Living with the Reapers meant that Gibeon had no permanent residence. He was regularly moving from place to place since they would be spotted if they stayed somewhere too long. That life, moving from land to land, was very fulfilling.
The name of the Reapers was known everywhere they went. Whenever word of another murder went out, Gibeon and his friends would look at each other and laugh because they knew the truth. Each person who was supposedly killed was living out a new life in faraway lands.
Setting up the foundation of their lives after the escape was also a part of the Reapers’ job. It was the Reapers’ motto to provide great service even after the job was through. Gibeon was proud of the Reapers and was proud to be a part of them, but sometimes he felt dissatisfied.
“It’s kinda annoying that people say the leader is out killing and maiming when he’s actually doing a world of good, y’know,” Gibeon commented.
Kiel awkwardly grinned while Amarna made a pouty face.
“Yeah, that’s what everyone thinks,” Kiel said.
“It pisses me off to be in the same boat as some snot-nosed brat, but I feel the same,” Amarna spat.
Gibeon, Kiel, and Amarna had all been saved and taken in by the leader. If it weren’t for him, they would have lost their lives a long time ago. Their feelings for him were stronger than anything else.
“But since he’s okay with it, there ain’t much we can say about it,” Kiel pointed out.
“That pisses me off too. Why do you keep letting them say that stuff?” Gibeon protested.
“Well, for the sake of the people he’s saved, y’know?”
If word got out that their leader had saved those people, their pursuers would know that they were alive, which would effectively negate his efforts. Even though Gibeon knew that, he couldn’t help but dislike the fact that those not in the know feared the Reapers.
“But the leader is such a great guy...” Gibeon said.
“We all know that. And so do the people whom he has saved so far. Just bear with it,” Kiel instructed.
“I know!”
Gibeon wanted the leader’s escapades to be made public one day. It wasn’t likely one would find a person so willing to work for the sake of others. He definitely deserved more public recognition. Indeed, one day. Sadly, before that day could arrive, the leader unexpectedly died. He had been ill, and the illness had progressed so fast that it was too late by the time he noticed it.
Perhaps the dragonkin’s medicine could have saved him, but it wasn’t something that one could obtain at a moment’s notice. Still, unable to give up on their leader, the group had concocted a plan to sneak into the Dragon King’s castle that held the elixir. It was obvious that an item as rare as dragonkin medicine would be strictly guarded, and if they were caught, they probably would face death, but it would be worth it if it meant the leader had a chance to live.
Not a single person in the group was opposed to the idea—except one. The leader had overheard Gibeon and the others whispering about their plans.
“There’s no need for you to risk your lives to save me and what little time I have left,” the leader said, driving his point home.
Naturally, everyone objected. No one was more important to them than the leader. They couldn’t possibly sit idly by and watch his health deteriorate. Although the leader understood how they felt—no, because he understood how they felt—he couldn’t possibly ask them to risk danger on his behalf.
“Could you all spend whatever time I have left together with me instead?” he asked, stating the wish that would cost him his life.
Everyone tearfully agreed. Time passed with things proceeding very peacefully. No one spoke of the leader’s illness; they simply played, celebrated, and laughed as if nothing were wrong. And the leader watched them all with a smile as time ticked on.
“Live strong even after I’m gone,” the leader said before closing his eyes to rest. He looked so peaceful that it was hard to believe he’d been ill.
Thinking of how his gentle eyes would never open again, everyone clung to the leader’s body and wept.
After staying next to their leader’s remains for days on end, the most senior member of the group finally spoke to the mourners. “Let’s put the leader to rest.”
As the leader had wished before his death, they decorated a plot with flowers, dug a grave, and placed him inside.
“I’m sure he’ll be able to rest easy here,” Gibeon said, looking at the area surrounded by blooms. For the savior of so many people, it wasn’t a bad spot for his eternal sleep.
One by one, people prayed for the leader’s soul to rest in peace and walked away. They had discussed what they would do with the Reapers from now on, although that point didn’t need discussing. They could only be the Reapers with their leader around. Without him, they would be Reapers in name only. By unanimous decision, they decided to disband.
After that, Gibeon’s comrades, who had all gathered under the leader, went their separate ways in order to fulfill the old man’s last words and “live strong.” And although the close-knit group of people were all on their separate journeys now, the bond that their leader helped build remained intact. Even apart, the pride of the former Reapers would never die.
That being said, Gibeon had been living carefree with the Reapers for so long that he reached an impasse, choosing a less scrupulous path that would have earned him a fist to the head if the leader were still alive. However, through an unforeseen stroke of luck, the Dragon King had taken him in. Every day, he was reminded that one truly didn’t know what life had in store for them.
✦ ✦ ✦
One day, Gibeon went to the capital by himself, to meet a certain someone.
“Hey, Amarna,” he said as he greeted her.
Amarna, who was working as a store vendor, went from all smiles to all frowns all at once. “What might you want, you snot-nosed brat?”
“Yeah, nice to see you too, cheapskate...”
“If you’re here to sling insults, then be gone. You’re disrupting business,” Amarna said, waving her hand to shoo Gibeon away.
“You seem to be friends with Ruri, but does she know that you used to be part of the Reapers?”
“Why would she know? There’s no need for me to tell her.”
“Hmm...”
“Is that all you came to speak about?”
“Have you...seen the others?” Gibeon asked, referring to the other Reapers he hadn’t seen ever since the group’s disbandment.
“No, I haven’t. What about you, Gibeon?”
“Yeah, me neither.”
“What in the world did you even come here for?” Amarna said, sighing in exasperation.
“Nothing really. Just curious,” he replied.
“So I see.”
“But, y’know, I wonder if everyone else is alive and well.”
“I’m sure they’re all fine. You’re still alive and well, and you’re the biggest problem child out of the bunch.” Miffed by her remark, Gibeon was about to retort back, but Amarna continued. “All of us remember the leader’s final words well.”
“Live strong even after I’m gone.”
The rest of the Reapers were probably following those words to the letter, living healthy and robust lives.
“Yeah... You’re right,” Gibeon said.
“If you’re not going to buy anything, would you mind scurrying along? You’re disrupting business.”
“I’ll be back.”
“Yes, well, if you’re a paying customer, then you’re more than welcome back.”
Dismayed by Amarna’s typical reply, Gibeon made his way back to the castle—his new home.