Chapter 39: The Journey’s End

The next morning, the villagers gathered in the square as if something momentous had occurred.

“Here’s the situation: my master defeated the spider monster last night,” Parker explained, recounting how Aino had ventured alone into the forest and slain the spider monster.

As for the exact reason behind her solitary action, the villagers would soon find out.

Amid the cheers and expressions of gratitude, Aino remained calm. Beside her, Xiningna stood with her head bowed, her expression heavy with sorrow.

It didn’t take long for the villagers to notice something amiss. Their cheers began to quiet, fading into murmurs. Finally, the village chief raised his hand, silencing everyone before stepping forward to address the peculiar atmosphere.

“Lady Aino, has something happened? Why does Xiningna…” The chief trailed off uncertainly.

Aino nodded, her words measured as she revealed the truth she had prepared in advance.

“What I’m about to say may be difficult to hear. Xiningna is not human but a monster fascinated by humans and one that has never harmed anyone.”

Aino decided it was unnecessary to disclose that Xiningna was the spider monster’s sister.

The villagers were stunned. All eyes turned to Xiningna, their disbelief turning into a wave of murmurs.

“I knew there was something too perfect about her looks. She didn’t seem real…”

“Remember when she first came here? She couldn’t speak or use utensils properly.”

“I just chatted with her the other day… Could Lady Aino be mistaken?”

Those who doubted Aino’s words were quickly silenced. Her strength, already deeply etched into the villagers’ hearts, left no room for argument.

Ignoring the commotion, Aino focused on Mosheler. His expression shifted from shock to disbelief and finally to silence.

Familiar, isn’t it? Aino thought to herself.

What would happen next? Would it be a tragic tale of love between a human and a monster, torn apart by societal differences and the villagers’ opposition? Or would Mosheler, overcome by disgust and fear, side with the villagers and execute Xiningna on the spot?

Heh, either outcome would make sense, Aino mused.

The villagers, too, turned their attention to Mosheler. Having lived as her companion for years, how would he react to the revelation that she was a monster?

Under their scrutiny, Mosheler stepped forward. He stopped in front of Xiningna, who didn’t dare raise her head. All he could see was her glossy hair, the sunlight highlighting her delicate figure. A faint, familiar fragrance lingered in the air.

Was all of this an illusion?

“Xiningna… are you really a monster?” he asked softly.

Xiningna trembled slightly. She had prepared herself for this moment long ago.

“Yes… but I really like humans…”

Her plan had been to explain her admiration for humans and her refusal to harm them, hoping to gain the villagers’ trust.

But standing in front of the one person she cared about most, the words caught in her throat.

Seeing her hesitation, Mosheler took a deep breath, as if making an important decision.

“Lady Aino has confirmed that, though she is a monster, she admires human life and has never harmed anyone, correct?” he asked.

Aino nodded.

Mosheler continued, “Xiningna has lived with me for so many years. I believe that aside from her species, she’s no different from a human. I think she should stay—”

He was interrupted by an uproar.

“What are you saying? You want us to live with a monster?”

“This fool has been brainwashed by her!”

“She has to go! We can’t let her stay here!”

Mosheler argued back, “How could you drive her away? Xiningna wouldn’t survive on her own!”

“She’s a monster! Why do you care?”

“She has to go! Who knows when she’ll start eating people?”

Aino watched the chaos unfold, scratching her head with one finger.

It seemed Mosheler had outmaneuvered them. Human nature leaned toward compromise. If someone demanded to remove the roof, others would resist, but if they merely asked to open a window, people would agree.

Now, no one was calling for Xiningna’s execution. Instead, they demanded her expulsion.

This outcome will do, Aino thought.

“That’s enough. It’s decided. Xiningna, you are no longer to disturb the humans here,” Aino said, bringing the matter to a close.

The villagers’ response was surprisingly measured. Few had genuinely wanted Xiningna dead.

After all, this was a simple and kind community. Xiningna, in her human guise, had always been quiet and sweet, endearing herself to many.

Still, there were bound to be dissenting voices. Keeping her in the village would only invite trouble.

Leaving was the best solution, Aino thought.

With that, it was time for Aino and her group to move on as well. Their journey so far had given Aino a new perspective.

Could monsters truly yearn for a human way of life?

In this remote mountain village, even a butterfly monster had disguised itself as a human to live such a difficult existence.

Could there be others like her in human towns and cities?

The thought briefly crossed Aino’s mind but faded as quickly as it came. Such matters were neither her concern nor within her power to influence.

Spring planting, autumn harvest, the cycle of seasons, she thought. By the time they reached the Northern Abyss, nearly ten years had passed.

She recalled celebrating Alea and Parker’s birthdays on the road for the first time—now, it had been over a dozen times.

Alea’s golden hair still shone brightly, and she remained a beautiful young woman. But her demeanor had grown more composed and profound. Parker, on the other hand, was unrecognizable.

How to describe it? Parker had once looked like a novice, an ordinary apprentice. Now, he resembled a seasoned mage.

Though their appearances had changed, their group dynamic remained the same. Aino still led the way, flanked by the towering, muscular bald mage on one side and Alea and Zola on the other.

Of course, neither Aino nor Zola’s appearances had changed; time had left no mark on them.

“Master, this area should be part of the Northern Abyss,” Parker said with a smile. Their journey, after so many years, was finally reaching its conclusion.

“Indeed. There are still some species living nearby. Let’s rest tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll see the ocean,” Aino replied.

Meanwhile, creatures nearby had sensed their presence and began approaching.

The Northern Abyss was home to incredibly powerful beings, and the oversized lizards currently eyeing them were brimming with magical energy.

Yet the group ignored them, continuing their preparations for the evening.

Such minor threats were easily handled.

Parker coughed lightly, releasing his magic. A massive amount of earth-element mana surged, causing the ground beneath the lizards to crack and churn. Sand and soil twisted into a vortex, spinning wildly as though controlled by an invisible hand.

Any other mage witnessing this would have been astounded.

It was just a casual strike, yet it showcased Parker’s extraordinary mastery and immense magical reserves.

Without harming the lizards, he scared them off before calmly withdrawing his magic.

His effortless control and terrifying power marked him as a true master mage.