104 Donst You Dare Steal My Role, Girl (2/2)

It was only on the night after everything was over that Milia was able to catch up with Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was crying while gazing at the countries that she had destroyed.

”So that this mistake would never be repeated, so that I would never be revived, please scatter my ashes in the sea...”

After leaving behind those words, she impaled her own heart with a sword.

With that, she was supposed to have turned to ash.

However, she did not. The sword had missed her vitals by the tiniest bit.

She stopped breathing, and her heart stopped beating.

It was exactly as if she was dead.

Yet, she still lived.

The moment human blood touches her lips, life would surely be breathed into her once more.

On the other hand, by just pushing the sword a tiny bit in the right direction, she would surely turn to ash.

Milia could not bring herself to do either.

Unable to disobey her master's will, yet also unable to kill her master with her own hands. So she hid her master in a coffin so that she may sleep for eternity, and swore to stand guard for that same eternity.

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”It was a foolish decision. Having abstained from blood, I did not have the strength to uphold my oath. Crimson managed to wrest Elizabeth-sama away, and is now trying to use her again. I must make up for the mistake I made a thousand years ago. If Elizabeth-sama is made to rampage again, I wouldn't know how I can ever apologize to her...”

Milia smiles sorrowfully.

”This is everything about me. I'm sorry for keeping it a secret from you...”

”It's fine, I am the same. My secret is that I might have demon possession. Long ago, a black bruise suddenly appeared on my back, and it grew larger and larger. But one day, it rapidly began to shrink, until it disappeared completely like it was a bad dream. If that was truly demon possession, then I will eventually... That's why, before I leave for good, I forced my younger brother to accompany me here, so that he can earn the qualification to join a knight order. But he got kidnapped the moment I took my eyes off him... If anything actually happens to Sid, I wouldn't know how I can ever apologize to him either...”

”So that's what it was...”

The two share the silence for a while.

”Um... I don't think the Land of Peace was an illusion. There is also no guarantee that a mistake would be repeated just because it happened once. How about trying to talk with Elizabeth one more time?”

But Milia shakes her head.

”I no longer wish to disobey my master's command.”

”Then I'll do it. I just have to abduct her and wait for the end of the Red Moon. Then she won't rampage, right?”

”Likely so, yes...”

”Then after the Red Moon is over, I'll wake her up with my blood. Then I'll have a talk with her. Surely something would change from that. And it'll all be done by me arbitrarily, so you won't be implicated.”

”But... I don't want Elizabeth-sama to suffer anymore sadness...”

Milia.ia is looking down while considering. Surely various conflicts are clashing inside her mind.

”Just once more. Just one last talk. It's too tragic for things to end this way. For Milia, for Elizabeth, and also for everyone who died...”

Claire peers into Milia's eyes and smiles.

There is hesitation in Milia's eyes. Even she herself does not want things to end this way.

But it's terrifying.

The possibility for the same mistake from before to be repeated is terrifying. The possibility of making Elizabeth go through even more sadness is terrifying.

”The Land of Peace that you two strove for was no illusion. That is what I believe. So let's give this an ending where everyone is laughing together.”

”I'm sorry... I will impose on you then.”

Milia raises her face and nods.

”Don't worry about it. As I said, it'll just be something I'm doing on my own accord.”

”Also... I apologize for saying mean things to you earlier, about how demon possession can never be healed. There's a secret village of vampires founded by some old friends of mine. I'll help you ask them if they know anything.”

”It didn't bother me at all. And thanks. So then, let's sock Crimon a punch and kidnap the sleeping queen.”

”Un. We will also definitely save Claire's younger brother.”

”I'll be the one to save Sid. Don't you dare steal my role.”

”Ah, un...”

”But do support me in my beautiful and gallant rescue drama.”

”... You got it.”

Then the two resume climbing up the tower.