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In the center of the void, solitary and resolute, stood Silica.

Though she appeared as steadfast as a stone, her inner turmoil was more profound than ever before.

The slight trembling in her clasped hands, the darting of her eyes, and the beads of sweat trickling down her chest all betrayed her anxious state.

It was almost unprecedented since she had grasped the assassin’s sword.

Her heightened emotions refused to settle.

In the midst of it all, a member of her retinue rushed towards her, delivering the awaited news.

“Milady! We’ve found the successor!”

“Where?”

Silica wasted no time in demanding the location.

“It’s Brenu! It seems they’ve come to retrieve their offspring, just as expected!”

Despite the significance of the revelation, the messenger’s expression remained grim.

Swallowing dryly as if to calm his nerves, he continued with a note of unease.

“However, it seems they’ve already dealt with the Imperial knights who came seeking him. Not only them, but the Garam Magic Society seems to be heading to Brenu as well, likely in pursuit of the successor…”

“Stubborn to the end…”

Silica’s rage simmered as she gritted her teeth.

Regardless of the situation, there was only one task they must undertake: protecting the successor.

“Summon the other members stationed elsewhere to gather at Brenu immediately! Nothing else matters! Ensuring the safety of the successor, no, of Cyan’s retreat is our top priority!”

(Silica…)

As she tried to compose herself to issue orders, a divine voice resonated within her.

“Lord Aeru?”

The owner of the void remained silent, signaling his desire for her to quickly come to the altar.

Understanding the urgency, Silica closed her eyes in frustration.

“The orders are postponed. Wait for me until I arrive!”

Without looking back, she hurried towards the altar.

Upon arrival, she found Aeru, the god of the black mist, waiting for her with an air of composure.

(You seem quite agitated.)

He spoke with a sly smile.

“Please keep it brief, Lord Aeru. Can’t you see we’re in dire straits?”

(I understand. That’s precisely why I’m holding you back. Silica.)

He didn’t deny that he was delaying her.

(Why are you protecting the successor?)

“I beg your pardon, but I don’t understand your question. I am the head of the organization Mist, dedicated to serving you. Do you think I would passively watch over the successor, someone crucial to you, falling into danger?”

(You exist for me, indeed. You’ve always been consistent. Whom should I blame? Those who boasted about their loyalty while harboring small fears in their hearts, yet couldn’t overcome them, ultimately bringing about this situation.)

Aeru tilted his head, continuing with incomprehensible words.

(Then, as your master, I shall command. From now on, you and all members of Mist will cease your actions and simply watch over the danger facing the successor.)

“…!”

Silica’s eyes widened with unrestrained emotion.

“What do you mean by that? Why give such an order?”

(Because that’s what the successor desires.)

Aeru replied casually.

(Don’t forget, Silica. You don’t exist for me. I exist for you all. That’s why I’m doing what the child wants.)

Upon hearing this, Silica couldn’t muster any objections.

(Watch closely. How the child will fend off the looming presence that threatens to imprison him in light…)

A perfect successor suddenly appeared one day.

In Aeru’s eyes, there were various mixed emotions as he anticipated the successor’s future actions.

* * *

In the spacious training grounds of the academy, where a lonely chill wind blew, Kundel cautiously approached Arin, who stood alone with a rolled-up wanted poster clutched in her hand.

Though he wanted to offer words of comfort, Arin’s eyes were filled with resignation, as if she had already lost everything.

“Someone once said that people inherently have two faces: one is a mask adorned with falsehoods to show to others, and the other is the true face born from one’s own nature…”

It was obvious to anyone that this was about Cyan.

So, Arin weakly spoke up, asking.

”What face did Cyan show to you, Headmaster?”

“I can’t say for certain. I thought I was close, but in the end, I knew nothing about him.”

Kundel sighed, disheartened even by his own words.

“I’ve come to this training ground every day for the past two years with the hope of making Cyan mine. Even now, I believe that merely going through the process of closing that gap was significant to me. But now…”

“….”

“Cyan first gave me the path to become an emperor, and I hoped that he would follow that path with me. Even now that I think about it, it was such a shameless request. Cyan did a lot for me, but I couldn’t do anything for him.”

She has worked hard to close that gap even a little.

Even if it was impossible to completely reduce it, Arin firmly believed that the process of reducing it was very meaningful to her.

But.

“Now, it seems all meaningless. I can no longer become Cyan’s person, nor can Cyan become mine. Was the Cyan I met and wished for truly the real Cyan?”

Kundel maintained a solemn silence, unable to provide any answers.

“Everything feels futile. I can’t do anything, and there’s no path forward. I’ve returned to who I was three years ago…”

Arin desperately held back tears fueled by her emotions.

If she cried now, it would prove that nothing had changed from before.

“Then, why don’t you go and find out?”

