The moment Emery regained his consciousness and opened his eyelids, he was immediately hit by a splitting headache that almost made him curse loudly. Then, he found out that he was lying on a comfortable bed. However, the bed was not his, nor the place where he was currently.

His eyes darted around rapidly scanning the surrounding area, as his brain caught every image in the endeavor of finding out where he was. It seemed Emery was currently in a cabin.

He saw polished wood used as flooring, while rough-looking yet aesthetic wood was used as the base material for the walls. He also saw a window in the wall, which should have provided an outside view.

Emery quickly brought his body up and got off the bed he was in. The moment his feet touched the floor, he almost stumbled on them because of how the floor suddenly shook. His eyes then turned to the only window in the room and his memories quickly returned to him when he saw the scene outside.

He finally realized where he was right now: the ship that had sailed.

Emery quickly casted [Blink] and his figure appeared on the deck of the ship. Frantically throwing his gaze around, all his eyes could see was the blue expanse that seemed boundless.

It quickly hit him, the fact Gwen was not on the ship. He used his Spirit Reading in the attempt to discover how far the ship had gone, to find he was already so far in the middle of the sea and he couldn't detect any land through his skill.

Worried about Gwen's safety, Emery immediately tried to cast [Spatial Gate]. The normal spell was unavailable to use due to its range limitation, but he could still feel the mark he left at the stone formation.

Intricate runes and symbols appeared above Emery's hand and the familiar sight of space being torn was seen. The spatial gate was swiftly prepared and the only thing he had to do was walk through it.

However, when he was about to step in, his steps were stopped by a loud woman voice coming from above him.

"You walk through that gate and you will never see me again!"

Turning around, Emery brought his head up and saw a figure standing at the top deck. It was Klea standing there with an emotional look on her face.

Emery still can't believe why she spirit attack him just now, whatever it was happening to Gwen she definitely knew something about it.

It took him a moment before he finally managed to let out what he wanted to ask.

"Klea, tell me what happened… why?"

It was clear Klea had no intention to answer as she only raised her hand and showed the particular parchment that was there. Upon seeing the parchment, a light seemed to flash across Emery's eyes, as he quickly casted [Blink] and appeared next to her.

His hand immediately tried to reach for the leather parchment, but Klea flawlessly dodged his action as if she had expected it. Her actions naturally made Emery upset as he grunted at her.

"Klea, give it to me!" Emery said, as he once again reached for the parchment.

Dodging the incoming hand by pulling her hand back, Klea looked at the restless Emery and said, "I will give it to you as long as you calm down!"

Her words reminded Emery of his current state and woke him out of the anxiety. He quickly stopped himself and took a deep breath to calm down. A few seconds later, he asked for the parchment again, this time with a calm voice and demeanor, Klea finally gave it to him.

Repressing the emotions raging inside him, Emery opened the parchment, immediately recognizing Gwen's writings.

'Emery, I am sorry I lied to you..

My father told me to be happy before he passed and I have been trying to live by it. The last few months being with you were the happiest days I ever felt, but the truth is I have changed. I will never be truly happy, if I ignore the suffering of my people.

Please forgive my selfishness for asking a request to you.

Forget about me and please bring my dream of exploring the world with you.

I'm sorry and I love you.

Gwenneth.'

Emery was seen standing still, as his eyes fixed on the parchment, reading the writings carefully word by word. After his eyes went past the last word that stated Gwen's name, he was frozen still.

Until this moment, Emery didn't realize that words could have such an impact on him. He could feel his heart once again ache, his mind filled with countless questions.

Did this mean she already made her decision?

Did this mean she would not want to see him again?

Was this... their goodbye?

Emery could feel the words written in the parchment to be real, but he couldn't accept them. Just yesterday, the beautiful yet delicate girl was still in his embrace. They both were happy with each other's company.

The change was too sudden and he instinctively refused it to become his reality.

In the meantime, Klea was still standing next to Emery. She was silent and seemed to have no intention to say anything. However, her attitude was suspicious.

Emery looked at her and realized something didn't add up. Then, his thoughts recalled what Klea did: her sudden disappearance and overreaction. Klea was hiding something from him.

He approached Klea and calmly asked, "Tell me, Klea. What really happened?"

Klea didn't say anything, but Emery could see her face slightly change into that of guilt. It immediately made him know there was definitely something she hid from him. Therefore, he pressed on.

Emery raised his hand and the familiar [Spatial Gate] appeared once again.

Seeing it, Klea once again threatened him. "I will not order my men to turn the ship!"

Although the threat seemed out of context at first glance, it actually suggested the same exact outcome as her first threat. Klea knew this and so did Emery.

He knew if he really went, his trip would be one-way. As he would not be able to [spatial gate] himself back on the ship. However, this time, Emery was willing to risk it for the truth.

"Please don't lie to me, Klea. Tell me, or I will not hesitate to step through this gate." Emery firmly said.

"Alright.. I will tell you what happened, ...just calm down"

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Written by Avans, Published exclusively by W.e.b.n.o.v.e.l,