Chapter 197: Please Don’t Lose Yourself, Never Forget Who You Are

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"But don’t you think it’s quite ironic?" Elisa wondered aloud, her voice soft yet steady as she gazed out at the open landscape. "I’ve heard about it... about the world before Gates. It was a world where, aside from money and status and things like that, every human being was still just that — a human being. The richest man on the planet would still die no matter what, just like the poorest. Everyone was mortal in the face of that world. Nature was fair. Now the world’s purity has been stripped away. Power as a concept has completely warped humanity’s own perception of themselves, don’t you think?"

Riven remained silent for a moment. He recalled his fight from the day before, how men had been willing to do such horrible things for the sake of power, even if it meant the sacrifice of countless others. The memory left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"...Yeah," he nodded quietly.

He was taken aback by her words. It felt almost as if this whole time Elisa had been holding all of these thoughts deep within her heart, waiting for the right moment to finally speak them aloud.

"What’s my dream?" she continued, a warm smile slowly forming on her lips. "I’ve always loved exploring and finding new places. I love walking. I loved climbing. I loved hiking... I loved exploring inside caves, wandering through forests, washing my feet in rivers. I loved catching food and eating it right there in the open air. All of these things were considered unbefitting of a young lady from such a prestigious family. They hated it, Riven... they really hated that part of me."

Riven nodded in understanding. "I guess we share the same likes. I also enjoy doing those things. My favorite part is finding new animals, new creatures... I’ve always loved animals. Even though I hate having to hunt them and eat them... I guess it’s rather conflicting."

"Nah," she shook her head gently. "I understand what you mean." She reached out and held his hand. "I like that part of you — the real Riven beyond all his strength. I know that in this world it’s downright delusional to ask you to stop growing stronger, and I’m not going to ask you that either. But sometimes... sometimes it’s not bad to just sit down and admire the world for what it is."

"...Even when I am so afraid of the future that might come?" he asked, his voice lower now. "Even when I fear with all my being... that I might lose you again?"

Elisa looked back into Riven’s eyes with clear surprise. "Oh, Riven..."

She held his hand more firmly. Then, after a quiet pause, she nodded.

"Yes. It is."

"...!"

He was left speechless for a moment.

Why?

He couldn’t help but wonder why she would say something like that so calmly.

"Why?" he asked.

"It’s because the more you concentrate only on these goals, the more you will lose who you truly are," she answered. "I’d rather see the world be destroyed again than watch you suffer endlessly for my sake..."

Riven couldn’t completely agree with her. That was simply how life worked. People were all different. They each carried their own thoughts and opinions. Even between a husband and wife, conflicting views were as common as water in the ocean.

However... despite that, he also couldn’t help but find some truth in her words. There was something real in what she said about admiring the world, about remaining himself, about simply being with her and becoming one with nature even for a faint, fleeting moment.

"I know that Gates came with all sorts of tragedies, problems, and conflict," she continued, "but they also brought us scenes like this. It almost makes me want to stay here for the rest of the day... just you and me."

Riven nodded slowly. "Why not? Let’s take the day off." He crossed his arms and gave her an understanding, calm smile.

Elisa looked at him in surprise, her eyebrows rising in response. "Really? It’s not bothering you?"

"What?" Riven laughed lightly. "No. This is what I wanted anyway. Let’s explore together. Let’s go to the river, then to the forest, and then to the mountains. You want to reconnect with nature, right? So do I."

Elisa’s eyes sparkled. Realizing that Riven was this kind of man filled her with a quiet sense of relief. She nodded and thanked him softly.

"Thank you... Now, what did you want to tell me about? To all of us?"

"It’s... I guess it would ruin the mood," he sighed. "It’s something important. Something that’s been making me worry a great deal as well. But your words... they’ve somewhat eased my mind and my heart. You’ve filled me with hope, Elisa. Nobody else has ever been able to do that except you."

"Oh...?" Elisa was surprised, then a small playful smile appeared. "Heh, really? Well! I suppose that’s because I am amazing, aren’t I?"

"Yeah," Riven said without hesitation. "I’m so lucky to have you."

Elisa blushed lightly and looked back at him. "Me too..."

As the two of them smiled warmly at each other, they eventually turned and began walking back toward the others.

Riven never would have thought that Elisa had reached such a deep level of self-enlightenment.

The world around her seemed to be responding to that enlightenment somehow. This land, filled with dense spirit energy and mana, reacted quietly to her presence. The wind felt softer. The light seemed gentler.

This Enlightenment was not just a simple realization. It was a strong Divine Epiphany she had experienced over all the years when she had nothing and felt like she was nothing.

In that long stretch of emptiness, she had somehow found herself again. Despite her sorrow, she now carried a level of inner peace that genuinely shocked him.

"Is my wife a goddess?" he wondered internally, half-seriously considering the thought as he watched her walk beside him.

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