A soft female voice echoed in the darkness—gentle, distant, and heavy with longing.
"Akira… if we ever get a chance to be together again, will you love me the same way you loved me in this life? And if… if that never happens… will you at least remember me?"
The voice faded, leaving behind a heavy silence.
Akira opened his eyes.
For a long moment, he lay still, staring at the wooden ceiling above him while the remnants of the dream clung stubbornly to his heart. Slowly, he rose from the bed and walked toward the open window, his footsteps quiet against the floor.
A cool morning breeze slipped inside, brushing softly against his face. Outside, the village was only beginning to wake. The air carried the scent of damp soil and distant greenery. Akira rested his hands on the window frame, a faint and tired smile slowly forming on his lips.
"Why am I remembering this now…?" he murmured.
Turning away, he walked back toward the bed.
Diana was sleeping peacefully.
Her long black hair lay spread across the pillow, gently moving with the breeze. Her face looked calm and unguarded, softer than he ever remembered seeing it during the day. Akira stood there quietly, his chest tightening with emotion.
How did I ever manage to make you fall in love with me… and marry me?
He sat beside her and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face, careful not to wake her. Diana did not stir. Akira looked at her as if she were the center of his world.
And deep within his heart, another thought surfaced.
Am I really ready for this Journey?
The sun rose steadily over the village, bathing the land in warm, golden light. Birds chirped loudly as people stepped out of their homes and returned to their daily routines. Farmers headed toward their fields, voices echoed along the dirt roads, and the once-quiet village slowly came alive.
Outside his house, Akira prepared his carriage for the journey he had spoken about with Neuro.
Suddenly, Neuro came running toward him, his face bright with excitement.
"Papa! Papa! Where are we going, you said it was a journey but you didn't say anything about where we are going?"
Akira smiled and replied calmly, "We're not starting just yet. We'll leave after lunch, once I finish my work in the fields."
Neuro's shoulders dropped slightly. Disappointed, he nodded and walked back inside the house.
Inside, Diana was already awake, preparing breakfast for both Akira and Neuro.
A voice called out from outside.
"Sir Akira… Sir Akira… may I speak with you for a moment?"
Akira turned.
Standing there was Rudious.
His posture was firm, his expression serious, carrying the weight of loyalty and quiet concern.
"Sir Akira, the festival is approaching," Rudious said. "You haven't visited him since the incident. At the very least… I hoped you would go this time."
Akira listened in silence before replying with a gentle smile.
"Rudious, you don't need to worry about me. So now his personal bodyguard the leader of his assassin squad is worried about me, now that's new to me to hear, you are protecting this village with everything you have. You made a promise—just as I did."
His voice softened.
"It's not that I don't want to visit him. It simply wasn't the right time. But now… the time has come. I'm starting my journey today. And at that place, I want to tell his story to my son."
He lowered his voice, almost to himself.
"And I must keep my promise too."
Rudious nodded, though concern lingered in his eyes.
"So you've finally decided to meet him… I understand, sir Akira. But even though demons are not our enemies right now, humans do not change so easily. We must remain cautious."
He paused before continuing.
"As you asked us earlier I've looked into the case where reports of hybrid children "half human and half demon" being kidnapped. This has already happened in several cities near the kingdom. It all happened as you said sir Akira. maybe its nots the beginning"
Akira's expression hardened almost instantly.
"Good work. Do we know who is behind this?"
Rudious lowered his head.
"I regret to say I've narrowed the possibilities to the minimum, but nothing is clear yet. We will continue the investigation."
His voice faltered.
"It has been eight years since the incident, sir Akira… and I still cannot get over it. Because of that, I struggle to fully focus on my duties. I'm truly sorry."
Akira stepped forward and placed a steady hand on Rudious's shoulder.
"Rudious, I know exactly what you're going through. We are all carrying the same pain. There isn't a single day I don't think about him."
He took a slow breath.
"To you, he wasn't just a master—he was like a father. I understand that. But time will not stop for us. We must stand strong. Our mission now is to find those children and protect this kingdom. Keeping your promise will make him proud."
Rudious straightened, resolve returning to his eyes.
"Yes, sir Akira. I will protect the people and this kingdom—for my master. I will keep my promise. And I hope your journey goes well. I hope you can finally speak with him again."
Akira hesitated, the weight of the moment settling heavily on his chest.
"I don't know… I'm keeping my promise, but I'm not sure I still have the courage to see him in that state. Still, if I make him wait any longer, he might kill me for it."
Rudious allowed himself a faint smile.
"You may be right, sir Akira. My master was never a patient man."
Akira let out a quiet laugh.
Rudious then spoke again, his voice sincere.
"Even though my master is no longer here, you took responsibility for this village after the incident. You cared for us the way he did. I'm truly grateful, sir Akira."
Akira looked away, clearly uncomfortable.
"You don't need to thank me. That doesn't sound like you."
Rudious turned and began to walk away, smiling.
"Time can change a person in ways you don't even recognize."
After a few steps, he added casually,
"By the way, sir Akira… have you told Lady Diana about the journey?"
Akira froze.
Rudious continued, his tone teasing. "Make sure you tell her. If you don't… I'd be happy to tell her myself."
" Rudiousssss!" Akira shouted.
In the next moment, Rudious vanished from sight.
"You haven't changed at all, you asshole!" Akira yelled after him.
Reality struck him immediately, sharp and unforgiving.
If I don't tell Diana… she will kill me.
His imagination betrayed him.
Diana stood before him, smiling dangerously.
" darling Akira," she snapped her fingers. "You're really going to make an important decision about our child's life and leave me behind?"
A chill ran down his spine.
Without hesitation, Akira hurried inside the house.
"I'm home, Diana!"
He looked up.
Diana was standing right in front of him.
Why is she looking at me like that…? She knows. She definitely knows.
"Darling," she said sweetly.
"Y-Yes?"
"You're taking me with you, right?"
Akira swallowed.
"Diana, you see—"
Her voice hardened.
"You are taking me, right?"
"Dian—"
"RIGHT???"
Akira stood frozen, a nervous smile slowly forming as he braced himself for whatever was about to happen next.