"The middle-aged man knew he should not form ties with anyone, but this place was remote, and he had no choice but to send the young woman back to her homeland. He resolved not to become entangled with her and deliberately kept his distance along the way. The noblewoman saw the man's indifference. Fortunately, although she no longer had servants by her side, she still had a cat and a dog to keep her company.
Together, they traveled a long road. The middle-aged man silently remained by the young woman's side, dealing with one enemy after another. Beneath the glow of countless nightly campfires, amid fallen leaves and the chill of drifting snow, among barks and meows, their relationship ultimately underwent a wonderful change. Yet neither spoke their feelings aloud, and so they returned to the noblewoman's hometown."
"I was already waiting for another tragedy. Who died this time? How did they die? And what role did that Demon play?"
Shade asked, laying three cards on the table:
"Flower Seven, Moon 7, Sun 3. Seventeen points. I won't take any risks this time. I stand."
"Actually, you should have taken the risk."
Mr. Xiao En Asmon revealed his Moon 4, Sun 12, and Flowers 2. Eighteen points.
Shade shook his head and began the final round:
"Continue the story. I hope I guessed the ending wrong."
"The middle-aged man who watched over the Demon alone and the noblewoman both hid their feelings. Even when they finally parted, neither spoke of the emotions in their hearts. The middle-aged man accepted the Lord's reward, then departed in silence. Much later, during another season of falling leaves, he, who should have continued traveling onward, returned to that city. As for why he came back—"
The man across from the candle did not say.