Because Liam was once, certainly, Valentine’s savior. She might have been struggling, throwing her last childish tantrum, asking him to save her current self who moves only with hatred… to reach out a hand she could grab and rely on.

Because she thought it was that kind of relationship.

“It might be an excuse, a pretext, or a defense. Just one word that would please me. Words that could untie the knot inside me.”

It was truly selfish and willful. But Valentine, she herself, was allowed to be so. Because she is Valentine de le Blumir.

“So.”

However, the crimson eyes watching a Valentine grew even darker.

“If Liam had found such words, would you have forgiven the one who killed you?”

“Forgive Liam? Impossible.”

Valentine snorted without even thinking.

Who said that the courage to forgive is the greatest courage? But now, Valentine thinks the opposite. Forgiveness is the hypocrisy uttered by those who lack the courage to take revenge.

“I just want to forgive my past self who entrusted my life to such people.”

That incredibly stupid self.

Why did that past fool, for whom even forgiveness is a luxury, make such choices?

The answer was crystal clear. Valentine clasped her hands as if in prayer and closed her eyes. Unlike when she thought about Count Glastia’s end, now, no resonance echoed in her heart.

Just thump, thump. She could hear her heart beating vigorously. Unfailingly, unchangingly. The clear vibration of blood vessels speaks of life and love.

“…You know, Lu.”

What expression did the demon wear as it listened to her story?

If Valentine had seen Lucifer’s face, she would have closed her mouth and swallowed her words. His darkly sunken crimson eyes were spewing dissatisfaction and disappointment.

“I’ve never imagined a world without Liam. That’s… inevitable.”

Her small voice continued.

Because the past cannot change, it was a story that had to repeat. A truth that would never change even if an eternity passed.

At least on Valentine’s path of life, she knew Liam would always be there when she looked back. Liam must have felt the same. He had always, constantly, quietly walked behind Valentine.

Thus, Liam was Valentine’s strongest fence and support. In difficult and painful times, she could lean her face against him, and when she mumbled gloomy words, he would embrace her shoulders. He comforted her by patting her back.

Nevertheless, Liam tried to kill Valentine. And Valentine, like this, killed Liam.

Instead of sending mournful wails of grief for him, she willingly set up a signpost to hell where he would go. Souls that have sinned will fall to hell and suffer eternal torment.

Therefore, the loss and emptiness she feels now is an inevitable sensation. She felt no regrets, but emotions that can’t be expressed.

Did Liam live feeling these same emotions? Were those tears falling on her back at that final moment meant this way?

“Yes…”

There’s nothing more to know now. Just that day’s innocence hung in the sunset like a crucified savior.

The savior saved all in the world with his blood. But what about her innocence?

Though she sent Astaire away, her innocence, hanging dead, cannot even dream of its own peace.

Now it’s time to let go of such a past and bid farewell to the foolish Valentine de le Blumir.

Valentine stood up. A long shadow fell across the pitiful gravestone.

A small voice squeezed through her lips. The words that were blown away by the wind were the one thing the departed would never hear, yet most earnestly wished for.

“…I loved you.”

No,

“My brother.”

─Even now.

The words she couldn’t bring herself to say echoed round and round in her heart.

Though the love you speak of and my love mean different things.

Though your end and mine were twisted, even so…

Because you were once my salvation. Because you were the lighthouse of my life.

Though your hands can no longer reach even my younger self, I’ll grant this much mercy.

“Farewell.”

Though Cassian was the one I loved most as a man, you were the one I loved most as a human being.

“To your hell.”

Valentine lifted her head after keeping the unreachable message in her heart. The town spread out before her eyes. The hill beyond was turning red in the setting sun.

Soon, her steps departed without lingering attachment. The grass lay softly beneath her feet, each step leaving behind delicate footprints.

Thorny bushes grew along the footprints she left. Before long, blue roses bloomed abundantly on the bushes covering the grave. The roses illuminating the pale spring watched over both the departed and the departing.

What was it that the rose grave couldn’t possess? His love? Her blood ties?

There was no answer. Only the thick, densely tangled thorny vines remained, shrouding the rose-covered grave where someone had once torn their body apart.

And…

“……”

The pitch-black gloom that always followed her revealed an ominous smile.

