Epilogue: The Blasphemous Shrine
Half a year ago, there had been a settlement of Beast-folk where now only a barren wasteland stretched, devoid of any grass or trees. In this desolate expanse, Rio sat alone, distanced from the others gathered around the campfire, gazing up at the starry sky. In her hand, she clutched a pendant filled with the ashes of those who had been her comrades, friends, and family.
A shadow approached her.
“What are you looking at?”
The voice belonged to Ferno, who sat down beside her, his legs, side, and chest wrapped in bandages. He was the man who had slain Gugi, the monster that had destroyed Rio’s homeland and turned her family into Undead.
“…Ferno, are your wounds alright?”
“I’m fine. As I’ve said from the beginning, it’s nothing to worry about. I’ve endured worse injuries than this, and I won’t be reduced to whining and immobility over something so trivial.”
“I see… You’re strong.”
“I had to be strong. So, what were you looking at?”
“I was watching the stars.”
“The stars?”
“Yeah.”
As Ferno, who seemed to be in good spirits despite his injuries, asked her again what she was looking at, Rio leaned against his shoulder and pointed at the sky.
“I used to watch the stars here with my mom and dad when I was little. At night, we would sit like this.”
“…Oh?”
“That star is the prettiest, that one is the biggest. I wonder if something lives over there. We talked about all sorts of things, and I always ended up falling asleep first.”
“…I see.”
“Yeah. I never thought I would come back here like this, not that everything is back to normal, but to be able to see the stars with my family again. I didn’t doubt you, Ferno, but I never imagined I would have the luxury to just look at the stars like this.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yeah, was that wrong?”
“Why do you think that?”
As Rio reminisced, her words painted vivid memories in her mind. Ferno, with an expression of unexpected gentleness, asked her why she thought that way.
“…Because you’re strict with yourself and others. You know the world’s cruelty, the fragility of life, and the lightness of death. You’ve faced all of that. I thought you might not like clinging to memories that have already passed.”
“Indeed, I’ve seen and know those things…”
“And the current Fana was shaped by you, wasn’t she?”
“…What?”
As Ferno affirmed Rio’s statement and prepared to respond, she voiced her reasoning. In her mind, she envisioned Fana, who had taken on the form of a bloodthirsty Aberration, shouting as if to spur herself on. It was a stark contrast to Fana’s usual gentle demeanor.
“Given Fana’s usual personality, she wouldn’t dive into battle so silently. She would either show mercy to her enemies or unleash her anger, shouting as she fought.”
“Ah, well, that’s true to her character.”
“Yeah, but the Fana I saw today was calm and ruthless. She protected, but she didn’t extend a hand. If someone couldn’t fight, she had the attitude of telling them to just watch.”
“…Hmm.”
“That made me think someone must have influenced her. So, who has the power and a certain charisma to be in a position to influence her…?”
“Well, that would be me.”
“Yeah.”
“To put it simply, you’re correct. It seems her personality, or rather her way of thinking, changed because she listened to me.”
“Yeah, I thought so.”
“Now, regarding your initial question…”
Listening to Rio’s deductions, Ferno confirmed her accuracy and leaned back slightly, gazing up at the starry sky as he began to answer her first question.
“I don’t think reflecting on the past is a bad thing. I drink and reminisce about old times, and when I meet someone who knows my past, I indulge in nostalgia.”
“…That’s surprising.”
“Ha! Well, I know I don’t seem like the type. So, I have no intention of denying the quiet moments after a battle where one can reflect on the past and immerse themselves in those memories. I don’t deny living while clinging to past memories either.”
“…I see.”
“However, if you’re clinging to the past as a refuge to live alongside the dead, then I will deny that. If you were to ask for help to do so, I would turn my back on that request.”
Ferno’s tone shifted. The warmth in his voice transformed into something heavy and oppressive. Despite feeling the weight of his words, Rio pressed on, eager to hear more.
“Why?”
