Chapter 106

In some regions, the four seasons are distinct, while in others, they’re faint.

There are places where the sun never sets and the snow never melts.

Then there are areas where the rising sun meets thick mists that rise like water vapor.

And then you’ve got coastlines and seaside spots where the mist is salt-laden.

On the other hand, there are plains and flatlands where you’re exposed to scorching sunlight from dawn till dusk, sweating profusely all day long.

However, this place was a zone where such natural phenomena intersected.

The spaces bathed in sunlight were flanked by mountains and mountain ranges that trapped the wind, making it sluggish at times.

Amidst lush greenery, a turn of vision would reveal snow-capped mountains catching the eye with stark whiteness.

Opposite to that, another mountain stood covered densely with greenery but changed colors with the seasons—red or deep purple—offering an exotic sight.

Surrounded thus, the forest was relatively flat despite minor variations in elevation. Yet, wherever the view opened up, one could see a massive lake from above.

It wasn’t frequented by people, but there were cabins for hunters and dens or caves where wild beasts might reside, ultimately blending into the mountains themselves as if part of them.

Even within this area, certain rules and order existed.

But to those who built societies and civilizations, it still seemed governed by the laws of the wild.

“Well, I’m off.”

Gehven, the wolf-headed aquarian, said as he climbed onto his cart pulled by a donkey, adjusting his baggage.

In response, Aiseus, the neatly composed blonde woman with striking silver eyes, gave a casual wave.

Her attire, though slightly formal for the woods, didn’t bother her much.

She wore a sturdy blue dress made of durable fabric, topped with a maroon vest.

Uniquely, her footwear consisted of steel-toed boots.

Though her outfit revealed little skin, it was both dignified and form-fitting, giving off an aura not just of beauty but of someone raised in luxury—like a noble young lady.

Indeed, her appearance radiated an air of aristocracy beyond mere elegance.

Perhaps due to the abundant water resources from the nearby lake,

she maintained impeccable cleanliness daily, which enhanced her natural glow.

The small cart drawn by the donkey slowly departed.

Basic supplies were essential to live decently here, but thanks to ample funds, there were no issues.

“Can’t get attached around here. Anyway…”

Still, neither support nor interest came her way.

Or maybe because she belonged to the relief knight faction, they thought it didn’t matter?

Whistling casually, she started chopping firewood near her cabin.

She had plenty more chores awaiting her.

Living in such a place meant being caught up in involuntary hard labor, whether the stay was long or short.

At least the lake was close, saving time fetching water.

“There are too many bugs!”

While ants were tolerable, some insects were highly annoying.

A spider the size of a palm jumping out or some long-legged creepy crawler with dozens of legs was enough to bring irritation just by sight.

And there’s so much diversity.

Sometimes deer appear, occasionally bears loom nearby, and packs of wolves stare intently from afar before disappearing.

It’s unfortunate there aren’t any demons around, but their presence adds a proper tension that keeps things interesting.

It’d be nice if they showed more excitement, though.

Why is a beautiful maiden like me so terrifying?

Or why don’t they try ambushing me already?

There are various kinds of birds too.

Doves, crows, and countless other species living in the forest.

…Have I ever observed the natural scenery and environment this peacefully?

When tracking something or hunting, it feels different; there’s no leisure in observation then.

Even during pursuits, the focus lacks ease.

Still, understanding the ecology of these creatures helps immensely.

They live optimized lives right from birth.

Once wings develop, practice quickly transitions into real flight, mastering it effortlessly before roaming the skies.

If they can’t fly?

They fall and die.

“Hmm?”

How long had she been lost in contemplation like this?

“…There you are.”

Pale complexion paired with striking sky-blue hair.

Even her eyes appeared eerily white, giving her an alien yet distant look.

Standing over Aiseus seated on a roughly crafted wooden chair, Minette asked:

“Where is he?”

“Who? Some guy somewhere?”

“…”

Was she playing word games?

She used to go berserk during fights, yet now she seemed full of mischief.

Her face looked well-nurtured, exuding positivity and vitality.

…But even she isn’t entirely normal.

After all, she endured the Demon King’s power multiple times without breaking.

Ordinarily, anyone would have been incapacitated instantly.

Despite lacking any special magical abilities, she managed to withstand it.

…Is it because of the Relief Knights?

Then why did Venus, also a member of the Relief Knights, get easily subdued?

Skill alone doesn’t explain this easily.

“Carriel. That’s who I mean.”

“He’s not here.”

“…Not here?”

Minette eventually headed toward her original destination after a slight delay.

The place Luslan had directed her to.

But he wasn’t there either.

Only after tracking down the carriage driver who transported Carriel back then did she manage to find any leads.

