TFSAWE - Epilogue: 2 (End of main Story)

The doubts of those who questioned why he married the fallen saint were dispelled by the official documents released by the empire.

The claim was made by Iris, who professed to be the last saint, stating that she could not be recognized as a saint since she did not undergo the official succession ceremony, and therefore, the authority over the entire Great Temple still belonged to the former last saint, Evelina. Leon used the excuse of his role as her husband to acquire all the assets and rights of the remaining temples.

Meanwhile, I had never shown myself before others even once. Leon had already killed me and rumors of me pretending to be alive and engulfing the temple had circulated, but he paid no attention to them. After all, those rumors were spread by Leon himself.

"Please take care. With Latvan's presence, there is no need to worry about your safety."

Leon's gaze fell upon my belly.

"If anything happens, please return to the empire immediately."

A year had passed since the day the Great Temple collapsed, yet there had been no change in my belly. I knew that Aslan's child was inside. He had ensured that this child would no longer be a sacrifice. However, it did not mean that the child had become entirely human. The fact that there had been no change even after a year had passed was evident. But I could speculate that it would eventually be born.

"Understood."

Now, it seemed that the time to part ways had truly come. Without saying anything more, Leon approached and embraced me. His lips touched my forehead. I thought he would release me then, but after glancing behind me with a mischievous expression, he lowered his face again.

"Um..."

A searing tongue darted swiftly between our lips, as if it sought to etch memories in my mouth. After a moment, Leon withdrew and locked eyes with me, speaking in a voice filled with intent.

"I suppose this is the least I can do for a departing wife."

"Are these words meant for Latvan?"

He shrugged at my question and stepped back. Turning around, I saw Latvan's icy gaze fixed upon Leon. With a brief sigh, I waved my hand at Leon and turned away.

As if awaiting my arrival, Latvan extended his hand to me. Holding onto it, I descended from the crumbling walls of the fortress that had fallen. As I approached, there stood Iris, a presence intertwined with her.

"Lina."

She no longer called me "sister." She had accepted that my sister had departed from this world. And the fact that another presence resided within her body. Throughout the culmination of events, she did not offer me a smile, but I did not feel any bitterness, for it was only natural.

"Take care, Iris. If anything happens, rely on Leon."

"Yes. Well.." Iris hesitated before extending something she had concealed behind her.

"This is..."

"It's a collection of medicines you'll need on your journey. From hemostatic agents to pain relievers. Of course, you'll probably have better ones...but still..."

Accepting the pouch she offered, I embraced her. Though startled, she did not push me away.

"Thank you."

"I will return safely. I haven't had the chance to tell you everything about Evelina yet."

At my words, Iris let out a sob.

I went to Iris and recounted the memories of Evelina that still lingered within me. Each time, Iris sat quietly, listening to the tales of my sister. Yet, there were still remnants of Evelina's memories left unsaid to her.

Leaving Iris behind with a wave of the hand, Latvan and I fell into silence. As we rode on for a while, I turned my head when the forest began. In the distance, the ruined fortress was engulfed in towering flames and billowing smoke. I gazed upon the spectacle quietly as I dismounted. Latvan approached me then.

"The one who burned to death there was originally me."

I spoke calmly without averting my gaze. That place was where the false Saint Evelina met her demise. Latvan, Leon, Aslan, and Iris must have witnessed that sight together.

"That will never happen."

I smiled in response to his words. I knew now, without a doubt, that such a future would never come to pass.

Leading me, Latvan knelt before Iris, whom I should have knelt before. He now held my hand and would always be by my side. Leon, too, as well as Aslan. And Iris.

Everything had changed.

Perhaps it was only natural.

Because I am not Evelina. I am not the false Saint who lived as Evelina, nor the true Saint who struggled to die in order to protect the past Saints and envision the future ones.

Holding Latvan's hand, I turned away.

The time for the false Saint, who lived in the stories I had witnessed, to exit had arrived.

"Go, Latvan."

To live not as a book, but beyond its pages.

<End of Main Story>