Parting

Ever since Lucian became the so-called Butcher of Amphoreus, no city-state dared to test their luck again.

As a result, he became completely idle, unable to find anything to do, so he could only spend his days playing with Tribbie, Trianne, and Trinnon.

A few months later, all the little Tribios finally returned to Janusopolis, where they merged into one Tribios.

Right after that, at the Temple of the Three Fates, Tribios announced to the masses that humanity's Flame-Chase Journey had officially begun!

[DING! Congratulations on completing the script!]

[In one hour, the script will close, and the host will leave the current world.]

At long last, after a full ten years of silence, the long-lost voice of the System echoed once again in Lucian's mind.

'As I thought, the real key to completing this script was simply accompanying Tribios in starting the Flame-Chase Journey...'

He had clearly completed the script and would be able to return to reality, which should have been something to be happy about since this was what he aimed for all this time, yet Lucian actually felt a little regret.

He regretted that he had finished the script too quickly.

Originally, the Flame-Chase Journey was supposed to start in Year 3870 of the Light Calendar, but because he forced his way in, it began a full 109 years early!

Regardless, that was not important—mulling over something that had already happened wouldn't change anything and would just be a waste of time.

What mattered more was that there was only one hour left before he would leave this script, before he would leave Mortis and Tribios.

'Even though it was just a script, I actually got attached...'

Lucian could not deceive his own heart—he truly did not want to leave the two women he loved.

After a brief moment of silence, Lucian made up his mind.

Separation was only temporary, and this world was not reality, so once he returned, he would find a way to reach the actual Amphoreus.

Now that he had only one hour left, he decided to use the remaining time in this script to say goodbye to the mother and daughter.

*BANG!*

As Lucian was lost in thought, the door to the bedroom was suddenly slammed open.

He turned sharply and saw Tribios and Mortis appear together before his eyes, looking anxious and out of breath, as if they had run here at full speed.

"What happened?"

Lucian, as always, wore a gentle smile, graceful and elegant as he asked the two.

No one else would imagine that the butcher who had slain three hundred thousand people could have such a gentle side.

"You... You're leaving... aren't you?"

Tribios's voice trembled slightly, clearly unsteady.

"Mm."

Lucian did not hide the truth and gave a simple answer.

Hearing his answer, Tribios bit her lower lip and immediately ran to Lucian.

"But I don't want to leave you!"

Tribios threw herself into Lucian's arms, crashing into his embrace.

Tears spilled uncontrollably from her eyes, soaking his chest.

"I'm sorry... I'm afraid I have to." Lucian gently lifted Tribios's face and wiped away her tears. "My purpose here is now over, so I don't belong here anymore..."

Looking at Tribios's tear-streaked face, he felt as if a thorn was lodged in his heart, pricking him with pain.

"When... When will it be?"

Mortis slowly walked over to Lucian and took his hand as she asked.

She forced herself to suppress her reluctance and sadness, remaining gentle and dignified as always.

"One hour from now."

Upon hearing this, Tribios hugged Lucian even tighter, as if she wanted to press him into her own body—they were so close that Lucian could clearly feel the softness of her chest.

Needless to say, the eight-year-old girl from back then had grown up in every sense.

"Thank you... for coming..."

Tribios, burying her face in Lucian's chest, spoke while sobbing.

"Thank you for saving my mother... Thank you for saving my childhood... Thank you for always staying by my side... Thank you for protecting me... Thank you... Thank you so much... for everything..."

At this moment, the two of them seemed to have returned to ten years ago.

Tribios was still the little girl who always clung to Lucian for stories, asked for candy, and ran to him for help whenever she was bullied.

"Do you know why I never called you 'father'?"

Tribios asked Lucian softly, but without waiting for his answer, she answered the question herself.

"Because I truly... I truly love you, but this love isn't familial love..."

Facing her sudden confession, although Lucian had seen it coming, it still broke his composure.

Mortis, on the other hand, appeared calm, without any trace of surprise—clearly had known everything long ago.

It was not strange, since Tribios was, after all, her daughter, whom she had raised from birth until now.

Fortunately, Tribios was not her biological child, so they could both accept this kind of relationship.

"Hahh..."

Lucian sighed softly to calm his mind, then gently patted Tribios's back to soothe her emotions before responding.

"I won't lie to myself... I love you too... not as family, but as a man and a woman, just as I love Mortis..."

Upon hearing Lucian's response, Tribios instantly felt immense joy that managed to suppress her sadness.

"How stupid of me... If only I'd said it sooner..."

Tribios tried her best to force a smile, but seeing her mix of tears and a smile made Lucian chuckle.

"I want to give you one... last gift..."

As she spoke, Tribios's voice grew quieter and quieter.

"My sweet girl, have you made up your mind?"

Mortis, who understood her daughter's intent, immediately asked Tribios with a serious expression.

At her mother's question, Tribios nodded firmly.

Seeing her daughter's resolve, Mortis didn't press any further.

In the next moment, she leaned in close to Lucian and kissed him on the lips.

"I'll always be here waiting for you. You must come back."

Leaving these words behind, Mortis turned and left the room, closing the door behind her, but she stayed just outside and did not go far.

Only Lucian and Tribios remained in the room.

"So, what gift do you want to give me?"

Lucian asked with genuine curiosity.

Tribios, however, said nothing, but instead pressed down hard with her feet, rose up on tiptoe without hesitation, and, throwing all caution aside, kissed Lucian's slightly parted lips with desperate resolve.

"I want to give you my all... Please take my everything with you..."

Tribios completely crossed the final boundary, offering up the most passionate and fearless confession from the depths of her soul.

Lucian was silent for a moment, then nodded gently.

"Alright... Disarm—no, wait, you wore black pantyhose? No, I'm not taking these off."

In the end, after using Disarm to remove all of Tribios's clothes except for her black pantyhose, Lucian and Tribios finally broke the final boundary.

In the room echoing with Tribios's sighs and moans, sunlight poured in, filling it with a bright, steady white light.

===

Just before an hour passed, the bedroom returned to calm.

Mortis entered the room and saw Tribios sitting alone in a daze on the bed, a blanket covering her naked body.

"He's gone..."

Tribios spoke softly, her tearful eyes filled with sorrow.

Mortis sat down on the bed and gently pulled his daughter into his arms, comforting her.

"Our lives are long... One day, we'll meet again at the far end of the west wind, where flowers bloom..."

===

[Script: Tribios, complete.]