Dorman panicked again as he looked at Jainer, who was staying so calm. After coughing awkwardly a few times, he continued in what was, in his own way, a serious tone.

“People say this all the time. That if you go to hell, your soul gets thrown into a pit of fire. But it’s not just that. It’s beyond anything you can imagine. It’s a place that shows you exactly what it means for a soul to be eaten away.”

“My soul’s already been eaten away, living the same life over and over. There’s nothing left to grind down.”

“Th-That’s true. Ahaha.......”

Dorman’s smile grew even more awkward.

“Ahem. Anyway, hell isn’t a place you can take lightly. So I’d like to make you a new offer.”

“What is it?”

“How would you feel about becoming a reaper after death?”

“A reaper?”

For the first time, interest settled into Jainer’s face.

“Of course, it isn’t an easy position. Guiding the dead isn’t something simple. Even so, I’m confident it’s better than going to hell.”

“Hm.”

“And I can guarantee this is the maximum compensation I can offer you right now.”

With that, Dorman quietly waited for Jainer’s answer.

After sinking into thought for a moment, the corner of Jainer’s mouth lifted slightly.

“That’s a tempting offer.”

“You’ve made a good choice!”

Letting out a sigh of relief, Dorman called someone’s name.

“Havel.”

At that, a presence slid into view from empty air. It was Havel, the reaper.

“The paperwork.”

“Here it is.”

Havel pulled a sheet of pure white paper from inside his clothes and handed it to Dorman.

“It’s a soul contract. It states that after death, Jainer will carry out reaper duties.”

“Hold out your hand.”

The moment Dorman finished explaining, Havel stepped closer to Jainer. Then he removed his earring and lightly dragged it across Jainer’s finger.

“You just need to stamp your blood where your name is written.”

Jainer did exactly as Havel instructed. The paper lifted into the air and, in an instant, burst into flames.

“Then I’ll see you after you die.”

With that, Havel vanished on the spot as if his business was finished. Of course, only after offering Dorman a perfectly proper bow.

*****

On the way back after parting with Dorman—

‘A reaper.’

Separate from receiving compensation, the resentment Jainer felt toward Dorman had disappeared a long time ago.

He already knew that being swept up in the error hadn’t been Dorman’s simple mistake, but something done to save Camilla.

‘Not bad.’

He’d even been guaranteed a job after death.

With a soft snort of a laugh, he ruffled Daive’s hair again.

“During break, should we go see Camilla?”

“Really?”

“Yeah. If she hears you’re coming, Camilla will probably like it too.”

“I’d love that!”

At Jainer’s words, Daive smiled brighter than ever.

“When is break, anyway?”

Then someone quietly cut into their conversation. It was the Duke of Eskra.

“Why do you ask?”

“Because I need to take care of anything urgent before then.”

“...Are you coming with us too, Father?”

As the two of them looked at him with baffled eyes, the Duke of Eskra knit his brows sharply.

“Camilla told me I have to stay by Daive for at least three hours a day. So I don’t have a choice, do I? I have to follow you.”

Jainer and Daive made a wordless laugh, wearing stunned expressions for a moment.

Regardless, the Duke of Eskra sped up his document work again. He had to finish as quickly as possible if he wanted to go with them.

Watching him, faint smiles spread across the two of their faces.

Side story. Memories of the Soul

“Oh my, goodness! How can a child be this pretty?”

“Such a calm little one, too.”

“How adorable. Look at those green eyes. They’re like jewels.”

It was something I’d heard from people all the time, as long as I could remember.

“Our Kenny is wonderful in every way, but he’s just too shy.”

I feel like I’ve heard Mom say that dozens of times too.

“He reads like that every day....”

“Our child doesn’t read at all, so that’s the problem for us.”

“He must be going to grow up to be a great businessman, just like his father.”

Mom and Dad worried about me. I couldn’t blend in with other kids, and I read at home every day.

“Kenny, are you looking at drawings of wolves again?”

“Yes.”

Today too, out of all the books in the bookstore, I picked up the fairytale book with a wolf drawn on it first.

“Why do you like wolves so much, Kenny?”

“Um... I don’t know. I just do.”

When I look at wolves, my left chest gets itchy for no reason. And for some reason, it feels like I’m going to cry....

“This is a book about a divine beast.”

“A divine beast?”

“Yeah. Sephra’s divine beast is a black wolf.”

At Mom’s explanation, I looked back at the book. I couldn’t take my eyes off the huge black wolf for some reason.

“Oh my... Kenny, are you crying right now?”

“...Huh?”

Only when Mom’s startled voice reached me did I realize I was crying.

When I lifted my hand and touched the corner of my eye, tears really were running down.

“Kenny, are you okay?”

Mom bent her knees a little to meet my eyes. Seeing Mom’s eyes full of worry made me cry even more, strangely.

