Memories of a Vow in the Forest (5K) (Continued)

But gradually, they loosened their grip.

Alexia understood perfectly what joining the Shadow Garden meant, as evidenced by the fact that it was entirely composed of women.

The problem is, now that things have come to this, what other options does she have?

Are we just going to watch my sister and father die?

She can't do it.

However, she felt she could still struggle a little longer.

"No buts, this is the fixed price. You yourself aren't worth two lives."

Mahiro through Alexia's thoughts and shrugged, saying:

"Moreover, your sacrifices, sisters, will save the entire Midgar Kingdom. Isn't such a noble sacrifice a wonderful thing?"

And speaking of which, I think you two sisters actually benefited."

"You're a monster..."

"Thank you for the compliment. I often receive such praise."

Mahiro smiled slightly, accepting the girl's praise without reservation.

However, despite her complaints, Alexia ultimately agreed to his conditions.

Mahiro to her word, Mahiro resurrected Alice, who had been beheaded, and the old king, whose remains were incomplete.

Alice had been resurrected, was naturally confused. After Alexia told her what had happened, Alice naturally refused to agree to his outrageous request.

A princess of a nation joining an underground organization that's like a terrorist group.

But what does it matter?

He was forcibly taken away by Lambda on the spot, and he was powerless to resist.

After all, Lambda's strength should not be underestimated; he could at least take on ten Alice.

Several more days passed.

The Seven Shadows who were on missions abroad have all returned to the capital.

"Huh? Where's Lord Mahiro? I can't find him."

Beta planned to see Mahiro as soon as he returned to the Chamber of Commerce.

Because the teachers' dormitory was destroyed in the monster attack and has not yet been rebuilt, Mahiro has been living at the merchant guild.

However, Beta searched the entire guild but couldn't find anyone.

"Lord Beta, Mahiro Shinji went out with Alpha early yesterday morning and won't be back for a few days."

New York responded in this way after just finishing his work.

"Huh?"

Upon hearing this, Beta exchanged bewildered glances with the other Seven Shadows.

Mahiro, did you go out with Lord Alpha?

The scent of wood filled my nostrils.

Sunlight filtering through the branches streamed into the room through the window.

Alpha leaned against the windowsill, a gentle breeze blowing through the curtains, ruffling his golden hair that shone brightly in the sunlight, and his wide-brimmed white sun hat trembled slightly.

Time flies.

His deep blue eyes gazed out the window, where towering trees grew, and lush grass and wildflowers, exuding the fragrance of earth, flourished.

It was late autumn.

The leaves on the trees had turned a vibrant red, creating a striking contrast with the grass, and the air was filled with the fragrance of the woods.

This familiar and warm scent was something she hadn't felt in a long time.

It felt like stepping back in time, when I was also immersed in this kind of scent...

Hey, do you remember everything we spent here?

Alpha asked the question while lost in his memories of the past.

"Of course I remember."

Mahiro appeared beside Alpha, gently wrapped his arms around her waist, rested his chin on her shoulder, and gazed out the window with her.

"I remember, the first time we met, you called me 'Dad' as soon as you woke up."

"..."

A rare blush appeared on Alpha's fair face, Alpha gently struggled in his arms.

However, you can't blame her for that.

She still vividly remembers that warm feeling from that time.

Just like now, I'm surrounded by broad, warm arms, feeling the warmth that's still very clear even through my clothes.

It was indeed just like the few images of her father she could remember.

However, this seemingly old wooden house where they are now also holds countless memories for them.

Aside from that inn, this was the earliest stronghold of Shadow Garden.

It was also the little house that Mahiro and she built together, a house full of memories.

Although it was simple and far from perfect, in Alpha's heart, this house, filled with the scent of wood, was irreplaceable.

Because she has to tutor during the day, Mahiro only comes here at night.

So she and the Snow Woman stayed there obediently, waiting and waiting for night to fall.

In the evening, the three of them would either gather around the campfire outside to eat wild vegetable soup and roasted meat, or enjoy a delicious cream stew inside.

That period was arguably the most precious and happiest time in her life.

