It’s Not Night - Chapter 177.1

“I’m glad I can love you until the end.”

Dustin whispered as he kissed Andra’s forehead. As he slowly began to pull away, Andra reached out, desperately trying to keep him close.

“Don’t go, Dustin. Where are you going?”

“I’m sorry, for being such a coward right till the end.”

“….No, don’t do whatever you’re thinking of doing!”

Their distance grew as Andra stood up in an attempt to reach him, but her legs gave out and she collapsed.

“No, you can’t do this.”

Tears streamed down her face. Frustrated, Andra struck at her unresponsive legs.

“Why won’t they move? I hate this… Please move, move!”

The dungeon shook violently again, debris raining down around them. Time was running out. Dustin looked down at Andra, tears rolling down his cheeks. For a brief moment, they just looked at each other. Breaking the silence, Dustin spoke.

“We need to do what we must. You know that.”

“No, don’t. Don’t do it, Dustin, please…”

“Because you’re Andra Avelin, you’ll forget someone like me soon and start over.”

That intelligent and wise Avelin would surely move on easily from a scoundrel like him. She always bounced back strong and would continue her life. That was what Dustin truly wanted.

Looking back, Andra had always been too good for him. She deserved to be loved by everyone.

His action was cowardly. Dustin was essentially running away. Because the words of love from Andra were too sweet… so sweet that he feared it might all be a dream. If this was a dream, he never wanted to wake up from it.

He wanted to hold on to this moment forever.

To meet the end at the happiest moment seemed sufficient.

“You promised to do as I asked! Please don’t do this, Dustin… don’t leave me behind…”
“I love you, Andra.”

“Don’t! I told you not to!”

Dustin had always meant his vow to give his heart to her. He was relieved that he could finally keep that promise to Andra. Surely even the gods would want this, since it was the human man who had sinned.

Standing at the edge of a cliff, Dustin turned for one last look at Andra, the woman he loved most, who now stood speechless, gazing back at him.

“I love you, Andra.”

Dustin threw himself down into the bubbling lava below. As he closed his eyes, the last thing he saw was Andra’s tear-stained face.

More than my own life.

At that moment, the egg began to crack. Light burst through the fissures, enveloping everything around. Amidst it all, only Andra was left crying out in despair.

* * *A warm breeze tickled his nose. Dustin opened his eyes to find himself in a vast golden wheat field. The stalks bending and swaying with the wind. He looked around, bewildered. Far in the distance, a large tree crested a rounded hill.

The scene reminded him of the Eastern landscapes Andra had described. Perhaps this familiarity was why Dustin felt a sense of welcome more than strangeness. If the East felt like this, he could understand why Andra loved it so much.

He walked towards the large tree as if he was possessed. Up close, it was even more massive than it had seemed from afar. Dustin had never seen such a huge tree in his life.

The wide branches, which spread out to block the sun and cast shadows, and the green leaves were unlike anything found in the North. He carefully reached out to touch the bark, its rough texture speaking of ages gone by.

Once again, the wind blew.

Suddenly, Dustin noticed a woman standing not far from him. Her white dress fluttered in the wind, and her long hair, whether golden or white, waved in the air.

He slowly approached her. The woman, with her back to him, seemed oddly familiar.
As the woman turned around in the strong wind with a soft smile, her red lips curved into a smile.

Suddenly, Dustin opened his eyes again.