Only God

Arsia's candid words caught Eden by surprise; he hadn't expected the princess to directly mention the unusual relationship between that wizard and Sister Cassandra.

However, Eden wasn't interested in gossip. He bowed his head and seriously considered Arsia's suggestion.

This wasn't the first time Eden had heard the phrase "Witch Gathering."

Previously, Veldor had mentioned that the Witch Gathering seemed to be at odds with the Zor Elves.

Considering the relationship between those Zor Elf assassins, the devils, and the Fahela Sect, the Witch Gathering was likely also hostile to the group of devils that had launched the attack that night.

The enemy of an enemy isn't necessarily a friend, but there was a possibility of friendship.

Besides, Arsia made a lot of sense; waiting for the wizard Cassandra mentioned might take until the end of time.

"It's a good suggestion,"

Eden said.

Then, seeing Arsia's expression, he asked,

"Are you looking forward to it?"

Arsia clapped her hands,

"Of course.

This is the only fun I've managed to find in this barbaric country."

Watching the excited Arsia, Eden couldn't help but think.

The future queen of Ausenco was actually a witch; how ironic.

"I have plenty of free time until the royal army arrives, so why not, Eden, let's take a risk,"

Arsia's tone was like that of a poet singing in a carnival.

Eden sighed out of habit and said helplessly,

"Alright then.

Let's make our move tomorrow, how about it?"

Arsia nodded in agreement; if possible, she would have liked to act that very night.

For a moment, the night fell silent. The two, having agreed on a time to act, suddenly ran out of things to say. They stood in the open campsite, somewhat at a loss as they welcomed the arrival of silence.

It seemed that everything had been said.

Was it time to say goodbye?

That's what Eden thought.

He opened his mouth, intending to speak.

Under the moonlight, Eden noticed that she was wearing a simple linen dress. A breeze blew, rustling the floating hem which seemed to contain nothing, her pure white ankles shimmered like eyes, and her whole being appeared as an ethereal life form; ash-golden hair framed her oval-shaped face, and her tall stature made her face neither too long nor too short, beautifully just right.

In the darkness, she blinked, her lips quivering as if she was holding back words. Those eyes were so clear, they hardly seemed like a sinner's eyes. Eden had once felt that the woman was more dignified and better than Arsia, but where was she to have such bright eyes? Inside them seemed to hide a fervent phrase, about to burst forth from her lips.

"Eden... I apologize to you,"

Arsia said softly.

Eden was taken aback,

"Apologize for what?"

"I shouldn't have said that."

"Which words?"

"You know... those words, the ones that hurt you."

Arsia's face reddened playfully.

"...There were too many,"

Arsia's heart tightened.

"But I have forgiven you."

The tension in the princess's heart suddenly relaxed, and she lifted her face, smiling,

"Well, praise your magnanimity, good Priest."

"But which words were they?"

Eden asked, somewhat curious.

"Hey... it was that one,

'Why don't you ask God why He would die for someone like me?'"

Arsia repeated,

"I think... at that time, you must have been very angry because I once used that sentence to anger my mother."

However, Arsia saw Eden shake his head.

"You're not angry?"

Arsia asked in surprise.

"If it had been before, I would have been angry, but at that time..."

Eden recalled, saying:

"I just felt sorry for you."

Arsia opened her mouth wide, incredulous with amazement, and shortly after, she cast her eyes down as if she were soul-lost, ready to burst into tears at any moment.

Eden watched this scene.

The Princess, who once resented, opposed, used, provoked, and scorned him, now sought his apology and had even shown such a vulnerable side because of his words.

Eden's feelings were complicated, and this complexity was hard to articulate.

"Why did you suddenly come to apologize to me?"

Eden asked.

"That night, after arguing with you, I thought a lot...

Anyway, I didn't mean to say those things to you."

Arsia responded, her voice growing fainter.

Eden held the initiative, recalling the quarrel of that night, and asked slowly:

"It's because you were afraid I really was a Prophet.

You feared your words had angered me and had branded you as a hopeless case."

Arsia lifted her face, instinctively denying:

"No, no..."

After a moment, she seemed to realize something, then lowered her head and softly added,

"...perhaps."

The rate at which the Princess changed was so fast, it was truly laughable yet somewhat pitiable.

She was a sinner, and Eden still felt that way.

He had once believed that the world was a struggle between the Holy Spirit and Evil Spirits, that sin must be utterly eradicated, and it was for this reason that the Savior would come.

Sin was unforgivable, and despite the erosion of time, sin remained indelible.

That used to be his belief, but gradually, he began to waver.

When had it started? Perhaps it was from the words of Veldor.

Moreover, those experiences traversing the future, where he had subconsciously seen all the True Believers as good people and all the heathen as sinners, yet in the end, both sides had committed grave sins against each other.

Neither the Scripture of the True Religion nor that of Heresy could eradicate the sins of man. Why was this? Because humans were too free, they had the freedom to sin.

Why would God allow such freedom? Eden had once found it hard to understand, and to tell the truth, he still couldn't comprehend it.

However, he could infer in reverse—human beings had such freedom because God had endowed them with reason; He had bestowed reason, yet never prohibited such freedom.

And why should he question it?

Did God not have the power to forgive sinners?

Eden pondered, those thoughts filling his mind, his soul as if immersed in a holy hymn.

He hadn't yet realized

that his understanding of the Holy Chorus was growing.

Arsia noticed that Eden was gazing at her tenderly, almost like a true Prophet.

At first, she felt panic, wanting to flee, but her feet felt frozen in place, unmoving.

The Princess's lips trembled, and she couldn't help but ask in a quivering voice:

"Do... do you pity me?"

Eden nodded slightly.

The Prophet said to the Princess:

"Yes, I not only pity you.

I also forgive you...

Whatever you may do in the future... I have forgiven you."

In the darkness of night,

the Prophet thought,

the Savior... did not come to destroy sin,

but to save mankind.