That night, as if planned, the guy came to find me.
“Bring Sylvia Eleonore to this location in a week.”
“…That’s quick.”
Without any further explanation, he handed me a small map with those words. I responded indifferently.
Because I didn’t need to ask to know the meaning behind bringing her to this place.
“It seems that woman has come to trust you quite a bit.”
“Probably.”
As I checked the location marked on the map, I nodded at his remark.
Although it hadn’t been a long time since we started seeing each other, it was clear that she trusted me quite a lot.
Whether that was because I was her fiancé or because of the bond formed from our meetings, I couldn’t tell.
“She’ll follow your suggestion without suspicion. Kill Sylvia Eleonore there and take the cursed eye. With your current strength, it shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“Probably.”
Although she possessed the cursed eye, Sylvia Eleonore herself didn’t seem particularly skilled in combat.
She seemed ignorant of swordsmanship and martial arts, and judging by how she once waved her hands dismissively saying she was terrible at magic, she didn’t seem to have any talent in that area either.
With the power I’ve gained from embracing dark magic and using the vast magical energy I was born with, it likely wouldn’t be difficult for me to take her life alone.
As I mentally envisioned and calculated the plan, I placed the map on the table and replied calmly, having concluded it was feasible.
“Got it. Let’s carry out the plan in a week. The schedule moved up sooner than I thought.”
“…Unexpected. I thought you’d resort to tricks.”
“Tricks? What do you mean?”
“I figured you might’ve developed some feelings for that lady.”
“Nonsense.”
I let out a light sigh, smirking as if it were ridiculous.
I’d already resolved to abandon even my family.
The idea that I’d developed feelings for a woman I’d met for barely two months was absurd.
“Stop wasting time and leave. The castle’s defenses are tighter than you think.”
With a dismissive gesture, I turned away, showing him I had no further business with him.
After observing me for a long moment, his cold gaze broke the silence.
“Thanks for the concern. Then I’ll look forward to the day you become one of us, Kyle Lyard.”
“Sure.”
Swish.
A faint sound, barely audible if you weren’t listening closely, rang out.
As the piercing gaze from behind finally disappeared, I unfolded the map on the table again, clenched it in my hand, and let out a groan.
“Damn it.”
Even though the long-awaited day was now just a week away, my heart was filled not with excitement or anticipation, but with irritation and anxiety.
Trying to shake off the feeling, I gulped down the half-empty wine on the table and lay down on the bed.
Before falling asleep, I felt as though someone’s face briefly surfaced in my mind like a mirage.
A week later, as planned, I attempted something I hadn’t done in three days:
I reached out to Sylvia Eleonore first to take her to the designated location.
I couldn’t be sure, but as far as I remembered, I’d never once initiated a meeting with her during the past two months.
If there was any exception, it was when I was pressured by my mother to invite her—or summon her, really.
“Fufu, who would’ve thought this day would come? That the honorable Lord Lyard would invite me himself.”
Maybe that’s why, even though we’d only met two days ago, Sylvia Eleonore’s lips curved into a bright smile right away.
Even a seven-year-old handed their most coveted toy couldn’t look as happy as she did.
Her overwhelming joy was so awkward for me to face that a grumpy comment escaped my mouth.
“An invitation is overstating it. I just needed a guide to show me around your territory.”
“That’s more than enough to make me happy. It means Lord Lyard wanted to see the land where I live.”
“…You interpret things too generously.”
At this point, I wondered if her mind was wired to interpret everything in the most positive way possible.
If that were true, even the scholars at the magic tower would rush out in excitement at such a discovery.
Anyway, we walked along, sharing mundane stories about our short daily lives over the past two days.
Normally, I’d lead the way while she hurried to keep up, but today was different.
After all, this was my first time visiting Count Eleonore’s territory as well.
Grip.
“…There are people watching. Let go.”
“I can’t risk getting lost in an unfamiliar place.”
“You’re not a child of three.”
“Your grumbling only makes you sound more like one.”
She really had a comeback for everything.
Though gentle and kind in demeanor, she was unexpectedly stubborn.
Or was it just in front of me that she acted this way?
When she’d met my family last time, she’d barely nodded her head like a broken wooden puppet.
I wanted to complain about this strange bias, but knowing she wouldn’t listen, I gave up early.
With a sigh, I moved forward, only to have her suddenly grip my hand tightly and point somewhere.
“Ah! Lord Lyard, do you see that big tree over there?”
