NOVEL NEXT Chapter 90.2
Stage 3-24. For Eternity, Until This Life Ends
A yellow-streaked puddle spread across the floor, where an unconscious Andraus lay.
“…Are you sure about this, Alice?”
“…Yes. A man like him isn’t worth dirtying my sword over.”
Her smile was soft, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
“Thank you, Ouga-sama. I was finally able to achieve my long-held goal.”
“I see… I’m glad.”
If this was her choice, I had no reason to object.
…Judging by the words Alice had spoken while under mind control… It’s likely Captain Lily had been manipulated by Andraus and met her end because of him.
That’s why Alice charged in alone when she learned of Andraus’ existence.
To her, being controlled by the man she sought revenge against was the ultimate humiliation.
If she had chosen to kill him, it would’ve been her right.
But I’ll respect her decision.
Anything less would mean making her a puppet, just like Andraus did.
…But there’s still more to be done.
Ordinarily, this would be the end of the matter… but not this time.
There’s one more critical mission ahead of me.
“…Alice, do you know what you must do now?”
“Yes. —I plan to atone for all my sins with my life.”
Convincing this overly determined maid to return home is going to be the toughest mission yet.
“That’s not it.”
“No, it must be. I acted alone without consulting you, burdened you with trouble, and even raised my blade against you. I’m unworthy as your servant.”
Why do you always run in the wrong direction, Alice?
You’re not dying before Andraus does. That’s not happening.
“All your actions were meant to avoid troubling others, weren’t they?”
“No… They were selfish actions driven by personal motives.”
She paused, then continued.
“Even though you took me in, I abandoned my role as your maid. I can’t allow myself to act selfishly anymore.”
“You abandoned being my maid? What do you mean by that, Alice?”
“…I left my resignation letter on the desk in my room at the servant’s quarters.”
“Your resignation letter… Do you mean this?”
I pulled a folded piece of stationery from my pocket.
“I see… ‘I hereby tender my resignation,’ is it? I see…”
I tossed it into the air and spoke sharply to give her a choice.
“Cut it, my sword Alice.”
“…!”
Without hesitation, she drew her sword.
A flash of steel.
The resignation letter was shredded into tiny pieces, which scattered into the puddle, the ink bleeding until no words remained.
There was no evidence left that the letter ever existed.
“Looks like your heart doesn’t want to quit after all.”
Alice’s eyes widened.
“Since you don’t seem to get it, I’ll spell it out. All I want from you now is an honest answer to the question I asked back then.”
“…Ouga-sama…”
“You’re not going to say you’ve forgotten it, are you?”
“…Of course not. Not then, not now, not ever.”
“Then tell me how you feel. That’s all you need to do.”
“…Is it really okay? For someone as unworthy as me?”
“You’re the only one who can do this. You’re the only sword I have to carve out my path.”
I gently patted her head.
“…I… I…”
Tears began to fall, drop by drop.
The memories of the day we met and made our pact flooded back.
Her trembling voice broke the silence as I patiently waited for her to continue.
“For eternity, until this life ends—I vow to wield my sword for you, Ouga-sama.”