I couldn’t deny that it was a truly warm time.

If I were to call this period, where I lost my physical body and became a soul, a dream, then the desire not to wake up would fill my heart. That was how sweet the time I spent with Stella was.

It wasn't simply because having a conversation with her was enjoyable. It was because we understood each other, laid everything bare without secrets, and there were no worries.

It was my first time being separated from this continent.

It was the first time I managed to act, think, and speak solely as Kim Shinwoo.

"It is delightful."

I couldn't help but agree with Stella's sunny smile because the time spent with her was indeed enjoyable.

"Your world is truly fascinating."

Back when we spent time together at the Elia Convent, we spoke about each other's lives.

It was a time when we shared stories and listened, like one continuous narrative.

But now, it was a bit different.

We started from serious concerns and moved on to trivial small talk.

We shared thoughts, exchanged stories, and expressed various opinions.

Velica also occasionally chimed in, adding spice to the conversation and making it even livelier.

"There is something I realized after meeting you."

Stella slowly turned her head to look at the village below us. Although we had talked for a long time, the village still remained in a festive mood.

It was as if only that part was being played on repeat.

Therefore, I was unable to perceive the passage of time clearly.

"What is it?"

As she was about to answer my question, Stella slowly leaned against my shoulder.

"In the end, I was also human."

"..."

"When I lived my life as the Saintess, people found me noble and even shed tears for me, while the demons marveled at my transcendence beyond humanity.”

That was true.

Indeed, there were occasions when Magan also made remarks acknowledging Stella.

It was similar to Aria and the Dark Spiritualist, who turned away from humanity to become the Hero and a Necromancer.

"However, do you know what?"

Stella chuckled and carefully buried her face in my shoulder, as if whispering a secret.

"That was not transcendence."

"..."

"It was the opposite."

"The opposite?"

"Rather than transcending humanity, it was more like I was confining myself to the mold called Saintess."

That was why she was unable to look or act like an ordinary human.

She was unable to live an ordinary life like other people because she confined herself to the mold of a Saintess.

It was what Stella was trying to tell me now.

The moment I heard it, I also realized that it was the correct answer. Only after death did Stella obtain this realization.

"Kim Shinwoo, do not confine yourself."

"..."

"Do not restrict yourself as the Soul Whisperer. Do not throw everything else away just for that purpose."

Saintess.

With just that one word, she abandoned everything else, even herself.

Both Aria Rias, the Hero, and Dark Spiritualist, the Necromancer, were the same.

However, Stella was advising me what they both hadn’t realized.

"You are also an ordinary human. So, you should not use the title ‘Soul Whisperer’ to judge yourself."

"I see."

Stella slowly lifted her face from my shoulder and calmly touched my cheek.

She caressed me as if I were precious, and I entrusted my body to her.

"You are Kim Shinwoo, the second son of the Verdi Household, a professor at the Loberne Academy, and Erica Bright’s fiancé."

Then, she listed out more names.

All of them were ultimately referring to my existence.

"You are a precious guest from another dimension."

The sorrowful smile forming on Stella's lips was conveying her feelings.

"And the only person I truly love."

"..."

"You should not throw everything else away and become trapped by virtue of a single title."

‘Like I did,’ the end of her statement resonated bitterly.

Stella had given up everything to solely live as a Saintess.

Ironically, once God took back the Holy Power within her, she lost her title as the Saintess and lived in tragedy.

It would be the same case for Aria, who was captivated by her identity as the Hero, and Dark Spiritualist, who was obsessed with being a Necromancer.

I knew all too well how they would end up becoming.

That was why Stella was worried.

She hoped that my path wouldn't end in tragedy like theirs did.

Soul Whisperer.

The one who comforted the dead.

Now, I had no choice but to admit that I had not been looking at myself.

"I know, thank you."

Did my answer satisfy her?

Stella carefully embraced me, and I, too, naturally pulled her closer.

Just like that, while we were spending such a short time together, Stella cautiously spoke again.

"So, can you now answer me?"

I knew what she was asking for.

In the end, I realized I hadn't answered her first question yet.

"What is your reason for fighting for this continent?"

At that question, I briefly turned my gaze to the night sky.

Then, I naturally lowered my gaze down below, to look at the continent and the village within the land.

Was it because I was looking at this scenery?

I gave her an answer that I would never have given under normal circumstances.

And it came out with a bright smile.

"The reason is because I am—"

There was a brief silence following the answer that was neither lengthy nor brief.

