"I used to spend time here when I was young."

Before tonight's dinner conversation, Erica and I were looking at the flowerbed in the garden, accompanied by the cool breeze.

We hadn't specifically planned to spend time together.

It just so happened that when I came out to the garden, I saw Erica looking at the flowers, so I came and stood beside her.

"At the time, I didn't really have anything else to do. They never expected anything from me, not having even taught me magic properly. They simply neglected me."

"You did not learn magic from your family?"

Considering the Bright Household's reputation in magic, I naturally assumed Erica's exceptional skills stemmed from her family’s support.

At my question, Erica gave a bitter smile.

"Looking back, what I learned by watching over their shoulders could still be considered learning, right? Um, it actually might be more accurate to say that I secretly peeked in order to learn."

"..."

"I was raised for political marriage from the start. Since they already had their eldest and the second son, they thought there was no need to pay attention to a daughter like me."

She calmly recounted her rather bitter past. Having experienced it myself, I could understand the devastating feeling of the indifference coming from your own family.

However, Erica smiled confidently, as if she had already overcome everything.

She strived to live her best life by leaving everything in the past and focusing only on the present. That sight was as beautiful as the flowers in the flowerbed.

"Thank you for coming here like this."

"..."

Without even turning to look at me, Erica suddenly let out her true feelings as she continued staring at the flowers.

"No one knows how our relationship will end up, but for now, I'm happy to have you by my side."

Although I could certainly feel the sincerity in her words, her expression didn't reflect it at all.

"But is this really how you want to spend your time?"

Erica turned her gaze from the vibrant flowerbed to me while I had been staring at her intently from the start.

That expression again.

Perhaps Erica herself wasn’t aware of it.

Despite having overcome and grown through many hardships, she still had a habit of making a particular expression—a slight furrow between her brows as she forced a calm countenance. She would do this whenever she tried to conquer the feeling of suffering.

That was exactly how she looked right now.

Erica was once again enduring something within herself.

"Is this really where you should be?"

"..."

I couldn't figure out what to say to make her understand. No matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn't come up with the right words.

I had no confidence in convincing Erica Bright, who had now managed to overcome her own desires and happiness.

"I used to hate staring at these flowers when I was young. It was boring; I stared at them not because I liked flowers, but because I had nothing else to do."

Erica strongly added that it was at least worth seeing.

"But, Deus, I truly enjoy spending time with you—even just being together like this, looking at flowers."

Even though she said it like that, her tone had still carried an obvious hint of reproach.

"But you are not happy, are you?"

"Erica."

I tried to signal her to stop talking, but she naturally intertwined her hand with mine.

"Haha, I guess I really do love you."

Erica let out a hollow laugh as if she thought the situation was too ridiculous. She cautiously leaned against my shoulder.

"What I mean is, rather than my own feelings, your happiness comes first."

"..."

"It'll take quite some time to travel from Byolren to Norseweden. We should leave now."

Byolren was in the southern part of the kingdom and Norseweden was in the north. Since they were in complete opposite directions, even leaving now would be too late.

Findenai must have already crossed the mountain range and arrived in the Clark Republic.

"Sigh, Erica. Findenai made the decision herself."

I hadn't chased after her out of respect for her choice.

"It was her own decision, and I showed her mercy by not killing her."

Findenai might not know this, but I had already released her soul.

It was a short period, but I had shown her my own form of mercy and gift for enduring enough suffering.

After all, it was against all reason to shackle the soul of a woman who left to fight for others’ freedom.

So, she herself should also become completely free.

In [Retry], there was no mention of the freedom fighters from the Clark Republic achieving their goal, but now the situation had already diverged significantly from the game.

I couldn't predict what kind of future would unfold after this, and perhaps it was in Findenai's hands.

"We do not have to capture those who have left."

"But I’m sure you have a plan, right?"

Even after I said this much, Erica still didn't back down.

"Before leaving the academy, you told me that you had a plan prepared, although it wasn't confirmed yet. What was it?"

"It was nothing special."

Indeed, it wasn't anything special.

"I simply informed His Majesty through the Princess that there might be some serious trouble coming from the Clark Republic and to keep an eye on it."

"..."

"I also told Aria to not do anything unnecessary and simply rest because she might cause trouble if left alone."

"Then... were you lying to me?"

Although I behaved as if I had plans regarding Findenai to convince Erica…

"Yes."

In truth, I had no plans concerning her at all. If I hadn't said that, I wouldn't have been able to convince Erica to stop urging me to chase after Findenai.

"Deus!"

She momentarily raised her voice.

Erica tightly held my hand, almost feeling a sense of fear.

"You were… lying to me about something like this…?"

Erica bit her lips. Her head bowed deeply and her trembling body showed that she might collapse at any moment.

"It turns out your condition is more serious than I thought."

