Have you been in good health?
I’m sorry for not keeping in touch often.
As you probably know, I’ve been working as the Empress’s personal physician recently.
It’s been a delightful time.
Oh, I spoke with someone named Isaac, and I heard he is an old friend.
I will visit you soon.
We can discuss more in detail then.
– From Sena to Grandfather.
————
“What? Really?”
Early in the afternoon, Sena was enjoying tea time with Seria when his eyes widened in surprise.
Seria nodded with a worried expression.
“They say his condition is not good. The message said he might not make it through this summer.”
“…He is quite old. But still, I thought he would be okay for a little longer.”
They were talking about Sena’s grandfather, Marquis Birkender.
“What about Cruyff?”
“You know how it is. They don’t get along.”
Bang.
Sena hit the table and stood up.
“No matter what, he’s still his father. That’s not right.”
“Sigh, I know. I wish he were at least half as considerate as you, Sister Sena.”
Seria sighed deeply. It seemed she had already tried discussing it and got a harsh rejection.
‘…Honestly, it would’ve been the same if I had said it.’
Sena made a complicated expression.
Even as a pacifist, Sena couldn’t easily meddle in the issues between the father and son.
It was a simple story.
Cruyff was originally the heir to the Marquis Birkender family.
The Birkender family had three sons, but two were lost to illness and accidents, leaving only Cruyff.
But then that sole remaining son suddenly decided to become a priest and left the family—
It was no wonder that his father almost had a stroke.
However, knowing Cruyff’s circumstances, it seemed understandable, which made it all the more complicated.
No one expected that he would stick to his resolve even when his father was critically ill.
“That’s too much, no matter what. I need to go see Cruyff right away.”
“He’s busy preparing for the election. If you go, he’ll probably send you back.”
Seria glanced sideways. Even with her eyes closed, she seemed to be staring right through Sena.
“You won’t interfere, will you?”
“…”
Sena pouted and sat back down.
If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t mind, but he didn’t want to cause trouble for Cruyff.
He knew how much Cruyff wanted to become the Pope and what he hoped to achieve after that.
Given the sensitive timing, if this matter spread within the church, it would be the worst-case scenario.
“Thank you for telling me, Seria. If I hadn’t known and he had passed away, I would’ve been very sad.”
‘Honestly, I haven’t been the best grandson either.’
Sena had to admit that.
Even when he visited, he didn’t stay long.
Currently, Marquis Birkender was managing the family affairs.
Still… at least he wanted to be there for his grandfather’s final moments.
If he could heal him, he would do everything in his power.
“When are you planning to leave?”
“…As soon as today, at the latest, tomorrow.”
“That’s why you called me.”
“No, I found a way to sneak out on my own.”
Sena smiled quietly.
“Cruyff doesn’t want me to leave, does he?”
Seria paused for a moment but then asked casually.
“Why do you think so?”
“Because Cruyff wouldn’t force me to do something I don’t want to do.”
“…”
“Perhaps it’s because there’s a reason I should continue to stay here. Does he think the Empress holds the secret of immortality?”
Hahaha, he’s not so sure about that.
Sena smiled casually, but Seria’s heart sank deeply.
Her furball, her own old friend, showed such sharp insights, surprising even her.
“Can I ask you a favor?”
“What is it?”
Sena took out three envelopes and placed them on the table.
“One is to be sent to my grandfather.”
“Alright. And these?”
“They’re from the convent where we grew up. I wonder how Sister Maria and Sister Teresa are doing.”
“They’re doing well. Especially Sister Maria, she’s quite lively.”
“Yeah… except for her love of vodka.”
“And Sister Teresa too.”
“She’s always diligent.”
“Though she tends to break things.”
Sena chuckled awkwardly.
“Please tell Cruyff not to push himself too hard.”
“…Alright.”
“I’m really fine.”
Seria nibbled her lip.
While he never gave up on treating others, why did he so easily give up on himself?
“And the last letter.”
“…You wrote it with such tiny hands. Who should I give the last letter to?”
Sena lowered his head.
“I’ll deliver this one personally.”
“?”
“I have to. But it’s something only you should know about. Will you place holy magic on it?”
“It’s not difficult. What kind of holy magic?”
There are different types of holy magic. Just as there are different types of magic.
Originally, using holy magic to revive someone is like invoking a “miracle of God”.
But a miracle of God isn’t just about increasing human regeneration speed.
“Place a holy seal. For one week, ensure that no one can read the contents of this letter.”
“Even if a Master tries to peek.”
Seria was quick to catch on.
“Yeah. If someone tries to force it open, let it burn to ashes.”
“Understood.”
Seria placed her hands together in front of the letter, contemplating silently.
“If anyone removes the words of this prophecy, Justitia will withdraw her presence from the sacred sanctum written in this letter—”
Seria’s words trailed off. The golden chains were sucked into the letter.
It looked enchanting yet somewhat terrifying. The miracle of God had become reality.
Seria opened her eyes narrowly.
“As this is a sealing spell using the words of the sanctuary, for the week Sena has specified, no one will be able to know the contents of this letter.”
“Thank you.”
Once again, he had a good friend.
Sena stood up from his seat.
“Where are you going?”
“I still feel I should at least say goodbye.”
“…Don’t let yourself be bound again this time.”
