Chapter 10 (Side Story) The Fate for a Romantic Death of a Certain Being (Part 1)

The man belonged to the realm that governed fate, yet he had never once believed in it. More precisely, he never considered that it might affect him as well. 

Every being granted life has its own existence, but some are born simply for a purpose. Plants planted to improve wasteland, livestock raised to be eaten, dams built to prevent floods, objects created for decoration, parts fitted out of necessity… 

He thought he was such a being. 

Therefore, if he had even a hint of doubt or felt particularly sorrowful about it, he believed his life would not have flowed this far. 

“Singularity?” 

“Yes.” 

It was an ordinary day when he learned of the woman’s existence. 

“As you know, no one wants to take responsibility for her… I came to seek your advice, Nathaniel.” 

A subordinate, who rarely approached him due to difficulty, quietly came forward and spoke. The subordinate seemed tense, perhaps expecting rejection or dismissal, and kept his gaze fixed on the ground. 

Of course, Nathaniel paid no attention to the subordinate’s reaction. He simply recalled the information about the “singularity” mentioned by his subordinate. 

“Hmm… But we can’t just ignore it. She is a being directly touched by His breath. If it’s for good, there’s nothing to worry about, but if it’s the opposite, we can’t predict the problems she might cause again. Someone needs to watch over her and guide her properly until the end. That’s the safer way.” 

The subordinate flinched at his cold tone and pushed out his response. 

“That’s why everyone avoids her. As you know, she’s already caused the deaths of more than a few. So, if you could designate someone with your authority… that’s what we were thinking.” 

Nathaniel paused at those words. The subordinate was right. There had been similar reports before, and they lost three subordinates then. Though it was an old incident, everyone was still scared. They seemed to want him to issue a command to avoid complaints about passing responsibility. 

After hearing the request and contemplating briefly, Nathaniel spoke. 

“I’ll take care of it.” 

“Then we’ll assume you’ll designate someone… What?” 

The surprised face that had been staring at the ground suddenly lifted. Shock was evident in the expression. The question “Directly?” seemed to be apparent, prompting Nathaniel to ask in a dry tone. 

“Any objections? Then you do it.” 

“N-No! Thank you. Indeed, if it’s you, Nathaniel, you won’t be affected by her influence. Surely, there will be no issues and…” 

“Your words are long.” 

After dropping his response, he answered briefly and then walked away. Behind him, he heard a farewell that sounded like a request. 

“Please be careful!” 

At this point, he had no idea. 

That this impulsive decision would change his life, his existence, and even his very roots entirely. 

“Let’s go, Skoll. We have to move far from today.” 

At his call, a horse running across the barren field approached. Wherever the horse passed, a fierce dust storm arose, causing the crowd to be orderly pushed aside, restoring order. 

The horse whinnied irritably, perhaps understanding the need to move far, but he mounted it without concern and pulled the reins. Then he began to ride toward the woman “no one wanted to watch over.”

***

As soon as he first saw the woman, he realized one thing. That she would shake him drastically in the future. It felt like a massive lightning bolt from fate had struck him.

He looked at the woman before him with a shocked expression, carefully observing her. 

She was crouched on the grass, gently stroking young clovers that had just begun to lift their heads like new buds. Accompanied by a soft song, she repeatedly opened and closed her green eyes. 

She wore an old, loose-fitting dress made of what seemed like rough material, yet her thin frame was barely concealed, making her appear pitiful. It wasn’t just that. Her pale skin was marked with dark and light bruises and scars. 

For the first time, he thought that someone else’s wounds might be painful. It felt as if the pain was spreading, as though it was his own. 

Behind her head, the setting sun was beginning to paint the world in crimson. It cast red lines on her almost translucent skin, creating beautiful doll-like contours. 

Her small nose, lips like flower petals, and smooth jawline… When the wind played with her brown hair, it seemed as if strands of shimmering silk were scattered. And every time it blew toward him, he felt as if a soft, sweet chocolate scent was wafting over. 

He watched her from afar while still on his horse. 

“Is that… the singularity?” 

Unconsciously frowning, he muttered in wonder. He even thought the languid air around her was strange. He wondered if the scene before his eyes was truly part of the flowing time. 

He couldn’t easily find words. 

