As I walked back down the cobbled streets, Princess Maya's words echoed in my mind:"Please visit your Master."
A whole year had passed for her—just an hour for me.Time, again, felt distorted.
"Sigh… It's already evening?"
I glanced at the sky painted in warm orange hues.But where would I even find her?I had never visited her home, and Miss Sera was never one to stay in one place for too long.She could be anywhere by now...
"Miss Sera?"Just as my thoughts drifted, my eyes locked onto a familiar figure seated near the central street market fountain.
She sat quietly in a wheelchair, watching the water ripple and dance in the fading light.A wheelchair?My heart skipped.What happened to her...?
I slowly approached from behind.
"Master?" I said softly.
She turned her head toward me, her silver hair catching the sunlight."Oh? Alve..."
Her voice was soft, surprised—and tired.
"What happened...? Why are you like this?"So much must've happened in that one year.I crouched beside her, lowering myself to meet her eyes.
She gently placed her hands on my cheeks, brushing her thumbs along my jaw."I heard rumors you'd returned... but I thought you wouldn't want to see me."
"Huh? Why wouldn't I want to see you again?" I asked, chuckling softly.It wasn't about this. I just needed time to understand things... to speak with the Goddess.
"Alve… I'm sorry."Her voice trembled as she looked into my eyes.
"Sorry? For what—?"
Before I could finish, she gripped my shirt tightly—and then, without warning, broke down into tears.Her body trembled. Her breath hitched.She held onto me as if afraid I'd vanish again.
I didn't say anything. I didn't move.I just let her cry, holding her hand gently.People passed by, recognizing her, but they didn't speak.They just moved on, silently respecting the moment.
"I'm sorry I couldn't do anything," she wept. "Back then, I just— I just watched as you—"
She couldn't finish.But I understood.She was blaming herself for my death.
"It wasn't your fault..." I said quietly."I chose to fight. That was my decision. The Iron Golems, the Elder Lich... I accepted the risks."
Her shoulders still trembled.
"For the past year," she whispered, "I've come to realize I failed—not just as a Grand Marshal... but as your Master. I couldn't protect anyone. Not even you.Then today I heard you were back, alive... but I was scared. I was afraid you wouldn't want to see me again."
Hearing those words from the once-proud Miss Sera—someone so powerful, so composed—left me speechless.
"Master..." I squeezed her hand gently."I never hated you. And I never will."I looked into her eyes and smiled faintly."I didn't die because of you. It was my choice.You saved so many lives, and you fought with everything you had. You were brave.So please... don't cry."
I raised my hand, gently wiping the tears from her cheeks.