In the darkness, I opened my eyes with my eyelids wide. I could see every corner of the blackened dungeon as if it were daytime.

　A man lying on the ground, blood dripping from his neck. A man lying on the ground with blood dripping from his neck. And then there was Philos-Treit, bound in chains and unable to move, his eyes shining with dignity. His body was covered with bruises. A single glance at it was enough to tell me what had happened here.

Kill him here. I'm not on your side.

　The way she forced her lips open and said that, I almost sighed. The voice in my ears was like a different voice from the one I heard at the Monstrance camp. Only the white eyes remained unchanged, looking at me. You want me to kill you, is that it?

　Vestalinu-Gerua, who was waiting behind him, took the cantera that was sitting on the floor and said.

Vestalinu-Gerua, who was standing behind her, took the cantera from where it was sitting on the floor and said, "Lord Lugis, she is apparently deranged. It is common for those who have been tortured and mistreated.

　Vestalines said in a sincere tone, "So do not provoke her too much. I think this is a very typical Vestalinu thing to say, even though we haven't had much contact.

　He has a good grasp of the situation and can make the right decision on the spot. There are few things more reassuring than a mercenary chief. On the other hand, I was thinking of something completely different from Vestalines. That's probably why I'm not fit to be a mercenary chief.

　--I should have killed her then and there.

　I should have cut off his head when we met on the battlefield. Then Philos-Treit would not have had to suffer such pain, and he would not have had to suffer so much. He could have died as the ruler of the proud city of Philos. I'm sorry for what I did.

　He muttered to himself.

"What, it all doesn't matter now?

　It was not in response to Vestalinu's voice. I wiped the blood from the knife I had pulled from the man's neck and kept my eyes open, looking only at Philos-Treit.

　She wanted me to kill myself, that's what she said. But the words seemed to have a tinge of pleading to them. She said she didn't want to live anymore, she wanted to let it all go.

　It's no use. As the ruler of the city of Philos, her dignity and pride were all but grounded, and she could no longer see any light beyond that. She was betrayed by the people she trusted and loved the most. The memory of that betrayal will remain a scar on her soul forever. No matter how she lives her life from now on, she will never be able to enjoy it comfortably.

　That's why I asked. You don't care anymore. That you just want to throw it all away.

　If that's what you've become, I'll kill you right here. You'll be much, much happier that way.

　You've given up on everything, you've given up on everything, and you just keep breathing. That's no longer living. Maybe you're not dead, but that's all.

　I stare into the white eyes of Philos-Treit, spinning a knife in my hand that has been completely wiped clean of blood. They seemed much murkier than when I had gazed into the tent of the heraldry. She twisted her lips for a moment and said as if to spit it out.

I don't care, but it's okay. I don't have a choice.

　She rolled her eyes and looked back at Philos-Treit. She looked back at Phyllos-Treit, rolling her eyes, wondering what he meant, but unable to make sense of it. Her lips rippled as she continued.

How could I care? You don't even know what I've done for Philos, for this city. You don't know how much humiliation I've carried in my heart.

　She acted as if she were a mother talking about her child. In her cloudy eyes, I could see her emotions wavering.

　I see, this was purely rash of me. I'm sure that for Phyllos-Treit, the city of Phyllos is like a child that he has taken great care of and raised. Betrayed by that child, he was knocked to the ground. It would probably be disrespectful to presume his feelings without permission.

　Phyllos-Treit breathes hard, wobbling as if her body is in pain from raising her voice. Vestalinu, supporting her body, said in a clear voice: "Then do not hurry.

There is no hurry then. In time, the armies of the heraldry will surround Philos and take back the reigns from Roseau. For now, keep your emotions in check.

　I think those words clearly came from a place of kindness and compassion. But I think Philos-Treit understands that, too. She knew that, and in her own way, she told him to kill himself.

"I appreciate the kindness, but... But it means nothing to me. You saved me, you took me under your wing, you guided me, and everything worked out. I don't want this to be the end of the world. You don't get to decide what you want to do with your life.

　Vestalines lips pursed as if she was shocked. I guess she didn't expect her words to be brushed aside without a second thought.

　So that's what she is. Proud, yet stubborn. She seemed to have a little more softness left in her when I saw her once. I guess it's just that I didn't capture her essence.



　Nobility and stubbornness. These two are the essence of who Philos-Treit is.

　She continued to speak. She continued, her voice calm, but with emotion.

I would rather be killed here by you as an incompetent ruler if I can't settle this with my own hands. It would be much easier for me to die.

　Her white eyes, murky and flickering with dim light, pierced me straight through and through. Vestalinu is also looking at me, asking me what I'm going to do.

　There's nothing you can do about it. My cheeks waver, my shoulders cower, and my words leak out.

"It was a good thing I didn't kill you then and there. I'm glad I didn't kill you then and there, so you can finish the job yourself.

　You'll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in this sort of thing.

　There was some shaking, but it was probably due to the pain that covered her entire body. It didn't cause her to flail. Thank God, we're trying to carry her, too. Then at least try to be quiet. Well, if you're going to carry her around like a piece of luggage.

　Look at Vestalinu and say.

"Sorry, Vestalines, I've got a package, but I'm going to keep going. We're going down a darker road, one without light. I'll be your guide.

　At my words, Vestalines rolled her eyes and asked me if I was insane. That's rude. I'm always in my right mind.

　And you can't help it. People have their own ways of settling their lives. Like me, Philos-Treit will never be able to move on until he has made his decision. Then, it is human nature to at least set the stage, if not help him.

"Let go of me, how far do you think I'm willing to go?

　He said to Philos-Treit, who was no longer raging but was still ranting endlessly on his shoulder.

There is no such thing as contempt, only respect. The coffin of Philos is too small for you to die in.

　At least big enough to swallow the entire kingdom of Garleist, he thought, his lips rippling.