* * *

It happened in the deep blue dawn.

Rumble.

With the roaring sound of the earth crying out, the anomaly began.

It was clearly someone’s resting place. Though utterly modest and devoid of any decoration, it unmistakably belonged to someone of high status.

Along with the thunderous sound of heaven and earth crying, the round burial mound trembled. A powerful and rough roar, like a newly born life crying out, was heard from there.

Then suddenly, there was a hand that pierced through the dirt mound. The hand swimming through the gaps of the cold dawn air was that of a noble, impossibly smooth. Compared to the smooth, fair skin, the white funeral garment sleeve was old and worn. As if it had been in the grave for a long time.

The hand that protruded from the burial mound grabbed the dirt heap firmly. The smooth hand, unfittingly yet skillfully, dug through the dirt.

Soil flew in all directions. It took quite some time until a large hole was made. Soon, someone with fierce eyes rose up abruptly over the completely dug-up grave.

The blue moonlight discolored it. The handsome face was delicate and refined. At first glance, the impression was gentle and kind, looking like a wise scholar.

That which had been buried in darkness for long squinted at the unfamiliar light. Then slowly, it blinked several times repeatedly.

Their eyes adjusted to the moonlight. The world finally came into view. The dark surroundings lingered, caught in the moments before dawn, not yet illuminated by light. And yet, the mortal world remained clearly visible.

Yes, the mortal world. Its empire.

Incomparably beautiful and utterly enchanting.

Their lips curled upward.

“……”

Crack, their neck moved. The sound of bones twisting was eerie. With the gently moving neck, their gaze lowered. Looking down at their own impossibly smooth fingertips.

They finally drew breath. The dry dirt dust that had accumulated deep inside their body seeped into their lungs. The body, unable to endure the impurities, coughed roughly, but it was fine.

After all, this body is alive.

It moves according to command and will.

They roughly brushed back their bangs. The dirt that got caught between the strands of their hair fell in a shower. Brown dust overwhelmed the world. In contrast, the disheveled hair was so white it could brighten even the dawn.

It moved its hand. Caressed its own cold cheek. With impossibly smooth movements, it slid down to their pulsing neck. Caressing the protruding collarbone and resting on their firm chest. The thump, thump transmitted to their fingertips. The impossibly clear sound of a heartbeat.

Shhh, ha─.

They let out a deep sigh. Though it wasn’t winter, their rough breath became white mist, shimmering like a mirage before their eyes.

In that white breath, the final moment overlapped.

Unlike the breath, the world had been red. Violet eyes and disheveled golden hair. Words, words, words coming through.

Their blue eyes turned red in an instant. Bloodshot appeared in their white gaze.

“Kuk……”

A wicked laugh burst out. The man who crawled out of the grave traced over the past days.

The moment when his breath was completely cut off. The memory of pain is vivid before his eyes. How long… has it been since that day?

‘Didn’t you say you wouldn’t let anyone who hurt and troubled me go unpunished?’

A voice came like an auditory hallucination. So sweet and elegant it could melt one’s ears, still so beautiful it could drive one mad.

He reached out to grab the owner of that voice. Whenever he reached out, that slender waist was caught. That fragile body that would collapse helplessly into him when pulled. That body that instinctively pressed against him was warm and soft, and also weak.

But now his hands only pointlessly clawed at empty air. His empty arms feel lonely, but only for a moment.

‘Astaire, you hurt and troubled me.’

Not a single whisper that isn’t exquisite.

Madness that didn’t match that delicate appearance gradually consumed it. Complex emotions tangled in the bloodshot eyes.

‘Astaire. You should have died the day we first met.’

That one sentence that made his teeth chatter. He tightly clenched his fist. Crack, came the sound of stiff bones twisting.

Everything was predetermined betrayal and treachery from the start. The most perfect poisonous flower those damned ones offered him. A fatal trap that he had to knowingly desire, swallow, and willingly let ensnare his ankle.

Ah, the snare of utterly enchanting pleasure.

Between his teeth─ he muttered the name of that sweet noose.

“Tina……”

After staring at the faintly distorted moon, he burst into a mad laugh. He moved his legs. The walk that started leisurely started gradually picked up speed.

Toward his betrayer.

3. Liam de le Blumir End