The light spirit wailed like it was throwing a tantrum, its behavior both foolish and pitiful.
“When we met, I already had a liking for Bertia. So, no matter how hard you tried, the chances of the future changing were slim. Besides… I believe you’re misdirected in your efforts.”
The light spirit looked perplexed, not understanding.
I kept my tone gentle, much like when speaking to a child. “If you hurt others to satisfy your desires, you will likely face someone’s anger or hatred. Who could genuinely love someone who consistently behaves selfishly when their wishes go unfulfilled? I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t strive to surpass someone to claim the only available spot; that might be essential. However, if you aim to outdo someone, it shouldn’t be at their expense; you should focus on performing better than they do. Agreed?”
Bertia also made repeated and earnest attempts to realize her wish, even though it was unnecessary.
In that regard, she and Baroness Heronia shared some similarities. Yet, a notable distinction existed between them. Bertia, despite stating her desire to be “a top-tier villainess,” never genuinely inflicted harm on anyone.
Although Bertia attempted to hurt others, each effort ultimately failed. While some may see it as mere luck, I think it was due to her innate ability to restrain herself from crossing unacceptable boundaries. Even though she aspired to be perceived as a “villainess,” Bertia lacked the experience to genuinely inflict harm on others. Whenever she made an attempt, she ended up hurting herself instead. She’s not skilled at concealing her inherent “kindness,” which effortlessly shines through and draws people in.
Bertia has another notable strength: her ability to enhance herself and pursue her goals. Occasionally, this talent reveals itself in amusing ways that I find entertaining, yet I consider it an invaluable asset. These traits are absent in both Baroness Heronia and me. Indeed, I also lack these strengths.
The light spirit, wearing a sorrowful expression, remarked, “But she had to do that, right? Otherwise, Heronia wouldn’t have been happy.”
“That’s incorrect,” I replied. “It’s precisely because of that decision that she struggled to find happiness. If she had embraced the destiny she wrongly believed was meant for her and tried to win others’ affection, she wouldn’t have faced that defeat in solitude. At that moment, you were her only supporter.”
“What was she supposed to do then?!” shouted the light spirit.
While he spoke, his figure gradually diminished—suggested that his end, or what humans refer to as ‘death,’ was approaching.
I answered his question, stating, “In attempting to shield her from pain, you only fueled her naivety. If you really cared for her, you ought to have revealed the truth and occasionally guided her with gentle corrections. As a result, she may not have attained the happiness she dreamed of, but she could have discovered a more realistic form of it.”
I paused, letting my words sink in. Then I conveyed the harsh reality.
“Well, it’s all over now. Even though I might suspect as much, I can’t confirm what will actually happen.”
“At that… because… because…” The light spirit sat down suddenly, a look of surprise crossing its face.
He was soaked in profound regret, and there was no time remaining for him to begin anew.
“If you exhaust your energy and vanish, she’ll genuinely be alone. With the situation having escalated this far, Baron Inderon will undoubtedly forsake his daughter; a baron’s influence can’t shield her. Should he foolishly attempt to protect her, it could result in his family’s ruin. After you’re gone, the friends who rallied around her due to your strength will depart as well. Most importantly, you won’t be by her side. Utter isolation.”
“Heronia… Heronia…”
“This is the end of the path you both chose.”
The light spirit, now barely visible, lay prostrate on the floor, deeply lamenting his master’s fate.
All I could do was silently witness this scene.
He was about to disappear.
Eventually, he stopped lamenting and looked up. His face, drenched in tears, was roughly wiped with his arm as he stared at me with intense eyes.
“I realize that Heronia and I have been a burden to all of you. I understand it’s inappropriate to ask this, but… would you be able to pass a message to Heronia?”
“That’s fine. I don’t like either of you, but I’ve come to understand some things because you were here. As a gesture of thanks, I’ll fulfill your last wish.”
“… Tell Heronia, ‘Even if you can’t see me, I’m always with you.’ That’s all I can do for now.” His smile, an effort to lighten his sadness, was twisted.
Facing such a situation, he must have many regrets.
I believe he genuinely wanted to leave Baroness Heronia a future with me in exchange for his own life. But his last hope was lost.
“So, even if you can’t be seen, you still want to stay by Baroness Heronia’s side?”
“Even if a spirit loses its power and disappears, it simply becomes part of the world again. I won’t have personal consciousness anymore, but I will become one of the particles of light that illuminate the world, remaining by her side. I hope she can think that way too. I want you to tell her she’s not alone, that she has allies.”
As I looked into his determined eyes, I couldn’t help but think, “If only he had shown that expression a bit earlier, could something have been changed?”
“Understood,” I responded, nodding back at him.
He appeared slightly relieved, then gradually closed his eyes. I sensed the world that had confined me starting to fade away. Simultaneously, the life of the light spirit was dimming. What was once a human-like form reverted to pure light. Surely his consciousness had become so faint that he found it hard to even think.
“This ending seems like it will leave a bad taste,” I muttered to myself, feeling a slight ache in my heart for the first time.
I may not have come to like them, but I had certainly learned a lot from them. Just repaying that in a small way, by lending a hand, wouldn’t be so bad. What I offered was merely a small glimmer of hope. I wouldn’t protect Baroness Heronia myself; she must atone for her own sins. The rest was up to them.
“Zeno, lend me your strength,” I called out, placing my hand on my chest.
Zeno, a high-level spirit with powerful abilities, should be able to send power through the gaps given the extent of this destruction.
His response came quickly. I smiled faintly, and gently extended my hand.
“Well then, let’s get back quickly.”