Chapter 300: Epilogue (End)
IHZ3RtSky-blue hair lay sprawled over a desk cluttered with documents.ohjStgR
BlLMIn the silent office, the only sound was a calm breath, soft as that of a sleeping mouse.KhR
BTQClink.SLif5
pt77wYThe sound of something striking woke Ryozo from her deep slumber. As she lifted her head abruptly, the first thing she saw was a field of pure white.pU5NF
kQH“……?”WBZrKC0
EnkEbThe confusion lasted only a moment. Ryozo let out a deep sigh. Her breath rustled the paper stuck to her forehead, making it flutter. When she pulled it off, what appeared before her eyes was a steaming cup of coffee… and a white, delicate hand.EgAEmk
QZM1“Director…”Yje8w
PJLaxI“Oops, did I wake you?”jMe
ruAGiaMedia smiled innocently. Ryozo glanced at her sideways with a hint of disdain but soon brought the cup to her lips.vQED
bSH6“I don’t think it’s appropriate for someone waking another up with coffee to say that.”5rk2ZvL
sDL“Ha, sorry. But you know how things are. Just be patient a little longer, ‘future’ Director Ryozo Saki.”WlJPUuW
RF6WRyozo set the cup down silently, only rubbing the lipstick mark on the rim with her thumb.maF3T
npD8“I’m not trying to wring out my successor, but bear with it until the transition’s complete. The succession ceremony is soon, right?”6kYKIc
eIKt“Yeah, well…”yIw
747“Still, only you, Ryozo, could memorize everything in a month. I took half a year to transition.”NTrtZx
iipth0d“And why, if you took half a year, do I have to do it in a month?”KosM
fVH30Ryozo responded with a hint of a complaint.w3jbPpl
KJ8“The smarter you are, the more your body suffers!”DKw
AsmdS6g“Isn’t it the other way around?”W0JDT
hP3fRQs“Whichever I say~”HgTrlR
o2hMedia grinned playfully and sank into the sofa. Though its surface was worn, the cushioning was still comfortable.S9zu
0KsNYdO‘Just one week left until I sit here no more.’vnko
v9LCMedia gazed at the quiet ceiling and closed her eyes.hEd35
PGgVHE‘Seven years since that day.’kZR62
y7zSince the day humanity and demons wagered everything in a war for existence. Seven years since the entire world could have vanished.mUzGAGX
iFG‘I really thought everything would collapse.’J9Cbo0
tJo1YThe memories of that day flickered beneath her eyelids.FjuJ
iPdCThat day. There were countless victims.JCnL
o256B64Not just among the heroes who fought, but civilian casualties were devastating. Media frowned with her eyes closed. She herself estimated and wrote the list of the dead. Each name she wrote brought tears and nausea, yet she recorded them one by one.d3MD
upbUq‘And not just that. Joaquin Academy was nearly destroyed too.’E2EJ
87vja9hAfter the war, the academy was in ruins. Despite spanning an area as large as a small city, two-thirds had been literally “erased.” The remaining buildings were in equally dire condition.uYJZKZJ
eHfJgP5‘Back then, really…’XRZ
zgjJust remembering it tightened her throat. She was the director. And during her tenure, the academy had nearly vanished. The weight of guilt pressed on her shoulders.Zax
2Crjb‘Everything was despair.’Z1If
KlscRMedia smiled bitterly. Then, hearing another clink, she opened her eyes halfway. A sweet aroma tickled her nose.nWDsx
pPbJp5O“You’re the one who needs coffee, Director, not me.”2Jh
Nzwt2Ryozo, who had at some point taken the seat across from her, was preparing coffee. She added three sugar cubes and stirred with a spoon.B30mdyi
W8Sqw“You like it sweet, don’t you?”ohIX