However, as time passed, besides her, the Snow Woman, and Mahiro, the cottage welcomed its first family member—

A silver-haired girl with a beauty mark under her eye and a tendency to cry easily.

That is, Princess Beta, who suffered misfortune and was exiled in the elven capital.

Because she and Beta were old friends, even though they weren't that close, Beta still clung to her and later became attached to Mahiro.

Not long after, Gamma and Delta also joined.

This gradually brought life to the little house.

It gradually became crowded.

To Mahiro even more beautiful, the place was expanded and renovated, and even the garden and training ground behind the yard were divided up.

When he had free time in the evenings, Mahiro would teach them how to fight.

Although he gets a lot of scolding every time, Alpha still likes it very much and doesn't complain at all.

It's tough on Gamma.

Lacking any fighting talent whatsoever, she was always ridden on Delta's back, and even Beta was sometimes bullied by Delta along with her.

The relationship between him and Snow Woman is one of irreconcilable conflict; the two often get into a fight.

Each time, it was only through the intervention of Mahiro and Alpha that they were able to stop it.

Before going to bed, Mahiro would tell them stories, highlighting the importance of various kinds of knowledge.

Alpha didn't quite understand these things, but Beta really enjoyed them and was always engrossed in listening.

Only Gamma was deeply fascinated by the ideas in these stories; even her once dull and lifeless eyes slowly began to shine with a powerful light.

From that time on, I began to greedily absorb this knowledge and apply it in practice.

Then, Epsilon, Zeta, and Ita joined the group.

The Seven Shadows have now been assembled.

Epsilon is a proud young girl.

Confident and competitive.

But she wasn't stupid.

Through various setbacks, she found her own path.

In terms of magical control, she is the strongest among the seven.

However, even so, she knew very well that she was no match for the God of War's niece, so she set her sights on Beta, who was in second place.

He boasted that he would one day replace Beta.

Their friendship was forged because of this, and they have been rivals ever since.

As for Zeta, when she first arrived, perhaps because she was immersed in the grief of her parents' and younger brother's deaths, she didn't like to talk.

There is also some alienation from others.

However, under Alpha's care and guidance, and as a bridge for communication with everyone, Zeta gradually opened her heart and integrated into the family.

Her personality is like a cat's.

He possesses extremely high talent, and his combat abilities are in no way inferior to Delta, who is like a wild child and often hunts alone.

Unfortunately, cats are lazy.

Even if many moves are easy to learn, they are unwilling to delve into them.

And just like cats, they are inherently incompatible with dogs, and they also get along completely with Snow Woman.

But Ita, she is an incredible girl.

She often does things that cause trouble, but she is indeed very intelligent, and her development path is completely different from Gamma's.

However, this also comes at a price: her life skills are severely limited.

She was taken care of by Epsilon, who was like an older sister to her, and at some point, Beta and Gamma became her experimental subjects.

Zeta and Delta chase each other around the yard every day.

Alpha and the Snow Woman often sit under the pavilion enjoying desserts or bustling about preparing dinner.

Without realizing it, they had become an indispensable part of each other's family.

This little house, filled with the scent of wood, became their eternal home, where they lived very happily.

And from that moment on, Alpha kept running forward, trying to chase that elusive figure.

Keep the fragrance of memories and happiness hidden in your heart, and give it your all for your ideals.

Now, it should be considered that it has already been achieved, right?

"I am truly happy right now..."

The bright moonlight filtering through the branches dispelled the darkness inside the house, bringing a glimmer of light.

"Although I don't know what's going on in your little head, the road isn't over yet, it's not over yet."

My goal is the vast ocean of stars!

Mahiro, unusually bold, reached out his hand towards the distant starry sky, gently clenching it.

It was as if the stars were being held tightly in one's hand.

Immediately afterwards, a pair of pale white hands climbed up his forearm, gradually moving upwards, and finally covering his hands.

"I understand, but no matter what the future holds, we will always be by your side."

Under the moonlight, their vows to each other seemed like eternal promises.

The chirping of insects echoed through the silent forest, gradually rising to a crescendo with the soft murmur of the spirits...