Chapter 16-1
Enrite Selene was a human born from the transformation of the magic sword of light.
Unlike other magic swords, El Tesoikve contained its own consciousness.
After the disappearance of the gods and dragons, it briefly hid its presence before revealing itself as a human.
From then on, Enrite settled in the Alain Kingdom, proving her strength and becoming a white apostle and cardinal of the Kinessian Divine Church.
‘I can’t reveal my true identity until I have to.’
Enrite left the Kinessian Divine Church and always stayed close to the protagonist because she felt the potential for him to wield the magic sword of light.
Eventually, the protagonist proved his worth and Enrite acknowledged it, revealing her true identity.
‘If I pretend not to know now, I’ll only raise suspicion.’
Sion turned her gaze while feeling a sense of tension.
Enrite was emanating magical power while staring at the cup, showing almost no emotions on her face, but her beauty was unmistakable.
‘She feels like Hanette in a way. Is it because she’s a heroine?’
Sion could sense something that couldn’t be put into words, but it was like being drawn to a person.
It felt like seeing another Hanette, but with no fundamental differences.
‘Hanette is like someone who might burst out at any moment, but Enrite feels like you’re being sucked in.’
Sion’s abstract feeling was clear.
Hanette and Enrite seemed to have something transcendental.
They could reveal their true forms at any time, but it seemed like they only left behind traces in secret.
‘I’m starting to understand what it means to be an extra.’
Sion felt a sense of alienation for the first time since coming to this world.
Enrite was a heroine and a powerful figure, just as important as the protagonist.
As an individual extra, Sion felt like there was nothing he could do.
If Hanette also becomes stronger, she might start to emit a similar atmosphere.
‘… That’s all the more reason to have Exceed Rain.’
Sion had long accepted the fact that he was an Extra.
But that was because the person named Sion Laird was an Extra, and there was no reason for him to conform to that role.
So, even if it was a little reckless, he tried to obtain Exceed Rain to establish his own foundation and territory.
‘I don’t have any intention of becoming the protagonist, even if I can’t.’
He couldn’t escape from being an Extra in modern society.
He always suffered losses, and as time passed, his body and mind deteriorated.
When he was buried in human malice, he began to obsess about the reason he was born and the value of his life.
Otherwise, he couldn’t bear the weight of an unchanging life.
‘I will find my own life.’
He had never thought about becoming the protagonist in the first place.
There had to be a protagonist for this world to reach a predetermined conclusion.
He was just following that flow and trying to fulfill his small desires.
‘I’m a little regretful to say goodbye to Hanette, but…’
Sion frowned momentarily.
Hanette was someone who would soon leave, and at best, she would only engage in petty quarrels and childish pranks.
But why did he suddenly think of Hanette?
‘Did I develop feelings for her?’
Sion chuckled and belatedly regained his senses.
Hanette was someone who would briefly cross his path, and she would be a person who would be with the protagonist.
There was no place for him to stand next to her.
‘I can’t expect something like that from me…’
“… You seem a little different from the other nobles.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You speak less.”
Enrite looks away from the bowl and meets Sion’s gaze.
Nobles who usually demand of holy water constantly ramble on, losing their focus.
Perhaps they were trying to show off or make shallow gestures to get closer to her.
But Sion hadn’t said a word other than greetings and replies since entering this room. So it was natural to become curious.
“I can’t disturb you while you’re working.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Well… the process of making holy water is a bit fascinating.”
“… ”
Enrite looked puzzled, but immediately closed her mouth.
He was showing a different side than the nobles she had always seen.
Why would a person with a clear mind want this kind of holy water?
“Even if you drink holy water, it may not have any special effects.”
“It can’t be helped. Haven’t I already paid the price?”
“If I make the holy water, it will cost more than other priests. But that doesn’t mean the efficacy of the holy water will improve.”
“Still, I need the holy water made by Cardinal Selene.”
“… Can you tell me the real reason?”
Enrite instinctively sensed that Sion’s reason was false.
If someone with a sound mind wanted to buy such useless holy water, there had to be a reason.
Above all, she was sure, because of Sion’s gaze and determined voice.
“I need the holy water for my future. Is that not enough?”
“What future are you envisioning?”
“I see a future where I don’t harm anyone and neither do I want to don’t get hurt.”
It was an ambiguous but safe answer.
He could have simply said that he wished for peace and rest, but he referred to himself and someone else.
Perhaps Sion Laird already knew about true peace and rest.
“… I’ll refund the money.”
“Excuse me? What will happen to the holy water?”
“I will give you the holy water as well.”
“…?”
Sion’s face stiffened, speechless for a moment.
Enrite took her hand off the bowl and elegantly folded it over her leg.
The water in the bowl had taken on a calm golden hue.
“There is no such thing as perfect peace. Only peace for some parts exists.”
“Um… Someone has to make sacrifices, right?”
“Yes. Sacrifices must be made to obtain peace. That’s why it can never be perfect.”
Enrite’s eyes twisted as she recalled countless memories.
Those who used El Tesoikve had always sacrificed themselves.
There were various reasons, but at the core of it was a will to protect something precious.
She pitied them and also thought them foolish.
“How can anyone become perfect?”
“Even knowing that, will you not cause harm?”
“We strive to become perfect precisely because we’re not. Isn’t it valuable just to have made the effort, even if we don’t become perfect?”
“…”
Enrite realized her lingering feelings anew and lowered her gaze.
They always sacrificed themselves but never spared any effort.
Some might fail, but no one gave up halfway.
Perhaps that was why she couldn’t forget them.
‘I see them in this human.’
Enrite dimly recalled the emotions she had felt as a sword.
It was as if something fateful was flowing from Sion Laird.
He didn’t possess the same qualities as they did, but perhaps someday he would awaken his potential and face herself once again.
“It’s been a while since I’ve met someone with such thoughts. Thank you for your kind words.”
“I am honored that the White Apostle looks favorably upon me.”
Sion answered humbly, but he couldn’t understand why Enrite was being so friendly.
He had just expressed his usual thoughts in words.
‘I’m not sure what’s good about it… but it’s a benefit.’
In addition to the Holy Water, there was one more thing he had to buy.
To buy that item, he would have to bid at an auction, and it would cost quite a bit of money.
If he could get back the money he spent on Holy Water, he might have some breathing room.
‘Then, since I’m here, why don’t I buy a gift or something?’
The only reason Fred had given him money was for one thing.
But since the situation wasn’t favorable, he had been trying to ignore that intention.
Now that he had some room to spare, couldn’t he go along with that intention a little?
‘If I buy something expensive, it will make a better impression, right?’