Emilia couldn’t believe her ears. *Did… did he just say what I thought he said?* If she heard him correctly, Drew said he didn’t resent her. Him, the very person responsible for making him do all those things.
“Wh-why…” she managed to ask, her voice trembling.
“Back then… though it was just a little over half a year ago, I was foolish. Just as you used me, I tried to use you in return. I was ordered around, and I was threatened. But, it was all my own choice,” Drew said, his expression calm, showing not even a hint of resentment towards Emilia. She knew his words were genuine. Yet, Emilia couldn’t bring herself to accept it.
“But! I…!”
“I’ve heard about you, Lady Emilia, through others. Just as I’ve changed, you have too. You’ve reconciled with your Older Sister, whom you once detested, and are living together.”
“Yes, I’ve changed. I was able to change. So, even if you say you no longer resent me, I must apologize. I’m sorry, Drew. I’m truly sorry.”
“It’s alright. We were immature. Everyone makes mistakes.”
“Still, I’m sorry.”
“…I forgive you. So, please don’t worry about it anymore.”
Drew readily accepted Emilia’s apology, which came with such force that she looked like she was about to collapse. Him, who had said he no longer held a grudge, had chosen to say he forgave her, likely out of consideration for her.
“You should return to your Mansion soon. Have you heard from Baron Daum why I am here?”
“…No, I don’t know anything.”
“It’s regrettable about Olivier. The Progenitor’s revival has emboldened those whose radical ideologies had been suppressed.”
“Will they come here too?”
“I am here as an insurance policy against that. It wouldn’t be much of a problem if Baron Daum were here, but Rasmus has ordered me to protect your safety. I will simply follow those orders.”
Emilia had vaguely heard from Yeny that there were people in this Kingdom who still worshipped the Progenitor. However, she never imagined that they would become active due to her Older Sister being possessed. She had many thoughts about the Progenitor. It was the enemy who had stolen her sister from her. More than that, she felt incompetent and disgusted that she couldn’t be of use to her sister and Jared. Unable to fight, she could only stand by. She felt pathetic.
“Lady Emilia, it’s time…” Yeny, who had been watching from behind, gently prompted her.
“Please return. If anything were to happen, I couldn’t face Jared.”
Mentioning the boy who had always fought for others, Emilia nodded. Led by Yeny, the Girl heading towards the Mansion called out to Drew.
“Um… please be careful!”
“Thank you, Lady Emilia.”
He thanked her and bowed his head slightly before turning away. Emilia, looking back at his retreating figure multiple times, returned to the Mansion without uttering another word.
***
Drew Zimmer felt a sense of relief. He had thought that he, reborn, had cast aside all his past regrets. He shouldn’t have felt anything for Emilia anymore. Yet, he realized that some emotions remained. They weren’t resentment, but concern for her. He felt lighter, thanks to her apology. It was as if a burden he had carried somewhere deep within his heart had been lifted. He chuckled at his own simplicity, feeling as though even his body had become lighter. Once he confirmed Emilia and the others had returned to the Mansion, he suppressed the emotions he had been feeling.
“I know you’re there. Come out.”
As Drew spoke with a commanding presence, several men and women emerged from the shadows of the trees.
“After receiving so much from Rasmus, you would betray him?”
They were all distant descendants of the Magician Empire. However, they were not descendants of royalty or nobles, but merely descendants of commoners. Furthermore, the majority of them didn’t uphold the ideals of the Magician Empire nor possess any lofty principles. They were nothing more than fools who harbored dissatisfaction with the modern Wethered Kingdom and yearned for a past they knew nothing about.
“The Progenitor has revived! We must act too!”
Drew scoffed at the man, his words spittle-flecked with fanaticism. They simply wanted to voice their discontent loudly. They merely wanted to use the Progenitor conveniently for that purpose. They had no intention of standing against the Kingdom with the Progenitor, nor any desire to change anything. Yet, they now mistakenly believed themselves to be important figures, had turned against Rasmus, who opposed the Progenitor, and had targeted those related to his collaborator, Jared. Their appearance at the Daum Baronial Family was a shallow attempt to gain favor by taking hostages, someone related to Jared who opposed the Progenitor, to meet with the Progenitor.
“If you truly intend to oppose Rasmus, I will show no mercy. I’ve been told not to kill you, so I will go easy on you, but understand that it only means you won’t die.”
The men recoiled from Drew’s imposing aura.
“As long as I am here, I will not let anyone touch the people in the Daum Baronial Family.”
While becoming hesitant, the boy unleashed magic against the men who were drawing their weapons. And, as he declared, he succeeded in protecting Emilia and the others.
