#784

Epilogue - The Retired Old Man (3)

“Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too.”

As soon as Forrest appeared, Marie and Joanna immediately stood up to greet him.

Judging by the atmosphere, they seemed to have been sitting awkwardly, which was understandable.

Marie and Joanna.

The Chosen One's representative and the Saintess of Parter Church.

The new rising religion and the one defending its established position.

These two were close yet distant, ambiguous in their cordial and adversarial relationship.

The irony was that both factions deified "him," while Marie and Joanna, their practical leaders, sought to prevent such veneration.

‘So different, yet strangely overlapping…’

Looking at Marie and Joanna, Forrest evaluated their relationship and decided he had to ease the awkward atmosphere. He moved to action immediately.

“How could this old man not be overwhelmed, being welcomed by the leaders of two great groups? Your kind hearts must be why neither of you seem to age. Hahaha!”

Forrest deliberately laughed excessively to show it was a joke.

But there was some truth in his words.

Even though it had been over twenty years since he left, they still looked almost the same as back then.

Not just them, but also Jane and the new Grandmaster of the Magic Tower, Yareli.

If exaggerated, they seemed frozen in their most beautiful prime, giving rise to a popular rumor.

It was said that the women he loved were blessed to remain ageless.

Naturally, such rumors spawned even more rumors, as rumors tend to do.

One such rumor was about who among them—Marie, Joanna, Jane, or Yareli—received more of his love.

To Forrest, who knew him, it was ridiculous nonsense, but the problem was that others didn’t see it that way, and conflicts eventually arose.

...Perhaps one could call it a kind of legitimacy issue.

“Ah.”

For a moment, Forrest felt a headache coming on, but he quickly shook his head to dismiss the thought.

There was something more important than such trivial musings at the moment.

Recalling that, Forrest cleared his throat and spoke.

“Ahem! Ahem! …Just joking. An old man’s attempt to lighten the mood.”

“Ah…”

“Ah…”

“Judging by your reactions, it seems you two aren’t as kind-hearted as I thought. Well, beautiful women do tend to have harsh tempers, so I understand.”

Forrest teased the two women with a jest while placing the luggage slung over his shoulder onto the adjacent seat before taking his own.

As Forrest sat, the two women also took their seats.

“Still, I won’t express my disappointment with you. After all, both of you came here at this old man’s request.”

Marie and Joanna replied in unison as if they had planned it.

“No, you don’t need to say that—”

Forrest deliberately cut them off.

“—after all, you’re called his representative and saintess.”

Crack…

Although no sound was audible, it felt as though something froze around Forrest’s ears for a moment.

It wasn’t just the sound.

The atmosphere itself seemed to grow colder, an illusion created by the ominous aura emanating from Marie and Joanna.

Forrest was startled but quickly regained his composure.

The two of them, though different in form, were undoubtedly extraordinary beings, and the half-joking remark Forrest had just made was akin to a blasphemous insult to them.

Bringing him up in front of them carried such a connotation.

“…”

“…”

However, Forrest had not mentioned him simply to provoke them. Even with his ordinary human body, he did not apologize but calmly looked at them.

From Forrest’s gaze, Marie and Joanna read something and slowly withdrew their sharp auras.

“Sigh…”

As the tense air dissipated, Forrest slumped his old body and let out a deep sigh.

“Have mercy on an old man. You scared me.”

Marie, bemused by Forrest’s absurd reaction, also shed a layer of her formal demeanor and rested her arms on the table.

“You only say such things because you know so much.”

“I’m an old man, Marie. I have the right to shamelessly poke at sore spots.”

“No! Don’t talk nonsense. No one has such a right.”

“You’re unusually prickly today. Since when did you become so strict with me?”

“Since you dumped the redevelopment alliance on me and left.”

"Is that so?"

When Forrest feigned ignorance, Marie’s hips slightly lifted off her chair.

Forrest flinched at the sight but was relieved that Marie didn’t leap at him, allowing him to maintain a shred of dignity.

It felt harsh for an old man, but the powerless Forrest chose to endure. 

Such was the unyielding law of Landa.

And honestly, had someone thrown a mountain of work at him without consultation during such a busy time, he’d probably react the same way.

“It doesn’t seem like you called us here because of your book,” Joanna, who had quietly been observing Marie and Forrest, asked.

Forrest addressed her with slightly more respect than he did Marie.

While he shared a personal rapport with Marie and Jane, his relationship with Joanna was strictly professional, built on their discussions about his book.

Straightening his relaxed posture, Forrest began to speak.

“Your sharp intuition as a saintess is remarkable.”

