Chapter 113: Interlude – Mana’s Story (3)

The air of the place froze cold.

Because Esther had so casually uttered “that word,” Mana struggled for a while to process the meaning of her words.

The eerie tone clung to her throat like a thorn, tormenting her.

Mana, her hand trembling slightly as she gripped her staff, asked,

“W-what are you saying all of a sudden… ? Die? What do you mean… ?”

“It’s nothing complicated; I mean it literally.

I plan to end my life within a year. I’ll finish only what I must do before I die.

Oh, but I won’t leave without saying goodbye, so don’t worry about that—”

“That’s not what I’m asking!”

Bang!

Mana slammed the desk fiercely.

It was a surge of emotion she had never felt before.

Known for her stoic demeanor, Mana rarely showed anger so openly on her face.

Esther’s words had struck deeply at Mana’s trauma.

She had lost someone dear to her only three months ago, and now she had to face the possibility of losing another friend?

“Why? What’s the reason? Explain it in a way I can understand!
Otherwise, I’ll tie you down here forever!”

“Uh, clingy women aren’t really my type…”

Esther quipped awkwardly, as if trying to make light of the situation, but Mana began gathering magical energy at the tip of her staff.

Seeing this, Esther hurriedly shouted,

“Wait, wait! I have a valid reason! So please don’t use magic!”

“What is it? Speak up.”

“…Phew…”

As the magical energy dissipated, Esther let out a small sigh of relief.

She paused briefly, as if choosing her words, then spoke slowly.

“It’s nothing much. It’s just… I still have ‘jealousy’ inside me.”

“Jealousy?”

“Yes.”

Esther nodded.

It took about three seconds for Mana to realize that Esther wasn’t referring to a common noun but a proper noun.

After three seconds, Mana suppressed a slight shudder and asked,

“Don’t tell me…
You mean the Jealousy Legion Commander?”

“That’s right.”

“But we clearly defeated that thing—”

“No, we didn’t. We only weakened it to the point of near annihilation.

And then, I sealed it inside my own body.”

It was the first Mana had heard of this.

She hadn’t noticed anything before.

Moreover, the defeat of the Jealousy Legion Commander had occurred more than a year ago—exactly one year and four months ago.

To bring it up now meant…

“Don’t tell me it’s trying to break free?”

“Yes, correct.”

Esther smiled faintly.

“I’ve tried to suppress it as much as possible on my own, but I don’t think I can hold it back any longer.

I can feel myself becoming someone else. Lately, I’ve been consumed by thoughts I’d never normally have and experiencing emotions I wouldn’t typically feel.

At this pace, I estimate I have, at most, a year… That’s my judgment.”

“……”

Hearing this, Mana bit her lip.

The Demon King Army’s Jealousy Legion Commander, Fenin Malefice. Or “Infected” Fenin.

A member of the seven legion commanders, chosen from the most powerful demons, Fenin was unusually weak for his rank.

Despite this, he caused the greatest harm to the human forces.

Fenin’s species was a specter, an amorphous entity made of mist.

His primary tactic was infiltrating the bodies of others to seize control.

But what set Fenin apart from other specters was his method. Instead of taking direct control, he would hide in his target’s subconscious, gradually corrupting their mind and merging with them—down to the essence of their soul.

Unlike other specters, who could be expelled with holy magic, those corrupted by Fenin had to be killed.

The corruption occurred at such a fundamental level that no spell or holy magic could restore a broken mind.

Fenin’s ability to hide deep within his targets, evading detection, made him a uniquely devastating threat.

He only operated for two years.

During those two years, Fenin possessed key figures—kings, cardinals, military commanders—one after another, severely tilting the balance of the war.

He feigned narrow defeats on purpose, spreading distrust among the allied forces and preventing them from uniting.

For humanity, he was the worst of the legion commanders.

And Esther claimed she had sealed Fenin within her own soul.

For over a year.

“Why didn’t you tell us sooner? If you had, we could’ve looked for a way—”

“Ahaha, no. Even with my holy power, the greatest in Elpidion, I barely managed to seal him.

No matter what means we use, I don’t think we could truly destroy him.

He’d exploit any opening to escape elsewhere.

If that happens, we’d have to resume the dreadful chase all over again. You remember, don’t you, Mana?”

“…….”

At those words, Mana recalled the past.

The time they narrowly missed capturing Fenin in Phrygia.

The subsequent year-long pursuit across the continent that ended with his defeat.

And the countless casualties—tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands—suffered during that time.

Though Mana could understand Esther’s extreme decision to seal Fenin within herself, given those events…

“You don’t have to die. Even Lier, who you loved, wouldn’t want this.

I’ll find a way in a year, no matter what. So—”

“No.”

Esther shook her head firmly.

“Don’t you remember too? The terror of an ‘Infected’ doesn’t simply lie in corrupting one individual.

[It spreads poison to others nearby in a chain reaction.] … That was the most dreadful aspect of that horrifying entity.”

Indeed, that is why the title of ‘Infected’ was bestowed upon Fenin and why he was designated as the highest-priority target for elimination among the seven legion commanders.

Fenin’s mental contamination ability was so powerful that it didn’t only affect the host but also spread to those around them, literally ‘infecting’ them like a disease.

If Fenin isn’t detected early, he forms a faction of his own followers, resisting by subjugating even the allies and friends of the host under his control.

It was something that had been encountered several times during their journey.

