“You… Are you really thinking of confronting the temple?”

“If necessary.”

Louise quietly put down the ink bottle.

Not once had she used the power of black magic selfishly.

Knowing how dangerous her power was, she only used it to confront Dietrich.

But for Eve’s sake, she was prepared to become a true villain for the first time.

For the first time, Giselle felt a predator’s chill from Louise.

Because of her always docile and delicate face, even Giselle had momentarily forgotten.

If Louise decided to use her power, no one could stand against her now.

Giselle realized that Louise held the knife handle in this negotiation.

Louise was merely willingly choosing the path of austerity, enduring her own losses due to guilt.

It was thanks to her mercy that Giselle could move her lips alive before her.

Giselle moistened her dry lips once and opened her mouth.

“…So, what do you want to do?”

“Bestow Eve with the saint’s protection token.”

Louise spat out the answer without a moment’s hesitation, as if she had already organized her thoughts.

The saint’s protection token was an indulgence engraved with holy power, allowing one to be free from the sins God questions for life.

Therefore, the Order only bestowed protection tokens to special individuals worthy of sainthood.

But to bestow a protection token to Eve?

“That’s impossible.”

Giselle shook her head.

To bestow a protection token, the Pope’s approval and the consent of the high priests were needed.

Among them, no one would agree to bestow a protection token to a three-year-old girl.

However, there was not a drop of wavering on Louise’s face.

“You must make it possible. Saint Giselle Marlhein.”

The green eyes directly stared at the holy pattern engraved on Giselle’s chest.

“Just because you throw a tantrum…!”

“A tantrum? Isn’t this a clean transaction? I’m just saying I’ll receive a reward commensurate with the merit, while receiving punishment corresponding to the sin committed.”

Louise’s fingertip tapped the blackened teacup once more.

Giselle flinched.

Yes, Louise had merit.

She had defeated the devil Dietrich and laid the foundation for the seal, saving countless people and averting the empire’s crisis.

If she hadn’t been a ‘devil’, it would have been an achievement worthy of the title of saint.

“The holy knight Desideria, who sealed Mephisto, is still revered with her name remembered. There’s a cathedral dedicated to her, and there’s a statue of Desideria in this temple too.”

Louise’s gaze gently turned towards the window.

In the distance, the main cathedral building of the temple with its bell tower could be seen.

The gaze that had lingered on the cathedral for a moment slowly returned to Giselle.

“I’m not even asking for that much treatment. Right?”

To this, Giselle bit her lip and offered a silent prayer.

She didn’t want to play along with the blatant threat, but there was nothing wrong with Louise’s words.

Her merit had saved Paradel, the empire, perhaps this era and its future.

‘Did Louise Ideana have this side to her?’

Giselle thought as she looked at Louise staring straight at her.

She thought she was just a docile, quiet lady, but that wasn’t the case.

Maybe this is her true self…

Giselle let out a faint chuckle.

“Fine. If you follow the temple’s guidance, I’ll keep that promise somehow.”

Even if she had to use the influence of the Marlhein family.

Giselle promised Louise.

She knew it was a reckless promise, but this was atonement for the temple’s negligence, and the last compassion and conscience Giselle could offer.

Dietrich’s research, Louise’s merit, Eve’s innocence.

Knowing all this, yet having to sentence Louise to hell, it was the high priest’s last effort to alleviate the guilt of conscience.

“But we won’t be able to write Eve’s name in the saint’s records.”

“…That’s fine.”

The saint’s records were merely a matter of honor.

What she wanted to obtain was Eve’s absolution, the child’s safety and peace.

“I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”

As the last legacy for Eve was promised, relief spread across Louise’s face.

Giselle found her reaction truly unfamiliar.

Louise seemed to be worried about Eve, but also looked somewhat relieved.

As if she had finished a long-standing homework.

“Eclas will come in a few days. Say goodbye to the child. Unless you want to show yourself being sealed in front of your daughter.”

Louise recalled the words Giselle left as she departed.

According to Giselle’s plan, when Eclas arrives, Eve will be entrusted to him.

After receiving the protection token from the Pope, Louise’s sealing will proceed.

Louise closed her eyelids tightly.

The end was really approaching.

The end she had expected to face someday.

‘I wanted to hold on until Eve grew up.’

It was a little earlier than expected.

She wanted to ask for a little more time, but she knew the temple would never allow it.

The protection token alone is enough.

Louise looked out the window with a dry gaze.

She hesitated for a moment before turning the latch to open the window.

Wind blew in through the wide-open gap.

Perhaps because it had rained, the wind that brushed her cheek was even colder and clearer.

Leaves were falling to the ground.

The cold sensation brushing her cheek was particularly vivid today.

It was the sensation of a complete life.

“Mom!”

At that moment, a clear voice shook her heart.

When she turned her head, Eve was running towards her.

Louise opened her arms wide to welcome Eve.

