Two aspects accompanied the unbelievable proposal.
First, it was so good that it sparked a desire to accept it immediately.
Second, the opponent wasn’t a fool, so there was a significant risk of hidden deceit.
I was momentarily dazed by the sudden declaration of surrender, but I quickly bit my lips and regrouped. Above all, the girl and I had already crossed a river together.
The opponent was a monster who had committed terrible sins.
Although they weren’t born a demon, a pitiful life had cloaked the girl in the guise of a wicked spirit. The least I could do for the crime I shared was one thing.
To kill.
Thus, ensuring that the girl wouldn’t commit more sins.
Later, when I kneel at the girl’s grave and bang my forehead against the ground, this proposition would not change.
It was at that moment, while I tightened my grip on the tension again, that it happened.
“…Are you okay?”
Waving her two hands as a sign of surrender, a deep smile appeared on the girl’s lips.
As if her earlier timidity was nothing more than a deception.
“If we fight, someone is definitely going to die, right? I’m making this suggestion for your sake, big brother.”
“How can I trust you to accept your surrender?”
I responded with a voice that pretended to be calm.
My eyes flicked backward, glancing at the situation. Senior Elsi still hadn’t reacted, but there were signs she was starting to struggle to get up.
It was right after her family was murdered.
It wouldn’t be strange for Senior Elsi to do something reckless. My expression inevitably turned urgent.
Nonetheless, the girl maintained her mocking demeanor.
“When did I say I’d definitely surrender? I just mean we should come to a more rational agreement.”
“What does that mean…?”
“Let me go quietly. Then, it will end without anyone dying.”
I swallowed my breath and maintained a cautious attitude.
My eyes scanned the girl’s condition sharply. It certainly seemed like her body was not normal, but I couldn’t be sure if her words were nothing more than empty bravado.
The mere fact that she had requested negotiations implied that her powers weren’t intact.
If that was the case, it would have been better for her to launch an unprovoked attack on us. After losing the Archmage, it was impossible for us to face the girl head-on.
That wasn’t the only point of contemplation.
Even if there was a risk that someone might die among us…
If we could bury that monster here, wouldn’t it benefit humanity?
She was a girl who bore the name of the Seven Deadly Sins. If left like this, she might return in the future with power equivalent to that of a Master.
It was an idea I had not even dared to conceive just hours ago. It was proof that the girl’s abilities had profoundly shocked me.
As I broke into a cold sweat and was left in a daze, it happened.
“…Hey.”
A fiercely heated voice leaked out next to me.
I turned around with a startled feeling. There stood Senior Elsi, her eyes blazing.
Her appearance still bore remnants of her tears. However, despite her pitiful state, Senior Elsi was exuding a more contained killing intent than ever.
Suddenly, the world lit up.
Countless orbs composed of lightning had taken over the sky. I looked at Senior Elsi in surprise.
Though she had been quick with her incantations before, she had never been able to use revenge magic this freely. My doubtful gaze soon fell upon Senior Elsi’s tightly clenched fist.
The pitch-black rod stood out distinctly.
“Are you out of your mind? Why’d you have to appear right now…!”
But before I could fully unleash my fury, the girl chuckled and waved her hand in the air.
That was all it took.
The orbs of lightning that filled the sky began to explode one by one. In the midst of the suddenly bleached vision, I felt someone leap off the ground.
Before I could even direct my sword, the girl’s kick struck Senior Elsi’s solar plexus. My sword, aimed at the girl, shot out only to have her hand grip Senior Elsi’s throat first.
The light tracing my sword stopped dead in its tracks.
With a deep smile, the girl whispered into the ear of the struggling Senior Elsi.
“That old hag couldn’t even kill me… You think you can do anything to me, pup?”
Coughing, gagging.
Despite struggling, Senior Elsi couldn’t extinguish the burning flame in her eyes. The girl smirked at that sight, as if it was amusing.
“Still lacking in education? Then I’ll engrave it into every bone of yours… who your master is and how to wet yourself every time you see me…”
“Stop.”
It was a quiet restraint.
The girl, whose fury was beginning to intensify, turned her gaze toward me. I sighed and had to shake my head.
“Accept those conditions. So right now… let go of Senior Elsi and get lost.”
I had suspected it, and it was true.
The risk of finishing the girl off here was too great. The lives of my comrades were far too precious to gamble with.
As if she expected that, the girl let out a soft smile and relaxed her grip.
