episode_0125

“Forget it, Chris. What happened back then was in that world. It’s already in the past. No matter how much you struggle, clinging to it won’t change anything.”

“Ah…”

Eric wore an awkward expression.

“Admittedly, the first iteration was the worst for me too, but I won’t deny that I was hasty back then. If some lunatic suddenly claims to be a prophet and starts spouting nonsense, of course it’d be hard to believe. Trying to make you all understand was my mistake.”

“That’s not true! We—”

“Huh? What’s not true?”

“It’s… I mean…”

Christine had no choice but to fall silent again. She wanted to say that prophets had existed in the past, that there were people who believed in them, and that Eric’s efforts weren’t in vain—but she realized she had no right to say such things.

How dare she?

It was no one else but her who had driven Eric to abandon everything and walk this precarious path. How could she, of all people, dare to tell him that there were those who believed in prophets, that he hadn’t been wrong back then?

“It’s nothing. So, what were you saying about the newspaper again?”

“Well…”

As Eric launched into another long, detailed explanation, Christine simply watched him. Even though this had nothing to do with her, even though it was entirely about someone else’s affairs, seeing Eric speak so animatedly made her feel as though an insurmountable distance had opened between them—

Christine bit her lip.

“Reintegrating the slum dwellers as members of the Empire… It’s a pretty radical approach, but it might actually work. I was skeptical when I first heard you had a plan, but if you’re this confident, there must be something to it.”

“It’s not that I have some grand conviction, but not everyone in the back alleys or underworld is there because they enjoy that life. Plenty are forced into it. To find those people, we’ll need money, manpower, and connections to bridge the gap.”

“And the first thing you need for that is money, right? Which is why the easiest asset for you to tap into is the Grave family’s fortune under my management.”

“Exactly. I wouldn’t say it takes a mountain of gold to save them, but a certain level of assets is essential. Plus, we’ll need to screen those who genuinely want to turn their lives around.”

“Screen them? You’re going to do that yourself?”

“Of course. Who else would? Dave and Cheryl will be busy writing articles and spreading them nationwide. Setting up the initial communication network is something I’ll have to handle alone.”

“Alone? Are you serious?”

Even as she drowned in self-loathing for her own shamelessness, Eric’s words were enough to make Christine lose her composure.

“With Elia already itching to clean that place up once and for all, what are you thinking, going there alone to judge who’s safe? Are you out of your mind?”

“Out of my mind? That’s harsh. I’m just—”

“That’s completely insane, and you know it!”

As Christine raged, a single thought flashed through her mind—a solution that would both protect Eric and subtly resolve the turmoil in her heart.

“Wait. The reason you’re going alone is to avoid rumors spreading, right?”

“Yeah. Keeping it quiet until the truth gradually comes out will have a much bigger impact.”

“Then what if the person going with you is someone you trust completely?”

“Someone I trust?”

“Perfect timing. Take Lucy with you. She could tear that slum apart single-handedly, let alone navigate it safely.”

“Wait, hold on. Why are we suddenly talking about Lucilla?”

“I told you. I won’t let you go to such a dangerous place alone, and I can’t move without drawing attention. Meanwhile, Lucy’s been quietly training nonstop—this is the perfect chance to test her progress. Plus, unlike us, no one will bat an eye at her going there.”

Lucilla would one day be hailed as the hero who saved the world, the embodiment of hope and expectations—but that was the future Lucilla, the one who pulled the sacred sword from its pedestal.

The Lucilla of now was just an ordinary commoner with a talent for swinging a sword.

“Even Lucy will get rusty if she only trains all day. She needs to experience the real world once in a while.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Sending her into the field? That’s a terrible joke.”

“But she’ll still be helpful, so what’s the problem? Anyway, I absolutely refuse to let you go to the slums alone. I’ll stop you no matter what it takes.”

“I’d rather not drag her into this when she’s already training hard. It’s not like Lucilla and I are that close.”

Fortunately for Christine, Eric didn’t outright reject her suggestion, merely waving his hand dismissively.

“It’s been ages since you’ve seen Lucy, right? Maybe this is a good chance for you two to catch up.”

“Catch up… Yeah, I have been neglecting her a bit. I was focused on digging into Cecilia and the Church, then Elia called me right after.”

“You should meet her. Just because she’s the strongest among us doesn’t mean she doesn’t have feelings.”

As she spoke, Christine’s heart burned black. Of course, her concern for Eric’s safety wasn’t a lie—she genuinely wanted Lucilla to act as his guard.

To Christine, Eric was her sole reason for living, the only purpose she had left. Losing him would be the worst possible outcome.

But at the same time, a twisted desire coiled inside her—a wish for Lucilla to despair just as she had.

For that stoic face to contort in the same agony.

For her to kneel before the reality that nothing could change Eric.

‘Pathetic.’

She knew it herself. What she was doing was childish, petty—If I can’t have him, no one can. A laughably immature thought.

Yet, the mere idea of Eric smiling brightly somewhere she couldn’t see was reason enough to keep going.

Apologizing silently to the absent Lucilla, Christine deliberately teased,

“Anyway, you need my money to start this, don’t you? This whole plan was built on the assumption that you’d successfully borrow from me. So, is it too much to ask for one little favor in return?”

“Ugh…”

“Besides, it’s not like I’m trying to chain you down. Asking for an escort is just common sense, don’t you think?”

“No, but—”

“Oh? You don’t want to? Fine, then let’s just drop this whole thing. Your safety is my top priority, no matter what. I won’t budge on this.”

“Fine. One Lucilla won’t hurt.”

“And I’ll also assign some of my own troops—”

“I’ll kneel right here. Please, just don’t do that. A move meant to clear misunderstandings shouldn’t create new ones!”

“Kneel? Here?”

“If I have to convince you, what does the floor matter?”

Thud—

“I’ll give you my honor, my heirship, everything! Just lend it to me!”

With the same lighthearted cheerfulness, Eric dropped to his knees.

“Wait, Eric?”

“I may not be forgiven, but if you tell me to kneel, I’ll kneel. If you tell me to beg, I’ll beg. It’s nothing difficult for me.”

Though Eric spoke lightly, Christine knew it was no joke to him.

Whatever it takes—those words meant exactly that. He would follow her will unconditionally.

Even if she ordered him to harm himself, he’d do it without hesitation.

Because it was necessary for the future.

Because this was the path he’d chosen to defeat the Demon King and reclaim his life.

I hate this.

That was Christine’s thought as she watched him.

She didn’t want to see Eric kneel, defeated, before anyone.

If possible, she wanted him to live safely, always.

Let others bear the hardships while he stayed untouched, living leisurely in the background.

He deserved that much.

And yet, once again, her desperate feelings shattered against the walls she herself had built.

Understand my heart? What a ridiculous notion.

Even Christine, the owner of these emotions, didn’t know what to do with them, stumbling forward on unsteady feet.

Unaware that these selfish, ugly feelings—ones she couldn’t even show Eric—were still the very motivation keeping him moving.