DLRV 25

Riding was one of my long-time hobbies.

I often rode horses in the royal hunting grounds. It was allowed exceptionally because I was the fiancée of the crown prince.

His Majesty the Emperor greatly approved of my hobby. This was because His Majesty’s hobby was hunting. Maxel didn’t enjoy horseback riding or hunting, but spent time with His Majesty.

One of the regrets when my body was in pain was horseback riding. How could I not endure properly on a horse?

I almost fell off trying to endure it forcibly, so I completely gave up horseback riding. I remember His Majesty sending a palace doctor with sympathy upon hearing my news.

Soon after, I heard that His Majesty took up a new hobby during tea time with Lilia.

He greatly enjoyed talking with her. Rumor has it that he praised the tea she brewed by hand.

He was pleased that his mind was relaxed just by enjoying the scent calmly without shedding blood in the hunting grounds.

I thought it was just a momentary whim, but everyone else didn’t think so. What’s important now is whether I was wrong or not.

Lilia didn’t adjust herself to others. She made others like her own. Clearly, that was an outstanding ability.

“I want to get along well with you.”

In front of her, everything of mine became hers. So how could I get along well with you, Lilia?

“If you just open your heart a little. Why do you insist on your stubbornness without seeing others’ pain? Just take a step back.”

Lilia, you’re right. So now I’m stepping back. I should watch closely how much others suffer when they step back.

It turned out to be good advice at this point. Could this also have been seen through with that great prophecy ability?

“Nadav.”

[Yes, Captain.]

“Do you remember your past?”

[The past?]

“Yeah. Or were you Dullahan from the start?”

[I’m not sure about that… I don’t remember any past. I just thought I had to meet the captain as soon as I opened my eyes.]

Staring at the long field with branched paths, I gently swept Nadav’s mane.

With so many paths, I didn’t know where to go. It was too inefficient to just run away blindly.

Samuel said he would find me somehow, but could I avoid tracking even if I crossed the sea?

Xenon said I shouldn’t rest for a moment, but honestly, I was at a loss. Where should I go from here?

It was questionable whether there was a safe place as Xenon said. From the beginning, I didn’t have a choice when I was resurrected.

“Do you want to find your head?”

[The captain will show me the way of light.]

“What if I don’t want to?”

Brushing off Nadav’s mane, I asked gently.

“If you don’t even think about the heads of you and your comrades, and if your rest is beyond my interest? Then what happens to me?”

Will my throat drop? Will I die this time? Instead of me, will God choose a more plausible resurrected person? Someone who loves the world more, holy and brave against evil.

So, like Lilia.

[I apologize for not remembering any useful information that could help the captain.]

Nadav’s answer was not what I wanted. I pursed my lips and lowered my voice.

“It’s not your fault. If you want to blame yourself, ask God.”

God who unknowingly resurrected me and awakened you.

“It’s strange. A world where those who have done wrong apologize to those who have done nothing wrong.”

It’s a world where evil is rampant.

“I wish I hadn’t remembered everything at all.”

If this body was needed, you could just use this body instead, Lord. Then there wouldn’t have been such troublesome things.

[I don’t remember the past, but… Recently, I remembered some information about a comrade.]

“A comrade?”

[Yes. A comrade I was close to.]

A colleague who got along well with Nadav. Yes, come to think of it, that could have been the case. If the Dullahans were all affiliated with the past, there could have been some close ones among them.

I brushed Nadav’s mane and thought for a moment. A close comrade.

“Do you want to see him?”

[I’m not sure. He would be helpful to the captain. He was smart and had a good memory. He might remember the information the captain needs.]

It seems like he would be more useful to me than he wants to see him. Maybe his skill in socializing has improved while dealing with mares in the stable.

“In fact, Nadav. I don’t want any information at all. I’m not interested.”

When I replied with a laughter in my voice, Nadav teased. He didn’t blame me or disappoint me in my words. It was just an attitude of compliance with my will.

He’s still a great subordinate. A subordinate who obeys without questioning no matter what I say.

It’s a relief that this dangerous monster obeys me. Isn’t it a precious existence that I have never had in my life?

Without making an effort to find my head, Nadav seemed to silently follow me around.

Then wouldn’t it be okay to give him a reward around this time? I tilted my head in confusion.

