“Honestly, I was shocked to learn Cassandra Hagedorff had betrayed me. But as I just told you, I cannot be sacrificed to the Progenitor.”
“Fu–fufu, ufufu. Yes, that’s right. If things had gone as planned, my lifelong wish would have been thwarted. But you see, that’s not going to happen.”
“What do you mean? Do you have something else in mind?”
“The seal placed by the dragon Olivier mentioned, I can see it. It’s a magnificent technique. Truly worthy of a dragon. But that’s all. Your seal is only applied to Olivier, who has had their power sealed. Therefore, I only need to release the power I sealed. With that, all of your seals will be broken.”
Olivier couldn’t understand, but Cassandra seemed to see the magic circles placed on them. Even with that insight, she judged it to be not a problem.
Impulsively, Olivier stood up from the sofa, turning their back on their childhood friend.
Not only did they not want to be a burden to their fiancé, but they also wanted to escape being sacrificed to the Progenitor. Olivier had been waiting for an opportunity, but Cassandra had never presented an opening. However, sensing that Cassandra had let her guard down with her lifelong wish within reach, Olivier decided to act.
But—
“Oh, I won’t let you escape.”
With a mere snap of her fingers, Olivier’s body became heavy as lead, rendering them immobile.
Their raised bodies returned to the sofa. Realizing the failure, Olivier glared at Cassandra, but she only offered a gentle smile.
—To think she can smile while trying to use me as a sacrifice to the Progenitor.
Olivier cursed inwardly. If their mouth would open, they would have unleashed everything they were thinking right now, without mercy.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to seal your mouth as well. I’ll release it now.”
“—Ah. …Let me ask you one thing, Cassandra Hagedorff.”
“…You won’t call me Older Sister anymore, will you?”
“What do you want to achieve by resurrecting the Progenitor? Is it war? Revenge?”
“Neither. Olivier, and you, Rasmus, you all misunderstand me.”
“But you threatened Crysta Oken!”
“I have no excuse for that. She was necessary for my plan. Since Rasmus is trying to stop me, powerful individuals, including Wahash, will end up fighting me. But that might hinder the revival of the Progenitor.”
“That’s why you went after Crysta Oken. Is she that strong?”
Olivier had heard from Rasmus that his younger sister, Crysta Oken, possessed extraordinary strength. Olivier couldn’t fathom where such power lay within that charming girl.
“She is strong. If possible, I would have wanted her to be the Progenitor’s vessel.”
“She’s that remarkable?”
“The other day, former Mage Corps Commander Leonard Gallagher caused trouble at our alma mater, didn’t he?”
Olivier remembered. Although not present at the scene, the rebel member of the Mage Corps had not only spread sweet lies and tempted the students but had also, unbelievably, targeted the Prince’s life. Olivier had heard that the situation was averted thanks to the actions of a close friend of their fiancé.
“The magician who fought Crysta Oken was horrific. I wonder what it would take for a torso to be ripped apart.”
“—Wh-what? She did that!?”
“She may have overdone it while trying to protect the one she loved. But rebels are to be executed anyway, so I told her not to worry about it. In other words, she, who can slaughter humans with little effort, was perfect for protecting me.”
“So that’s why you threatened her, by endangering the Prince’s life!”
“It’s a misunderstanding. I only promised to protect the Prince’s life. Think about it. When the Progenitor is resurrected, if their own country has been destroyed and replaced by another, how would they feel?”
There was no way to understand the Progenitor’s feelings. In the first place, Olivier didn’t want them resurrected.
“They might be angry. If it were the Progenitor, they could likely destroy this country single-handedly. At that time, I promised to advise the Prince not to harm them, as the Progenitor’s shaman, even at the cost of my own life.”
“With just that verbal promise, she agreed to side with you, Cassandra Hagedorff?”
“You should understand, Olivier. Loving someone can sometimes blind you.”
Olivier doubted if Cassandra was aware of how cruel she sounded. Regardless, Cassandra had used Crysta Oken. That much remained unchanged. Olivier knew she was strong. The thought of her fighting Jared sent a shiver down their spine. It wasn’t because their fiancé’s opponent was formidable. Olivier worried about Jared, who might have to fight a friend.
“The conversation has deviated. In short, I have no intention of doing anything to this country. Though, it’s up to the Progenitor. It’s my homeland, after all. I don’t want it to be destroyed. But that too, depends on the Progenitor.”
“Don’t be ridiculous… How can you entrust the fate of this country to someone from a past you’ve never even known?”
“Because that is what is expected of the Progenitor’s shaman.”
Olivier was disappointed. Cassandra Hagedorff was striving to be the Progenitor’s shaman. Olivier no longer felt like they were having a personal conversation with Cassandra.
“Of course, I won’t seek revenge either. I have no time to deal with those pathetic humans who will inevitably bring about their own ruin.”
“Then what do you want to do? Cassandra Hagedorff, what do you intend to do by resurrecting the Progenitor!?”
“—I’m going to send the Progenitor back to their original world.”
