Finishing Preparations to Cut Ties.

That night, as if we’d made an appointment, that bastard came to find me.

“In a week, bring Sylvia Eleanor to this place.”

“…That’s fast.”

Without any further explanation, he handed me a small map and said those words, to which I gave an indifferent response.

I didn’t need to ask what it meant to bring her to this place, because I already knew.

“It seems that woman has quite a bit of trust in you.”

“I guess so.”

I checked the location marked on the map and nodded at his words.

We hadn’t been meeting for a very long time, but she definitely seemed to trust me quite a bit.

Whether that was just because I was her fiancé, or because of the bond that had built up through our several meetings, I couldn’t say.

“She’ll follow your suggestions without any suspicion. Kill Sylvia Eleanor there, and take the Evil Eye. With your current power, it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“I guess so.”

Although she was the owner of the Evil Eye, the woman Sylvia Eleanor’s personal martial prowess didn’t seem particularly outstanding.

At least, she seemed ignorant of swordsmanship and martial arts, and if her waving her hands saying she was hopeless at magic before was anything to go by, she didn’t seem to have any talent in that area either.

Now that I’d delved into black magic and was able to use the vast magical power I was born with, I’d gained considerable strength, so I probably wouldn’t have much trouble killing her even alone.

As I imagined it in my head and pondered the plan, I came to the conclusion that it was definitely possible, so I placed the map on the table and replied calmly.

“Alright. Let’s carry out the deed in a week. The schedule’s getting moved up sooner than I thought.”

“…That’s unexpected. I thought you’d try some trickery.”

“Trickery? What are you talking about?”

“I thought you’d have developed some affection for that young lady.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

I let out a light breath and gave a scornful laugh, as if I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

From the start, I’d turned my back on my family and decided to abandon them.

The very idea that I’d have given my heart to a woman I’d only met for about two months was absurd.

“Instead of thinking useless thoughts, just go back. The security in this castle is tighter than you think.”

With a gesture as if chasing away a peddler, I turned my body, expressing my feeling that I had no more business with you.

Then, a cold gaze that seemed to be observing me lingered from behind for a long time, before the silence was broken and his words continued.

“Thanks for your concern. Then, I’ll be waiting with a joyful heart for the day you become one of our comrades, Kyle Lionheart.”

“Yeah.”

Hwirik.

A very subtle sound echoed, so faint that you wouldn’t hear it unless you were listening closely.

Only when the gaze that had been piercing my back finally disappeared did I unfold the map on the table again, crumple it up, and clench my fist with force.

“Damn it.”

Even though the day I had so longed for was coming in a week, for some reason, what filled my heart wasn’t anticipation or excitement, but only annoyance and anxiety.

To try and shake off that feeling, I poured the half-finished wine that was also on the table into my mouth and lay down on the bed.

Before falling asleep, I felt like someone’s face had floated up like a mirage.

＊＊＊

A week later, as I’d agreed with that bastard, I tried something I hadn’t done in three days, in order to take Sylvia Eleanor to the promised place.

Namely, I called her first.

I can’t guarantee it, but at least as far as I remember, in the two months I’d been meeting her recently, I’d never called her first even once.

If anything, it was only when my mother nagged me last time that I had no choice but to send her a message that was somewhere between an invitation and a summons.

“Hehe, even a day like this comes. To think that Lionheart-gongja would invite me.”

Maybe that’s why, even though it had only been two days since we last met, Sylvia Eleanor’s lips were already hooked on her ears from the very beginning.

Even if you gave a seven-year-old child the toy they’d wanted so badly, they couldn’t be this happy.

For some reason, I felt uncomfortable facing her, and a disgruntled voice came out without me realizing it.

“It’s not like I’m grandly inviting you. I just wanted to see your territory, and I needed a guide, so I called you.”

“That alone makes me happy enough. It means that Lionheart-gongja wanted to see the land where I was born and raised.”

“…You’re interpreting it better than the dream itself.”

At this point, wouldn’t it be possible that somewhere in this woman’s head, there’s a circuit implanted that interprets everything in the world in a positive direction?

If that were true, it would be a great discovery that even the scholars of the Magic Tower would come running out in a hurry.

Anyway, we moved our feet, sharing trivial stories about each other’s short daily lives for only about two days.

Normally, I would have moved my feet first, and she would have been in a situation where she was rushing to catch up, but today I couldn’t.

That’s because this Eleanor County was a place I was visiting for the first time too.

Kko-ok.

“…There are a lot of eyes watching, why don’t you let go?”

“I can’t let you get lost on a place you’re walking for the first time.”

“It’s not like I’m a three-year-old kid.”

“When you grumble like that, you seem just like a child, you know?”

She really doesn’t give in with a single word.

Her personality is gentle and mild, but she’s subtly strong-willed.