It took her a full forty days to arrive here.

Had she started earlier, she should have met him much sooner, probably half the time.

Who knew late departures could complicate matters so much?

“So where is he?”

And this is mostly guesswork, but…

the person responsible for altering the original location midway must be the lady right in front of me.

Although she introduced herself as Aiseus, she goes by other names more frequently.

Aceletra En Draig.

Ashett Endragon.

Thinking about it, “Aiseus” sounds closer to an imperial pronunciation.

Most importantly, she’s usually referred to simply as Draig or Endragon.

Dragon.

Drake.

Even though human, she’s openly called that.

What could possibly justify it?

Through inquiries, rumors about her surfaced.

The demon of the lake.

An entity that rejected the Lake Fairy’s blessing and instead received a curse.

A tragic princess banished from her homeland due to this curse.

Whatever the nature of the curse, it’s undoubtedly extraordinary.

Curses inherently evoke disdain, fear, anxiety, and contempt.

In the empire, it resembles excommunication.

Excommunication means being cast out by the community formed through shared faith and empathy under Irene’s Doctrine.

One excluded from salvation, destined for hell upon death, unable to receive redemption or grace—a soul forever forsaken.

This is the most potent punishment Irene’s Doctrine wields: denying salvation in the afterlife.

Death has no exceptions.

Yet no one truly knows what happens afterward.

Thus, believers listen when preachers speak as if they hold the truth.

For whatever reason, they seem confident and knowledgeable.

“…”

Minette had entered the courtyard of Irene’s Doctrine in Soremn Village because they accepted her without hesitation.

The Lord loves you.

He sent His child to prove His love through forgiveness and tolerance.

…Honestly, I don’t understand what that means.

Her prayers weren’t for herself.

Praying for others holds more value than praying for oneself.

After hearing this from the nun managing the chapel, she prayed hoping for improvement—not for herself but out of gratitude for relying on God’s sanctuary.

Partially to settle her debts, she acted accordingly.

“Somewhere in the forest caves.”

“Will he return?”

“You’ll have to visit him yourself if you want to see his face.”

“…”

Rather, why did he come here?

I’m unsure what he seeks here, but…

I’ll figure it out soon enough.

“Are you not curious why I’ve come?”

“I wasn’t born caring much about others.”

“There exists a massive chasm between me and others. I see it.”

When I stab someone with a sword, most experience overwhelming pain, despair, and suffering.

Dragging all that unnecessary emotion together is inefficient, isn’t it?

Conversely, I feel none of that.

Even if I suffer intensely, someone else will laugh and revel in it.

“Why should I react sensitively to others’ pain? Why do we insist on declaring ourselves allies and equals through humanity or whatever?”

“I don’t understand why you say that.”

“Because I think it’s related to why you’re here.”

Apparently, I owe him something.

“Could it be that you want revenge? Or maybe you want to fight him again since you were humiliated last time and can’t sleep?”

“There’s no way… that’d happen.”

“Then it’s obvious. You’re here to repay a debt.”

Rationally, objectively speaking, actions and motivations are quite simple.

Hatred sparks flames.

Antagonism breeds aggression.

Affection grows into love, love into possessiveness and reproductive desires.

Some seek stability through personal attachment, while others aim for broader influence or security.

Methods vary, but principles and goals remain similar.

Striving to accumulate wealth, gaining strength, obsessing over power—all boil down to the same essence.

“And sticking close to great or good people ensures you have something to gain.”

“Do you stay here for that reason?”

“I’m different.”

Aiseus raised her eyebrows and spoke.

“I’m akin to a tool or military horse.”

“Military horse?”

“If left to my own devices, I’d probably lie around in a meadow, flaunting arrogance and living recklessly.”

But reckless living requires strength.

Not just strength but also cunning and tact to compensate for deficiencies.

Since individual capabilities have limits, commanding or manipulating others becomes necessary.

Isn’t this leadership?

If I dislike working hard myself, I can make others work for me.

But if I’m tired and struggling, others are too.

So how do I make them accept my comfort at their expense?

“As long as I’m treated well, I can do anything.”

That’s why I temporarily worked as a mercenary.

But peace reigns nowadays, so mercenary work is declining.

Thus, those disguised as mercenaries naturally transform into bandits or thieves.

Ironically, this highlights the need for genuine mercenaries like us.

To achieve this, I gathered reasonably disciplined individuals and led a small mercenary group.

Now it’s almost disbanded, but… who cares?

If I return, those still active will likely seek shelter under my shadow.

After all, I was a competent mercenary captain.

“But if this treatment involves neither wealth, power, fame, nor authority, who could properly reward me?”

