“……I should apologize on behalf of everyone. After all, I am the only descendant of Karkan.”

Mercedes’ joy was pleasant to see, but Carlos still politely kissed the back of her hand.

“I’m sorry for causing you hardship and pain to your people.”

“Hmm.”

Mercedes quietly gazed into his eyes.

Before, she had been too busy being wary of what resided in them, not even noticing…

But now his emotions were becoming visible, almost transparent.

She smiled.

“Actually, I am Karkan. And Ellawe. I didn’t hear much from my mother, so I don’t really know or feel it. I think humans inevitably love other humans, and inevitably hate other humans. That’s the essence of being human – what can we do about it? The war breaking out, Karkan fearing Ellawe… It’s not all our fault, is it?”

“Still, justice and morality exist. Just as we live our lives prepared to go to hell.”

“Hmm… You really are stubborn. Well then, I’ll accept your apology on behalf of Ellawe for now. And.”

Mercedes moved her hand that he was holding to caress his cheek.

“Let’s just focus on the present from now on.”

“…That sounds very nice.”

Carlos murmured softly, burying his face in her hand. Mercedes laughed as his breath tickled.

“Actually… thinking about my mother made my heart ache. Well, at some point I didn’t even have the luxury to feel heartache anymore. It was such a hard life that I was even prepared to die. It must have been lonely. But you know what?”

Mercedes now pressed her forehead against Carlos’. As she rubbed her nose against his, Carlos wrapped his hands around her head and let out a small sigh.

Filled with love and complicated emotions.

“Now I have you by my side. Since I was separated from my mother, I never once thought I was needed by anyone. At some point, I didn’t even realize I was lonely. But now I know. Because you showed me everything.”

“…”

“Now I’m the amazing and only person who can help you, the Emperor of Loom, and thanks to you I’ve learned about love. So… my late mother would be happy too. That her daughter met such a wonderful man.”

She expressed her thoughts in a calm voice.

“Damn. You’re too amazing a woman.”

“Oh my, I might become even more amazing.”

“Then I’ll never be able to leave you for the rest of my life.”

Carlos chuckled and lifted her up, placing her on his thighs. Surprised, Mercedes let out a small “Ah!”

Her small body rested on his firm thighs. He placed her arms around his neck and cupped her neck with his large hand.

Then he slowly moved closer, looking between her eyes and lips as if seeking permission.

Mercedes closed her eyes, signaling her consent.

Their lips met once again.

From his body touching hers, from his lips, from his breath.

She slowly absorbed his life force.

The curse began to leave Carlos’ body. Starting from his aching heart, to his stiff neck and shoulders, waist, legs… It slowly flowed into her.

A white light gently enveloped them.

In the bright yet dark forest, the two glowing with white light were truly beautiful.

* * *

“Lady Skylar, Lady Skylar.”

“Huh? Uh… yawn… oh, I’m tired… wait? I’m not tired? I feel refreshed?”

Skylar, who always said she was tired when waking up, was surprised today as she blurted out that she was tired out of habit, only to realize she wasn’t.

And she looked around.

She slept on this dirt floor, yet nothing ached and she felt reborn and refreshed?

She sat up in surprise.

“The recovery magic must have worked well. Did you sleep well?”

In front of Skylar sat Carlos with a sullen face and Mercedes with a kind smile.

Only then did Skylar remember the situation just before she fell asleep.

It had been a critical moment where she had to choose between Mercedes and Carlos’ lives… Mercedes had put her to sleep…!

She didn’t know how much time had passed, but Carlos from before had been in a state where he couldn’t wake up again. She was certain of that.

But why does he look so… perfectly fine?

“No, why are your eyes open?”

“What?”

“No, no, why is that arrogant emperor bastard sitting here perfectly fine? Moreover. Wait a minute, give me your hand.”

“Is this how you treat your superior now?”

Skylar, flustered, grabbed Carlos’ wrist despite his frown and infused mana to examine his body condition.

Carlos’ power was fundamentally different from hers, so it was rather easy to detect. It felt like countless massive stone walls were erected inside his body, trying to repel her mana.

