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."

my laugh back as I took a look at

was just too

Smack—

hand away, Waylan distanced himself

"Dont talk to me."

come on, I

I tried to apologize, but all my words went

'This is nice.'

a smile as I followed him from behind. This was the first time in a while that I had a relaxed day

these casual jokes helped me alleviate some of the mental burdens I

my body, my mind was still broken. It was

about the frequent nightmares and thoughts that would

my mind slowly start to heal. Or at least, delude myself into

I...was suffering.

"Huu..."

my mind down and thought back to the previous meeting. Trying to

that they're

a serene smile appeared on

I wasn't able to see them for long and was not able to get a clear look at them, just the fact that they looked to be doing fine lifted something off of

first I thought that she was going to turn even colder than before, with everything that happened with her father and her guild, but seeing how serene and calm she

still remember me? I had only known them for a year, and we hadn't spent much time together,

with the many others that died during their

have forgotten about me, I..I, .was

"Ugh."

my eyes, I tried to think of something

Since they were here,

knew that the humans would be coming in batches, therefore, I wasn't worried

'I'll see him soon.'

me to meet with Kevin and the others. I

"Hm?"

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

Don't

pressing my foot onto the

***

have

of a large white building were Kevin and Jin who

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

just come out of

"You can tell?"

do you think? You're soaked from

his head, Kevin looked at his shirt which had

right. Was supposed to be a light spar, didn't know we would

smell is the worst

from the side, taking off her sunglasses and staring

words, stretching his white shirt,

for Kevin who mimicked

even going to say

head before

the next couple of days. Ive got important

to say anything

Emma took the

you won't believe what happened while we were coming

"Oh? What happened?"

appeared

way here, we met another group

"You met another group?"

brows knit at her words.

there were, but hear this, once we were passing with their group, a middle-aged man

her body,

way he looked at me sends shivers down

"Emma."

at Kevin's face which was incredibly serious, Emma noticed

"What's wrong?"

just say that you saw

"Yes, I did."

head snapped in Amanda's

too, right? They were humans

"They were."

delicate face was