Chapter 576 (2/2)

「And it seems, there’s also an adventurer named Fran there…」

『That girl, huh? You’ve seen her before, aren’t you?』

「Yeah」

『Don’t make such a face. It would be different this time. You wanted to see Romio, right?』

「I know, but…」

My partner’s face turned into a hateful expression. He even exuded murderous intent.

For me, Weena Rhyn was far more unforgivable, but my partner didn’t seem to think so. He had a strong desire to kill the girl from the Black Cat kin.

Seeing him made me feel uncomfortable. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the girl from the Black Cat kin hated and wanted to kill me as I had killed someone important to her.

I’ve been living my life just like that. A life of being resented, a life full of negativity, and an endless cycle of bloodshed. All of that only brings more and more struggles to me.

As a result of that, I don’t mind if someone wanted to kill me for revenge. I would accept it. However, even if I told him not to hold a grudge, my partner would not forgive her.

And so, the endless cycle of negativity would only continue. Even after I’ve rotted away.

What I’ve done――

「――Chan?」

『…』

「Oji-chan?」

『Oops, I’m sorry. I was just thinking about something』

「Thinking about the seal?」

『It’s a bit different, but let’s focus on the seal for now』

「The thing we need to be most vigilant for now is the presence of Zelyse…」

『Even I don’t know where he is right now. I wonder if he’s anywhere near here』

「He was here before. So, there’s a good chance that he’s here this time too」

He was the Alchemist, Zelyse.

He was a man who acted based on his own desires. He didn’t care how many people he had to sacrifice to achieve his goals. Rather, he was a man who found joy in the number of sacrifices and the increase of his infamy.

「Zelyse used me for his own gain before, but not anymore」

『You’re right. But that bastard is tricky. No matter how much of an advantage you have, he always seems to have a trump card that can turn the tables to his favor』

「Yeah」

『More importantly, I don’t even know how long I can hold my ground against him. He might even have something in store for me』

「…Yeah」

As for me, I think my current body is convenient, but I’m sure it was because of the magic stones and the sword that Zelyse had implanted in me.

Zelyse was a very careful person. I wouldn’t be surprised even if he had planted a curse to manipulate me in anticipation of this.

「But can Zelyse use that now?」

『Well, I wonder…? But we should assume that he might use it, so we can deal with it when the time comes』

Weena Rhyn, Romio, Zelos Reed, and Fran. While all the key people were on the stage of doom, only Zelyse’s whereabouts were unknown.

And yet, we would prevent our demise. That was what we’ve been doing for the past eight years.

「I know for a fact that the fleet is suspicious. Let’s look again for any abnormalities」

『Yeah, let’s do so』

Next time, I would save my partner.