FXDL V9 Epilogue + After End

And that is the end of the main series! I still have the extra volume + other side stories, which I am not in a rush to translate aside from one side story that takes place after this Epilogue. The journey to translating this series took much longer than I had intended when I first picked it up, but as it’s still one of my favourite series, I’m glad I saw it through to the end. Hope you all enjoyed the series as much as I did!

Translated by: TaffyGirl13

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Epilogue: Even if you’re reluctant to say goodbye, it’s impossible to postpone your high school graduation

Spring ended, and summer began.

The temperature during the day had turned from warm to sweltering. The noisy buzz of bugs mixed with the sounds of construction echoed through Shalom. A majority of Shalom’s buildings had been destroyed during the final war, and with a large number of casualties, the rebuilding process was slow.

World Sanctification Court’s members had departed from Shalom after the war. Elijah had continued carrying out his duties as the Patriarch, but the purpose of the World Sanctification Court’s existence had changed since that particular day. Their objective was no longer to hunt special animate beings, but to spread goodwill and hope around the world. They dove into any dire situations to help the poor and feeble while secretly eliminating any violent powers, erasing various man-made unjustness and bringing hope to those in suffering.

They no longer used the term “Yin beasts” and switched to “special animate beings” instead. 

Although everyone had rationally let go of their enmity after the war, it was impossible to force the World Sanctification Court and special animate beings to live as a harmonious family just overnight. 

After all, both sides had suffered casualties during and before the war.

Instead, the two parties had reached a consensus to live in parallel, never infringing upon nor interacting with each other. Mutual level-headed and rational respect was the greatest compromise and concession they could give.

While this was far from the ideal harmony, it was at least one step towards it. In the future, they would have a long time to slowly develop further as their grief and hatred gradually faded from their thoughts. Their parallel paths would one day intersect and overlap as they became one without any distinction between kinds.

 

June, the month of farewells, and the season of graduation.

A stage had been set up in the plaza, with rows of chairs lined up neatly in front. The area was filled with streamers and a red carpet covered the ground, just like a space for a major banquet.

Shalom’s brownies had started working extra hours since a week prior. Their unadorable little faces were fiercer than normal, making them look like mascots gone wrong. Aquarius’ first-year and second-year members had all split up to plan and arrange the final events of the semester.

The graduation ceremony — the final act.

Starting from noon, friends and relatives of the graduating students, as well as alumni, began to arrive wave after wave from various parts of the world.

This was the first time so many people had gathered for such an occasion since the academy had first been established. Because this was the year the wars had ended, the first year where peace bells rang. Special animate beings could live openly, confidently, and righteously in society without fear of being secretly assaulted by the enemy.

The school’s final large-scale event was about to unfold.

Shalom’s graduation ceremony started in the evening, when the setting sun painted the horizon.

Fu Xing was wearing a dark robe and standing in line with the rest of 3-C to enter the space with his classmates.

This was his last day at Shalom.

Fu Xing recalled that moment when he had first stepped into Shalom three years ago, when he thought he would spend the subsequent years living an ordinary and empty life, and remain lonely. He hadn’t imagined he would make so many friends. In fact, his past self would be more shocked by his multitude of friendships than Shalom being a base for monsters.

The moment the setting sun was exactly halfway below the horizon, the graduation ceremony officially began.

The graduating students sat in the front rows according to class, and walked up to the stage one after another to retrieve their diploma from Sanbi.

Fu Xing spotted his dad and Lin Lin in the distance, carrying an old-fashioned, antique single-lens reflex camera and a video camera to frantically capture everything. They would also randomly let out strange excited shouts while waving at the stage. The other monster families sitting nearby kept shooting them ugly looks.

It was just like how his kindergarten and elementary school graduations had been. In that ridiculous couple’s hearts, he would forever be a little kid.

He had called in sick on the day of his junior high school graduation despite not being ill at all, simply due to the fact that he knew regardless of whether or not he went, he was so insignificant that it would not have made a difference to anyone else. 

He was very grateful that his senior high graduation ceremony was not a repeat of his difficult past. This time, he was able to go onto the stage with happy memories together with his treasured companions to spend their final day of school together.

As Fu Xing received the diploma from Sanbi, he received an encouraging smile.

