Who hid My Corpse!

"No way," Gerard said nonchalantly, "the time you took to accept me felt like an eternity, so of course, I remember it well."

Ina smiled even more brightly.

As she smiled, she felt tears threatening to fall, but fortunately she lifted her head in time to prevent anything untimely from interrupting this exceedingly rare family atmosphere.

Gerard, understanding the situation, smartly steered the conversation back to Ju.

"That child isn't like you," Gerard said, "Back then, you had Ian, but she has nothing, always being all alone. I'm thinking that eating together with others might be her first-time experience... at least one of the very few times."

"Is that so..."

Ina turned her head and looked towards the small warehouse; Ju was already lying in bed, but it was uncertain whether she was asleep or not.

Afterward, as if Ina had made a certain decision, she turned back towards Gerard and said, "Leave it to me."

"What?"

"I mean, leave that child to me," Ina spoke softly, "However you got me to accept you, that's how I'll get her to accept me."

Gerard laughed, "Do you really have the patience for that? It's not easy to get close to a child like her."

"Hmm... why do I get the feeling you're both complaining about the past me and looking down on the current me?" Ina raised an eyebrow, "Really, do you think so lowly of me in your eyes?"

They shared a moment of laughter once more.

It had been a long time since she'd felt this way.

Ina thought.

Then she looked at Gerard again and asked very seriously, "So, you agree?"

"What?"

"Don't play dumb at a time like this, Father," Ina said emphatically, "Do you agree to leave Lyra with me?"

Gerard was silent for a while, then asked, "Leaving Lyra, where do you plan to go?"

"Just like I said before, Rhein, Holy Sound... anywhere is fine," Ina said, "Nowhere could be worse than here, as long as we leave this place, whether it's you, me, or that child... we all need a new life, we all do."

Gerard saw the resolve in Ina's eyes and knew that she was serious.

But he didn't answer immediately; instead, he finished the bread in his hands slowly, piece by piece, until it was completely gone, and then he said slowly,

"Okay."

Before Ina could celebrate, Gerard added,

"But after tomorrow."

Ina's pupils contracted slightly, and though she guessed why, she couldn't help asking aloud, "Why?"

"I've lived here my whole life," Gerard said, pointing to the land beneath his feet, "No matter what, I want to see its end."

Ina fell silent.

She knew well how dangerous it would be to stay.

But she also understood that decisions made by Gerard were not easily changed.

"Okay," Ina eventually nodded after a brief hesitation, "but you have to promise me one thing."

"What?"

"This city has nothing to do with you anymore," Ina said, word for word, "You can only be an observer, no matter what happens, you cannot interfere. After witnessing its end, you must leave... can you do that?"

Looking into Ina's earnest eyes, Gerard nodded slightly, "Okay."

Hearing Gerard's promise, Ina breathed a sigh of relief.

She looked up at the increasingly darkening sky and set down the half-eaten bread in her hand, getting up in a hurry.

"Since we're leaving tomorrow, I'll go and take some stuff," Ina said, "I can't just leave empty-handed."

"Do you need to get money?"

"Not just that," Ina shook her head, hesitating a bit, "and some... brother's stuff."

Gerard nodded, "Okay, go early and come back quickly."

"Okay."

Ina was about to leave, but Gerard stopped her.

"Wait."

Ina turned back, looking at Gerard with a slight confusion, "What is it, Father?"

Gerard pointed emotionlessly at the half-eaten bread on the table, "Finish your dinner."

A clear look of astonishment flashed across Ina's face, but after a moment, she still smiled.

"Okay."

After Ina's figure had vanished from sight, Gerard spoke softly, "You've come back, haven't you?"

"Mm."

"Is everything taken care of?"

"Yes," Bai Wei said lazily, "Just go to that place tomorrow and retrieve my tongue for me, and our deal will be done. Don't worry, there's no danger this time. I've dealt with that, but we have to wait until tomorrow."

"I see."

Gerard remembered the deal he had with Bai Wei.

Bai Wei would help him find the truth, and he would help Bai Wei find his tongue.

Now, Bai Wei had completed his part, and only Gerard's remained.

"What will happen tomorrow?" Gerard asked.

"It will end with the most appropriate conclusion."

Bai Wei said faintly.

Gerard cast his gaze into the distance, where the dark sky should have been, but fireworks continuously tore through the darkness.

However, after a brief flare of brilliance, they quickly returned to silence.

That night, the people were celebrating.

Celebrating the arrival of the new gods, as well as the passing of the Old Gods.

"The most appropriate... conclusion, huh?"

...

"Damn it."

A gear train slowly came to a halt on the tracks.

It hadn't reached the station yet.

This caused great dissatisfaction among the passengers on board.