Chapter 206: The Warmth in My Arms
"I always feel like your reasoning is a bit off. Everything I've done has been for the good."
Serie was silent for a moment, then nodded, acknowledging Kurtz's statement.
"What about you? Would you sit by and watch something like that happen?"
"I probably would." Serie, uncharacteristically, didn't hesitate. Instead, she answered earnestly, "If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't interfere with such trivial matters. In my long life, only magic has ever captured my attention. Beyond that, just occasionally teaching a few talented apprentices."
Serie didn't know if what she was doing was right.
She clearly wasn't the type who was keen on saving the world or others.
Facing Serie's confusion, Kurtz smiled. "Serie, don't overthink it. Besides, the man who saved the world is standing right in front of you. You knew his original intention when he embarked on that journey, didn't you?"
Kurtz was referring to what he'd told Serie before, the reason he initially set out on his adventure was simply to spend more time with her.
At the thought, the elf felt her cheeks flush.
"But I still feel it's wrong. Being with you from the past to the present, I'm subconsciously striving to save the world. This isn't like me."
Kurtz sighed quietly.
He stopped, facing Serie directly. His tall figure blocked some of the soft moonlight, casting a deeper shadow over her.
Serie stopped as well, looking up at him with confusion.
Kurtz said nothing.
He reached out naturally, without hesitation.
His fingertips brushed across Serie's smooth cheek, carefully tucking a stray strand of golden hair behind her ear.
When his fingertips grazed her sensitive ear, it brought a subtle, electric tingle.
Serie's body stiffened.
Her eyes widened slightly. She instinctively wanted to retreat, but Kurtz's other arm had already wrapped around her waist, holding her in an undeniable embrace.
"Don't move."
Kurtz's gaze remained fixed on her face. His fingertips didn't leave the area behind her ear, but slid gently to her taut nape.
Serie felt her heart begin to race.
For some reason, being this close to him always made her feel strange now. A heat she couldn't quite explain.
She hadn't been like this before.
The warmth of Kurtz's palm seeped through the fabric to her waist, and his fingers caressing the back of her neck felt like they were performing sacred magic.
As he gently pressed, an indescribable warmth spread from where he touched, dispelling the gloom in her heart.
She tilted her head slightly, forced to look at Kurtz's face, so close to hers.
The moonlight outlined that familiar yet youthful face. His eyes were filled with undisguised tenderness.
"I know what you're thinking." Kurtz's voice was soft, almost a whisper, his warm breath brushing the stray hairs on her forehead.
"You're afraid the self you imagine, emotionally detached, uncaring about your kin's lives, someone who wouldn't step forward when the world faces a crisis, is completely opposite to who you are now, traveling the world to save it."
Kurtz was referring to the initial Serie, an elf who didn't understand human emotions.
The current Serie was different.
After a thousand years of his efforts, Serie had become someone who understood human emotions, a grandmaster of them, really. Though perhaps petite grandmaster was more accurate.
So Serie's current confusion, though sudden, was understandable.
"I don't know if this version of myself is right or wrong, but—"
Kurtz cut her off before she could finish.
"There's nothing wrong at all!"
Serie looked at him in surprise.
"Life finds its own way. We aren't born saviors. We have no obligation to save this world. From beginning to end, I've only done my best to save it—nothing more, nothing less."
"So don't overthink it." Kurtz lowered his head, gently pressing his forehead against hers. Their breaths mingled in the space between them.
"No matter which version of you, you're not wrong, as long as you follow your true heart." He pulled back slightly, gazing at her. His eyes clearly reflected her hazy image. "You just need to remember—don't let that darkness devour your true heart."
True heart?
Serie's heart trembled.
She looked at herself reflected in Kurtz's eyes.
That's right. From beginning to end, she'd always stood on the side of humans or elves in this world.
Even when she first made up her mind, it was because she didn't want the demon race to dominate everything.
She had no reason to feel confused about this.
She no longer resisted. Her body relaxed completely, yielding to Kurtz's embrace.
She even turned her head slightly, gently pressing her cheek against his hand of her own accord.
Her cool skin touched his warm palm, bringing a strange comfort.
Kurtz felt her reliance. His arm tightened, holding her more securely.
His other hand lifted, no longer pressing, but gently resting on the golden hair cascading down her back.
They stood silently like this in the middle of the moonlit path, embracing in the enchanting night.
Around them, silent trees. Above, the starry river and bright moon.
No intense movements, no deliberate words. Only the sound of their heartbeats, steady and sure, transmitting to each other.
Serie closed her eyes, burying her face in Kurtz's chest, breathing in his familiar scent mixed with faint fragrance.
That lingering melancholy seemed to disappear little by little in his warm embrace.
In its place came an unprecedented sense of peace.
As if, as long as he was by her side, she didn't need to think too much at all. Didn't need to question herself.
She could no longer leave this man, it seemed.
Kurtz's chin rested gently on top of her head, feeling Serie's rare docility in his arms.
He tightened his hold silently, as if to engrave this warmth deep into his soul.
After a long while, Serie's muffled whisper came from his shoulder. "Your hand is rough."
Kurtz chuckled softly. "Haven't I been training as a swordsman recently? Hands that hold swords are bound to be like that."
He paused, his voice carrying a teasing lilt. "But the effect isn't bad, is it? At least it's much better than when I was braiding hair."
Kurtz was referring to his use of sacred magic to ease Serie's melancholy.
Serie punched him lightly in response, the force weak, like a kitten scratching.
She didn't lift her head, only buried her face deeper. The familiar blush at the base of her ears was faintly visible in the dim light.
This time, she didn't retort.
[End of Chapter]
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