Their romance storyline only begins on the second playthrough

"See? If you really think about it carefully, you won't even be able to respond to your own words."

"What do you mean by ignoring everyone and monopolizing me? You clearly can't do that yourself."

So why bother?

Rhodes reached out his hand. "Come back, okay? Lydia."

Chapter 141 Cecilia [The Path of Slaughter]

Rhodes' outstretched hand left Cecilia in a daze.

It seemed that as long as she reached out and responded to Rod's request, she could return safely to the group she once knew and live a happy life.

Or rather, if she continues down this path now, she will become an object of hostility again, just like in her previous life.

Undeniably, she was indeed captivated for a moment.

But it only lasts for a moment.

Should we stop?

Should she end it here and obediently go back to being a good girl?

When did she choose to leave the St. Starson Academy and embark on the path of depravity alone?

As time progressed, she turned fourteen.

She abandoned Ivina and went her own way.

She traversed most of the Linlank Empire in search of her dream, arriving at the most prosperous place in the country, the imperial capital—Elia Imperial City.

Ultimately, as a child without identity or opportunity, she had long been tormented by the realities of life to the point where she could no longer go on.

In the capital... without status, one is a lowly commoner, someone who must be expelled.

They could only barely survive by stealing and robbing.

As a result, this identity had long since made her familiar with those scoundrels who were "witches".

People huddled in the narrow gaps of the glamorous capital, barely surviving in those stench-filled areas.

For those with limited resources, whether forced or voluntary, joining organized theft rings is the only way to survive by becoming pickpockets.

They search for destined gentlemen, those who wear loose coats and baseball caps and keep gold coins in their pockets—these are the men they keep an eye on on their journey.

Someone as capable as her, someone who has reached the level of being promoted two or three times, is naturally destined to be a leader.

She wasn't a witch, yet she managed that group of witches, making them work and rob.

She got used to it, and began to fall into the most confused period of her life.

She understood perfectly well that she could choose to betray these witches and do even worse things, such as joining an underground gang or becoming a mercenary to earn money.

But fundamentally... what's the difference?

Is this the kind of vile thing that she sought after leaving Ivina and turning away from her?

until--

His appearance.

An even worse person.

He used the most despicable methods to eliminate all her subordinates, but then, to make matters worse, he lured her away with the nonsense of "Come live with me."

But he didn't lie to himself either.

He is indeed very good to himself.

Food, money, and the finest clothes.

Even if she were just a maid, he would still enthusiastically buy her dresses and dress her up.

Moreover, he wasn't like those so-called disgusting nobles who seemed to be doing things for the good of people but were actually just after her body.

Even later, he still gave himself more opportunities, enrolled in academies, achieved a higher status, and also gained the status of a commoner.

She really liked him.

Really.

I really like it, I really like it.

How much do you like it?

It's like even if you buy a necklace on the street, you still have to ask him if he'll see how happy you are.

It's about the kind of thing where everything, everything around him, has to go through his hands before he can feel at ease.

Although he had many female friends and often argued with Natalie, these were all minor matters and not worth mentioning.

What's the real problem...?

It's because, after she crawled out of the damp, rat-infested area, the self-reliance and perseverance she possessed seemed even more fractured when faced with the so-called power in the capital.

On one hand, he felt helpless, relying on someone who stood behind him, while on the other hand, he desperately wanted to become stronger.

Even though they were separated and she was filled with complicated emotions, she still did not choose to leave, but instead briefly enjoyed the wonderful life she had with Rhodes.

Yes, she was just as foolish as those girls back then, thinking that the beauty of the moment was enough, without considering how fragile that beauty was.

But in fact?

The truth is, one day, Rhodes was no longer able to protect her;

Or rather, it was the fracture of her identity that led to her excessive resistance.

Those nobles judged her with the worst attitude, tearing away the mask of justice with her past and labeling her the "Rat Witch".

Even after arriving at the St. Starson Academy, they continued to chatter, passing on the news and leaving Rhodes with nowhere to hide.

They had already voluntarily given up the vortex of power, yet they still came to bite them.

What do they picture?

It's nothing more than trying to break up the relationship between Rhodes and Felicity, and nothing more than trying to find a way to make the Emperor hate Rhodes.

Because of Rhodes's identity, they wanted to use her problems to embarrass him.

So, this level is enough.

She could no longer blindly trust Rod.

I don't want to tire him out any further.

She...must protect herself, and even more importantly, use her own strength to protect Rhodes—

Don't they say they are evil people?

That self—

Why not just become a witch and kill them all?

Yes.

Go to hell, all of you.

Everyone who embarrassed him should die.

Everyone who annoys her should die.

Only a beautiful world that you control is truly perfect.

The world where she is invincible is the best world.

The moment a thought arises

She finally took that step.

Memory is nothing more than this.

Actually, she has always understood this.

Cecilia finally smiled radiantly.

She looked up, but didn't reach out to take Rod's hand.

Because... Rhodes is still too weak.

It wouldn't matter if he could kill everyone in her place.

Even now, if they return to the capital, they will still be disgusted by those nobles, right?

He still couldn't protect himself.

“If I go back, that would mean giving up all of this,” Cecilia said, her almond-shaped eyes flickering. “Then, I’d like to ask you a question, Lilith.”

"If I don't do this, then who can solve the problem of the demons' violent cannibalism?"

"Talking about justice and all that... isn't the right thing to do to sacrifice a few people temporarily in exchange for a more stable future in the long run?"

"As a deity, you understand this very well, don't you?"

"How many people die each year from the demonic rage? As time goes on, are you sure your choice will be the right one?"

Cecilia spoke in a very high-sounding manner.

Of course, she didn't actually have such grand ideas, nor did she really want to save more people in the future who needed to be redeemed.

She simply wanted to create an absolutely perfect world that would make her happy, a world where nothing would threaten her and Rhodes's wonderful life.

In the process, she also incidentally saves those similar to her, who have fallen into darkness but still retain normal consciousness, like the rat witches of her past.

"Then, darling, it's pointless for you to change the subject, isn't it?"

I mean I can make them live happily, but that doesn't mean I need to integrate myself into their lives.

I've said it too many times: I'm different from them.

Or rather... I will not be satisfied with this kind of small, fragile beauty.

Rhodes's intention was simply for her to abandon her possessions, submit to him, and rely on his power.

But she couldn't be like them, able to comfortably leave everything to Rhodes and simply be an ordinary girl.

It's one thing for her to share Rhodes with those idiots, but at the same time she has to achieve her goals.