“Hah—I’ll tell you, it’s none of your business!”
“It’s reckless. There’s no way you can win by fighting. Your opponent is that Progenitor!”
“Do you realize that your premise is wrong?”
“…What are you saying?”
For Jared, winning or losing was irrelevant.
“I have to fight to get Olivier back. I have no other choice.”
Cassandra was speechless. She realized that the boy in front of her couldn’t be reasoned with. He was attempting to fight the Progenitor solely on emotion.
“Besides, you’re wrong.”
“Me?”
“To be blunt, you’re full of mistakes, but at least show some spirit to fix what you did by unleashing the Progenitor. Before worrying about winning or losing, you shouldn’t be so irresponsible.”
With that, Jared stood up from his chair.
“It seems there’s no need to talk to you anymore. Forget it, do as you please.”
Originally, he had wanted to obtain information necessary to retrieve Olivier, but the boy judged that listening to Cassandra would be futile.
Cassandra Hagedorff showed no intention of holding herself accountable for her actions, nor any spirit to confront the coming threat.
He didn’t have time to spare for such a person.
“What are you going to do with me?”
“I don’t care about you anymore. Live as you please. Go to the Progenitor and lament your life, or have a proper conversation with someone who loves you, do whatever you want.”
With that, Jared left her behind and went alone.
Cassandra, left behind, watched the boy’s retreating back before slumping to the ground powerlessly. Even if told to do as she pleased, she had no idea what to do.
The Progenitor’s revival, which she had so desired, and returning the Progenitor to its original world, were now surprisingly impossible to consider. Perhaps she had merely been a pawn for the Progenitor’s revival, just like so many others before her.
But if that were the case—she trembled, realizing what an irretrievable mistake she had made.
She felt guilt for sacrificing Olivier. He was like a younger sister to her. It was natural. Yet, she had thought it acceptable if necessary. She hadn’t doubted it was the right thing to do.
But now, what?
—If I could start over, I wish I could. I’m sorry, Olivier.
Cassandra’s heart was filled with regret.
“…What have I done…”
It was too late. No matter how much she regretted it, no matter how much she lamented, she had done something irredeemable. She couldn’t face Olivier, of course, nor Jared, nor anyone else she had involved.
“What should I do… What should I do? Someone, please tell me.”
Naturally, no one was there to answer her.
Her body trembled with regret and fear. She desperately tried to think of what she could do to be forgiven. A voice echoed, saying it was too late, that it was now pointless. It was true. It was truly pointless.
Her family, who had undoubtedly lost Olivier, would never forgive her. Just remembering Jared’s clear murderous intent when he tried to kill her at the Progenitor’s behest made her nauseous.
She was more scared now than she was then. While she had been spared then, the thought of when his mood might change and he might kill her with his murderous intent and violence sent shivers down her spine.
“Someone, help me, save me… Olivier, forgive me.”
Before she knew it, tears streamed down her face.
Even though she knew she had no right to beg for help, she wanted someone to save her. She wanted to be forgiven, even though she knew she was being selfish.
Cassandra’s spirit, which had fought alone for so many years, finally broke.
