Chapter 13.1 – Fate

The fate set by the god Demekia is righteous and proper, and mere humans must never defy that will.

Herace recalled the priest’s speech, which he had heard so many times during his academy days that it was almost drilled into his ears.

<Therefore, we must not doubt our fate, but believe and follow the god’s will. If we have faith in the god, our lives will be filled with nothing but paradise—no more pain or sorrow. In the end, everything is the god’s will, and we are merely part of the world created by the god.>

Whenever the priest finished praying and a dazzling white light spread from his hands, the people of Roeta always recited Demekia’s name with faces full of emotion.

They believed that everything that happened to them was carried out under Demekia’s decision.

So, no matter what hardship came their way, if they accepted the fate chosen by the god, they could live happily. Even if this life was hard, they could hope for a better fate in the next.

And they were grateful for that.

But Herace always harbored doubts in a corner of his heart.

Fate set by the god.

What use was the fate set by a god he didn’t even believe in?

And just where did the boundary lie for a fate set by the god?

Still, it wasn’t difficult for him to respect the faith and beliefs of those who trusted in fate, even as he pushed aside the discomfort that would occasionally rise within him.

Whether it was Demekia’s fate or something else, if he didn’t believe, that was the end of it—it was nothing worth worrying about for him.

But now, Herace’s thoughts had completely changed.

Riela and Arthur.

And Brienne and Kaiden.

The meaning of two people who looked so alike that it was impossible to dismiss them as mere lookalikes was clear.

The similarities weren’t just in appearance.

Arthur left Riela’s side and ran away with another woman.

Kaiden left Brienne’s side and got engaged to another woman.

Both left their partners for someone else.

Once he found that connection, the puzzle pieces finally started to fit together.

Brienne and Kaiden, who always ended up meeting again no matter how much they circled around, who were somehow tied together by unbelievable coincidence.

It seemed those two were truly the fated pair chosen by Demekia.

And Brienne, who was suffering the punishment given by the god, was likely doing so because, in the past shown by this vision, she had defied her predetermined fate.

‘Should I be happy?’

Should he feel relief that Brienne and Kaiden kept being drawn together, not by their own will, but by fate?

‘Should I be sad?’

Should he lament his position, knowing that no matter what he did, he could never step into Brienne’s fate?

Or—

Should he dare to hope, even against the god’s will, that he himself might become Brienne’s fate?

Herace’s mind was filled with a subtle mix of feelings, none of which he could clearly choose. The three conflicting thoughts crashed together, gripping him tightly and refusing to let go.

But it was Brienne’s calm reaction that broke Herace’s turmoil.

“……Ha.”

At the mention of Kaiden’s name, Brienne’s lips, which had stiffened again, let out a hollow laugh.

“That name again.”

But her voice no longer held the emptiness or sadness it once had.

Brienne simply looked displeased.

A name that used to make her happy just to hear it, now so tired of it that it felt suffocating.

“……I really hoped it wouldn’t be.”

Brienne muttered, frowning, and pulled a rope from the bag she’d left with Herace.

“Herace, let’s get out of here first.”

Unraveling the rope she’d wrapped up neatly, Brienne strode across the field without hesitation.

Just a moment ago, she’d wanted to rest for a bit, but now, anger gave her new energy and quickened her pace.

Kaiden again.

Why did it have to be that name again?

Brienne, who had been racking her brain trying to solve the ‘original sin’ she had to resolve, now felt genuinely empty.

What did they want from her?

Whatever it was, she didn’t want to play along with this ridiculous divine prank.

Arriving at the old storage shed, Brienne clumsily opened the wooden door. She rummaged through the dust-filled shed and grabbed a large hoe, prompting Herace, who had followed her, to ask in slight confusion:

“Brienne, why that…?”

“I’m going to climb over that wall.”

Brienne answered calmly as she tied the end of the rope to the hoe’s handle. It was a survival knot she’d learned from Garzen in the carriage on the way back that day.

After checking that the rope was securely tied, Brienne turned her gaze to the high wall.

