Cassandra muttered, still lying on the ground, “No… Why, Progenitor…” but there was no reply. Whether the Progenitor was ignoring her or simply couldn’t hear her was unclear.
“Stop it, Olivier… Please! Cassandra certainly strayed from the path, and she did something irreversible to Olivier too! Even so, I know it’s convenient for you, but please, give her a chance!”
“…Rasmus.”
In Cassandra’s view, Rasmus was kicked away forcefully by Jared. The body-enhanced blow sent him flying and rolling on the ground. Rasmus coughed heavily, spitting out blood-tinged saliva, yet he still tried to get up.
“If it will satisfy you, you can kill me too, so I beg you.”
“…What good will it do to give that woman a chance? Olivier has no chances left, so isn’t that a bit unfair?”
“That… is true, but…”
“I understand you want to protect her. I heard your story, so I won’t tell you not to. But if you get in my way, I’ll kill you too.”
“…Jared, you’ve lost your mind. You used to have more kindness…”
“Don’t you dare say that!”
Jared’s angry shout echoed, so loud it hurt the ears.
“Don’t you say that when you haven’t lost anything! The Progenitor? Resurrection? Don’t you dare say anything after dragging us into such a pointless thing!”
“…I am truly sorry about that. I will atone if I can. So, please forgive Cassandra.”
“Then why do I have to forgive the woman who caused it all!”
Again, Jared kicked the boy who stood in front of him. He pursued him as he fell to the ground, repeatedly delivering kicks to his abdomen.
“Stop it!”
Cassandra, unable to watch the scene any longer, finally spoke out. She had spoken. In that instant, she stiffened as she was pierced by a gaze filled with clear killing intent.
Cassandra had faced death countless times. She had been nearly killed by her Father’s Main Consort and other Consorts more than once or twice. She had been in danger of her life numerous times, even becoming afraid to sleep. Even with a trusted maid by her side, her anxiety never disappeared. No matter how much she prided herself on her magic and her considerable strength, she couldn’t overcome a surprise attack.
For Cassandra, fighting invisible killing intent was routine. She didn’t know where death might be. She had become able to calmly ignore such fear. She thought she had become stronger. She believed she wouldn’t be defeated by malice, wouldn’t yield to killing intent.
However, now she understood. It was because she couldn’t see the clear killing intent. It was because her opponents were cowards. The killing intent of people who secretly hired others to assassinate her was not that significant.
But Jared Murphy was different. He directed an intense killing intent towards her. It was as if the scythe of the grim reaper was at her neck, making her feel as though her breath had stopped. He would kill her at any opportunity, no, even without one. Without any hesitation, without any mercy.
“Please, don’t hurt Lord Rasmus any further… If you want to kill me, then kill me!”
“I will, you don’t have to tell me.”
“Wait, Jared… The Progenitor might not actually keep their promise! No, that’s not the main issue. We don’t even know if the Progenitor can leave Olivier’s body!”
“…I’ve thought about that. But I have no problem killing Cassandra Hagedorff.”
“–Jared!”
“Even if that woman deceived me, if killing the one who stole Olivier from me is a solution, then so be it.”
With a powerful kick, he sent Rasmus flying. The obstacle was blown away. He would likely interfere again, but a few seconds would be enough.
“Prepare yourself, Cassandra Hagedorff.”
“…I, I…”
“Ah, don’t say anything. Your words are unpleasant, and I don’t want to hear them.”
Magic gathered in Jared’s right arm, which he raised high. With more killing intent than anyone he had fought before, he prepared to unleash earth magic.
“Apologize to Olivier and turn to stone.”
As he declared this and swung his arm down—his arm was stopped by someone.
“…I can’t believe you’re going to interfere.”
“I am truly sorry, Lord Jared. However, I cannot let this person, Cassandra, die.”
The man who stopped Jared—the first seat of the Court Mages, Dennis Beckman—stood in his way with a pained expression.
