6. Last Judgement
Who am I, you ask? Indeed, who am I?
Hearing a question I have endlessly asked myself from another brings a fresh perspective. Perhaps I came all this way to find the answer to that question.
Once, I wanted to grab anyone and ask about my identity, and now I can finally say it with my own mouth.
Once, I wanted to ask anyone who would listen about my true identity. Now, I can finally say the answer myself…
“Here.”
Instead of answering, I reached out into the air.
“Didn’t I say ‘yes’ to all your questions, Kailus?”
“…”
“Then why don’t you try finding the answer yourself? About who I am.”
Then I firmly gripped the hilt of the sword stuck in Ash’s blood. Since it was a sacrifice offered with Ash’s blood, this sword now belonged to the goddess.
“If you’ve reached a conclusion, kill me here and now.”
The moment I pulled the sword out in one swift motion,
“Of course, if you dare.”
“…”
The flames on the distant altar roared even higher. The ashes carried by the wind wildly tousled my hair.
Ah… So this is it.
Ironically, at that moment, I realized. After countless lifetimes, I had finally reached the place I had been seeking.
“Kill me and offer my head to your goddess.”
“What on earth…”
Under the veil, I could see Kailus’s lips tremble.
“Cut off my arms and legs and throw them on the altar, Kailus.”
Yet, the acrid smell of the flames felt strangely sweet to me. Perhaps it was mixed with Redian’s scent, or maybe it was because these flames said to be lit for the goddess, were calling out to me.
“What are you waiting for, High Priest?”
I handed the sword to Kailus.
Was it because I had grasped the sword so easily, one that even the strongest paladin couldn’t pull out?
“I said kill me.”
The eyes of the knights looking between the sword and me were filled with confusion.
“Hurry!”
I couldn’t tell how my voice sounded. The surroundings were so quiet that I couldn’t even tell how many people gathered.
“Kill me right here, right now. With the sacred authority granted to you by the goddess as the high priest.”
All I felt was the sensation of my face smiling alone.
“…High Priest.”
Even the paladins following Kailus had frozen in his silence.
Kailus had always been cold, like a glass sculpture. He was the same person who said to take the hearts of insolent priests while they were still alive. Yet here he was, trembling at his fingertips, right in front of me, in a silence that he couldn’t understand.
“Why? Are you not confident?”
I took a step closer to Kailus.
“I’m going to cross that barrier and climb onto the altar now.”
“…!”
It was inevitable.
“If you’re confident you can kill me, do it here and now.”
Who bestowed him with the high priest’s authority? It was me.
Who granted him his destiny as a high priest? That too, was me.
“If you’re not confident, step aside.”
I threw the sword I was holding towards his chest. With the impact, the veil Kailus was wearing fell off, revealing the man’s face.
“High Priest.”
“…”
“Give us your orders!”
His pale eyes, unable to look away from me, seemed to be filled with countless thoughts.
“Your Holiness!”
“…”
Should I stop her? Should I really cut down that woman with this sword? How did she pull out the sword offered to the goddess? Who exactly is this woman? His face, twisted with countless questions, was a sight to behold.
“You asked who I am,” I whispered softly as I passed him. “Well, I don’t really know either.”
This was just the beginning.
“Your Holiness! That vile witch must not enter the barrier!”
“Siani Felicite!”
I heard voices following behind me, but I ignored them and kept walking.
“No! Siani!”
Around the altar were high pillars, and a red barrier was set up. Crossing the barrier meant entering the realm of goddess, not humans. In other words, the sins committed within wouldn’t be judged by human laws.
“Princess, once you cross the barrier, there’s no turning back.” Francis, who had been following me, spoke quietly.
“I know. The price set by the goddess must be completely different from that of humans.”
Nevertheless, my eyes were fixed solely on the altar.
“What are you all doing, stop her!”
At someone’s shout, the paladins and Ash’s soldiers blocked my way.
“Guys, I need to go up there.”
“…”
“You understand, right?”
But instead of glaring at them, I smiled at the Norma.
“Be careful.” Inein, who answered concisely, drew his sword.
“Our Princess, do whatever you wish.”
“Tsk, only that b*stard Redian gets the good stuff.”
Francis and Vallentin also gripped their swords.
“Ugh!”
From then on, there was no reason to stop. Blood from who knows where splattered on my dress, but it didn’t matter. I had chosen this dress, knowing it would get stained. And finally.
Rere, I’m almost there.
Just as I was about to cross the altar’s barrier,
“No! Sister.”
What now?
Someone grabbed and clung to me.
“Kill me and go.”
It was Luna, her hair disheveled, appearing out of nowhere.
“Ha.”
Just one step away!
My face twisted involuntarily.
“No, Sister.”
If a sword had blocked my path, I was prepared to pierce through it.
“Sister, come with me.”
But seeing Luna clinging to my waist, I had to admit. They’re all crazy people. Ash’s curse might indeed be true.
“Sister, even now, admit your sins. If you’re locked in the tower, I’ll go with you.”
Of all things, she was causing a scene near the barrier that even the paladins hesitated to approach.
“I swear I’ll dedicate myself to serving the goddess for you.”
What happened next was too quick to stop.
“You…!”
Luna grabbed a fallen holy knight’s sword and cut her own hair.
“You know, Sister.”
Her beautiful pink hair quickly burned in the barrier’s heat.
“You know what it means to offer a part of your body inside this barrier.”
Indeed, it meant offering her body as proof to the goddess.
“Sister, look.”
In other words, she was prepared to do anything for me.
“Look at those cowards over there. Ash Benio can’t even enter this barrier.”
Her eyes seemed to hold my ankles, refusing to let go.
“No one can do what I’m doing. Only I am sincere to you. Only me…”
I looked down at Luna for a long time before opening my mouth. “You’re right, Luna. As you said, this barrier is the domain of the goddess that even the paladins fear.”
Did Irik foresee his sister’s obsession and determination? Well, that’s probably why he gave me such an appropriate gift.
“What if you lie and your blood falls here?”
“I’ve never lied. No matter what happens, I truly meant it when I’ll be by Sister’s side.”
Yes, the words that she would be by my side might be true. But foolishly, everything except those words was a lie.
“Besides.” Luna’s voice lowered so only I could hear. “Even if I lie, Sister will forgive me, right? Sister won’t let me bleed.”
“Why? Do you think I won’t stab you?”
“Yes. Absolutely.”
“…”
“Sister would never be someone to stain your hands with my blood.” Her unique smile glistened in the sunlight.
“You’re right. I can’t stab you, Luna.” I nodded. “It wouldn’t matter even if I did. We don’t share a drop of blood anyway.”
Then I took out a small glass bottle from my sleeve and slowly opened the lid.
“I warned you, Luna.”
It contained Irik’s blood.
“Know your place.”
“…!”
“It’s quite amusing. In the end, the blood of your brother helps me.”
A mix of Luna and Irik’s blood.
“Sister!”
“I’m not your sister.” I poured the blood from the bottle onto the ground.
“Aack!”
The sand where Luna’s knees touched began to burn instantly.
“No!”
Stepping on her hair, I was now really close to my peacefully sleeping Redian.
“Redian, it’s time to—”
But at that moment. Bang-! With a thunderous sound, an arrow flew in from afar…
“Kyaaaak!”
It struck Redian’s heart, tied to the stake.
“Crown Prince!”
The pure white ceremonial robe Redian was wearing became soaked with blood, turning red.
“I guess I’m quite late.”
“…”
His blood spurted and splashed on my face.
“Grand Duke Benio.”
At that moment, our eyes met.
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