(Riana POV)
The song reached its end, and I slowly placed my hand on the dagger, preparing to draw it.
Suddenly, the boy in front of me grabbed me forcefully and began whispering words in my ear.
"Don't pull out the dagger, or you will regret your actions today. If you seek revenge, think of another plan that won't lead you to destruction."
When I heard these words, my mind stopped working, and for the first time, I felt fear.
All the determination I had gathered before vanished completely, and my mind began searching for any way to survive.
"You, do you know who I am?"
I stepped forward and asked him if he recognized me because I wanted to know if he remembered the one person who had kept him alive four years ago.
"Of course, I know you, Lady Riana. But if you wish to take revenge, think of a way that won't destroy your future. I'm sure there is at least one or two people who would mourn your death."
At that moment, I felt a mixture of emotions.
Relief, because I would remain alive. Anger, because my survival depended on the mercy of the man who had destroyed my life.
And finally, reassurance, knowing that the person before me recognized who I was.
I backed away quietly and continued the celebration I hadn't cared about at all.
After returning home, I thought long and hard about the events of that day, wondering why he hadn't captured or killed me.
But after exhausting my mind, I decided to ignore the matter and focus on my training.
Three days passed, and I visited my father in his office.
My father told me I had been accepted as a teacher at the academy.
For the first time in a long while, I felt joy, and my future seemed to be improving gradually.
But another thing my father said dampened my happiness and brought me back to reality.
'Of course, this life won't let me be happy for long.'
I mocked my life as I left my father's office, heading toward the knights' center to prepare for the upcoming monster wave.
True, Orlax would be coming to my father's birthday party and might help us, but I didn't place much hope in that.
I even considered that when this demon arrived and saw the monster wave, he might actually help them destroy our small city.
The three days passed quickly, and the day of the monster wave arrived.
I stood atop the wall beside my father, and we exchanged a few words—this might be our last conversation while still alive.
"I wished, at the very least, to see you in a wedding dress before I died."
"Come on, father, who would ever accept me when I have this scarred face?"
I scoffed at my father's words, thinking about whether anyone would ever accept me, knowing I had such an ugly face.
Moments later, I felt the ground begin to shake and turned my gaze forward, focusing on the scene before me.
My heartbeat quickened, my breaths grew heavy, and sweat began forming on my face.
I didn't feel fear or anything of the sort.
I only felt despair—that I wouldn't live another day in this world.
And sorrow, for my father, who had been betrayed by everyone and left alone to fight these monsters.
And disappointment in myself, for failing to grant my father the one wish he longed for.
Thus, the battle against the monsters began.
I fought with all my strength, my sword carrying the weight of my despair.
Until breathing became difficult, and my father forcibly pushed me behind the gate, ordering me to rest for a while.
As I regained my breath, I heard my father shouting for everyone to flee this place immediately.
Boom!
I heard a deafening explosion, and the last thing I saw before losing consciousness was my father approaching me, his warm arms enveloping me.
It felt as if I was drowning in the sea, struggling desperately to surface and breathe.
But strangely, I also felt at ease, believing that the torment of this life had finally ended and that I could rest at last.
Just as I sank deeper, a hand suddenly extended toward me.
It seemed as though someone refused to let me drown here, urging me to continue living.
So, I reached out for the hand, and I was pulled up forcefully.
I slowly opened my eyes, feeling the weight and pain spreading throughout my body.
Around me, people were gathered, and knights stood among them, so I tried to rise slowly.
But my body refused to listen; I couldn't move any part of it.
Suddenly, a translucent blue screen appeared before me, displaying a few words I didn't quite understand.
["Protect Orlax at all costs."]
'What is this? Am I the only one seeing it?'
I wondered in confusion, as the people around me hadn't seemed to notice the screen floating before me.
Then, the screen vanished, and I felt strength returning to my body.
All my injuries healed at a speed visible to the naked eye, allowing me to stand on my feet.
I took a few seconds to adjust to my surroundings before turning to the people.
'Protect Orlax at all costs? Who is asking this of me? And how am I supposed to protect someone far stronger than me?'
While lost in my thoughts, one of the knights approached and began speaking.
"Lady Riana, are you okay? Your injuries were severe."
"I'm fine. More importantly, what happened? Where is my father?"
"Lady Riana, the Emperor came and protected the city, saving it from the monsters."
"Are you serious?"
I felt strange learning that the man who had destroyed my life was the one who had defended my beloved city and saved me.
"Of course, my lady. Everyone can confirm what I just told you."
The people nodded in agreement with the knight's words.
I sighed. "At least he saved us. But where is my father now? Has anyone seen him?"
"Unfortunately, my lady, no one has seen the Baron."
"What do you mean no one has seen my father? Where could he have gone?"
I started feeling anxious upon hearing that no one had found my father.
"This... My lady, perhaps the Baron has—"
"Silence!"
I shouted loudly, cutting him off because I knew exactly what he was about to say.
"That's impossible! This is Baron Elen! He is my father!"
I ran away from the place after shouting those words and began searching for him.
Eventually, I found him lying in an alley.
His once bright red hair was now dark, soaked in blood.
His eyes were closed, and a faint smile adorned his face, as if he had been content at the moment of his death.
Looking down, I saw a massive hole in the middle of his torso, exposing his internal organs.
"Urgh!"
I began vomiting at the horror of the sight before me, tears streaming from my eyes.
My father had always been an impenetrable fortress.
He had endured all of life's hardships for my sake and for everyone in this city.
And now, his lifeless body lay abandoned in a narrow alley.
I approached him, placed my hand on his cheek, and gazed at him silently.
The faint wrinkles on his face, marks of aging, and the elegant beard that adorned his features.
These were things I had seen every day but never truly noticed.
Now, as I looked at him, I realized that my father had truly grown old.
He was no longer the mighty fortress I had always envisioned him to be.
"Why?"
I asked, even though I knew no one would answer me.
Why did my father have to die while I remained alive?
That was the only question in my mind.
And now, after sitting before him and sensing his heartbeats, which had stopped long ago...
I knew—the great Baron Elen, my beloved father, had left this life.