Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 600 - 416: Silent Days (3)

Chapter 600: Chapter 416: Silent Days (3)

Old Ferrero spoke slowly, making an effort to lay out the entire sequence of events that led to this moment for the two children. Even when the girl’s face turned pale, he took the time to comfort her. "This cannot be true, Your Excellency, Anmi is a human, a living person."

Desperation filled the boy’s face. He looked at Ferrero, hoping to find the smile of a successful deception on his face.

But all he could see was the guilt written across Old Ferrero’s face, "I am sorry, Sayer Jon, but everything I’ve told you is true. Anmi Dor, she was a child grown in a lab, and she doesn’t know herself, because all her memories before entering the orphanage were fabricated."

"How can this be! How can they do this!" The boy turned his head to look at the girl on the bed, his voice filled with despair, "Anmi, what’s wrong with Anmi, if she is not human, how can she still fall ill?"

"Her body was created, it’s not a normal life from the start, she could only live five to ten years. Based on our investigation, Anmi entered the orphanage eight years ago," Old Ferrero said with a sigh, "Regarding Anmi’s condition, we are powerless. I am sorry, children."

Malin saw the girl’s face overcast with despair, and just as he felt he ought to do something, the boy suddenly grabbed the girl’s hand, "Anmi, don’t despair, I am here for you, let’s get married."

Initially, the girl struggled, but when the boy said the word ’marriage’, she first grew silent, then struggled even more fiercely.

"No, Sayer, I am a created monster, how can you marry a monster!" she cried, trying to pull her hand out of the boy’s grasp.

But in the end, he still pulled her into his embrace.

"We will always be together, do not cry, not even the gods can take you away from me," the boy said.

Malin let out a sigh of relief—it seemed the child had made his choice. Well then, Malin decided to give them a chance. He knocked on the door gently and, turning his attention to the two children who looked up at him, said, "Anmi, Sayer, I heard what you said. I have a method that might allow Anmi to live longer, but there’s a price to be paid. Sayer, are you willing to give up your life?"

"I am willing!" the boy exclaimed with tears of joy.

"I am not willing!" the girl cried out in sorrow.

True love is tough as steel, this seems to be the principle at work. I haven’t even said that I only need half a life, and yet you both answer me so... this dog food is really sweet.

With such musings, Malin raised an eyebrow and finished what he hadn’t said, then looked at the young couple, "What will you do now, Sayer, are you really willing to give up half your life for Anmi? Bear in mind, perhaps you could live to be eighty, but if you accept this blessing, your fates will be tied together. You will share your lifespans."

"I am willing, Lord Malin," Sayer answered resolutely.

"No, Lord Malin, I don’t want Sayer to make such a sacrifice for me. Just being able to live alongside him for so long has already made me more than content. Fate has dealt me a cruel hand, but I still have faith. Even if I am a created being, ... I am still loved by someone. That alone is happiness..." Anmi changed the subject then reached out to caress Sayer’s face, "Sayer, let me go. If fate decrees that we part, I don’t want you to sacrifice yourself for me. You have endless potential and maybe one day, we will meet again in the Divine Realm under the Goddess’ grace. Then you can tell me everything that’s happened in your life, alright?"

"No, Anmi, when I was alone, my life was dull and lifeless, but you brought light into my existence. You gave me wonderful memories, and you made my life beautiful. I can’t afford to lose you because I know without you, I’d lose my reason to keep on living."

"No, Sayer, with or without me, you still have everyone else, and there will be girls who love you entering your life," she said as she looked at him, "Sayer, I love you, but I don’t want you to sacrifice for me, because I love you just as much. You are willing to sacrifice for me, and I am willing to die for you too."

Speaking thus, Anmi’s smile became laced with the seasoning of tears, as Sayer held her tight in his arms.

"Mr. Malin, I beg of you, let the Lord of Justice bless us," he turned to Malin, holding Anmi’s mouth shut, "Neither Anmi nor I can convince the other, so I have decided to marry her. In doing so, I shall exercise the right as the head of the family."

Then the young man winced as he released her, but in the next moment, he kissed her again.

This time, the girl, no longer resisting, let tears of happiness flow.

"This is true love, unseen in society," Old Ferrero murmured. He then turned, saluting the being of light who appeared from the hallway, "Welcome to this harsh yet tender world, Your Majesty."