“Because it would mean you’re failing as a living person. Indeed, death is light in this world; it’s not uncommon for a friend who seemed lively yesterday to become a corpse by morning. That’s why I believe treating death and the dead as commonplace in daily life is fundamentally flawed for someone who is alive and should be living for the present and the future.”
“…”
“The dead can never be a source of salvation. No matter what happens, the dead remain dead, and they should not intermingle with the living. That’s why I deny using memories of the dead as a refuge, and if you reach out for help to cling to those memories, I will never take your hand.”
“Living beings should live as living beings. It’s free to seek revenge, pity, or love for the dead, but I believe that clinging to the dead and using them as a refuge is not the way of the living.”
Ferno’s convictions resonated deeply within Rio. She contemplated how to face the connection she held with the dead, which could serve as a refuge.
She thought, pondered, and reflected on what she should do moving forward. To save lives, to save her only companion, to repay the debt to Ferno, the man who had avenged her family.
As the Black Lion Beastkin, the leader of her kind, she had to repay the immense debt she owed by slaying her enemies.
Finally, with her answer in mind, Rio stood up.
“What is it?”
Hearing Ferno’s question, she moved to a spot where their faces could meet and crouched down. She knelt with her right knee on the ground, her left knee raised, her right hand on her heart, and her left hand on the earth—an ultimate vow, the posture of a Beast-folk making a pledge to dedicate everything to their king for the one time in their life.
“I pledge.”
“…I see.”
“Black Lion Rio dedicates everything to Ferno Desire.”
“I don’t think I’m worthy of such an important offering… but I have no reason to deny it, nor do I have the right to dismiss it. What should I do?”
“Well?”
“Huh?”
“I know what to do for the pledge, but I don’t know what comes next.”
“…That’s not very decisive.”
“Should I give you a kiss or something?”
“That sounds too knightly, so no… Wait, maybe a more obvious gesture would be better.”
“Then, how about leaving a bite mark?”
“Huh?”
The atmosphere, which had felt like a scene from a myth, dissipated in an instant as Rio suggested a mark of their contract, presenting her neck. Ferno looked at her with a puzzled expression, and Rio calmly explained her reasoning.
“Given the mood, it wouldn’t be strange for a man to leave a bite mark on a woman to claim her as his. Plus, personally, I think it would be nice to have a mark from someone I’ve dedicated everything to.”
“…I have a responsibility for bringing you into my group and for accepting your pledge without stopping you. So, I will grant you your wish and leave a bite mark here, but I won’t do it again if the mark fades. I might even throw a Potion at you.”
“Yeah, I understand. Go ahead and bite me.”
“I won’t go that far. If it hurts, just hit me or push me away.”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
Covering his eyes with his hand, Ferno looked up at the sky and exhaled deeply, then, as if resigned, he leaned closer to Rio’s offered neck. Rio welcomed him, unable to hide her excitement.
Then, as Ferno embraced her, he pressed his teeth against her neck.
“…”
“Mm.”
One second, ten seconds, one minute. A silence that felt both short and long enveloped them, and the air filled with soft, sultry sounds. Finally, Ferno pulled away, wiping the blood that had flowed from the mark with his sleeve. Rio gently placed her hand on the spot, smiling contentedly.
“I won’t do it again.”
“Yeah, but it was nice.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“That you accepted me. I felt like there was a distance between us, so I was worried you might not accept my request.”
“I can’t deny my resolve. More importantly, let’s head back; it’s almost time for the shift change.”
“…Wait a moment.”
Ferno stood up, his cheeks faintly flushed, and began to return to the others. A few steps behind him, Rio called out to stop him. As he turned back, she signaled for him to watch and tossed the Ash-filled Pendant into the air. With a swift motion, she slashed it with her knife, scattering its contents across the ground.
“…Is that really okay?” Ferno asked, concern lacing his voice.
“Yes. Since this is our farewell, we need to say goodbye properly,” she replied.
“…I see. Then let’s go back. Make sure it’s not visible,” he instructed.
“No way.”
“I’ll be the one getting teased. Do it; that’s an order.”
“….”
“Don’t make that dissatisfied face.”