Chapter 33

Hermine opened her eyes atop a blue meadow.

A white sky, seemingly touching the infinite horizon stretching endlessly.

A cool breeze gently descended.

It swept across the meadow in all directions like brushing through a wolf’s mane and passed by.

There.

She witnessed a being of light slowly walking with a child in hand.

‘This is….’

Déjà vu.

A scene she had seen before…

It was a dream.

As the realization dawned, she figured out when this scene took place.

‘Carriel?’

A prophetic dream.

The slowly approaching figure of light extended its hand holding the child towards her.

“…….”

Back then, she vaguely recalled instinctively accepting it.

The child’s face remained unseen.

At that time, it was just a child.

That’s all she faintly remembered.

But not now.

It was undoubtedly young Carriel’s appearance.

The child in pure white clothing smiled brightly while looking up at her.

The wind blew fiercely, obscuring even the next step ahead, forcing her eyelids to droop heavily.

The white sky dimmed.

Even the vibrant green meadow turned ashen gray.

Chills turning into ominous dread filled her spine with anxiety.

Just as Hermine woke up, she instinctively searched for the child she held in her hands.

It was gone.

Neither in her hands nor nearby.

“Mom.”

“?!?!”

From afar.

When did the pristine white clothes become soaked in crimson?

Red streaks running from the neck down to the chest.

No, they were spreading and staining in real-time.

It was blood flowing down.

Her gaze suddenly shifted upward.

She gasped sharply.

Empty eye sockets poured red streams down.

Her heartbeat accelerated unnaturally despite feeling frozen.

Blood rushed to her head, yet comprehension eluded her.

Her mind went blank, leaving her dizzy and numb.

What is this? What is happening?

Why… why is this child…

“Why… did you…”

Abandon me?

Did you abandon me?

“?!?!”

Abandon?! Never!

Why would I?! Why would I abandon YOU?!

How much… how much I love you!

“But I…”

The traces of the meadow vanished.

Now painted an intense red.

The red meadow soon became even redder, dyeing the sky itself.

The entire world turned crimson.

Yet amidst it all,

Hermine remained eerily normal.

As if completely isolated from this world,

The blood-soaked child prayed with clasped hands after spitting out blood.

“O Lord.”

Then, collapsing on his knees,

A gush of blood streamed onto the crimson ground, as if trying to fill the whole world.

“You were wrong.”

Huff!

Awakening abruptly, Hermine struggled to catch her breath under the heavy fatigue and weakness pressing down on her.

Though powerless, she absentmindedly muttered while fumbling with her hands.

“Ca, Carriel?”

“Miss Hermine? Is something the matter?”

A female priest in white robes grasped her hands and asked.

“Ca, where’s Carriel?”

“The young master? Lord Ruelde took him home already; they’ll be coming back soon.”

“Together…?”

She thought she briefly saw Ruelde earlier.

Though things were chaotic, she couldn’t recall clearly due to confusion.

All she faintly remembered was wrapping the child in swaddling clothes…

‘Child.’

Why…

Did you abandon me?

Her chest tightened, but in her dazed state, she couldn’t comprehend why.

Still, one thing became clear:

Without anyone telling her, Hermine knew she wouldn’t reunite with Carriel anytime soon.

She clenched her eyes shut tightly despite the overwhelming ache and longing tearing through her heart.

Right now, there’s nothing she could do…

====

“Take it.”

Ellie removed her robe.

“In return, give me that.”

“…Will this suffice?”

“It’s enough.”

Looking slightly awkward and perplexed, Carriel donned her robe, which strangely turned black instantly.

“It’s a mage tool?”

“It’ll aid in concealment. It also has convenient functions, so it’ll serve you well.”

“…”

She re-draped her own black robe over the black attire.

“And this too.”

Moving a few steps, she handed over a gray horse tied nearby.

“Was this meant as a farewell gift?”

“No.”

She shook her head.

“This is Sylas’ insight.”

“Sylas?”

“I bet on bringing you along.”

Who won wasn’t asked.

“Take this too.”

“…”

An arming sword.

“Isn’t your sword in shambles?”

“It is, indeed.”

The blade was worn out and bent.

A common iron sword versus a renowned blade used by a princess—there’s no doubt about their performance gap.

“Holding it one-handed isn’t familiar, is it?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

I wield the sword, but I am not controlled by it. A sword is merely a tool.

“…I’m still uneasy about letting you go like this. Is it really the right choice?”

She sighed deeply.

“Trying to discourage you felt like giving you unnecessary excuses, and it pains my heart. Such a grave mistake.”

“…It was luck.”

Honestly, he still couldn’t grasp what exactly he did.

At this point, questioning the Demon King might be the only option.

“I’ll inform the others properly.”

“It’s fine.”

Since a letter was left behind. Though if asked to write now, the content would likely differ.

“Just cover it up conveniently however you like.”

“I’ll adjust it to suit your taste.”

Thus…

“Are you sure I truly need to do nothing?”

“Yes.”

Revenge belongs solely to me.

Every knot, every chain tied to me.

Untying or severing them is entirely my responsibility.

“You’re not scolding me for openly declaring my grudge against the Empire?”

“I consider it self-inflicted.”

The malice of the masses.

The injustice called public opinion.

The enmity named the crowd.

All of it was cruelly harsh toward him.

“I trust you’ll adhere to principles and appropriately control your actions.”

“…”

You’ve rendered me speechless.

“If everything goes as planned, I should return within 60 days at the earliest, 80 days at the latest.”

“If nothing unexpected happens.”

To retrieve Grandeous’ warhorse.

And during that time, correct any imbalances in his body.

…It’ll be a very tight schedule.

“Don’t forget. There won’t always be such good luck. Keep that firmly in mind.”

