Chapter 12.4

As life returned to Syria’s eyes, Miland spoke kindly, finally ready to grant his daughter’s wishes.

It had taken nearly twenty years for them to open up to each other. If possible, he wanted to stay by her side and give her all the affection he’d withheld.

“And about marriage, do as you wish.”

“Really?”

Syria, lost in emotion, perked up at his words. The Duke, who had pushed her to marry, nodded with a gentle smile.

“If you don’t want to, I won’t force you anymore. There’s no longer any reason to insist on that family, and above all…”

The Duke of Dronia cleared his throat and hesitated.

“Thinking about it, sending you off to marry still feels too soon, and honestly, I’m not ready.”

“…Then can I live here forever, never marrying?”

“Heh… You want to live by your father’s side forever?”

“Of course. If you allow it, I’ll always stay close to you.”

Syria leaned her head on the Duke’s sturdy shoulder and linked arms with him. His large hand warmly covered hers.

“Haha… You’ll probably change your mind later, but for now, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Miland smiled, thinking it was just his childish daughter’s charm, but Syria narrowed her eyes. After their first real conversation, her tangled thoughts felt completely cleared.

With this great realization, Syria made up her mind.

‘I won’t go back.’

* * *

In a dim room without even the lights on, Syria pondered. Having made up her mind to stay in this world, her thoughts grew sharper. She needed to find a way to avoid being sent back.

“I have to find a solution before tomorrow’s meeting.”

She briefly considered begging not to go, but shook her head. Isaac disliked her—he was eager to send her away.

“But… Why is the God of this world an evil God?”

Thinking back on her conversation with Isaac, the more she thought, the less sense it made. If he valued purity so much, he should be a holy god, not an evil one. Why was a god tainted by evil pretending to be good in that place…?

Come to think of it, if he didn’t like her, he could’ve sent her away a long time ago…

While Syria was sorting through her thoughts, a lightning-like realization struck her.

If he disliked her so much, he could send her away immediately, but since he hadn’t, she sensed the truth. Maybe it wasn’t that he wouldn’t—maybe he simply couldn’t.

* * *

The next day, as soon as the dawn broke, Syria headed straight to the Imperial Palace alone, without even a single attendant.

Gallion, who had been notified in advance, greeted her. He was busy investigating the mastermind behind the rebellion, and his exhaustion was obvious, as if he’d been dragged out against his will.

“What brings you here so suddenly?”

As he tried to speak, Syria pressed her index finger to her lips, silencing him.

“I’ve helped you a lot so far, so please let me into the Imperial Palace library.”

“The Imperial Palace library? That’s…”

Gallion hesitated, and Syria quickly poked his side.

“If you don’t help me, I might… disappear.”

Since it wasn’t a lie, Syria urged the aide with a completely earnest face. Seeing her serious expression, Gallion soon nodded and led her in. After all, if the Lady disappeared, his lord would cause a huge uproar.

Syria hurried after him. To be honest, she was anxious. She needed to know at least a little about Isaac before meeting him. The place she was heading to was the library, accessible only to the Imperial Family, where all the Empire’s ancient texts were gathered.

“This is it.”

Last night, while retracing the original work, Syria remembered a line muttered by the heroine, a devout follower of the temple: ‘I want to see the theological documents in the Imperial Palace library.’

Following that line, she thought she might find information about the evil god inside.

Leaving Gallion behind, Syria entered the library and headed straight for the section on imperial theology. She pulled out a book from the deepest shelves. On the dust-covered cover, the title <The Genesis of the God Grandios> stood out.

Syria sat down nearby and quickly flipped through the pages. The beginning was filled with typical theological phrases, but when she reached the very last page, she found the sentence she’d been searching for. Having found her answer, Syria read it swiftly.

[The benevolent god and the evil god, who exist to maintain the balance of the world, cannot interfere in human affairs at will, nor can they use divine power for unauthorized matters.

However, if there are devout prayers from believers for the benevolent god, or if there is a request from a human who pays a price for the evil god, exceptions are made.]

Syria’s lips, which had been stiff the whole time, slowly curled upwards.

“Found it.”

* * *

As soon as she left the Imperial Palace, Syria headed to the temple. She was going to confront Isaac once and for all.

As soon as she arrived, Isaac appeared as if he’d been waiting. His beautiful face, framed by pure white hair, seemed contradictory now that Syria knew he was an evil god.

