Chapter 61
Her face began to twist little by little as she checked the contents.
She also knew the document very well.
It was the loan contract.
A document of private debts taken out over time by the original owner of this body.
“Why do you have this?”
“Because I bought it all.”
“What?”
As Kainel gave only a brief answer, Del stepped forward in his place.
“All the debts owed by the Drow Barony have been transferred as of today to our Lord Duke of Persia.”
“…Why would you do that?”
Ceres looked at Kainel with a bewildered expression.
How was she supposed to interpret this situation? Why would you pay off my debts?
“Yeah, why indeed?”
As he looked at the dazed Ceres, Kainel’s lips curled up slightly.
“So what now?”
“Repay the money.”
“……”
Annoyance surged as Ceres roughly swept her hand across her face.
Is this bastard insane? What kind of absurd stunt is this?
“What? Don’t have money?”
Whoosh!
In an instant, Ceres grabbed Kainel by the collar.
There was not a single wasted motion.
“……”
“……”
The chilling tension between the two as they stared into each other’s eyes was enough to make the onlookers swallow dryly in nervous silence.
In contrast, Kainel, as if expecting her reaction, remained calm.
No, the faint smile on his lips only deepened.
“Miss Ceres, this is outrageous…!”
As Del, with a hardened expression, tried to say something, Kainel raised a hand to stop him.
As if encouraging her to go further, he even gestured with his chin, and Ceres dropped even the pretense of formality.
“What are you trying to pull?”
It might have been easy to dismiss it as just a change in creditor.
But the person in question was Kainel Persia.
Just as he knew Grace Ellsia, Ceres also knew Kainel very well.
‘He’s not the type to do anything that doesn’t benefit him.’
Kainel was, after all, a noble.
Someone who had to prioritize the benefit of his household above all else.
What may feel like a gentle breeze to one can be a typhoon to another.
The friendship between Grace and Kainel had ended the moment one of them died.
Ceres didn’t forget that she and the current Kainel were nothing more than strangers—no longer friends, not anything.
“What kind of scheme is this, tying a lowly barony like Drow to the Duke of Persia? What, are you preparing for war or something? Need a human shield?”
“How harsh.”
“If I’m not careful, I might end up being your puppet and buried along with my siblings. Given the risk, I’m being polite.”
“Maybe I’m just doing it out of kindness.”
“You?”
Even Del, who had stiffened at Ceres’ actions, nodded unconsciously.
That… was true.
Regardless of whether others around them were uneasy, or that a mere baron’s daughter was speaking informally to him, Kainel maintained a serene attitude.
“I’m not trying to torment you or use you as a shield. Just pay me back.”
“You think this is funny… I’m not in the mood for jokes.”
“I’m not joking either.”
“……”
…Hey, don’t smile. Why do you keep smiling when it doesn’t suit you?
“If you don’t have money, repay me with your body.”
“What?”
“Work.”
“What the…”
“Here, please read this and sign. It’s absolutely not a bad deal for you, Miss Ceres.”
Sensing the timing was right, Del slipped something to Ceres and interjected. It was another document.
The words that stood out the most were…
<Employment Contract>
“…Employment contract?”
“Told you. Repay with your body.”
Ceres’ face twisted again in utter disbelief in an instant.
***
{SIDE STORY: CERES DROW}
“Ceres, what are you going to do? Now’s not the time to hesitate.”
“T-That is…”
“You’re not thinking of stopping Yulia’s treatment, are you?”
I couldn’t breathe properly.
The more my aunt pressured me, the more my mind felt completely empty.
“Sis, don’t let Aunt push you around!”
“I’m sorry… It’s because I’m weak…”
“That’s not what I meant!”
I knew my younger brother’s scolding was justified…
But I felt so pathetic and frustrated at myself for not being able to do anything.
‘Sister…’
Whenever I thought of little Yulia leaving for the Arnold Nursing Home, it became even harder to breathe.
I was supposed to take care of that child properly.