Sena smiled strangely.
“I won’t.”
**
Astria was still sitting by the lake in the garden.
She hadn’t done any work today.
She canceled all her meetings.
She couldn’t grasp anything, so she couldn’t do anything.
Come to think of it, this scene feels familiar.
‘It was like this back then too.’
-It was just one failure, wasn’t it?
-The knight who just died in your hands, he dedicated his entire life for you.
-Did it have to be this way?
Astria was the Empress.
Not just any Empress, but a young Empress.
-A child so small is the Empress?
-…The empire is now over.
-Taking orders from a small girl like that?
When she ascended to the throne at thirteen, she had only one path to choose—become a tyrant.
She believed she couldn’t maintain her throne otherwise.
-Cut his head off. No, I’ll do it myself.
Over time, her thoughts never changed. If anything, her conviction only grew stronger.
She became more ruthless. On the battlefield and in everyday life alike.
She never forgave even a single mistake. If someone annoyed her, she would cut them down; if they resisted, she would kill them.
-I gave the order to exterminate the Lord.
There was one knight she cherished.
Astria gave them an order. Before dawn, they had to execute all of the kingdom’s royals.
However, that knight couldn’t do it. More precisely, they chose not to.
They spared one princess. Out of pity. From such a pointless emotion.
The knight made no excuses. They simply smiled faintly and said:
-Your Majesty.
-It was an honor to serve you.
There could be no exceptions during her reign of terror.
When the Empress was driven by personal whim, the consequences were unimaginable.
That was what the knight had said.
Astria respected that. That flattery. That decision.
-Die embracing that honor.
“…Did you come here again to visit my garden?”
Astria, lost in thought, rose up and looked back.
“Isabella.”
“… There was a time when I thought you had changed.”
“…”
“Even if someone like me disappears, you wouldn’t bat an eye. But still, I left because I hoped you might feel something, even just a little.”
Isabella extended her arm holding the sword.
“Is that so?”
“But you didn’t change. Not even once in seven years since that day.”
Isabella vanished.
Astria summoned her Holy Sword and swung it to the right.
Swoosh!
When the two swords clashed, the impact shook the trees like they might uproot.
Clang!
The friction of swords rang loudly. Astria gazed at the flames as if bored.
“What is this, you’re doing?”
Gritting her teeth, Isabella retreated. The garden was already in ruins.
“Astria—!”
Filled with rage, Isabella shouted. Her voice trembled at the end, unable to control her anger.
“Taking everything from me, did it satisfy you? Burning down the village, killing the powerless, I must… I must…”
Astria frowned.
What is she talking about?
“What?”
In that moment of inquiry.
“I will never forget, even in death. I curse you and all who died by your hand for eternity!”
Isabella rushed forward like lightning. It was a devastating attack, leaving no room for Astria to respond.
Astria silently watched that blow. Isabella gritted her teeth. It won’t be easy. It was none other than Astria.
‘But I will surely kill her.’
It was a matter of life and death. When Astria blocked it, she intended to exhaust all her life force and self-destruct.
However…
“…?”
Astria did not retaliate in any way.
Isabella looked at the sword that effortlessly pierced through Astria’s abdomen with trembling eyes.
“Why…?”
A deep question. Astria’s expressionless face cooled Isabella’s mind, filled only with anger that she must kill Astria.
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
Astria spoke to Isabella with a stoic face.
“I wanted to say those words.”
Isabella’s eyes widened in shock.
If Astria had said that from the beginning, Isabella wouldn’t have believed her.
Of course, only the Empire would have the power to find out where Labella was based and destroy it.
But now…
She couldn’t say anything.
“…You’ve changed.”
“Well…”
Astria blinked slowly as she looked at the hole in her pierced abdomen.
The sword filled with aura not only pierced the stomach, but also ruined the inside.
It seems even her excellent personal physician won’t be able to heal this. Unless Justitia herself comes down.
“I am weaker than when I lost you.”
“… … .”
“But I don’t want that to change.”
“I don’t hate it.”
Astria’s expression turned sad. Her blonde hair gradually faded in color.
“I wish I had realized this sooner.”
Isabella couldn’t find her voice. It was strange. Although she was the one who stabbed, it felt like her heart had stopped.
That moment…
“Isa…bella?”
Isabella looked up at the faint voice.
She met Sena’s eyes as he brought an apple. The apple fell weakly to the ground.
“Ast… Astria.”
Isabella drew her sword in a state of hyperventilation. Her back was soaked with cold sweat. She exerted all her strength to flee. But it felt heavy, as if someone was holding her ankles.
“Don’t lose consciousness.”
The bleeding is too severe. No, the wound is too extensive for the bleeding.
‘No, it can’t be.’
Sena closed his eyes and assessed the situation.
‘I can’t let this happen.’
Damage to the carotid artery. More serious is the damage to the organs.
There were hardly any organs left.
Even with modern medical knowledge, this was…
This was a patient he had to give up on.
-Sena, you must not use divine power no matter what.
-Your body is barely holding on with divine power. Without it…
-Justitia will curse you.
Cold air entered Sena’s lungs. Without hesitation, he made the best decision he could make.
“Oh God.”
“Please forgive me.”
Bleep-!
The divine power suppressed within Sena’s body burst out.
The whole world turned white.