Kundel suddenly suggested to the stunned Arin.

“What do you mean?”

“The news just came in that he appeared. He’s in Brenu, a southern city of the Empire.”

Arin’s pupils widened for a moment.

“Regardless of his identity, he’s him, and you’re you. Whether the path he presented to you is a cruel path born from sincerity or a false path adorned with pleasing illusions, why don’t you go and find out for yourself?”

Arin, still reeling from the shock, couldn’t easily respond.

With eyes filled with anxiety, Kundel asked once more.

“Will you go and meet Cyan with me?”

* * *

I gazed at the crimson letters on the wanted poster, labeling my crimes.

Well, it seems like they’re trying to pin everything on me, even though it’s not entirely unrelated.

They’re treating me like some sort of demon, beyond just a criminal.

There are real demons out there, you know.

But I didn’t feel angry or unjustified.

It wasn’t something I had expected in the first place.

Lowering the wanted poster, I found myself facing six eyes staring piercingly at me.

Their eyes were filled with all kinds of negative emotions, including doubt and fear.

Except for our little one, of course.

“Um, Master, what’s written on that wanted poster? It’s not something you did, right?”

“No.”

I swiftly dismissed with a firm reply.

“No time. I’ll just ask straight. Make your choice.”

At the unexpected choice, I blinked both eyes.

“Whether to leave with me now, or leave among yourselves and start a new life. Whatever’s fine, just choose without hesitation.”

Despite the instruction not to feel burdened, Emily and Brian’s faces were flushed like balloons about to burst.

“W-What are you suddenly talking about?!”

“I’m not telling you to live like beggars. I can provide enough funds. Just forget everything related to me and think of it as starting anew.”

“But pushing it like this isn’t necessary. Why suddenly say such things…?”

*Sigh*

While Emily jumped up in surprise, Brian suddenly kneeled down and bowed his head.

“I, Sir Brian Kendrick! Since the day I first swore allegiance to you at the academy, I’ve lived with an unwavering heart! Whether the path leads to heaven or hell, I will follow you to the end!”

Did he think he’s some kind of last knight of a certain country?

If he wants to go, he should just say so instead of making it awkward…

“I-I want to go with Papa too! I don’t want to live where Papa isn’t!”

Nana also raised her hand, declaring she’ll follow me.

I gently stroked her bright, innocent head and asked.

“Papa might not be able to take care of you as well as before. I might not be able to give you many tasty treats. Are you okay with that?”

“Yeah! I don’t need snacks! I’m happiest when I’m with Papa!”

Yeah, if those pure, sparkling eyes contain any falsehoods, that would be the real wrong in the world.

I thought she might have some minor concerns in her young mind, but it seems like I worried for nothing.

As the two of them finished making their choice, their eyes naturally turned to one place.

“W-What’s up? Why is everyone looking at me like that?”

If they’re not trying to rush her, it seems unintentionally burdensome.

After blushing redder than ever, she suddenly yelled at me.

“I-I’m the one who’s been by your side and the longest! I can’t let anyone else take care of you but me!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Seeing her determined gaze, it didn’t seem like a forced decision after all.

Although I didn’t anticipate the current situation, surprisingly, I feel quite good about it.

It’s not a situation to smile about, but my lips keep twitching upwards.

“Let me ask one more time. You won’t regret your choice?”

All three nodded their heads firmly.

“Then there’s only one thing you need to do from now on. When I leave through that door, just follow me ten steps behind, without worrying about anything happening around you.”

“What about me, Papa?”

“Our little one…”

I gently brushed against Mana with my hand, manifesting mana and gently blew it into her nose.

Inhaling the white powder from my hand, Mana closed her eyes and fell into a deep slumber, whisked away to dreamland.

Taking her gently, I handed her over to Brian.

It’s not like anything good is happening, so there’s no need to show it off unnecessarily.

Our little one just needs to peacefully travel through dreamland.

With the minor preparations finished, it’s time to leave.

I stepped forward towards the door once again.

[Our master. Why does your face look so solemn, like someone heading to the battlefield?]

“I can see all the anticipation on your face though?”

[Oh my, am I exposed? After all, how could I pretend not to be excited about this interesting situation?]

Kaeram flashed a satisfied smile, surveying the surroundings.

[You promised to make it enjoyable, didn’t you?]

“Yeah. Besides me, there’s no one who can make you feel that way.”

[As someone who’s lived once, you already know, but I’m a very greedy sword. Once one desire is fulfilled, I crave even more pleasure.]

I understand.

I know it very well.

If I don’t satisfy her desires, ultimately, the nature of the demonic sword is to devour its owner.

That’s why my demonic sword won’t be able to devour me even more.

The sweet pleasure you will experience from now on is something that nobody will be able to make you feel, other than me.

Maintaining a thrilling smile on my lips, I finally stepped out of the door.