for better or worse. No matter the circumstance. It may be a simplistic— even childish— view of love, but that’s what I believe.”

He spoke, not meeting the silver-haired girl’s gaze. She drew closer, placing a hand in her chest. Daniel felt his breathing quicken as she whispered softly.

“I see now.”

The young man from Earth didn’t know what came next. He wasn’t sure what was going to happen. He knew Salvos had something more to say, but he didn’t want to expect anything. But she took another step towards him, and he forced himself to look.

He stared straight into the golden eyes of the silver-haired girl. He saw the way she was approaching him. And his heart began to beat wildly in his chest— not just a hammering away, but practically exploding. She leaned closer as Daniel slammed his eyes shut.

Is she going to k—

“I love you, Daniel.”

And Daniel’s eyes snapped open. He felt her warm touch— her arms wrapped around his shoulder. But he didn’t feel her lips on his mouth. Salvos hadn’t kissed him.

She hugged him.

“But not in the same way you love me.”

And the silver-haired girl drew back. Daniel’s mouth hung open. His entire body went numb. He tried to speak, but barely anything came out.

“I..”

Salvos brought her arms out as he watched. She raised his hands, clutching them tightly. Daniel just stared, not feeling anything, still frozen— broken. She lowered her gaze, a morose smile on her face.

“The truth is—”

She closed her eyes and sighed.

“I love myself too much to give myself to another person.”

And that nearly broke Daniel from his stupor. His eyes grew wide as he looked at the silver-haired girl in shock.

“That’s..”

But she ust continued.

“Maybe I’m just not ready yet. Maybe I will never be. But I do love you, Daniel. Just like I love all my companions.”

Daniel looked at Salvos. At the Savior of Silvergrove. The Death of the Destroyer. The Liberator of the Plaguelands. The Sentinel of Secely. The Lesser God. The Demon. The silver-haired girl he so loved.

He saw the way she cast her gaze to herself. She let go of him once again, bringing her own hands to her chest.

“But as much as I love you guys.. I love myself more.”

The young man opened his mouth. His lips quivered as he tried to work his voice. His hands trembled. He stared at his shaking palms.

And he burst out laughing.

“I.. I.. I knew you’d say that, Salvos. That’s just like you..”

Salvos eyed him, and she knew just like he did that it wasn’t a genuine laugh. It was a bitter laugh. But the bitterness was not directed towards her. Rather, it was towards himself.

A sad laugh.

Daniel’s vision blurred as tears streamed down his cheeks. He shook his head, wiping them away as he murmured to himself.

“I don’t even think Emily loved me back..”

But Salvos stepped forward, grabbing him by the shoulders.

“Don’t say that, Daniel! There is so much about you to love! So much about you that should be loved even more!”

She spoke with sincerity. It wasn’t pity or kindness. Daniel knew she genuinely meant it from the heart. However, he still couldn’t bring himself to meet her gaze. Instead, he stared at the ground as he continued to cry.

Salvos bit her lower lip and brought hand down to his chin. She raised his head, making him look at her as she continued.

“I really believe that. You are my companion. You helped me when everyone in the Mortal Realm shunned me. You are a [Hero]— someone so many people look up to. You will find love one day, Daniel. But I think before all that.. you need to love yourself first.”

“What..?”

Daniel blinked, and the tears faded away. Salvos just shook her head, speaking insistently.

“You said it yourself, love is giving a piece of yourself to another. But you want to give everything to me. And I cannot accept it. Not for my sake, and not for yours.”

The silver-haired girl finally broke away from the young man again, but this time, she stepped to the side, standing in his shadow. Her gaze darkened as she glanced towards the encampment, her face partially lit up by the growing bonfire.

“We made a contract, Daniel. Do you remember it?”

The young man from Earth nodded.

“You said you’d help me find a way back to my world, and in exchange, I’ll have to forever keep you in my memories.”

She smiled and glanced back towards him. The Primeval Demon raised a hand, proffering it his way.

“But I’d like to make an amendment to it— a change on your part.”

“I..”

Daniel had wanted to argue, but then he saw the look in her eyes. He saw the soft gaze she peered into him with. And he acquiesced.

“What is it, Salvos?

“I want you to always love yourself, Daniel. To remember to love yourself before all else. So that when you return to Earth, you can find someone there to love you.”

The young man blinked. He stared at Salvos— at the silver-haired girl. Her gaze pierced into him, and he paused. He lowered his head, staring at himself now. He placed a hand on his chest and felt-->>

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