Mannheim, surrounded by a solemn light, smiled faintly.
“It’s been a while, Arundel.”
“It has been a while, Lord Mannheim.”
Arundel unknowingly had a wary look in her eyes. Then Mannheim quietly muttered.
“Liberation.”
Arundel’s appearance changed in an instant.
Her long, silver-like hair calmly settled down, and Mannheim was reflected in her clear, mirror-like silver eyes.
The change was not just physical.
The six wings, which were her symbol, also sprouted, scattering feathers. Arundel’s true form had returned.
“You have safely completed your mission. I knew you could do it, Arundel.”
“…Is the mission completely over?”
“Yes. The future of him that I saw in the Mirror of Projection was clearly free from tyranny.”
Mannheim smiled kindly.
Knowing that the mission was perfectly completed, Arundel awkwardly touched her wings. It was something she had longed for, but why was it so unpleasant?
“So… what happens to me?”
Arundel couldn’t hide her worried look and asked.
“Of course, you have to return to heaven.”
She was drained of energy at the expected answer. But then, an unexpected word fell from Mannheim’s mouth.
“Originally, that’s how it should be.”
“What…?”
Arundel asked, her eyes wide open.
“Since the mission is complete, you should originally return to heaven. However, a problem has arisen, and it seems that Arundel needs to stay in the human world a little longer.”
Was it an illusion? It seemed like a shadow briefly crossed Mannheim’s smiling face.
“A problem?”
“…As Arundel probably knows, the balance of the world is collapsing. We are trying to correct the balance, but it’s not as easy as we’d like.”
His expression seemed deep for a moment, but she couldn’t even offer empty words of help.
She didn’t know how long she could stay by Zion’s side, but she honestly wanted to stay a little longer.
“So Arundel, enjoy your human life until then.”
Saying so, Mannheim smiled faintly. Arundel hesitated, then opened her mouth.
“Lord Mannheim.”
“Speak, Arundel.”
“What happens to Empress Irina when I return to heaven…?”
“Don’t worry about that. The original soul of Empress Irina will return.”
Arundel briefly wore a bitter smile, but soon smiled brightly.
It was rather a good ending. It’s enough if she alone is hurt. She doesn’t want Zion to suffer too.
Arundel, who had made up her mind, looked at Mannheim.
“Thank you, Lord Mannheim.”
“What are you talking about?”
“For giving me the mission, and for helping me complete it.”
At Arundel’s words, Mannheim laughed.
“I haven’t helped with the mission.”
“The words of the old woman on the street were very helpful.”
Mannheim wore a sly expression.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“…I must have said something unnecessary.”
Arundel nodded as if she understood. Mannheim smiled faintly.
“Well, I’ll send you back now.”
“Just a moment, like this?”
Arundel looked around at her wings and spoke urgently.
“Of course not. When you go down, you’ll be back in the body of Empress Irina.”
Mannheim waved his hand.
“Goodbye, Arundel.”
And right below where Arundel stood, a red light soared high. Arundel was already gone from the spot where she appeared.
Looking at the spot, Mannheim muttered quietly.
“I can see the end. I’m sorry, Arundel.”
****
When the light surrounding her disappeared, Arundel opened her eyes. The place was the same as before she met Mannheim.
Arundel suddenly approached the mirror and saw the face of Empress Irina.
From the beginning, she was a being that would stay for a while.
She had borrowed this body for a while, and her goal was to pave the way for Zion not to go astray.
The fate has safely changed, and even if she disappears, there will be nothing wrong with Zion.
Wanting to stay by Zion’s side more was definitely greed.
However, before leaving, she wanted to do a lot with Zion. So she wouldn’t regret it.
Knock knock!
“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”
Just then, Zion visited. Arundel quickly shook off her awkward feelings.
“Tell him to come in.”
Soon, Zion appeared. Arundel greeted Zion with a bright smile.
“How was your palace work after a long time? Was it okay?”
“You seem to be in a good mood today.”
Zion smiled affectionately and kissed Arundel’s forehead. Her heart fluttered again at Zion’s unexpectedly affectionate appearance.
Arundel took Zion’s hand and led him to the garden.
“I see that the garden has been restored.”
“I doubled the manpower to complete it while I was away.”
“Thank you, Zion. I’m so happy.”
Zion quietly stroked Arundel’s head, who was speaking with sparkling eyes.
“Shall we have a meal here?”
“Great!”
Because it was cold to eat outside, they went into the glass house. Arundel, who sat facing Zion, spoke first.
“You haven’t answered my question yet.”
“Ah, did you ask about work?”
Arundel nodded.
“Work is always the same.”
“It’s boring and tedious.” Zion said indifferently, looking outside. Arundel, seeing this, suddenly had a question.
“Why did you want to become an emperor, Zion?”
As she spoke, a lavish meal was served. It was a high-end meal she hadn’t seen in a long time. It was incomparable to the food outside.
She quickly picked up a fresh lettuce with her fork and brought it to her mouth.
“Haven’t I told you?”