If he was a close comrade, it would be a proper reward for the loyalty Nadav shows me. And that Dullahan would also regard me as a commander.

The more subordinates, the better.

「Even if you run away, I will eventually find you.」

Feeling helpless at the thought that Samuel would chase me no matter where I went, I decided to shift my perspective.

Find me in the end? Then if I run away every time he does, he’ll give up eventually, right?

“Since nowhere will be safe anyway, should we look for that comrade you mentioned?”

If the Dullahans who awakened with my resurrection are the rampant evil of this world, then at this point, I might as well command that rampant evil.

If I establish a Dullahan Order and become its leader, wouldn’t I finally be free from being called a damn savior?

***

“Ha…!”

The hand holding the payment receipt trembled. At the bottom of an endless list of charges, an enormous total amount was printed. Frizian, whose lips had turned pale, opened her mouth slightly before slamming the desk hard.

Bang! The family’s brooch, which had been resting on the desk, clattered from the impact and rolled away.

“That…! Annelie Roam!”

At her furious outcry, the servants shrank back and took a step away. Only the Roam family’s long-serving butler remained unshaken, standing firm.

Breathing heavily, Frizian glared at the payment statement she had thrown and the brooch rolling around before turning to the butler.

“Did you approve this payment? You know who used it, don’t you?”

“Yes. I was certain it was sent by the young lady.”

“And Father?”

“He is having tea with Madam and Lady Lilia.”

Frizian clenched her teeth and jerked her chin.

“Lead the way.”

The tea time was being held not far away. Frizian, pushing past the butler, strode quickly toward the three people leisurely enjoying tea in the small annex garden granted to Lilia.

“Father! Are you really going to pay for all of this?”

The duchess and Lilia looked puzzled at her sudden intrusion and incomprehensible words.

The duke, glancing at the butler who had followed behind, seemed to grasp the situation and nodded indifferently.

“Yes.”

“But you saw the outrageous amount yourself!”

“Frizian, what in the world are you talking about?”

The duchess, who had been quietly listening, carefully addressed her eldest daughter.

Frizian, staring at the duke with a frustrated expression, swept back her bangs and forced her voice to remain calm.

“This is an external matter.”

“External? Her name has reappeared in the family register, making it a family matter.”

“Father!”

“The money she used is also money spent by a member of the Roam family, so naturally, the Roam family must pay for it.”

“That may be true, but she knows exactly what kind of situation we’re in right now! The fact that she suddenly charged such a large amount means she’s openly…!”

Frizian, about to burst out, hesitated upon noticing Lilia’s presence and bit her lip. The duchess, who had been quietly observing their conversation, sighed deeply, seeming to grasp the overall situation, and turned her gaze away.

Lilia, who had been fiddling with her teacup while gauging the atmosphere, cautiously spoke to Frizian.

“Is there something troubling you, sister?”

At Lilia’s gentle and kind question, Frizian averted her gaze slightly and replied.

“No, you don’t need to worry about it.”

“Is it because of our other sister?”

After a brief silence, the duchess spoke in a quiet tone.

“Lilia. You should focus on assisting His Highness the Crown Prince and not worry about anything else.”

“But I’m also a member of the Roam family now. I want to help.”

Lilia, her expression serious, looked directly at Frizian. After a moment of hesitation, Frizian, her voice calmer, asked,

“Have you seen anything recently?”

At that moment, both the duke and duchess turned their attention to Lilia. Under their focused gazes, Lilia hesitated, then drooped her shoulders in disappointment.

“…There hasn’t been a prophecy. But even without that, I’m sure there’s something I can do to help. Ah, sister. You should sit down and have some tea to calm yourself. This was a gift from Sir Maxell, and it’s said to be very effective in stabilizing the mind and body. Let’s all have tea together after a long time.”

Seeing Lilia quickly pull out a chair for her, Frizian shook her head. Even without Annelie’s issue, she was already busy fulfilling her role as the ducal heir.

The duke, sitting across from them, was no different. Frizian, her tone softened, reassured Lilia.

“I’m sorry, Lilia. I’d like to, but I’m too busy. …Father, could you spare a moment?”

“But you’ve only taken one sip…”

“I’ll be going now.”

Before Lilia could stop him, the duke stood up, pressed a brief kiss to the duchess’s cheek, and turned away.