Chapter 115: A Tapestry of Partings and Reunions

Elina II, I truly appreciate everything you’ve done. It would be wonderful if you could stay a bit longer.

I’ll come back to see you again. I’m thankful as well—for Precynia, Sir Malph, Sir Rick, Jade, Robert, Mackey—everyone. Until we meet again, take care!

After bidding farewell to the cherished Second Princess and her knights, Elina II set off once more. Her journey to become the world’s greatest Spirit King master would continue.

Chapter 14: The Standard of the Side Story

A carriage racing along winding mountain roads halted before a grand mansion. As soon as the Coachman opened the door, a little girl leapt out. The cute girl with coral pigtails wore an expression bursting with excitement.

“Oppa! Hurry, hurry!”

“Lili, wait.”

Trailing behind, a boy with coral hair who looked about twelve stepped out. Despite his older brother’s protest, Lili, her dress fluttering, soon tumbled onto the soft grass.

“Lili!”

Startled, her oppa rushed over, kneeling before her to check her condition. Lili managed to stifle her tears.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine!”

“You’re so brave. Now, shall I pick you up?”

No sooner had he spoken than Lili climbed onto his back with a small giggle. Just as the two close siblings arrived at the mansion, an elderly man with white hair emerged from the open door, leaning on his cane.

“Oh dear, my little ones. You must be tired from your long journey.”

“Great-Grandma Lara!”

Lili quickly dismounted and dashed into her great-grandmother’s embrace. Lara, standing behind, gracefully extended her hand to the great-grandchild who had bowed respectfully. In her youth, with her own coral hair, she had tenderly stroked her and now drew her into the house.

“Your great-grandfather prepared some snacks in anticipation of your arrival. Let’s go have some.”

“Yes!”

The moment they stepped inside, the sweet aroma of cookies and cake filled the room. Carrying a plate from the kitchen, Karlahee spotted the newly arrived great-grandchildren and beamed warmly.

“You must be exhausted. Come on in.”

“Hello, Great-Grandpa Karlahee.”

“Alright, come then. Let’s head to the living room.”

Seated around a sunlit dining table, the boy and girl busied themselves with snacks while Lara and Karlahee sipped their warm tea.

“Mom and Dad will be joining us for dinner tonight.”

“Yes, I heard so.”

Thinking of the grandson busy with state affairs at this hour, Karlahee chuckled heartily.

For his aging wife Lara, whose strength was waning, he had long handed over the throne and chosen a quiet retreat in the forest. When his great-grandchild was born, even his son soon passed the crown to a young heir and now spent his twilight years in the palace.

“Great-Grandpa, try a cookie. They’re really delicious.”

“Hoho, our grandson is quite something.”

Lara covered her mouth with her wrinkled hand while laughing. With her tiny, leaf-like hands, she offered him a cookie—it was impossible to refuse.

“Let’s see… where did I put my dentures?”

Karlahee scanned the room for his dentures.

“Don’t you remember where you left them?”

At Lara’s question, Karlahee habitually brushed back his snowy hair as he pondered. Sitting with half-closed, sleepy eyes, he slowly rose from the sofa until he recalled leaving them in the kitchen.

“Found them, my dear! I must have forgotten while baking. Hohoho.”

He retrieved the dentures from a cup, fitting them snugly as he beamed broadly. These dentures, adorned with a star—the trademark of Magical Girl Lilica—were exclusive merchandise.

Merchandise had become targeted especially for the elderly. Even Lara’s cane was, upon closer inspection, an official piece branded with Lord Robes’s logo. Once, Magical Girl Lilica had been wildly popular; now, she was a classic comic remembered only by true fans.

Yet the passion of their youth remained intact. Throughout the house, from Magical Girl Lilica plates and cutlery sets to Lord Robes frames and carpets, exclusive merchandise abounded. The second-floor study overflowed with Magical Girl Lilica comics and fan comics.

Sitting beside his great-grandson, Karlahee picked up a cookie. Laughter rang throughout the lively home as the three savored their treats. Watching them, Lara only smiled contentedly.

At dusk, a grand, six-wheeled carriage stopped before the mansion. The newcomers turned out to be none other than the current Emperor and Empress—the grandson and granddaughter-in-law of an elderly couple. Lara warmly took the granddaughter-in-law’s hand, inviting her inside.

