It’s said that even if you save a drowning person, they will still ask you to hand over your belongings.
This saying was created to criticize ungrateful people, but if the drowning was intentional, it could be seen as a justified complaint.
Such was the case with Shiati.
Despite Historia saving her, Shiati channeled all her pent-up anger toward her rescuer.
She cursed, swore, and complained.
What hurt Historia the most wasn’t the sharp words ant to wound but Shiati’s heartfelt mutterings.
｢Nicholas saw us as ingredients, Lankart saw us as insects. But you… you saw us as failures. Weak, inferior beings lacking talent and drive… Defeated humans. Hehe. At least you acknowledged our humanity.｣
They say those on the brink of death speak only the truth before they close their eyes.
Shiati, who intended to die and would have succeeded if not interrupted, spoke sincerely.
Words she wouldn’t have dared utter under normal circumstances cut deeply into Historia.
｢Did you know? We truly despised Nicholas and Lankart. But that’s all there is to it. They were the kind of people we could avoid encountering. But we didn’t even want to get close to you. Because just your presence made us feel like failures. Even if hundreds of us charged at you, our defeat would still be miserable.｣
Historia, who was tirelessly rescuing survivors, could only recover corpses.
Though she possessed strength greater than all the students combined, there were countless things even she couldn’t do.
She couldn't halt the river’s flow.
She couldn't hold on to the children who had lost hope.
She couldn’t find the boy among the murky shadows in the muddy river.
The recovered corpses piled up. Even so of those helping her were horrified by the spectacle and just stood staring.
As Historia, soaking wet, waded back into the water, Shiati spat and erupted into mad laughter.
｢But, compared to them, you’re like an angel. At least you get hurt! You feel pain! I’m happier now because you’re suffering too! It ans you’re human like us! So suffer more! I hope you hurt and regret as much as we do!｣
Then Shiati joined the Resistance.
She sought to strike back at the Military State.
Historia, now an officer, couldn’t capture Shiati, even when she appeared during her distinguished achievents.
No, to be precise, she didn’t catch her.
Capturing or killing Shiati would an losing one of the few survivors she had managed to save that tragic day. One less person to share the shock and sorrow of that day…
…In truth, Historia couldn't bring herself to decide.
The unresolved issue eventually confronted Historia again.
“Huey. Amazing! The Resistance, no matter how hard they tried, their greatest achievent was assassinating a general officer. But you managed to capture a Six Star General alive!”
The children who died in Halin had achieved their goal of vengeance against the Military State.
Nicholas was dead, the Anathema exposed. The Daughter of the Military State was filled with remorse, and Lankart, now heir to the Mage Marshal, betrayed the Military State.
Shiati and the remaining children, fueled by hatred, beca the Resistance.
And I…
“As expected, you’re different! The Pied Piper who led us in Halin!”
Shiati, who laughed heartily, smiled warmly at and asked.
“How have you been?”
“Just so so, I’ve been fine.”
“Been fine? You’ve been… fine?”
Normally, hearing a friend was doing well would bring joy, but Shiati was, in many ways, unconventional.
Her laughing face twisted into a sudden, terrifying expression instantly.
“How can you be fine? You’re the one who suggested we jump into the water, right? Because of you, everyone drowned.”
Shiati grabbed Historia's shoulder with her prosthetic arm, as if intending to break it. Historia, deliberately not shielding herself with Qi Arts, let out a small groan as Shiati's fingers dug into her shoulder blade. Shiati didn’t care about her reaction and cracked her head.
“This isn’t right. The Military State is twisted because of you. You made us realize its wrongness. You killed everyone, and you orchestrated all this! SO AT THE VERY LEAST! YOU SHOULDN’T BE FINE!!”
“I never wanted anyone to die.”
“Just because you didn’t want us to die, does that make the deaths disappear? Is the world a plaything that bends to your will? Just because you didn't order their deaths and they died on their own, does that absolve you of responsibility? Then whose responsibility is it that the world has co to this?”
Shiati's questions ca out in a frenzy, and she released Historia's shoulder, staggering backward.
“No, Huey. I chose to die and yet lived, while the children who chose to live died. It was supposed to be the other way around, but here we are. We were supposed to graduate, but instead, all of them died! It’s ssed up. The dead children cursed the Military State, yet this damn country still stands. Isn’t it strange? Where did the feelings of those kids go?”
Where did they go?
They remained here.
With you, , and Historia.
“How can you be fine… when you’re the one who outlived them?”
Because I had to live a normal life.
I buried myself in the mundane, and had tried to live a peaceful life.
Those who live peacefully today hope for an unchanging tomorrow.
Among the ordinary people who found joy in small pleasures, I diligently followed the sa routine every day.
However…
In the tomorrow they envisioned, those who died today were forgotten.
That’s why I chose to live as a petty criminal.
“You can be fine. The destruction of the Military State isn’t a goal I want to achieve by risking my life like you.”
“HUEYYYYYY!!”
Just as Shiati was about to lose control, I spoke softly.
“But if I don’t have to risk my life, I might want to break it a little.”
Shiati's face brightened as if light had shone upon it as she heard that.
It was a dramatic change.
In contrast, Historia’s expression grew darker. In the end, Historia turned her head away again.
Shiati patted my shoulder cheerfully, expressing her joy.
