The Author's POV

Step— Step—

Walking through the city of Issanor, silence enshrouded our group as no one spoke. A somber and tense atmosphere enveloped the area around us.

"Pftt…"

The silence did not last for long, however, as a small laugh soon escaped from my mouth.

The instant my laugh sounded, Waylan shot a glare in my direction.

"You done?"

"Y…yeah…"

But that didn't help me in any way as my lips trembled even more. A memory sudden flashed inside of my mind and it wasn't long before I was unable to contain my laughter anymore and I laughed out loud.

"Hahhahaha."

Holding onto my belly, I laughed as I had never before. Tears slowly started to gather by the side of my eyes, as I couldn't help but slap my thigh.

"I can't believe she called you a creep and looked at you that way…hahaha, I can't."

The more I laughed, the darker Waylan's face became.

I of course knew my limits. Just when Waylan's face was about to explode, I raised my hands in defeat.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop…pfttt."

Unfortunately, I was unable to keep my face straight. Before long, another laugh escaped from my mouth and Waylan's face became even darker.

What was supposed to be an emotional cliche moment where Waylan would stare at his daughter with longing eyes from the distance, expressing his sorrow about his inability of not being able to meet her, turned into a moment where he was scorned and called a creep by her.

Recalling that moment, another laugh escaped from my lips as pity flashed across my eyes.

Obviously, Waylan was not pleased by the laugh as he venomously stared at me.

"Another word and you're done."

His threats may have worked on someone else, but as someone who had been with him for over a year, such threats were no longer effective.

Walking up to him I patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry too much. You should be happy instead."

"Happy?" Waylan raised his brow and coldly looked at me. "Why should I be happy about the fact that my daughter treated me like some sort of creep?"

"Because it means that you've taught her well."

"What?"

Taking my hand off of his shoulder, I explained.

"Well think about it, why in the world would she recognize you when you're wearing a mask to hide your features. Had she looked back at you with the same eyes as yours I'd be worried."

My words seemed to have some sort of effect on Waylan as he calmed down and logically thoughts things through.

Then, his shoulders slumped down in defeat.

"You're right…"

"Of course I'm right."

If I were in the same situation as he and Nola reacted differently, I'd start to worry.

'Actually, what if I was in Waylan's spot and Nola reacted the same way?'

As my thoughts paused there, I instantly started to realize what kind of pain Waylan was going through, and the pity I previously had for him turned into sympathy.

"…Still hurts that I was called a creep."

Once again placing my hand on Waylan's shoulder, I apologized.

"I'm sorry for laughing at you before. Now that I've thought things carefully, I can understand your pain somewhat."

Lifting his head up, Waylan turned to face me and our eyes met.

"Thank you…"

"Pftt, never mind."

as I took a

just

Smack—

Waylan distanced himself from

"Dont talk to me."

on, I was just

apologize, but all my

'This is nice.'

a smile as I followed him from behind. This was the first time

helped me alleviate some of the mental burdens I was

my mind was still broken. It was slowly healing...but the scars and traumas that I had gone through couldn't just be overwritten that

was possible, I wouldn't need to worry about the frequent nightmares and thoughts that

moments like this where I could feel my mind slowly start to

I...was suffering.

"Huu..."

down and thought back to

also glad that they're doing

serene smile

I wasn't able to see them for long and was not able to get a clear look at them, just

Amanda, at first I thought that she was going to turn even colder than before, with everything that happened with her father and

year, and we hadn't spent much time together, but that one

I might just be another extra that had died along with the many others that died during their life, but to me, they were the first friends I had

me, I..I, .was really happy that they were doing

"Ugh."

eyes, I tried

they were here, he must

humans would be coming in batches, therefore,

'I'll see him soon.'

and the others. I may

"Hm?"

my thoughts, lifting my head, and staring at the others that

wait up. Don't

pressing my foot onto the ground, I followed them

***

guys have finally made

of a large white building were Kevin and Jin who had just come out from

pillars of the building, Emma closely scrutinized Kevin. She then turned

just

"You can tell?"

do you think? You're soaked

Kevin looked at his shirt which had a

Was supposed to be a light spar, didn't know we would get this

smell is

staring at Kevin and Jin

his white shirt,

Kevin who mimicked

even going

Melissa shook her head before she decided to

of days. Ive got important things to

for anyone to

Emma took the opportunity to

what happened while we were coming

"Oh? What happened?"

look appeared on

we met another group of

"You met another group?"

at her words. Nodding

count how many there were, but hear this, once we were passing

her body, Emma's

looked at me sends shivers down my

"Emma."

snapped Emma out of her story. Staring at Kevin's face which

"What's wrong?"

you just say that you saw another group of

"Yes, I did."

nodded. Then, her head

right? They

"They were."

softly replied. Her delicate