“Congratulations on your graduation.”

“Thank you.”

With the diploma in hand, he followed the rest of the group off the stage and back to their seats for the next wave of students to go up.

Fu Xin stared at the paper in his hands, then looked up at the night sky that now glittered with stars.

This was his last moment beneath this sky, gazing up at the heavens as a student of Shalom.

It had ended.

After the final war, Sanbi and Saukawa had wanted to properly commend Fu Xing and thank him for his contribution to the entire world of special animate beings. However, Fu Xing had politely rejected the offer. He was simply a component that had exhibited its expected function at the appropriate time, and nothing more. He had also turned down the generous reward. He believed that the money would be better used to reconstruct Shalom, his favourite place. He wished to see Shalom restore its former state, and prosper even further.

In less than a week after the war had ended, the academy had started operating normally again. In the months of the last semester, Fu Xing and his friends had peacefully spent their remaining moments of ordinary school life together, and he was content with just that.

Though he carried a strong sense of reluctance towards their imminent parting…

As Fu Xing was deep in thought, his emotions were displayed on his face.

“Wishing it wouldn’t end?” Zhu Yue asked with a smile.

“Mn…”

“If you really want, you can just do it over again next year,” Rocort suggested, seemingly proud of coming up with such a solution. “You can become a new student again, go through the first-year training again, and then do the school trip again too?”

“I’ll pass.”

Some things could only be done once. While the end was sad, these experiences could not be redone.

They were valuable memories because they could only be done once, and could not be replaced by anything else. Those touching moments of the past were engraved in the heart and carved into memory to reminisce on in the future.

Despite his past fear of this parting, he now understood that the friendships he shared with everyone would not break from distance or time. Even if they could not meet again, they would be forever in each other’s hearts. And even if they were not together, their memories would always be with them to recall back on.

Only after separating could they reunite.

He began to look forward to this parting, excited for their next meeting. He planned on carrying out some large-scale plans that he could brag about to them when they gathered once more.

“What does Fu Xing plan on doing after?” Taeharu asked curiously.

“I’m going back to Taiwan. I’ve already registered for exam prep classes to take the college entrance exams  next year.”

The others stared at him, dumbfounded.

“You really are…” Brad shook his head. “Very unique.”

“What else would I do? It’s shameful to just freeload at home forever, and if I want to get a job, I need to go to college to receive the proper qualification,” Fu Xing earnestly said.

“It’s been three years already, yet you’re still nothing like a special animate being,” Emerald smiled faintly.

“At least he has plenty of time to retake the exams as needed,” Dan Juan absentmindedly insulted.

“Hey!” Jinxing someone that’s preparing to take the exams is too much! “What do special animate beings do then? What are your plans?”

“I’ve already applied to enter UK’s central research organisation as a researcher,” Dan Juan immediately answered proudly.

“Oh.” Boring. 

“What about you, Rocort? Are you going back to the netherworld?”

“As if, the food there is beyond terrible.” Rocort cocked his head to the side in contemplation. “I want to go to Ireland to look for Big Sister. She should be able to leave the ward before the summer solstice and move around freely.”

“What about Momiji and Taeharu?”

“We’ll be dropping home first, then probably cultivating in the mountains for a while.”

“That doesn’t sound like you at all,” Dan Juan chuckled.

“Really?” Momiji smirked coquettishly. “I could also go to the UK instead. What do you think, little spider?”

Dan Juan’s cheeks flushed. “Where you go is your own choice, it has nothing to do with me…”

“Where will Zhu Yue go?”

“I want to study medicine. I heard that a millenia-year old red jiao lives in a certain pool in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan that is well-versed in various herbs and ancient techniques. I want to request to be his apprentice.”

“That’s amazing,” Fu Xing sighed in admiration. “Are you going home too, Isaac?”

“Mhm.” Isaac replied, “I plan on rewriting the darkbloods’ historical records.”

The darkbloods’ historical records had always been compiled by the core clans that held the most power, so much of it had been twisted and even erased for their own political benefit.

Lee Kirst had merely been one sacrificial victim. He knew there were still many weaker families that had their names baselessly smeared with dirt, or had never received the respect they deserved. He wanted to revise the records so that they displayed the impartial history, the truth.

“What about Brad?”

