Chapter 183
It had been months—no, years—since Suiroti attacked the Protected Zone for Other Races.
Or perhaps not even years.
Since they were long-lived species, there was almost no change in their appearance even after such a long time.
However, I could see that Naiad was changing little by little.
‘Is it showing me a brief glimpse of what happened afterward?’
Memories after Suiroti’s invasion.
It showed me those memories in fragments, letting me know that time was passing.
I couldn’t tell exactly how much time had passed, but during that process, Naiad’s appearance changed.
The girl-like figure she once had gradually turned into that of a mature woman.
Elves—unless they suffered an accident—lived for thousands of years.
Because of that, their growth and aging were extremely slow.
‘At least a hundred years must have passed.’
I slowly examined the fragmented memories being shown.
During that period, Naiad had done many things.
She restored the Protected Zone, held funerals for the dead, and carried out many duties over the long years.
After all those memories passed,
the scene settled on a particular moment.
“Proceeding with the plan like this should work, right, Veron?”
Now an adult with long silver hair flowing behind her, Naiad handed several papers densely filled with writing to Veron.
After reading them briefly, Veron let out a quiet sigh.
“Naiad, is this really the only way? Really? Can’t you think about it one more time?”
“Veron, that dragon’s attack was already three hundred years ago.”
‘So three hundred years had passed, huh.’
Naiad smiled with layered meaning.
“We can’t just stay here like this forever. We have to move. No, I have to move. I’m the only surviving child of my father.”
“But this isn’t right, Naiad. You know it too. The treaty we made with the humans—according to that treaty…”
“Those of other races who leave the Protected Zone die immediately. I know. It’s the curse humans placed upon all of us. I’m well aware.”
Naiad gently patted Veron’s head and looked outside her home—no, outside the Protected Zone.
“But Veron, I’ve done countless experiments over the past few years. As a result, I found that I don’t die. Maybe because I’m a half-blood—half human, half elf—I’m not a pure member of another race. So that clause about instant death outside the Zone… I’m somewhat free from it.”
“Only somewhat free, Naiad. You’re not completely immune. You wrote it down yourself. You’re still half other race, so you’re not entirely free from the curse. The longer you stay outside, the weaker you’ll become. And eventually…”
“Right. If my calculations are correct, maybe twenty, twenty-five years? I’ll die after that. I know that well, Veron.”
Veron’s face was filled with words he couldn’t say.
But Naiad’s expression was unwavering.
“I have to do this, Veron. If we want to fulfill Sakiel’s Prophecy, this is the only way.”
“But you’ll die because of this!”
“Veron, I’m a half-elf. Unlike other elves, my lifespan is much shorter. Which means I’ll die sooner than you think anyway.”
“But at least you could live for a few more centuries. You don’t have to limit yourself to just twenty-five more years…”
“I think I’ve lived long enough, Veron. And… this is what I want.”
With those words, Naiad looked toward the center of the Protected Zone.
“The dragon and the Evil God’s followers who killed my mother, my brothers, and sisters—who erased everything I treasured—I want revenge. Even if it costs me my life.”
“…You’ve always been so stubborn. Once you’ve decided something, you never change your mind.”
“I know. That’s my strength.”
“It’s also your weakness. You’ve already decided to die and leave—I can’t stop you.”
After letting out a deep sigh, Veron carefully read through the documents again.
He meticulously examined Naiad’s plan, then nodded slightly before speaking.
“To have a child with a man from the Kyrgram Family… so having that human’s child is the premise of everything?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Why Kyrgram, of all families?”
“Because that family still oversees this Protected Zone. According to Sakiel’s Prophecy, my child must become the ruler of this Zone. And that’s the easiest way.”
“Hmm… I see. Well, if it’s your child… right, with Kaina’s blood running thick through their veins, the child should be able to fulfill the prophecy just as Sakiel said…”
Veron scratched his head and looked at Naiad.
Naiad smiled faintly.
“What? Does something bother you?”
“No, it’s just… I kind of wish you were the one to fulfill Sakiel’s Prophecy. If you were the prophesied one, you wouldn’t have to die. You’d get a happy ending instead.”
