EP.98

“…It’s peaceful.”

From the highest floor of the main building located at the very center of Nineveh, Lisitia von Edelstein, the chairman of Nineveh, gazed quietly out at the bustling scenery outside, stirred by the academy festival.

“It truly is peaceful. It feels as if there are no worries at all in this world.”

The chairman’s words carried a mix of sincerity and a hint of lamentation.

In the mythological era, the ancestors of Valentine foresaw the End.

They predicted that the era of humanity would ultimately meet its conclusion. And the beginning of that downfall would be none other than the appearance of the End.

Yet humanity paid little heed to their warnings.

In fact, they even mocked the idea that an End might one day come, believing it to be a distant future event that had no bearing on their lives.

It was precisely because of such neglect that, when the first End, known as the “Dragon of the End,” appeared 200 years ago, no one considered opposing it.

Instead of resisting the End, they were so enchanted by its power that they prostrated themselves at the dragon’s feet, begging for mercy. Even now, 200 years later, the remnants of the dragon remain as a scar that mars the world.

Perhaps, had it not been for the miraculous appearance of the Seven Heroes at that time, humanity would have already been annihilated by the End.

Even though all of the Seven Heroes, who could easily be deemed transcendent beings, charged up against the “Dragon of the End” 200 years ago, they ultimately could not slay it.

Whether their methods were flawed or they lacked something, they had no choice but to agree to seal the “Dragon of the End” instead of killing it, leaving the resolution of this matter to future generations.

And to awaken the complacent humanity of the present, to ensure they at least had the means to oppose the End should it come again, the Seven Heroes established Nineveh.

While all the Seven Heroes possessed extraordinarily long lifespans, far exceeding human limits, they were not immortal and thus could not be wholly relied upon for assistance.

…Indeed. At least, it was known this way on the surface.

In the Empire, or rather in this world, very few knew the true purpose behind the establishment of Nineveh.

Why was Nineveh built right in the middle of the institution, despite its size rivaling that of a small to medium city, causing considerable inconvenience in transportation?

Why, despite its stated ideology of nurturing all talents from the continent, did it paradoxically prioritize the acceptance of children from established noble backgrounds?

Why was Lisitia, who could be considered a transcendent being in the current world, merely occupying the role of chairman at Nineveh?

Of course, the position of Nineveh’s chairman wasn’t insignificant, but placing a powerhouse like Lisitia in Nineveh seemed a sheer waste of talent, no matter how one considered it.

However, Lisitia did not share this sentiment.

She believed that this place was not a safe rear but rather the frontlines, and she herself was a last bastion prepared for the worst-case scenario.

Fortunately, since she took office as chairman, nothing extraordinary had occurred. In fact, life here had been remarkably tranquil.

The most significant event recently had been the sudden emergence of Jin, the new descendant of the Seven Heroes, and the investigation into him on Erekaya’s orders.

Yet recently, Lisitia had sensed an unusual undercurrent of something strange flowing throughout all of Nineveh.
“…The direction of the wind has changed. And I have a bad feeling that something unfortunate is about to happen.”

When one reaches the level of a transcendent being like Lisitia, they can, albeit not as precise as Valentine’s foresight, predict the fortunes and misfortunes of the future through the instincts they have honed over time.

And now, her instincts, sharpened as a Warlord, were conveying this message.

Do not let your guard down. Soon, a calamity may arise that she would be unable to bear or resolve.

“…The seal is perfect. And there are no Apostles in this era.”

Thus, the probability of the events Lisitia feared coming to pass should be exceedingly low. In fact, it would be safe to say there is almost none at all.

Yet, despite this, Lisitia could not shake the feeling of trembling coursing through her body.

It was foreboding. And she felt an exceedingly unpleasant premonition.

As if, at any moment, something would be triggered by even the tiniest, most trivial of events.

“So, where should we go now? Or, before that, where do you want to go first?”