fRL3jzWShe tested the taste with the spoon before handing her the cup. It had been a month since she started training under Media. Counting from her days as a student, they’d known each other for eight years. They shared not only tastes but also family secrets.7gm
kSFhMedia glanced between the cup and Ryozo’s face. When they first met, she was still a naive girl. But now, she was a full-grown woman. Even among her peers, Ryozo stood out for her maturity.v7A7YJ
hgk8671‘Kojima died, and she practically took over managing the Saki clan.’YNvsz
VTVKojima, seemingly foreseeing his death, had left a prepared will, naming his eldest daughter, Saki Hina, as the clan’s successor.MEcX5RR
ruTsBut inheriting the Saki clan wasn’t like receiving a noble title. It was akin to bearing all of Japan. Hina couldn’t handle it alone.IVCfniJ
e3B9IhnSo Ryozo helped her sister. She was the one who managed and reviewed the administration. No one knew what caused the change in her. Perhaps Kojima’s death had something to do with it. Media could only speculate; she never asked.JJPSyjX
dByPZ0m‘No matter how I see it… she’s an incredible girl.’Zh2jF
yL605Ryozo was a recognized genius, and both for the Saki clan and her homeland, she was a pillar of prosperity. After fulfilling her duty, she transferred all authority to Saki Hina without hesitation. Though she could have seized the clan easily, she never abused her power.sUq8uW
ooGMGVMedia admired that deeply and offered Ryozo the position of new director. She believed Ryozo was the perfect person to rebuild the Academy and lead a new era.fznCq71
EghRyozo refused immediately. She didn’t want to be involved in such affairs again. She was busy preparing for her wedding.xE28
1Y8CQE‘She really begged me a lot.’8E6wA2
teXUqMedia was persistent. Only after two days and nights of kneeling and apologizing (though she’d already forgotten about it) did Ryozo agree.010xIgz
UlhMost knew how capable she was, so opposition was minimal.6Rd
eFUCIFSome whispered that twenty-five was too young for such a responsibility, but since “a certain person” supported her, the complaints melted away like snow under the sun.4G1
KtDPX‘Who would dare oppose her if “he” backs her? Just meeting her gaze is enough to wet yourself.’hanfch
7etUb8Media smiled as she looked into her cup. Her reflection shimmered on the cinnamon-colored liquid.iWU6
JykereS“Ah, right. So how are things with Abel? You two live under the same roof, right?”t1eZb
Oot0xAt the sly question, Ryozo’s eyebrows twitched slightly. She cleared her throat and feigned indifference.ULBmam
s300“It’s a little awkward, but livable.”DlW
DiwFive years ago, Korea—a country of Eastern customs—made a bold decision to legalize polygamy. It was a desperate measure to counter the population decline following the war between humans and demons.nUWNtn
fDb“Oooh~! Is this the dignity of the senior wife?!”NGz
p2EMedia laughed as she brought the cup to her lips.m7Z
8ylpez“If you keep teasing me, I won’t accept the directorship.”vpw1
tp9O1“Sorry.”4Hl1Hf
K5lMedia bowed her head. After a month of kneeling, it came naturally now. Her forehead shone hard and glossy.yF9A
ZP1QY“May I ask just one more question, Ryozo?”VxofOP
6qVCtioMedia’s personality couldn’t abide unresolved curiosity. From Ryozo’s perspective, it bordered on sickly greed.IZYO
ev0Zs6q…But there was no avoiding it.PWulyn1
Tqe“Go ahead. But if I don’t answer, you’re not letting me leave, right?”CUOZytU
ybHRyozo raised her index finger in warning.qOah
U2Ar4“But just one, got it? If you don’t stick to it, this time it’s really—slash.”z8JFA
OFN9“How could I not keep my word, hehe?”yuQMfO
