Chapter 155
Just reading it automatically triggers that infuriating voice in my head.
Our ill-fated connection that started with “Is that a jab?”
I suppressed the urge to grab the back of my neck and read the letter.
Well then, the story to save you has entered its final chapter.
You got too cheeky sometimes, which worried me, but you survived, so that’s what matters! Great job.
Now, don’t worry about anything.
A happy ending is coming.
I hope you enjoy this touching finale at the duke’s estate, even if it’s just with some popcorn.
The letter ended there.
I flipped it over, held it up to the sunlight, even read it diagonally. Nothing hidden.
That annoying letter ended like that.
Final chapter? A happy ending is coming without me doing anything?
The letter was clearly from the God of the story. But the hair used as the writing tool—did Seraphina hand it over of her own free will? Did she know what would happen in the desert?
…But.
A creeping sense of futility told me worrying was pointless.
In this novel, To Save You, the main character is Seraphina.
No matter how much I tried to change things around her, the major outcomes remained similar because the world revolved around Seraphina.
I recalled her braving danger to evacuate people that day. I, injured, would have disappeared from everyone’s sight, but the busy Seraphina surely left an impression on the priests.
And finally, the final chapter. Seraphina likely noticed the Ancient Dragon’s resurrection in her own way and headed to the desert.
The story ends with her stopping the Ancient Dragon’s return and being hailed as a saint. The happy ending the God promised.
It was excruciatingly hollow.
Hey, God. You said, “Is that a jab?”
You really hated that I messed with the original saintly protagonist’s happy ending. You called me here to watch me grow fond of Seraphina up close, huh?
Well, you succeeded. Now it’s time for me to watch Seraphina save the world and be moved.
“Hey, God. Am I right? You called me here just to boast about your favorite and do some forced promotion, didn’t you?”
No answer. Looks like you completely lost interest in an extra like me.
Right, soon the Ancient Dragon will resurrect. The king will surely order my father to go with the Silver Dragon, but judging by the God’s note to “stay home and eat popcorn,” the saint will handle the Ancient Dragon herself.
…On the bright side, the story’s events have diverged from the original.
Father is content with his current life. He won’t get stabbed by Elber while foolishly summoning the Ancient Dragon. Just like I survived the crisis at sixteen.
Wow, such a happy turn of events!
…Still.
Do you really think I, who wasn’t satisfied with the original, will be satisfied here, God?
“Totally ridiculous!”
I crumpled the letter toward the sky and left the prayer hall.
The saint’s climax needs another villain. That’s undoubtedly going to be Alkaios Lapland.
Sure, the primary cause is the Cardinal Dragon, but Kai can’t escape responsibility for the contract he made.
…And while it’s not exactly my “fault,” I am the secondary “cause.”
The world in the novel needs a villain. I changed the villain. And by persistently denying my feelings toward Kai, I ultimately left him isolated.
I can’t let this end like that.
Besides, in the original, you just rolled into being a side character. That was frustrating enough. Now you’re destined to be a villain. How can I stand by and watch that?
Most of all, the ring I didn’t even get to try on keeps flashing in my mind!
“Return my excitement!”
I shouted words no one could understand as I crossed the temple. I was going to see Eugene. Since I was here anyway, I might as well see his face and talk about the situation.
But the friendly face that had always been a step above everyone else wasn’t in sight. Where on earth is he?
Another knight gave the answer.
“I followed Miss Seraphina on her pilgrimage.”
“Huh? It was that big that even the knights followed?”
“It seems the scale grew because it included relic investigation and dealing with nearby tomb raiders. Several priests went along, and knights about to be promoted went to receive blessings as well…”
“Sounds like a parade.”
“After the bell tower collapsed, the holy day lost its flair. I think everyone secretly expected a grand event.”
Humans…
Maybe this is another butterfly effect caused by me.
While I was smiling wryly, the knight lowered his voice and asked.
“You’re friends with Miss Seraphina, right?”
“Yes.”
“Among the higher-ranking knights, rumors say someone received a vision. Do you know anything? It seems related to the pilgrimage.”
“I don’t know.”
“I see… It’s a shame we won’t see Miss Seraphina for a while. The temple always seemed brighter when she was around.”
“…Indeed. I hope she comes back soon.”
I spun around.
Seraphina—someone destined to be loved.
The more I realized she was walking the saint’s path, the emptier my chest felt. I, an extra, seemed completely meaningless.
