Chapter 56: The Oath

A Veil of Twilight

The evening veiled their gazes. Wenger looked toward Vick, yet her eyes seemed to drift past him. Her vision blurred gradually. Indeed, she was exhausted. Therefore, she needed a brief rest.

Her body felt no fatigue. However, her spirit yearned to collapse onto a bed, sleeping from a quiet afternoon into an unanswered night. She recalled the loneliness of waking alone. The coldness of abandonment seeped into her skin, chilling her limbs. Consequently, Wenger sought a small adjustment. Nevertheless, rest would have to wait—she had to settle everything first.

After tidying the house, she left a glowfruit lamp for Viyi. By the river, she approached Vick, an indescribable feeling stirring within. Both seemed subdued, perhaps because too many words required careful thought. Perhaps the backend was overloaded, she joked to herself.

A Quiet Walk to the Village

They walked toward the village in silent understanding. Wenger had matters to handle; Vick did not. Yet, she didn’t mind where he went—she’d done enough, and if he followed, that was fine. Maybe along the way, Vick would trigger her dialogue box, she mused. Indeed, she had much to say but hadn’t figured out how to express it.

As they crossed the stepping-stone path, she saw the cornfields under harvest. This sight reminded her of a movie—her father had taken her to her first theater film. Now, gazing at the cornfields, she was far from her hometown, no longer a child, and her father was gone. The cold wind carried a bittersweet tang. Villagers greeted her warmly, as always. Thus, even in her absence, Maple Whisper Village thrived. However, the future remained uncertain.

Village Affairs and Reflections

Determined not to dwell, Wenger headed to the village center to find Rhine and catch up on recent events. The rest could wait until tomorrow. Where she passed, roadside flowers, closed for evening, bloomed anew. The gravel path was smooth, the bridge sturdy without reinforcement. Her leaking mana seemed trivial—it had little impact. Still, she’d need to adapt to it herself.

Vick, trailing half a step, observed everything clearly. The surroundings took on her essence. Her silver-white mana flowed gently, like dew. Turning, she asked, “What does Mr. Vick think of Maple Whisper Village?” “Here?” Caught off guard, he shifted his gaze from her, then met her bright eyes. “It’s nice.” “Want to stay?”

She meant long-term. She knew Vick would leave eventually, just as she preferred staying but had reasons to venture out. If he agreed, he’d return after his tasks, easing her mind even if she couldn’t stay. “I need some time,” he replied. Once his affairs were settled, he’d stay—his promise to find someone paled compared to his debt to Wenger.

An Unexpected Invitation

Her invitation was direct. Although both disliked trouble, their exchanges often carried polite formalities. Such straightforwardness placed the other in an intimate position. Yet, their relationship was delicate. “What about the outside world?” She glanced at the mountains, then at him, tilting her head, silver hair swaying lightly. “I recall Mr. Vick saying it’s awful out there.” “I don’t like it,” Vick said after a long pause.

Everyone’s standards differed—what was “awful” varied. The kingdom wasn’t terrible, but for him, it wasn’t good either. Wenger murmured oddly, “At least I don’t like this ending…” Vick understood. He’d witnessed the abandonment of Sardin City in battle. The kingdom’s fate was clear.

He hesitated to promise now—actions spoke louder than words. Nevertheless, he understood what Wenger needed. On a quiet path, he gripped his sword hilt, knelt on one knee, hand to heart, and swore, “I vow by my knight’s honor, with this sword as witness, to fight for your ideals, for your wishes.”

A Knight’s Oath

Wenger froze. She hadn’t anticipated this. Her directness had sparked a misunderstanding. Unfamiliar with historical etiquette, she’d forgotten any noble customs. As a commoner, how could she recall such formalities? It felt wrong.

Instinctively, she stepped forward to help him up. Then, an awkward silence followed. They stood too close, breaths mingling, slightly tense. She saw her reflection clearly in his eyes. Vick, quicker than her usual obliviousness, stepped back to avoid misunderstanding.

Wenger started to speak but held back. Suddenly, she understood why she’d been so determined to save him. Vick held steadfast principles—perhaps his knight’s code. She wasn’t sure but respected it. The Vick she knew saw no divide between noble and commoner, never coerced others with strength, and considered others carefully. She’d felt it before falling into darkness and waking by the coast. Whether driven by protecting the weak, he acted, even if not always effective.

A Moment of Understanding

In the twilight, her robe seemed thin. The late autumn wind cut like a blade, her silver hair fluttering, obscuring her view. She brushed it aside. Like that fleeting blur, a person’s true nature wasn’t clear in a moment. The Vick before her was only the one she knew. Fortunately, they had plenty of time.

As she brushed her hair, the sharp wind carried the bracelet’s fragrance to her nose. Yes, a long time… At the village hall, she didn’t find Rhine, so she reviewed a notebook of recent affairs. Nothing major stood out. Another book logged external dealings, revealing new information. She realized she’d been gone a month.

The cavern hadn’t taken that long—returning to this timeline’s node was delayed. Viyi had survived in that dark place for nearly a month… Her hand froze on the page. Her heart grew heavy. A message from Seyang City, relayed through several cities, announced an inspection of Maple Whisper Village to update records. Sent days ago, they’d likely arrive soon.

As expected, it had caught Anna’s attention. A lord wouldn’t rest easy either. Wenger looked at Vick, leaning against the wall, fingers tapping a bookshelf. “Am I disturbing you?” he asked. She shook her head. Suddenly, she found Vick childish, still the youthful man from their first meeting. His eyes, as she’d observed closely, were clear as ever.

Indeed, he was likely always like this. But what could she say? Wasn’t she just as childish? Thus, the days ahead would need much guidance.