“It seems like you’re properly standing up for your pride by continuing to deny it, even though you know that place is safe. Am I wrong?”

Perhaps it was because the situation wasn’t as desperate as before. Sesenia looked at him with a slightly puzzled expression.

“……”

“Don’t deny it. If you can’t trust anyone because of that pride, you’ll end up being nothing in the end. You’ll keep running and running, living an anxious life. So try to get along well. I’ve also staked myself on this deal.”

Only then did his expression begin to change slightly.

“Then I should help you now. I also made a promise with the High Priest, you see.”

“What do you want help with? Didn’t you call me here today to make a deal?”

“There’s something I need to make. You know about it from what you’ve heard. A fake sacred artifact.”

“You want me to make that?”

“Yes.”

“Even if I did, it wouldn’t look like a sacred artifact.”

Sesenia slowly shook her head.

“No. It will look like a sacred artifact. Your power is close to that of a god.”

“What do you mean?”

That was a story from the past.

In the past, when the royal family of Salmon was being protected in the Empire’s temple, the temple drew attention by announcing it. The changes that occurred due to their appearance were not just that one thing.

It was then that the High Priest realized. That the power possessed by the Salmon royal family was very similar to what the Elzerat Empire called divine power. At that time, even though he noticed that power, he didn’t want to do anything else. He even went so far as to ask the Emperor if they shouldn’t send back the Salmon royal family since they were royalty.

Sesenia realized it then. That the power possessed by the Salmon royal family was similar to divine power.

But when the Emperor learned this fact, he ordered the High Priest to use their power to maintain the temple. Three evenly matched forces. But currently, the temple’s power had weakened, and the magic tower had become stronger.

The Imperial family and the magic tower were not at all friendly. In such a situation, if the temple were to completely die out, the Imperial family would lose even that one ally, so the Emperor forced the High Priest to keep using the Salmon royal family, even though he didn’t want to.

‘The High Priest at that time was very displeased, but thanks to that… we were able to find that item.’

One truth. The fact that the Salmon royal family possessed power originating from the Salmon god in ancient times was a fact known to everyone. But no one thought that their power would actually be divine power.

And although they used powers received from different gods, the divine powers seemed to attract each other.

When the Salmon royal family used their power in the Empire’s temple because of the High Priest, a reaction occurred. So Silian had to use his power even more, and in the end, a solution was found.

‘In the end, the temple will find it. The sacred artifact of Lowrick, the primordial god.’

This time too, they will use the power of Salmon, but they won’t reveal the power of the Salmon royal family. They must move only for her, Sesenia.

“What are you thinking about for so long?”

“The power of gods attracts each other. We’ll use that. The sacred artifact you create isn’t fake. It’s just a sacred artifact created with the power of a different god. That artifact will eventually reach the item of God Lowrick that the Empire’s temple has been so eager to find.”

“…Do you think that’s possible?”

“Yes. It’s better than doing nothing. Whether this works or not… the temple will end up using me anyway. In return for using me, they’ll protect you and your sister. So it doesn’t matter, right?”

“It doesn’t matter, you say. What a… boring thing to say. Why do you think it doesn’t matter?”

The arrogant prince. Silian, in the form of a puppy, jumped up and settled on the windowsill where Sesenia’s gaze fell.

“Are you sacrificing yourself? For us?”

“Silian. Even if it matters, think that it doesn’t. The hypocrisy of a wealthy noble. What I’m doing is just that much.”

“If you fail to achieve what you want by doing this. Won’t you crumble, as the High Priest said?”

Does she know? That her eyes are sadder than ever. That even her smiling face is sad.

“But you two will remain, won’t you?”

“…What do you gain from this? Are you really becoming a saint?”

“No. Just… I’m just an arrogant person. Someone who wants to become a god themselves… thinking that everything might go according to my will. So, just do as I say. Follow without saying anything.”

At those words, a deflating sound came from the puppy’s mouth.

“What? What’s that deflating sound?”

“I really don’t like it. You, I mean. Why are you trying so hard to erode your own reputation? As if you need to appear as an extremely selfish person. In the end, there’s nothing in it for you.”

“No. Everything is for me. It may not be visible now, but much later, everything will be for me. That’s why I asked you to protect me. See? Not everything is just for me, right?”

The puppy’s mouth, sharp like a fox’s snout, shook from side to side.

“So what do I have to do in the end?”

