Ch.105For a Moment, You

# 1.

Confusion or bewilderment.

When faced with a situation that warrants such feelings, anyone would naturally hesitate.

“…Erectile dysfunction?”

The moment a confused Pedro unconsciously paused, Nahan seized the opportunity and threw himself forward to block Pedro’s path.

“…Commander?”

Confusion followed by bewilderment.

“Commander, how did you get here…? No, more importantly, what on earth is erectile dysfunction—”

“It’s an auditory hallucination.”

“Hallucination? But clearly, Commander’s—”

“It’s a hallucination. And more importantly…”

Nahan, now standing before the dumbfounded Pedro, regained his composure as if nothing had happened.

“Are you truly without regrets?”

“Regrets?”

“The choice you’re about to make. Are you confident you won’t regret it?”

After pondering Nahan’s serious question briefly, Pedro asked in return:

“Why are you asking this?”

Hadn’t the Commander said it himself?

That from now on, the Black Wolf’s main enemy was not the Emperor or the Light, but Eclipse.

“Since Eclipse is also the target of my revenge, isn’t this beneficial for you either way, Commander?”

Though he spoke of revenge, Pedro’s expression remained impassive.

Only then did Nahan truly realize.

‘…A malevolent spirit.’

A being that exists only in this world, devoid of emotions, acting solely on reason.

‘To persuade the current Pedro, I must either present him with sufficient gain or physically restrain him.’

However, he needed to make Pedro choose forgiveness over revenge by any means necessary.

‘If Pedro chooses revenge now, a massacre will occur.’

This was the story from the original work.

In the original, Pedro begins a massacre following Lia’s dying wish.

For one reason alone:

-…For revenge.

The inherent evil grows through the deaths of others, and Pedro becomes unstoppably powerful.

Yet, even then, he couldn’t reach the Light, so Pedro ultimately crosses the line and begins slaughtering civilians to grow stronger.

Only then did the battles become evenly matched, but the tide turned due to Balkan’s sacrifice and Asha’s subsequent awakening, leading to Pedro’s miserable end.

-What… what was it all for…

It was a futile life, achieving neither revenge for Lia nor fulfilling her request to be happy.

Afterward, the Light clashes with the Black Wolf and also dies, leaving behind the Emperor.

So if events follow the original storyline, not only would they be at odds with the Light, but Nahan’s life might also be in danger.

‘That’s why I must stop this by any means necessary.’

For Pedro’s salvation, or even for Nahan’s own survival.

As Nahan was searching for the right words, Pedro, tired of the silence, sighed.

“If I choose revenge, I gain power; if I choose forgiveness, I gain nothing. So I have no reason to choose forgiveness.”

Pedro’s eyes were resolute.

“I’ll achieve my revenge, and you’ll achieve your purpose. That’s all there is to it.”

As his finger reached out once more toward the glittering “revenge,” Nahan asked Pedro in a level voice:

“They say those born as malevolent spirits have no emotions, right?”

“…? That’s correct.”

“They always prioritize their own survival, and occasionally some are born with exceptional curiosity. Am I right?”

“That’s what I said, isn’t it?”

In response to Pedro’s firm answer, Nahan pointed to Pedro’s other hand and asked:

“Then is that curiosity?”

At the tip of his fingers was Lia’s face.

“If survival were your priority, you would have chosen forgiveness over revenge. If everything you’ve said is true, this can only be seen as curiosity.”

Only then did Pedro realize.

Despite having already recognized this as a mental realm, he was still preciously holding Lia’s face.

“…Why?”

The words escaped him like a sigh.

Only after becoming aware did everything seem strange.

Why was he, a malevolent spirit, holding Lia’s severed head?

Why hadn’t he thought of escaping, and why had he chosen revenge?

The head he was holding was an illusion, and choosing revenge would only distance him further from survival.

‘Why… why am I doing this?’

As he looked down at Lia’s face in confusion,

Lia, having regained her form, smiled faintly at Pedro and said:

“[Hint. You saw all my memories, didn’t you?]”

With this direct hint, fragments of Lia’s past flashed before him.

-Why does Grandma give me part of her food when she’s hungry too, telling me to eat more?