Isaac still kept his distance, afraid he might touch her. He seemed pleased at the thought of sending her away, his lips twitching as he spoke.

“You’re here. Now I’ll send you back to that debauched world.”

“I refuse. I came here to say I won’t go.”

Syria answered brightly, confidently puffing out her chest as she looked at Isaac. She had a new family, no need to marry, and this place was truly comfortable. She didn’t have to work, didn’t have to suppress her desires, and there were plenty of attractive men around.

There were already three men who had grown used to her touch. She had no reason to leave. He’d summoned her, and now he was telling her she didn’t belong here and should leave? It made no sense.

At Syria’s firm words, Isaac’s eyebrows wriggled like worms. He’d expected her to obey meekly, and now his displeasure was obvious.

Isaac, fuming, spread his arms and blocked her path.

“L-leave this place immediately! It’s a divine command!”

“If you can send me, go ahead. Oh, but you can’t do it yourself, can you?”

Syria spoke mockingly, and Isaac’s face turned bright red. His eyelids fluttered in shock, as if wondering how she knew.

He could grant someone’s wish, but couldn’t use his own power directly. His twisted expression proved her suspicion was correct.

“I can’t intervene directly. But if someone casts a spell again, I can grant it.”

Realizing she knew the truth, Isaac admitted it and warned her again, but Syria stared back without flinching.

“Just so you know… I have no intention of going back, nor will I ever ask you to send me. I came here today only to inform you that I won’t return.”

Syria smiled more devilishly than the evil god himself, twirling her hair around her finger. Now that she knew he couldn’t use his power, she had nothing to fear.

Isaac clenched his fists in frustration, but as she said, there was nothing he could do. All he could manage was a threat.

“I’ll find a way to kick you out.”

“Sure, sure~ Do as you please.”

Even at Isaac’s ominous words, Syria smiled sweetly and turned her back to him. She no longer needed to listen to him or stay here. She had discovered he absolutely could not send her away.

“I’ll get rid of you somehow!”

Syria didn’t look back until Isaac’s voice, shouting threats he couldn’t carry out, faded into the distance.

She’d worried all day about being sent back, but the problem was solved. And, though it wasn’t her biggest concern, she also learned why she’d come here.

With a small laugh, Syria headed home with a light, cheerful step.

* * *

The scandal at the Imperial Palace spread throughout the Empire the next day, and the 2nd Prince was to be officially tried instead of summarily punished. Perhaps the Emperor had matured, as he opted for a trial instead of immediately drawing his sword, and a unanimous verdict of hanging was passed.

A week quickly passed since then. In the now peaceful Empire, Syria was glued to the window, observing the men as always.

“Oh~ Another new recruit? He’s nice… Ah, that knight used to be flabby, but now he’s muscular. He must be working out hard.”

The Duchy’s knight order was overflowing with new recruits, and fresh b*tts were added every day.

“Sigh… This is true happiness.”

Syria now looked at her own hand, which used to cause her so much trouble, with pride. ‘My hand did a great job,’ she thought.

Thanks to this hand, she came to a wonderful world and gained a trustworthy family.

“My Lady, the Duke is about to depart…”

Melanie, entering the room, was startled to see Syria grinning at the window.

“My Lady, please stop. You’ll get caught at this rate.”

Even as Melanie tried to pull her away from the window by the waist, Syria desperately clung to the doorknob.

“J-just a moment…! Just a little more!”

On the day of the incident, Syria had boldly slapped the 2nd Prince’s b*tt right in the banquet hall, witnessed by all the nobles present. The nobles saw it as loyalty against the rebels, but Melanie, who had been with her, realized something else.

She’d noticed why her makeup was always shiny in the same spot by the window, and why she’d taken medicine and chanted ‘b*tt’ hundreds of times.

“Oh, come on… You have to go see him off now.”

As Melanie clung to Syria’s waist, both ended up falling to the floor together.

“Ow, ow…”

Luckily, Melanie was behind her and absorbed most of the impact, so it didn’t hurt much.

“Ah… I have to go see Father.”

Leaving the groaning Melanie behind, Syria dashed out.

Today was the day Duke Dronia would finally leave for the territory he’d neglected for so long. She was supposed to go with him, but this time, with his busy schedule, he suggested they take a proper vacation next time.