After joining Xenon and Samuel, the schedule proceeded smoothly.
Samuel no longer bothered me with talk of giving me the Temple's treasures or the like, and fortunately, the Dullahans, having regained the betrayer's memories, did not run amok.
"I can cast a temporary appearance-altering spell on you, but unlike a magical artifact, it is not stable. However, it should hold until we leave the territory."
Xenon seemed apologetic about the unstable nature of the spell, so I patted his shoulder to convey that it was fine.
It wasn't just me; Xenon and Samuel were also figures whose faces were as well-known to the outside world as mine.
Since he had to cast the appearance-altering spell on all three of us simultaneously, it was not a matter to blame his skill.
Instead, I hurried even more to leave the Montel territory. Once we left the territory, we could immediately enter the foothills of the Trevi Mountains, and then there would be no people around.
"Huh?"
It was around the time we had just left the Montel territory that I felt the bracelet was acting strangely.
"Why is it doing that?"
Xenon's gaze was fixed on my wrist. Only after his remark did I notice the bracelet was sparkling.
Even normally, it would sparkle when the Dullahans were inside the gemstones. But now, it was shining more brightly than that.
To my eyes, it was merely a slightly stronger light, but Xenon seemed to sense something different.
"I think it would be best to take that off for a moment."
Eventually, Xenon even suggested I remove the bracelet.
"Here? Now?"
The day was bright, and we could still travel further. Now that all the Dullahans were gathered, I needed to reach our destination and part ways with Samuel as soon as possible, even a day earlier.
Wanting to advance our arrival by even a day, I had no desire to delay even for a moment.
However, Xenon not only came to a complete stop but even dismounted.
"The magical power is unusual. Please give it to me for a moment. I will examine it."
When he put it that way, it seemed something had indeed gone wrong.
"What's the matter?"
"The magic circle isn't erased..."
Xenon muttered in a puzzled voice as he examined the very finely engraved magic circle on the inside of the bracelet.
Samuel, who had been quietly watching Xenon's actions, interjected bluntly.
"Does that magical artifact also have a lifespan?"
"Impossible. This is a top-tier magical artifact, practically permanent, one might say."
"Among the Temple's treasures, there are also spatial magical artifacts. I can prepare one if you need it."
Watching Samuel seize the opportunity to push the Temple's treasures on me made me let out a hollow laugh.
Paying no heed to Samuel's words, Xenon, who had been squinting as he checked the bracelet, ultimately failed to find anything significantly amiss and returned it to me.
"I will ask Dekin separately."
"Alright. Ask him later when we make camp, not now. I want to leave this place quickly."
We had not yet entered the foothills of the mountains. I doubted the frightened Phrygian sister would send people after me, but one never knew what Lilia might do.
Lilia, who had targeted me even in front of others.
Whether she was foolish or lacked even the minimal rational judgment to assess her surroundings, it was certain she would not back down like this.
With the Dullahans potentially becoming unstable at any moment and the possibility of attackers getting involved, I did not want to cause an unnecessary commotion.
Perhaps my impatience showed, as Samuel subtly addressed me.
"Is there a need to hurry?"
"There is no need not to hurry."
"Do you know what will happen to you when you arrive there?"
Samuel's remark was a pointless observation. A topic I particularly did not wish to broach, especially in front of Xenon.
As expected, Xenon, who was about to mount his horse, turned to look at me with wide eyes.
I glanced at Samuel with a wry expression and reluctantly parted my lips.
"You speak as if you know, Sir."
"As you are attempting to conclude what was left unfinished in the past, I can guess."
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Xenon cautiously inquired.
"...What does that mean, Lady Anelli?"
"It's nothing. Our destination is right before us, and I don't know why we're having this conversation. I wish to depart quickly."
I retorted curtly and grabbed Nadav's reins. Xenon wore an unconvinced expression, but seeing my urgency, he seemed inclined to follow my lead for now.
However, Samuel's loose tongue did not stop.
"I foresee the possibility of death."
Xenon, who was about to mount his horse, halted.
"Sir Samuel."
Despite the warning tone in my voice, Samuel stubbornly continued.
"Do you not think so as well?"
Xenon, who had been blankly looking back and forth between Samuel and me, turned pale.
"Death? Whose?"
"Sir Samuel, enough!"
Even at my sharp call, Samuel did not react. He merely persisted, steadfastly addressing Xenon.
"If you were told that at the end of this journey, Lady Anelli might die, would you still assist?"
