I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

124 – 10# First and Last Date as Lovers (2)

It wasn’t as special as he thought.

They simply held hands and walked around the festival, enjoying the sights and eating delicious food. It could be summed up like that. But why?

It was just an ordinary, uneventful day, but he felt so happy and content. Isaac tilted his head. Was this really okay?

However, even that doubt disappeared when he was with Zik. As they enjoyed the festival, they ran into some familiar faces.

“Oh, Zik and Master?”

“Are they on a date or something?”

“Ha- Hans? Sophia?”

“Wow, it’s been a long time!”

It was Hans and Sophia, who had officially retired after defeating the Hades Guild and were now enjoying the festival. Zik’s gaze fell on Sophia’s belly.

Sophia’s belly was already quite large, almost full-term. Did Zik’s gaze make her feel awkward? Sophia smiled sheepishly and strongly patted Hans’ back.

“Sorry, this person is too bright.”

“No, I’m just…….”

“Shh!”

“Sorry.”

“It’s been longer than expected since we had a child.”

Isaac voiced his honest curiosity. Hans and Sophia had been together for a few years already, and after retiring three years ago, they had even more free time.

It wasn’t even as if their relationship had deteriorated. Yet, this couple had finally had a child? Isaac’s question was met with Sophia’s laughter and a nod.

“That’s right, to be honest, we were hesitant until just a year ago.”

“You were hesitant?”

“Yes, we wondered if we could really be good parents.”

“…….”

Hans and Sophia had also gone through a lot. Under the pretext of being for the country, they had committed many wrongdoings. They must have felt guilty about it.

“In the end, it seems to have been resolved well.”

“Yes, we had a lot of discussions and even met with the victims.”

“It wasn’t an easy task.”

“Mostly, people blamed me and this person. But we accepted it all.”

It couldn’t be helped, circumstances were what they were. This was something that perpetrators shouldn’t say to the victims. No matter how much they followed orders, Hans had still taken up the sword.

Ruthlessly following orders, he had taken lives. This guilt would have to be carried for a lifetime. Therefore, they sought atonement and wanted to live better from now on.

Isaac nodded. Somehow, about a year ago, they had suddenly come to borrow money. At first, he thought they were trying to scam him or something…….

“It’s great that it was resolved well.”

“Master is also grateful, thanks to which we could help them.”

“Um, that’s right.”

“Yes?”

“I lent them a significant amount of money.”

But the two of them were capable, and exactly a year later, they paid it back in full. This wasn’t a small amount of money, and even without interest, it was impressive.

“You could’ve paid it back slowly.”

“We can’t live with debt.”

“And when it comes to money, you have to be as honest as possible.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Hans and Sophia had gathered the survivors of the village they had harmed and built a new village. They were living there, making a living through farming and labor.

“Come visit us when you’re free.”

“Okay.”

“Zieg, you take care too.”

“I will.”

After exchanging words of good fortune, Hans and Sophia moved forward, heading out on a date. Their life together after retirement seemed very happy.

“It’s great to see them doing well.”

“They’ve been through a lot, so it’s understandable.”

“That’s right, and they’re also the benefactors of the village where I live.”

“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”

When Hans and Sophia were there, Isaac had received a request and saved the village. That’s where he met Zieg. Zieg held Isaac’s hand and said,

“I never thought it would turn out like this back then.”

“I’m the same.”

“Fate is really amazing, isn’t it?”

Isaac nodded at Zieg’s words. In fact, until then, Isaac had thought of Zieg as a man. But who would have thought it would turn out like this?

But if asked if he regretted it, that wasn’t the case. It wasn’t just a shallow relationship or one driven by curiosity. They had gone through a lot together until now.

And through those experiences, they had come to trust each other. Later on, just being together made their hearts flutter. Isaac smiled quietly.

“The master’s smile, it’s not something you see often.”

“So, do you dislike it?”

“There’s no way that’s possible.”

Please smile a little more, master.

* * *

Happy times always pass by in an instant.

Isaac and Zic were no exception. Before they knew it, the sun that had been hanging in the middle of the sky had set beyond the horizon. Although there was a lot of regret left, it was okay. They still had a lot of time to spend together, after all.

