84 – Agilrem (19)
Lowering my gaze, I saw Belle’s face resting on the bed, seemingly quite exhausted, as she had unexpectedly fallen asleep while we were talking.
It was understandable.
Considering today’s events and the fact that I hadn’t seen her sleep properly for a while now.
With the issues resolved, the accumulated fatigue must have hit her all at once.
I got up from my seat, completely silent, and began to prepare.
Well, to say I was preparing would be an overstatement.
Changing clothes and leaving a note was the end of my preparation.
Anyway, after finishing up like that, I looked down at Bell’s face.
“Sorry.”
It was time to leave now.
According to the information she brought, it seems that information about me is not circulating in public, but I can’t be completely relieved by that.
The Empire’s intelligence is powerful enough to overwhelm most information networks.
Even if they have no information, the Empire might have caught a whiff of something.
I still don’t have a clear picture of the ‘organization’ that is targeting me.
In such a situation, it’s too risky to stay here with hopeful thoughts.
For both me and Bell.
She has precious people like family and goals she wants to achieve.
I couldn’t stay here and put her in danger for no reason.
Well… even if not for this, I had thought about leaving her side someday.
I can’t be a burden to her forever, and I have things to do as well.
It just got pushed forward a bit because of this incident.
I may have left abruptly, but there was a silver lining. I could repay Bell’s kindness and leave.
One reason I couldn’t leave her side before was due to a sense of debt.
I had put her life in danger, and leaving without repaying that debt felt like an act without conscience.
However, it’s not like I had the ability to repay the debt immediately, so I had planned to do it later, but then this happened.
I don’t consider this as fully repaying all debts, but at least I won’t be seen as heartless.
The rest, I can slowly repay after resolving other matters.
“….”
Slowly, I walked towards the door of the hideout.
I had lightened the burden on my mind a bit, but my heart was still uneasy.
I was a bit worried about Bell.
She’s a strong person who won’t crumble even after facing many challenges, but her goal is undoubtedly not easy to achieve.
She aims to take over the dark alleys of Agilrem, impacting the entirety of Agilrem.
Although Bell is exceptional, it won’t be an easy path, considering she doesn’t possess overwhelming force or a formidable background.
I also had the thought of helping her achieve her goal.
It’s not boasting, but I have confidence in my abilities, and if I lend my strength, it will surely lower the difficulty of her goal.
However, that wasn’t possible.
So, I made the decision to leave.
In truth, it would be proper to say goodbye formally before leaving…
I’m weak at such things.
It might be my misconception, but Bell seems to have developed some affection for me as a human in her own way.
I felt she might be sad if I revealed my intention to leave.
I don’t like seeing that kind of reaction.
Perhaps my resolve could waver.
So, this is just right.
As if the meeting between her and me was a mere coincidence.
It was as if she had saved me by chance.
It seems right to pass by like a coincidence even when parting.
“….”
After confirming Bella’s sleeping face for the last time, I left the safe house.
Wishing to meet again next time.
***
Passing through the deep night, the time known as dawn arrived.
In the safe house covered in faint darkness.
“….Hmm.”
Bella opened her eyes.
For a moment, an unfamiliar scene entered her eyes, causing slight confusion, but she soon realized that this was one of her safe houses.
And also, that the conversation she was having abruptly came to a halt.
“….?”
As she organized the events leading up to her falling asleep in her mind, she eventually noticed something strange.
He was gone.
The person she was talking to and who was here until she fell asleep.
Nowhere to be seen.
Recognizing this fact, Bella immediately got up from the bed.
With a sense of unease creeping up from her toes.
The possibility of him going out for a walk for a moment wasn’t very high, considering his situation and character.
Even if she judged it safe, at least for a few days, he would stay holed up here.
Bella’s gaze frantically scanned the surroundings.
And then, something caught her eye.
A piece of paper on the table.
Bella hurried to the table, picked up the paper, and started reading the words written on it.
Soon, her eyes widened.
There was a farewell message written on it.
With sentences that felt firm yet carried a faint warmth, he calmly wrote his farewell on the paper and left.
Leaving apologies and words blessing her future.
Understanding the meaning of the words written on the paper, her body was already rushing out of the safe house.
She couldn’t accurately determine how long he had been gone, but she could roughly guess where he had gone.
Because there were traces he left behind.
Black Night, known as the best assassin in Agirem’s Dark Alley, swiftly identified those traces and the direction they pointed to.
Following those traces, Bella began to run with all her might.
She never felt proud of herself as an assassin.
Even though there were those around her, even in the industry, who thought highly of her and respected her, she had never once felt proud of her reputation as an assassin.
No, she found it repulsive.
Her life had been ruined since the moment she became an assassin.
Knowing that it was wrong, she had to kill people for money.
All that time was agony and hardship.
That’s why she detested everything related to assassins.
However.
Just at this moment, while chasing his trail, she felt grateful for her education.
If not for that, it would have been impossible to track his footsteps.
Bella ran.
At a speed that made her wonder if she had ever run so hard in her life.
How far did she run?
On the meadow beyond Agilram, she could spot a familiar figure from the back.
“…!”
Even upon seeing that figure, Bella did not stop her legs.
Eventually, she completely caught up to that figure from behind.
Perhaps sensing her presence, he too stopped walking and stood still in place.
“….”
The words Bella was about to say shut back up.
What should she say?
What must she say?
During the rush from the safe house to here, she hadn’t had the luxury to sort out her thoughts.
Hence, the right words didn’t come to Bella’s mind.
She knew he would leave someday.