“A contract to protect me. And create a sacred artifact. There won’t be any harm to you.”

“…Alright. I’ll try. What kind of sacred artifact should I make? What do I need to do?”

“A contract from Silian Salmon to protect me until the day I want. And a sacred artifact with strong power that continuously emits your power just by existing.”

That was the end.

Was it because he had already decided to do as Sesenia said? He changed back into human form again.

Very softly, as if murmuring to the air, he made a small sound, and dust-like particles sparkled and condensed on his hand.

“I, Silian Salmon, make a heart contract here.”

Silian held out his hand, looking at Sesenia.

Though she didn’t know well, as if drawn by something, she also took his hand.

“I, Silian Salmon, protect Sesenia Bestel with my life until the day she desires. Sesenia Bestel also protects me and Pepe Salmon to the extent of her power. This is a contract staked on our hearts, and failure to keep it means death.”

That was the end. Red markings appeared on the backs of both their hands.

“A contract risking death sounds quite sad.”

Even though she knew, a corner of Sesenia’s heart became uncomfortable.

“It’s a contract made in the name of a god. This is… like the only sin left by our god who loved humans terribly. Come to think of it, this completely unromantic situation seems like a story about your god and my god.”

“Is there a story about God Lowrick and God Salmon?”

“A very boring story. And the sacred artifact you mentioned…”

As soon as the story ended, he clenched and opened his hand. Then a clock was created inside. More precisely, it was in the form of a pocket watch with an hourglass inside the watch.

“This is…”

“This just flashed in my mind. The thought that I should make this at this moment. When all the sand in the hourglass moves to the other side, divine power will be released. This should be enough of an excuse, right?”

“An excuse, huh. Well. It’s sufficient to say that although there was a sacred artifact, it wasn’t discovered because the hourglass wasn’t turning, and the artifact discovered by chance in the hands of a certain saint was recognized as a sacred artifact because the hourglass started turning. This is enough. But why a pocket watch… with an hourglass inside?”

“Just… just. Should I say this is the will of god touching? It just came to mind. That I should make this.”

There are no perfect coincidences in the world. When looking back after everything is over, you realize that all events fit into their proper places at the right time. Sesenia instinctively felt that this event too was not a coincidence but an inevitability.

“I see. That’s good. It’s a very pleasing object.”

“Do you know what’s strange?”

“What is it?”

“That God Salmon and you are alike.”

“What’s that myth about?”

“A boring myth. There’s a myth that no one wanted to know about. And in that myth, God Salmon, who was unusually human-like, is just like you. Unpleasantly so.”

“Why unpleasant after telling me all that? Anyway, take it to the temple as it is. Then you and your sister will be safe.”

That was the end. Silian had already changed back into the form of a puppy. Sesenia put the sacred artifact around his neck, and after looking at Sesenia for a moment, Silian turned his head sharply like a puppy that was completely upset about something.

“Are you sulking by any chance?”

“……”

At Sesenia’s question, Silian stared at her for a moment before leaving the place like that. In the form of a puppy that anyone could see was thoroughly sulking.

“…Why is he sulking?”

But because Silian left without answering until the end, Sesenia looked at him incredulously before closing the terrace door.

“Still… I’ve finally accomplished something.”

That alone was enough. That’s why she felt more drained.

Things that started with a desire for revenge. But those things were burdensome and overwhelming. She pretended to be fine, but there was no way she could be.

Until now, she had been a human who just lived an ordinary life as time passed.

So her hands trembled, and worries and anxieties about what if she couldn’t do it properly made her even more difficult. Thoughts like wouldn’t it be better not to do anything at all, or wouldn’t it be better to go far away to avoid experiencing such things in the future often filled her mind.

The humiliation suffered at the hands of her husband, the betrayal of her trusted family and only friend. Thanks to the great gift of oblivion given by the god, whenever those emotions faded, Sesenia vowed again and again.

Even if her revenge were to fail, even if the worst came to pass, she would at least snatch away their future.

Today too, making such a vow, Sesenia tried hard to close her eyes.

**

A few days later. The temple contacted Sesenia.

Saying they wanted to give a great reward to Sesenia for finding the sacred artifact.

“A sacred artifact? Did you do such a thing, Sesenia?”

Viscount Bestel couldn’t hide his surprised expression at his daughter’s unexpected action.

“You did such a thing?”

“That’s impossible!!”