“Buh… it, it hurts, ah, it’s been a while, this is pain. Fu, fufufu, fuahahahahaha!”
The Progenitor stumbled back a few steps, clutching his face and erupting into laughter.
“…You’re creepy. I don’t want to be friends with someone who laughs when they get punched.”
“How cruel. But I never expected you to punch your fiancé’s face. Did you have some unresolved feelings for Olivier?”
Jared stood up, shaking his wrist.
“No. But if I can’t get Olivier back, I will kill you. After that, I’ll kill Cassandra Hagedorff too, so don’t worry. And another thing.”
“Another thing?”
“Talking to you is a pain.”
“—Pfft, puf Fuh, ahahahahahaha, ahahahahahaha!”
The Progenitor doubled over, rolling on the ground. He was laughing hysterically, but what was so funny?
“Ah, hah, hah, Jared, you’re the absolute best. Yeah. I like you after all.”
“What?”
“It’s probably because I’m using Olivier’s body, but I like you.”
“It’s a nuisance.”
“So aloof. Well, listen up. You’re not in top condition right now, and I want to see this country before I destroy it. So, I’ll give you time. If you want to defeat me, come at me. Whether it’s Cassandra’s beloved, my descendant, or your companions, or even a dragon. It doesn’t matter how many people you bring.”
Spreading his arms wide, the Progenitor declared that he would accept all challenges.
“Until I fight you, I won’t do anything to this country. I swear it. I swear on my parents in my distant homeland!”
“…Thanks for that. Let me ask you something.”
“Anything?”
“How do I get you out of Olivier?”
“You’d have to find another vessel.”
“…I see. That’s impossible.”
“Could I ask you just one question?”
“What is it?”
“What’s the reason for your sudden change, you who were supposed to have lost Olivier and cried incessantly?”
Jared didn’t answer immediately.
After watching Cassandra hug Dennis and shed tears just once, he said,
“I haven’t given up on getting Olivier back. But if it’s impossible…”
“If it’s impossible?”
“Like they said, I’ll kill you, and then I’ll die. I’ve stopped crying and screaming. That’s all.”
“Hmm. I suppose I’ll let it be that way.”
Disinterested, the Progenitor turned his gaze away from Jared and approached Cassandra.
“P-Progenitor.”
“You are truly foolish. You have someone precious enough to cry over, so why don’t you prioritize them? Why not just ignore your ancestor’s wishes and try to be happy?”
“That’s…”
“If you had someone you loved and someone who loved you, you could have been happy without reviving me. You could have had children, nurtured love, grown old, and died. Couldn’t you have let go of some foolish idea somewhere?”
Cassandra could offer no response. Only she knew the reason why.
Perhaps not expecting an answer, the Progenitor turned to leave without saying anything further.
“Wait, Progenitor!”
It was Rasmus who stopped her.
“What is it?”
“Where are you going?”
“…I’d say it’s none of your business, but I suppose it’s fine. I’ll wander this country. I’ll return in about a week. Jared, I’ll see you again then. We can talk, or we can kill each other. I’m looking forward to it.”
With that, he started walking again.
He patted the boy on the shoulder once, and then the Progenitor exited the Alway Ducal Family Villa.
Jared wanted to object to Olivier’s body being used, but perhaps judging that there was no chance of winning a fight here, he watched them leave through clenched teeth.
As the Progenitor’s figure disappeared, someone let out a deep sigh.
“Hey, Cassandra Hagedorff. I have something to say to you.”
He spoke in a flat tone to the woman still clutching Dennis and weeping, then gestured with his head for her to come inside the mansion.