I was supposed to be her support in place of our deceased parents.
“Ceres!”
“Sis!”
I couldn’t breathe.
The debt papers were piling up more and more each day.
I didn’t even dare to try solving them.
What had I done?
Was someone like me even needed in this household?
Was there anything I could do?
“…There is one thing.”
Something I could do without anyone’s interference.
The one and only way to be free from all of this.
So I surrendered myself to that impulse.
—
“……”
Where… is this place?
It’s dark.
A pitch-black space with nothing in it.
Is this what death is like?
Did I fall straight into hell just because I ended my own life?
‘I thought it would be peaceful…’
I thought I’d be able to breathe properly if I escaped everything—but why is it still so hard to breathe?
I couldn’t even cry.
I had no right to think about the ones I left behind, and yet the children’s faces kept coming to mind again and again.
Would they cry for me, still calling me “sister”…?
I knew it was ridiculous to think like this after running away from it all, but still… I—
[Hello.]
“……!”
At that moment, someone approached me.
A young man who looked to be in his mid-twenties.
The white robe he wore left a deep impression.
Was he a mage?
That symbol on the robe—it meant he was a mage affiliated with the Magic Tower.
“Who… are you?”
[My name is Arthia. I’m the one who brought you here.]
“A…Are you a god?”
At my question, the man let out a soft chuckle.
[I’m nothing more than a remnant of a soul.]
“A remnant of a soul?”
[A part of my soul, sealed inside a spell I cast.]
…I had no idea what he meant.
So this person is the reason I’m here?
[Do you want to live again?]
“…What?”
[I asked if you want to live again.]
I stared blankly at the man.
Live again…?
Do I want to live again?
My siblings’ faces briefly flashed in my mind, but…
I shook my head.
I didn’t want to go back to that place, to that situation.
I knew well enough that my decision had been a mistake, but I didn’t regret it.
[Then… is it okay if someone else uses your body?]
“What…?”
Someone else using my body? What does that even mean?
[The life you gave up—can someone else live it in your place?]
…My life?
“That’s… possible?”
[It is. That’s why I’m here right now. I’m a very powerful mage, you know.]
…Magic.
“My siblings…”
I knew.
I knew how ridiculous it was to even be worrying like this.
I had abandoned them—who was I to pretend to care now?
But… if someone else was going to live in my body… would they take good care of Antonion and Yulia?
What if they hurt them…?
[That kid has a bit of a sharp tongue, but she’s soft when it comes to kids.]
In response to my question, the man looked a little wistful as he smiled gently.
“Then… that’s good enough.”
As long as my siblings were safe, nothing else mattered.
Just one more thing weighed on my mind.
“My family’s situation is… rough. Won’t they resent me for this?”
[Oh, definitely. You’ll get cursed a lot.]
“Huh?”
The man chuckled briefly, then continued with a serious expression.
[But don’t worry. That person can get through anything.]
Who could it be?
What kind of person could inspire such deep trust in someone?
[They’ll be here soon.]
“Here?”
[Yeah. But… hey, are you good at crying?]
“…What?”
The man’s lips curled into a mischievous smile.
[When you see them—cry. As much as you can. Make it look pitiful.]
Cry? Why?
Well… I am good at crying.
[That person’s unexpectedly soft-hearted. So cry, no matter what.]
—
“Hic… uuh… sob…”
So I cried.
I brought up every sad memory I could.
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt or something?”
…Was this the person?
The woman who appeared before me, drawn by my sobs, just as the man said.
“Please… help me… please, I’m begging you…”
Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever said those words before in my life.
I’ve felt tired and worn out enough to want to die, but I could never reach out to anyone.
Because I didn’t think anyone would take my hand.
“Please…”
For the first time, I reached out.
With all the sincerity in my heart.
“……”
The woman stared at me in silence for a long while,
Then slowly, she took my hand.
Flash!
Thank you… truly.
And…
I’m sorry.
—
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