“Yes, it’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

“Really, it’s been so long.”

It was the item she had asked him for on the very first encounter with Laclahan.

To create a symbol of love so that they wouldn’t part.

However, since then, they had been pursued by the Absolute Deity, sealing their memories and hiding in the border village.

And a very long time had passed.

“I found it in Lawrence’s room. He probably intended to use this to bond me with Kelita.”

Vercheria recalled the image of Kelita being dragged out, and a bitter smile crossed her face.

“Princess Kelita probably won’t be able to come back.”

“Perhaps that’s her life.”

Holding the Twilight ring, Laclahan enveloped Vercheria’s hand with his large hand and kissed it.

“The protagonist of this ring is only you.”

Laclahan pressed his large hand into her slender waist, embraced her, and kissed Vercheria’s lips more intensely.

Every inch of skin he touched trembled and became more sensitive.

Laclahan pressed his sturdy body against Vercheria and kissed her lips more forcefully.

As he skimmed her soft skin, he unfolded her small hand, revealing the ring within.

Placing one in Vercheria’s palm, when he pulled the larger one, the ring that seemed like it would never separate easily came apart.

While placing the cold ring into Vercheria’s trembling hand, Laclahan closed the gap between them without leaving any space.

“Laclahan.”

Vercheria’s body softened with his movements.

Everything about her adhered to him as if perfectly matched.

“After a long time, the ring has finally found its owner.”

Laclahan handed the remaining ring to Vercheria, and she, too, placed the ring on Laclahan’s fourth finger.

“The rest found their owners as well.”

Laclahan smiled and placed a ring on Vercheria’s finger.

After lowering his shoulders and briefly retreating, as their lips met again, her pupils deepened.

“Now we are during the day.”

Vercheria continued his low voice.

“Or at night.”

“When sad.”

“When happy.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Laclahan traced Vercheria’s cheekbones with his lips and said, “You are forever my wife, Vercheria.”

Then he gently inserted his hand through her voluminous hair, kissing her deeply.

As if experiencing this act for the first time, he carefully and meticulously explored her being.

Several times, as if afraid that stopping this movement would lead to trouble, he continued the kisses over and over.

Time passed unusually slowly between the two, and the heat of their connection became so intense that it seemed to melt everything.
In Vercheria’s fingers, firmly grasping Laclahan’s back, the ring known as the Twilight Promise sparkled.

At this moment, Vercheria completely forgot about the idea that the trees might be observing them, the worry that by now they might be searching for the missing two in the palace, and even the interference of the Absolute Deity.

At this moment, Vercheria’s embrace was entirely filled with Laclahan.

“Where are they?”

Gerard, like a madman, began to throw everything in Laclahan’s room.

Behind him, Dylan remained stiff, hiding his tired face.

“Find Vercheria! Right now!”

This time, it was undoubtedly in his grasp.

All he had to do was squeeze.

But when he joyfully rushed over, both Vercheria and Laclahan were gone.

“These insane people. Did they think I would just stand still?”

Gerard boasted as he grabbed the bedside table next to the bed and threw it against the wall.

“Prepare for war! We’re heading north!”

Now it was a critical situation.

Behind the glowing Gerard, Dylan spoke calmly with a face full of exhaustion.

“But, Your Imperial Majesty. We don’t have enough Locusts for war right now. The mana to maintain the portal while the Guardian Knights pass is insufficient.”

“What?”

Dylan bowed his head to wait for Gerard to accept the situation.

In short, it meant they lacked magic stones to prevent soldiers from losing their minds when passing through the portal, and there wasn’t enough mana to make the soldiers go all the way north.

“Do you dare to say we’re lacking in front of me?”

Gerard rushed toward Dylan and grabbed his collar, shaking him.

“Where am I lacking? Where am I not?”

Dylan closed his eyes, waiting for Gerard to shake him as he pleased.

“If we don’t have mana, bring Groovy and put it in, or kill it, whatever. If there are no Locusts, just put them all in, crazy bastard! Isn’t it a big deal if some stupid guys disappear? Right?”

The eyes of the Guardian Knights who heard that statement were wavering.

“Die or live, what do I care to know! This guy!”

Just as Gerard raised his hand to slap Dylan’s cheek,

“Huk!”

The surrounding air abruptly vanished, and a sudden pressure, as if squeezing Gerard’s throat, overwhelmed him.

“W-what’s going on!”

Surprised, he looked around, and a large gray woman, entirely covered in a gray light, was silently staring at him.

“W-who are you!”

Instinctively feeling fear, Gerard shouted, and the gray woman, with a gentle smile, replied in an infinitely kind voice.

“The Absolute Deity.”

“What…?”

She looked at Gerard, who wore a foolish expression, and added with an endlessly benevolent tone.

“I have come to assist you. That’s all, pitiful human.”

She looked Gerard up and down, and with a frowning expression, she continued.

“… Insignificant human.”