Chapter 61: Let’s Remember Him

One day ago, on the other side, in the Human town.

Inside a bar, two young men leaned back in their chairs. Empty beer bottles littered the table, along with one that was still half-full.

It was Kaan and Cole.

Cole gripped the half-empty bottle with one hand and poured half a glass into his own empty cup.

He slowly set the bottle down and picked up the glass, his left hand unconsciously tapping the tabletop.

“Kaan, are you still thinking about it?” Cole asked, his pace of speech a bit slow.

“Yeah, I can’t forget it. It keeps haunting me, even refusing to let me go while I sleep,” Kaan said weakly, taking another sip of his drink.

“I often feel like that hand reaching out is still right next to me. The casket is still in my arms, feeling heavy,” Kaan continued.

“But at least this had a good outcome, didn’t it? Eileen’s illness has improved a lot, and she can move around normally now. Although she can’t do anything physically taxing anymore, at least Brother Wen’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain.”

“In the end, it was still a life for a life.”

“Sigh, but if Brother Wen hadn’t gone, Eileen would have definitely died. This kind of ending can be considered a ‘normal ending.’ We’re just slightly more capable ordinary people, after all, and stealing a demon heart flower is inherently difficult.”

Cole held his glass and bumped it against Kaan’s right forearm. The remaining liquor in the glass swirled slightly.

“Eileen hasn’t mentioned her brother for the past few days. She’s even started trying to cook, wash clothes, and things like that.”

“She has begun to accept the current situation and move on with her life. Shouldn’t we do the same? Besides, Brother Wen’s spirit in heaven would surely want us to keep living and not drown in this.”

“Yeah.”

Kaan swirled his glass. He stared at the surface of the liquid, where the shifting ripples seemed to reflect Owen’s face.

He remained silent for a moment before continuing.

“But don’t you think this whole thing is strange? After Owen stayed behind to block the demon queen, our path back was unexpectedly smooth. We didn’t run into any other interference from the demon race.”

“Yeah, it really is strange, but who knows why?”

“Did the boss do something? Something that made it impossible for them to pursue us? But how could he have managed that? It seems too impossible; after all, we’re just ordinary people.”

Cole stood up, walked over to Kaan’s side, and patted his shoulder.

“If you can’t figure it out, then stop thinking about it. Even if you do, what difference will it make? The result is what it is. Overthinking it just adds to your troubles and drains your spirit.”

“Yeah, alright. Let’s go. We can still visit Eileen at this hour.”

Kaan stood up as well, finished the dregs of his drink, and walked out of the tavern with Cole following behind.

The bottle on the table still held about one cup’s worth of beer. It was unclear if it had been left there for the air.

***

The two men walked down the street. The flickering lights cast the road in a mix of shadow and light.

“Cole, you reek of alcohol. Let’s stay outside a bit longer before seeing Eileen.”

“Ha, is it really that strong?”

“It is.”

“Then let’s hurry up. A little airing out should be enough. It wouldn’t be right to go too late; Eileen needs her rest.”

They walked side by side, but no one noticed that Kaan’s arms were held in a position as if he were cradling something.

They reached Eileen’s house. It was a home that wasn’t particularly large or small, but for the current Eileen, it seemed a bit too big.

They stood there for a moment. Kaan knocked on the door and waited.

About fifteen seconds passed before the door opened.

“Brother Kaan, Brother Cole, you’re here. Come on in.” Eileen’s voice sounded a bit weary, yet it held a certain strength.

Eileen sat in the middle of a long sofa, while Kaan and Cole sat on the side sofas.

“Eileen… how are you feeling now?” Kaan was the first to speak.

“I’m much better now. Cooking isn’t a problem, and my daily life is fine. I can even go out for walks. Right now, I’m just planting flowers.”

“Planting flowers?”

“Yeah, let me show you.” After saying that, Eileen stood up and walked toward a room with good lighting—her own bedroom.

“Wait, Eileen, just stay seated. How about we go get it?”

“No need. I can get it myself. Besides, walking around a bit more doesn’t hurt.”

Eileen then brought several potted plants out of the room.

Most of them were common, like lily of the valley or tulips.

However, one potted plant was very special.

“What is this?” Kaan pointed at the unique plant, which featured a purple flower.

“This… I bought it from a flower shop not long ago,” Eileen said, her voice dropping slightly.

“How come I haven’t seen it before?”

“This is called a purple flame flower. It originally comes from the demon race’s territory. It’s one of the few flowers that can adapt to our environment and grow here. The flower shop just got it, so I bought it,” Eileen said plainly.

“It must have been expensive.”

“It wasn’t too bad. These aren’t rare over there, so it wasn’t very expensive.”

“It looks like a purple sunflower. The petals are a faint purple. I feel like it has a mysterious, dreamlike quality. I thought it was beautiful and liked it, so I bought it,” Eileen quickly added.

“A purple sunflower?”

Eileen gently stroked the purple flame flower.

“Yes, it’s very special. Also, this flower needs a lot of water when planted here.”

“I see. Then go ahead and keep growing it.”

Kaan and Cole sat for a while longer. Suddenly, Eileen spoke.

“Thank you for taking care of me during this time. I also want to thank you on behalf of my brother.” Eileen looked like she wanted to stand up and bow.

“Wait, no need for that.” Cole quickly waved his hand, motioning for her to stay seated.

“But thank you both. Life wouldn’t have been easy for me lately without you.”

For a moment, the vibrations in the air seemed to vanish.

“It’s fine. It’s getting late, so we won’t disturb your rest anymore. We’ll head out now. You should get to sleep early too.”

“Okay. I’ll see you out.”

Kaan and Cole left Eileen’s house. They chatted briefly before returning to their respective homes.

***

Kaan arrived home and sat at his desk.

He opened the bottom drawer, which contained the flower casket Owen had handed him.

However, it had sustained some damage during the journey; a small nick was visible.

He had kept the casket all this time, storing it away.

Kaan looked at the casket, his mind filled with the recent interaction with Eileen and the conversation at the tavern.

‘I’m thanking you on behalf of my brother.’ ‘Life should move on.’ Those words echoed in his mind.

Yes, it should pass, but it shouldn’t just disappear like this.

The scene of Owen handing over the flower casket surfaced in his mind—the determination and the panic.

‘Before everything becomes a part of the past, shouldn’t I do something? Then I can truly move forward.’

Kaan touched the top of the lid with four fingers, his thumb resting on the clasp. Then, he fetched a clean cloth.

He gently wiped the flower casket.

‘I should go ‘see’ him. At least to commemorate him… to remember him. I can’t just let him die like this.’

‘I’ll bring this. Your mission is already complete anyway, and he should be able to see the result.’

He packed the flower casket away.

‘Let’s go. I’ll come back after taking one look.’

‘Just to commemorate him.’