“I’ve thought about that too, Veron.”
Naiad nodded, fully understanding.
“But after calculating everything, I realized I’m not the right one for it. Like I said earlier, the moment I leave the Protected Zone, I’ll grow weaker. I’m not suited for such a task. And besides…”
“The elven blood flowing through you… would be a shackle outside.”
“…Yeah, that’s right. The humans out there probably wouldn’t easily accept our kind. My father and the later generations of the Mainac Family did so much for us, but… their efforts vanished long ago.”
Naiad let out a bitter sigh.
But only for a moment—she soon smiled again.
“But don’t worry. According to Sakiel’s Prophecy, my child will rebuild the Mainac Family. They’ll do many things for our people, just like my father did.”
“But… you won’t be there to see it.”
“Unfortunately… there’s nothing I can do about that.”
“Naiad, no one can—haaa. Never mind. You’ve already made up your mind. Whatever I say won’t change anything now, will it?”
At Veron’s words, Naiad once again stroked his head.
Veron sighed again and carefully looked over her plan once more.
“By the way, there’s something that’s been bothering me. Having a child with a man from the Kyrgram Family… is that really okay?”
“Why? Oh, I see what you’re worried about. There’s nothing to worry about. Since the fall of the Mainac Family, the Kyrgram Family has long lost any connection with us. It’s practically certain that no Mainac blood runs in their veins anymore, so even if I bear his child…”
“I know that already. That’s not what I meant.”
Veron stood up and cast a spell with a simple motion of his hand.
Before them appeared a projection of a mansion—crumbling and on the verge of collapse.
“This is the Kyrgram Mansion you mentioned. You can tell just by looking at it—it’s in terrible shape. But the situation there is even worse than you think. Because of the curse that Evil Dragon left upon the Kyrgram bloodline, every member of that family has lived a short life. And now there’s only one man left. He’s already begun to sense the curse flowing through his veins.”
“Yes, I know. Every night, he trembles in fear of that curse. He can’t even sleep properly. He lives terrified that he’ll die young like the rest of his family.”
“A cursed bloodline, through and through. And Kyrgram’s domain—once Mainac territory—is now completely deserted except for that man. No butler, no servants, no residents. No one remains. But how do you know all this? I only know because I occasionally check beyond the Zone using fairy magic.”
At his question, Naiad chuckled lightly and explained.
“I told you I’ve been leaving the Protected Zone a few times recently. Each time, I went to the Kyrgram Mansion to check in secret.”
“Ah, so that’s why. No wonder I haven’t seen you around at night lately. Anyway… do you really think you can win this man’s heart? From what I see, he’s deeply scarred—how do you plan to have a child with someone so broken?”
“…I’ll find a way. Somehow.”
Naiad smiled faintly at the vision of the decrepit mansion.
“The last heir of the Kyrgram Family. He’s… a young man who just became an adult. Naïve, and always trembling in fear. He watched every member of his family die one by one from a curse he didn’t understand… a man whose heart is deeply wounded.”
“Can you really open the heart of someone like that?”
“Yes, I must. And… I want to. I want to see him smile—just once. The man who can’t even step outside because of his fear of death.”
There were countless things Veron wanted to say to her.
He wanted to stop her, to hold her back.
But faced with Naiad’s unwavering gaze, all he could do was sigh.
“You’ll have a child with the man from the Kyrgram Family, raise that child until your lifespan runs out. And if Sakiel’s Prophecy is true, that child will someday come to help us.”
“And by then… I’ll probably be gone.”
“…Your funeral—it’ll be held only after your child learns the truth and everything has come to an end.”
“Yes. Please, Veron. You really are my best friend.”
As she said this, Naiad gently embraced the little fairy in her arms.
Veron could only look at her with a sorrowful gaze.
“Hey, Naiad. I understand your plan… but when are you planning to leave?”
“Hmm… tomorrow? No, I’ll just leave tonight.”
“…What?”
“Come on, it’s been almost three hundred years. After all that time, what’s the point in waiting any longer?”