Chapter 258.

Although Kim Seon-Hyeok laid in bed, wrapped in bandages, Marek looked relatively fine. Come to think of it, the only reason Marek had lost the duel was that he had lost his stamina, not because he was seriously injured.

Looking at Mareks tired but clear and unscathed face, Seon-Hyeok was once again reminded that him winning the duel was just a fluke.

I plan on holding the ceremony of succession on the next full moon.

While Kim Seon-Hyeok was trying to find words of consolation as he looked at Mareks cut hair, Marek told him his plans.

Ill also tell you everything, the truth of everything youve been wanting to know so much about that day as well. So please, wait a bit longer.

Before Kim Seon-Hyeok could bring up the topic, Marek brought up his promise first, apologizing for the delay. There mustve been special restrictions placed on the Adjuster because there were no signs of him procrastinating on his face.

Well, youre not one to run away. Theres no reason I cant wait for a few days.

Marek thanked him for his straightforward response.

Correct me if Im wrong, but you seem relieved?

Although Marek had lost the duel and couldnt have the successor he wanted, he didnt look gloomy. Instead, he had a soft expression as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

I wont deny it. If Im being honest, its true that Im feeling relieved.

Marek readily acknowledged it.

Hm.

Kim Seon-Hyeok didnt dare imagine how heavy the burden mustve been to have lived for 200 years with only one purpose.

By looking at Mareks face, he could vaguely understand that the path Marek walked as an Adjuster hadnt been an easy one.

The more he looked, the more clearly he realized how heavy of a burden Julian would have to carry in the future.

In the past, there wasnt any place on the continent where people werent pursuing the foreigners. At that time, I was severely wounded in a battle against the pursuers. Like the present Countess of Mangsk, I was in a situation where I had to take on the position and accept the fate of an Adjuster if I wanted to avoid inevitable death.

Marek stared at him with a melancholy face before continuing to talk.

You said something last time. That whatever it took, its better to be alive than dead.

No matter how difficult and harsh it was, it was better to be alive and scream than to die and have everything be in vain. In the end, only those who are alive have the right to move forward. That was why Seon-Hyeok believed that it was better to be alive than dead.

Having been at the brink of life and death countless times, it was more of a conviction than a belief for him. Even if his heart was heavy as he thought of Julian, it didnt change his mind.

I agree with what you said. Even if I were to go back to the past with another chance to choose, I would still choose to survive. As you said, its all over if you die.

As Marek had observed how the foreigners who died in the span of 200 years were forgotten, his words held a tremendous weight.

Then, Ill be back the night of the full moon.

Marek left after leaving those words of comfort, however questionable those words mightve been.

Kim Seon-Hyeok sighed heavily once he was alone.

The faces of the past members of the Drake Cavalry who had died first, as well as the numerous soldiers and his fellow foreigner comrades, flashed before his eyes.

I wasnt wrong.

He sighed once more as he looked towards where Julian wa