Chapter 58

The scent of lavender wafts heavily even before entering the city.

Maybe it’s because I’ve already been overwhelmed by it on the way here.

There are those who entered the city ahead of the festival, but there also seem to be quite a few who’ve arrived just in time for its start. From the village entrance onward, lines stretch endlessly.

The festival will continue for several days.

Truthfully, Partyna had already arrived in the town but was wandering outside the city, worried she might run into Carriel.

The area around Baroneurer territory is relatively well-policed and offers plenty of scenic spots for sightseeing.

Plus, this season sees more outsiders visiting, so people tend to let their guard down a bit more than usual.

Meeting a daemon youth painting landscapes with lavender fields as the backdrop must have been one of those coincidences.

“At first, there was no end to the blame. ‘How dare they cooperate with daemons?’ But now, it’s become one of the most successful ventures. Thanks to that, relations with some territories have improved significantly. It’s been good for everyone.”

Rumors spread widely when the Baroneurer territory announced its collaboration with daemons for development.

Resultantly, within five years, this place grew far beyond what it used to be.

Though it’s technically a barony, its size rivals something much larger. Plus, its proximity to the capital fosters an emperor-friendly political stance, leading to support rather than suppression.

The relationship between the Biddenberg family and Berke Empire wasn’t always great back when it was still a kingdom. However, after reconciling through Fortress Carriel, the Biddenberg side made the first move toward harmony. This alliance has continued ever since, creating a deep bond. Moreover, the Biddenberg family were key figures in establishing the Enzul-led Berke Empire.

“Thank you for listening.”

“Rather, I enjoyed conversing with someone like you here.”

By the time she returned to the city, she learned that Carriel had already left. She also found out where the person Carriel sought was located.

Visitors and believers streamed continuously into the church. Entering further inside, she revealed her identity and purpose, easily gaining access to restricted areas usually off-limits to outsiders.

The person she sought was locked away in a guest room, drinking wine alone.

With fiery red hair and a physique that put most men to shame, this woman was none other than Alesia, the Fourth Holy Maiden known worldwide as the Guardian Saint.

“Sis, it’s been a while.”

“Considering it’s festival season, the timing feels oddly convenient, doesn’t it?”

Alesia glanced at Partyna with bloodshot, slightly tipsy eyes.

“Probably, your guess is right.”

“…Is that really so?”

As she tipped another barrel into her wooden cup, Alesia pulled out an extra empty cup and filled it too.

“Drink. I felt awkward getting drunk alone in Lord’s courtyard, but now I have an excuse.”

“…I’ll drink properly then.”

Sitting across from Partyna, she calmly accepted the glass and tilted it to her lips. For a moment, an unnatural silence lingered.

“You’ve done well, haven’t you?”

It was Alesia who broke the silence first.

“He was quite extraordinary.”

“…”

“I don’t know why he turned so dark and gloomy, but—”

Well, I can guess.

“Excessive expectations and the pressure of others’ gazes must have weighed heavily on him.”

“…”

“The arrival of peace probably made things worse for someone without noble blood. The established powers and beneficiaries didn’t take kindly to a hero of humble origins rising to prominence.”

Because he wasn’t born into nobility.

Blue-bloods couldn’t stomach seeing those they deemed inferior thrive under their supremacist ideals.

Not everyone thought this way, of course, but many did. And some used this prejudice to build their own factions, sowing discord and lies to manipulate situations to their advantage.

“It’s not just the empire.”

“…You knew all this, didn’t you?”

“Not knowledge, just assumptions.”

Even if she’d learned the details earlier, would anything have changed? He had already left.

“What do you think of that child?”

“He’s amazing. His looks suit my taste, his personality is meticulous… I was completely smitten. It felt like alternating between wonderful dreams and nightmares. Sure, I’ve been kicked around before, but this one really stings.”

“Sis…”

“How could people expect so much from the lineage of a hero?”

Regardless…

“…Could such reasons explain why he became so dark?”

“That’s…”

Partyna hesitated, unsure of what to say, merely tilting her glass instead.

“But did you know about this?”

“Tell me.”

“About Carriel.”

Alesia fell silent for a while, deliberating whether or not to reveal this information.

Partyna grew anxious. What fact had she uncovered that made her hesitate so?

Even if Carriel harbored resentment toward his father or others, Partyna knew well enough that he wouldn’t confide in just anyone easily. They had known each other long enough for her to understand that.

He was always distant, often described as somber and reclusive in social interactions.

“…”

When he was younger, he was the opposite of what he is now. Did he change? Or did the world around him change?

The imperial princess once mentioned possible external pressures or magical influences, though speculating blindly seemed futile.

“The guy claims he was cursed by the Demon King.”

So…

The moment those words came out…

Partyna snapped out of her thoughts, thinking she must have misheard.

For a while, she simply stared wide-eyed.

“Excuse me?”

“Didn’t catch that?”

“No… Just a moment. I was distracted… I think I heard something wrong.”

“If you did, then you heard correctly.”

No way…

“The Demon King’s curse, apparently. He joked about colluding with the Demon King too. When I first heard it, I thought I’d gone deaf.”