“You must have had a long journey. The kids are sleeping upstairs.”

“I was worried our children might have troubled you.”

“Nonsense, hoho. They’re so charming; I could watch them forever.”

After moving to the living room, the four settled together. As the maid served tea, a brief silence fell before Karlahee, stroking his beard lazily, spoke kindly to his granddaughter-in-law.

“So, our grandson hasn’t been any trouble, has he?”

“Not at all. Sometimes he even cooks breakfast, and remember the time he sang for us because he missed an opera due to work? He’s really something.”

“That… that must remain our little secret.”

Lara chuckled softly at the bashful grandson, who was strikingly similar to her younger self. Then, as if recalling something, she covered her lips and added,

“About last night… Well, you know, the little one insisted on looking cool with a full face mask on. Hohoho.”

“That… I told you it was a secret. Hmm.”

True to his nature, the grandson exhibited a charming flair. Warm laughter echoed in the living room well into the night.

Later, in the dim bedroom, Lara sat on the bed lost in thought while gazing out the window. Karlahee quietly approached from behind and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

“My dear, is everyone gone already?”

“Just a few. The house feels so empty without them.”

Lara smiled as she glanced back. Karlahee settled beside her, then suddenly slumped awkwardly to the floor. He dragged over a low chair and sat, and as Lara looked on curiously, she nearly widened her eyes at the unexpected object emerging from his pocket.

“It’s a little gift from our grandson. He wanted to see me try it out—lend me your feet for a bit.”

Holding a hand adorned with soft pink nail polish, Karlahee chuckled. Although he had received the item at his grandson’s request, he skillfully kept it a secret from his wife.

Lara hesitated but eventually extended her foot. Under normal circumstances, she might have refused at her age, but since it was from her grandson, her heart softened.

“Oh dear… It might get smudged.”

“Let’s see… Oh, it’s simply adorable.”

With deft care, Karlahee painted each toenail a delicate pink, smiling contentedly. Embarrassed by her wrinkled feet, Lara quickly pulled them back under the covers.

“Oh, we’re too old for this…”

“Nonsense—in my eyes, you’re still as lovely as a young bride. Ah… Do you remember our wedding day? It felt as if an angel had descended just for me…”

“Really? I never noticed, even though I was a bit chubby with a small belly back then.”

“Is that so? Hmm.”

Karlahee stroked his beard, lost in memory. No matter how he tried to recall, only the radiant beauty of that day surfaced.

“A little belly or not—it doesn’t matter. Remember when we had our son? Your round belly was simply irresistible. I rushed through work every day just for a chance to caress it.”

“And Creon was a huge help too. One day, out of the blue, he caught my scent and insisted I get checked. That’s when I first learned I was expecting, and you even dashed out of your meeting—hoho.”

Lara leaned back on the bed and let out a soft laugh.

“And when I collapsed from labor pains, it was Creon who called for help. You even commended him as a brave hero who saved lives, hoho.”

“Yes, that’s right…”

Karlahee recalled faded memories—the birth of his first child, that child’s first steps, the day the child enrolled in the Academy, the wedding day, and the first time he held his grandson. Every memory was a beautiful snapshot of days gone by.

And through it all, his wife had been by his side. Karlahee tenderly brushed her back and pressed a gentle kiss onto her wrinkled forehead.

“Thank you, Lara. I’ve always felt I was never enough as your husband.”

“Oh, don’t say that.”

Lara shook her head affectionately.

“I love Rahi more than anything.”

“…More than Lord Robes?”

“Well, I might have to think about that.”

“Hohoho. My dear, we never know when we might have to cross that river, but until then, let’s cherish every sweet moment. And… if we’re ever reborn, you’ll meet me again, won’t you?”

“Of course, you can count on that. Hoho.”

The warm laughter that had filled the bed soon faded into the darkness. After helping his wife lie down properly, Karlahee covered himself with the blanket and settled in.

“I am so happy to have you, my dear.”

“Me too. Now, let’s sleep.”

“Alright then. Sweet dreams, my dear.”

They both knew that tomorrow, the day after, a year from now, and even until the day they would never awaken again, they would always watch over each other.

The elderly couple slipped into sleep, their hands still tenderly intertwined.