“Save me?”
The black flames clinging to Isis dimmed, flickering in sync with her wavering heart after hearing Ron’s answer.
“Mr. Ron…”
Just as Ron thought Isis’s mindset was changing, the Hero looked up with cold eyes.
“Huh!?”
The crimson in her eyes was like a demonic spring overflowing with murderous intent and evil. Threads of blood wove into Isis’s white hair.
Ron was all too familiar with this further transformed appearance—it was exactly the Demon King Isis seated on the castle throne during the save animation of the previous ending.
“Who do you think you are?”
Filled with coldness and rejection, Isis manipulated the dancing wisps of flame to block the space between them.
“I am—”
Ron couldn’t say it.
But he knew that the Isis before him was different; this icy Demon King transformation was merely a facade.
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the Hero couldn’t maintain that lofty posture. After all, even though Casalima had severely eroded her spiritual world, Isis’s personality had never changed.
“Mr. Ron…”
The pale flames in front of Isis gradually extinguished, and the overflowing blood red also withdrew.
“I am grateful, and I admit that the wish magic you used did have a great effect, but… that result doesn’t count as saving me.”
Isis’s renewed smile was somewhat bitter. As she walked up to Ron, her fair complexion was more from exhaustion and depleted energy.
“Isis, we had an agreement between us.”
“What you’re thinking now is ridiculous.”
His heart and words were the same. At this moment, Ron truly felt an absurd ridiculousness.
What was this?
He had made the choice to save her, only to have Isis make a new decision to sacrifice herself.
“Then consider me breaking the agreement.”
Isis sighed lightly, seemingly casually responding to Ron.
“Although we spent a short time together, I really liked Lifa and recognized her qualities and abilities as the Child of Destiny. It’s just a pity… I won’t get to witness her story.”
“You will, Isis, as long as—”
As soon as Ron started, Isis shook her head to indicate she didn’t want to hear it.
“Mr. Ron, I know my own situation best, and I know best what I’m doing.”
From the scabbard to the hilt, Isis looked at the hero’s sword at her waist.
“To be honest, I had some prejudice against you at first, including the suspicious circumstances and identity, and I doubted whether you could become the Guide for the Child of Destiny.”
“But now, I think what you said before was right. Perhaps destiny has arranged for you to accompany Lifa on her journey. As for my destiny…”
Isis silently looked up at the sky. Compared to earlier, the newborn sunrise was gradually dispelling the darkness in the forest, but it wasn’t yet bright due to the morning mist.
“Isis, I’m serious.”
“I want to save you, and I think I can.”
Ron couldn’t accept this development.
In a sense, if handling his relationship with Isis would instead make the Hero choose voluntary self-sacrifice, he would rather Isis be selfish.
For now, even if Isis’s corruption by the demon force was indeed beyond recovery, Ron didn’t want to give up.
“Heh, you’re really strange. You remind me of… an old acquaintance.”
Isis accepted Ron’s goodwill, but only emotionally and ideologically, not truly believing.
Moreover, she truly wasn’t afraid of death. She had even once looked forward to the reunion that death might bring.
“Radiant set, wish magic… Your family is so deeply connected to the Holy Church that it’s no wonder you were persecuted in the Northern Empire.”
The Hero then tried to steer the conversation elsewhere. Usually, Ron would try to avoid such matters concerning his fabricated identity.
But now, he only wanted to let Isis regain her spirit and believe that the Demon King transformation problem could be solved.
“That’s right, my family has always been devout believers, and every generation has served the Holy Church. That’s why I’m so sure the problem on you can be solved.”
This time, Ron didn’t give Isis a chance to interrupt. Without pausing for breath, he proposed a plan.
“You are the Hero, humanity’s champion. If you seek help in that capacity, they can’t possibly remain indifferent.”
“And as far as I know, the Holy Church’s treasury in Timothy Holy City holds a precious artifact…”
Ron spoke quickly, but here Isis interjected.
“Sophia’s Kiss, you mean?”
Isis’s tone was very tired. The brief control over the Demon King transformation had been a considerable burden on her.
“Yes, exactly!”
Ron was quite surprised that Isis knew about this church treasure.
“Legend has it that the staff blessed by the Goddess of Wisdom can perform a miracle magic equal to divine power once every hundred years.”
“That’s right.”
Isis said the words he wanted to say, and Ron’s expression relaxed a little.
“Since you know about Sophia’s Kiss, then it’s the most likely solution!!”
“Isis, you can just wait for me—”
“It’s no use.”
Isis’s calmness and Ron’s agitation were like opposing water and fire.
“Why?” Ron asked.
“Sophia’s Kiss is no longer in the Holy City’s treasury, and it’s said that its miracle magic has already been used.”
Isis wiped the sweat from her cheek with the back of her hand, very certain.
Gone? Used? Another situation contrary to common knowledge and experience. Soon, Isis’s explanation made Ron realize that his instinctive guess was correct.
“A few years ago, the Pope bestowed Sophia’s Kiss upon the new Saintess of the Holy Church, Teresa.”
“At the time, people said that the Saintess immediately used Sophia’s Kiss to perform the legendary resurrection magic.”
“Of course, there are also stories that the Saintess didn’t use that once-a-century miracle magic but instead secluded herself in a monastery, trying to master the divine power within Sophia’s Kiss.”
“Mr. Ron…”
Had he given up?
Isis saw Ron’s grave expression, and whispered while thinking.
“Teresa… which monastery is she in?”
After a long silence, Ron lowered his voice and asked.
“I don’t know.”
Isis had no preparation for this sudden question from Ron, but answered truthfully.
“I see.”
Ron took a deep breath, glanced at Isis, then hesitated for a moment.
“Actually…”
“I also have some acquaintance with Saintess Teresa…”
“Heh.”
Isis clearly intended to end the conversation and leave.
“Mr. Ron, there’s no need for us to waste time here. You know, I don’t have much time left…”
“Isis—”
In Isis’s attitude, Ron seemed to read that “Who do you think you are?” again.
“When you have time, prepare Lifa a bit. Let her be ready.”
The Hero turned around. Due to her extremely poor condition, her back was no longer as straight as Ron remembered.
No, I can’t let Isis give up like this…
Now, even if Ron offered other feasible plans, Isis would likely stubbornly continue her choice.
Then, the only thing that could move her was…
“Isis.”
Ron called out to Isis.
“The person who took you away from Knamening wouldn’t want this.”