Epilogue – That Winter (Part 5)

The day to return to the capital had arrived.

After packing gifts purchased from the southern region and other essentials, Ria found her luggage surprisingly light. Since they planned to use the villa frequently in the future, there wasn’t much need to move a lot of belongings.

Before heading to the capital, they had to stop by a temple in the southern region at Elpis’s request. Thankfully, it wasn’t a troublesome task.

“They said they’d come to pick us up, right?”

“Yes. There’s a way to travel directly from the temple, so it shouldn’t take long.”

Following the collapse of the Empire’s temple, the inhumane actions of the High Priest, and the long-awaited return of His Holiness, the Holy Kingdom had finally regained order. Shortly after, the Holy Kingdom sent a letter to Ria.

The sender was, of course, Elpis.

He assured her it wouldn’t take long, suggesting she formally tour the Holy Kingdom. He also mentioned there was a direct route from the southern temple to the Holy Kingdom and that he would personally escort her.

Curious about the Holy Kingdom and wanting to see where Elpis would reside, Ria immediately agreed.

In truth, what piqued her curiosity the most was a message written in a language only she could understand—later revealed to be the language of the gods—stating that the deity awaited her arrival.

Having encountered the deity briefly before, she looked forward to meeting them properly.

When they arrived at the southern temple, as stated in the letter, Elpis was waiting for them.

“Sister.”

Ria beamed as she hugged Elpis, whom she hadn’t seen in a while.

Though he was now a grown man taller than her, she still saw him as the small child she had cared for since their first meeting.

After their brief reunion, the four men accompanying Ria greeted Elpis. Though their relationship was somewhat unconventional, Ria wasn’t officially married yet, so the formalities were still appropriate. Not that much would change after marriage.

Elpis returned their greetings and led them into the temple, explaining as they walked.

“Each temple has a portal leading directly to the Holy Kingdom. It’s only used in emergencies and requires strong faith to activate. Of course, that doesn’t apply to me. As long as you’re with me, you can use it freely.”

Reaching a room at the very end of the prayer hall, Elpis opened the door. Inside, the room was entirely white, with a single mirror standing in the center.

“A mirror is the most convenient medium.”

Standing before the mirror, Elpis extended his hand to Ria. When she took it, Rune asked, 

“How long will it take?”

“It’ll be quick. It’s still morning, so we’ll return by the afternoon.”

As Elpis touched the mirror, its solid surface turned fluid. Smiling reassuringly at the four men, Ria followed Elpis through the portal.

“Welcome to the Holy Kingdom, Sister.”

Hearing Elpis’s voice, Ria opened her eyes to see the splendid sight of the Holy Kingdom before her.

She had merely closed her eyes and reopened them while crossing through the mirror, and just as Elpis had said, the space had completely changed. And to think it was the Holy Kingdom, a place not freely accessible. It was truly a fascinating experience.

“This way.”

As Ria widened her eyes and looked around, Elpis, smiling gently, guided her forward.

The tour of the Holy Kingdom wasn’t particularly long. Since it was a place dedicated to worshiping the divine, the interiors were mostly composed of the priests’ quarters and prayer rooms, despite the grandeur of its exterior.

Eventually, the two headed toward Elpis’s room, the primary purpose of their visit.

Inside Elpis’s room was a small door that led to a chamber housing a statue of the deity. This was where His Holiness always received the voice of the divine.

Just before opening the door, Elpis hesitated slightly and spoke to Ria with a somewhat awkward expression.

“Um, once we go inside, it might be… a little overwhelming. The deity has been eagerly awaiting you.”

He repeatedly reassured her not to be startled before finally opening the door.

【My child!】

The deity’s cry rendered all of Elpis’s prior warnings meaningless as the divine being rushed toward Ria the moment the door opened.

Caught off guard by the translucent figure embracing her, Ria blinked in surprise before hesitantly returning the embrace. Despite lacking a physical form, the warmth emanating from the deity filled her from deep within.

【At last, we meet. How long I have awaited this moment…】

Releasing the embrace, the deity dabbed at its eyes with the long sleeves of its robe, as if wiping away tears. Meanwhile, Elpis, who had been pushed aside by the deity’s sudden rush, sighed deeply and shook his head.

“You’re startling my sister.”

【Oh, my apologies. Did I frighten you? Such a delicate body… Are you hurt anywhere? Hmm?】

Startled by Elpis’s words, the deity hurriedly examined Ria from head to toe. Then, as if sensing something, it tilted its head.

“What is it?”

【Hmm… No, it’s nothing.】

However, to Elpis’s inquiry, the deity simply waved its hand dismissively, wearing an enigmatic expression.

The conversation between Ria and the deity that followed wasn’t particularly unusual.

Aside from mentioning that the previous divine child’s soul had returned safely to the divine realm, or that the High Priest, who had dared to harm the divine child, along with his accomplices, would suffer eternal torment even in death, most of their conversation revolved around how much Leah and the deity had worried about Ria and her health.

Incidentally, the deity, like Elpis, remarked that Ria’s current health was at its best. They reassured her that as long as she avoided significant threats like dark magic, her frailty wouldn’t pose a major problem in her life. She was simply more delicate than others, so there was no need for excessive concern.

At one point, the deity paused and muttered, “Hmm… You’ll need to be cautious soon, just once…” but didn’t elaborate further.

Despite the extensive conversation, time seemed to flow differently while speaking with the deity. When they emerged from the chamber, not much time had passed. Ria bid the deity farewell, marveling once again at the wonder of it all.

Without lingering further, they returned directly to the southern temple. Having accomplished the purpose of their visit, Ria didn’t want to keep the four men waiting any longer.

“I must return to the Holy Kingdom. But I’ll come up to the capital soon, so don’t worry too much and take care of yourselves. I’ll write often.”

Accompanying Ria back to the southern temple, Elpis saw them off, promising to meet again. As someone now bearing significant responsibilities, he could no longer remain by Ria’s side as he once did. That fact saddened him deeply.

“Take care of yourself too, Elpis. Don’t overwork yourself, and if you’re too busy, it’s okay to take your time writing to me.”

Knowing that this warmth would remain unchanged, Elpis felt at ease as he turned to his duties. With the Holy Kingdom, once thought to exist only in name, now restored to its former glory, he was determined to find more ways to help her.

Elpis watched their retreating figures until they disappeared from sight before turning back.

“What did you talk about?”

“Hm? Nothing much. Just that they were very worried about me.”

Watching the four men lovingly dote on Ria, Elpis sighed in relief before heading back to the Holy Kingdom with a slightly cautious step.

‘Hmm, it seems the time has come earlier than expected.’

As Ria left the chamber, Elpis recalled the deity’s murmured words.

And when Duke Astina approached Ria, he remembered the faint but radiant light that had begun to spread around her.

It seemed that an early spring had arrived.

< Please Don’t Let Go Of That Leash > End of the Main Story