No one could answer Sophie’s question.
This was, in itself, an almost unsolvable choice.
She replayed the past in her mind — over and over again…
When they were young, she and her younger sister had played together in the flower garden. They wove a wreath from beautiful blossoms, and she personally placed it on Via’s head.
A delighted Via hugged her tightly, saying that they would always stay together, and Sophie had responded in kind.
Back then, she truly believed those promises could come true.
If only… there had been no accident.
If only Via’s previous life had not been Ville…
But reality had no such “if.”
Via had already regained the memories of her past life and stepped once more onto the path of the Demon King.
Her actions in Kado City, where she used the Demon King Armament and acted under the name of Ville, were proof enough.
“This… still hasn’t been given to her.”
Sophie took out a key.
Originally, after the Saint Prayer Day ceremony, she had planned to give this key to Via, along with telling her about the escape route she had prepared in advance.
So that her only sister would know — even if she no longer remained in the Holy Land as a Saintess Candidate, she would still have somewhere to go, somewhere she could live the rest of her life in peace.
This was also the birthday gift she had prepared for Via.
Should I throw it away?
The thought surfaced in Sophie’s mind as she raised the key, staring at it carefully.
Suddenly, something fell onto her head.
She reached up and touched it — it was a damp leaf.
The red-haired girl turned around and saw more leaves drifting down, carried by the wind, scattering around her.
The sound of the wind was like a whisper.
“Mother… are you reminding me?”
Sophie looked slightly startled.
Whether as the Selina — the Silver Sword Princess — or as the future Saintess, she was destined to kill the Demon King.
As Via’s older sister, she was meant to protect her.
These were both responsibilities she carried, and also the two voices deep within her heart.
“…I see.”
Listening to the whispering wind, Sophie seemed to understand something.
Her eyes changed — some of their former brightness faded, replaced by a heavy resolve.
A faint smile curved her lips as she clenched the key in her hand, no longer intending to discard it.
She had made her choice.
She would follow her own way, obey the voice in her heart, and bring this matter to its conclusion.
After leaving the Land of Eternal Rest, Sophie saw someone waiting for her outside.
A Holy Knight girl clad in golden armor stepped forward. With a calm, almost expressionless face, she greeted her.
“Sophie, good afternoon. Were you visiting Lady Sylvia?”
“Ellis?”
Sophie blinked in surprise.
Standing before her was the titled knight known as the “Radiance” — Ellis Luminara.
“Mm.” Ellis nodded in response.
“What are you doing here?”
“I heard from other clerics that you came to the Land of Eternal Rest, so I guessed you were here to visit Lady Sylvia,” Ellis explained. “I didn’t want to disturb you, so I waited at the entrance.”
“Sounds like you have something important to tell me,” Sophie said with a faint sigh. “Someone as busy as you wouldn’t come all this way just to chat.”
“There are some matters I want to discuss with you—”
Ellis began explaining her purpose, including the disaster that had occurred in Kado City.
Most of it was information Sophie already knew — mainly about the Abyssal Eye, and the reappearance of Demon King Ville and the Silver Sword Princess Selina.
She showed little interest in these matters.
“…In short, Sophie, since you intend to become the next Saintess, you should be aware of these developments. The Abyssal Eye has already identified the Saintess Candidates as significant threats — especially you. As the inheritor of Lady Sylvia’s bloodline, you possess extraordinary purification power against abyssal aura. Even though the disaster in Kado City has ended, they won’t let you off easily.”
“You’re talking a bit too much, Ellis,” Sophie said.
“Am I?”
“But if it’s just this, you didn’t need to come all the way to remind me,” Sophie replied. “I more or less understand my current situation.”
“That’s good,” Ellis nodded. “The emergence of the Abyssal Eye can no longer be fully concealed from the public. Even if all the blame is placed on the Demon King, it won’t hide the fact that this demonized organization has stepped into the open. It has already caused widespread panic among the people. The Holy Land plans to reveal the existence of the Abyssal Eye at the right time and work together with the upper ranks of the Saint Luo Empire to eliminate them.”
Sophie continued listening, though somewhat absentmindedly. She wanted to find an excuse to leave, but before she could speak, Ellis casually dropped a bombshell.
“Oh, right. The clerics of the Holy Land have discovered your sister’s whereabouts.”
“Via?”
“Yes.”
“Where is she?”
“In a city in the southern part of the Empire.”
Ellis briefly recounted what had happened in that city, based on reports from the Holy Knights.
Sophie fell silent as she listened.
“It’s quite strange,” Ellis added. “She disappeared in Kado City, yet appeared in the south, and even refused to return to the Holy Land. Although she used fairly powerful magic, considering her strength, the Holy Knights believe she relied on magic scrolls.”
“Then what is the Holy Land’s stance now?”
“They’ve sent additional personnel to forcibly bring Via back. There’s no doubt her actions violate the Holy Land’s rules. Archbishop Belon has already proposed stripping her of her Saintess Candidate status. Many internally support it, though some of the candidates have voiced opposition.”
Sophie had been worried — if Via had vanished without a trace, it would have been troublesome.
But now, she knew exactly where Via was.
At the southernmost edge of the Saint Luo Empire lay the Yamar Border. Beyond it was the domain of the demonkin.
Clearly…
Via intended to leave the human world and head toward the Desolate Fallen Continent.
“I see… so this is your plan.”