"I'm afraid not. I'm not willing to trust my life to the comfortable fantasies of a hothouse princess. I told you, I don't have the slightest intention of dying.

　I spit out the words, and as soon as I closed my mouth. His expression wavered.

　Yeah, I said it. I said it. I don't know, I don't know. But I had to say it. I had to say it.

　Just giving in to his words, just letting his eyes glare at me, it won't change anything. My mind will remain trapped forever. And I didn't want to just go along with the easy plan, as he said.

　My lips were twisted, my eyes were trembling, and my knees were threatening to give out if I didn't keep them in check. There was a moment of blankness in the room. No voice, no sound. It was quiet. But it was definitely the calm before the storm.

　I force myself to look up. I see Elddis's blue eyes. Look, those eyes. Yes, those eyes. That sparkle I feared.

　Her eyes, even the big ones, are open to their fullest, and the whole blue eye is filled with rage. It's not that I'm saying the wrong thing or anything. It's just that he's annoyed that I've interfered.

　That's when I became convinced. Back in the day, I would have died right here and now. Such deep frustration. What a dangerous bridge I'm crossing.

　What's holding her, Elddis, back now is the nobility of a nobleman and the reasoning that I've developed over the years. It's my lifeline, the thread that holds me together.

　I'm scared. I'm so scared.

What? So you're lying when you say you're not ready to give up?

　Erdis's piercing words pierce the space. The edge of her voice trembled as if shaken by emotion. She bit down hard on her back teeth.

I hate it. This is why I hate people who don't take responsibility for their words. After all, you've said so much just to make yourself look good--

　There was a hint of mockery in the tone that once passed through indignation. It really is like laughing at the chirping of insects. The eyes glittered with mockery and relief.

　d*mn it. Oh, my God. My tongue is stuck, as if numb. I can feel the sweat cascading down my neck.

　Now I understand. I can't just let him dribble words down my throat. I can't do that. It's not going to change anything.

　But what's wrong with that? My body, my tongue. Once those eyes glare at me, my body and brain refuse to move. What the hell is this?

　Even the wind is taunting me, teasing my ears.

"After all, you're the same. Cowardly and helpless. I've heard you're a man of some renown. I don't know what kind of luck you've had, but you've had allies and enemies who've followed you.

　--I'm sure they're not worth much.

　So the elf princess continued.

　Well, that's wonderful. Great, lousy words.

　What is this feeling? What's wrong with me? My mind is still filled with fear, and my brain is flickering with memories of the time when I was almost crushed like a bug. That is an undeniable fact.

　But something different was bubbling up from the depths of my heart.

　It's different from the rage that once burned me. It was different from the hatred that had covered my whole body. I wonder what this emotion is really called.

　But there's one thing I know for sure.

　I'm still just a rat, no matter how far I go. My mouth naturally dropped open.

"You can say that, Princess. Very well. I'm still the same no matter how far I go. That's right. No matter how much I clean myself up, I'm still a rat. I've never had this much confidence in myself.



　Without realizing it, I had gotten up from the bed. My vision had been cloudy, but now it was clear, and my heart, which had shrunk in fear, was now beating fast.

　He opened his blue eyes, slightly agitated, and spoke into them.

But... I can swear to one thing. My allies and my enemies. They are, without a doubt, yes, without a doubt, heroes. I'm sure of it, and I don't doubt it.

　Yes, you are. I've never had a lot of confidence in my body. In fact, how can I be confident? In this body that I crawled on the ground. Where is this spirit that survived by selling off its dignity?

　So if there's anything I can say, it's about them. Sword fighters, magical geniuses, and undeniable heroes.

　They are both my deepest pride and my most hated enemy. It's a complicated feeling. I don't think I can put it into one word. I can't help but feel emotional when they are mocked and identified with someone like me.

　Ah, the lips that had parted in fear came back under mine.

"Mostly, don't use me as an excuse.

　I said, as if speaking to Erdis, whose lips were open in astonishment. You've said all you need to say. Now it's our turn.

　There's a comfort in my heart that makes me crawl back up on my heels. I feel good. I'm stomping out the fear I once had.

　And there's something I need to say to this woman.

"Excuses. When have I ever given you an excuse?

　Erdis's lips wavered. Her gaze seemed to lack some of its usual power.

"Who wants to give up, Elddis? It's you. You're the one who wants to give up, aren't you?

　This woman has a cunning side, too, I thought. The look of relief that she showed when she was taunting me earlier. I'm sure of it. Oh, thank God. Now I don't have to step out on my own. That's the relief that came out of it.

　I know that feeling all too well.

　The bottom line is that Elddis hadn't made up her mind yet either. She had only said the words as a provocation because I hadn't given up. Tomorrow, he might have said it was a joke and withdrawn his words to Valianne.

　Yes, there was no face when I said the words to her. Her cheeks were flushed with shame, her eyes were shaking with agitation, but she was unable to speak back.

　In the past, I could not know, because I had already spat out my sanity somewhere.

　Elddis, Princess of the Elves, you are not like the other heroes. Kalia Vardonick, Fearat La Volgograd, and Held Stanley. She's not a hero like them, not in ability or spirit. She is just a pathetic woman with too much power.

　She is a woman who, despite her power, has locked herself in this tower and has never been able to step outside.

　She must be a coward at heart. Just like me.

"Princess. Like I said, I can't take your word for it. So you'll have to take me at my word. I'm going to pull you into my current so you can't escape.

　As if to prove it, Erdis couldn't say a word back to me as I closed the distance and locked eyes with her. She just shook her blue eyes as if she was scared.

　Yeah, that's fine. So is this woman.

　She is not a hero who holds her emotions in her hands, but only a scarecrow who dances with them.

　So be it. Erdis, you are no longer my enemy.