“We’ve arrived.”

When Summer arrived at the grand temple, the sun was slowly preparing its final blaze.

As the coachman stopped the carriage and opened the door, Russell, who got out first, extended his hand to Summer.

Summer carefully took Russell’s hand and stepped out of the carriage. A cool breeze pleasantly brushed through her hair.

“Let’s go in.”

As they entered the temple, unlike before, the devotees quickly approached, saying they would guide them to the pope.

“Have you seen His Holiness often?”

“Not often, but this is the only place where I can be understood.”

“Summer. Does it really have to be today, only today?”

Russell’s question was mixed with all sorts of emotions. Summer, who had been walking following the devotees’ guidance, stopped.

“…Yes.”

After her brief answer, Summer resumed walking along the corridor. Russell stared at Summer’s back for a moment, then slowly followed behind them.

“Welcome, Summer. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

The pope came out with a smiling face to greet Summer. The pope’s sacred purple eyes slid sideways, scanning Russell.

As if his gaze was like a snake exploring its prey, Russell momentarily grabbed Summer’s hand and hid her behind him.

“I guess you haven’t heard from Summer. Don’t worry. I’m someone who helps Summer.”

The pope burst into laughter and made a gesture of surrender. Playfully, at that.

“That’s right, Russell. It’s okay.”

“…I understand.”

Russell, who had been holding Summer’s hand, slowly relaxed his grip.

“Ah, is today perhaps the day of return? That’s something to celebrate.”

The pope joked as he pulled out a bundle of keys from his bosom. The pope naturally guided them to the prayer room.

As usual, standing in front of the prayer room waiting for the pope to open the door, Summer gently placed her hand on her heart.

Thump thump, whether it was excitement, anxiety, or trembling. Her heartbeat showed no sign of calming down.

“Ah, Summer. Did you bring poison or a knife?”

“…No.”

“Hmm, Summer. Drowning would be quite painful, you know.”

“…”

Even if it’s the act of returning, isn’t it still death in this world?

Death. Am I ready to accept this?

Summer questioned herself. Not dying while trying to do something, but trying to do something by dying. Is that right?

“Um, Your Holiness.”

“Speak.”

The pope, as always, perfectly imitated the virtues of a pope. As if he would listen to anything kindly.

But knowing the pope’s other side, Summer’s mouth kept getting dry.

“Before I return… could I use the prayer room one last time?”

“I don’t quite understand what Summer means. By using the prayer room, do you mean to see your original form?”

“Yes.”

“Why? You’ll see that body anyway when you return.”

There was a strange edge to the pope’s words. His eyes gleamed as if measuring Summer.

“…Well, that…”

As Summer rolled her eyes nervously, Russell spoke up in a calm manner.

“Is there any reason why she can’t?”

“…Hmm.”

“Is there a problem with taking one last glimpse of the original world before leaving?”

“No, there isn’t, Duke.”

The pope took a step back. Or rather, pretended to step back. The key turned and the door opened.

It was a place that would never feel familiar. Today especially, the coolness clinging to the skin was unpleasant.

“Summer. Go in quickly. What if I change my mind?”

At the pope’s urging, Summer finally moved her reluctant feet towards the fountain.

If she falls in there, the ice-cold holy water will envelop her body. And then she’ll get to peek.

Summer, hesitating, lightly dipped her fingertips into the water. Ripples spread across the surface, distorting Summer’s face.

“…”

And then Summer entered the fountain as if being sucked in.

Russell, startled for a moment, tried to approach Summer but stopped at the pope’s restraint.

“Don’t be surprised. How surprised will you be when it’s time to leave.”

“Is this right?”

“Don’t doubt God because the method seems wrong. God has a purpose for everything.”

“Is that purpose, truly a path for our benefit?”

“Are you doubting God, Duke? How presumptuous.”

The pope’s eyes flashed dangerously. As if something was about to happen any moment.

However, Russell was observing the pope with emotionless eyes, his feelings indiscernible.

“I’m just curious about the purpose you say God has. It seems someone dear to me went through quite a painful time because of that purpose.”

Rather, Russell’s indifferent attitude seemed to provoke the pope more.

The pope exhaled fiercely, not hiding his hostility.

“There’s a reason for all the trials God gives.”

“Is the trial Summer is going through also God’s will?”

“Of course.”

“Then what about you, Your Holiness?”

“What?”

“Was it also God’s will for you to instigate Lady Legacy to use poison?”

“…”

The pope flinched as if caught off guard. Trying to regain the upper hand, the pope forcibly pulled up his trembling lips into a smile.

As if Russell’s words hadn’t affected him at all. But in reality, Russell wasn’t interested in what expression he was making.

Russell was facing the pope, but all his attention was on the fountain.

When is she coming out? Hasn’t quite a long time passed already?

He needed to check the fountain quickly, but the pope blocking his way was a nuisance.

It seemed he should deal with him roughly and just send him away.

“My, it seems I failed to see God’s deep intentions. Isn’t that right, Your Holiness?”

