EPILOGUE: THE FORSAKEN LAND OF CHERWIND

**Kuro**

“Don’t blame yourself for what happened,” Ursura kept on telling me, “You did the right thing by attacking those monsters with your magic.”

“Yes, milord…” Banu backed her, “Look, we still survived because of your timely intervention.”

I just looked back at them. Honestly, I’m in no mood to listen nor talk to my companions. My stomach was turning, and I think I’d throw up, especially when my mind replayed what just happened.

“Kuro,” it was Konka, “Please don’t blame yourself. A lot of our friends died, but your help to us is what kept us alive so far. Just heal your hand…”

I looked at the strange stump on my right arm that was formerly my hand. For all the things I did to this race, I think this was just a fitting exchange.

I’m not using that magic ever again…

“Please let me think for a while…” I told them, “…and I’ll keep it like this for the meantime. For as long as I haven’t corrected my wrongs to your people, my arm would stay like this.”

“Milord…” Banu had a pitiable expression on his face.

“It’s alright, Banu. This would serve as a reminder for me to consider my actions. The demon weapons I taught the humans to use brought destruction and sorrow to your people. And my magic caused a lot of your friends to die.”

“Kuro, you’re pathetic!” Ursura grabbed my head and said, “Please look around you and tell me what you see?”

“…” I did what she asked me to do. The survivors of our motley army of beastmen were streaming back to Konka’s village. I could tell that they were tired, but on their faces were the smiles of relief.

“We may have lost many people today, but we kept our loved ones alive because of you,” Ursura pointed out, “Because of your magic, we still have a village to return to.”

Konka and Banu agreed with her. The other villagers were also giving me their respects as they went past where we were.

“…”

I guess this is of my own doing as well. These people were still alive because I helped them. Well, not bad at all, Kuro…not bad at all.

However…

“Thank you for the encouragement guys,” I told them, “But, just as what I said before, my hand would stay as it is for now, for as long as the beastfolk aren’t free—from humans, and monsters. This will be a sign of my resolve and atonement for what I—and my race—did to your people.”

At that moment, I gained the will to fight for the people of this forsaken land, Cherwind…