“I thought it was strange when you woke up one day and suddenly changed. But now… you seem too anxious and troubled. Like a person living not to die… Like someone using every means to avoid death… You seem precarious.”

“That’s right, Lizbeth. I’m living not to die. And to live without dying, I need the power of the royal family of Salmon. Understand? This time, too, follow me without asking anything, without finding anything strange.”

If Lizbeth had known nothing, what would it have been like? Would she have thought like other noble housemaids, “Our mistress has become strange”? Or would she have realized it was strange and told her family?

Cesenia’s every action would have been questioned and hindered. In that sense, it was a big advantage for Cesenia that Lizbeth knew to some extent, but at the same time, it was a big disadvantage.

“If the mistress says so… I have no choice…”

“Just be my friend, advise me, and trust me like family. To me, Lizbeth is the only family.”

“Yes! Don’t worry! I’ll be by your side until the end.”

“Thank you.”

“So, what will you do now? Really create a holy relic? Where can you make such a thing… And if there’s really a problem…”

Lizbeth looked worried, afraid that her mistress might get into trouble doing something very illegal.

“Don’t worry at all. The person who will do it will never be able to speak about making a fake holy relic. And that will… eventually lead the temple to another path. It’s fake, but… it will become real.”

“Yes…?”

Lizbeth still looked confused, but Cesenia, seemingly already picturing the grand scheme, smiled more comfortably than before. She said nothing more, just gazing out of the window.

That evening.
Located on the second floor was Cesenia’s room. Late at night, a silver-furred dog tapped gently at the door. Fortunately, only Lizbeth was attending to Cesenia, and since she had gone to rest, Cesenia discovered the dog.

“Silian?”

She had thought Silian would take a few days to come, but there he was, seeking her out.

At her words, smoke billowed around the silver-furred dog, and in an instant, it transformed into Silian’s human form.

“Did you come as a dog because I called you a mad dog?”

“Well, partly. Since you called me a mad dog.”

“You have a cute side.”

Cesenia laughed momentarily. The idea of Silian coming in the form of a dog, just because she called him a mad dog, amused her.

“How about living in that form from now on? It’s quite cute.”

“No.”

“Then I could hold you.”

It was just a casual remark about Silian’s unexpectedly cute side, but Silian transformed into a dog as if he had been waiting for the opportunity.

“Did you change because you want me to hold you?”

“No. Of course not. Why would I? I just find this form more comfortable. It’s useful for moving around.”

However, contrary to his words, the way Silian entered Cesenia’s room, padding around in his dog form, resembled a cute, plodding little dog. Really adorable. A small dog you’d want to hold.

“You walk quite cutely.”

“Boldly. So, you called me here today to make a deal?”

“Yes. You’ve experienced it, even for a day. The temple of the empire will protect us better than anyone.”

“I guess.”

Silian responded firmly, but Cesenia did not back down.

“If you hadn’t realized that, then you aren’t desperate enough.”

“So you’re blaming me to the end?”

“No. I’m saying don’t deny it. Don’t let go of the only hope you have in front of you because of your petty pride.”

Silian didn’t say anything.

“In life, pride isn’t that important. Sometimes, you have to let go of that pride to see certain things. Like you are now.”

“Do I look like I’m clinging to my pride?”