Even while living together, he sometimes seemed lost in thought.
Yes. She knew.
That he would leave someday.
Though somewhat sudden, the day had arrived now.
So, let’s bid a clean farewell.
Without burdening him.
Without leaving a clingy impression.
What would be a good first thing to say?
Should she lightly complain, “What if you leave without saying goodbye?”
Or maybe tease, “Aren’t you rushing a bit too much?”
Yes. Let’s go with that.
Lightly, and cheerfully bid farewell.
Decidedly, Bella made up her mind.
However.
“Don’t go.”
The words that came out of her mouth were entirely different.
Even Bella was surprised by that fact, but her words did not stop.
“Don’t go. Stay here… with me.”
The words that had been kept hidden in her heart began to spill out.
“If things here are settled, I’ll help you with your affairs. Once you can climb to the peak of the Dark Valley, to the summit of Agyrlem, it will surely be of great assistance.”
The words she hadn’t managed to convey overflowed.
“You’re being chased by the Empire. It’s still dangerous for you. So… So stay here. If you live quietly here, there won’t be any danger. Until the Empire forgets you, until the world forgets you, I will protect you… I will make sure you feel no lack…”
Like a crumbling dam, once the words burst out, they didn’t stop pouring.
Facing the man’s back who still didn’t turn around, her words continued.
“So, so…!”
Despite pouring out seemingly plausible reasons and trying to add credibility to her words somehow.
What she truly wanted was just one thing.
“Don’t go… Please….”
Him not leaving.
Staying by her side.
All the reasons she laid out were nothing but mere excuses.
“Stay with me… With me… You…?”
The thought of neatly sending him off was nowhere to be found, and before she knew it, Bella was even pleading.
With a gaze so pitiful that tears welled up in her eyes.
“….”
The man who had been silently listening to her words finally turned around.
Though the color drained from Bella’s face upon that realization, it soon faded.
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It was all because of his expression.
The man, Wade, looked at her with a face tinged with apology.
“…I’m sorry. There are things I must do.”
His voice was composed.
Yet, it carried a heavy tone of apology.
However, Bella understood.
She knew that unwavering determination was embedded in that voice.
That he wouldn’t change his mind.
That he wouldn’t stay by her side.
Realizing this, Bella came to terms with the truth.
And so.
“Ah, I thought shedding tears might sway you. Seems like your will is stronger than I thought?”
She laughed.
As if all her words and expressions up until now had been lies.
Even in the midst of shedding tears, the sudden shift to acting was not easy, but she wasn’t worried.
Acting was her forte, and the man before her always fell for her act.
“Oh… It was an act?”
Indeed, the man exclaimed, eyes widening in surprise.
“Yes. Since you were planning to leave without a word, I played a little prank because I was upset.”
It wasn’t likely, but it was all genuine.
She laughed behind her mask.
If a man’s mind is firm.
If he doesn’t change his mind.
It shouldn’t be a burden on the heart.
With that thought, Bella continued acting.
“Thank goodness.”
The man chuckled.
Bella, too, smiled.
“No matter what, isn’t it a bit sudden?”
“Well… I’m sorry. I don’t think I can delay it any longer…”
Wade chuckled stylishly, scratching his head.
“If that’s the case, nothing can be done. Well then, is it time to say goodbye?”
“Yes. Thank you for everything.”
Thank you, as if spoken by someone else.
No matter how many times gratitude is expressed, it may still fall short.
“Well, knowing is enough.”
Spitting out words contradicting her true feelings, Bella laughed curtly.
“Oh, and… take this.”
As if remembering, Bella took out a small pouch from her bosom and tossed it to Wade.
“What’s this…?”
“It’s a farewell gift. Open it later.”
It wasn’t a lie; it was prepared for him.
Certainly, she didn’t expect to hand it over in such a situation.
“…Thank you.”
“It’s nothing to worry about.”
Speaking curtly, she faced the man again.
The man, too, looked at her.
“Well then, I’ll be going now.”
“Yes. Take care.”
Suppressing the urge to grab the man immediately, she bid a concise and neat farewell.
As if she were a person with no lingering regrets.
And finally, the man turned away.
“You’ll do well if it’s you. I’ll always cheer you on. Farewell, Bella.”
Leaving those words behind, the man began walking again.
Bella stood still, watching the man’s retreating figure.
As she watched the man’s back getting further away, she pondered her real name he had called for the first time.
“…”
Watching the receding figure, Bella recalled an old memory.
It was a conversation she had with her father back when he was still alive.
It was a time not long after the Black Night had occurred.
Young Bella had questioned the name “Black Night.”
Helping people and changing their lives, Bella thought that the name Heukya黑夜 didn’t suit the purpose.
She thought it would be better to choose a brighter and more hopeful name.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Bella went to find her father and asked.
“Why did you choose that name?”
At that moment, her father smiled and replied.
-“Heukya symbolizes their circumstances and at the same time, it’s a name that encapsulates my wishes.”
-“Those gathered in Heukya were all living painful or unfortunate lives for their own reasons. Some were in despair and could no longer hold onto hope.”
-“I want to tell them. Your life has only faced the night. So, do not give up. Hold onto hope.”
-“No matter how dark the night is, eventually morning will come.”
Recalling the voice she missed in her mind, Bella gazed endlessly at the diminishing figure of a man.
Dawn was breaking.
The once dark sky was gradually being illuminated by the sun.
That’s how the night in Agilrem ended.
And the long, pitch-black night of a woman also came to an end, leaving behind a poignant sadness in her heart.