“I hope that knack only extends to work-related matters,” Joanna replied with a mild warning, clearly unimpressed.

Forrest nodded in acknowledgment.

“Fair enough. Let’s get straight to the point. You both know the current situation, don’t you?”

The current situation.

The phrase was open to various interpretations, but both women stiffened as if they had already guessed its meaning.

Perhaps they had realized from the moment they were summoned.

It was about his worship.

The tension that had dissipated now slowly returned, enveloping the room in an eerie stillness and quiet pressure.

But silence wasn’t going to solve anything. Ignoring the atmosphere, Forrest dove straight into the main topic, just as the one they revered had once done.

“I’ll be blunt. His worship cannot be stopped.”

The two women, often referred to as “his women” or those who had received “his love,” flinched at the audacity of Forrest’s statement.

“You’re moving quite fast with the conversation. Too fast,” Marie remarked.

“Am I? I think it’s rather slow. This is a matter that should have been discussed long ago but was delayed until now.”

Marie had no rebuttal to Forrest’s response.

“Still, whether it’s fast or slow, that’s no longer the issue. Let’s settle one thing first: I think both of you have done well so far.”

Forrest glanced at Marie and Joanna in turn, expressing his sincerity.

“I know you’ve both worked hard to prevent his worship and deification. The Chosen Ones and Parter Church—though different in form and location—have upheld his legacy. I understand that.”

“…”

“But even so, I believe you both know it’s ultimately a losing battle.”

“I don’t agree,” Marie, who had spent years ensuring the Chosen Ones didn’t lose their communal identity, countered.

Forrest responded calmly.

“Then let me rephrase. I think you will inevitably fail.”

“...Why is that?”

Joanna asked, her tone relatively composed. Forrest answered.

“Because both of you, like me, will eventually grow old and die.”

“What…?”

“No, not that I’m dying now. I mean, someday. I still want to live, after all.”

“…”

“What I mean is, you’re both finite beings with limited time. Do you disagree?”

Joanna and Marie slowly shook their heads.

Having been influenced by him, they understood better than anyone that they were not special but merely human. Forrest, too, shared that understanding.

“Even if you stake your roles as his representative and saintess to prevent his deification, your efforts will crumble once you’re gone. Most of the organizations you belong to are already moving in that direction…”

Forrest trailed off, glancing at Marie and Joanna.

Their expressions darkened, and seeing this, Forrest raised his voice.

“...Let’s stop this now!”

The sudden loud declaration startled Marie and Joanna, who turned to Forrest.

He addressed them in a firm yet comforting tone, like an elder offering guidance.

“Don’t be disappointed in yourselves, either of you.”

“…”

“I know how much effort you’ve put into upholding his legacy. He wouldn’t be disappointed in you over something like this. Or do you think he’s blind to all your hard work?”

Though his words were rougher than usual, it was precisely because of that tone that Marie and Joanna could grasp his intent.

Softening his voice, Forrest continued.

“You’ve both done your best and done well up to now. He knows that, and as his intermediary, so do I. So, don’t be disheartened. Let’s have a productive conversation about what comes next. Understood?”

A long silence fell over the room.

Marie broke the silence.

“What kind of productive conversation are we having here?”

“Exactly. Now the conversation is moving forward.”

Forrest snapped his fingers and lifted the “package” he had set beside him onto the table. 

Thud!

A crisp, clear sound echoed. 

Marie and Joanna’s gazes locked onto the long, cloth-wrapped item, as if it looked familiar. 

When Forrest unveiled its contents, they realized it was no illusion.

“This is…”

“A quarterstaff?”

“More precisely, his quarterstaff.”

Forrest revealed the identity of the object resting amidst the loosened cloth. 

It was the quarterstaff left behind by him, the one he always carried as if it were part of his body—a gift from Kent. 

As they stared at the tangible trace of his existence, long thought to have vanished, both women’s eyes wavered, and their hands instinctively reached out. 

Moved by emotions of longing and nostalgia, their bodies acted before their minds could stop them. 

Forrest’s next words startled them out of their trance.

“I propose that the Chosen Ones and Parter Church take turns managing this item.”

“...What!?”

Marie and Joanna were both so shocked that they couldn’t even find their voices. 

As they tried to compose themselves and respond, Forrest raised a finger to his lips, silencing them.

“Let me speak first. I suggest the two of you draft a covenant, agreeing as leaders of your respective organizations to take turns safeguarding this item. My reasons are threefold.”

He raised one finger.

“First, if you two disappear as things stand, his will is likely to be misinterpreted. To prevent that, a framework must be established, and for that framework to be effective, it requires legitimacy.”

