Beyond the black mist, in the forest near the Demon King’s Castle, the newly revived Gerard looked utterly bewildered.
It was clear she was so confused that she could hardly speak.
Lying on the verdant grass, her hair spread out like moonlight cascading over the blades, her clear blue eyes—unlike the blood-red eyes typical of others—opened wide. This was one of the most obvious differences between her and Emilia.
Her eyelashes cast delicate shadows in the sunlight, falling upon her god-favored, delicate face. She silently gazed up at the sky. Reflected in her pupils were drifting clouds; the breeze caused the grass tips to quiver gently, and the simple male-stitched hem of her garment, along with the strands of hair near her ear, fluttered slightly.
Footsteps and a familiar, annoying voice came to her ears, pulling her back from her thoughts and fantasies. She realized that everything before wasn’t a dream, but reality—in other words…
I really came back?
Obviously, she hadn’t noticed the abnormalities in her body yet. After all, the excitement of resurrection had filled her mind, leaving only guilt toward Emilia and the joy of making amends. In short, it was amazing.
“What’s wrong, Emilia? Why aren’t you saying anything? Wait, you seem a little off, DR, 1…”
Sig arrived late and crouched beside her, a slight frown creasing his handsome face. He sensed something was wrong but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what. Perhaps the divine power was interfering with his perception, or maybe he simply hadn’t observed closely enough.
He shook his head gently and sighed—a sigh born more from the feeling that he shouldn’t doubt Emilia. After all, she was his woman now, and it wouldn’t do to treat her like this. He made a mental note to be more careful next time…
He reached out a hand covered with scars, ready to help her up.
“Get up, Emilia, don’t sleep here anymore. If you’re fine, come hunt with me. I’m bored alone, and you showing up now is perfect timing.”
He didn’t notice the girl beneath him, lost in thought and staring wide-eyed at this handsome face—her pupils dilated in shock. Clearly, Gerard understood the place where she had been resurrected wasn’t exactly ideal. Could it be that she was destined to die before even beginning her journey?
Wait, what did he call me? Emilia? What’s going on?
Shouldn’t he have just killed me outright? Yeah, after all… wait, he really called me Emilia. He called me Emilia.
Suddenly, she recalled the god’s words: since you don’t oppose it, you will be made to look like Emilia. Though not a perfect copy, it would be close enough. Thinking it through carefully, that was roughly the idea.
She staggered to her feet, ignoring the high risk posed by Sig beside her, and hurried to the lake within her sight. Leaning over the edge, her delicate body shuddered; her pale blue eyes revealed a flicker of panic and disbelief.
The calm surface of the lake reflected Emilia’s image—no, now it was her own face in Emilia’s form. It was too strange. Gently, her slender hand touched her cheek; it was smooth and glossy. The two looked almost identical, with only subtle differences in details.
After all, it was like comparing 720p to 1080p—barely noticeable unless you looked closely.
Suddenly, Gerard felt the world spinning, everything before her eyes surreal yet undeniably real. She screamed silently inside: I actually became a woman? Why? No, I don’t want this! Becoming a woman—no!
And to make it worse, it was Emilia’s appearance. Wasn’t that even more messed up?
Before she could calm down and sort out the jumble of emotions, the voice of death echoed again—Sig, still crouched beside her, wearing a confused expression. He didn’t understand what his lover was doing: zoning out one moment, running around the next, then suddenly admiring her own beauty at the lake’s edge.
He joked to lighten the mood.
“What are you doing, Emilia? Don’t tell me you saw Gerard’s ghost or something. You’re all jumpy. If you’re scared, I can send you back first, don’t worry about that guy. I’ve crushed him to dust so he won’t appear in this world again. Even if he comes back to life, I’ll just kill him again. No big deal.”
Perhaps to reassure the girl, he patted his chest confidently, speaking with the casual tone of someone who’d just swatted a fly or eaten a piece of bread.
Unexpectedly, this made her panic even more, nearly causing her to fall into the lake. Luckily, Sig pulled her back just in time, averting disaster.
How could she not be afraid? She was Gerard herself, no doubt about it. The situation was like a lamb entering a tiger’s den—doomed.
Resistance was impossible. She had no hero’s power, no strength, and her slender arms and legs couldn’t even withstand a fight. But surrender was out of the question either. She had barely survived—not to collect various deaths, but to earn Emilia’s forgiveness and love.
Change.
Even now, with a fragile body and shattered will, such thoughts were hopeless, but the regret burned inside her without end.
For now… yes, for now. The future was unpredictable.
She started to engage what humans called the strongest brain, hoping to find a way out… to escape alive, to find a chance to ask Emilia’s forgiveness, and to win back her love. Hee hee hee, now was fantasy time.
Suddenly, a bright idea struck her. Yes, I can pretend to be Emilia. After all, he already believes I am. Perfect to ride the wave and temporarily fool him—then I won’t have to die.
To avoid any mistakes, she became extremely cautious and finally steeled herself to respond calmly.
Her small mouth mechanically uttered a few words, like a baby just learning to speak.
“I am Emilia… I am Emilia.”
“I know, I know. You’re acting like a person now. But what was that just now? And now? I’m dumbfounded by everything you’re doing, but as long as you’re fine, that’s what matters.”
Sig looked patient, smiling all along. He didn’t understand what was wrong with her, but as her lover, he chose to be understanding.
He took the opportunity to pull her up, raising his hand to brush off her clothes as if caring for a child.
She was stiff and nervous; even the feel of her hands was strange. Yet he didn’t think much of it and noticed she was wearing men’s clothes.
Naturally, curiosity arose, and he placed his hand on her shoulder, leaning close with a teasing grin.
“What’s going on, Emilia? What day is it today…? It’s been a long time since I saw you wear men’s clothes, but this time, it actually suits you.”
Sig’s greasy gaze roamed up and down without shame, making Gerard uncomfortable and awkward. She dared not act out, only continuing to obey his actions. She made a mental note to get revenge later.
After all, her whole body was so tense that even her breathing was uneven, her expression utterly mismatched.
I must survive. That was the only thought on her mind.
Eventually, she found an excuse to leave.
“I have something to do, I’m leaving first. Sorry, gotta go.”
With that, she hurried away from Sig. He didn’t try to stop her, instead awkwardly scratching the back of his head and sighing.
But she had just left the tiger’s den only to walk into the wolf’s lair—running into the Duke Olaire, whose mood was far from good.