Raised the Villainous Daughter and Ran Away

165. Confinement Begins…

Under the golden night caused by the descent.

Flutter-

Large angel wings sprouted from Somire’s back, shining brightly, and a ring formed above her head.

Frances and I were breathtaking at this sight.

goddess.

Somire’s appearance could be described in one word.

“… It’s not called Kangrim for nothing.”

A word that came out of my mouth without me knowing. It was a sight that made my mouth drop open.

“That’s what I mean… … .”

France also seemed to agree, humming quietly in agreement.

“ah…….”

Somire, who had clasped her hands together, carefully opened her eyes. Even her sapphire-like eyes were engulfed in a golden glow.

“Unfortunately, there is no way to bring back the beings that have disappeared from this world. Life, soul, and existence. All three of these things that make up a living being have disappeared.”

Is that so? I’d be lying if I said I didn’t expect it, but there’s nothing I can do. I have no choice but to accept the result.

“What is that…? Oh, no! I can’t lose Jin like this…!”

Frances had been crying for a while, clutching at her disheveled hair. Somire looked at her and smiled warmly.

“I said there was no way to turn back, I didn’t say there was no way to solve this problem.”

Frances looked up slightly and blinked her reddened eyes, saying, “What is that…?”

“Jin, I will submit you to the Duke.”

… What does that mean?

“To be exact, it will belong to the Duke as a part of you. Since you originally possessed the power of a transcendent being, you will be able to maintain human life. Although your power will be somewhat reduced.”

Belonging? What a scary thing that is.

“Then Jin doesn’t have to leave?”

Frances asked with wide eyes. Somire smiled and nodded.

“Yes. I will never be able to leave or refuse an order unless the Duke gives me permission. Forever, forever. Even when the Duke dies and reincarnates, Jin will be with you.”

Isn’t that more dangerous than the ＜Song of Eternity＞ that binds souls? I was speechless.

“okay…?”

Frances stopped crying and looked at me. Her eyes were sharp as a hawk’s and piercing as a viper’s.

“Jean Barenberg. Answer me. This is the only Holy Grail that the benevolent Goddess has bestowed upon you. It is impossible to restore your existence, so this is the least mercy I can give you.”

Somire continued speaking, shining with golden light.

“Will you accept? Right now, I am sustaining you with the power of the descent, but if you refuse, you will disappear from existence.”

I have no choice but to accept this. It’s a spine-chilling condition.

‘still…….’

Wouldn’t it be better to feel a chill down your spine than to be afraid of parting with someone you love? It’s not worth worrying about. I nodded.

“…I don’t accept it.”

“You thought well.”

Somire smiled and flapped her wings. She slowly floated into the air, her pure white feathers falling, and a golden whirlwind blew across the starry night sky.

“Power is given to you.”

Hwaaak─!

The golden particles that made up my body seeped into every part of me. It felt warm. I felt empty inside, but it was being filled with something.

“ah…….”

I’m tired of feeling sleepy. It’s like I’ve eaten a lot of delicious food and then laid down in bed. I don’t think this is right… … .

‘It’s so comfortable.’

My eyelids are heavy. My eyes are slowly starting to close.

“Jin, rest well. When you wake up, everything will be over.”

Frances came over and hugged me tightly. She buried her face in my chest and rubbed her cheek against mine. Was it possible that the power was returning to her body and that we could make contact again?

“France Descartes. I attribute to you the existence of Jean Warenberg.”

Flutter! The feathers of the wings that had moved once began to spread out in all directions and disappear. The gold that covered the night sky gradually diminished, and the light that had spread around Somire also disappeared.

“This is the end. I broke the rules and was abandoned by the goddess.”

Somire smiled and raised her eyebrows.

“Truly I salute you, transcendent being who resisted the fate that was laid out for you. Rest in peace.”

Those were the last words I heard before I closed my eyes.

* * *

I opened my eyes.

A chandelier made of pure white crystal sparkled on the unfamiliar ceiling, and incense was burning around it, giving me a feeling of calming my mind and body.

A wide bed that is soft enough to melt your body into, and has plenty of space even when you stretch out.

When I turned my head, I saw that there were not only two rooms, but also a bathroom and toilet. It looked like a simple bedroom, but it was similar to an average house.

The walls are covered with paintings that look like they were drawn by famous artists, and there are art pieces displayed here and there.

An old-fashioned room that would likely be used mainly by royalty or nobles.

In the corners, round crystal balls are attached and sparkling.

But why do I feel a sense of alienation?

“… … .”

I soon realized what the strange feeling was.

Why are there iron bars on the door like in a prison? And why aren’t there any windows?

“uh…?”

I quickly got up. I clenched my fists and moved my body to check the condition.

“…There is nothing wrong with my body.”

The feeling of dizziness and emptiness as if I had anemia has also disappeared. It seems that the ritual of the saint’s descent has been completed successfully.

‘Let’s go out for now.’

I got out of bed and headed for the door. Strangely, the closer I got to the iron bars, the more my strength drained.

‘what?’

Thud. I collapsed. Something in this space was absorbing my strength in real time.

‘Is it because of the iron bars?’

It doesn’t look like much… … .

If I had to make an inference, would it be a crystal ball stuck only in that blind spot?