“Well, if you capture Historia while having such a strong ally, you’ve done everything you need to! What you've accomplished is much bigger than anything we've ever done! I believe in you, Huey!”
In the midst of that, Shiati suddenly grabbed my ear and, in a whisper so close her breath touched my earlobe, she softly spoke.
“Historia is indecisive and has many regrets. Last ti, when she saw planting a bomb, she deliberately ignored and just took the bomb away, you know? I would do the sa, but what about you? If you hold her and whisper sweet words, she’ll give you everything, heart and all. Hehe. Try it quickly! It would be good to have one more weapon to bring down the Military State!”
As she giggled, Shiati noticed Tyr, who was staring uncomfortably at us.
At that mont, Shiati’s expression changed.
She swallowed the intense emotions in an instant.
Her eyes, which were gleaming with madness, regained sanity. With a more composed expression, Shiati deeply bowed to Tyr.
“Nice to et you, Progenitor Tyrkanzyaka. If I may, can a re human speak to the great Progenitor?”
Tyr received her greeting gracefully.
“Permission granted.”
｢A human who knows etiquette, is it? Hmm. She behaves differently than she did with Hu.｣
Upon receiving permission, Shiati spoke each word clearly and emotionlessly, as if reciting a pledge.
“I will offer my blood, flesh, honor, and even my life. Can you destroy the Military State? If necessary, You may seek other compensation.”
Her words were filled with ticulously asured anger.
“Shiati!”
The Princess, who had been watching behind her guardian knight, scread in horror. She even waved her hands as if to imdiately retract Shiati's words.
Tyr glanced at the Princess and replied calmly.
“I understand your wish. I, too, have a history of passionately hating and destroying a country. However, since we did not co alone, should you not first consult with your companion?”
Unlike with , Shiati did not display blind rage toward Tyr.
She accepted her reasonable suggestion, bowed her head slightly, and maintained a respectful deanor.
“I apologize. I will return shortly with a more sorted response.”
“There is no need for that. For now, I am following Hu’s guidance. Once negotiations between your side and ours are over, we can figure out what to do next. Let us wait for that.”
For a mont, Shiati’s gaze flickered towards . But it was only fleeting.
She smiled as if it was enough, then politely bowed before stepping back.
The Princess, pretending to be angry, scolded Shiati.
“Shiati! How can you speak so recklessly!”
“I’m sorry, Princess. But it’s the easiest way.”
“Offering blood, flesh, life, and honor! What good is overthrowing the Military State if the person who is supposed to enjoy the glory that cos after, dies? We fight for our comrades!”
“Enjoy the glory? That’s too far in the future for to understand. Stupid doesn’t get it.”
“Shiati!”
The Last Princess and the First Resistance.
It seed that such scolding and close conversation were familiar to both.
Shiati skillfully reassured the Princess.
“Princess. Calm down. At least, I won’t let you die before .”
“Hoo. Shiati. What I an is… No, let’s discuss this later, since we are guests here.”
｢Why does everyone keep saying they will offer their lives…! There’s so much more you can do while alive—how irresponsible! Idiots! Fools!｣
The Princess, still grappling with her frustration and cursing harshly in her mind, resud her delayed greeting due to Shiati's interruption.
She took a small breath.
She tidied up her long, lush, pink hair and her lake-clear blue eyes scanned the room.
The royal family’s symbol was noble light-purple hair, but when a bad on appeared, a descendant with pinkish hair appeared.
While the royal family's symbol was noble light-purple hair, the appearance of a descendant with pinkish hair was considered a bad on.
It may have been considered a disaster for the royal family, but it was a blessing for the Princess.
Thanks to the royal family thoroughly hiding this fact, she survived several dangerous situations.
Even though the kingdom had collapsed, the royal blood remained.
She looked like a doll that suited a dress well.
However, today she wore a simple packet shirt and skirt, creating a visual dissonance between her head and body. The shawl draped over her shoulders at least preserved a minimum of dignity.
Despite the dissonance, she exuded elegance, smiling gently as she introduced herself.
“Greetings once again. I am Yerien. Yerien Grandiomor. The last bloodline of the Grandiomor royal family and the representative of the Resistance.”
Her voice was delicate and soft, her gestures naturally elegant—a shy smile briefly masking the harsh reality of the fallen kingdom.
However, no one in the room seed surprised or even showed particular interest. I nodded, understanding their thoughts.
｢She was a Princess. I have seen people of such stature before, but she seems gentler now. Mayhap because her guardian knight and friends are still with her.｣
｢The kingdom has fallen, and the last bloodline of the royal bloodline now joins the Resistance. Not surprising.｣
｢…As expected. If I pass on this information… I would be directly responsible for killing the remaining children. Should I do it?｣
No one reacted with surprise or awe to the Princess's identity.
No one even welcod her.
“Woof! Nice to et you! Nice to et you! Huh? You, king?”
…No human welcod her.
The Princess, who bowed back to Azzy in response, waited for the following reactions… and realized sothing from their indifferent gazes.
｢Huh? Am I… just an ordinary person here?｣
For the Last Princess, the reaction was lukewarm, and she was inwardly disappointed, though she did not show it.
｢Oh no! I shouldn’t expect privileges just because I'm a Princess! Stay humble, humble! I am just a mber of the Resistance!｣
Scolding herself for her initial disappointnt, she shook her head and regained her /genesisforsaken
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