After Oran had recounted all the psychological and emotional burdens he had been withholding about his painful past, the faces of those present were etched with profound sorrow. Everyone fell silent, their heads bowed as they gazed at the ground.
But in a single moment, the course of events changed when Oran sighed with a smile: "Ah… now that I've said what's been on my mind, I feel better; I can rest now. It's as if I've been born anew. I can't describe this sense of renewal; it was weighing heavily upon me." The sad expressions melted away, replaced by joy and delight on their faces.
Then Ren spoke: "What you went through was truly painful; every time you think you've finally found happiness, something happens that turns everything upside down. But I'm happy for you now—you managed to overcome it."
Leon said, "To be able to transcend the past and move toward the future—you possess the indomitable resolve and willpower. We can continue on our path; nothing will stop us whatsoever."
All those present were filled with delight and joy. Eirénor placed her hand on Oran's shoulder, her face bright with a smile: "We can overcome all hardships; we must forget the past to live in the present and build the future." Oran returned her smile in kind.
But with a single sentence from Oran, the balance of events shifted once more: "I'm sorry, Selene, but I cannot promise you anything." This word plunged everyone into silence. Surprised by the heavy hush, Oran decided to intervene and clarify: "Let me explain; it seems you misunderstood what I meant. It's not that I won't protect her, but that I cannot make such a vow. I cannot make promises again. I will protect her even at the cost of my life, but I won't bind myself to a promise. Do you understand my meaning now?"
Everyone sighed in relief, and Selene stepped forward directly before Oran: "I could never blame you for my father's death. My father fought to the very end; he never surrendered to fear or despair. He wanted to protect me until his last breath—so I am not sad at his passing. He died with honor and pride. And you did everything you could to protect us; I am grateful for that. My father considered you like his own son. I have always seen you as both father and son; you should take pride in that too, for his death was not in vain—he managed to protect his children to the very end. We were all his children: Ren, Leon, Eirénor, Mona, Lina, Aretha, and you, Oran. To him, we were all siblings with him as our father. Do you understand now? Whenever I remember him, I feel proud to have been the daughter of such a great father."
Oran was silent for a moment, then chose to stand facing Selene, meeting her gaze defiantly: "Yes, you're right. He has passed on, but his will remains with us in our hearts. Surely his will is happy now, for he left behind many children to be proud of. Can you hear us?—'Father, your children are so proud that you were our father.' I am very happy now; I can move forward without regret or fear; only with an iron will that will never break."
Oran's words touched the hearts of everyone present. Joy, laughter, and merriment filled the castle hall among those who had grown close. The moment continued for a long while until Leon rose to ask Ren, "How were you able to deliver that final attack on Rahl? I couldn't see exactly what happened." All eyes immediately turned to Ren, awaiting his answer.
Then Ren revealed what he had done: "It was simple, not as complicated as you imagine; I merged completely with my sword—we became one. See?" Ren drew his sword in his right hand and then sheathed it again: "I can now summon my sword anytime, anywhere. And that final strike was simply throwing it at Rahl; it pierced him, drawn to him like a magnet in an instant. You could say I was the sword itself—that's what happened."
Leon, Oran, and Eirénor were stunned by Ren's ability to adapt in fierce battle. Oran spoke: "It seems you've surpassed me; I haven't yet reached the stage of full fusion, but you've already achieved it. You became one with your sword in a very short time. Perhaps you are now the first person ever to reach the fusion stage while still ranked in the ten-thousands or higher. Even those who surpassed twenty thousand or even fifty thousand have not yet achieved full bodily fusion—how did you manage that?"
Ren replied, "I don't know either; it happened quickly. I was desperate and had lost hope in living; I thought my end had come. But because of Selene and Théron—who sacrificed his life for his daughter, protecting her until the last moment…" His gaze turned toward me, smiling with a farewell smile as if begging me to protect his only daughter. "At that point, I no longer thought of anything else; I crawled, trying to reach my sword. I had nothing left but to speak to my sword: 'Please don't abandon me; I want to become stronger; I want to protect those I care about; please answer me.' Those were my words that awakened the sword from its slumber, and we became one."
Oran nodded understandingly: "I understand now; perhaps it answered you because of your emotions and your resolve to protect Selene and fulfill Théron's last wish—you could not stand by and see Selene in peril. In any case, without you, we wouldn't be here now enjoying this conversation."
Ren answered, "No need to worry about that; we are friends." But his next words made their expressions darken and become pensive: "But our last battle—and the appearance of both the Beast King Rahl and the legions of flame-winged serpents, even their king, 'Crimson Fire Serpent'—was very likely a premeditated confrontation. At the end of my duel with Rahl, I glimpsed two figures on the distant horizon wearing entirely black cloaks. I couldn't discern them clearly, but they were probably not human like us—perhaps demons or whatever. But as soon as they sensed me feeling their presence, they vanished in an instant like shadows, leaving behind black feathers drifting on the breeze. This is extremely dangerous; this catastrophe was very likely orchestrated by a highly dangerous hidden power."
Upon hearing Ren's words, the hearts of those present leapt with fear at the gravity of the coming threat. It seemed a hidden force was plotting an even greater disaster.
Leon spoke: "If what you say is true, then the danger is very severe; they may be planning a large-scale assault. Since we have grown stronger recently, it would be best to train intensively so we can withstand and confront them." Both Oran and Eirénor agreed with Leon's words about beginning training to increase their strength and endurance.
Ren rose from his place to stand among them and said, "Then from now on, let us become stronger." At that, everyone formed a large circle, raising their fists toward one another, pledging themselves to increase their power and stand firm against all life's struggles.
But at that moment, the head servant rapped to inform them that the evening feast was ready; the group rose with re
newed energy, eager for the meal.