Simply watching her filled him with an inexplicable sense of fullness. The fact that she was alive and moving before him didn’t seem real. 

How could this be? This place wasn’t a paradise personally crafted by Him, so perfect peace and beauty shouldn’t exist here. 

His mind was tangled with indescribable awe and questions. 

Then, it happened. 

The woman’s song gradually faded as she gazed at the grass. He carefully observed her reaction, wondering what was happening. She flinched as if sensing something and began to stand up. 

Immediately after, he found himself unable to breathe for a moment. She had quickly turned her head in his direction. Then she broke into a bright smile.

“Ah…!” 

Her voice was like the sound of a small, beautiful bell. 

Before he had time to be surprised, she started running toward him. 

Her wide skirt fluttered. Her long brown hair swayed with each step. She reached out her arms as if wanting to embrace something. 

He instinctively flinched, then blankly watched as the beautiful, small world full of flowers seemed to rush toward him. 

Ten steps away. Five steps away. Three steps away… 

Just as she seemed about to embrace him. 

“Hello…! You came again!” 

With a cheerful greeting, she passed him by. A sensation like a fresh breeze passing through enveloped him in a chilling embrace. 

He exhaled a trembling breath and immediately turned his body. Then he looked at her again. In her small arms, something large was panting and wagging its tail. It was a dog. 

She burst into laughter, delighted by the animal’s open affection and joy. She seemed so happy that it was hard to believe she had been somberly stroking the grass just moments ago. The hazy glow of the sunset sparkled and scattered around her. 

“……” 

He quietly watched the laughing woman. 

Her hand stroked the black and white fur of the dog, her small lips burst into laughter as the dog licked her chin, her beautiful green eyes sparkled with joy, and her cheeks flushed… 

He wanted to touch her. 

Even for a moment, he wished to touch those fingers, the warm cheek flushed with delight, the small, soft-looking lips… And he hoped that he would be reflected in those beautiful eyes. 

“…Cordelia.” 

He softly whispered the name of the soul he was to watch over. 

For the first time, his heart began to beat fiercely. The strong thumping felt as if it was breaking the ground he had stood on all this time. 

At that moment, his life split in two. 

“Cordelia…”

Nathaniel realized that he could never return to the state he was in before he met her.

***

After that, he often tried to define himself. 

What kind of being was he, how was he different from her life, and how far removed was he? Even though it was unlikely, he wondered if his world and hers could ever be on the same plane. Would she ever be able to recognize him…? 

Of course, he already knew the answer was no. 

He and she were on different paths, and there was only one instance where those paths could intersect. 

‘Death.’

When her life in this world ended and she crossed over to where he was. That was the only time. 

He was originally a being who managed and supervised the passage that dead souls traveled through, ensuring they did not stray from their path. 

‘Grim Reaper…’ 

Perhaps mortal beings with short lives like hers would define someone like him in that way. So, she would have to pass through the stage of death to meet him and see him. 

But even then, seeing her would be just a brief moment. Her soul would blend with countless others, swiftly passing through the path he guarded as he had always seen.

And as always, he would stand outside that flow, mounted on his horse, watching her as she momentarily drifted past. He and she were ultimately beings placed in different realms, connected only to that extent. 

“Why the basket? Ah, there was a meat pie! Do you want some too? Shall we eat together?” 

Today, Cordelia cheerfully greeted the dog that came running to her, wagging its tail. 

The dog belonged to a nearby shepherd but often came to her for affection and treats, playing around. 

Today, the dog immediately ran to the basket she had brought and stuck its nose in it. Realizing there was food inside, she took it out and gave it to the dog. It was clearly her lunch, but she shared it generously. Initially, she gave half, but seeing the dog eagerly devour it, she soon offered the rest with a smile. 

“Is it tasty? Well, I’m glad at least you’re enjoying it. The table was overturned because of this yesterday. They said, ‘What kind of woman can only make food like this?’ It’s upsetting. If they actually tasted it, it’s not so bad. Right?” 

She complained while stroking the soft fur, whether the dog understood or not. The gesture seemed to comfort her, as her expression softened. 

Then, a whistle sounded from afar. 

The dog, which had been lying at Cordelia’s feet showing affection, jumped up and perked its ears. It seemed to be its owner calling. The dog quickly licked her hand as if saying goodbye and ran off.