“… … .”

I can’t feel anything, so I don’t know what’s going on. Where are France and Somire, who were in the garden with me?

At that time, I was blinking my eyes and feeling confused.

“You’re awake.”

Kale’s face was visible through the iron bars on the door.

“Kale? What’s going on here?”

“That’s what happened.”

“What are you talking about?”

“… Think about it yourself.”

Kale said that and quickly turned his head away.

“Kale? Kale!”

There was no answer to my desperate calls.

“Hey, Jin oppa.”

Was Ladea there next to Kale? She looks happy to see her in this situation.

“Radea. What’s going on?”

“Uh… It’s Jin oppa’s karma.”

“Karma?”

Ladea avoided eye contact and smiled awkwardly.

“Anyway, take care. I don’t know if I’ll be able to see you again in the future.”

“… … .”

Ladea, seen through the iron bars, shook her head and sighed.

“That’s how you usually do it.”

“… … .”

“I don’t know anything.”

Then Ladea’s figure disappeared between the bars. Footsteps were heard, and then a thud. The door was shut. I brought you here and helped you succeed, but aren’t you being too cold?

‘By the way, where on earth is this? Is this the Duke’s residence?’

As far as I know, there is no such space in the duke’s residence. And most strangely, I can’t use Aura. Is it a side effect of the descent that brought back a disappeared being? I can still feel the power built into my body.

‘What about the feeling?’

It’s way below the original level. Normally, you should be able to hear even the sound of a single bug moving underground…

‘It seems like it’s a side effect.’

It was at that moment that I was thinking that.

Suddenly.

Crunch. Crunch.

The sound of cold shoes echoed outside the door. If it were normal, I would have recognized who it was right away by the sound.

‘Who is it?’

When I heard the sound and saw that it was light, I could tell it was not a man.

“Are you awake?”

An elegant and refined voice that seemed to gently scratch the eardrums. It was none other than Frances.

“Your Majesty? What happened?”

“what?”

“Just… this whole situation.”

“hmm…….”

Frances, who had stuck her head out through the iron bars of the door, was smiling at me. A smile so cold it seemed as if the air would freeze.

“For now, you can’t leave here.”

“What is that…?”

Frances’s eyes rose and she stood still. Her face, along with the aura she had, was beautiful and eerie.

“I will explain the power the saint used.”

Frances smiled faintly, tilted her head slightly, and continued speaking.

“Your existence has become a part of me, and you have been able to continue living. Since you are a part of my existence, you cannot refuse my orders, and you cannot be further away from me.”

Frances said that and chuckled.

“You are now completely mine.”

I think something big has happened.

* * *

Frances returned to her office and stretched, feeling refreshed.

“Haaah… … .”

The time Jin was asleep was four days. Judging from his condition just now, there doesn’t seem to be any particular problem.

“Thank you. I will never be able to repay you for this.”

Frances looked at Somire and drew a line at the corner of her eye.

“You don’t have to be so grateful. It was something you did for me, too.”

Somire savored the aroma of the tea as she spoke. Frances smiled and continued the conversation.

“Anyway, Somire. You will be working as the personal physician of the Duke Descartes’ residence. Even though you have lost your saintly powers, you can still use holy magic.”

He cannot regenerate amputated bodies or revive people who are dying like before, but he can still use divine magic to a degree comparable to that of Kazar.

The Khazars are also being overworked, so there needs to be someone to share the work. After all, that was part of the deal.

“And I will create a new identity for you, and the name Somire will disappear from this world.”

Somire tilted her head and asked.

“Even your status?”

“Yeah. Shouldn’t we give them freedom?”

“You went that far… … .”

“Because he is my benefactor.”

If Somire hadn’t existed, the results would have been terrible. Even if her existence had disappeared and I couldn’t remember her, the pain from the moment we broke up was not a lie.

“The title I will bestow upon you is Baron. You will be able to act as a vassal of the Descartes family. I will provide you with many conveniences. I will also provide you with financial support without holding back.”

At those words, Somire smiled and bowed her head.

“thank you.”

“No. I am more grateful.”

Until recently, I had been an enemy to Somi Range, so I still felt aversion to her, but I no longer felt disgusted because my inner self had changed.

“Your new name is Dahlia Shasta. You purchased the title from the fallen Baron Shasta.”

It was not a big deal for the Duke of Descartes to buy a single title of nobility. There were plenty of fallen noble houses in this vast and vast empire.

“I’ll tell the imperial family. The original Somire attacked the dukedom with the transcendent wizard Ladrien and was killed by Jin. Then everything will be over.”

There is still much to do. Emperor Rezef must be dismissed, a new emperor who is friendly to Descartes must be installed, the incorporation of the Barenberg forces and marriage with Jin must be arranged, and so on…

Although she would be extremely busy from now on and would have no time to rest, the smile never left Frances’ lips.

Now that I have completely acquired the truth I so desperately wanted.

“… But are you going to keep watching it?”

Somire asked cautiously, keeping an eye on things. Frances said, “Ah,” and took her eyes off the crystal ball.

“Of course we have to keep watching. No matter how perfectly we confine him, who knows what Jin might do next?”

The crystal ball was reflecting Jin’s appearance in real time.