Plus, Amaneser, who he now had to face soberly, was a new trial for him.

So Zion was thrust onto two paths that neither compromise nor conciliation were possible.

To watch the world’s destruction knowing what it was, or to continue to be used like a fool.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Zion’s choice was the latter.

Despite denying and despising Laurel, what he had built up as Zion Laurel still firmly supported one of his axes.

Things like honor, dignity, poise, responsibility, and the duty of rules.

Having been betrayed by his father, Zion’s selfesteem was too high to pin himself in disgrace.

So, in the end, he decided to stay put like a leashed dog. Knowing that’s what his father wanted most, forcibly enduring his teeth grinding.

The severance with Tienda was the best way to vent his anger.

I have fulfilled my duty and am already enduring more than enough, so don’t interfere with me.

This sharp edge was a faint trace of the suppressed anger he had pressed down on.

That’s how he spent five years, and for the first time, the possibility of unlocking this muzzle appeared.

He had given up on many things, but he still didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

Zion opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

“I would like to revise yesterday’s proposal.”

“Revise?”

“I can’t accept the first condition. But I will cooperate with the second condition.”

The first condition Evie had put forward was not to block my path at will.

And the second condition was to help break my curse.

“Does that mean you’ll continue to interfere with me becoming a saint?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Find out for yourself.”

Zion thought Evie would understand at this point.

But Evie easily brushed aside his expectations.

“Then I don’t like it. I won’t do it.”

“… You won’t do it?”

“Yes, I won’t. How can I work with someone who will interfere with me all the time?”

Evie said flippantly. So Zion hardened his face and asked again.

“Don’t you know there’s another reason?”

“I know.”

But regardless, Evie was calm.

“That’s your reason, Count. You must have a valid reason, I’ll figure it out for you, but I don’t have to follow you unconditionally. You’re not my dad.”

Evie was stubbornly sassy, and at the unexpected refusal, Zion was at a loss for words.

He was definitely a novice in negotiation.

The man who had only been diligent in deciding, permitting, and commanding was not at all used to pushing and pulling and slowly gaining an advantage.

So when Zion broke down for a moment, Evie spoke more shamelessly.

“Besides, I’m doing two things for you, Count. So you have to accept both conditions.”

“What two things are you doing for me?”

“One is understanding your heart, and the other is protecting you.”
Recognize and protect.

Upon this deliberate choice of words, Zion’s face changed, and Evie let out a heavy sigh with a sad face.

“I want to get along well with the Count, but if coordination is difficult like this, there’s nothing to do. This matter must be treated as if it never happened……”

Evie said that and gently rose from her chair. Then Zion, without realizing it, grabbed Evie’s arm.

Although her arm was suddenly grabbed, Evie did not react with surprise or anger to this rudeness but did her best to suppress a smile.

Ah, Zion Laurel, you have a naive side as well.

Just like last time. Even though hiding her weakness wasn’t enough, she roared well.

In fact, the Count doesn’t need to be so honest. If he really intends to interfere, it would be alright to pretend to be convinced for now, get what he wants, and then stab in the back.

But this Count, General, and Teacher foolishly adheres to fairness.

It must be the instinct of a beast that has never been cunning.

Meanwhile, the flushing Zion, feeling that Evie was mocking him, suddenly burst into question.

“……Do you think it’s to your advantage?”

“Yes, it seems to be advantageous.”

At Evie’s honest answer, Zion’s teeth clenched together.

After heating up the poor Count so much, Evie pulled Zion’s hand away and sat down again, looking helpless.

Then she spoke quite calmly.

“It seems the Count does not know how to give in, so I will make a special concession one more time.”

The expression “concession” was unfamiliar to Zion, but since it was his regret now, he listened hard.

“Let’s do this. Cooperate by doing what the other needs, taking turns. And agree on the matter of the Saintess one week before the selection ceremony.”

Evie entreated the obedient Count. Then quickly added before he could object to the “one week before the selection ceremony” part.

“Please persuade me to give up becoming the Saintess until then. I will do my best to understand why the Count is opposed until that time.”

Zion put aside the feeling of loss and seriously pondered Evie’s words.

The General was clumsy in negotiation but had decent judgment. Therefore, he eventually acknowledged that Evie’s proposal was the best for now.

The two people, with many secrets and strong stubbornness, will never back down from each other, so they must run parallel forever.

That’s a loss for both. Zion needs Evie, and Evie needs Zion.

When Zion let out a long sigh, Evie reached out her hand as a sign of her offer.

Zion stared at that small hand for a moment, then reluctantly reached out and took it.

As the Count finally gave in, Evie smiled brightly.

“Then please take care, Count.”

“……It’s the same here.”

The Count also forced a smile that didn’t suit him.

So the two of them, without hiding their intention to use each other, smiled in harmony.