“…Everything sounds good, but would you mind stepping back a bit? It’s just that, Altina, with you so close, it feels like…”

“What’s wrong? Do you dislike me sticking so close to you?”

“No… it’s not that I dislike it, but I’m just worried that others might misunderstand. If a man and a woman are this close, they might think something strange is going on.”

“I don’t care about that kind of stuff. No, I’ve decided not to mind the opinions of others anymore. What good is it to worry about their gazes? They don’t help me at all, anyway.”

“…And honestly, I wouldn’t mind such misunderstandings.”

“Eh? What did you just say?”

“It’s nothing. Forget it.”

He’s moving further away. The one person she holds dear and wishes to have by her side is endlessly drifting away.

And Claire gazed blankly at their retreating figures.

The scene around her, so familiar and comforting, suddenly felt alien today.

All around were crowds enjoying the academy festival, yet at the same time, there was no one near her, and everything she could touch felt like a Mirage, evoking a nauseating sensation.

Drowning in such a repugnant emotion, Claire muttered something in a voice devoid of feeling.

“…Yeah. You are all, in the end, taking everything away from me.”

She had never hoped for much to begin with. She had never wished for more than what she possessed.

She always yielded everything. With a smile directed towards others, she lived her life prioritizing consideration for others over her own desires.

And amidst that life, a single yearning had emerged.

To stand by his side, to talk with him, to spend time with him—such a small wish had taken root.

But now, that small wish had shattered into pieces.

It was all due to the whims of a greedy person, who harbored desires far greater than hers and had accumulated more memories than she ever could.

“…I don’t like it.”

She bit her lip. Her hands, unsteady and weak, clenched tightly to the point where blood began to ooze out. Only then did her mother, noticing her presence, say something, but Claire couldn’t quite catch the words.
“…I don’t like it, I really don’t.”

It has become utterly intolerable.

Why can’t she grasp what she desires? Why must she endure being stripped of everything? Why does her world feel so narrow, dark, and cold?

She no longer wants to be alone. She has learned the joy of being with someone, understood the warmth of companionship, and discovered the comfort of harboring someone in her heart.

Therefore, she despises this. She hasn’t done anything wrong. Why must she suffer like this when she hasn’t committed any fault?

The woman who should feel the pain in her place is experiencing joy, while she is left with nothing but heartache.

Within the emptiness of Claire’s heart, something unpleasant begins to seep in.

No, to be precise, it has flipped.

The darkness that Claire had unconsciously hidden is not only staining her heart black but is also consuming everything she is.

[I told you, didn’t I? You no longer have a place among them.]

The voice that Claire once heard long ago. The only difference is that the voice she hears now is much clearer and stickier than before.

[This is the end. That man has already lost interest in you, and other women will silently fill the small gap you leave. You will disappear from his gaze. Forever.]

She knows all that. Yet, she has no intention of giving up.

So tell me how. Not some abstract, unhelpful advice, but a concrete method to overturn this situation.

[I will grant you power. Power to you.]

…Power? You, to me?

[Yes. I don’t know if you’ve already sensed it, but you and I are bound by a contract. Thus, I can convey my will to you in this manner. Although I didn’t expect the compatibility to be this high.]

…Is that so? Indeed, this voice is not the impulse of her heart but the voice of another, linked through some connection.

But it doesn’t matter. No matter who you are, if you can fulfill my wish, I am willing to regard you as my deity.

[I am like a benevolent king. If my vassal desires something, it is the duty of a king to offer an appropriate gift.]

[So come to me. Approach me, kneel at my feet, and beg for mercy. Then I will grant you the power to easily obtain a man.]

…I can’t make sense of it. Currently, Claire’s head is spinning too much to distinguish right from wrong.

But holding onto the last vestiges of her reason, Claire managed to open her mouth towards the voice.

“…Then where are you now?”

[Do not worry. I am very close to you at this moment.]

That wretched voice fills her mind completely. Soon, the voice grows large enough for her to hardly bear—

[Isn’t the very place you stand above the grave where I lie in slumber?]