And with that, Alesia chuckled weakly, looking somewhat hollow.

“So he says anyone involved with him will face misfortune. That’s his explanation for pushing people away. Doesn’t that seem awfully vague for trying to convince someone? Huh?”

“That… can’t be true. Maybe… maybe you misunderstood…”

“Partyna.”

Alesia spoke with resignation.

“If neither you nor the heroes knew about this… isn’t this a serious issue?”

“…”

“Family, right? You considered him a younger sibling?”

But why…

“Why didn’t anyone do anything when he was driven to this point?”

“…”

Her head spun.

What exactly had she heard?

Was it a mistake?

Was she dreaming?

Why does the Demon King keep coming up now when everything was supposed to be over?

‘What if…’

As the princess suggested, could all the injustices Carriel faced stem from the Demon King’s curse?

“…”

When did he find out about this?

Thinking about it sent shivers down her spine. Her back was drenched in sweat, though she barely noticed.

“You didn’t know either? Really? Why did I hear this first… Ah, that’s right. I must have been the first to hear it directly from him.”

This is…

“Confusing.”

Alesia felt utterly baffled again. How could such absurdities keep happening?

Even the urge to drink vanished. Strange.

“Reporting this to Rutania will cause quite a stir, won’t it?”

“…”

“Carriel probably left quietly without spreading this around. He doesn’t strike me as someone who’d open up to others easily.”

Still, how could this happen?

“…Am I late again?”

“It’s not your fault. Absolutely not.”

“Then whose fault is it?”

Sigh…

An involuntary sigh escaped her lips.

“It must be mine.”

I should have tried harder to understand.

Even if the Demon King’s curse somehow clouded his mind and judgment…

I shouldn’t have let myself get caught up in it.

That’s why I should have paid closer attention to Carriel and made more effort to understand him.

“…I don’t know all the details either. I’m just sharing what I heard.”

While saying this, Alesia appeared to suppress her anger amidst her resignation.

“I respect Hermine and Ruelde. The other heroes too.”

After all, they saved her. Becoming a saint and receiving all that education stemmed from that event.

“But if I see their faces again, I might blurt out insults without thinking. I can’t decide if that’s right or wrong.”

“…Sis.”

“We shared shoulders in several districts and supported each other’s backs.”

Yet…

“…Your boasts back then seem so different now. Thinking about it, they were all memories from your past, weren’t they?”

I should have noticed something was off. How could I have been so indifferent?

“Institutional infamy aside, perhaps he was quite malicious during periods I don’t know about. Since I lack context, I can’t judge definitively. Still, it doesn’t feel like him.”

So, let me ask you since you know him better.

“How was Carriel recently—not in your fond memories, but recently? Did he commit acts deserving such condemnation?”

“I…”

Honestly, I don’t know.

But descendants of heroes often face slander.

She herself was criticized under the guise of being cared for by a hero.

People praised outwardly while criticizing behind closed doors.

Not everyone suffers from such malice, but she understood humanity wasn’t purely good.

Embracing even such negativity and moving forward, guiding and understanding such individuals—that’s proper leadership and virtue.

Isn’t that what they’ve always taught?

Eventually, everyone will accept it.

Great kindness and justice unfold this way.

Ruelde and Hermine’s words were undoubtedly true.

Look at me now—a pride of the empire. Isn’t that proof?

So, Carriel could achieve the same.

…Or was I deluding myself?

We’re clearly different.

Suddenly recalling the lonely gaze that turned away from her, she realized…

From some point onward, he stopped paying attention to her altogether.

Even when she initiated conversations, it was mostly one-sided expectations…

“You guys were predictable.”

“…”

“Handle it as you see fit. I don’t know anymore. My mind isn’t just troubled—it feels shattered. I need to calm this… anger? Sadness? Whatever it is… I need some space.”

So, do you have any more questions?

“…”

There are so many.

But seeing her hollow eyes and drained face, Partyna couldn’t bring herself to ask frankly.

Besides…

Something sharp pierced her chest unexpectedly.

It hurt.

Like leaks dripping through cracks, strength drained from her.

Her heart felt hollow.

“…You’re in bad shape too.”

Alesia no longer felt resentment or anger at this point.

Lost lamb.

One who believed they were wandering but was truly lost.

That’s why…

She looked so confused.

Would berating her help now?

“Drink then.”

Alcohol is great.

It makes everything peaceful, forgettable, and brings smiles.

Of course, not every time.

When overwhelming sorrow and rage grow monstrous and suffocating…

Instead of easing them, alcohol amplifies them.

Thinking it would wash away troubles, but instead…

It piles filth and junk into a cramped warehouse somewhere in your subconscious.

“Haa.”

At times like this, sleep would help.

Despite being tipsy, why does that scene feel so fresh, like it just happened?

My mind is too clear; sleep won’t come easily.

‘So shocking.’

Lifting the barrel, only droplets trickle down.

No matter how long she tilts it, the amount never seems enough.

Alesia almost threw it away but set it down carefully instead.

Apparently, I liked him more than I thought…

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