"Da da..."
Clear footsteps echoed through the tavern.
Kronos slowly walked in, Konan following close behind.
Seeing that Kronos had returned, a smile spread across Erica's face.
Before he could say anything, she asked a few familiar questions.
"You're back? Have you eaten yet?"
At the side, Hina noticed that not only had Kronos returned late, but he'd also brought back a woman.
She immediately frowned, visibly unhappy.
With hands on her hips, she huffed.
"So you do remember how to come back—"
But before she could finish, Erica stepped in.
A swift karate chop landed on Hina's head.
"Bonk!"
"Ow~" Hina yelped, rubbing her head.
Erica didn't let up.
"Alright! Now that Kronos is back, it's time you went to bed too!"
Erica felt a little helpless when it came to her stubborn daughter. Though Hina had clearly been worried and waiting for Kronos, she still had to act like she wasn't.
Covering her head, Hina looked up at Erica with slight resentment, but said nothing more.
"Fine~" she muttered, turning and walking slowly up the stairs.
Kronos just watched her go with a faint smile and didn't say a word.
Once Hina was out of sight, Erica turned her attention back to Kronos.
"I'll go warm up some food for you. It won't take long."
"There weren't many drinkers tonight, so I cooked a proper dinner just in case."
She turned, ready to head toward the kitchen.
But just then, Kronos raised a hand and stopped her.
"No need, Aunt Erica."
Erica paused mid-step and turned to look at him, puzzled.
But she saw that same gentle smile on Kronos' face as he spoke calmly.
"I came to say goodbye."
The moment the words left his lips, Erica's pupils shrank ever so slightly.
Upstairs, Hina had just rounded the corner at the top of the stairs.
Hearing Kronos' voice, she froze completely.
As if she couldn't believe what she'd just heard, she turned and stared down at Kronos.
Her eyes trembled. She said nothing—just stood there, unmoving, unable to look away.
The first floor fell into silence.
Erica also watched Kronos quietly for a moment.
Then, after a short pause, she asked:
"It's so late... Why don't you eat something and rest for the night?"
Kronos shook his head gently.
"No. I only came to say goodbye. I'll be leaving soon."
"It's already decided?" Erica asked softly.
Kronos nodded.
"Yeah."
Hearing his confirmation, Erica gave a small, resigned smile.
"I see."
She returned to the counter and started wiping down a wine glass absently.
After a pause, she asked again:
"Do you know where you're going?"
Kronos didn't hide it. He answered calmly.
"Out to sea."
Erica nodded—she hadn't expected anything different.
After all, to leave the town, you'd have to go to sea.
But when he said that, a voice suddenly called out from the stairs.
"The sea is dangerous! There are pirates out there!"
"It's nice here... Isn't it?"
Hina's sudden words made all three—Erica, Kronos, and Konan—look up at her.
Kronos didn't reply. He simply smiled in silence.
Yes, the sea is dangerous. There are pirates out there.
But little girl... what you don't know is—
I'm going to sea to become a pirate.
Hina came back down and walked over to stand beside Erica.
Surprisingly, Erica didn't scold her or tell her to go to bed this time.
She let her stay.
What needed to be said had been said. What Erica wanted to know, Kronos had told her.
Now, it was time to leave.
With that thought, Kronos reached into his coat and pulled out a heavy pouch.
With a soft thud, he placed it on the counter.
"It's not much... just a little gold."
Erica blinked, surprised by the size of the bag.
She quickly tried to hand it back.
But Kronos placed his hand over hers, stopping her.
"Keep it."
"You've taken care of me for over a month."
"I don't have much else to give."
With that, Kronos withdrew his hand, turned, and headed toward the door.
Konan followed quietly behind.
But just as they were about to leave the tavern, Erica's voice called out.
"Wait a moment."
Kronos turned back.
He saw Erica pour a small glass of wine and set it on the counter.
"At least... have a drink before you go."
Kronos didn't refuse.
He stepped forward and picked up the glass.
This time, it wasn't juice.
With a soft smile, he downed the drink in one smooth motion.
"Clack."
The wooden cup landed softly on the counter.
Erica's voice followed again.
"Safe travels."
Kronos nodded, then looked over at Hina.
He smiled and said warmly:
"Listen to your mother."
"Goodbye, little girl."
With that, Kronos and Konan walked out into the rainy night.
Inside the tavern, Erica and Hina remained standing in place—
Silently watching them disappear into the dark, silent street, swallowed by the rain.
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