Chapter 321: Departure

It was morning.

It was finally time for Noah to leave the city, return home with his family, and then head back to the academy. Classes would resume on Monday, so there was little time left to linger.

Noah was already dressed and ready to leave. The last two nights had felt strangely empty.

After becoming accustomed to sleeping beside Akari for months, sleeping alone again had made him realize just how much he had gotten used to her presence.

’Does she feel the same way?’

Noah wondered.

He left his chamber and made his way toward the entrance of the manor, where everyone had already gathered.

The entire Thornveil family was there, along with Akari and her father, Reiji Narukami.

Noah’s own family stood nearby as well. Julian, Nathan, and Catelyn Eldritch.

However, for some reason, his elder brother was staring at him with an unusually sharp gaze.

Nathan’s violet eyes practically felt like daggers.

Noah had absolutely no idea why his brother was looking at him like that.

’What did I do this time?’ He decided not to think too much about it.

"Good morning, everyone."

Noah gave a light, polite bow.

Akari smiled gently when she saw him.

"Looks like everyone is ready. We can leave now." Julian spoke before turning toward Duke Lionel, who stood a short distance away.

Beside Lionel stood his current wife, Sofia, their son Liam, and Ophelia. Lady Elize, Lionel’s mother, stood nearby as well.

Ophelia would remain in Thornveil City for the time being, while Akari would return to the Eastern Duchy with her father.

Interestingly, Noah had also learned that there was a high possibility of Akari becoming the next Duchess of the Eastern Duchy. She told it to her father that she wanted to be.

Of course, nothing had been decided yet. The matter still needed to be discussed among the members of the Narukami family, their ministers, and other important figures before a final decision could be made.

Julian stepped forward. "Thank you, Your Grace, my friend Lionel. Your boundless hospitality has honored us greatly."

Lionel laughed. "It was my pleasure to honor you and extend my hospitality once again, Julian. The same goes for you, Lord Reiji. I hope we will have another opportunity to gather like this in the future."

"Indeed." Reiji nodded. "I would like that as well. However, for now, we should return. We each have our own territories to manage."

His cold, stern expression was completely different from the loud and boisterous Duke who had been drinking at the feast the previous night.

That man was nowhere to be seen.

The person standing before them now was once again the proud and formidable Duke of the Eastern Duchy.

Sofia elegantly bowed, lightly lifting the edge of her gown. "We would be deeply honored to welcome you and your houses to our halls again whenever your travels bring you this way. Have a safe journey."

Noah looked toward Ophelia and gave her a small nod.

She returned it. And with that, they finally left the manor.

A long, spacious carriage had been prepared to take both families to the teleportation gateway station in Everhold City.

The interior was considerably larger than Noah had expected. It had a spacious seating area with seats facing one another and a small wooden table positioned between them.

Julian, Nathan, and Catelyn sat on one side.

Reiji, Akari, and Noah sat on the other.

Noah naturally chose the seat beside Akari.

The journey to the station was mostly silent. No one spoke much, and the quiet atmosphere settled over the carriage.

There was only one thing troubling Noah. He was going to part ways with Akari. He quietly glanced at her from the side.

Her face had healed considerably since they escaped the realm. Her complexion had returned to its former beauty, and if anything, the ordeal seemed to have made her appear even more beautiful.

Her dark-blue hair was neatly tied up as usual, while her sharp blue eyes remained focused ahead.

The dark-blue fabric of her kimono suited her perfectly.

’Haah... When will I get to see her again?’

Noah sighed internally. ’I really don’t want to leave her.’

He had spent months with Akari. They had fought together, survived together, and even slept beside each other.

Somehow, he had become far more attached to her than he had realized.

’I really did get too attached to her over these past few months.’

Perhaps sensing his gaze, Akari turned her head.

Her blue eyes met his. She tilted her head slightly.

Noah immediately realized that she understood what he was feeling.

A soft smile appeared on her lips. "I will miss you, Noah."

She said it openly, without caring that everyone else in the carriage could hear her.

No one commented on it.

They all knew the two of them had been trapped together for months. They had fought side by side and survived countless dangers together.

It was only natural that they had grown close. "And I will come to visit you from time to time, if that does not bother you."

Those words eased Noah’s sadness somewhat.

He smiled and nodded. "Of course. It would be my honor if Lady Akari wished to visit me."

He paused before adding with a playful smile, "And who knows? Perhaps next time, I should address you as Duchess."

Akari chuckled. "Haha. It isn’t that simple."

"Indeed." Reiji suddenly joined the conversation with a loud laugh.

"I still have sons. She will have to deal with them before she can take my position."

Julian nodded in agreement. "That is true. But considering how much Akari has grown, I believe she could handle it."

"Perhaps," Akari said.

"But first, I need to relearn many things—political affairs, administration, and managing the territory itself. I have been away for too many years, and I have lost some of the skills I once possessed."

"You will regain them quickly, Lady Akari," Catelyn said respectfully.

"Yes, Mother. I know she will."

Noah’s cheerful response earned him another sharp glare from Nathan. He felt a sudden chill run down his spine.

’Why is he still looking at me like that?’

---

Eventually, they arrived at the gateway station.

Numerous teleportation portals stood throughout the enormous facility, each leading to a different destination.

Both the Narukami and Eldritch families stood together for their final farewells.

"It was a great honor meeting you and sharing a dinner with you, Duke Narukami," Julian said.

"The honor was mine." Reiji nodded. "We shall meet again."

His gaze shifted toward Noah. "Young man, I hope to see you even stronger the next time we meet."

"I certainly will be."

After exchanging their final farewells, Noah’s family turned toward their designated portal.

Reiji headed toward his own.

Akari followed her father for a few steps before suddenly stopping.

She turned around.

Noah was already looking at her. He smiled and raised his hand.

"Bye!"

He said it in a cheerful voice.

Akari couldn’t help but chuckle. She raised her hand and waved back at him.

Then she turned around and walked toward her portal.

Noah watched until she disappeared. He slowly exhaled. ’Well... we’ll meet again eventually.’

A faint smile appeared on his face.

’Now, I should get going too.’

"Noah!"

His mother’s voice suddenly called out. "What are you doing? Come on!"

Noah turned around.

"Coming!"

He quickly ran toward his family. With that, his brief stay in Everhold City finally came to an end.

Now it was time to return to the academy. And, more importantly. It was time to meet his friends again.

---

[A/N: I am back!! Sorry for the wait!!]