Before the gates of the empire.
Curses and shouts sent off the Holy Maiden of Salvation, once deeply trusted by the people, as they watched this wicked woman embark on her journey alone.
There was nothing more to it.
The exiled girl walked aimlessly, under the scorching sun, crawling on the ground, as pitiful as a dog, using her yet-to-be-revoked bishop status
to temporarily unlock the seal hidden within the empire.
Dragging her weakened body, she entered the dim dungeon.
After all, Emilia’s only thought now was to complete the system mission and bring her brother back home, with no attachment left for this world.
89…
Skipping the cobweb-covered corridor, she soon stood before the thick iron bars of the cell, peering through an intricately complex seal.
There, she saw her long-lost brother, the target of the system mission—a robust man in thin clothing, with golden hair like the setting sun, a straight nose, and a strikingly handsome face with clear, elegant features.
His golden eyes were devoid of life, a standard tall and handsome man with an extraordinary demeanor, sitting quietly on a chair with his legs crossed, idly flipping through a book.
The book was yellowed, as if it had been read countless times, much like the time he had been imprisoned.
“Oh, it’s been a while. Not going to see your little boyfriend, but coming to see me instead, Emilia?”
From the smug smile on his lips, it was clear he already knew what had happened to her—framed, abandoned by those she trusted, like a clown…
With that, he rose lightly from the chair, turned, and looked at her through the bars, reaping the consequences of her actions.
Even though she was covered in wounds and utterly weak, there was no trace of pity in his clouded eyes.
It was obvious their relationship had long turned hostile.
He leisurely closed the book in his hand and continued to mock her, feigning ignorance.
“You don’t look so good. What’s wrong? Did something happen? No, no way, a treacherous, backstabbing person like you, abandoned? Truly, karma comes full circle.”
His mocking tone carried a hint of anger.
If she had cooperated with him, they might have already returned home.
They had sworn from the start of their transmigration to do whatever it took to go back.
Yet, halfway through, she inexplicably betrayed him for the male lead, even to the point of drawing swords against each other…
Damn it, he couldn’t understand why his brother would betray him for a man.
If it was for a woman, he could at least try to understand.
Death.
Even though she was now a woman and liking men was reasonable…
Damn it, wasn’t he handsomer than that so-called male lead?
No, that wasn’t the point.
He just couldn’t understand, and even less could he forgive.
For someone like her, if he got the chance, he’d definitely kill her to vent his hatred.
His sharp, eagle-like gaze locked onto his prey.
After all, he knew they were no longer brothers but mortal enemies.
Anyone who stood in the way of his return home deserved to die.
As his sarcastic words reached her ears, Emilia leaned helplessly against the wall, not angry.
Instead, she forced a smile, her frail body trembling slightly, her blood-stained dress swaying with her weak frame.
Not long ago, her divine powers were stripped, reducing her to a mere mortal, and she had been tortured during her exile.
Sensitivity.
Forcing open the seal now made her vision blur slightly.
Summoning her strength, her blood-red eyes lifted slightly, noticing her brother’s favorability score above his head—an astonishingly low negative one hundred.
“Are you done talking, Sieg? I have something to say.”
It was clear she knew she had wronged him and needed his help.
She waited until he finished venting before speaking slowly.
Everything she did had a reason, but due to the system, she couldn’t explain.
She had planned to explain after returning home, keeping him locked up to prevent him from acting recklessly,
also to ensure his safety.
But the system messed things up, leaving her no chance to explain.
89…
“Oh, I’m done. What’s up? What are you planning? Don’t tell me after being dumped by your little boyfriend, you’re here to take it out on me. You really are—”
Sieg’s tongue was still sharp.
Since he couldn’t act physically, he took advantage verbally.
She shook her head gently, biting her lip, her slender hand gripping her other wrist, showing a vulnerability and helplessness she couldn’t voice.
Yet, she displayed it now, simply because she trusted him, though her heart was filled with guilt.
Fine.
In this world, Emilia had let down no one except her brother, Sieg.
She had felt something was off before but still did things that wronged him, thinking they were brothers and that she could explain later, that he would understand and forgive her, that making her brother suffer a bit was fine…
But unknowingly, she had hurt him so deeply.
Now, she was merely reaping what she sowed.
Her thoughts stopped there, and she didn’t hesitate to get to the point.
Her delicate fists clenched tightly.
“I’m here to take you out, Sieg.”
Upon hearing this, Sieg burst into laughter, unable to hold it in, his voice echoing in the cell as if he’d heard the funniest joke.
Whether out of kindness or determination, he said,
Through the bars, he made a throat-slitting gesture.
“Oh, really? You dare let me out? I’ll kill you on the spot, Emilia. You don’t have divine protection anymore. Even with most of my power gone, killing you would be effortless. You don’t think I’d show mercy, do you? I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Is that so? Fine.”
Unexpectedly, Emilia gave a bitter smile, agreeing without hesitation, even feeling a sense of relief.
She was tired—not just mentally, but physically.
Despite everything she did, losing so much, it all amounted to nothing, leaving her with nothing but a mess.
In short, her mentality had collapsed, her eyes dimming.
Indeed, dying like this wasn’t so bad.
At least it would be a release, a way to atone for betraying her brother.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she raised her hand, touching the cage, using her bishop status and authority to forcibly break the seal.
Explosive sounds rang out as Sieg’s cage was undone, the barriers between them dissolving into nothingness, leaving only specks of starlight.
They faced each other, as if it were like old times, but sadly, there was no going back.
Though Sieg was slightly surprised, stunned for a few seconds, anger surged within him.
You really dared?
Underestimating me?
Provoking me?
Snapping back, the smile vanished from his face, replaced by a cold expression.
He stepped forward quickly, his hand reaching out to grasp the silver-haired girl’s swan-like neck, applying slight pressure, making it hard for her to breathe.
With a bit more force, her neck would snap like a twig.
After all, he was a man of his word.
Yet, in her eyes, there was no fear or terror, only a profound sense of liberation, as if death was just another way for her to go home.
Fine.
She didn’t even struggle, which dissatisfied him.
He wouldn’t let her escape this hellish world so easily; he wanted to torment her thoroughly.
“No fun, really no fun. So, what’s your purpose? If it’s interesting, I might be in a good mood and spare your life, Emilia.”
As he spoke, Sieg let go, leaving a red mark on her neck that was uniquely his.
She gasped for air, half-crouching, her body reacting instinctively.
It took a while for her to calm down.
Since she didn’t die or escape early, she sat on the ground.
She would continue striving to return home, at least holding onto that hope.
“I just want to stay with you, that’s all.”
Only by staying together could there be a chance to mend things, a chance to improve his favorability.