pStREMedia downed the rest of her cup in one gulp. She licked her lips and spoke again.m4TK
hsqf“Hey, so… with two wives, how do you divide the nights…?”zZmQM
HKnhRyozo’s eyes turned cold. Like a sky shrouded in black clouds.s7Rp
Y0Nk“Odd days, me. Even days, Abel. Satisfied?”mO5yb
dXnFMldRyozo stood up abruptly and left the office. Bang! The sound of the door slamming was thunderous.orMZS
AWBv“Hmm…”yrl98e
JvUB5WUMedia crossed her legs and pondered. She began calculating whether odd or even days were more frequent that month.Z5Fecs
WMgmS7‘But come to think of it… Ryozo and Abel alternate, but with “her,” it’s every day, isn’t it?’d99sqyT
hzO67A chill ran down her spine. She hugged herself with trembling hands. It was the start of summer. Around that time, sunsets came later, and plants kept absorbing nutrients longer.nxQjy
ko3uO***QXJXMJ0
9uundgKnock, knock.uJtOks3
cucN0Ryozo’s quick steps echoed on the pavement. The ground tiles were new—so fresh that not even a single weed had grown between the seams.gVg
0GrBeep… Her pocket vibrated. Ryozo pulled out her phone. The exploration club’s group chat was more active than usual.p1hrc
RtC“Speedweapon: Ryozo, you off work yet? When are you coming? If the meeting gets ruined because of you, you gonna take responsibility or what?”kmzCz
TXrffSpeedweapon was always the first to start the chat. He worked for the Association.VBD
rFoSince Victor Poison retired, Changseong had taken over as president, and Speedweapon was working his tail off under him.GeCn
sor2Even so, he still shone bright—within the Association, he was considered a rising star. His direct superior was the former director Sung.QHFy
k3ije9[Rachel: (Photo drinking beer)]aPSlBf
IecfE0Changseong’s niece had joined the Lancelot Company, where All Mute worked.4enUTl8
8vgwkRachel was more than satisfied with her job. The company’s laid-back environment fit her cheerful personality perfectly.awR7k3Y
TGz2I“Senior Ha-na: Ay… I’m the only one who can’t make it today…… (ㅜ△ㅜ). Eat for me too~”eUUzH
01DShe tried to sound like a twenty-something, but age doesn’t lie. Meain Poison, soon-to-be former director of the academy, was now in charge of managing the magical zone Gehenna. No one knew that place better than her.JCrzXqT
JS4MPlus, Meain secretly helped keep Leon and Metatron in hiding. Leon should have been imprisoned, but because of his final act, he was allowed exile in Gehenna.V1h
k4fJThat decision was also influenced by “that person.” A confidential matter known to only a few.XUCM
z2Ifv[Horntail: T-This…]RJJ4Dc
QTwpGHumanity and the demons had signed an end to the war. Not a ceasefire—the complete end. Continuing the bloodshed would only lead to mutual annihilation. But tensions between the two sides still lingered. If they had been capable of getting along, they would have done so long ago.xRO8J
oWVgg[Horntail: I can’t take it anymore!!]8ZrI4PD
btsfll[Speedweapon: (Photo of Horntail devouring sashimi)]Bz4dXbY
ZqtKJvT[Speedweapon: Another lake’s going down for sure today.]AZr
pcAA neutral party was needed between the two sides, and the dragons volunteered. They had always been a neutral race, not even involved in the Great Human-Demon War.Oph6
ruTCNDThey had the legitimacy to do so. Horntail, as ambassador for the dragons, was still living at Choi Seol-Ah’s house.Yfrl7Pz
soOP“They’ve gathered quickly.”WlfgH
lBuSFmwRyozo smiled as she put her phone away. The pink light of sunset bathed the academy, blending with the main building and the stone pavilion.Z34NF