Brad coughed. “I’ve always wanted to travel around certain places in more depth, and I currently have a destination in mind.”

“Oh? Don’t tell me it just so happens to be Xishuangbanna?” Emerald exposed the other’s intentions against their will, causing him to receive a scathing glare from Brad.

“If Brad goes to Yunnan, remember to come find me!” Zhu Yue obliviously invited, “I’ll make sure to properly receive you as the host!”

Brad’s ears turned bright red. “I will…if I pass by…”

“Just go, you can be Zhu Yue’s test subject while you’re there,” Dan Juan suggested with a snicker.

“Both brothers share the same fate of being playthings for women practicing medicine. What a tragedy.” Emerald shook his head with a sigh.

“What kind of bullshit are you going on about now!”

“What about Flora?” Fu Xing turned to ask the other person from his home country.

“I’m going home.” Flora indifferently replied, “There are some new first-generations over there that I need to help take care of…”

Fu Xing faintly smiled. Despite the lone-wolf, detached attitude that Flora always had, she was actually a very kindhearted person.

Fu Xing’s gaze shifted over to Leon next to him, who had been quietly listening to the others chat without uttering a word.

“What about you, Leon?”

Leon hadn’t returned to Germany since leaving the Sagveiss clan, nor had he had any interactions with his family members. Having lost his clan’s support, Leon could only rely on himself for everything, which was not an easy task for a young master born into an influential family.

“Leon and I will be opening a shop together,” Emerald jumped in to answer without prompting.

“What?!” Everyone stared in shock.

“Are you sure?” Doubtful, Momiji couldn’t help but urge, “Think carefully before making your decision, Leon!” 

“You’ll definitely be exploited!” Dan Juan solemnly vowed, “Just as tragically as the child laborers in Europe after the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century!”

“You’d better not fall dead asleep in front of him, or else he might sell you as one of his goods too,” Brad advised as well.

“Yeah, or you could wake up and discover you’re missing a kidney.”

“Do you guys have to be so annoying when you talk?!” Emerald’s mood was starting to sour after hearing the others.

Zhu Yue hurriedly tried to smooth things over. “So what kind of shop are you planning to open, Emerald?”

“Thanks to Fu Xing, I was enlightened during our last trip to Taiwan.” Emerald’s grin was full of sharp teeth. “I want to put up a stand in Taiwan’s night markets.”

“What?!” Fu Xing and Leon simultaneously explained in astonishment.

“You’re coming to Taiwan?”

“That’s what you meant when you said you wanted to invest in traditional industries?” Leon was in disbelief; he felt as though he had been swindled.

“Why can’t I!”

“Entering the night market life is not as easy as you think,” Flora coldly reminded.

“That’s why I have a bodyguard.” Emerald pointed at Leon with his thumb. “No one would dare to make a scene with a darkblood present, am I right?”

Leon’s expression immediately fell in disappointment and frustration, like an elementary school kid that had just discovered the water crystal babies they had been raising were just acrylic acid polymers.

As everyone else fell into heated discussion, a familiar figure slowly approached them.

“Young Master Leon,” an old yet vigorous voice called out respectfully.

Leon’s head whipped around to stare at the person in shock. “Lorenzo?”

Lorenzo’s manner was as humble and courteous as always. However, his eternally frosty face now carried a barely detectable trace of a smile.

“Congratulations on your graduation.”

Leon hesitated for a moment. “Thank you…”

The other exchanged looks with each other and tacitly retreated to allow the master and servant some private space.

“What did you come for?” Leon warily asked in a cold tone.

“Simply to congratulate you.” Lorenzo smiled bitterly at Leon’s attitude. “And at the same time, to bring someone to come see you.”

He shifted to the right to reveal the person standing behind him.

Leon’s eyes widened, his shock written all over his face unhidden.

The person had long, dark brown, wavy hair and jade green eyes. Paired with her vermillion lips, her features formed a pure and innocent face. That…that’s—

“Lia?”

It’s Lia? My Lia? But wasn’t Lia murdered twenty years ago…

“She never died.” Lorenzo spoke up first. “That night twenty years ago, Young Lady Lia left the gathering to accompany Miss Fichte to Schengen, avoiding the calamity. After that night, we hid her on the Sagveiss-owned Marshall Islands, hiding her from everyone while secretly taking care of her.”