Zion also picked up his food and brought it to his mouth.
Every time she saw him, he didn’t seem to have a big appetite.
Eating seemed to be just a way to fill his stomach.
“There’s no reason like why I became an emperor. From the beginning, my choices were to become an emperor or die.”
His tone was monotonous and peaceful, as if he had to eat pie if he didn’t eat cookies.
But Arundel, not flustered, asked the next question.
“So how about now? Do you have other goals?”
Even though he had become an emperor reluctantly, he was doing his best.
This was evident from his efforts to solve the recent epidemic and his leading role in the fight against demons.
“Well, at first, my goal was to consolidate imperial power. Even after becoming an emperor, I faced many crises. Now, I’m not sure. I just feel like I’m doing what I’ve been doing.”
“Hmm… I think I understand.”
Arundel somewhat agreed with him.
There were times when fighting demons felt like breathing. Especially during wars. You get used to the smell of blood and the cold corpses.
As you fight, you forget why you’re fighting these life-and-death battles.
Zion must have been used to it, doing it again and again.
“But lately, I feel a bit tired.”
At his unexpected words, Arundel stopped her fork and looked at Zion. Zion laughed at the sight of her blinking like a rabbit.
“I just want to quit everything, go to an island, and be with you all day.”
Soon, Zion put down his utensils and rested his chin. Something about his face looked tired, and it gave her a sense of unease.
On the day he ran wild and regained his senses, Zion seemed to have said something similar.
“Just like others, we make dinner together, walk the streets, and even watch the sunset.”
“We can do that.”
Arundel, with rising enthusiasm, slammed the table.
“We’ll do everything. As soon as possible!”
Of course, she knows what Zion wants to say.
But with not much time left, she can’t go to an island and live there.
Thus she wanted to do the little things that Zion mentioned.
“Really? Then what should we do first?”
Zion smiled playfully.
“There’s a grand festival in the city for the founding anniversary soon. How about going together then?”
“Great!”
Arundel nodded vigorously.
Her eyes were full of anticipation. She had been to a human festival a few times, but it was a long time ago.
“What do people usually do on festival days?”
“I don’t know well.”
Huh…?
“Have you never been to one?”
At Arundel’s incredulous question, Zion nodded.
“…Why? Why have you never been to one?”
She knew he wasn’t born here. But he grew up in the Croyden Empire and has been an emperor for five years, but he’s never been to one?
“I didn’t really want to go.”
Zion answered vaguely. She knew from the way he avoided her gaze that he didn’t want to answer.
Arundel obediently backed off. She didn’t want to dig up painful memories unnecessarily.
“Okay. I’ll look forward to that day.”
She was confident she could create good memories to cover up the bad ones.
Arundel just smiled brightly.
****
Arundel was rolling around aimlessly on the bed. Considering the overwhelming day she had spent at the palace, it was an extravagantly idle time.
Yet, Arundel was not pleased with this time.
‘It’s a waste of time.’
She didn’t know how much time was left until she returned to heaven. Yet, time was slipping away wastefully.
Her anxious heart was crying out to spend time with Zion, but reality did not allow it. Zion was the emperor of the Croyden Empire, and he had many things to do and people to meet.
The only person who had time to spare like a jobless person was Arundel.
Arundel, who got up, left the Empress’s Palace.
“…”
“…”
However, not long after, Arundel regretted leaving the Empress’s Palace.
“Hills.”
She didn’t really want to meet him yet.
Even so, Arundel called Hills to stop. But Hills tried to pass by her.
Arundel quickly grabbed Hills’ arm.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
“…”
Hills didn’t answer. Arundel didn’t feel good seeing this unfamiliar appearance.
“Are you never going to talk to me?”
“Who says?!”
An answer popped out at once. Only now did Arundel feel a little relieved at the familiar face and voice that popped out.
“So let’s talk. It’ll only take a moment.”
Hills sighed briefly and quietly followed Arundel. The two sat side by side on a bench where there were few people.
Arundel recalled what Hills had said.
[It’s nice to play love games with that guy, but think about the priorities first.]
[Isn’t this enough? A reason to return to heaven.]
“Thank you for telling me to go back to heaven.”
He really said it for her. Although it was cold, it was also all true.
“I’m going to go back to heaven.”
At Arundel’s words, Hills raised his head.
“I think I’ll be going back soon.”
“…Did Mannheim say that?”
“Yeah.”
But… his attitude was strange. Even though she’s going back to heaven as he wants, his expression is not bright.
“…Arundel.”
Hills’ voice was low. Arundel felt a wave of anxiety.
“I have something to tell you.”
“…What is it?”
Hills raised his head and looked into Arundel’s eyes. His purple eyes were wavering with anxiety.
“Do you remember the seed?”
At the word ‘seed’, Arundel’s eyes fluttered without him knowing.
“Seed?”
“Yes. The treasure of the demon world, the forbidden seed.”
Arundel slowly nodded her head.
She couldn’t forget.
‘The forbidden seed.’
The sin she committed, the reason she was expelled from the position of Archangel.