"Sigh, Erica."

Erica forced herself to continue speaking as if she had swallowed something bitter, but I sighed and intervened in her words.

"I am the same as usual."

At my words, Erica raised her head abruptly. Tears that reflected many emotions slightly welled up in her eyes.

"Can I bother the two of you for a moment?"

At that moment, Deia, who had been watching us for a while, and Edwon, the second son of Bright Household, approached us.

It seemed like an odd combination, but as soon as Erica saw them, she immediately released my hand and ran towards them.

"Huh? What's up?"

While Deia was surprised by Erica's sudden reaction, Edwon quickly frowned.

"I'm sorry, Lord Deus. It seems like my younger sister still lacks manners; she is such a fool, I'll educate her."

"Do not insult my fiancée."

When I unconsciously said these words as if scolding him, Edwon immediately bowed his head in apology.

"I-I apologize."

"Hm, Sir Edwon? We need to talk between siblings, so can you please step aside for a moment."

"Pardon? But you told me to follow along just now..."

"Go."

Deia felt her irritation surge, so she gestured at him. In the end, Edwon had no choice but to step back with a dumbfounded expression.

"That is quite unexpected."

When I subtly uttered those words, as I didn’t expect her to come with Edwon, Deia responded irritably.

"I was going to tell you that I fell in love at first sight with him and we were going to get married to see your reaction..."

She glanced at me to gauge my reaction. However, as I remained silent while listening to her story, Deia sighed deeply.

"Jeez, what was I expecting from you? He probably saw an opportunity with me because they thought your engagement with Erica might not go well."

Deia stared at me with slightly furrowed brows.

"What happened? What did that bitch say to you?"

"Huff, Erica is my fiancée. Be careful of what you say."

"Who cares? After all, it’s not like you are going to marry her anyway."

"..."

When I chose not to respond to that and remained silent, Deia, seeming somewhat uneasy, asked again.

"You… won’t marry her, right?"

"...No."

After responding like that, Deia seemed somewhat relieved and took a deep breath before stretching.

"Anyway, since that woman sees you in a favorable light, this matter should be resolved smoothly... But what is the real reason you involved the Bright and Zeronia Households in this situation?"

"I needed a household among the nobles loyal to the kingdom who I can systematically control "

Deia shook her head somewhat boredly at my words.

"Alright, I get that already, but I'm still curious as to why you needed a family you can control."

"..."

Indeed, this was Deia after all.

If it were Darius, he would have just said, ‘I see,’ and let it slide. However, Deia was different. She would dig deeper into the underlying reasons.

Seeing how she researched the Bright Household's flaws even before attending the family meeting, she must have been able to read my intentions somehow.

Well, if it was Deia…

It might be better to tell her everything so preparations could be easier.

"There is an organization of Dark Mages called Dante."

"Dante?"

Deia looked puzzled as if hearing about it for the first time.

"They were people I have occasionally tangled with in the past, and the war in the Marias Great Forest could be considered their doing."

"Hmm."

Understanding the seriousness of the matter, Deia listened with her arms crossed before getting lost in thought.

"Originally, I could roughly anticipate their actions, but it has now become difficult. Since it is impossible to predict how they will act, I am trying to use all possible means to prepare."

"Since you're the only recognized Dark Mage in the kingdom, they must be surveilling you from that side."

Deia guessed it almost perfectly. Her thought process could conclude even the parts I didn’t explain explicitly. She then asked with a subtle expression.

"Then, wouldn't it be better to get help from the Royal Family?From what I saw last time, both His Majesty and the Princess were quite close to you.”

"If I do that, it will look like the kingdom moves at my request."

"...Huh?"

"As of now, the subjects of the kingdom who are still resistant towards Dark Mages will not view the Royal Family moving in response to my words positively, right?"

"Certainly."

Indirect support would be fine, but I couldn’t request any direct help.

They accepted me solely because, on the surface, the power dynamics between the Royal Family and me were clearly defined as one of superior and subordinate.

Perhaps the bishops were waiting to launch a battle of public opinion by manipulating civil organizations into thinking that the Soul Whisperer was inciting the Royal Family.

"So, is that why you chose the fallen Zeronia Household and the Bright Household, which, despite being located in a remote area, is still powerful?"

They had some degree of power, and they were also the ones who had taken a step back from the stage.

Having heard my entire explanation, Deia smiled subtly with a sense of satisfaction.

"Hmm, I feel better after hearing you explain it like this."

Perhaps because we were certainly within the bounds of family, it was comfortable to talk to Deia about something.

The reason why she intentionally didn't ask me about Findenai was probably because despite being worried, she also trusted me.

"Is it because we are family?”

I muttered almost absent-mindedly. Deia's eyes trembled slightly at my words, and she gave an awkward smile.

"Of course, we’re family."