The rain ceased to fall. The world fell still as the young woman made such a declaration. Who would have thought that someone so loyal was living within these mountains? Loyalty had become a lost value in a world where the enemies were, not only monsters, but humans themselves.

“That is quite the statement to make, little maid. Do you hold your life with such little regard?”

Myer crossed his arms as he looked at the woman who was still kneeling, begging for the life of her master. But why? What could the person chosen as a simple vessel have possibly given this woman in exchange for her loyalty?

“It is because I value my life that I am offering it in exchange. If that is what it takes for you to believe that my lady is innocent, then so be it.”

The young girl looked at Myer without a single drop of fear in her gray eyes. She was being serious. Myer smiled at this.

“What a shame…she would have been useful to have on our side…”

Myer sighed at the thought of the loss that was about to occur. After all, no matter how loyal she was, it was to the wrong cause. Her loyalty was putting humanity at risk.

“There is no way that he will tolerate it.”

Myer looked over at Arcane, wondering what he was thinking about. For as long as he had known him, Myer knew that Arcane was a “black or white” type of man. He did not care about the person’s reasons for why they did what they did. A betrayal to the crown was a betrayal. Nothing more, nothing less.

“Still, I should ask out of formality.”

“Arcane, what will you have us do?”

Daliyah turned once again to face the masked soldier. Agatha looked at Daliyah and felt her breath getting caught in her throat. She wanted to say something but no words were coming out. They were deciding the fate of someone she cared about right in front of her!

“Why am I just standing here? Why won’t my words come out? I have to do something. I have to say something. I have to-”

“Kill her.”

Agatha felt her heart stop for a second. Her eyes widened as she felt cold sweat running down her face. With such a cold and indifferent voice, the man behind her had just decided the fate of the young woman kneeling before them.

“Wait, won’t you at least ask for an explanation?! I’m sure we can talk about this! Why are you just deciding that on your own?! Why do you say that with no hesitation? What kind of monster are you?!”

Agatha rapidly inhaled and exhaled as she thought about all of this. Yet, none of her thoughts were making it past her mind. None of her thoughts were being heard.

“As you wish.”

Myer took out his sword and slowly walked toward Daliyah who was kneeling obediently.

“Wait, no, wait!”

Agatha felt her mouth opening and closing. Only small sounds were made. None enough to be understood.

Myer got closer to Daliyah. He cleaned his sword from all the stains of monster blood from the battle they had fought earlier. It was the least he could do for such a loyal person. Take her life with a clean sword. Clean from any other impurity. Myer finally reached Daliyah and stood behind her.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Do you have any last words?”

“What is this? Are you pitying me right now?”

Daliyah smiled as she turned a bit to get a glance of her executor.

“ I pity no one. It 's respect.”

“Hmp, you didn’t seem like the type to know what that word meant.”

“Will your last words really be insulting me? What an honor.”

“Why do you stand behind me? Will you feel bad for me if you see my face before you kill me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself, little maid. I follow orders and execute whoever needs to be executed. But like I said, you’ve earned my respect. Which is why I don’t want to be the last person you see before you die.”

Daliyah turned her gaze towards Agatha. She could tell the young woman wanted to say something but was unable to. Who could blame her? For someone who had been locked away in the mountains and who’s life had been decided for her, all of this was enough to make her crumble. Daliyah smiled at her as best she could. At least, she would become one less thing for Agatha to worry about.

“My lady…”

Daliyah tried her best to control her trembling voice and the tears that were starting to build up in her eyes. There was no going back anymore. She had decided she would not regret this.

“….I’m …sorry I couldn’t take you to…see the vast ocean you longed to enjoy so much…”

Daliyah took a deep breath as a small memory from the past came to her mind.

*flashback*

“Look Daliyah! A shooting star! We have to make a wish!”

The little girl, barely 10, pointed excitedly at the vast starry night. She closed her eyes and held her hands together.

“My lady, I didn’t know you believed in such things?”

Daliyah inwardly rolled her eyes as she thought about how childish her little mistress was. After all, wishes only came true in fairy tales. Agatha opened her eyes and looked at her close companion.

“But of course I do. It’s one of the few things I can believe in without anyone forcing me to do otherwise.”

Daliyah pressed her lips as she suddenly felt bad for the young girl.

“What did you wish for my lady?”

Agatha’s eyes lit up with excitement as she smiled.

“I’m technically not supposed to tell anyone, but no harm will come from telling you.”

She looked around to make sure no one else was listening, even though they were the only ones in her room. She approached Daliyah’s ear and whispered,

“I want to go see the ocean one day, with you Daliyah.”

Daliyah’s eyes widened as she heard this. That’s what she wished for? Why didn’t she wish to be freed from the fate that had fallen on her? Why didn’t she wish to be free from this place? Why…was a mere servant like her included in such a wish?

*end of flashback*

Daliyah chuckled as she thought about this memory. She had not dared to ask Agatha all those questions. She had, however, made an oath that day. To make her wish come true no matter what. She had made an oath and yet…

“Please forgive this unreliable and selfish servant. And I hope…that even if it’s for a minute…I hope that you experience true happiness one day…”

Tears started to roll down Agatha’s eyes.

“No my lady, don’t cry for someone like me.”

Daliyah closed her eyes as she lifted her head, ready to accept her death. She took a deep breath, savoring the taste of being alive for the last time.

Myer slowly raised his sword, ready to make a clean and painless cut. Afterall, this is all he could do for her. Kill her in the quickest way possible so she wouldn't have to suffer.

Myer swung his sword when…

“MYER, STOPPP!!”

Myer suddenly had to come to a halt as Nerian’s voice reached his ears. He looked down in surprise as he saw Agatha’s body covering Daliyah.

“What…? How did she?”

He looked over at Arcane who was still standing by the tree.

“Did she free herself? That’s not possible…”

Myer stood there confused for a moment. Nerian walked over to them.

“Hey! Are you out of your mind?! Who jumps in front of a swinging sword like that?!”

He could not believe the foolishness of the one known as the chosen vessel. Did she not know that if she died, then humanity would be doomed? How could she risk her life like this?

“My lady?”

Daliyah was also astonished, for instead of feeling a cold blade cutting through her neck, she felt a warm, trembling body embracing her.

“My lady…have you gone mad?”

Daliyah moved Agatha’s body away from her and grabbed her by the shoulders. Agatha raised her eyes which were full of tears.

“You’re the one who has gone mad, Daliyah. How can you be so cruel and say goodbye to me like this?”

Daliyah was speechless. She did not expect someone who had been trembling in fear a few moments ago to use her own body to protect her. Agatha wiped her tears and stood up. She put herself between Daliyah and Myer.

“I will not…let you kill her.”