With a thud, her small frame dropped to the ground. It was just as the girl was about to take her captivating stride.
“…Huh, you’re going to regret it.”
Breathing heavily, the small mage’s eyes ignited with a blue flame.
Even so, the girl merely cast an indifferent glance.
“You’re really going to regret it… for not killing me. For running into me… and for allowing me to carry on our uncle’s legacy.”
It was a resolve that wouldn’t even return an answer.
With a sneer, the girl took light steps and came closer to me, whispering into my ear with a thick voice.
“You were thinking of using that ‘Bloodmark’…”
I gave no response. We had already been fighting over too much.
With a grin, the girl smiled with her eyes.
“Long live His Majesty the Emperor and that minion, Rainelle! You’ve splendidly smashed my magnificent plan… and big brother?”
A tone mixed with both affection and hatred pierced through my eardrums.
“I’m not giving up… I’ll come for you again. Because I’m ‘Greed’.”
Then, with a wink, the girl left a playful farewell.
“Until then, enjoy playing with the ‘fake’ family! Now, out of here!”
With a rush, it seemed the girl’s figure scattered and soon disappeared.
I could track her if I wanted, but we had already made a promise.
I let out a deep sigh and rubbed my face with both hands. Then, realizing something, I turned to Liya, who was the only one still in decent condition.
“Liya, please tidy this place up for now. After Senior Elsi and Celin recover, head to the nearest town and contact us… I’ll go ahead.”
“Where are you going?”
It was a natural question.
Of course, I had a prepared response.
“Because there’s someone I must save.”
Yulen had gone to find the Lady Virgin Saint.
I wanted to save the Lady Virgin Saint.
The Lady Virgin Saint sighed countless times today.
On the table before her sat a silver crucifix necklace. Not long ago, a little one from the orphanage had come and given it to her.
I-an had asked her to deliver it.
With a huff, the Lady Virgin Saint scoffed.
I guess she felt uncomfortable after the fight? Well, it wouldn’t be surprising if that were the case.
The Lady Virgin Saint’s beauty was renowned, so much so that it bordered on divine. A mountain could be built from the men eager to grasp even her hand. No matter how much she pretended it didn’t matter, the Lady Virgin Saint was impossible to ignore.
Yes, it surely was.
Before long, tears started to well in the Lady Virgin Saint’s eyes. Unable to suppress her sorrow, she dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve repeatedly.
“…Really, what a fool.”
Would it hurt to offer her a little support?
No matter how much she thought back, the Lady Virgin Saint’s judgment had been correct. This was not a matter to approach recklessly. Deep down, she wanted to score points by supporting her beloved man, but business was business.
A judgment this significant couldn’t be made based on personal feelings.
In that case, wouldn’t it be possible for the man to bend at least once?
I’ve put up with his stubbornness several times!
She had even endured harassment. Well, it was a bit of a lead-up to that…
Regardless, the rising emotions turned the Lady Virgin Saint’s glare sharply against the silver rosary, as if it were a substitute for I-an.
Of course, this too was fleeting.
Ultimately, the Lady Virgin Saint collapsed weakly against the table.
“I miss him…”
Has it only been a few days since she last saw him?
Even she thought her response was laughably juvenile. But it was unavoidable.
Subtly offering a memento-filled gift.
If done without any ulterior motives, it would be capital punishment. The sin of manipulating a pure girl’s heart was deserving of death.
Just as the Lady Virgin Saint was smiling bashfully at the silver rosary.
“…Sister?”
The Lady Virgin Saint startled and straightened her upper body. She hurriedly hid the silver rosary in her bosom.
Clearing her throat and fixing her clothes, she settled her expression for a few seconds.
Only then did the words of permission escape her lips.
“Come in.”
The one who entered without a sound was a familiar face.
With aquamarine hair and a gender-neutral appearance, a master of the swift blade.
It was Yulen. Having been the Lady Virgin Saint’s close aide since their orphanage days, he could be considered her only family given her lack of parents.
The familiar face the Lady Virgin Saint had brightened quickly turned puzzled.
There was no reason for it not to be.
“Yulen, why are you back so soon? You didn’t contact me for a while, and what about I-an and the others…?”
“I need your help.”
Yulen said seriously as he looked at her.
“Ian is in danger.”
On a night when the moon hung high in the sky.
The shadow of a beast’s tail seemed to loom near the man, almost vanishing.
Leaving behind a woman blind with love.
