Frondier had become a devil. It was irreversible.
However, Elodie had seen many devils. And some of them were on her side. Arald and Lily, and the many devils under their command.
Just being a devil wasn’t enough to change Elodie’s heart.
“……Elodie.”
“Yes?”
“Go and tell everyone. Tell them to be prepared.”
“Prepared?”
“The gods might descend.”
“What?”
Frondier explained the situation to Elodie.
Belphegor, who wished for the death of all the divines and the Seven Deadly Sins, and Frondier, who was bound to grant that wish.
Considering this situation, they could deduce how the gods would react. Frondier’s words made sense.
“They’re going to attack the humans to trap you in this world, aren’t they?”
“That’s right. And frankly, it’s quite an effective strategy.”
Frondier had always acted to save humans. It was a fact known to anyone who had seen him in action.
So it would be the same this time.
If the gods attacked humans, Frondier would return to save them.
But there was one flaw in this line of thought.
“……You’re doing it again.”
Elodie sighed. A wry smile spread across her face.
Frondier smiled back.
“You’re right, I’m doing it again.”
While the enemy attacked their allies, he would become the spear that pierced the enemy’s heart.
When he became that spear, Frondier would charge into the enemy lines, trusting everyone else.
Ideally, it was strategic. Ordinarily, it was reckless.
And honestly.
“Just like you.”
“……I’m sorry.”
Frondier couldn’t help but apologize.
“I wanted to go with you.”
He knew how Elodie felt.
Elodie looked away for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, then lifted her head and smiled brightly.
“Well, it can’t be helped. I’m needed to stop the gods! There’s no other mage as strong as me.”
“Yes. Because you’re here, I can go.”
“Come back safe.”
To Elodie’s words, the Frondier from just a moment ago wouldn’t have been able to answer.
He would have thought it impossible. That’s why he couldn’t answer Enfer.
But now it was different.
“Yes.”
Frondier had found a new possibility.
“I promise I’ll come back.”
Not everything had gone as planned.
He could no longer be human.
But as Elodie said, he could come back.
[Sorry to interrupt this sentimental moment, but we're out of time. Come through the gate, Frondier.]
Belphegor’s voice cut in.
Frondier nodded.
“I’ll leave it to you, Elodie.”
“Yes.”
Swoosh.
Frondier stepped through the gate, and Elodie waved goodbye.
Frondier waved back, and the gate slowly closed before him.
Elodie, left alone, stopped waving, her hand lingering in the air for a moment before slowly falling.
“……Frondier. For a long time now…”
I wanted to protect you.
That’s why I became stronger. I gave it my all.
You didn’t believe me, did you?
Or did you laugh, thinking it was a silly thought?
Or would you have told me not to?
Or…
“……Would you have said thank you?”
Frondier. You were right.
I’m a strong mage, so I have to protect others.
Because that’s what you wanted.
That’s why I can’t be with you.
“……Frondier, Frondier.”
…Fron.
Swoosh.
Elodie covered her face with her hands.
Her shoulders trembled subtly, hidden from view as she clenched her jaw.
With her head bowed, silent tears streamed down her face.
Just like she did when she was a child.
Even crying was a struggle for her.
“Fron… Fron.”
Her trembling voice leaked out between sobs.
I tried so hard to protect you for so long.
I believed that one day I would stand by your side.
But that role…
Perhaps…
“It wasn’t meant for me… Fron…”
***
Frondier stepped through the gate and arrived in Niflheim.
As expected, Belphegor stood before him.
However, upon seeing Frondier, Belphegor simply gestured with his chin behind him.
Turning around, Frondier found,
“……My apologies for the delay, Master Frondier.”
Selena, emerging from Frondier’s shadow, knelt on one knee, her head bowed low.
“Selena? How did you…?”
No matter how skilled she was with Shadow Movement, she shouldn’t be able to cross worlds.
“……Indeed. I was hiding in the shadows from the beginning.”
Selena nodded.
Frondier let out a breath and put on a stern expression.
“I didn’t call for you, Selena. What were you thinking, following me here? This place is literally…”
“Hell, Master Frondier.”
“……!”
“Didn’t I say I would follow you?”
Selena had always said it.
Her exaggerated, cliché words had finally come true.
This time was no different.
“……Right.”
Honestly, Frondier was relieved. Selena could cover for him in ways he hadn’t even considered. In combat, strategically, even psychologically.
‘Then Elodie didn’t release her, Selena released herself from Elodie’s hold?’
But why?
What did Elodie say to make Selena break free?
“Rise, Selena. I told you not to lower yourself like that.”
“…….”
“Selena?”
“My apologies. Just a moment.”
Selena stopped mid-sentence.
Looking closely, he could see that she was trembling slightly.
“Could you… give me a moment?”
He didn’t need to see her face.
Even a child would know.
Selena was crying. She kept her head bowed low, not wanting him to see, but tears dripped onto the ground.
“I’ll… be right up.”
─Selena, protect Frondier.
─Perhaps I…
Frondier would never know the reason.
And so, Selena wept.
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