No, to be exact, is she only like this in front of me?

When she met my family last time, she was almost like a broken wooden doll that only nodded.

I want to complain about this subtle discrimination, but since she won’t listen anyway, it’s better to give up early.

As I sighed inwardly and moved my feet, she suddenly grabbed my hand tightly and pointed somewhere.

“Ah! Lionheart-gongja, can you see that big tree over there?”

“Yeah.”

There, as she put it, stood a very large tree.

It was a tree of a rather incongruous shape, towering in the very center of this bustling territory.

“That’s the Tree of Harmony, which can be said to be the representative monument of Eleanor County. Have you ever heard of it?”

“I think I’ve heard it mentioned in passing…. Isn’t it just an ordinary tree? It’s just a little big.”

To be honest, it wasn’t just a little big, it was so big that my mouth dropped open, but I didn’t feel much emotion, so I scoffed and replied.

Then, as if knowing only one thing and not knowing two, she shook her head and continued to explain.

“According to what I’ve heard, that Tree of Harmony grew from a seed planted by Erze-nim, the Goddess of Peace, and became what it is now. That’s why it’s called the Tree of Harmony. Among believers, it’s also considered a major pilgrimage site.”

“A goddess planted a seed, is that true?”

“I don’t know. But seeing it standing alone among these tall buildings, wouldn’t you have to say that it’s a miracle of God?”

“There’s some truth to that.”

It’s not exactly a topic of trivia that I like, but still, seeing such a large tree that’s so out of place, I feel a sense of intimidation.

Perhaps those who believe in the existence of God also believe that the goddess planted the tree herself, starting from this feeling.

Because the story of God is originally a novel written by believers.

Of course, if I were to say such things in front of believers, I’d be beaten to a pulp.

“And the people of the Eleanor family have traditionally shared a cup of oath under that tree with the person who will be their husband, after the wedding ceremony, in the sense that they will spend their lives together. In the sense that Erze-yeosin is watching over and blessing that oath.”

“That’s kind of unexpected. You don’t seem like the type to believe in something like God.”

As I watched her rattle off the family traditions related to the Tree of Harmony, I couldn’t help but think that it was quite unexpected.

Of course, I knew that the woman Sylvia Eleanor’s personality was almost saintly, and that she was so optimistic that I wondered if she was a little out of it.

But if you ask me if she’s pure enough to believe in God, I don’t think so.

In the first place, if a miserable woman who has been pointed at as a witch while living until now still has purity, that’s not a blessing, it’s a curse.

“Hehe, that’s true. Actually, it might be a little rude, but I’ve never believed in the existence of God. When I first heard this story, I even had a small question, ‘What’s the meaning of such a ritual?’ But….”

“…But?”

As she started to speak and looked straight at me, I unknowingly trembled and took a step back, asking back.

Then, as if not wanting to let go, she intertwined her fingers with mine, binding me completely.

At that moment, a faint blush settled on her pure white cheeks, so white that the expression ‘pale’ would suit them, and her words continued.

“Because it’s also going to be our future soon. Although I don’t believe in God, I’ve come to think that I really hope the Goddess will watch over us and bless us on that day.”

“……”

I couldn’t say anything to that.

Not affirmation, not denial, not even the act of changing the subject and glossing over it as usual.

The desire to say, ‘That day won’t come for you,’ rose to the tip of my throat, but I swallowed those words with superhuman patience.

It was as if I had swallowed a ball of iron heated with fire, and the area near my solar plexus was hot and aching.

And to erase that unpleasant feeling, I forced myself to open my mouth.

“…Sylvia Eleanor.”

“Yes, Lionheart-gongja.”

“I’m sorry to bring this up in this atmosphere, but actually, I came here today because I have a favor to ask of you.”

“I thought so. I was thinking that you might have some other business.”

Then, she smiled as if she had already expected it, and nodded as if telling me to speak.

To that, I handed her a small map and somehow moved my lips that wouldn’t budge, continuing the next words.

“Come to this place alone in four days. Because I have something to say.”

“This place, you mean. I understand. Since you’re telling me to come alone, it must be very important, right?”

Her reaction is surprisingly calm.

Unlike what I expected, that she would be excited in anticipation of a proposal, she looked at the map I handed her with a terribly calm gaze, and quickly put it in her bag.

Would it be a delusion if I felt something like the solemnity of a saint waiting for a foreseen future that had come down as an oracle from that appearance?

“Yeah, it’s important. So, I’m asking you.”

“Yes. Don’t worry, Lionheart-gongja.”

After finishing the conversation like that, she started to guide me around the county, skipping and hopping as usual, or rather, in a way that seemed even more excited than usual.

Like lovers enjoying a last tryst after sensing a farewell, her face, which was constantly wearing an exaggerated smile, kept making me avoid her gaze.