“Why…”

“I’m sure you do not need me to explain the reasons.” Lorenzo chuckled self-derisively, “Young Master understands very well how the Sagveiss clan traditionally operates. The news of Young Lady Lia’s death successfully pushed you onto the path of vengeance.”

Leon’s brow furrowed tightly as complex emotions filled his heart.

Lorenzo continued, “I do not request for you to forgive me, just as I will not forgive you for abandoning the Sagveiss.”

“Why did you decide to reveal the truth? What is your objective?”

Lorenzo softly sighed. “What objective could I possibly have…”

After the final war had ended, the powers that reigned the world of special animate beings had reshuffled around. As no one needed to form cliques for self-protection any longer, the existing organisations and groups progressively withered. The Sagveiss clan could not continue acting as monarchs.

“So?”

“After Young Master left, I thought for a very, very long time…” Lorenzo lowered his head and quietly murmured, “I was extremely happy when you called me your family…”

Leon stared at Lorenzo, his raised guard and enmity melting into warmth. No additional words were needed; he knew that the fetters that weighed down on the Sagviess clan were now broken.

Leon walked towards Lia, who looked up shyly at him.

“Do you recognise me, Lia?”

The small lips parted for a faint voice to reply, “Brother Leon…” Then she jumped into Leon’s embrace.

Leon gently patted Lia’s back, forcing down the surging emotions in his heart.

As long as you’re back, everything is fine…

An evening magpie flew past them with a mellow twitter.

Lia’s head snapped upwards to lock onto the slow-gliding bird. She then grabbed onto Leon’s shoulders with both hands to push herself up and leap through the air. After three beautiful flips, she landed perfectly on the ground with the pitiful magpie between her red lips. The little bird struggled hard while letting out miserable caws, but Lia stood firm, only biting down harder.

Leon’s brows arched upwards in disbelief.

Is this Lia?! Lia, who was as delicate and pure as a lily, caught a bird with her mouth…

Lorenzo rushed forwards to weasel out the bird from Lia’s jaws, which resulted in her hissing in discontent.

Lorenzo awkwardly explained, “Erm, Young Lady Lia lived on an island for twenty years and assimilated with the jungles, so she became somewhat…primitive.”

“You all abandoned her on a deserted island alone?!”

“Of course not! There’s a villa on that island that provides all life necessities. But after Young Lady Lia escaped the villa one night, she never returned.” Lorenzo hurriedly added, “We searched for her for a very long time, with no success. We knew she was on the island, but had no idea where she was hiding. She is as stubborn as you are. It took a large amount of effort and time to bring her back this time.”

Leon stared at Lia and the traces of blood next to her red lips.

“Leon…” Lia whimpered, “Meat…”

“Young Lady Lia has not spoken with anyone for twenty years. She requires more time to acclimatise to society.” Lorenzo apologetically dropped his head. “This is my fault, I sincerely apologise.”

Leon studied Lia’s innocent face, then simply sighed as he tenderly patted her head. 

“It does not matter.” He lovingly stroked Lia’s soft hair. “It’s fine as long as she’s back…”

While everyone was hiding in the bushes to peep on the brother and sister’s sweet reunion, Fu Xing covertly dragged Rocort into a different corner.

“Um, Rocort?”

“What’s up?”

“Is Youny…alright?” Four months had passed already; he had no idea how Youny’s recovery was going. He had also wanted Youny to attend the graduation ceremony so that they could graduate from Shalom together.

“Oh, he’s doing perfectly fine.” Rocort touched his chest with his hand. “He’s peacefully sleeping inside. Because he’s very weak, he still needs to sleep for a while before he can wake.”

“I see…” Fu Xing was slightly crestfallen.

“Do you want to see him?”

“Can I?”

“I can borrow his appearance, but just for a moment.”

Without waiting for Fu Xing’s response, Rocort closed his eyes and changed forms. In just a moment, a tall and slender figure with a handsome face wearing a frivolous smile appeared.

“Fu Xing.” A soft yet magnetic voice said, “Congratulations on your graduation.”

“Thank you.” Despite knowing it was Rocort speaking, Fu Xing couldn’t keep his eyes from smarting.