Stella, who stared at me blankly , grabbed my shoulders and slowly made eye contact. Seeing her expression, which showed that she hadn't expected my response at all, made me feel like the answer I provided shocked and surprised her. However…

Chu.

Stella simply approached me as she was and kissed my lips.

Her kiss didn’t leave a lingering feeling like Erica's, nor was it as intense as Findenai's.

After a kiss so brief that I doubted if it really happened, Stella brightly smiled and said.

"How could I not love you?"

***It had already been a week since they visited the Clark Republic.

The war of nerves between the Griffin Kingdom and the Clark Republic continued as diplomatic issues were escalating.

From Griffin's perspective, they only responded to the surprise attack initiated by the Clark Republic.

However, from the Clark Republic's perspective, the attack on Griffin was carried out by the Resistance, whom they also considered enemies. Therefore, they claimed it was unrelated to them, and they criticized the aggressiveness of the kingdom’s response.

Additionally, they were taking a firm stance of blaming Griffin for allowing a single person to breach their defenses.

In response to this, the Protection worn by Doberman was presented as evidence. Nevertheless, the Republic still took a shameless attitude, saying they were definitely not involved.

Other countries on the continent were closely watching the situation between these neighboring countries with great interest.

No one could predict whether this confrontation would lead to a dramatic reconciliation, or perhaps reignite a large-scale war on the previously calm continent.

Naturally, voices calling for accountability for incompetence emerged from the Verdi Household, which was responsible for guarding the border.

On the other hand, since the Verdi Household had also decimated the Clark Republic, the situation became ambiguous.

King Orpheus postponed everything, declaring that all matters would be clarified once the situation stabilized; he was actively preparing for a potential war with the Clark Republic.

However, at the border region directly adjacent to Clark..

Norseweden was engulfed in a quiet stillness.

"..."

Looking at Deus Verdi lying on the bed with his eyes closed, Deia felt a gloomy feeling digging into her heart.

Despite being somewhat relieved because Darius Verdi had gotten up from his sickbed two days ago, Deus still showed no signs of waking up.

Creak.

At that moment, two women entered through the door.

It was Findenai and Erica Bright.

Both women approached Deia’s side without a word. Findenai, dressed in her usual maid uniform, replaced the scented candle next to Deus with a fresh one.

"He still hasn't woken up."

When Deia spoke gravely, Erica gently placed her hand on her shoulder and said.

"It's okay, he'll wake up soon."

"It's been a week already."

"Owen heard from the Dark Spiritualist that Deus' soul hasn't departed or found eternal rest yet."

Owen and Illuania, who were previously staying in Loberne, had joined them from there.

According to Owen, who was the only one able to converse with the Dark Spiritualist, Deus’ soul was still inside his body.

During this period, the Dark Spiritualist had also consistently been by Deus' side.

"Unlike before, he's breathing and his pulse is steady."

Findenai's words were correct.

When they first brought Deus here, he wasn't breathing, so he might as well have been declared dead.

However, a quiet breathing sound suddenly emerged at some point. It was something that could only be described as a miracle from God.

"..."

Even though she had just finished smoking a cigarette before coming here, Findenai felt the desire to light another one rising again as she looked at Deus. So, she gazed out the window.

Outside the mansion, Aria Rias was training with a fierce momentum as she swung her sword, determined to regain her old skills.

Meanwhile, Eleanor, as the princess who had engaged in direct combat across the border of the Clark Republic, was currently required to be present in the royal palace.

I had so many things I wanted to do once we met again.

Turning away from the window, Findenai looked at Deus once more.

She had thought it was their farewell, but it wasn't.

The mere fact that he had come to find her filled Findenai with a happiness she had never felt before.

However, now, she experienced even more sadness enveloping her entire being than when she faced her own death.

She now realized that simply seeing the man in front of her lying with his eyes closed could already make her feel so anxious like this.

In that moment of thought…

"Ugh."

The gazes of the four people in the room simultaneously turned to Deus.

They could hear a low groan.

Although none of them were speaking, they all precisely shared the same thought.

Please…

And as if in response to that thought, Deus, after being unconscious for the past week, slowly began to open his eyes.

"Where... am I?"

He muttered with a cracked voice.

Just that alone made the four realize that there was something wrong.

"Ugh, my head. What is this? I'm sure... I..."

Deus furrowed his brows and looked around. His expression contorted like he had tasted something bitter as he muttered to himself.

"Yuck, shit. I feel like I'm going to throw up."

In this confusing situation, Deia was the only person who came up with the correct answer.

"Scoundrel Deus?"