Chapter 82
Lowering her voice so that not even Alnazir—nor the other witches—could hear, Fay whispered,
“I told you. He’s dangerous. An invoked who breaks promises without warning and could betray us at any time.”
“He said his goal is to stay here. If we let him stay, you can use that power.”
An invoked who brings an enemy’s head without even being asked, just to appease her anger—how loyal and remarkable was that? To think that the invoked she’d called by accident had turned out not to be a failure, but a jackpot.
Virelda grabbed Fay’s arm.
“Fay, accept him as your familiar. Just let your anger go!”
“But… you said he was the worst!”
Fay was bewildered by how quickly Virelda had changed her stance.
“Yes, I did. But the situation has changed.”
Virelda admitted it without backing down.
What had they just argued about in that so-called meeting? Whether to abandon Aldehallow and chase after some land that might not even exist.
Cling to a foolish hope or accept everything and die here as the last witches. Those had been their only two choices.
Until he appeared.
The head he brought had changed everything.
“You don’t want to leave Aldehallow either.”
“But Virelda, he…”
Fay hesitated.
She glanced at Alnazir. He was watching her with a faint, gentle smile, so harmless he looked incapable of scheming.
But she had already been completely deceived by that face once.
Right now he was behaving obediently, trying to make peace. But who knew when he might suddenly say, I’ve changed my mind, and betray her again?
“Fay, look at them.”
When she continued to waver, Virelda tilted her chin toward the crowd. As Fay’s eyes moved to the murmuring people, Virelda leaned closer and whispered,
“They’re doubting my leadership. They’re wondering whether I can truly protect this city as its guardian.”
“No. They all—”
Trust you. Fay wanted to say it.
But even she knew that kind of white lie wouldn’t work. Virelda had only just become guardian, and people were uneasy.
“Fay, you’ve always wanted to help me. I need your help now. We need your invoked’s power.”
“He could make things worse. If I can’t control him properly…”
“I’ll teach you how to handle an invoked. You can do it.”
Virelda’s eyes were steady.
For an ordinary invoked, her guidance would be invaluable. But would it work on Alnazir? Fay wasn’t sure.
Still, her friend—who was always decisive and never complained—was asking for help outright. Fay couldn’t refuse.
Virelda was right. She had always wanted to be useful.
“…Okay.”
At last, she nodded and walked toward Alnazir.
He didn’t understand their words, but he could sense the shift in atmosphere. The closer Fay came, the more his lips curved upward.
Why do I feel like a cow walking into a slaughterhouse?
Alnazir stood there with one arm slightly open.
Avoiding eye contact with the Emperor’s head as much as possible, Fay awkwardly stepped into his embrace.
“I’m glad you’re not angry anymore.”
He smiled with satisfaction, treating the stiff contact as a proper hug.
Fay felt deeply uncomfortable and couldn’t bring herself to reply. Virelda mouthed something from behind, coaching her like she was made of stone.
“Th-thank you for the gift. I’m really… happy…”
I am not happy! Fay screamed inwardly as she forced out the lie.
“Good. Then perhaps we can talk about my anger now.”
“…What?”
“You ran away quite well, leaving me behind. With someone else’s help.”
“W-wait…!”
Fay was so flustered she could barely form words. The man who had been resting his cheek against her head lifted it.
I’ve been fooled again.
That was the only thought that came to her. Before she stepped into his arms, his face had been gentle, almost warm. Now it was as cold as a winter wind cutting across bare skin.
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