But…

“What the, why are you perfectly fine. This… this is crazy!”

Skylar stood up in shock.

“Ah. You might feel dizzy if you stand up suddenly after sleeping…”

“Your recovery magic was so good that she’ll be fine. You really are a genius who can do anything.”

“Oh, stop it. Carl. You’re embarrassing me.”

Moreover, it seemed like the two had grown even closer while she was asleep.

Skylar’s mood sank at the sight of her old friend uttering lines that made her cringe while gazing deeply, and the empress looking shy.

She felt even more irritated because the two of them looked so beautiful together, like a masterpiece painting.

Skylar rolled her eyes and bombarded them with questions.

Mercedes laughed awkwardly and calmed Carlos, who looked like he was about to hurl insults at Skylar, then calmly answered one by one.

“Oh… my. Really… Haha. So we just worried for nothing? Oh my, haha. Haha! Hahaha!”

Skylar laughed like a madwoman. It was partly because she was reminded of all her hardships.

But more than that, it was relief.

“…Thank goodness, really, damn it. Thank goodness. You bastard, Carlos.”

“How long are you going to keep talking to the emperor like that? How many times have I let it slide?”

“Can’t you let it slide when I’m feeling moved about a friend surviving, you cold-blooded, arrogant, selfish bastard!”

Skylar cursed furiously, then plopped back down and rubbed her eyes vigorously.

“…Are you crying?”

“S-Skylar?”

“Shit. I really thought I was going crazy. If the empress had to die for my friend to live, but I didn’t want to kill an innocent person. If the empress died, my friend wouldn’t be able to live properly… Then.”

“Ah. You were so worried about Carl-”

“Then wouldn’t this country collapse! How many imperial projects has that irresponsible guy started, he needs to see them through properly before dying. Huh!?”

“…That’s not it.”

Skylar irritatedly wiped away the rest of her tears and cursed at Carlos for a long time.

Carlos frowned, but listened well, occasionally chuckling.

He said things like ‘How dare you in front of the emperor’, but anyone could tell it was a joke.

Carlos, feeling sorry for his friend who must have had a heavy heart, let Skylar rant until she was fully vented.

And when she finally finished venting.

“I’m sorry. You went through a lot.”

He apologized briefly.

“Your Majesty!”

And Gregory, who had quickly sorted out the war and followed Skylar’s traces, joined them.

“Oh. Gregory, you’re here.”

“Your Highness! I’m glad you’re safe. What about Skylar-”

“My mind is exhausted but my body is too fine to even sleep.”

“Pardon?”

“Because the empress is too strong.”

Skylar just left those puzzling words and grumbled. Something about wanting that talent.

Gregory was puzzled, but quickly attended to the emperor and empress. Fortunately, two horses remained.

“What about the damage from the war?”

“Will you please trust us a bit now? Of course, we’re not as good as Your Majesty so there are more injuries than before, but there are no casualties on our side.”

“…It’s not that I didn’t trust you. I was just trying to take responsibility.”

“I know, that’s why you rushed to the empress. Alone! In that condition?”

Is it Gregory’s turn to be angry now? Carlos smiled with a broad mind. He could take it now.

After all, he had regained his life, love, and even friendship.

* * *

Gregory borrowed a nearby lord’s castle to let the soldiers rest, and moved with Skylar to gather information about the imperial palace.

Despite her body being recovered, Skylar had to push herself a bit as her mana hadn’t fully replenished.

“Skylar. Don’t you carry magic stones? I provided so much funding, why is your mana always so lacking?”

“This isn’t mana deficiency that can be solved with magic stones! Do you know how much power this magic requires? Your Majesty knows nothing-”

“Alright, that’s enough. Let’s have a talk.”

Usually, advisors gather during war. Today was no different. They were planning to formulate strategies while Skylar used magic to assess the situation at the distant imperial palace.

But today there was a special guest.

It was the empress, who didn’t seem to know anything about war. Because of this, the people around were somewhat flustered.

However, they trusted their lord, so they thought there must be a reason for the empress to attend and proceeded with the meeting.

Mercedes simply observed the atmosphere with calm eyes and organized her thoughts.