“We both know that, don’t we?”

We live in the same world.

One step away from death.

Two steps away from life.

In reality, we stand at the crossroads of life and death.

Once you take a step, going back to the past is impossible.

These are scars and wounds—not physical ones carved into flesh—but those etched into the heart and spirit.

Into the soul.

Therefore, the idea that one can willfully decide the fate of the soul…

And thus, we must always confront storms head-on.

We know this well.

“Just in case.”

Stopping mid-speech, Carriel turned his head upon hearing this.

“If you find someone more appealing than me out there, bring them along. Any number is fine; I grant you permission. If it helps you or comforts you.”

Ultimately…

“As long as you return to me, it’s fine. Even if your body isn’t fully healed, promise me that much.”

“…It’s not like I’m going off to war or anything. Besides… don’t you think you’re kinda weird?”

Looks like possessiveness isn’t entirely absent, so why…

“It’s so you don’t feel burdened by me.”

I want to give you freedom.

“I don’t intend to bind you to satisfy my fulfillment. If it doesn’t make you happy, I’m willing to let it go.”

So…

“Keep what I said earlier in mind.”

“…What exactly did you say?”

“Sylas.”

“…”

“He won’t lose sight of opportunity for minor gains. There’s no reason for him to neglect prearranged promises.”

Casually glancing at the black horse she intended to ride, Ellie added:

“Go. The commotion will draw reactions soon.”

“…Isn’t that already too late?”

“Foolish. Do you know who I am?”

That single sentence was answer enough.

Through the deepening shadows between the trees,

Everything except the sound of hooves gradually faded away.

How long had she stood there?

Approaching her own steed, Ellie untied it and asked,

“So, what are your thoughts, Sylas Eschina?”

-…

Amidst the horse’s glowing blue eyes, an impossible voice emerged from its mouth.

-I’m amazed you didn’t affect the surroundings despite everything.

“Is that so?”

-Sure, you’re relentless, but Carriel is… different, isn’t he?

Sylas had some knowledge of Ellie’s abilities.

Even when she unleashed flames potent enough to incinerate everything around, it barely registered.

Still ruthless as ever.

Truly absurd.

And showing that much power, perhaps Carriel would have either given up readily or, if not, been utterly broken and forcibly dragged back by the arrogant princess.

Some expectation lingered.

From the moment Sylas accepted Ellie’s proposal with the mindset of swallowing poison,

They inadvertently became a shared destiny.

…Of course, if the proposal is to extend, Carriel must return.

-How does it feel to be rejected by your fiancé?

“Pointless question.”

With a snicker, Ellie replied.

“I’ve never given up, yet you mock me so arrogantly. Quite impressive.”

-You’re really…

Who’s being arrogant here? Who’s talking nonsense?

Still, she remains unpleasant.

She’s been like this since childhood.

When she received the raised branch, Sylas wanted one too, but none suited her.

What did Carriel say back then?

-…He definitely promised to be my knight.

“Unfortunately, he seems to have no memory of it. Give it up.”

-Haa.

Truly irritating…

Such an infuriating woman.

“Anyway, because of Era too… you’ll likely endure far worse trials than me.”

-…

“Seeing you reminds me of that child.”

The first time in Carriel’s life,

He executed merciless betrayal.

“…Never forget I’ve always wanted to butcher that kid.”

We all know this fact.

It’ll be the leash for the Eschina family. Earl Eschina clearly crossed the line. Had Carriel been in my possession…

I could’ve easily turned him into a puppet.

Ellie loves him.

Adores and reveres him.

For her, he’s the sun.

The sole, unique existence.

It’s been this way since childhood.

However, even this affection and admiration aren’t devoid of perfectly packaged political gain.

It can’t be helped; that’s how she grew up.

If she were willing to discard all responsibilities and throw everything at him,

She would’ve accompanied him on this journey long ago.

But.

Just as Carriel’s wounds cannot be simply stitched up,

Her own accumulated scars cannot be easily healed or resolved.

I’ve sacrificed so much.

Thus, I’ll greedily claim what’s rightfully mine.

I’ll obtain everything.

For what I desire.

For his dreams.

The Empire must become stronger than ever.

====

“Why is this brat so sluggish? Did he go somewhere to nap or what?”

“Hmm.”

Bariel, scratching his large ears while muttering, earned a calm shake of the head from the Emperor.

“Shall I go check?”

“…”

“Hey? They said dragons come when called, right?”

Upon spotting Ruelde entering the grand cathedral entrance,

“Huh? Hey! You were supposed to bring the kid, why are you alone?”

…

“Why does he look like that?”

His gait was far from ordinary.

He seemed detached, soulless, weak, and dangerously wobbly, as if ready to collapse at any moment.

“E-Erm… Miss Hermine! This isn’t good!”

“…”

Reason unknown.

Yet driven by this inexplicable ominous feeling, she forced her exhausted body to rise.

Even though waiting would’ve sufficed, she simply couldn’t wait that brief moment.

“Ruelde?”

“…”

Upon noticing Hermine, Ruelde momentarily hesitated.

“Where’s Carriel?”

“…”

Attempting to speak multiple times, his lips moved but no words came out.

Clutching the paper tightly in his hand,

Ruelde silently embraced the dumbfounded Hermine without uttering a word.

“Ruelde? Why? Didn’t you say Carriel was coming too? Where’s our child? Where is he?”

“Sorry…”

Not knowing what to say.

Neither apology nor repentance feels appropriate right now.

He simply couldn’t bring himself to utter even that single word.

Outside, celebratory cheers continued intermittently, occasionally creating joyous noise.

But inside the grand cathedral, an unbearably heavy atmosphere settled silently.

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