R16. The Girl's Choice
"Rest in peace."
Reinhild trembled as she gently closed the eyes of the girl who had worshipped her in life.
Even though she knew something bad might be happening at the mansion, seeing their corpses made her pause her steps.
Crack—
Reinhild suddenly looked up.
The source was magical beasts she didn't even recognize.
Although they showed no signs of hostility, the girl who had fought all night didn't hesitate to strike.
In order not to harm the bodies of the Guard and Eileen, Reinhild refrained from unleashing a world-shattering slash.
Fortunately, the beasts seemed to have eyes only for her—otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to guarantee the safety of the corpses.
More and more magical beasts, showing no hostility, pounced at Reinhild.
She was filled with doubt, but had no intention of showing mercy.
Because they were magical beasts.
Until that moment—when she saw a familiar look in one of their eyes. That struggling, pained expression.
"Father?"
For the first time, Reinhild's sword missed.
The black-blue-eyed beast fell to the ground, barely alive.
"Hahaha! You finally realized, what a great show this was!" With a sharp, screeching voice, the movements of the beasts halted.
"What, cat got your tongue? Are you so thrilled by my beautiful voice? Go ahead, thank me for generously giving you a chance to avenge your father! Gahahaha!"
Reinhild turned her hateful gaze toward the voice—it was a rat. But the evil emanating from its words made one nauseous.
"I'll Kill You!!"
"How wonderful! I didn't think even you could feel hatred, Sword Saint!"
"I was surprised too. I didn't know my heart could contain such emotions. Who the hell are you? And what do you mean by revenge?"
"Me? I'm Capella Emerada Lugunica, the Archbishop of Lust from the Witch Cult, beloved by all! The most adored of all!
As for revenge—well, a certain father, out of pride, poisoned the wine of a female subordinate.
Just thinking about the puzzled looks on their faces as they died like meat scraps—it brings me joy."
"Why so angry? Didn't you also chop these magical beasts into meat scraps?
Including your father?
Ahahaha! Yes, get angrier! Sword Saint, Saint of what?
The eyes of the world should only, can only, be fixed upon one person!
Only one person deserves the world's love—and that's the perfect me!
If you can't even figure that out, then you're worse than a bug, just a scrap of flesh. Gahaha!"
"I'll definitely find your real body."
Reinhild's sword aura obliterated the laughing rat.
At that moment, a faint sound came from behind.
The girl quickly crouched.
"Uuu... (Be happy...)"
"I understand. I won't let hatred cloud my mind. I will offer my loyalty to this country."
"Uuu... (I'm sorry!)"
Reinhild gently caressed the cold corpse, then slowly stood up.
She clearly didn't understand Heinkel's dying regret.
Her eyes were now cold as ice, staring at the "monsters" before her.
"If you don't wish to live, stand on the right. If you want to live, stand on the left. But I don't know if it's still possible for you to return to human form."
After waiting over ten seconds, Reinhild silently looked at the empty left side. Then, she raised her sword. She knew the human heart couldn't endure such a situation. In the next moment, a flash of the sword—
She buried her followers, her people, and her father. Then, Reinhild returned to the mansion and saw the remaining people tidying up the garden.
"How many casualties?"
"Other than the guests who escaped outside during the battle, and Lord Bernie who went to find them, only we remain. But Lady Loanna is also safe."
"I see... only about twenty people left, huh?"
"Lady Reinhild."
"Ah, sorry. I'll go look for Bernie and the others."
Reinhild glanced around the garden—only a few members of the Guard leaned against the walls, resting, along with a handful of servants.
She quickly left the mansion.
At the very least, she couldn't let others see her vulnerable self right now.
Winston, you still haven't beaten me yet... Eileen, was I really your salvation? If it wasn't for me, you might still be alive... Come to think of it, I never got to write my thoughts on Paul's last meal... Otto, today was supposed to be your birthday...
Reinhild stumbled as she walked.
The bonds she had painstakingly built over 11 years had almost all vanished in an instant.
She felt like her heart was about to shatter.
The flames of anger were nearly uncontrollable.
But she understood—she truly possessed the power to destroy the surface of the world.
So she could only lock her heart away, to keep herself from annihilating everything.
Who knew how long she walked before Reinhild suddenly heard Subaru's hoarse shouting. She hurried to the scene and saw Bernie coldly watching Subaru, who was tied up.
"What are you doing?"
In an instant, she cut Subaru's ropes, dispelling the mist around him.
Calmly, she asked.
"Reinhild, thank you, thank you, thank you for saving me again..."
"Lady Reinhild! Where's Eileen? Why did I lose all connection with her?!"
"...I'm sorry. Eileen died in battle."
"You've got to be kidding me! How could something like that happen with you there?! Reinhild, please... tell me this is just a cruel joke!"
Reinhild didn't even dare look Subaru in the eyes.
But the next moment, she noticed Bernie's killing intent toward Subaru.
Due to the contract, Reinhild blocked Bernie's path.
"Reinhild, don't get in my way. Let me at him.
Subaru knows something about the Witch Cult.
Just think of it as me owing you a favor.
You understand, right? If we interrogate him, we'll get tons of information...!"
Reinhild looked at Subaru in surprise. She couldn't imagine so much had happened at the mansion.
"Subaru, are you really connected to the Witch Cult?"
"I really have nothing to do with them... but even if I say that, you probably won't believe me."
But the still-active Divine Protection of Wind Sight allowed Reinhild to know: Subaru was telling the truth.
"He's telling the truth. And... well, that's that. Subaru, this place isn't safe anymore. I hope you can take refuge somewhere else. I'll prepare the funds. What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
Reinhild instinctively touched her cheek.
She didn't understand why Subaru was crying while looking at her, or why he apologized to her.
The next moment, Subaru ran toward a cliff.
"I will save you!"
Watching Subaru leap off the cliff, Reinhild instinctively reached out her hand.
But recalling the tragedy that befell those she tried to help, she ultimately chose not to act.
She no longer wanted to form any bonds with others.