Herace quickly blocked her way.

“You can’t climb the wall, Brienne. If you fall and get hurt…”

“It’s fine. I’ve done it before.”

Brienne approached the wall and threw the hoe toward the sky.

With all the anger she felt toward Demekia, whom she’d only known by name before coming to the Holy Kingdom of Roeta.

Herace hurriedly caught the hoe as it bounced off the wall.

“……Brienne.”

Herace let out a soft sigh as she slowly turned back.

Brienne, lost in thought even after doing something so dangerous, didn’t answer.

Herace glanced down at the large hoe and then gripped the handle more securely.

What would he do if the sharp blade grazed her delicate skin?

Of course, Herace could guess why Brienne was angry.

He’d felt the same way at first.

But if he was happy that Brienne got angry upon hearing that name, what was he supposed to do?

Even standing before Brienne, who seemed truly furious, Herace couldn’t help but feel a little pleased with himself.

Yet, even so, he struggled to hide his smile as he asked:

“……Are you really going to climb this wall?”

“Yes, I’m getting out of this ridiculous vision right now. This is just too much.”

Brienne replied, glaring at the wall. At that determined voice, Herace finally nodded.

“In that case, let me help you.”

Herace, standing in front of Brienne, skillfully threw the hoe so it hooked onto the wall. After confirming it was securely in place, Herace finally stepped aside for Brienne.

“……Thank you.”

Brienne took a deep breath and shook the rope hanging down several times.

Today, she didn’t even have comfortable shoes like the day she climbed the wall with Garzen, nor gloves to protect her palms.

But she had to do it somehow.

Brienne prepared herself and took off her shoes.

“Should I climb up first?”

Brienne asked softly, glancing at Herace.

Herace’s eyes, which had lingered on her white feet standing on the lush grass, now turned to her face.

With a bittersweet smile, Herace approached and took the shoes from Brienne’s hands.

“If I said I’d carry you, would you refuse?”

“……”

Brienne’s pale green eyes flickered slightly.

Accepting Herace’s help to climb the wall hadn’t been one of her options.

“If you insist on going alone, I’ll protect you from below. To make sure you don’t fall and get hurt.”

‘But if you allow me—’

Herace whispered softly, kneeling on the grass and gently putting the shoes on Brienne’s feet.

“I promise I’ll take you comfortably wherever you want to go. Please trust me.”

Herace’s voice was calm and sincere as he spoke.

Wherever you want to go—not just beyond this wall, but anywhere, now and always.

Under the dazzling sunlight, Herace’s silver hair shone beautifully. His gentle gaze, looking up at Brienne, was just as lovely.

“Herace…”

Brienne finally smiled at him with a softened expression.

She could have refused Herace’s help by saying she’d done it before and could manage alone.

She could have climbed the wall with confidence and laughed that she didn’t need his help, that she wasn’t so weak.

But there was no need for that.

His hand, always reaching out to her, wasn’t because he saw her as weak, but because he cared.

She knew well that it was simply his love and concern for her.

After glancing once at the shoes that fit her perfectly, Brienne reached out her hand to Herace.

“I won’t refuse.”

“……So, you’re allowing me?”

“Yes, but I’ll also help and protect you, Herace. Whatever happens, I’ll do my best.”

A gentle smile spread across Brienne’s face as she took Herace’s hand.

“You’re the one who chose me.”

‘And I chose you.’

‘Thank you for believing in me from the start, for always cheering me on. Just as you promised to stay by my side, I’ll protect you, too.’

Those embarrassing words tickled her heart and hovered at her throat.

But she had no time to say any of them aloud.

“I’ll do my best so you won’t regret it.”

Because Herace’s strong arms wrapped around Brienne’s waist.

At the suddenly shortened distance, Herace pressed his lips to her cheek. Warmth spread over Brienne’s body.

“So hold my hand tightly and don’t let go. Now and always.”

Herace let out a low laugh, then immediately grabbed the rope with Brienne in his arms. Trusting his body, climbing the wall that had looked impossibly high was a matter of moments.