Then, the knight shouted behind me.
“Lady Schleiger, you’re amazing!”
“…Huh?”
“Honestly, it seems like you only come to the temple when you have a plan, but…”
“…”
“Still, Lady Schleiger only does villainous deeds to villains. Robbing nobles who earn from human trafficking under the guise of a blind date? That was truly awesome!”
“Ah… thank you!”
“No need to thank me. Come visit more often!”
The knight walked away with a bright smile.
“Doing villainous deeds to villains is awesome?” That’s the best compliment you could come up with?
Still, on the way home, my steps felt much lighter than when I read the God’s letter.
The Count of Tiller and his wife finally headed to the desert. Constant rumors of “unclaimed treasures lie in the Viste Desert” would make anyone anxious. And of course, scammers targeting such people would gather.
Father adjusted his clothes and said,
“Buried gemstones are probably real. The Cardinal Dragon must have left mineral information beforehand.”
“Did he anticipate this moment?”
“No. Dragons are always hungry for precious metals. Lapland’s lands are mineral-poor, so even more so… The Silver Dragon settled in Flogel is lucky. He should know that.”
His voice trailed off. The Silver Dragon must be objecting. Father’s lips twitched upward.
Compared to years ago, their relationship had really improved. But I couldn’t smile yet.
Because…
“Your Excellency, the carriage is ready.”
“I understand.”
We too headed for the Viste Desert—specifically, me, Elber, and Father.
Benen greeted Father with a corpse-like expression.
“I’ll guard the house…”
“Good. Also, manage the territory and report properly.”
“I don’t want to sound weak, but please… let me survive…”
“You can mess things up. Starting from scratch—or even with debt—is an experience worth having while young.”
“You mean you’ll just leave me with the remaining debts after bankruptcy?”
Father didn’t respond.
After an awkward but long handshake with Elber, Benen hugged me tightly. I loved the smell of ink from his thin frame.
“I’ll handle things well, brother.”
“Just come back alive, even if you mess up.”
“Of course. I’m good at surviving while making others mad.”
“I trust you. And take this.”
He handed me a small velvet pouch. Inside were silver coins, shiny as if never used.
“What’s this?”
“The first money I ever earned. I gave it to Mother with a bouquet and received it back.”
Benen’s blue eyes looked at me. They didn’t flicker like Father’s or Elber’s, but they were unmistakably Schleiger eyes.
“Father and Elber gave you pieces of the Silver Dragon to protect you, right? I can’t do that… so I wanted to give you the first memory in my life that made me proud.”
“Brother…”
“Go. No matter what you lose, as long as you keep your life, I’ll help you regain everything.”
Most of all, it was a precious treasure. I gripped the silver coins tightly.
Far from the capital, in the carriage, I grumbled at Father.
“I wish you hadn’t gone.”
“If I didn’t move after leaving the investigation to the king, it would look strange. And I’m the only one who can stop the Ancient Dragon’s resurrection. If I told the king, he’d leave it alone to find an excuse to remove me.”
“But the result would be the same if you went yourself!”
“Then stop the resurrection, daughter. Don’t you trust me?”
“…I do.”
I couldn’t argue. Father sighed at me.
“How about you go back? I can arrange a room for your imprisonment.”
“If I did that, I’d escape and follow, making it even more dangerous. Being near you is safest.”
“I won’t deny that.”
It was settled.
I’m the person who knows the Ancient Dragon best. Being with me is safest.
And the God who mentioned the “happy ending” won’t just let me die.
Only Elber looked at this damned father-daughter pair with worried eyes.
“Should we draft a plan for when the Ancient Dragon resurrects? Worst case, effective force is just the two of us.”
“Elber, consider my age. I won’t join a fierce fight with a middle-aged body.”
If it were Benen, he’d quip, “Do you call muscles wrinkles these days?” But Elber is dutiful.
“Yes, I’ll do my best!”
“You don’t need to struggle alone. I’ve already sent allies; if worst comes to worst, coordinate as trained in Flogel.”
“…Wait, did you gather Flogel soldiers separately?”
Elber was stunned. Bringing soldiers into someone else’s territory during peacetime is basically declaring war.
Father smiled calmly.
“Don’t worry. As always, it’ll be resolved peacefully.”
“…Did you tie down the lord of Viste?”
“How do you see me?”
Father looked at me with a “You’d be different, right?” expression.
Ah, of course I trust Father!
