The world doesn't need succubi to save it.

Just as tears were about to fall, Eberlen suddenly felt a warmth on her body as a woolen coat was draped over her shoulders.

"……Thanks."

Andrew put down his coat, shook his head slightly, and sat down next to Eberron without saying a word.

They neither asked questions nor offered comfort.

I quietly stayed by her side, waiting for her emotions to calm down.

After an unknown amount of time, just as darkness began to fall, Eberron suddenly spoke:

"He is cruel."

Andrew: "…………"

Aberron gripped his coat tightly and whispered:

"The trees are rotten inside and out, and simple methods can no longer repair them."

"So he cut down the tree."

"Then let its branches be put to final use."

"Burning as fuel for the new world."

Andrew frowned slightly, but said nothing. He simply stood up quietly, preparing to leave without a word.

Just before he took a step, Eberron continued:

"But he wasn't that cruel."

Eberlen looked up at the group of children who were cleaning the room while playing around with buckets of water, and a complicated smile appeared on his face.

There was sadness in that smile, but even more so, hope.

"Only the trunk is rotting, but the seeds are innocent."

"He left the seeds behind."

What is hope?

Children are hope.

Looking down at Eberron, Andrew asked in a low voice:

Do you hate him?

resentment?

"How could that be?"

"I feel only gratitude."

Standing up, Eberron closed her eyes, gently rested her head against Andrew's chest, and whispered:

"I'm just a little afraid to see him."

In what capacity should I approach him?

Is it resentment that he killed those nobles?

Or are we grateful that he spared those children?

Or perhaps... as friends?

"So, let's not meet for now."

Time heals all wounds.

Let's wait until the wound has healed a little more before doing anything else...

"...Yes, I'll stay with you."

Hesitantly, Andrew finally pulled the frail body into his arms.

"Until you're ready."

……

……

"Sophie!"

"Don't come any closer!"

"If you come any closer... I'll..."

Half-naked, Anthony looked utterly exhausted and weak as he walked toward the window, his legs trembling.

"I'll jump from here! Let everyone see just how heartless you really are!"

Oh shit!

So what if I didn't come home on time? Is it really necessary to torture me like this?!

Is it really necessary?!

?

"Honey, what are you doing?"

Wrapped in a thin blanket, Sophie stopped, frowning, and raised an eyebrow as she asked:

"You're not going to make it?"

That's it?

Provoked by that look, Anthony immediately wanted to show that he couldn't possibly be incapable.

How can a man say he can't do it?

"How could I not be able to do it!? I... uh, no, no, no, I definitely can't!"

It's really no use anymore.

If this continues, the ox will die from overwork!

"I really jumped!"

As he spoke, Anthony started climbing toward the window, as if he was really going to jump out if he was forced to.

"Tsk!"

Sophie smacked her lips blatantly, looking at her useless and shameful husband, but in the end, she didn't push him to the brink.

This height is nothing; he definitely won't die.

But it's shameful, fucking shameful!

Anthony can be shameless.

But Sophie Jaslin couldn't afford to lose face like that.

"You know how important children are to us right now, right?"

"My grandfather now has only one condition for our marriage: one of our children must inherit the surname [Ferra].

Anthony's lips moved, but he still spoke in a low voice:

“I know the child is very important, but…”

But you can't treat me like livestock... right?

Just as he was protesting with a lack of confidence, he heard a heavenly voice.

That was a sigh.

Sophie shook her head as if giving up, and said helplessly:

"Since you've made that request... alright, let's call it a day."

"real!?"

Anthony turned around in surprise, about to ask for details, but his smile froze.

!

!

He saw a pair of faces that were sneering.

"Looks like you're quite capable."

In that moment of confusion, Anthony suddenly felt something being put on his ankle.

?

Looking down, he saw a thick chain, clearly mixed with mithril, firmly locked to his left ankle.

???

wow-

In his daze, he suddenly noticed a silver light flying out of the window from above.

In the final moment, Anthony clearly saw the shape of the silver light.

But he would rather he hadn't seen it clearly, at least then he would still have some hope.

That was a key...

"Do not--"

Whoosh!

The chains snapped, causing Anthony to fall forward.

"what!

! ”

winter.

It didn't hurt, but the despair in his heart was enough to break Anthony.

It’s over.

When that specially chosen high heel stepped on his back...