“You shouldn’t reveal that to me. What are you trying to do?”

“They say I’m loved by the imperial citizens, but I bet no one has received as many death threats as I have. I guarantee it.”

“…Ha.”

It’s something Russell is now sickeningly familiar with, but at first, even he was paralyzed with fear.

The position of prime minister was originally a role that stood in front of the imperial family, taking risks.

Receiving threatening letters was common, and there was even someone who was caught trying to break into the building with an ax, enraged by budget cuts.

There was also an incident where he was injured on the shoulder by a surprise attack from a fallen nobleman when he implemented a policy to revoke titles and mandate community service instead of forgiving debts for nobles who had squandered their fortunes through gambling.

Compared to those incidents, the pope who couldn’t hide a single emotion and was glaring at him fiercely seemed laughable.

Originally, people tend to lose the moment they become emotional.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in why Your Holiness gave poison to Lady Legacy, or how grand and deep God’s will is in intervening in human affairs.”

“Watch your mouth.”

“Isn’t it Your Holiness who’s speaking recklessly? What an attitude lacking in both manners and culture.”

“Bertrand!”

“How wonderful it must be to be close to God. If you say everything is God’s will, doesn’t God scold you?”

“I told you to watch your tongue.”

The pope reached out as if lunging and grabbed Russell’s collar. Simultaneously, Russell grabbed the pope’s wrist, twisted it, and subdued him in an instant.

“I said I wouldn’t make an issue of it. Because Summer still relies on you. After Summer returns, let’s talk then. As much as you want, sufficiently.”

“Damn it, let go!”

“How can I let go when I haven’t even pulled out your teeth? I’m worried you might bite.”

“Summer went in and hasn’t come out yet, so hurry and let,”

The pope stopped mid-sentence and stared at the fountain with a dazed expression.

Just as it seemed like the water surface was making a bubbling sound, Summer suddenly rose up and crawled out of the fountain.

Her green dress, soaked through, clung to her thin body.

“Summer!”

Without anyone taking the lead, they approached Summer. Russell quickly took off his outer garment, covered Summer’s shoulders, and patted her back.

Summer continued to retch painfully, spitting out water. Her chest was heaving so rapidly that it seemed like a bone might break.

“Summer. You mustn’t lose consciousness. Summer.”

“Ru, Russell… Russell…”

“Yes. I’m here.”

Summer couldn’t speak about what she had seen inside and tightly closed her eyes.

Ten minutes ago, as soon as Summer entered the fountain, darkness enveloped her. And when the darkness lifted, Summer saw the same scenery.

The familiar gosiwon. A woman lying down. Scattered workbooks.

Summer reached out her hand. The moment her fingertips touched the transparent wall that seemed it would always be solid, the wall instead strongly pulled Summer in.

“…!”

Summer, losing her balance, stumbled through the transparent wall. And for the first time, Summer saw a different scene.

“Ah, ugh… huh..!”

Summer made a strange sound as she fell on her bottom. Her crawling backward looked like someone facing imminent death.

The overwhelming fear and stiffened body. Widely dilated pupils and mouth gaping open, making choking sounds.

The next thing Summer saw was her own room. On the cleanly tidied shelf, there was a white box.

She knew intuitively. That it was herself.

The sound of the door lock opening was heard and the entrance light flickered once. Then the room door opened.

“Mom’s home.”

“Oh, mom…”

It was mom. Now she remembers.

The wrinkled face and hair turned white from hardship. Eyes filled with determination to raise her child and stubbornly pursed lips.

Summer jumped up and reached out to her mother. But as if blocked by a TV screen, she couldn’t reach her.

“Daughter. Were you well? Mom bought some groceries.”

Mom put down the shopping basket on the floor and lovingly stroked the white box on the shelf.

“Mo, mom… Mom, I’m here… Mom!”

Summer screamed her mother’s name at the top of her lungs, beating on the blocking wall. But Summer’s voice couldn’t reach her.

“I’m going to make kimchi stew that our daughter likes.”

“Mom! Mom, please!”

“Daughter. How is it there? Are you comfortable? You silly girl. Leaving your old mother behind and going like that… How can your heart be at ease?”

Tears rolled down her mother’s cheeks. And she couldn’t even wipe them away.

Summer screamed wildly and beat her own head. She couldn’t accept it.

She couldn’t accept this situation itself. She clearly remembers falling asleep in bed, so how could a person die in their sleep?

“If it was that hard, you could have just quit, why did you do that…”

“…”

“Didn’t you know mom loved you? Was that it? Huh? Mom told you so many times to take care of yourself.”

“Oh, mom…”

“Mom said it was enough if you were healthy…”

Mom broke down. Seeing her mother like this for the first time, Summer couldn’t bear to look and closed her eyes.

Please, please. When I open my eyes again, let me be alive. Please. Let me open my eyes normally in my room’s bed.

But even when she opened her eyes, reality hadn’t changed.

Her original world self had become ash in a white box, and her mother had collapsed. That was all.