Bailonz Street 13

Episode 154. Death (5)

As lovely as Liam Moore is, the proposal is still startling.

A proposal? Really? At this time?

A proposal while we’re both soaking wet and shivering?

Candles, flowers, a ring? None of that matters. Honestly, I’d always thought Liam Moore alone would be enough. I’d even planned to accept without question if he ever proposed.

But saying “Yes, I’ll marry you!” in this state seems a bit undignified. How disheveled must I look in his eyes?

Looking at Liam’s beet-red face and his grey eyes, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. The laughter erupted as if someone had poked me, and it wouldn’t stop.

‘Ah. I’m so glad to be alive.’

I really am a lucky person, I thought.

* * *

For how long did I laugh? I finally wiped away my tears. Rather than a woman crying from joy at a proposal, I was crying from laughter. What other lover could be such a mess? My stomach aching, I managed to speak.

“I don’t know how many times you’ve proposed already.”

“…Mmm.”

“Liam, I might… be able to return to my world.”

It made sense. If I stayed here, the door would remain open, and with the two worlds connected, the Black King could return at any time. He would surpass us with even more cunning and cruel methods. Then both worlds would truly face their end simultaneously. I didn’t want that.

After a moment’s silence, Liam nodded.

“I had a feeling. I saw the world you lived in.”

“Lots of amazing things, right?”

“I wondered how uncomfortable it must have been living here, leaving such a wonderful place.”

It wasn’t as bad as you might think. Humans are adaptable creatures, after all.

“Though not having a phone was quite inconvenient. Having to wait for telegrams to send messages.”

“Phone?”

“Yes, that’s a thing. About the size of your palm, but it can do almost anything. Exchange letters in real-time, hear the voices of people far away.”

Liam listened to my explanation with slightly parted lips, then nodded.

“The problem is, Liam, if I accept your proposal and leave, you’ll be alone.”

Liam hastily replied.

“I’ll be fine.”

“Really?”

Would he be? Every time he’d see the wedding ring, wouldn’t we miss each other?

Of course, I could live well after returning. My family is there. But even while laughing with friends, I’d think of Liam. Seeing beautiful scenery, particularly nice weather, flowers blooming… this man before me would come to mind. I’d have to live with an empty heart, constantly aware of his absence. Even at the seaside… all our memories together would resurface to torment me. Would that really be living?

And though he doesn’t show it, Liam Moore would think the same.

“I think I’d miss you.”

“…Me too.”

“Are you really okay with constantly missing each other without being able to meet?”

He nodded without hesitation. Looking at those sparkling eyes, what could I say?

“…Let’s marry.”

Yes, let’s marry. Whatever. We’ll live like a long-distance couple, I suppose.

It’s somewhat amusing that we’ve made this life-changing decision between ourselves, without any parents present, quick as lightning.

What would I tell my mom Choi Eun-sook and my dad Jung Chang-hyun when I return to the 21st century? Mom, Dad, I have something to tell you. I got married. Good heavens, where? In England. Are you crazy? I could already predict their reaction. I might end up with hand-shaped marks on my back.

But what could I do? When Liam Moore says “Will you marry me?” with such a beautiful face.

Any sane person would accept. I’m sure my parents would welcome him immediately if they saw Liam’s face. So, I just had this carefree thought.

‘Hmm… Jane Moore doesn’t sound bad either.’

Liam helped me up. A sudden hot wind swept past us, and instantly our wet clothes and hair were dry. The sticky feeling of sewage disappeared, replaced by a fresh fragrance as if we were wearing newly laundered clothes. As he tidied my disheveled hair, Liam whispered.

“After we handle this situation… I was thinking of asking Herschel to officiate.”

“And Owen can be your best man?”

“Ah. That fellow would be desperate to catch your bouquet. Getting married is his goal for this year.”

I briefly imagined Owen in formal wear with a bow tie. Somehow, it didn’t suit him.

“…I have a feeling Owen would wear his robe even to his own wedding.”

“Haha. That’s true.”

We were exchanging pleasant conversation, relieved that the Black King’s matter was settled, when suddenly Lucita’s leopard came running. It opened its mouth and spoke with Lucita’s voice.

[Miss Jane. Liam Moore.]

I decided to stop wondering how Lucita always managed to find me. She must have some ability, just as Liam could traverse space and Owen could sense people’s desperate thoughts.

“Lucita, are you hurt?”

[I’m fine. But you need to come right away. You both know the place.]

Lucita named a cathedral. …We couldn’t forget it. It was where I had been imprisoned. The maze-like underground beneath the memorial suddenly came to mind.

I frowned slightly. Why did she want us to come there?

Lucita’s leopard dissipated into mist after delivering the message, leaving just the two of us bewildered.

“What could it be?”

I asked. Liam shook his head as he answered.

“I don’t know. But I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

* * *

I’m not sure whether to be glad or troubled that his premonition was right. When Liam immediately grabbed my waist and transported us to the clearing, I was left speechless.

Was the atmosphere here always like this?

It was excessively chaotic. In the distance, Greenwich people were gathered under an old dead tree. They all had their backs to us, so we couldn’t guess what was happening, but the atmosphere felt ominous.

Lucita stood with her butler a little distance away. I felt somewhat relieved to see neither had any major injuries.

Just as I was about to ask why she called us here, Lucita spotted us and raised one hand.

“He wants to see you two.”

“What?”

Who?

“Go over there.”

I don’t know why, but Lucita pointed to where the Greenwich people were gathered. With each step, an ominous sensation slowly crept up my legs. I wondered if I was the only one feeling this.

Was this where that golden light burst earlier? Was that the cause?

As we pushed through the crowd of Greenwich people with confused expressions, Herschel turned to greet us with a grave face.

“You’re here.”

“Herschel. What’s happening?”

Liam asked first.

Herschel was hiding whatever was behind him with his massive frame and cloak. We could have pushed past him, but Liam calmly waited for his explanation first. A glimpse of Liam’s face showed he had turned pale. As if he felt the same foreboding as I did.

Herschel took time choosing his words. He seemed unable to speak easily. Finally, he managed to say:

“…Owen is dying.”n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Liam rushed forward first. With an incredibly shocked expression, I followed him past Herschel. Then we froze, unable to speak a word at the sight before us.

The ground around the memorial was overturned. A crater gaped as if a massive meteorite had struck, with just traces of the underground maze remaining. Black liquid flowing from the shattered statue at the crater’s center was staining the surrounding ground. From there, drag marks led to where we stood. And at the end of those marks was someone we knew.

The man barely breathing while leaning against the dead tree laughed weakly when he saw us.

“Ah, damn… To think… I’d show… such… a sorry sight.”

A wheezing sound accompanied each breath, as if his lungs were filled with air. His once smooth and cheerful voice was gone, replaced by one that gurgled as if with phlegm.

His red hair had faded slightly, and his lips glistened with blood. His face was deathly white, as if bleached. Then there was his body. His white robe clung to his skin as if melted, and the hands visible outside the robe were charred black. Everything below his neck was in the same condition.

Looking at this horrific sight, I realized there was nothing we could do to save him.

It was too late.

Owen Cassfire was dying.

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