System's POV

Medea held Thirteen, as if unwilling to let him go.

Right now, she was the happiest woman in the world. But tomorrow, she knew… knew that she'd be as sad as she was happy today.

Still, what mattered was the present.

Thirteen might have been forced to marry Medea, but it was still a choice that he made in the end.

He could have simply left. He could have said no.

But, in the end… he said yes.

Perhaps he felt sentimental due to the years they spent together.

Medea had always been by his side, helping him deal with the problems that arose during the unification of the continent.

A soft sigh escaped the young lady's lips after her kiss with Thirteen ended.

She had waited for this moment for many years, and now, her dream had finally come true.

Both of them were currently in a bathtub, washing each other's bodies.

But she just couldn't get enough of him. The feelings she had been holding back all this time were now rising like an unstoppable torrent that had finally been freed from its imprisonment.

Thirteen allowed her to do whatever she wanted with him.

He allowed her to kiss his lips, nibble on his ears, peck his neck—do everything she had long wanted to do.

In the end, she forced herself to calm down as she led Thirteen out of the bathroom and helped him dry his body.

Thirteen did the same for her and allowed Medea to lead her to the bed.

This would be their last night together, and the Saintess wanted to create memories.

Memories that would last her an entire lifetime, knowing that tomorrow, the person she loved would no longer be by her side.

The one who took the lead was Medea, despite being inexperienced.

Although a bit clumsy, she did what she wanted.

She burned Thirteen's image in her heart and mind, loving him the way she wanted to love him.

When they finally became one, the Saintess savored the pain, for it would remind her of this moment forever.

Medea didn't cry, for she no longer had tears to shed.

Right now, the only thing on her mind was to make sure that her beloved would mark her as his own.

Her sighs continued throughout the night.

When she got tired of taking the lead, Thirteen took over, making her fall in love with him all over again.

He tried his best to be gentle, to be tender, to hold her as if she were the most important person in the world to him.

This continued until she finally fell asleep.

And this time, a single tear fell from her eye, knowing that when she woke up… he would no longer be there to hold her tight.

———

Just before sunrise, Thirteen planted a kiss on Medea's cheek and left the bed.

He looked at his newlywed wife, who was sleeping peacefully on the bed, where they shared their fleeting happiness together.

The young man paused for a while before he sat on the chair and wrote a letter of goodbye.

His original plan was to leave before she had woken up, but doing so felt wrong, so he decided to at least write her a letter.

When they were wed, they didn't exchange any rings because it was not necessary.

However, Thirteen decided to leave something behind.

He opened his System Shop and bought a ring, which had an enchantment that would keep its wearer healthy at all times.

Although he believed Medea would not need it because she could use her power to heal herself, he still decided to buy this as his parting gift to her.

When he finished writing, he glanced at his wife one last time before leaving the room quietly.

Only when he was certain that he could no longer be sensed by anyone did he fly to and past the sky, finally leaving this world behind.

Princess Xynalia sighed and lightly clapped her hand, ending her Dream Walking.

It was now time to return to her own reality, where everyone was waiting for her return.

Shortly after Thirteen and Princess Xynalia left, Medea opened her eyes.

After seeing that she was all alone, she bit her lip, knowing that this was something that was meant to happen.

A moment later, she noticed the letter on top of the table and hurried toward it.

She easily recognized Thirteen's handwriting, so she was certain that this letter was written by him.

Seeing the small ornate box with the ring on it, she held it close to her chest as she read the letter that was meant for her.

———

To my lovely wife, Medea.

Thank you for being there during my darkest moments.

I was never someone who sought companionship.

I did not believe I deserved it, nor did I think anyone would ever endure staying at my side.

But you did. Day after day, year after year, you remained with me, even when I was at my most distant, even when I gave you nothing in return.

I cannot give you a future.

I cannot give you the simple happiness of waking up together, of growing old side by side.

My path is already written, and I must walk it, no matter where it leads.

This ring is my promise to you. It is not the vow of a husband who can stay, but the vow of a man who has already left yet wishes to protect you still.

Wear it, and know that a part of me will always remain with you.

Medea… Thank you for loving me even if I don't deserve it.

Thank you for giving me a place to return to, even when I knew I could never stay.

If the threads of destiny that Skuld is weaving permit it… If love is as eternal as Ceremion said, then perhaps… one day… We will meet again.

Until then…

Live. Smile. Carry my memory not as a burden, but as a flame that warms you on cold nights.

Goodbye, my Saintess.

—Yours,

Thirteen

———

The tears that Medea had been holding back finally fell.

She thought that she had no more tears to shed, but she was wrong.

Her tears fell as her heart cried for what she had lost.

Cathy watched her from a distance, a sad smile on her pretty face.

"I guess I need to talk with Skuld…"

The lady who represented Hope went back to the Celestial Realm, for someone was crying her heart out in the hope that it would reach the person she loved, who had gone to fight against a God…

That he had no hope of winning against.