"What?"
"Would you stand by and watch as she walks into an uncertain future?"
Xenon did not answer. But one did not need to hear it from his lips to know. The answer was obvious anyway.
He held me in regard, and thus, naturally, he would not wish for my death.
If it were said that I might die after performing the final authority at Veladia Castle...
Would Xenon, like Samuel in the past, try to prevent the completion of the authority? I wasn't sure.
However, what was certain was that Samuel had deliberately brought this up now.
Samuel... seemed to have concluded that my death lay at this end.
He likely had his own grounds for reaching that conclusion.
"Sigh..."
I held my throbbing forehead and let out a long sigh.
In the end, the smooth schedule was interrupted just before our destination.
* * *
The sense that had allowed him to know Anelli's whereabouts grew increasingly faint and vanished completely by the time they neared the Trevi Mountains.
If Anelli were to learn of this, she would undoubtedly detach herself and disappear without hesitation. Samuel easily surmised this.
So, he deliberately did not show any sign. Instead, he pondered. Why was this phenomenon occurring?
After brief contemplation, he reached a conclusion.
'Because there is no longer a need to sense the presence of the Resurrected One.'
In a way, it was a simple yet the most certain and clear reason. The necessity had vanished.
The duty given to Samuel was to guide her to the appointed place.
After that, there was no need for Samuel to sense her existence.
But was that all?
Performing the final authority and granting true rest to all creatures of the world meant that the duty of the Resurrected One would also end.
'If the duty of the Resurrected One ends.'
Would the goddess permit her life even after that? Would the vitality of the body that had died by beheading truly be maintained after everything was over?
Perhaps it was because she would no longer exist in this world, and thus he could no longer sense her.
'Rest is fair to all.'
Like the Dullahans, Anelli would obtain rest. Then, what exactly was the rest she desired?
Samuel remembered Baron Ruejak groveling before Anelli, and Heinri and Lilia wearing envious expressions.
Facing a world filled only with people seeking to use her until the end, how would Anelli complete the final authority?
"Sir, have you lost your mind?"
Samuel gazed impassively at Anelli standing before him. She, who rarely batted an eye at most things, was now not even hiding her anger.
Anelli was this angry because of Xenon. Because of that ignorant fellow who was helping Anelli without knowing anything.
Samuel had observed all these reactions up close. So how could he not know?
"Why bring up such a thing so suddenly? Your duty is to guide me to Veladia Castle. Have you forgotten?"
"I am aware."
"You're aware and still do this? Do you wish to repeat the events of your past life now?"
Though her voice was not loud, it was sufficient to express her anger. Samuel remained silent for a moment before slowly parting his lips.
"I merely spoke of a possibility."
"Ha, a possibility? You intend to involve Xenon to achieve your goal, don't you?"
"That is also correct."
"What?"
Samuel, who had been staring intently at the bewildered Anelli, lowered his gaze.
A heavy weight settled in a corner of his chest.
"Even if I speak, you will not listen anyway. But that fellow..."
Xenon had temporarily stepped away. From what he briefly overheard Anelli say, it seemed he wanted to be alone to think for a while.
Though Samuel had always been at odds with Xenon, he now understood the emotions Xenon must be feeling. They were likely the same emotions Samuel had felt long ago.
Samuel glanced at Xenon's horse, tethered and standing alone, then lowered his gaze to his feet again.
"You care for him, so you will be swayed by his words."
Anelli did not seek favor from Samuel. She did not make requests without compensation or unreasonable, emotional pleas.
But there was a clear difference in how she treated Xenon. She felt at ease with him, and perhaps even cherished him.
Or perhaps it was a deeper emotion.
"Why are you going to such lengths?
"...Just as in the past, it seems you do not shun death even now."
But was the emotion Anelli held for Xenon truly intense enough to overcome even death?
Was Anelli not too disgusted with this world to decide to live relying solely on her affection for Xenon?
Upon hearing Samuel's answer, Anelli wore a surprised expression, as if she had heard something unexpected.
Standing speechless for a moment, Anelli suddenly asked.
"Sir, have you regained all your memories?"
"Yes."
Not wishing to hide it, Samuel nodded impassively. As he did, he looked at the bracelet on Anelli's wrist.
More precisely, at the gemstones of the bracelet.
"And it seems I have made a choice different from theirs once again."
Fine cracks were appearing in the gemstones that formed the bracelet.