"Children, I have heard the wishes of your hearts, and it gave me pause. You are both willing to sacrifice for the other—such virtue deserves reward," said the being that stood before Malin, reaching out to touch the foreheads of Anmi and Sayer.

"My chest doesn’t hurt anymore," Anmi looked at the deity in front of her, "Your Highness, have you really split half of Sayer’s life with me?"

"It was a quarter of a life, the rest I have made up for. Live well, grow up, become high-level Professionals, and you might both live a bit longer..." The figure’s radiance faded, revealing a young, ordinary-looking man who smiled and patted the two youths on their heads, "Remember what you have done for each other today, and stay together until death brings you both to the Divine Realm of the Goddess of Harvest. Until then, live well."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, and you, Lord Malin, for altering the destiny of Anmi and me. I will never forget your kindness," Sayer said amidst his ecstatic gratitude.

"Lord of Justice, great Your Majesty, thank you for your help, and thank you, Lord Malin, without your aid, I would have died with regrets. You have changed my destiny; you are my benefactor."

"I don’t ask for you to repay me, I just want to tell you to remember all that you have given for each other today. You must love and cherish each other, regardless of war, poverty, or illness, nothing can tear you apart..." As Malin spoke, Fio separated two twigs which twisted themselves into rings, "Congratulations on your wedding, Mr. Jon, and Mrs. Jon."

The boy and the girl smiled as they exchanged rings.

Having bid farewell to the newlyweds, Malin turned to see Colin and Margaret standing outside the door, "The two of you, after witnessing this scene, do you have anything you’d like to say?"

Colin covered Margaret’s mouth with an impassive expression, only to be bitten by the latter who might belong to the canine family.

Nameless chuckled softly.

Malin laughed heartily.

It was supposed to be a touching scene, yet why did these two make it look so comical?

...

Faye returned to Carterburg in the middle of the night, exhausted from the journey with limited teleportation uses, but she was extremely anxious after hearing about Colin and Margaret’s situation, for she feared her sister would do something foolish.

Why is my whole life such a toil? First, a brother’s pitfall, then a sister’s. Why does the Mowish family always relish in loving and killing each other?

"Wait, Malin replied saying they’re at the old mansion."

"The old mansion? Isn’t Colin sick?"

Despite her confusion, Faye and Clovis still took a carriage to the old mansion—the residence once belonging to Old Hoffman. After Colin took over, it had become an annex for the orphanage, where the overly young children would spend the night.

Alighting in front of the mansion’s grand entrance, Faye and Clovis walked through the gate—Fio, Malin’s dog, opened the gate for them, and after letting them in, the young branch darted past Faye into the mansion.

Then, the two girls saw Malin appear at the entrance. "I knew you guys would come."

After speaking, Malin greeted them with a smile. He first hugged Clovis, then patted her little tail, ushering the Bunny Girl into the mansion before turning to support Faye’s outstretched hand.

"How’s my sister?" Faye asked anxiously.

"Not bad, your sister is much stronger than you imagine," Malin replied with a smile, leading her towards the mansion as he spoke.

This allowed Faye to finally relax—Malin would never deceive her, she firmly believed, as he had never let her down over the years.

No matter what, he was the best lover in her eyes, loyal, humble, and principled. Because of this, she and her sisters chose him, trusted him, and loved him.

With this thought, Faye leaned on Malin’s shoulder with a smile, "You know, you’ve grown taller again."

"You’ve seen me change three times a day; look at me now, pretty handsome, right?" Malin responded with a smile, and then he added, "I love you, Faye."

"I love you too, Malin," Faye replied, then out of curiosity, said, "Wait, you don’t usually say it like that."

"How do I usually say it?" Malin seemed more curious.

"You would say, ’Faye, have you gained weight again?’" Faye looked at Malin seriously.

"Hey, I was wondering what you were getting at, I knew you’d gained weight the moment I took your hand," Malin said, bursting into laughter and flashing an annoying grin.

Faye laughed too, while pinching his palm—take that.

And so, Malin’s laughter contorted silently.

Having dispensed her reprimand, Faye let go of his hand, then looking at Malin, asked, "Do you realize what you did wrong?"

"I do, talking too much," Malin replied with a woeful look.

You still know, you fool.

Faye huffed, then kissed her beloved.

Together, they walked into the hall to see her sister and Colin, watching them with a heap of children by the fireplace. Faye felt like she was looking at her future self.

Glancing once more at Malin, Faye’s heart brimmed with pride.