Chapter 120

They said, “Let’s go back,” but in truth, there wasn’t anywhere to return to.

The Heins Trading Company’s building had been destroyed by Linus, and Laila had no fixed place to stay. Florence called the high water spirit, Siquele, to wash the blood off her body, but she couldn’t do anything about the stains already soaked into her clothes.

“I think we need to wash up or change clothes.”
“I know an inn we use often. Let’s stay there first.”
“I’m starving. I just want some warm food.”

Enoch answered Florence, and Keith whined. Laila, still holding Florence’s hand, spoke.

“I think this is where I should leave you.”
“Where will you go?”
“Anywhere. There’s no reason to stay together anymore.”

Laila shrugged. Their journey together had always had a clear purpose. Florence squeezed her hand tighter and said:

“You promised to tell me what happened to Jang Hyun-ji.”
“Oh, that.”

Laila gave a faint smile.

“That doesn’t matter to me anymore.”

Even if Hyun-ji’s life on the other side turned into a mess, just being abandoned by Linus was miserable enough. At first, that fact felt satisfying. But only for a moment.

Did I want her dead? Or did I just want her to regret?

And what about Linus, who treated Alex’s life—and the lives of knights who followed me—like they were worthless?

When Laila saw Hyun-ji broken and Linus fallen, she finally understood what she truly wanted. From the start, all she wanted was to mourn Alex. To apologize to him. To grieve. To follow him.

“No, Laila.”
“I don’t need a meal.”
“……”
“There’s nothing here worth toasting over.”

Keith snapped.

“If this isn’t worth a toast, then what is?”
“……”
“Why’s the mood so damn gloomy…?”

They hadn’t even killed anyone. Keith thought it was humane enough—they gave back what Mari suffered, and made sure Linus could never chase them again. No lives were taken.

But Florence, who should have felt happiest, was depressed. And Laila looked drained. Only Enoch, who finally had the chance to beat up Linus like he always wanted since childhood, looked satisfied.

Keith grumbled:

“We’ve been traveling together for months, and you can’t even have one meal with us? That’s cold.”
“Wait, don’t tell me—you’ve grown attached to me?”
“……”
“I’m leaving.”

But Florence didn’t let go of her hand. Laila frowned instead of shaking her off or striking her. The old Florence would have shrunk back, but now she met her eyes and said firmly:

“Eat first, then go.”
“Didn’t you hear me? I don’t like saying things twice.”
“Then take me with you.”
“Are you crazy? Why would I?”
“Because I’m yours, Laila…”
“Careful what you say—people might get the wrong idea.”
“I’ll be your servant for life.”
“Fine, fine. I get it. I’ll eat one meal. Just one. No drinks, no staying the night. Got it?”

“……”

Florence didn’t answer. Laila clicked her tongue.

“Enoch, look what you’ve done. You’ve rubbed off on Florence in the worst way.”
“I’ve heard a lot in my life, but that’s a first.”

Annoyed, Enoch took the lead toward the inn, still muttering that Florence was naturally meaner than Laila anyway. Florence never let go of Laila’s hand the whole way.

The innkeeper was the type who treated anyone like royalty, as long as they paid well. Enoch handed over gold coins, and soon they had hot baths and a hearty dinner.

The meal was almost extravagant: plump roasted goose, fresh salad, creamy potato soup, corn bread with butter—plenty of everything, and the innkeeper promised more if they wanted.

Laila bathed with a scowl, changed clothes, and sat at the table. Florence shadowed her everywhere like a goldfish following its owner.

“Are you planning to be my goldfish poop?”
“Then that makes you the goldfish?”
“…Did your brain get scrambled when you crossed worlds?”
“I was never that smart to begin with.”
“……”

Florence gave her a weak smile. Laila was speechless.

Finally, Keith couldn’t take it anymore. He jumped up and shouted:

“I’m going to buy booze. I can’t stand this mood! If today isn’t a day for a toast, then what is?!”

Laila and Florence both turned to look at him. Keith yelled again.

“Enoch, say something too!”
“I feel great.”
“Who asked about you?!”
“Isn’t it good news?”
“Talking with you people makes me feel like I’m getting dumber, dammit…”
“Sorry Keith, but I’m not sure you were smarter than me to begin with. I honestly don’t know how you even studied magic.”
“Damn brat… If you’re insulting people again, you must be feeling better.”

Keith’s face twitched with rage. Still, it was better than when Florence had been sobbing against a wall.

Keith grumbled:

“So why the long face? Do you regret not hitting that girl harder?”
“No.”
“Then is it because you let that bastard live? Want to go finish him off now?”
“No, not that either.”
“Then what… Want me to drag your family here to apologize?”
“No. They’d never apologize anyway.”

Florence opened her mouth but no words came out. Her lips moved a few times, but she couldn’t speak.

What did I really want?

Back when I was angry and desperate, no one ever listened to me. I just wanted someone to hear me out. To ask why. To know my side. To clear my name.

But now that it was all over, no words were left.

I wanted Hyun-ji gone because I didn’t want my things stolen.

I needed Linus gone because I couldn’t be free while he still chased me.

Yes, I hated them. I was scared. It was unfair. I wanted them to suffer as I did. But…

Enoch tore off some bread and spoke.

“It’s a good thing.”
“What the hell’s good about this? She looks half-dead.”
“It means she’s not the kind of person who takes pleasure in tormenting others.”

Florence looked at Enoch. He continued.

“You may feel miserable for not being that cruel. But that’s better.”

“Earlier you said I had a nasty temper.”
“Temper’s one thing. True cruelty is another.”
“That’s twisted logic.”

Florence still couldn’t answer. She’d only ever been told she was nasty and mean. Even Enoch had often rolled his eyes at her temper. Now he said she wasn’t that rotten. It was strange.

“I’m happy.”

Enoch added,

“You’re back. You’re safe. That’s all I wanted.”

That had been his only wish from the start.

Laila pointed at the skin peeled off his knuckles and teased:

“Funny words from someone whose punches at Linus were full of hatred.”
“Hmph.”

But compared to all the resentment he’d built since childhood—being ignored as Seymour’s ward, forced to bow, treated like a fly buzzing around Florence—that was nothing.

“Don’t overthink it. You just did what you had to do. That’s it. Eat, sleep, then think.”
“…Okay.”
“And you too, Laila.”

Laila was startled. She hadn’t expected Enoch to call her out. She still remembered how he once strung her up on a wall. He gave her a crooked little smile and said in a not-so-threatening tone:

“Don’t run away.”
“Oh no, I’m terrified. I might wet myself.”

Laila gave a small laugh.