“If I were to fail out of futile greed, the consequences would affect not just me but also you and Lier.

I could never, under any circumstances, allow such a future. Even if it means paying the ultimate price—my life itself.

That’s why I choose to take my own life. Do you understand now?”

“…….”

Mana gripped her staff tightly without answering.

Esther’s resolve was unwavering.

No matter what she was told, she would not change her mind.

She had always been that kind of person—one who would endure any pain to achieve a greater cause.

And yet, that very resolve brought about an even deeper sorrow.

“This… this isn’t fair…

We saved the world, so why do we have to be more miserable than before?

I truly believed that, of all people, Esther would live happily ever after with Lier until the end… She deserved it more than anyone…

How could it end like this, in such a tragic farewell…”

“…….”

Tears dripped onto the table from the mage’s eyes.

Watching her with a faint, bittersweet smile, Esther stood and approached Mana.

She gently placed her hand on Mana’s shoulder.

“Lady Mana.”

“…….”

“It’s okay. There’s no need to be so sad.

Because I’m not even a little bit unhappy. Truly, I’m not.”

“…….”

Mana turned her head sharply, answering in a gloomy voice.

“Don’t lie to me. Trying to comfort me like that won’t—”

“I’m not lying. If you’d like, I could testify under the field of truth.”

Esther smiled softly.

“Lady Mana, you’re misunderstanding one thing. There’s no such thing as a ‘tragic farewell.’

In fact, I feel grateful to Lord Lafrey for how things have turned out.”

“What…?”

Mana looked at her as if she’d just heard something absurd, her green eyes slightly tinged red.

“What do you mean, grateful?”

“Exactly what I said.”

Esther placed her hand on her chest as she spoke with a smile.

“If I struggled to survive, the ripple effects would eventually reach Lier and corrupt him as well.

But by ending my life while bearing the burden of the Infected, I can protect Lier’s noble spirit forever, even from afar.

What could be more meaningful or fulfilling than protecting the one you love through your actions? Don’t you agree?”

“That’s…!”

Mana raised her voice in protest, overwhelmed.

“That’s just playing with words! None of this would’ve happened if you hadn’t sealed the Infected in yourself in the first place!

Lier, Exia, and Gareum—none of them would ever agree with this logic!”

“But there’s no other way, is there? Back then, and even now, this is the best course of action.

‘One should never place blind optimism above concrete chances of success,’ as Lord Sien always used to say.”

“But still…!”

—Whoosh.

The next moment, Esther grabbed Mana’s hand and pulled her close, causing the off-balance Mana to fall into Esther’s arms.

Esther caught her gently, embracing her softly. Warmth radiated through the fabric between them.

“It’s okay, Lady Mana. I’ve told you again and again—I’m not sad at all.”

Esther closed her eyes and murmured slowly.

“Lier is strong. Even the death of his close friend, Lord Sien, he has overcome and continues to live on.

I’m confident he’ll overcome my absence too.

And someday, with the passage of time, everything will fade away naturally—memories, sorrow, and longing.

That is my only wish.”

Esther continued speaking in a dreamy tone.

“Lier is an extraordinary person, so I’m sure he’ll find a wonderful partner who suits his greatness.

Even if he himself doesn’t actively seek one, others will surely find him a match.

I hope he marries someone far better than me—someone prettier, kinder, and more cultured.

I hope he has as many children as possible. A child’s innocent smile is the greatest joy for any parent.

And then, as a happy family, I hope he receives the respect he deserves as a hero and gently approaches the twilight of his years.

One day, as he gazes at the sunset, he might briefly recall the times we shared and smile quietly, thinking, ‘Ah, there was a time like that,’ reminiscing fondly.

That is the only wish I hold now.”

“……..”

Esther released her embrace and stepped back.

She then took Mana’s still-silent hand in hers and clasped it tightly.

“Lady Mana. You’re the only one I can share this story with.

You’re the only one who can help me with my beautiful exit.

Would you please grant me this final wish?”

Her gaze was steady and unwavering, without the slightest hesitation.

Mana, staring into those sorrowful eyes, slowly opened her mouth.

“…Are you really okay with this?”

Her voice was laced with disbelief.

“With someone else standing beside Lier for the rest of his life? Meanwhile, you can never meet or talk to him again.

It’s the worst imaginable ending—are you truly okay with that?

I don’t understand. How can you possibly feel at peace with this? I just don’t—”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Esther interrupted Mana’s words with a firm declaration.

“The only thing I want is for Lier to spend his remaining days laughing.

As long as that condition is met, it doesn’t matter if I’m not the one standing by his side.

Of course, it would be ideal if I could be, but that’s not the situation I’m in.”

“……..”

Mana remained silent, her face twisted with a faint grimace, clearly still unable to accept it.

Seeing this, Esther chuckled softly.

“Does it still not make sense to you?”

“Not at all.”

Mana responded instantly, nodding.

“Your honesty is refreshing~,” Esther laughed heartily.

“It’s okay if you don’t understand now. Someday, you’ll come to realize it, Lady Mana.”

With those words, Esther closed her eyes and envisioned the future.

A Lier matured into a dashing and dignified figure. Beside him, a fox-like wife and rabbit-like children.

Lier wielding his sacred sword, guiding people as a symbol of hope.

A world where everyone was happy, even if she wasn’t in it.

“To love someone is, after all, to wish for their happiness above all else.”

Esther smiled brightly.