“Yes.”
There stood, just as she described, an enormous tree.
It was an oddly out-of-place sight, standing tall in the very heart of such a bustling estate.
“That is the Tree of Harmony, the most iconic monument of the Eleonore County. Have you heard of it?”
“I think I’ve vaguely heard something about it… but it’s just a normal tree, isn’t it? Well, it’s a bit big, I guess.”
To be honest, calling it “a bit big” was an understatement—it was jaw-droppingly huge. But it didn’t particularly move me, so I snorted and replied indifferently.
At that, she shook her head, as though I only knew half the story, and went on to explain further.
“According to what I’ve heard, the Tree of Harmony grew from a seed planted by Erze, the Goddess of Peace herself. That’s why it’s called the Tree of Harmony. It’s even considered a major pilgrimage site for her followers.”
“A goddess planted the seed? Is that true?”
“How would I know? But considering how it stands alone, towering above all these tall buildings, you can’t help but think it’s a miracle of the divine, can you?”
“Well, that does make sense.”
While it wasn’t the kind of trivia I particularly enjoyed, the sheer size of that incongruous tree did give off an undeniable sense of awe.
Perhaps those who believe in gods started doing so after feeling such emotions, leading them to claim that the goddess herself planted that tree.
After all, stories of gods are, in a way, novels written by their believers.
Of course, voicing such thoughts in front of the faithful would probably get me beaten to a pulp.
“And the people of the Eleanor family have a tradition of holding their wedding ceremonies under that tree. Afterward, they share a ceremonial cup with their spouse-to-be, as a pledge to live together for the rest of their lives. It symbolizes the goddess Erze watching over their vow.”
“That’s rather unexpected. You don’t seem like the type to believe in things like gods.”
Watching her effortlessly recount her family’s traditions regarding the Tree of Harmony, I couldn’t help but feel surprised.
I already knew that Sylvia Eleonore was almost saintly in her kindness and sometimes so optimistic that it seemed like she might be missing a screw or two.
However, I didn’t think her character was pure enough to involve believing in gods.
After all, for a woman who has lived her life scorned and labeled as a witch, retaining such purity would be less of a blessing and more of a curse.
“Hehe, that’s true. Honestly, I’ve never believed in gods, and when I first heard this story, I thought, ‘What’s the point of such a ritual?’ I even had a little doubt about its meaning. But…”
“…But?”
When she trailed off, looking directly at me with unwavering eyes, I involuntarily took a small step back, startled, and asked her to continue.
At that, as if determined not to let go, she interlocked her fingers tightly with mine, holding on even more firmly.
In that moment, her pale cheeks—almost ghostly white—turned faintly pink as she continued.
“It’s something that will soon become part of our future, isn’t it? Even though I don’t believe in gods, on that day, I truly hope that the goddess will watch over us and bless us.”
I couldn’t say anything in response.
Neither agreement nor denial. Not even my usual tactic of awkwardly changing the subject.
I wanted to say, “That day will never come for you,” the words rising up my throat, but I swallowed them with superhuman restraint.
It felt like swallowing a red-hot iron ball—searing and agonizing in my chest.
To rid myself of the unpleasant sensation, I forced myself to speak.
“…Sylvia Eleonore.”
“Yes, Prince Lyard?”
“I’m sorry to bring this up in such an atmosphere, but the truth is, I came to ask you for a favor today.”
“I figured as much. I was starting to think there must be another reason for your visit.”
She smiled, as if she’d already guessed, and nodded as if to urge me to continue.
I handed her a small map, managing to move my stiff lips, and continued with effort.
“Four days from now, come to this location alone. I have something to tell you.”
“This location, you say? All right. If you’re asking me to come alone, it must be something very important, right?”
Her reaction was surprisingly calm.
Contrary to my expectations that she might get excited, anticipating a proposal, she maintained an unnervingly composed gaze as she looked over the map I’d handed her. After a brief glance, she neatly tucked it into her bag.
Was it just my imagination, or did she have the solemnity of a saint waiting for a foretold future, as though receiving divine prophecy?
“Yes, it’s something important. So, I ask this of you.”
“Understood. Don’t worry, Prince Lyard.”
With that, our conversation ended. She began guiding me around the estate as usual—or rather, with a spring in her step that seemed even more cheerful than usual.
Like a lover sensing the approach of farewell and savoring their final moments together, she wore an exaggeratedly bright smile throughout, a sight I found increasingly hard to look at directly.