-Why does she call me pretty even when I look messy after waking up?

-Why does Grandma get angry on my behalf when others call me a monster?

The old woman who had always devoted herself to Lia without expecting anything in return, who had taught her emotions.

And similarly,

-You’re not strange, Pedro.

-It’s okay. Come with me.

-Pfft! How cute. And also silly.

Lia, who had always devoted herself to him without expecting anything in return, who had always been by his side.

Pedro unconsciously murmured:

“…Is it love?”

Confronted with an emotion he was experiencing—or rather, recognizing—for the first time, Pedro was confused. But Lia embraced him and whispered softly:

“[Yes. It’s love.]”

Pedro was afraid.

Like primitive humans who feared fire when they first encountered it.

‘Emotions make humans weak.’

‘How should I treat Lia?’

‘What kind of emotion is love?’

‘What kinds of emotions are there in the first place?’

Pedro covered his face with his hands, fearful of the emotion he had just recognized.

“I… this is, what…”

The only one who truly understood Pedro was Lia, who had experienced the same situation.

She gently removed his hands from his face and looked into his eyes.

“[Confused, aren’t you?]”

Pedro slowly nodded.

“[That’s what emotions are like. Sometimes they direct you to do the exact opposite of what reason dictates. That’s why they’re frightening. Not following reason is like cutting away at your own life. But…]”

Lia lifted Pedro’s chin, moved closer, and whispered:

“[Like now, one by one. If you slowly face them and overcome them, you’ll gain more than if you only followed reason. So, Pedro.]”

Lia conveyed in words what the old woman had taught her over a long time, then carefully released her hands and stepped back.

“[Be happy.]”

Don’t be persecuted for being different, don’t die without emotions, unaware that you’re rotting inside—just be happy.

“[You’re different from me who realized too late. Different from me who, despite that realization, became a monster again, blinded by revenge.]”

Lia’s hands gently overlapped with his.

She guided the dazed Pedro’s hand to choose [forgiveness].

【Calculating the intervention ratio of <Lia??> and <Pedro(Ex-)>’s will.】

【Confirmed as a choice made by <Pedro(Ex-)>’s will.】

【Selecting ‘Two – Forgiveness’.】

【Time to say goodbye to Lia, maintenance of inherent evil, and a new destiny are granted.】

Before Pedro could collect his emotions, the time to part with Lia approached quickly.

Lia gathered all her remaining strength and placed it on Pedro’s heart.

“[My final gift.]”

What began was the sealing of Pedro’s inherent nature – <Evil>.

The cost was all of Lia’s remaining time.

“[If I seal your inherent evil, you’ll be able to live like ordinary people.]”

Inherent evil.

Even if he had realized emotions, as long as it remained, he would have to walk a tightrope for the rest of his life.

“[Pedro, you’re… different from me.]”

Unlike me, who is neither here nor there, you can live properly as a person.

Lia sacrificed even the fleeting time she had left to activate the sealing ritual.

Or rather, she tried to activate it, but was stopped by Pedro.

Lia’s time extended once more.

“[What are you doing?]”

A startled Lia tried to pull away, but Pedro pulled her into an embrace.

“I understand your actions and reasons. All of it.”

Lia, who had discovered emotions thanks to the old woman but remained imperfect due to being a malevolent spirit.

Her choice of revenge, how the arrow of that day returned to take everything from her, and her attempt to seal his inherent evil so he wouldn’t repeat her misfortune.

“As you said, if my inherent evil is sealed, I could be carefree like before. I could feel various emotions and mingle with people.”

“[If you understand, then accept it!!]”

Lia struggled.

Pedro held her more tightly and spoke:

“You said it yourself. That’s what emotions are like. Sometimes they direct you to do the exact opposite of what reason dictates. I think that’s happening now.”

“[No. Come to your senses, Pedro. Now is the time to follow reason. Send away a spirit that will disappear anyway a little earlier and gain something in return.]”

Pedro slowly raised his head.

“…No.”

Just as Lia had done for him moments ago, he looked at her directly and said:

“The greatest gain I can have right now is to face you, even if just for a moment.”

As he spoke, an awkward, faint smile formed on Pedro’s lips.