“Does that mean you believe Carriel can?”

“In the past.”

With a distant gaze,

Aiseus reminisced softly.

“When everyone denied my existence, only that kid acknowledged me.”

Your innate tendencies and character traits…

all have reasons behind them.

“Was I born as a demon? Or was I born to become one?”

I don’t understand others’ hearts.

Do I even need to?

Why care? Why empathize?

It’s troublesome, absurd, and irritating.

So why do people send such scornful glances?

Why does everyone fear, despise, and avoid me?

That’s why, perhaps.

My life revolved around two questions.

Was I born a demon?

Or did I become one because I didn’t fit in with the world?

But.

That was different.

“Saying that makes me curious.”

If comprehension is impossible, then it’s fine not to understand.

Understanding others is such a hassle, isn’t it?

Yet someone who supposedly understands others better than anyone else was talking like me.

At that moment,

She felt something—empathy with another person—for the first time.

It was her first-ever experience of this.

And it was incredibly appealing.

“Besides, if there’s no one willing to understand and accept me, he suggested coming to him.”

Let’s search together.

If none exist, he’d try to become that person.

Isn’t this fate, after all?

In this vast world, wouldn’t there be at least one genius capable of doing so?

“…”

Wouldn’t it be strange not to find intrigue in such self-assured words from that young child, younger than her by a few years?

Finding charm irresistible would be unnatural, wouldn’t it?

“That’s…”

Minette found the explanation somewhat perplexing.

Wasn’t this the same woman who genuinely hated and tried to kill him when stopping her and Leo?

Did all this stem from affection?

“Do you cherish him?”

“Me? Why would I?”

…She doesn’t realize it herself, does she?

But hadn’t she confessed moments ago?

No one in this world understood her except him.

At least, he tried and succeeded in understanding her.

…So now, isn’t that the only thing I have left?

‘Is this…’

Can this be called love? Affection?

Maybe not.

But in a way, it could signify the same thing.

Depending on how this heart blooms and what results it brings,

it might evolve into pure, unconditional love.

Or if it twists and distorts, it could lead to another tragedy caused by misplaced affection and concern.

As Aiseus guessed, Minette excelled at understanding others.

It’s her nature.

She didn’t choose to be this way.

In fact, she cursed this trait endlessly.

Why must I understand others’ pain and suffer alongside them?

“…”

However,

there’s also gratitude in this.

It’s truly difficult and painful,

but when someone genuinely rejoices, laughs, and finds happiness…

I, too, feel immense joy.

Even if it’s fleeting,

because of that tiny warmth, I endure somehow.

But.

“It’s about time to go.”

Aiseus rose from her seat and walked ahead, signaling Minette to follow.

Minette trailed behind, sighing softly.

But.

She won’t understand, will she?

Someone who knows nothing of others’ joy or happiness…

has always been abandoned in solitude, unrecognized by anything or anyone.

Perhaps even by herself.

If others are mirrors reflecting oneself,

then she’s never encountered a mirror capable of reflecting her true self.

But what if she finally found one?

Isn’t it natural to yearn deeply?

‘But.’

She doesn’t know how.

Honest, gentle, straightforward ways to love someone.

To cherish and care for another.

She doesn’t know.

So she acts emotionally and impulsively.

Her emotional outbursts diverge significantly from the norm.

“…”

Maybe because of her past experiences listening to and comforting various troubled individuals,

Minette realized for the first time that this woman walking ahead was truly sick.

But Aiseus,

in her world, she’ll remain known as a demon.

Possessing strength, extraordinary intelligence, remarkable looks, and the ability to use everything she owns coldly and ruthlessly.

In a sense, she’s a calamity incarnate.

Casually stabbing someone in the back,

smiling while slitting throats or severing hands offered in friendship without hesitation,

all driven purely by benefit and logic.

Does a knife slicing meat require emotions?

Does a blade piercing flesh need feelings?

‘Perhaps.’

What I needed might have been exactly that.

Had I possessed it, I might have become an unprecedented disaster.

Living selfishly for oneself without exploitation,

using every ounce of power at one’s disposal.

How much blood and tears would have been shed because of that?

…Fortunately, I couldn’t do that.

Though I suffered,

inflicting such pain and despair on the innocent is utterly absurd, isn’t it?

The current me could never accept that.

“Anyway, I can’t guarantee conversation once we reach him, so you’ll have to take that risk.”

“Yes, it’s fine. It’s not urgent.”

Perhaps as Aiseus pointed out, I am here to repay a favor.

Asking questions might just be an excuse or pretext.

But it doesn’t matter.

Even harboring such unconventional and spontaneous thoughts…

is a kind of freedom, isn’t it?

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