Rachel had two tasks ahead of her: first, to buy time, and second, to help Erika escape from this place. Yet both goals seemed increasingly unattainable.

[What about using magic to deal with the Duke’s people?]

Creon asked Rachel, seeking confirmation out of frustration.

‘That would be difficult,’ Rachel responded negatively.

Her skills were certainly sufficient to handle the Duke’s people. Even with another demon contractor guarding the Duke, Rachel had more experience. She had mastered magic through countless time regressions and gained practical combat experience visiting the Witch’s Forest repeatedly to save Tervan. Rachel was confident she wouldn’t lose even against another demon contractor.

The problem was Erika. Despite her exceptional abilities, Rachel couldn’t protect Erika while fighting a demon contractor. If Duke Bermund took Erika hostage during the battle, Rachel would be the one in trouble. This might have been worth attempting with someone to help her, but alone, it was impossible.

“You’re quite silent. From my perspective, I believe I’ve given you ample time,” Duke Bermund said, pressuring Rachel.

Though she needed to make an immediate decision, she couldn’t see a solution.

Rachel lowered her head, deep in thought. When caught between impossible choices, she had to select the best available option. She was already living her twenty-seventh life. Though she had lived single-mindedly to save Tervan, ignoring everything else, she had undeniably experienced more time than most people.

Moreover, she had already achieved her deepest wish—saving Tervan. She needed to fulfill the end of her contract with Creon anyway. Though Creon suggested there might be other options, Rachel knew the simplest way to conclude everything.

‘Creon,’ Rachel called softly.

Creon waited anxiously for her words. Rachel blinked, organizing her thoughts, then sighed quietly before addressing him.

‘Will you tell me how to create the Tears of Licorice?’

[…What?]

Creon immediately understood her intention behind the question.

[No. I can’t.]

He couldn’t bring himself to explain the method. Having watched over her for so long, Creon knew better than anyone that Rachel had finally gained a moment to breathe after constantly pushing herself to save Tervan.

Just when she might have freed herself from the burden of Tervan and begun living her own life, this situation arose. This wasn’t what Creon wanted. Though he needed the Tears of Licorice for his freedom, that wasn’t what mattered to him now.

Rachel understood his feelings and felt nothing but gratitude toward him.

‘Tell me,’ she insisted, her tone calm and steady.

[Why? You’ve finally escaped the cycle of regression—why do this?]

Creon shouted at Rachel in frustration. She maintained her silence.

Though initially wanting to lash out at her, Creon ultimately held his tongue. In the end, Rachel would meet a fate similar to his other contractors. The difference between Rachel and his previous contractors was that Rachel had completed her contract, while the others had abandoned theirs.

Yet the result remained the same—all the contractors Creon had supported and encouraged eventually left him. That terrible solitude and loneliness was his greatest torment.

Nevertheless, he understood Rachel’s position. She was simply doing her best from where she stood—previously to save Tervan, and now to save her young sister. Creon knew that nothing he said would change Rachel’s mind. He wished she could have been more selfish.

Though this thought crossed his mind briefly, Creon quickly realized its futility. His contractors had always been this type of person—someone willing to sacrifice their life to save another. 

Given that sacrifice was a prerequisite for contracting with him from the beginning, selfish people like Duke Bermund wouldn’t even qualify to contract with Creon.

[…You don’t mind dying?]

Creon asked Rachel one last time.

Instead of answering verbally, Rachel nodded. Though he had no physical form, Creon could clearly sense her affirmation.

[There are no difficult conditions. Meeting your end by your own power, not by anyone else’s—that’s how my contractor creates the Tears of Licorice.]

‘…Not so different from regression,’ Rachel chuckled softly.

Creon barely restrained himself from snapping at her.

‘So that’s why you tried so hard to prevent regression.’

Rachel nodded again in understanding. Though she had previously realized the reason, this was the first time she learned that the specific conditions matched those of regression.

‘Thank you for telling me.’

[…]

Creon remained silent despite Rachel’s gratitude.

‘Creating the Tears of Licorice isn’t particularly difficult, but the problem is you and Erika.’

If Rachel created the Tears of Licorice, they might be stolen by the Gluttony Demon who was targeting them from behind her. Additionally, if she didn’t personally confirm Erika’s rescue, everything would be for nothing.

[Don’t worry about me. I’m closer to you than Ronfellon is.]

Creon’s response somewhat reassured Rachel.

“Alright. I’ll create the Tears of Licorice right here,” Rachel finally told Duke Bermund, having made her decision.

The Duke hummed with interest, “Are you really going to create it?”

“I have no choice,” Rachel replied, her voice resolute.

Duke Bermund approached Rachel, “You’ve made a wise decision. Then without delay, let’s—”

“However,” Rachel interrupted him.

The Duke frowned at her sudden interjection, then quickly smoothed his expression. Rachel looked at him slowly, initiating one final battle of wills.

“Release Erika first.”

“That’s impossible,” Duke Bermund refused Rachel’s demand.

“If I let Erika Pluret go and you do nothing afterward, I’d be at a disadvantage, wouldn’t I?”

“Aren’t I taking the greater risk? I’m betting my life. And you seem confused—I’m telling you to release Erika first precisely because I’m staking my life. What if I create the Tears of Licorice but Erika isn’t freed?”

When Rachel stood her ground, Duke Bermund nodded. He recognized that she wasn’t foolish.

“Very well. Let’s do it your way. But if you don’t follow through properly, you’ll lose something even greater next time.”

Duke Bermund warned Rachel in a low voice. Then he instructed his butler to release Erika.

“Satisfied?” Duke Bermund turned to Rachel after confirming the butler’s departure.

“I’ll do it once I confirm Erika has left the mansion.”

“…Fine. But I’ll assign knights to accompany her, so don’t try anything foolish.”

“Would I dare?”

After receiving the Duke’s agreement, they waited briefly for Erika to leave. Rachel approached the window to confirm Erika’s safety.

Before long, she spotted Erika departing through the main gate. Before boarding the carriage, Erika turned with an anxious face and looked up toward the mansion. Their eyes met.

Rachel waved lightly to Erika. Though Erika reflexively waved back, anxiety still clouded her expression. Soon, Erika boarded the carriage.

The carriage began to leave the mansion, accompanied by knights from Duke Bermund’s household who served as both escorts and monitors. Rachel kept the departing carriage in view until the very last moment.

From behind her, Duke Bermund’s voice rang out: “Are you satisfied now?”