The small body rushed into her embrace.

The warmth, soft touch, and the size that fit perfectly in her arms were clear.

Louise tried to remember that sensation even more vividly.

It felt like hot water was filling up in her chest, making it stuffy.

“Mom, are you better now?”

Eve stared intently.

Her delicate features were captured in Louise’s eyes.

Louise stared at that face without blinking.

“Yes.”

A choked sound came out.

Fortunately, Eve didn’t seem to notice.

Her chubby cheeks that hadn’t lost their baby fat rose up, turning a rosy color.

And the small lips left a soft kiss on her mother’s cheek.

The soft, tender sensation was imprinted on her cheek.

Louise bit her lip hard at the emotion that suddenly welled up.

She felt like she was going to cry.

“Mom, what’s wrong?”

Eve asked worriedly, lowering her eyebrows.

Louise shook her head.

“Because I’m happy.”

She tried her best to lift the corners of her mouth, but somehow the smile didn’t seem to fully form.

Instead of speaking with a trembling voice, Louise slightly pursed her lips towards Eve.

Eve smiled and kissed her lips again.

Louise savored even the lingering sensation of the feeling coming over her.

And again, she kissed her daughter’s lips, cheeks, forehead, and the bridge of her nose.

Eve giggled at her mother’s playful kisses.

Louise laughed along with the innocent, pure laughter.

“I love you, Eve.”

“I love you too, Mom!”

Eve buried her head in her mother’s shoulder and wrapped her arms around her neck.

Louise hugged the child’s body, stroking her back and fiddling with her small feet, taking in that warmth fully.

Then Eve hugged her even tighter and said.

“Mom, don’t die.”

Eve’s voice weighed on her chest like a thousand pounds.

At the unexpected words piercing her heart, she felt like she was about to burst into tears.

“…Why are you suddenly saying that, Eve.”

“I thought Mom was going to die.”

Recalling her mother lying in bed, Eve murmured in a whining voice.

The two arms hugging her mother held on tightly, as if not wanting to let go.

At the child’s words, it felt like her heart was being carved out.

It didn’t hurt this much even when her father stabbed her chest, or when Dietrich mutilated her.

Her resolved heart wavered.

Should we run away together, Eve?

The words that rose from deep in her heart came up to her throat.

We might have to live as fugitives for life, scary people might chase us, but wouldn’t it be okay if Mom protects you?

If we live like that, couldn’t I stay with you a little longer?

Her tightly closed lips trembled.

Mom doesn’t know. What the right choice is.

What choice can make you even a little happier.

Whether I, who has already passed on misfortune, can be a good mother to you.

“Don’t get sick, Mom.”

At Eve’s words, tears that she finally couldn’t hold back seeped out from under her eyelashes.

Not wanting to show her crying face to the child, she hugged Eve tightly and covered her face, biting her lip.

The tears that flowed down her cheeks dripped onto her arms hugging Eve.

“Mom’s not sick.”

As she answered in a trembling voice, Eve, who had been quietly nestled in her arms, patted her back.

Louise swallowed a hot breath at the comfort of the child who had matured unbelievably early.

She swallowed her tears again and again, then wiped her tear-stained face with her sleeve.

The remaining time was short.

She didn’t want to spend the precious time crying.

Pretending a calm expression, and hoping her hot eyes weren’t too red, she raised her head.

“Eve, Uncle Egon is coming.”

Louise smiled brightly, showing her white teeth.

Eve’s face also brightened.

“Really? He’s coming here?”

When Louise nodded, Eve cheered excitedly.

Eve’s excited voice, her nodding head, her golden hair swaying accordingly, her flushed cheeks.

How her small teeth show when the child smiles, how adorably her chubby cheeks puff up like bread, how her eyes sparkle when she’s interested, how bright her voice is and what her speech and pronunciation are like, how cozy a scent comes from her soft skin.

Louise smiled and quietly took in each of these sights.

She tried to remember even the soft downy hair so as not to forget it forever.

If she could just recall that face even in hellish pain, wouldn’t it be a little easier to breathe?

And she thought.

It’s fortunate that Eve’s eye color and hair color resemble me.

And it’s fortunate that her eyebrows and smile, and especially high nose bridge resemble him.

Thanks to that, it’ll be easier to remember and recall the child’s appearance.

That way, I might be able to imagine a bit of what the child will look like when she’s grown up.

A lovely and adorable appearance resembling him and me a little.

Louise smiled as she rubbed the child’s cheek for no reason.

At that moment, the door opened.

Because the window was left open, the cold wind blew in roughly and poured out towards the door.

Louise’s gaze turned following the direction of the wind.

“Villain mister!”

Eve, who turned her head towards the door before Louise, discovered Sched and greeted him.

However, Sched clenched his jaw tightly and glared at Louise despite Eve’s welcome.

From the emotion in those eyes, Louise realized.

It seems… he has heard the decision from the temple.