The wheels rolled on.
Kai was fast asleep.
Ren looked at him.
His words from a few hours ago still lingered in his mind.
“I stayed up repacking last night for camping materials…
so don’t wake me up.”
Then he tore his gaze away from Kai.
Leaning against the back of the cart, his head rested in his hand.
And he began observing the scenery.
The cart owner was still focused on guiding the horse.
The butterfly slowly exited Ren’s coat and settled on his shoulder.
Ren didn’t move.
The journey continued.
The sun slowly drowned itself in the horizon.
The brightness of the day was gradually replaced by the darkness of the night.
Ren stared at the dark sky, then toward Kai, still asleep.
…
…
I should sleep for a while too.
Ren closed his eyes.
The cart owner glanced back.
“Hey…
are you still awake?”
“Yeah,” Ren replied, opening his eyes.
The owner stared at Ren for a while, as if trying to recall something.
“You’re Ren…
right?”
“…Yes.”
“Oh.”
The owner shifted his gaze back onto the road.
“You don’t seem surprised.”
“Why should I?”
“It’s our first time meeting, and I know your name…
any normal person would be.”
The owner spoke without turning around.
“…You transport supplies to the orphanage, so you probably heard it from the students,” Ren answered while closing his eyes again.
“Quiet…
observant, aren’t you?”
Ren didn’t respond.
“Well, by the way, I’m Elvan.
A merchant.”
…
…
“If you don’t mind…
can I share something private?”
“…Go on.”
Ren moved a little toward the front, shifting to find a comfortable position.
Slowly, the sound of his movements subsided.
Hearing no noise behind him,
Elvan continued.
“My colleagues have settled down…
and I think settling down is good too.
I don’t have big ambitions like immortality or becoming the strongest.
Just having a wife…
A few kids to take care of…
I think that should be enough.
But…
it will stop me from travelling.
What do you think I should do?”
Ren listened with his eyes closed.
Sensing no response,
Elvan sighed.
“What was I even expecting from a kid…”
…
…
…
Elvan focused on driving.
The cart continued moving.
Occasionally, the horse let out a tired snort.
“Just a few more hours, friend.
Then you can rest.”
The owner gently caressed the back of the horse’s neck.
“Why settle?”
Elvan was startled at first.
Realizing it was Ren’s voice, he answered,
“I thought you were asleep.”
“Why settle?”
“…Well…
everyone is doing it, aren’t they?
Having children to carry on their legacy.
A family to feel complete.”
“So…
why aren’t you doing it?”
The owner sighed again, but this time it was deeper.
“As I said…
it will prevent me from travelling.”
“Why do you need travelling?”
Elvan looked at the reins in his hands.
…
“It gives me liberation…
Yeah.
I feel free.”
His voice grew a little louder.
“Besides…
stopping in one place makes me feel like a trapped bird.
Earning money and travelling…
transporting supplies to Kanzaki.
Watching the kids playing in the garden.
Man…
I could list my reasons until morning.”
“Then why marry?
Just keep travelling and doing what you desire.”
“Why legacy?”
Elvan didn’t respond immediately this time.
Instead, he stared at the sky covered in dark clouds.
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
“I am…
the sole survivor of the Noir family.
All of them were killed during a Ceremony.
If I don’t…
then the Noir lineage will end with me.”
“Even so…
why?”
Elvan shifted his gaze back to the horse, caressing its neck again.
Then he replied,
“Isn’t it obvious?
Because I don’t want the Noir name to go extinct.”
Ren opened his eyes.
Then, in a calm tone, he spoke.
“Hey…
Elvan.
You said you don’t seek strength or immortality.”
“Yes.”
The owner answered, slightly confused.
After receiving an affirmative answer,
Ren continued.
“You seek remembrance.”
The owner nodded.
“Isn’t it just a disguise for immortality?”