Charles stayed in the Verdant Crystal Domain for a while. After the army had trained and procured a batch of supplies, they set out and left the elven city.
Selena came to see him off, her eyes red as she clutched the hem of Charles's armor.
Charles ruffled her long hair, pulled her into his arms, patted her back, and comforted her. "Why are your eyes still red?"
"Don't worry about me. If I have time, I'll come back to see you."
Selena wrapped her arms tightly around Charles, as if she wanted to melt his entire body into her embrace.
With her cheek pressed to Charles's chest, listening to his heartbeat, Selena said, "You have to miss me..."
After soothing Selena, Charles mounted a Giant Deer and caught up with the troops gradually marching away.
Selena, meanwhile, stood atop a protruding rock, quietly watching Charles's receding figure.
The breeze stirred her long hair. Selena clasped her hands tightly behind her back, looking forward to Charles's next return to the Verdant Crystal Domain.
The beginning of a story was always almost beautiful.
But the ending...
Charles rode his Giant Deer and caught up with the advancing army.
Molly, riding a Gray-Scaled Horse, poked her face out from beneath her hood, glanced at Charles, and said, "Finished saying goodbye to your little girlfriend?"
"Is it our turn now?"
Charles chuckled. "Don't worry. I've saved up for so long—I'll give it all to you when I get the chance."
"Get lost!" Molly spat. "I don't want it."
"Give it all to Erika!"
"You said it yourself." Charles smiled.
After fooling around with Molly for a while, Scorchflame climbed back onto Charles's shoulder.
Since they had been in the Verdant Crystal Domain lately, Scorchflame had avoided suspicion by staying off Charles's shoulder for