……Is this really okay?

Someone in his head asked, and Isaac couldn’t immediately respond. Was he really satisfied with this much? Was this really the end?

However, when he imagined something more, he always got stuck on the thought that it was too early. They had only been together for a few days, after all.

He might burden the other person. Isaac thought this way and pushed the thought aside. But today, while on a date, he realized he didn’t want to let go.

“It seems I like Zic more than I thought.”

At first, he just thought of him as a kid. When did he start taking up such a big space in his heart? Isaac couldn’t understand, but after much contemplation, he finally made up his mind.

It was better to grab onto something clearly rather than leaving it ambiguous. Even if it seemed too early, Isaac decided.

People were gathered in the square, watching the fireworks that Golden Deer had specially brought.

“Fireworks?”

“A kind of explosive. It flies up into the sky and bursts beautifully.”

“Is it, is it dangerous?”

“It’s not a problem as long as it doesn’t directly hit people.”

Golden Deer had previously sided with the law. It seemed they were aware of this, as they had prepared everything, including the hard-to-see fireworks.

Of course, Isaac didn’t think he could just let it pass, but it was a fact that he could appreciate their sincerity. Now was the perfect timing.

Isaac fiddled with the item he had prepared in advance. This item was something he had obtained through the Night King Rox. However, he couldn’t find the right timing.

“I’m looking forward to the fireworks!”

“Yes, it’ll definitely be a magnificent sight.”

“I’m glad we get to watch it together, Master!”

“Hmm.”

It was clear that this would be Zic’s first time watching fireworks. So, it would be better to just let him be during the fireworks. Isaac nodded.

He wasn’t scared at all. He was just considering Zic, who was watching fireworks for the first time. While making excuses, Isaac held Zic’s hand and continued to wait.

Finally, the right time came. With a rocket sound, the fireworks flew up into the sky and burst. The fireworks painted the night sky like a canvas.

Isaac and Zic just watched in silence. Unlike Isaac, who was relatively calm, Zic, who was watching fireworks for the first time, was startled and exclaimed.

“Master, this is amazing!”

“Just watch quietly.”

“Yes!”

As they watched the numerous fireworks bursting in the sky, Isaac thought about the hard times they had been through. He had thought he had to do it, but most of it was dangerous and difficult.

However, they had overcome everything and made it this far. He could be proud of that. It was okay to just end the story like this.

They had worked hard until now. They had done many things until now. It was okay not to make any more trouble. But, was he really satisfied with this?

“I saw Hans and Sophia earlier, and they looked really happy.”

There’s a saying that goes, “It’s just a coincidence.” The encounter with Hans and Sophia earlier could be an example of that. It really was just a coincidence. The festival was in full swing in Guildon, after all.

Old memories came flooding back, and colleagues had come to the festival to see them. There, they had coincidentally run into Isaac and Zic, who were on a date. Yes, this was a coincidence.

However, fate sometimes intervenes in people’s choices and creates inevitability. Just like now, Isaac thought it was okay to just leave things as they were.

But when he thought about Hans and Sophia’s relationship in the afternoon, his mind changed. He didn’t want to remain in an ambiguous relationship as lovers. He wanted to be with Zieg until the end.

“Z… “

“Master!”

“…Yes?”

It seemed that Zieg was also having similar thoughts. The encounter with Hans and Sophia in the afternoon seemed to have had a strong impact on Zieg.

“Uh, would you like to… get to know me better, and if it’s okay with you… me…!!”

However, even that strong influence couldn’t erase Zieg’s embarrassment. Seeing Zieg’s face turn bright red and stuttering, Isaac couldn’t help but chuckle.

I guess you’re just like me.

We’re feeling the same emotions.

It’s only natural that we’re on the same page.

Then, it’s my turn to take courage.

Isaac firmly grasped Zieg’s stuttering hand. And he took out something he had been hiding in his pocket all along. It was a gold ring.

“Zieg.”

“Yes, yes?!”

Will you marry me?

I don’t need any fancy words.

What’s needed is just sincerity.

And Zieg knows that sincerity too.

“…I’ll do it!!”

There was no way to refuse.