Chapter 50: Fate Plays Tricks on Mortals

“…”

Hearing Selina’s blessing, Sylvia fell silent and froze.

“Sylvia, what’s wrong?”

Selina was puzzled.

Why this reaction?

Had she said something that upset her?

“Sniff… sniff…”

Tears welled up in Sylvia’s eyes; her throat choked with emotion.

“Did I say something wrong?” Selina asked, feeling guilty.

“No… I’m just happy.”

Sylvia wiped her tears and gave Selina a radiant smile.

“When the others learned I was pregnant, they all urged me to abort the child.

Only you, Lady Sword Princess, gave me your heartfelt blessing.”

“So that’s how it was…”

Selina wasn’t surprised.

Sylvia was still very young—far too young to marry or bear children in the eyes of the Holy Land.

A saintess’s personal wishes would naturally face overwhelming opposition.

“His Holiness was furious when he found out. He ordered me to get rid of the baby,” Sylvia said.

“But from what you’re saying, it seems he later relented?”

“I fought for his approval.”

“How on earth did you manage that?”

Selina was genuinely curious.

What method had Sylvia used to make the venerable Pope compromise?

“I’m not that capable,” Sylvia laughed softly. “I simply told him—if no one would let me give birth, then I would die together with my child.”

“You were serious?”

“Yes.”

Sylvia nodded, her voice calm and steady.

She had long been prepared for that outcome.

If the Holy Land refused, she would face the end together with the life inside her.

“I will never let my child face cold death alone.”

“…”

Selina’s heart trembled.

She, more than anyone, could not condemn Sylvia.

An orphan since childhood, she had always yearned for the warmth of family.

She deeply understood—and even admired—this willingness to throw everything away for one’s child, no matter how others saw it as ruining her future.

“I think you’re absolutely right, Sylvia.”

“Really?”

“Yes. There is nothing wrong with taking responsibility for your own child.”

“Thank you so much, Lady Sword Princess!”

Sylvia was deeply moved.

She seized Selina’s hands in gratitude.

Then, as though struck by a wonderful idea, her eyes sparkled.

“Lady Sword Princess, I’ve been worrying about something lately—I still haven’t decided on a name for the baby. Nothing feels quite right.

Could you help me think of one?”

“Me?”

“Mm-hmm!”

“Well…”

Selina almost asked whether no one else would help—perhaps the father.

But judging from Sylvia’s situation and the Holy Land’s stance, the father was probably not by her side.

So Selina thought seriously.

After careful consideration, she offered a name.

“How about… Sophie?”

“Sophie?”

“Yes. It means kindness, wisdom, and grace.”

“Sophie… Sophie…”

Sylvia repeated it softly, clearly delighted.

“Lady Sword Princess, that’s a wonderful name!

If it’s a girl, I’ll call her Sophie!”

…

…

“Lady Sophie, how are you feeling now?”

“Mmgh…”

Sophie heard someone calling her.

She slowly opened her eyes and saw a nun in Holy Land robes standing beside the bed, holy light fading from her hands.

“Lady Sophie, you can hear me, yes?”

“Yes…”

“Good.”

The nun stood and bowed to the bishop waiting nearby.

“Your Excellency, treatment is complete. Lady Sophie has suffered no physical or spiritual damage.

The fainting was most likely due to extreme exhaustion recently. She should recover with rest.”

“I see.”

Belon nodded.

“You may go.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.” The nun bowed and left.

“Where… am I?”

Sophie pressed a hand to her forehead and slowly sat up.

Her mind was still foggy.

Looking around, she realized she was no longer in the Hall of Heroes—this was the infirmary.

“Sophie, did you not request permission from His Holiness to enter the Hall of Heroes?” Belon asked.

“Your Excellency, why are you here?” Sophie was surprised.

“You collapsed inside the hall. The patrol guards found you and reported it to me,” Belon explained. “I had you brought here and examined. Fortunately, it’s nothing serious.”

“Collapsed…”

Sophie’s eyes widened.

The situation was becoming clear.

Her body stiffened.

“What exactly happened in the Hall of Heroes?” Belon pressed. “Did the heroic soul of the Silver Sword Princess speak to you?”

“…I think I heard Lady Selina’s voice for a moment. Then my mana ran low and I fainted. Nothing special happened.”

“I see.”

“I’m sorry for the trouble, Your Excellency. It was unbecoming of me.”

“You have been pushing yourself too hard lately. It’s not surprising. Still, it’s best you stop trying to commune with the Silver Sword Princess’s soul. That path does not suit you. You should focus on inheriting your mother’s mantle and becoming the next saintess.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Sophie lowered her head obediently.

Belon could get nothing more from her.

After a few more words, he left, leaving Sophie alone to rest.

But Sophie had lied.

Her mind was perfectly clear.

She remembered everything that had happened.

“How can something this absurd actually exist in this world?!”

Sophie clutched her head.

She never imagined—the Silver Sword Princess Selina was her own previous life.

The reason Selina’s soul never reached the Hall of Heroes was now obvious.

Because she had reincarnated… as Sylvia’s daughter.

One ridiculous thought she once had in her past life had actually come true.

Sylvia had truly become her mother.

The year Selina died in battle was the very year Sylvia became pregnant and decided to keep the child.

The name Selina had casually suggested… had ended up becoming her own.

“Ah…”

Sophie sat on the edge of the bed, legs swinging gently, overwhelmed with emotion.

This was no dream.

Everything was real.

She had once been Selina.

Now she was Sophie.

“Fate really does play tricks on mortals.”