I Became a Gallery Manager in Another World

Chapter 104: The Cursed Child (4)

As I listened to Elfrida, a realization dawned on me.

I had mistakenly thought Estelle was similar to my past self.

In reality, Estelle was incomparably stronger and kinder than someone like me.

Swoosh—

Closing my eyes, the image of Estelle’s face, tormented and screaming, came to mind.

-“Let go!!… Ian!! Let this go!!”

-“I understand, so calm down first and cancel the magic!! You can still cancel the spellcasting!!”

-“No!!! Ian!! No!! Let me go!! I must do this!! I have to make Delphicia pay more!!”

Words that even I, who was closest to Estelle in class, could only misunderstand.

It was to protect Delphicia.

If I caused harm to someone, they became unhappy.

If I personally paid the price, I could avoid the unhappiness.

Finally, Estelle’s actions, which didn’t match her personality shown in the library, made sense.

Cutting Delphicia’s hair in the first year, spilling water on me in the library…

All were efforts to end the revenge herself so that the ‘Devil of the Scales’ could not lay hands on us.

Of course, there were opportunities for Estelle to clear up the misunderstanding afterward.

But Estelle didn’t clear them up.

No, she couldn’t.

For Estelle, others had to be kept at a distance.

Could a person who cannot forgive even the slightest mistake or argument, and who must always seek revenge, possibly have normal interactions with others?

It was impossible.

There was no such thing as always having good relationships with others.

To me, Evelyn was more precious than life itself, but the number of times we had fought was too many to count.

Yes, those around us might understand Estelle’s ‘nature’ the first few times.

But how long could that understanding last?

No, even if it could last forever, it was unlikely Estelle’s heart could endure it.

Living a life where she must eternally hurt those who, despite being hurt by her many times, stayed by her side, would undoubtedly be hell.

Thus, Estelle built a wall to prevent anyone from getting close.

“You… are indeed a fool.”

“…If you’re not prepared for tomorrow’s presentation, Evelyn will be incredibly angry, you know?”

During our time together, I sensed how playful and cheerful Estelle was.

To the point where I thought she might have a personality similar to Evelyn’s if she hadn’t made a contract with the devil or something.

“…Get lost.”

Just imagining how many people Estelle had to push away to become who she is now was suffocating.

“….”

But no matter how pitiable Estelle’s situation was, I knew rationally that I had to give up.

It wasn’t because my life was too precious.

It was because the fate of the world rested on me.

The life of one person versus the destruction of the world.

It was clear what mattered more, without needing to weigh it on the devil’s scales.

“Sigh…”

Opening my eyes again, I let out a deep sigh.

As Elfrida warned, I had already stepped into the swamp.

Taking even one more step would truly be dangerous.

Even if I went back to the classroom now, pretending I heard nothing and living as usual, no one would blame me.

But…

“I’m sorry, Lady Elise.”

I stood at the main gate of the Divine Academy, looking up at the sky, and said this.

To the goddess who ruled this world, Lady Elise, Estelle’s life might seem insignificant.

Even at this moment, someone in the world was facing death.

But I was human, and to me, Estelle was not insignificant.

“…I must save Estelle.”

To me, Estelle was a precious friend.

And a man who could not save even one precious friend could not save something as immense as the world.

“….”

I was worried that Lady Elise might be angry and strike me with lightning, but fortunately, that didn’t happen.

Was she not acting out of anger because she didn’t want to ‘waste fate power,’ or was she unexpectedly thinking ‘That’s so like Ian!’ and admiring it?

Either way, it seemed like something Lady Elise would do.

Well, even if Lady Elise were to get angry, I had no plans to stop.

Wasn’t it said that it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission?

“Now, then…”

If I had some special ability like the protagonist of a novel, I would immediately run to Estelle’s side and chase away the demon…

Sadly, I was just an ordinary human.

If it were something I could solve on my own, surely Estelle would have already done it.

After all, Estelle was clearly a more outstanding human than I am.