“I don’t know. I’m just... just sad.”

Mom kept touching my forehead, checking over and over to see if anything hurt.

I shouldn’t make Mom worry. It’s not good for the baby in her belly.

“Mom, I’m okay.”

“Nothing hurts?”

“Yes.”

“Should we buy this book?”

“Yes!”

Seeing me smile brightly like I ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) hadn’t been crying at all, Mom let out a small laugh and patted my head.

“Then Mom will go pay for it and come back.”

Nod.

As I watched Mom head to the counter, I looked over the book again. Even just smelling it was nice.

“...Huh?”

Then, without meaning to, my whole body froze.

‘That person....’

Not too far away, someone was looking at books.

‘Why....’

Why am I crying again? It feels like my chest hurts too.

‘That person....’

I’m sure I’ve seen them somewhere before. Those red eyes... why do they feel so familiar?

Without realizing it, I walked toward that person.

*****

“I should buy this for our Rio.”

Stopping by a bookstore alone for once, Camilla was choosing a book to give Rio, who was already nine.

He was smart from the time he was little, but it feels like he’s only getting sharper as he grows.

Tug.

“Hm?”

Then something grabbed at the hem of her clothes.

When she turned her head, a child who looked about four? Five? was staring at her blankly.

‘Whoa.’

Why is this kid so pretty?

Rio and Daive are cute too, but this one is on a whole other level.

“What is it, little one?”

“.......”

“......? Did you come with someone?”

“...Candy.”

“Huh?”

“Candy.”

“...Candy?”

Nod.

...What? Is this kid asking me for candy right now?

“Heh.”

Without meaning to, Camilla laughed.

“How did you know? That I always carry candy.”

“.......”

“Here. Eat this.”

Camilla took out a piece of candy from her small bag and held it out.

But the child gently shook his head. Then he just opened his mouth a little.

Don’t tell me he can’t unwrap candy yet? Tilting her head for a moment, Camilla unwrapped it and held it out to him.

Slide.

Only then did the child reach out and take the candy. Then he looked at her again without a word.

Staring into the child’s green eyes, Camilla’s mood turned strange too.

“You....”

“Kenny.”

Then someone approached, calling the child’s name.

“What are you doing here? And what’s that candy in your mouth?”

A woman who looked like his mother glanced back and forth between them with a slightly flustered expression.

“He asked me for candy.”

“What? Oh my, I’m so sorry. Kenny, you can’t bother people like that. Kenny.”

I’m really sorry.

Bowing her head again and again, the woman looked at the child with a slightly puzzled gaze. He was so shy that he never approached strangers first....

Bowing lightly one more time, she quickly led the child away.

“Kenny, did you suddenly want candy? But why did you ask that lady for it?”

“Mom.”

“Yes?”

“Me.”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to... I’m going to be a good big brother too.”

At the child’s sudden words, the woman’s eyes widened for a moment, then she let out a soft laugh.

Then she bent a little and hugged him tight.

“Your little sibling who’s going to be born will be so happy. But Kenny—”

“Yes.”

“Even when your sibling is born, you know Mom and Dad’s very first treasure is still Kenny, right?”

At Mom’s words, a smile appeared on the child’s face. He nodded hard and tightly held the hand Mom offered.

“But why ‘me too,’ sweetie? Do you know some big brother?”

At Mom’s question, the child only smiled without answering, then turned his head and looked back at Camilla.

“.......”

Camilla couldn’t take her eyes off him either.

What is it? This wistful feeling?

‘Thank you, big sister.’

When their eyes met, the child smiled brightly. Then he moved his lips and silently greeted her.

Without realizing it, Camilla lifted her hand and waved back.

She stood there blankly until the child disappeared completely.

“Camilla.”

At some point, Arsian had come and lightly took her shoulder.

“Did you pick all your books?”

“Huh? Uh....”

Is it already this late?

Realizing the time she’d promised to meet Arsian had already passed, Camilla hurriedly gathered up the books she’d chosen.

Then her eyes drifted again to where the child had disappeared.

“Arsian.”

“Yeah?”

“Sier... he must have become happy. For sure.”

“...What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

Arsian looked at her with a puzzled expression at the sudden words. Only then did she look at him and smile playfully.

“So you should be happy too.”

“I’m happy as long as I have you.”

At Arsian’s answer—without even a second of hesitation—Camilla’s smile deepened.

“Rio will be waiting. Let’s go.”

“Yeah.”

Arsian held out his hand to Camilla. With a faint smile, she clasped it tightly.

Right before they started walking, Camilla looked back.

Chasing the image of the child who had already vanished completely.

Sier.

“Camilla?”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

Be happy. No....

Let’s be happy.

As she walked with Arsian, the brightest smile yet spread across her face.