C172
He felt distant.
"If I were to say that I could die if I told her, it was obvious that I wasn't being sincere, if you think about it with common sense."
But for some reason, I could read the sincerity in Liena's eyes.
As if she were someone who would return to the execution site and wait for the day of execution if I said so.
"No, if I say that, they might turn around and attack me."
I couldn't read Liena's thoughts at this moment.
Although her way of thinking wasn't normal in the past, I could still roughly predict how she would act.
But now, I had no idea what change of mind had occurred or what the purpose was.
"Honestly, it's scary…."
It was easier to deal with the old Liena, who clearly showed her true feelings and burned with hostility.
Moreover, Shadow was also problematic.
Would the monster under the influence of the evil god obediently watch as they executed Liena?
Even if it had to watch, I couldn't imagine what Shadow would do when Liena died and there was no longer anyone controlling it.
Above all.
"I'm sorry."
I spoke carefully not to provoke Liena.
"I'm not asking for you to be executed, but what if you die? The same with Shadow…"
"I know what you're wondering. Shadow is Shadow, but aren't you most curious about what happens with the wave of monsters?"
That's right.
"Perhaps the Evil God will select a new apostle again. Haven't you heard much from Goddess Miella?"
"......"
"Gods can choose apostles until it's clearly decided which side won."
I knew. I asked this when the Goddess called Liena and me.
What would happen to the world if I ended my life without completing the task entrusted to me?
"It's very kind of you to worry about what will happen after your death. Don't worry too much, because I can choose another being as long as I'm not defeated by the evil apostle, that is, if he kills me."
In other words, if I were defeated by the Evil God, the world would end.
Once again, the shoulders bearing the fate of the world were heavy.
"From the moment I decided to expel Liena, I was prepared to do her job."
Until just a few months ago, my only goal was to divorce Leandro, but I'm not sure how I came to have such a big goal.
Anyway, I have no choice but to do what I have to do.
As a member of this world, I couldn't be free from monster waves either.
I thought about what options would be beneficial to stop the wave of monsters.
I felt like I wanted to quickly get rid of this troublesome person right in front of my eyes, but no matter how I looked at it, telling Liena to simply go back and be executed was not a good option.
Fortunately, even if Liena returned smoothly and Shadow caused no trouble, the Evil God would eventually choose a new apostle and everything would start again.
"No, the situation could worsen…"
In that case, I wouldn't know who the enemy I had to defeat was.
There's a possibility that the role would fall to the character who originally appeared as the apostle of the evil god in the novel, but it was impossible to guarantee because the plot had already gone wrong.
On the contrary, now at least I know clearly who the enemy is.
While Liena watched, I opened my mouth.
"I don't want you to be executed."
Liena seemed pleased with what I said.
"Thank you for saying that, Ethel."
"But since the Empress died and the Emperor was injured because of you, I can't let you off the hook."
"I understand. Actually, I was thinking of going far away."
"Go away?"
"Yes. Although I can't do it now, Shadow could still hurt someone again. I want to go to a place with as few people as possible."
"… Not a bad idea."
There shouldn't be any more victims than this.
"There. However…"
Suddenly, Liena looked at me and hesitated to speak.
"What is it?"
"I know it's a really bold request, but I really feel sorry for you."
"Say it."
"Would you like to come with me?"
"What?"
"To be honest, I don't have the confidence to survive alone. Even now, I still hear the voice of the Evil God inciting my hatred towards the world."
Liena pleaded and took my hand.
"So I want Ethel to stay by my side. Then I'll do my best to endure. I can control monsters, so there won't be many inconveniences in your life."
"… I don't understand. I don't know why suddenly you're so fixated on me."
"It's simple. When I was about to die, I realized. Even without the blessing of the goddess, you were the only person who showed me true affection."
The person Liena remembered was the true Ethel, who is no longer here.
"It's a past story. I don't like you now. You know that, right?"
"It doesn't matter. Even so, that doesn't change the fact that Ethel was good to me in the past."
Assuming what I just heard was true and that Liena didn't have another agenda, I felt like I could somehow understand Liena's psychology.
Isn't the happiness of her childhood the only thing Liena can trust now?
I knew this because I glimpsed her memories through the resonance of her soul.
In Liena's life, which was filled with misfortune after being abandoned by her biological parents and subsequently by her adoptive parents, the only happy memories were those of playing with Ethel.
Now that all the happiness she had accumulated through blessings in this life and even the belief that she was loved by the goddess had disappeared, it was not strange that Liena was trapped in the past.
"But I can't accept it."
She has gone too far. Even if I were the real Ethel, I wouldn't have been able to forgive my old friend who has now crossed the line.
Full Chapter Here☜ (AntiC0pyr1ght)