While waiting for Catrin, Rachel gazed down at the Tears of Licorice. Using it to free Creon from his seal would completely terminate their contract. Numerous thoughts drifted through her mind.

It had been such a long, difficult journey. Watching Tervan die repeatedly had been so painful and exhausting that she often wanted to give up everything. The guilt of failing to save him and the profound despair of thinking she couldn’t succeed constantly tormented her.

Perhaps her emotional numbness was a form of self-defense—she couldn’t have endured otherwise. To protect her wounded, shattered heart, becoming emotionally detached was her only option.

Yet she couldn’t forget the emptiness and thirst she felt at the end of it all. Even when surrounded by others, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being isolated, set apart from everyone else.

The only reason Rachel had managed to hold on until now was thanks to Creon, who shared her timeline.

A knock sounded at the door, causing Rachel to look up.

“My lady, it’s Catrin.”

“Come in.”

As soon as Rachel gave permission, the door quietly opened. Catrin entered with careful steps and presented two necklaces to Rachel.

The two necklaces looked completely identical. Nevertheless, she picked up the one containing the sealed Time Demon Creon without a moment’s hesitation.

“That’s fine. Put the other one back. And thank you for your hard work today. Go and rest now.”

“Yes, my lady. Please call me whenever you need anything.”

“I will.”

After Rachel responded, Catrin took the remaining necklace and left the bedroom. Rachel, who had been watching her leave, shifted her gaze to the necklace.

‘Creon.’

[How are you feeling? I must have put a great strain on your body when I forcibly used it.]

Despite surely noticing that Rachel was holding the Tears of Licorice, Creon first asked about her wellbeing. His voice, connected through their mental link, carried a hint of guilt.

‘I’m fine, as you can see. Though I must have been under some strain since I’ve been asleep until now.’

[That’s a relief. And…]

Creon’s relieved voice suddenly cut off. Rachel immediately realized why and placed the Tears of Licorice in her hand. Then she pulled her lips into a smile.

‘The Tears of Licorice, right?’

[Yes. It seems Ronfellon ultimately devoured his contractor. That would explain why the Tears of Licorice is complete. Fortunately, we managed to stop him before he could use it.]

By her reasoning, Creon should have been overjoyed to finally obtain the Tears of Licorice after searching for over a thousand years. However, contrary to her expectations, he didn’t seem particularly pleased.

‘…Aren’t you happy?’

[No, I am.]

Despite his answer, his tone didn’t sound particularly delighted.

[It’s just that I feel a little regretful.]

Knowing exactly what Rachel was wondering about, Creon quickly added:

[Using the Tears of Licorice will end our contract, which means saying goodbye to you.]

It seemed Creon had been thinking the same thing as Rachel.

[Still, you’ve done well. You’re the only one among all my contractors who succeeded, Rachel. Congratulations.]

Creon’s congratulations sounded more like a farewell.

[And to me, you were the best contractor I’ve ever had. I’m proud of you for never giving up, no matter the circumstances. I’ll never forget you, so you should also—]

Rachel, who had been looking down at the two necklaces with dry lips, interrupted Creon’s words.

‘Do you have to leave?’

[What?]

‘I’m asking if you absolutely have to leave when the contract ends.’

Creon seemed at a loss for words, confronted with a question he had never considered.

‘Will you leave me after I use the Tears of Licorice?’

No matter how long Creon had communicated with Rachel, he was fundamentally a demon—too dangerous to live among humans. Even if he didn’t use his powers, the magical energy naturally emanating from him would make people ill.

[Well, of course I would…]

But Creon couldn’t continue. Rachel’s eyelids had turned red.

He had seen her like this several times before, not long after they first contracted. Her current expression mirrored how she had looked back then, when she had broken down and wept numerous times, unable to bear Tervan’s death.

[…]

Soon, Rachel’s eyes grew hot. The welling tears fell directly onto the necklace containing Creon’s seal without even trailing down her cheeks.

Creon maintained silence for a moment, allowing Rachel to collect her emotions. Inwardly, he felt relieved.

He had always hoped that Rachel wouldn’t lose her basic humanity. Despite the emotional withering caused by repeated time regressions, he wished for her to retain at least some of her sensitivity, to remain human. That’s why Creon had felt so sorry for her when she stopped shedding tears even for Tervan’s death.

It was the same in this timeline. Whenever she turned away from her emotions, he occasionally said things to provoke her feelings. And now, she was showing tears she hadn’t shed for a long time.

Crying was a good sign. It was proof that her emotions were stirring.

[Would you prefer I didn’t leave?]

Creon carefully asked Rachel.

Without even wiping away her tears, Rachel nodded in response.

[…Alright then. That’s what I’ll do.]

‘Really? Is that okay?’

[Yes.]

At Creon’s calm voice, Rachel’s eyes widened.

[I think we can postpone using the Tears of Licorice for a while.]

‘But that—’

[There’s no other way. I can’t stay with you for long in my demon form.]

Rachel repeatedly opened and closed her mouth. She felt guilty about making him delay something he had yearned for over a thousand years.

[It’s only a hundred years at most. That’s not such a long time for me. I can wait that long. It’s a liberation that’s already scheduled.]

At Creon’s calm voice, Rachel tightly gripped the Tears of Licorice.

[Besides, I want to see you become happy. I’ve seen too much of your unhappiness until now, haven’t I?]

Creon’s voice carried a playful tone. But Rachel knew well that he wasn’t simply being cheerful. Everything was meant to reassure her.

Only then did Rachel realize she had made an unreasonable request. Creon had become her most dependable companion, which made her want him to stay by her side longer, but that wasn’t right. She couldn’t keep Creon imprisoned in the sealing stone any longer just because of her selfish desires.

Taking a deep breath in and out, Rachel burst into laughter. She couldn’t help but laugh at herself out of self-contempt.

[Rachel?]

Creon called out to her in confusion, seeing her unexpected reaction.

Finally composing herself, Rachel wiped her tears with the back of her hand that held the Tears of Licorice.

‘No, I’ll stop being selfish. I’m sorry for being so fickle.’

After speaking, Rachel brought the Tears of Licorice to the necklace containing Creon’s seal.

[Are you sure you’re okay with this?]

‘Yes. You granted my wish, so I should grant yours. That’s only fair.’

[…]

There was no response from Creon. But Rachel sensed that he had accepted her decision.

The pendants of the two necklaces touched each other. At that moment, a blinding white light filled her room.

Rachel instinctively closed her eyes at the sudden brilliance. In that instant, enormous mana began pouring out from the sealing stone.

Though she wanted to watch Creon’s final departure, she couldn’t open her eyes. Moreover, the overwhelming magical power surrounding her made even breathing difficult.

[Thank you, Rachel. I won’t forget this kindness.]

The familiar voice reached Rachel’s ears as she struggled. She turned her head toward the sound but couldn’t see Creon.

Before long, the magical power and light that had filled the room disappeared.

Rachel slowly opened her eyes and checked the two necklaces in her hand. At first glance, they seemed unchanged, but the reality was different.

“…He’s gone.”

The magical power she had felt from the two necklaces was no longer present. It was an empty ending.