As Larisa, who had once again left Ginevra’s embrace, spoke with a trembling voice. It had been just a few months since Larisa lost her mother.

‘Perhaps she still fears death.’

After contemplating for a moment, Ginevra spoke.

“Larisa, don’t worry. Even if I wanted to die, I can’t.”

“What?”

“As long as my magic doesn’t completely vanish, I will keep living with a youthful appearance.”

“…”

“So, I won’t leave your side forever.”

After a moment of daze, Larisa barely grasped Ginevra’s comfort and responded with a relieved smile.

“But still… I hope you won’t collapse again.”

“That’s…”

Magic was to Ginevra what breathing was to others. Even if intentionally holding her breath and collapsing, she would naturally wake up as long as magic unconsciously replenished itself. Moreover, the amount of recovery during her unconscious state was even greater than drinking a magic potion.

“Now, don’t overexert yourself. Alright?”
To say such words to her, not to worry about her, perhaps because she’s still a child and pure?

“Lara asked you, you know.”

Siod spoke bluntly. Now that he thought about it, he had a similar expression to Lara. Was he worried?

“Okay.”

Ginevra didn’t realize that he was concerned about how he would react when he saw the replica in front of the dragon. It felt strange.

After taking Larisa to her room and returning to the laboratory, Ginevra smiled bitterly.

Seeing Larisa worrying about her potential death reminded him of Marina.

‘In fact, if you want, I can prevent you from dying. By casting a spell to slow down the passage of time in your body, you could live on, albeit in prolonged suffering.’

Although it would be painful, from a mother’s perspective, she might want to live to see her child grow up. However, Marina smiled and declined Ginevra’s offer.

“Are you asking me to become a hostage?”

With a dignified posture and a refined tone, Marina no longer looked like a simple village woman. Even in the middle of a palace, she spoke as if she belonged there.

“If I extend my lifespan through Lord Rodante’s magic, Lara will not be able to resist Lord Rodante’s words. She will live the life Lord Rodante wants without even knowing what she desires or what kind of life she wishes for.”
He said something to her, but Ginevra couldn’t respond.

‘Thank you, Lord Rodante. Thanks to you, I can die for our daughter. It’s not a miserable death but a meaningful one… Do you understand my words?’

‘I understand.’

‘Swear it. Swear with all your magical power. Swear to protect our Lara… to let her live happily for a long, long time. Then I will allow you to take Lara with you.’

Ginevra answered as if in a trance.

‘I swear with all my magical power.’

Marina chose to die. Instead of prolonging her life through magic, she entrusted her death to the will of the gods, wishing only for Lara’s happiness. Someday, she would have to let Larisa know this truth.

‘Will she resent me when she learns the truth?’

Would Larisa resent her for not saving her when there was a way? It seemed likely. Just thinking about the vague image of her resenting him made him bitter.

As he resolved to protect them, his entire heart was already directed toward the children.

‘That’s probably why I was able to make such a vow.’

A vow made with all magical power is akin to a vow that risks one’s life. When the magical power is depleted, the sorcerer dies.

‘But how did Marina know about a sorcerer’s vow?’

Although a sudden question arose, Ginevra soon dismissed it. Siod would probably find out soon if he investigated.