---

Bang!

The sudden thunderous noise caused Rizeria to drop the Magical Crystal she was holding. The glass bead rolled across the floor, but there was no time to retrieve it with the looming crisis right in front of her.

Besides, the role of the Magical Crystal had already been fulfilled. She could faintly sense the end, as she had heard her voice one last time.

“Miss! This door won’t hold for long! We’ll buy you some time, so please, find a way to escape! If you can just reach the master’s room, there’s a secret passage that can help you get away safely!”

The butler, building a temporary barricade by piling magical items and furniture around him, shouted toward Rizeria.

However, both the shouting butler and the listening Rizeria knew the words were simply empty hope. To reach the master’s room, they would have to fight through countless enemies. A single butler couldn’t possibly hold them back.

The maids, who had fled with them, seemed to understand the reality as well, caught in panic, holding each other’s hands anxiously.

In fact, it was normal for the maids to behave like this. Remaining calm with death at their doorstep was the real abnormality.

But amidst everyone’s confusion, only one person retained her composure.

“Butler!”

Rizeria’s bright voice resonated in the room. At her single call, not only the butler but also the flustered maids turned their gazes toward her.

“Straighten your shoulders, stand tall, and plant your feet firmly. Do not panic. You are also a member of the Endive household. As a member of House Endive, show your dignity anywhere, anytime.”

Such an outrageous request—such a command. How could she say that so brazenly when she wouldn’t be responsible for their lives?

Yet Rizeria, saying these words, didn’t need further explanation; she demonstrated it with her posture. Her legs stood firm, her back straightened without subservience, and her shoulders held with an air of defiance.

Moreover, her confident voice awakened everyone.

“I am Rizeria Endive. The daughter of Grand General Mila Endive, protector of the Empire, and the firstborn of House Endive. Even if I die here, a mere rebel cannot insult my death.”

“Miss…”

“Of course, I will resist until the very end. So, everyone?”

“Yes, what shall we do?”

This time, the response from the butler held a newfound certainty that hadn’t been there moments before. There was dignity, there was pride.

Even if she was just a frail girl without a muscle, this girl was undeniably the daughter of General Mila. She had fully inherited that spirit.

Yes. This young lady is my master.

Not only the butler, but the panicking maids regained their spirits as well. The two girls who had been trembling and holding hands had quietly stepped behind Rizeria.

Thud! Thud!

The sound of the rebels, having already found their hiding spot, attempting to break down the door echoed in the room. Given that it was just a makeshift barricade, it wouldn’t be surprising if they burst through at any moment.

Yet, by that point, there was no longer any trace of panic or fear in their eyes.

As if nothing were amiss, they maintained their usual demeanor, as if waiting on someone.

“Let’s show these rebels that this Empire is not a place they can trample upon, and that the name Endive is one they cannot tarnish.”

Rizeria beamed a brighter smile than ever at the butler and the two maids looking at her, while withdrawing a small blade from her pocket.

However, the original purpose of this dagger was simply for self-determination if worse came to worst.

Having only casually observed swordsmanship or learned etiquette, it would not pose any threat to the royal knights… no, the soliloquy posed by rebels.

Yet, Rizeria clutched the tiny dagger as if it were a holy sword.

Seeing her, the butler drew his own knife, which he carried for protection, and the two maids clumsily picked up sharp candlesticks lying around as makeshift weapons.

Now in this room remained not just the fleeing young lady and her three attendants—only the name Endive remained.

Crash… Bang!

Finally, the door splintered, and a group of armored men forced their way in. The leading butler launched himself at them, swinging his sword, but it was easily blocked, and he was sent crashing into the wall with a kick.

The butler, knocked to the floor, struggled to rise and defend his master but coughed up blood and fell back to one knee.

In any case, the butler’s life meant nothing to the men. Their target was solely Rizeria.

Blocking the advancing men step by step were the two girls. Had those two been trembling moments ago? It would have seemed impossible given their determined expressions.

One could almost laugh at the absurdity of that scene, yet the rebels merely raised their swords, looking irritated.

At this sight, Rizeria shut her eyes tightly. It wasn’t out of fear for her own impending demise.

Instead, she feared the deaths of the two girls standing bravely in her way.

The moment the raised swords fell, the two girls would be unable to resist and would surely perish.

Though she might possess enough courage to confront the rebels, she could not bear to witness the deaths of these innocent girls.

It felt as if time had stopped. She was unafraid of her own death; yet, she closed her eyes at the thought of these two girls who were nothing more than bystanders.

As the swords were raised to strike, it seemed they would fall, and the two girls would perish without resistance.

Memories raced through her mind like a montage, as she recalled her life in stark flashes, her childhood memories flowing past her. Yet, at some point, one particular girl had lodged herself firmly in her mind—a figure who stayed longer, more vividly than any other.

Though their time together had been short, she had somehow settled deep within her heart.

She had thought there would be no regrets in hearing her voice one last time, but it seemed she had been lying to herself.

