Jared couldn’t grasp what was being said.
“…What are you talking about? They’re the ones who brought you back to life?”
“That’s right. But more than that, they reminded me of my lost family, of my homeland. It’s unforgivable. I’m still deciding what to do with this anger. If you can appease it, then we can end this. Olivier will be freed as well. But if you won’t, then perhaps I’ll just rage through this country?”
“Don’t listen, Jared-kun! You mustn’t listen!”
“Please be quiet, Rasmus. This is between me and this child right now.”
“No, I won’t be quiet! Listen, Jared-kun. I understand you have feelings for Cassandra. Knowing that, I’m asking you. Please stop!”
Rasmus implored Jared. His goal was to save Cassandra. However, in reality, she had sacrificed Olivier instead of herself. Jared’s anger was palpable. No, he was likely overwhelmed by emotions far beyond mere understanding. Yet, knowing all this, he pleaded.
“Please, don’t hurt Cassandra! Your anger is justified. You can’t forgive Cassandra. I also never thought Olivier would be sacrificed. It was my mistake. If you must punish someone, punish me.”
“…Rasmus-sama.”
“Please, Jared-kun. I beg you. Don’t be swayed by the Progenitor’s words. There’s no guarantee the Progenitor will release Olivier! They can say anything they want!”
“How rude, descendant. You think I’ll break my promise? Since being summoned to this world, I have never broken a promise. I have kept my word, no matter what. It’s me whose promise was broken. They promised to send me back to Earth, but they didn’t keep it.”
The Progenitor speaks of their life before, but that doesn’t make it true. There are no guarantees. Whether Jared believes this truth or not is his own issue. Therefore, Rasmus desperately cried out.
“Listen, Jared-kun. Think carefully. Cassandra made a mistake. That’s undeniable. But that doesn’t mean you should take her life. Give her a chance to make things right! Anyone can err. Is it too much to ask them to pay for it with their life?”
“…Then what about Olivier-sama? If things continue like this, won’t it be impossible to try again? No, no! Olivier-sama didn’t do anything wrong in the first place! And yet, they were sacrificed by that woman!”
“I’m sorry. I apologize from the bottom of my heart. Cassandra will atone as well. So, please forgive us. I beg you, don’t submit to the Progenitor. Please, I implore you!”
Rasmus’s words likely reached Jared. He had been acting to save Cassandra all along. That’s why he couldn’t succumb to the Progenitor’s temptation now and have his life taken by Jared.
If Jared chose to kill Cassandra, surely the Progenitor would prevent Rasmus from intervening. If his Younger Sister, Crysta, were here, she might have stopped Jared, but she wasn’t.
“—! That’s right, Yeny-kun! Please, stop him! Even if my voice doesn’t reach him, perhaps yours will.”
“…I, I…”
He called for help from Yeny, who had been watching the unfolding events in stunned silence from a distance, but the Girl, still reeling from the shock of losing Olivier, was slow to react.
She desperately tried to think of how she could stop him, how they could keep Cassandra from being taken. But she couldn’t find an answer. Meanwhile, Jared finally began to move quietly.
“…Jared-kun, please.”
“I… I…”
As the Boy abruptly stood up, an immense Magic Power was unleashed from his body in the next instant. The fact that he possessed such Magic Power surprised not only Rasmus but also Cassandra, who’s eyes widened. The Progenitor narrowed their eyes, seemingly impressed. The raging Magic Power converged and was absorbed entirely by Jared. Before Rasmus could even process that he had maximized his Physical Prowess, he understood.
“…Rasmus.”
“Jared-kun, reconsider. Please, I beg you!”
“If I can get Olivier-sama back, I’ll do anything.”
“Jared-kun!”
“I cannot forgive Cassandra Hagedorff. I never will. If killing her will bring Olivier-sama back…”
“Wait, calm down… You’re not thinking straight, you’re just beside yourself with grief over losing the one you love!”
“…For them, I will gladly kill Cassandra Hagedorff.”
