"You are guilty of three sins, do you know what they are?

　The thin fingers that held her throat were pressed into her flesh. A small sob escaped her lips, and her eyes narrowed as she worked her brain at maximum speed to find the answer to Kalia's question.
　His throat was only supplying a small amount of air, which was not very much, but not enough. His lungs were rushing around his body in search of air, and his body, having lost its reserve, was sapping the strength from his limbs in an attempt to render him unconscious.

　What the hell? I can't deny that I've been a bit complacent, that I've been overjoyed with the way things have been going.

　But sin, sin... I don't remember that. Of course, if you bring up the past, that's not true either. At least, I don't remember committing any crimes against Caria.

　The vision reflected by his bewildered eyes blurred slightly, and his brain slowed down as if refusing to circulate thoughts.

　I understood that the pressure of the hand holding my throat was unmistakably genuine. This is not a joke or a joke. She's really trying to choke me out.

Don't you get it? For one thing, she made me, her ...... "friend," decide things twice without consulting me. Yes, twice.

　I forgave you the first time, and that's pretty generous of me," Kalia added. The smile that appeared on her face was chilly.

　She rolls her eyes and takes in the words after a beat.

　Okay, I understand to a certain extent. In the end, you didn't enjoy the fact that things were being changed even though you weren't the one being talked about. The first time was probably when I accepted Fialaat's request. 　
　The first time was when I accepted Fialaert's request. After that, I made a decision on my own in a lighthearted mood, including the matter of the heraldry, and that upset Kalia.

　He frowned and shook his chin as he nodded. I understand. I look at him to indicate that I'm sorry about that. I try to speak, but only a strange faint sound comes from my constricted throat.

　But Kalia's face relaxes, as if her reaction is somehow satisfying.

The second thing. I'm not sure what to make of this, but it sounds like you're asking me to work behind the scenes like a horse while you deal with that sorcerer. What do you think, huh?

　Finally, the finger buried in his throat weakened.

　With a gulp, the old air slipped out of my throat as if to spit out the muck that had built up around my throat, and my lungs began to work in unison to bring in new air.

　I was beginning to lose my train of thought in earnest. Whether I could stay sane or not. Whether I could think or not. It's like torture in that regard. I felt a kind of fear at the familiarity of it.

　But the finger has not left his throat yet. He just loosened his grip. If I were to offend Kalia at this point, I could be struck down this time.

　At that moment, a question sprouted in my mind.

　But what? Why is this guy so furious? Compared to the way he used to look when he was in Caria, on his journey to salvation, he looks so, so different. Of course, there are changes that come with age, but even so, he's very restless.

　Obsession. Yes, she seems to be obsessed with something. She used to be obsessed with Helt Stanley, that's for sure. But even so, it's like she's getting worse.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on this subject in the following article.

"But ......... That's not right. It's not the same. You can take your hands off him and let him run around in the field, but you have to watch him closely, because you never know when he's going to fall apart.

　Not yet, not yet.
　Well, speaking of different, she. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

　She was more independent, always standing on her own, always ready for anything. She seemed to see everything with a clear gaze.

　But the way she is now, she is like a young tree looking for something to lean on. I can't imagine letting her go around by herself. I feel that I must watch her back with trepidation.

　I'm convinced of his brilliance, but it seems to me that Fialaat is not the kind of person who can be left alone to do his job.

　Oh, come to think of it. Maybe she was leaning on him on the journey to salvation, too, without my knowledge. Maybe that's why she acted the way she did.

But, Caria. You're different. No, I'm not. You're a strong woman. You're the kind of woman who could take the head of a demon all by yourself. And so...

　As I spun the words, I felt my hands loosen somewhat. Of course, it was only a little.
　"And? And then?" Kalia put down a question mark as she continued to lead the way.

I'm a proud man. Whether you like me or not, once you've made a promise, you'll never betray it, no matter what the demons whisper. That's something I know very well.



　Yes, that's what I believe. I can no longer remember how arrogant, unreasonable, and violent she was towards the weak during our former journey.

　But that much I do remember. Kalia is a proud woman, and she has the will to carry out her pride better than anyone else. In that respect, she was a good woman.

　For a moment, her silver eyes widened, and a little breath escaped her lips. It was as if she was laughing at my words, as if she had no choice, as if she had given up.

So you're wise enough to roll your tongue. So how can I trust you so much? What made you whisper that to me?

I told you.

　I told you," I responded to Kalia's response, acting like I had no choice but to act like I had a very bad memory.

You're Kalia Vadnick - no, you're Kalia.

　I replied, just like any other time.
　For a moment, her eyes narrowed in amusement, but then, satisfied, she smiled and removed her hand from her throat.

I understand - I am no longer a knight, but it is the pride of a noble man to return trust and expectation with appropriate action.

　My throat is finally free, and I can breathe fully, relieved to be free of the hell that is life in the hands of the devil.

　I don't know if it worked, but at least he was satisfied.

　When I looked at Kalia to make sure she was breathing well, her silver eyes were right next to me. So close that their breaths could reach each other and their foreheads could brush against each other. I couldn't help but choke up.

"Well, you haven't forgotten, have you? Your crime is three--three, you're hiding something from me. There's something unnatural about your movements. Even if your goal is to get ahead, it's too sudden. If you want me to be a part of this, don't you think you need to tell me everything, huh?

　The expression on Kalia's neat face, seen up close, was endlessly bewitching and alluring, and her smile was endlessly devilish, containing the intention of throwing her opponent into hell, depending on her mood.