Forrest shared his reasoning, which stemmed from his observations of the Chosen Ones and Parter Church. 

Marie, the representative, and Joanna, the saintess, wielded great influence in their respective groups, yet they had failed to halt his deification. 

The reason was simple. 

Though no one openly opposed them, some covertly pushed for his deification. 

Organizations are vast, and there are always people with differing ideas.

These individuals had already established teachings and logic to support their views. The only way to dismantle such structures and take control in a short time was to wield undeniable legitimacy—one that would silence any opposition.

The quarterstaff before them embodied that legitimacy.

“But…”

“Second, if the two of you don’t agree to alternate custody, conflict is inevitable. Even if both sides claim to serve the same figure, each will argue that their interpretation is correct.”

“…”

“To avoid that, a binding link is necessary, and this quarterstaff is the most suitable candidate for such a link—it’s practically an extension of him.”

As Forrest gazed at the quarterstaff, so did Marie and Joanna.

“What if both sides fight endlessly to claim it for themselves?”

“That’s why you need to make a covenant. The two of you—renowned as the women he loved most—must make this commitment.”

“Wait—”

“Hold on—”

“—No, no! My point is that it has to be the two of you, as figures of such prominence, to prevent future disputes. This isn’t up for debate, so let’s not get sidetracked. Don’t torment an old man further!”

Forrest covered his ears and raised his voice, prompting both women to relent.

Fortunately, they seemed to grasp the logic behind his argument and showed signs of being persuaded. 

Recognizing this as his chance, Forrest delivered the final blow.

“Lastly, number three. I’m old now. While I plan to live for some time yet, at my age, even getting hit by a truck could count as natural causes. I want to settle this quarterstaff’s fate while I’m still alive. If I were to die and leave it unattended, there would undoubtedly be conflicts over who gets to claim it.”

Marie and Joanna couldn’t refute his words.

“I’m glad we seem to be on the same page. Any questions?”

“...I agree with your reasoning, Forrest. It’s not ideal, but it seems to be the best option under the circumstances. However, I do have one question.”

“What is it, Joanna?”

“How do we formalize this covenant to alternate custody? It’s not something we can just sign off on and be done with.”

A valid point.

To establish the authority necessary to convince both organizations, an appropriate ceremony or performance would be essential.

“I’ve thought of a method, so give me a little more time. Marie, what about you?”

“...I have no particular objections.”

Marie outwardly agreed, but her expression revealed inner turmoil. 

It was likely guilt.

Although she had made sincere efforts to preserve the communal nature of the Chosen Ones, their transformation into a religious entity was, in some ways, triggered by her.

Though she had later tried to steer them back to being a community in line with his ideals, her efforts had ultimately failed, leaving her with deep regret and self-repro

ach.

Seeing her conflicted expression, Forrest abruptly spoke.

"I read the newspaper this morning."

“...?”

“The Fighter Crew’s team finally caught the Pink Man. Marie, you know what this means, right?”

Marie nodded silently.

“That means the royal family supported by the Fighter Crew has seized control of the underworld. Specifically, King Albert.”

“...Yes.”

“The colony issue probably won’t be resolved, but at the very least, the autonomy and taxation problems in Northland should improve significantly.”

Twenty years ago, during the apocalypse in the capital, he convinced Willes to evacuate the citizens. In gratitude, Albert, who ascended to the throne, along with his confidants like General Philip, recognized Northland’s autonomy and drastically reduced taxes.

Though true independence was practically impossible, this was the next best solution.

Naturally, there was backlash from both sides, but as a result, the number of people starving due to stolen harvests or becoming urban poor after losing their homes drastically decreased.

Over time, discrimination and oppressive laws against Northland began to diminish gradually, thanks to the memory King Albert held of the Kel Liberation Army’s assistance.

“The Magic Tower, under Grandmaster Yareli’s leadership, has also taken steps to acknowledge and atone for its past wrongdoings, apologizing to victims and working to correct its mistakes.”

“...I’m aware.”

“Even so, nothing has been neatly resolved. There are still lingering criticisms, tangled in the web of real-world interests and compromises.”

“...”

“But there is one thing I can say with certainty: we are moving forward, little by little. Sometimes so slowly it’s imperceptible, but progress is being made. Just as he said it would.”

“...”

“So don’t blame yourself. Focus instead on what can be done right now… Do you know what needs to be done at this moment?”

“What is it?”

“Ordering food. I’m starving.”

Forrest, as if his rousing speech from earlier had been a lie, reverted to the demeanor of an old man and called for a waiter.