jrwShe glanced to the side. A memorial stone had the names of those who fell in the war engraved. Her eyes lingered for a moment.MyXKgl0
JsC[Absolute Archer, Saki Kojima 1973.02.23 ~ 2035.01.27.]tQAN
PumiDBaInstead of using the chrysanthemums prepared for the altar, she plucked a wildflower from the lawn and laid it before the gravestone.sVAd44l
p44GgThen, with a calm expression, she continued on.0PHT9H
nA4The Korean sushi restaurant was lively.QzpO
5CcSTcgFull of familiar faces. The Sword Master, Changseong, Mao Lang, All Mute, and Sung—all had come, except for those with unavoidable duties.HY5XY
iWy“Huh? You’re here already?”0FyM0uT
Pc1zThe first to greet her was Abel, holding a tray while attending to the guests.EjJa
WXkyJ“Welcome, future director.”WFSP
7McjKThe others chimed in when they noticed her. Everyone was visibly drunk.JOX
L2D1VAKnox and Chloe were behind the counter, slicing fish nonstop. Behind them, a collection of trophies and plaques decorated the wall.cW8e6
k5OFhIPThe Auditore siblings were renowned chefs, thanks to a good teacher.7dHZ291
NwWMQk“And the kids?”iQuZK
nQFSeMRyozo hung her coat and asked. Abel gestured with her chin.dLtQz
Fgqcnj“In the room.”DiPR0E
YgO11Qv“How much have they eaten?”aVHe
gflx“About two million won? Horntail swallowed most of it, of course.”kwx
3OKv“Yikes! Put it on the tab. Two million is overboard.”iSsFGpg
ZUkxQR“Obviously. While we’re at it, should we tack on the most expensive liquor too?”pSa
6XJJyBq“Done.”wQ9ib5
SVv6tGSThe restaurant owners chatted among themselves. They weren’t particularly sweet to each other, but there was no tension either.BR4e741
vAHb1cDThough slightly awkward, both were wives of the same man. Hating each other would only bring pain.RCM
m5x9rKnock, knock.Ma84vq
FplSomeone came down the stairs. The sound stopped, and all eyes turned to one point. Even the friends drinking in the private room opened the door to peek.jVP
LV6vd“Did you sleep well?”ozx2GEm
KO41ZIWRyozo smiled. Kang Geom-Ma came down, yawning deeply.OO785kR
Ab3YH“Why didn’t you wake me? That upstairs room is so soundproof I didn’t even realize everyone was here.”TV1
y46QE5L“You were out cold. You wouldn’t have noticed if we carried you. You really need to adjust your routine. You’re on vacation—don’t ruin your health.”5Ql3
10zYhAbel scolded him. Kang Geom-Ma scratched his cheek awkwardly.CPX
YgFlBeep beep beep.Kzcrkf5
RTvVice President Sung’s phone rang. He apologized to the gathered heroes and answered.Hm06m
MyhTd“What!?”ZNXs
W7CGoDHis face instantly turned pale. His gaze darted urgently to Kang Geom-Ma.bOI
rZpnUd“What’s wrong?”yMJ
SWuSat8“Seems there was some friction between human forces near the gate and some demons camping nearby. It’s just shouting now… but if we don’t step in, it could escalate…”KaxUm
2mCxbSung covered the screen with his prosthetic hand. His cautious manner was why he held his position.RWZNg0
HmPG57Kang Geom-Ma nodded.FBl5cS
i5GHNnB“I’ll go handle it.”9racN
vkCPTXSung opened his mouth to object, but closed it again. If he went, things would settle. Only he could mediate between humans and demons.LTE3SH
VdISSpKang Geom-Ma walked toward the door. Then, as if remembering something, he turned back.9es
h6PZ“Almost forgot.”mOsGo
YSDRyozo handed him two sashimis—replicas of his soul.jeUq2
Uppf“Today’s July 7. Your birthday.”1iEB
5zk“That’s why everyone gathered, huh?”hbRMEQ
5xI809P“Also, it’s an odd-numbered day.”UBz
gn5lKang Geom-Ma took both the hilt and Ryozo’s hand.4MG
tgEby“I’ll be back.”BmwJCHN
VWmdMJ9– The End –hgf
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