Feeling how unfair it was, Arbien, who was about to burst into tears, closed his mouth forcefully at Ermeldine’s words.

“What’s the problem if I’m not the Empress to you?”

As people who cared for her were only just emerging, Ermeldine felt a mixture of relief and disappointment at the thought that it might all end.

“What’s the problem? I was thinking about getting rid of that filthy soul altogether whenever I had the chance.”

‘Yeah, that makes sense. And in the original, she actually succeeded in getting rid of it.’

A bitter smile that couldn’t be hidden appeared on Ermeldine’s lips, who knew the original.

“Then, should I get rid of it too? Because I’m not the owner of this body?”

While people who cherished her were finally appearing, the thought that it might all come to an end made Ermeldine feel both refreshed and disheartened.

“What method do I have? Even if I say there’s a different soul in the Empress’s body, they’ll treat me as a lunatic.”

“Is that so? Then just pretend you don’t know, why bother asking?”

“It’s because of the mentor.”

“Titavius, the high priest?”

“Yeah. My mentor always said that my abilities would eventually be used for a great purpose planned by the gods. So, he told me to observe people well. But this soul completely changing is something I’ve never seen before, so I asked about it.”

“The gods’ plan? Is me coming here for some reason part of the gods’ plan?”

“Here? Are you from a different country?”

Arbien seemed to have a rather sharp side, even if his temperament might be filthy.

Judging by the fact that he didn’t miss a word she carelessly uttered.

“Ha. It’s a long story. Is there somewhere to sit?”

“So, you’re saying you came from a completely different world?”

“Yeah. Completely different. People look the same, and the language is the same, but the way of life and values are completely different.”

“Huh? Is there really such a place?”

“Yeah. There is. I lived there for 27 years.”

“So, you entered the Empress’s body the moment you died?”
“Yeah. I think so. Actually, the memories from that time are vague. It took some time for me to remember why I died.”

Ermeldine decided not to mention that this world might be the one from the novel she had read.

But after loosely revealing it, she gradually became worried about Arbien’s reaction.

Even if they were not the same possessed individuals, couldn’t he potentially expose her secrets if he wished?

However, on the other hand, there was also a sense of expectation that she might find someone to share her long-kept secret.

Regardless of which side Ermeldine took, she asked with a thought of accepting it nonchalantly.

“Now, what are you going to do? If I tell the mentor, people might believe your words.”

“If you say the Empress’s soul has changed, people might think you’re trying to take advantage of the current crazy Chief Priest to become the next Chief Priest. Don’t you have a subtle sense of reality?”

The feeling Ermeldine had when hearing that she lacked a sense of reality from a character in a novel with magic and divine power was strange.

“Anyway, whether it’s Chief Priest or not, you are his disciple. Naturally, I’m anxious from my perspective.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Even if I say in your presence that I see souls, people would treat me like a madman here, wouldn’t they?”

“That’s not entirely wrong. In fact, where I was, saying things like that and wandering around would also get me treated as a lunatic.”

“What? So, there’s not much difference even in another world?”

“Well, it feels like it in a way. Whether there or here, I was always lonely.”

“Why lonely? You have that cheeky servant girl by your side.”

“Cheeky? Are you talking about Runi?”

“Yeah. That arrogant little one!”

Arbien, who seemed still angry, clenched his fist and protruded his lips.

“Haha. Ahahaha. Unbelievable. Really.”

To call the white small dog a fierce dog. Ermeldine couldn’t hold back her laughter.

“Why are you laughing? I could really bite you!”

“Huh, huhuhuhu. Well, Runi is like that. My side.”

“My side?”

“Yeah. My first friend made since coming here. The first one to recognize me when everyone else hated and feared me. Runi, who expressed affection for the Empress, came to mind, and a gentle smile appeared on Ermeldine’s face.

“Right. She was inside that woman’s body, so it must have been quite lonely. So, you did things like opening an orphanage, conducting sewer construction, and hosting a ball?”

“Yeah. That’s right. I wanted to show in any way possible that I’m not that kind of person.”

“If you came to me, you would have known at a glance.”

“Yeah, you’re right. You would have known right away that I’m not that immoral Empress.”

Did meeting Arbien at first make her feel a bit less lonely? Ermeldine felt a little regretful at the thought.

But soon, Ermeldine changed her mind.

The connections she had now were more precious since they had overcome all those prejudices with their own strength.

“So, you also ultimately don’t know anything about the gods’ will?”

“Yeah. That’s right. If I knew, I wouldn’t have gone through all that trouble.”

“Hmm.”

Whether Arbien was disappointed by Ermeldine’s response or lost interest, he made a nonchalant sound while raising his head to look at the sky.

“Then, tell me the story. What is the other world like?”

“Where?”

Armond’s expressionless face upon hearing the report seemed to evoke a cold sneer.

“She claims to be sure. A report from the spies disguised as priests.”

“She’s out of her mind. Where does she think she crawled in?”

“It’s reported that she went in place of Valier, who has been stuck after the inheritance……. ”

“Insane. She’s doing things she hasn’t done lately. Going to the Great Temple? The place where people who want to kill her gather the most?”
“If they were ordinary priests, that might be the case, but isn’t the Chief Priest not particularly a pacifist? They probably thought it was safe there.”

“Oh, more, more! Squeeze out more. It’s already not enough!”

Ermont suddenly glared at a corner while listening to the report.

There were only a few fragile candles illuminating the windowless room.

In a dark corner of that space, a thin little girl with blue eyes, resembling Helen, wiped away the spilled blood on the outside and put it back into the barrel where the corpse was hanging.

Although she was moving, the girl’s face was no different from the corpse hanging upside down on the barrel.

In the dull pupils of the girl’s eyes, only emptiness beyond fear and anger occupied the space.