The names and genders of the characters have been translated accurately and consistently.

“What are you so surprised about? Wasn’t this what you wanted?”

“…”

Facing the man’s sneer, I belatedly grasped the situation.

In an instant, I lost my balance and fell backward. Thanks to the luggage behind me, I didn’t get hurt, and I didn’t fall completely, but it was enough for the man to climb on top of me.

It wasn’t an empty threat; I had indeed been overwhelmed in the blink of an eye.

“Why? Are you scared now?”

Instead of answering, I moved my hand. Though no words of surprise came out, my hand was free.

“Hah…”

Perhaps not expecting my action, the man’s face contorted. It was an unusual expression for him, who rarely showed any emotion.

But I didn’t release the arms around his neck. If his distorted expression conveyed a sense of disgust, I realized from the recent incident that I wouldn’t have been able to touch him from the beginning if that were the case.

Yeah, what’s so impressive about this frail body? If he wants a rotting, crumbling body, I can give it to him, whether it be killing or sparing, it doesn’t matter.

Now, with a resolution that might be courage or arrogance, I tightened my grip. He might be on top, but the initiative was in my hands.

One thing, it was arrogance.

The man’s face, which was getting closer, stopped right in front of my nose.

“…Why are you doing this? You know, all of this is meaningless.”

“…”

“Don’t you have a smart head? Can’t you think of one reasonable thing?”

It would have been better if I had acted like a beast.

Biting my lips, I stared at the eyes looking down on me. Even if Duke Pieren spoke no falsehoods, my insides twisted.

It was hatred.

“So, I survived. Only me.”

Not directed at him, but the hatred reflected in his eyes towards me.

The black pupils, barely distinguishable from the irises, were like a mirror. Even if I tried not to look, when I looked into those eyes, my appearance was vividly revealed.

“Think about it? Yes, I’ve always thought about it. Rationally, logically. I lived that way, and thanks to that, I survived.”

“…”

“I know that I’m of no help. I know that I’ll be nothing but a burden, and I know that what I’m clinging to now is nothing but pride. I understand it all in my head. But still, I can’t leave.”

The image of me reflected in his eyes was hatred.

Surviving by understanding everything with my head.

Ah, I shouldn’t have said the last words. It occurred to me too late, but I couldn’t take back what I had said.

To be more honest, there was a part of me that wished for things to go as they may.

I was disappointed again today. I thought I had reached rock bottom, but I realized there was an even deeper abyss beneath it.

My life had been like this every time.

“My father, my older brother, and even on the day my daughter died, I couldn’t protect anyone by their side.”

“…”

“Even false hope is fine. I still want to try. If there’s even a slight possibility, if that means my daughter is alive…”

The last words choked in my throat. I had made countless decisions by now, but thinking of that small child’s face made tears well up.
The names and genders of the characters have been translated accurately and consistently.

I managed to squeeze out a voice that barely came out and uttered the words I couldn’t say before.

“…I’ll wait for you.”

“…”

“So, I have to go.”

I reached out again and grabbed the man’s clothes. It was an attempt to touch, but once again, I couldn’t reach. The sturdy man didn’t flinch.

In the gaze that looked down sharply, only silence followed.

“I don’t believe in gods. Still, whenever the moment comes to pray to a god, I’ve always made the same wish. I hope you become unhappy.”

“…”

“Looking at you now, it seems the gods really exist.”

Annoyingly.

The last words were almost crushed and barely audible.

But one thing was clear in my ears. The space between the man and me was too close, ensuring that I could hear any sound.

The man’s hand wrapped around my jaw, and another hand gripped both of my wrists.

I had no intention of resisting, but even if I did, it seemed meaningless. Without any other restraints, with just my two hands, he was sufficiently restraining me.

The man let out a rough breath. The proximity where the presence of our touching noses didn’t feel strange made the soft flesh of our lips tingle. The breath entering through my lips, warmed by the heat pouring out, was hot.

“…Do as you wish.”

“Then—”

“So, stop these futile thoughts and rest.”

I opened my eyes wide at the suddenly retreating warmth.

Nothing had changed. Duke Pieren was still looking down at me, and the man who wanted me was still looking at me with those eyes. But that was it.

The held jaw became free. The hand that held me was released earlier.

I slowly raised my head. Now, the man was no longer looking at me.

“Before leaving, I have to clean the weapons.”

“…”