The Author's POV

They say that saying sorry was hard, but it was only now that I realized that asking for help was just as hard or perhaps even harder than apologizing.

"Pl…ease help me."

Uttering those words, it felt as though I used up all of the strength inside of my body.

I felt completely drained of energy.

Almost as though I had sprinted a full marathon. Uneasiness swept my body, and my heart beat faster.

Yet, despite feeling this way, the feeling I got after the initial lethargic sensation wasn't all too bad.

I felt this sense of relief wash over my body.

As though a heavy boulder had been lifted off of my shoulder, finally allowing me to stand up straight again. I couldn't quite explain it in words, but it just felt liberating.

"Haaa…"

I deeply exhaled.

"It's okay."

It was then that Kevin finally spoke.

Taking a step forward, with his hand on my shoulder, he looked at the moon in the sky.

"I know that you've been through a lot over the past few years. I won't pretend to know just how much you've suffered, and that I even understand what you're going through, but…I want you to remember one thing."

Kevin paused. With his eyes still directed onto the moon in the distance, he continued.

"Hard as things may be, you're not alone. It may look like you are, but all you have to do is look around you."

Turning his head, Kevin looked at me before turning to look at the others who were also staring at me.

"…and when I say take a look, I mean take a proper look. See just who is around you, and see that there are people out there that actually care about you."

Closing my eyes, I lowered my head.

Guilt crept up inside of my heart.

I understood that they cared about me, but the problem was not them, it was me.

Ever since coming into this world, I've seen everyone as my pawn.

People who I could move as I pleased for the sake of my final goal, defeating the demon king. Be it Kevin, Douglas, Waylan, my mercenary group members, everyone was a piece in my eyes.

A piece that I could move as I pleased.

That was how it should've been, but…

Recalling the words that Kevin had just said, for the first time, I felt like maybe my mentality was wrong.

Maybe, I was looking at things in the wrong way…not just for my own goals, but for myself as well. Perhaps, without realizing it, the so-called pieces became more than pieces to me.

It made me wonder, 'were these 'pieces' really as expandable as I thought they were?'

Lifting my head, and staring at everyone present, my eyes soon paused on Kevin and I finally opened my mouth.

"…I think I understand somewhat, thank you."

'Thank you for making me understand my flaws.'

A smile appeared on Kevin's face as he removed his hand away from my shoulder.

Turning his back on me, he muttered.

"You know, I don't know when, but from the very first time I met you, I felt like there was this invisible wall that you erected on yourself. As though you wanted to get as far away from us as possible…it was quite odd, but I never questioned you. I feel like you're hiding something, but who doesn't? Everyone has got their own little secret that they can't tell the others. I get that, but…"

Swooosh—

Turning around, a soft wind brushed past Kevin as his clothes fluttered.

secret

brows jumped

say anything, Kevin raised his

I'm not telling you to tell us what your secret

reply to his words, but

a novel world

no way I could tell

me, even if they did, I didn't want to make them feel like they were just

that all they've gone through in the past were just

could tell them that and was never planning on

things were just better off

I smiled.

"I understand...thank you."

"You're doing it again."

sounded

my head, I was met with the sight of

"Doing what?"

hiding your true feelings again. That smile you just did easily

He shrugged his shoulders.

it's hard for you, so I won't say anything else. Just keep in mind the words that I

"Than—"

"Cough."

was about to thank Kevin for the nth time, I heard a faint cough come from behind

eyes soon paused

Kevin, and Melissa all drew out their weapons and stared at Douglas

down, I'm

sigh. Turning to face me, he alternated his gaze between me and Kevin before

like you guys have sorted out your stuff.

echoed throughout

and turning

is almost up. The elves will be mad if we stay here

You're the old man

me. Surprise flashed across my face as I heard

between Douglas and Kevin,

"Huh? You've already met?"

that told

"He what?"

as I turned

think I made the right call." Covering his face with his fist and pretending to cough, Douglas calmly smiled. "As you can see all's well that ends well. You may have lost yourself a bit, but I can tell that some of

words, I secretly shook my

is…No wonder they were able to find me. It's because

was starting

had been wondering why they suddenly showed up out

shrugged it off before since my mind was too preoccupied with other things, but when I think about it now, it should've been

it finally

finally realized how they were able

also the ones that took

"Yes, we have."

Douglas nodded.

I stroked my chin before

"…is he okay?"

should still

in relief at

consideration the possibility of possibly losing myself, I had asked Douglas and Waylan to be present for

that I wouldn't do something

would've been terrible for me and the

to satiate the

wasn't enough for me to be

his watch,

back. The ceremony is about

hand and

your shirt before we

"…ah, right."

and seeing the current state my clothes were in, a wry