But there’s one thing I believed I could do better than Estelle.

ㅇㅇ(89.74): Bitch.

Asking for help from someone.

Sacred Power Container■: Yes! Master!

ㅇㅇ(89.74): I have a favor to ask.

Sacred Power Container■: Hehe, you don't have to ask... Just order me, your bitch. Then should I send you a picture...?

ㅇㅇ(89.74): Sorry, but now is not the time for such trivial matters.

Sacred Power Container■: ...Master?

Currently, Yuris was in a unique position among the saint candidates.

ㅇㅇ(89.74): I'll make it clear. It's going to be dangerous.

Besides Yuris, almost no other candidates were even mentioned, so surely if things stayed as they were, she would become the next saint and walk a path of roses.

ㅇㅇ(89.74): You might have to lie for the rest of your life.

So, making such a request was bound to be a burden for her to Lady Elise.

ㅇㅇ(89.74): You might even confront the church.

Knowing this, I still asked.

A kind and strong human like Estelle could not do such a thing…

ㅇㅇ(89.74): Will you still help me?

It was a choice that only a brazen and weak person like me could make.

Sacred Power Container■: ...Where are you right now, Master?

I thought she might need time to think, but the response came surprisingly quickly.

ㅇㅇ(89.74): I'm at the academy's main gate.

Sacred Power Container■: Hehe, then wait a bit, the bitch will come to you as fast as possible.

After waiting for about 30 minutes, Yuris ran towards me.

“Master!”

Seeing me, Yuris ran over with a bright smile.

“…Yuris.”

“Ah! I shouldn’t call you Master right now!”

Surprised, Yuris covered her mouth with her hands.

“It’s okay as long as you don’t speak loudly. There’s nobody around.”

“Hehe…! Yes! Then, let’s go! Master!”

“Where to?”

“Of course, to where Yuris’s help is needed!”

“….”

My heart grew heavy at Yuris’s casual demeanor.

“Yuris… I know it’s odd for me to say this after asking for your help, but this isn’t a decision to be made lightly. You might really be risking your life. It’s okay to refuse. I will never be disappointed or sad because of that.”

From the moment I asked for help, I was an inexcusable piece of trash.

But I wanted to at least be trash that knew where to draw the line.

I had no intention of deceitfully dragging Yuris into danger.

If Yuris chose to refuse, I would respect that decision.

“Master? Yuris is serious, you know?”

But Yuris’ expression didn’t change as she continued,

“Master, you said you needed my help, right? Then it doesn’t matter whether it’s difficult or easy! Yuris will do her best to help in any way she can!”

“…Thank you. But I’ll say it again. If something goes wrong, you’ll definitely lose your status as a saint candidate. Worse, you might even risk your life.”

“Um… If I’m no longer a saint candidate, will you stop loving me, Master?”

“…Of course not.”

I never loved Yuris because she was a saint candidate.

“Hehe! Then there’s no problem at all! Being a saint candidate or not, I can resign right now if Master says so! And my life, you’ll protect it, won’t you?”

“I’ll risk my life to protect you… But I might still fail.”

I would do everything in my power to protect Yuris, but…

If the opponent was the church, the likelihood of not being able to protect her was high.

Swoosh—

Then, Yuris’s hands cupped my cheeks.

“Then, if that happens, we’ll die together. That’s enough for me.”

“…Yuris.”

I should have realized it when Yuris arrived in her saint’s attire, even on a weekday.

From the moment I mentioned my request, Yuris took it very seriously.

Yuris truly came here, thinking she might die for my sake.

“Ah! But, Master, you’re mistaken about one thing! You said it might be necessary to risk your life, right? That’s not necessary!!”

“…What?”

“My life already belongs to Master!!”

“….”

I was left speechless by such profound trust and affirmation.

Without a doubt, meeting Yuris was a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck in my life.

“So, please command me, Master. What should Yuris do?”

Yuris said to me with a bright smile.