However, there was now no point in blaming herself. Soon, she would hear the screams of the two girls, and then it would be her turn. But she would not die quietly. If she were to go, she’d at least deliver one stab before closing her eyes peacefully.

Yet, no matter how long she waited, there were no screams to be heard. Was time still frozen? She opened her eyes, but her eyelids fluttered open without resistance.

She couldn’t see the swinging swords. The faces of the rebels were absent from her view.

What was visible was simply one thing.

The shimmering, flowing beautiful silver hair she had drawn countless times in her memories just moments ago.

*

– A mere rebel cannot insult my death.

Through the Magical Crystal, her sturdy voice echoed. But rebels? She had relived countless lives, yet there had been no rebellion in the Empire.

“Rizeria! Rizeria!”

She shouted her name at the Magical Crystal, but it seemed to reach her unresponsive.

“Damn it…!”

Frustrated and powerless, she pounded her fist on the ground, but nothing changed.

“Ell…”

Selian, who had been watching, gently placed her hands on my shoulders and spoke.

“I know how you feel, Ell. But… there’s nothing we can do. It’s sad, but… please don’t blame yourself too much.”

Though Selian and the others expressed their concerns for Rizeria beyond the Magical Crystal, their words barely registered.

“No… There has to be a way! Please… please don’t die, Rizeria!”

Loud thumping sounds came from beyond the door. The door protecting her was on the verge of breaking down.

Only the overwhelming thought of needing to save her filled my mind. However, soon after, the question of how loomed over me.

Rizeria was in the capital of the Empire, while I was far away on the outskirts of the continent. It had taken over a week just to cross this mountain range before.

It was physically impossible.

So I wished for a miracle.

A miracle…

Yes. I know someone who can create miracles.

“Teleport… we can use Teleport! Just like when you came for me, if we use Teleport right now…!”

I clung to Frecia, who had always been a beacon of hope for me in tough times.

“Elysia knows teleport isn’t omnipotent.”

But Frecia simply stared at me silently, while Lindy tried to reason with me.

“Teleport Gates aren’t there for no reason. Sure, rumors say there’s an artifact in the Imperial Palace’s treasury that allows for easy teleportation, but…”

“… it is possible.”

Still, Frecia was a being close to a miracle to me. In a situation where all possibilities seemed blocked, she was the only one who opened a door of hope.

“Teleportation originally requires a medium. Just like how the Gate was made, I could only appear through the contract linked to Elysia.”

Frecia, who had been looking straight at me, subtly turned her gaze to the fallen Magical Crystal.

“And here, there happens to be a medium.”

“Then let’s do it right now…!”

“But even for me, teleportation is an overwhelming magic. If you want to break through the capital’s barrier, it’s even more so. With my mana, I could move just one person at the most.”

Her gaze returned to me. She asked:

“Still… do you want to go?”

Would you walk towards death?

“No!”

But even before I could respond, Selian’s voice blocked my answer.

“They’re rebels! It’s not just one or two of them; what can Ell do alone! If you get captured… if you get in danger… then we…”

Selian tried to persuade me with a voice that was almost in tears. But now, I understood. I realized why she hadn’t become a hero in this life.

“Selian.”

As I called her name, she looked at me with tears already streaming down her face.

“I am a hero.”

Of course, even heroes can’t save everyone. But how could I call myself a hero by turning a blind eye to those in danger right in front of me just to save my own skin?

Selian had become weary from having repeated this life four times. It was surely my fault. I was delighted, yet also saddened, to realize how deeply I had entwined myself in her life.

For that reason, it was now my turn to shoulder the burden of being a hero in her stead.

“Frecia. I’m counting on you.”

“… Okay. I’ll trust Elysia always.”

Fortunately, Frecia easily accepted my request. The bond of contract magic must have transferred my emotions to her entirely. Of course, there was still a worried expression on her face.

As Frecia raised her hand and began to outline something in the air while murmuring, a small crack appeared, and it opened wide moments later. Witnessing her effortlessly wield complex magic reminded me once again of what a genius mage she truly was.

That beyond there must be the capital of the Empire, where Rizeria was.

I slowly rose from my place. Before shifting through the teleport, I turned back one last time to look at my friends.

Each had different expressions, but they all shared the same concern for me.

“And everyone, please believe in me. I won’t die. Even though I may have been an assassin, my stealth skills are top-notch. If needed, I’ll hide myself.”

I spoke playfully, hoping to reassure them even a little. It wasn’t merely to persuade them. I genuinely believed I wouldn’t die.

However, perhaps it was the consequence of my frequent lies. Even as they gave a lighthearted laugh in response to my playful tone, they added in painful remarks.

“… Yeah, right.”

“If you die, just know I’ll be the one to kill you for real!”

Anne raised one fist into the air and shouted.

I wanted to ask how one could kill someone who was already dead, but given Anne’s strength, it wouldn’t be out of the question to believe she could pull it off.

Yes, I’d have to be careful not to get killed by Anne twice.

“I’ll be right behind you! Don’t do anything reckless and stay safe until we arrive!”

With the shouts behind me, I waved my hand in farewell and took a step forward.

Towards the place where she was.