He recalled all those moments in the past three years when he had chatted with Youny under the big tree in the eastern forest. Even though they had not known each other for long, even though Youny had claimed he was a chess piece, he believed that those encounters, those discussions, and those laughs together were not false.

Youny, take care. 

He looked forward to their next meeting.

When that time came, he would be the one leading Youny around a new world.

About a minute later, Rocort’s appearance reverted back.

Leon brought Lia up to his friends and somewhat stiffly introduced his sister to everyone. They curiously peered at Lia, then loudly teased Leon for being a veteran siscon, warning him not to do anything illegal.

While they laughed and bickered together, the bell signalling the end of the ceremony rang. Colourful elven fireworks filled the skies with bright and dazzling light. 

A melodious orchestral piece played.

The graduation ceremony had officially come to an end.

Those that had once resided in this place were now passing guests that would go in different directions after leaving the academy. Newcomers would enter and establish themselves, before eventually becoming former residents and leaving as well.

At different times, everyone would each create their own memories on this land, then bring these cherished memories away with them, moments that were as bright and fleeting as fireworks.

Fu Xing’s dark pupils gazed up at the heavens, reflecting the sparks of light filling the air. As the flashes of light and shadow danced across his vision, warm droplets of water welled up in his eyes and slid down his face.

Good-bye, everyone.

I can’t wait until we meet again. 

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After End: The echo of the final chapter, the note of the opening chapter

Following the end of the war, special animate beings and humans lived together without aggression. This peacefulness and harmony lasted for many years. Everyone believed that the world would be able to maintain this undisturbed state forever.

Midwinter, during a snowy night. There was a full moon in the sky filled with crystalline snowflakes.

An unexpected visitor arrived at the World Sanctification Court Headquarters. One that was non-human.

Elijah sat in the conference room, facing the guest—the representative of special animate beings and Shalom Academy’s headmaster, Sanbi.

“I thought we would not interact again. At least, not so soon.”

Post-war, the World Sanctification Court and special animate beings had signed a peace treaty. The former would no longer kill the latter, while the latter would no longer slaughter the former. Only if both parties violated the treaty could they initiate a hunt and arrest and carry out an investigative pursuit.

“The situation is unique this time.” Sanbi pulled out a paper bag and dumped out photos.

The photo’s backdrop was a dark alley, with a deceased victim covered in blood on the ground. The partially transformed victim had a wolf’s head, indicating they were a beastman.

Next to the deceased was a blurry humanoid silhouette. While they appeared human, their expression was extremely sinister, and they appeared to have two black horns jutting out from their forehead.

“What is that?” Elijah studied the photo with a contemplative expression.

“An image someone from my troops took.”

“That isn’t a human.”

“I know.” Sanbi chuckled, “It’s something that crawled out from the dark lower realm.” 

Elijah’s eyes remained glued to the photo as he muttered his own conclusion under his breath, “…A fiend.”

Without waiting for the other to ask any questions, Sanbi stated, “During the final war, two eudemons burst out spiritual power from the upper realm that surpassed the burden the material realm could carry. And when the Requiescet Campana, made from your flesh and bone mixed with chaotic energy, was destroyed, the power sealed within the artifact was also released in a flood. The multiple energies intersecting with chaotic energy was enough to affect the established order.”

“So?”

“The boundary between the material realm and the netherworld has been blurred. Some things that do not belong to this realm have slipped in, wreaking havoc and creating disturbances.”

Elijah muttered to himself, “Did you come to criticise me?”

“While I would love to do so, that would not help the situation.” Sanbi lowered his voice before continuing to divulge ambiguous reports, “There’s a rumour that both the heavens and the abyss threw out seeds to reincarnate into the human realm.”

“Why?”

“To maintain checks and balances. Both sides want to take advantage of this opportunity to influence the material realm, racing to be the first to establish a network and gain the advantage.”

Elijah’s lips pursed into a tight line as his brow furrowed deeply.

It appears that peace and stability isn’t the normal state. There will always be new waves disturbing the state of the world…

“You specifically came to me simply to declare that a crisis may unfold?” Elijah questioned, “State your true objective.”

Sanbi’s lips curved upwards, as though he had been anticipating this question.

“I believe it is time for us to work together…”

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