They Call Themselves Godan. (Continued)

Maria silently gazed at the girl before her.

"I shouldn't say too much, but... Lamaline, I feel I need to explain something about my disappearance."

Maria whispered, her voice carried by the wind, sounding erratic.

Aifanier paused for a few seconds, then silently chose to leave.

He really wanted to know what was going on, but... considering his parents' behavior, he felt that he didn't belong here.

Let's leave the rest of the time to them.

Exhale, pause.

Maria watched the beautiful face of the woman before her, gradually illuminated by the sunlight. She could clearly see the hesitation and unease that Lamaline was showing.

The sunlight gradually rose behind her, and this scene, which should have been full of hope, prevented Lamaline from seeing Maria's face clearly.

Compared to the bright sun, the dim and reserved moon seemed to suit Maria's temperament better.

The wind gradually blew through their clothes, causing the hems of their garments to sway gently along with the surrounding tree branches.

Theoretically speaking, at this moment, Maria has returned to her normal timeline, and she can now live a normal life with Lamaline.

But... she wasn't sure if this was the final outcome.

Gordan's problem remains unresolved.

Maria was unsure where she would end up after the final battle with the enemy, or how everything would change.

Perhaps her power will spiral out of control, perhaps she will return to the distant past... but she may also end up in an unpredictable future.

Maria might even take the step she least wants to take, completely losing her humanity!

All of this is possible.

If it were in the past, that would be fine.

With her life, she will one day return to this era, but... Maria knows her own nature.

If I could really go back to the past, I would definitely appear in front of my present self and explain everything to ensure that history moves forward normally.

But... I can't see anything right now.

There are many possibilities... You might defeat Gordan yourself, and your power doesn't spiral out of control, allowing you to continue living happily with Lamaline in the future. Or perhaps you'll be defeated by Gordan, leading to the end of everything...

Things could get better, or they could get really bad...

When it comes to the future, Maria is just like any other person, filled with uncertainty about everything.

Regardless of the specifics, Maria felt she should explain things clearly to Lamaline.

This girl has waited for her for over a hundred years; she deserves to know more.

"..."

Lamaline, her breath catching in her throat upon hearing Aunt Mary's words.

She seemed to understand why Maria was displaying such... such complicated feelings.

Maria wasn't sure if she could continue to stay by Lamaline's side... She still had things to do, and this reunion was only temporary.

In fact, after hearing Maria's explanation, she also showed some unease.

But this unease didn't make her hesitate for long.

In just a few moments, her body made the decision for her brain.

She walked up slowly, forcing Maria to look her in the eye.

The sunlight was no longer dazzling, and she looked at Maria at eye level again.

"You really are..."

Lamaline gently reached out her hand.

Cool fingers gently touched Maria's side, slender thumbs lightly gliding along Maria's cheek, and a hint of unspeakable tenderness seeped into her eyes.

"Maria ..."

Lamaline whispered, just as she had called out in the garden decades ago, but this time, she received a response.

"At least, right now, I'm here."

The words that should have been firm sounded hesitant and powerless coming from Maria's mouth at this moment.

Lamaline paused for a moment, then smiled helplessly.

"So... what are you worried about?"

"..."

Are you worried that we'll never see each other again?

Lamaline's voice was very soft.

Like a mother soothing a child, her fingers gradually slid from Maria's face down to her slightly pale lips.

"No, no, your blood flows in my veins~"

Lamaline smiled.

Over the years, how could she not realize just how potent the blood Maria had given her truly was?

Even though Banshees are a race that doesn't age easily, Lamaline's current appearance is still far too exaggerated.

Her age seemed to have been frozen at the moment Maria received her blood.

What was originally a fleeting moment of life seemed to have been extended to an infinity, a terrifying prospect.

Lamaline was barely aware of the changes around her.

And such a life is enough to sustain her to continue waiting.

She also believed that Maria would outlive her.

Since that's the case.

So what's there to be afraid of?

The two of them will eventually meet.

There is only one way to stop the two of them from continuing to meet.

Maria died in the past...

After much thought, it seemed that only this way could prevent the two of them from ever seeing each other again in the future, given Maria's ability to jump through time.

Is that possible?

Lamaline asked.

But Maria remained silent, lowered her head, and murmured something.

"I have no idea."

Maria knew that the best answer at this moment was yes.

The two of them will definitely meet again...

This is a pleasing answer... but it's not the real answer.

"Then there's no need to think about it."

Lamaline smiled, not dwelling on the topic, but instead cupped Maria's face in her hands, making her look into her eyes.

Looking at Maria's slightly troubled face, she, like a mischievous child, reached out and rubbed Maria's cheek.

Seeing that Maria still looked worried, she reluctantly lowered her hand.

Ultimately, Maria's worries stemmed from just one thing.

Responsibility.

Maria was unsure if she could shoulder the responsibilities of a family and a loved one.

There are still too many dangerous things waiting for her to deal with, and Maria is not sure if she can really get out of these situations unscathed.

She was unsure whether she could be a good father or a suitable lover.

She was filled with uncertainty about the future...

But...

"The future is inherently unpredictable."

Lamaline smiled and slowly wrapped her arms around Maria's waist.

Their bodies were pressed close together, their eyes meeting at close range, conveying a calm emotion.

"So why worry about things that haven't happened?"

"... You might have to wait a very, very long time."

Maria whispered, her voice somewhat stiff.

But at that moment, Lamaline slowly began to smile.

"Sometimes, isn't it good to be a little selfish?"

Only at this moment can you hear the quiet, slow beating of your heart.

Lamaline looked at the conflicted Maria, took a deep breath, and then spoke slowly but firmly.

I like you... not because I want a response.

I love you, simply because I love you.

"I also looked forward to your response, and I did receive one... I'm already very happy."

"I wouldn't say that's enough... Actually, I want more. I hope we can be together longer, that you can be with me, watching our child grow up, watching him find someone he loves, and then having more children..."

"But I also know, Maria, that there are still things you haven't finished, are there?"

Lamaline was a very intelligent woman. She sensed Maria's inner conflict and gave a firm and unwavering response.

She wanted the family to be together, but even more so, she wanted Maria to be able to accomplish what she wanted to do.

So...

"Don't worry about it, just do what you feel you should do."

Lamaline's voice was soft, but it revealed an unspeakable determination.

She loved Maria, not in the hope of receiving any reciprocation.

But... if this feeling makes Maria hesitate, become conflicted, or become timid, then she would rather not say it!

She was already used to waiting, so what's wrong with waiting a little longer?

All you need is...

"After everything is done... you have to make it up to me properly."

She whispered, her voice very soft.

Maria paused at that moment.

Feeling the soft body of the lovely girl in my arms.

She remained silent, slowly pulling her arms back to embrace him.

"Thanks."

"..."

Aifanier stood at a distance, watching his parents embracing, and let out a sigh of relief.

Shouldn't this be considered resolved?

To be honest, Aifanier wasn't sure how to put it either.

His parents were not ordinary people, and because of this, their relationship was destined to face various problems.

As for all of this, Aifanier could only watch and observe.

But at that moment, several footsteps slowly approached.