Even as she hit his chest with more force, Kalion merely smiled. The fact that Erna, who believed he was dead, was angry enough to create such magic gave him a strange sense of satisfaction. A smile appeared on his lips as he kissed her forehead. How cute, he thought. Erna expressed her displeasure at his random kisses on her face, but Kalion couldn’t stop despite her protests.
“It’s a relief that you seem to have come to your senses,” Kalion said.
“Did you just say that on purpose to wake me up?” asked Erna, frowning.
“Yeah,” he nodded. “I figured riling you up would be the quickest way to get you to stop being an idiot.”
Indeed, he was correct. Despite her growing anger, she felt herself gradually calming and gaining perspective. She wiped away her tears with her sleeve as if she had never cried and said, “Thank you, thank you, but,” Erna raised her sore hand to pinch Kalion’s cheek, “it’s starting to annoy me, so let me go.” She lifted herself with Kalion’s assistance. She didn’t know whether she was standing on the ground or floating in the air, but fortunately, she managed to stand.
“To explain, I think it needs my magic,” she said, pointing to the spell. “I think that’s why I was drawn to it.”
“Is it trying to devour you?” asked Kalion.
“Similar,” Erna answered. When she dies, the magic dies, so it won’t kill her, but tha magic will keep her in a state between death and life.
“Then what happens now?”
“Well…” Erna trailed off, becoming lost in thought for a moment, before continuing. “Perhaps if I alter or delete some of the magical letters, the amount of magical power needed will be reduced, and then maybe something will happen?”
“Then go ahead,” Kalion said.
“That’s true, but…”
As Erna hesitated, Kalion narrowed his eyes on her.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Is it hard?”
“If I want to change it,” muttered Erna, “I think I need to change the most important letter.”
“What is that letter?” Kalion asked.
“The power to kill,” she answered. It was also the most important letter in this magic, and the most powerful letter.
“Then change it,” he said, “You can erase it.”
Erna looked at Kalion. His clothes were reddened by the color of blood and his body was covered in wounds. “I can’t borrow more power from the pillars now,” she said meekly. She had only one chance to use this tremendous power. This time, she had to control the spell unless she wanted her own people to die from it, too.
“I don’t care,” he said.
“What do you know?” Erna glared at him. “I can kill you this time.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
In reality, deep down, Kalion believed he was fortunate. Killing people had been his and his knights’ job so far. The wizards of Hessenguard handled the demons, but they rarely wielded their magic against human beings. Magic had far more practical purposes than that. So, when he found out that the magic Erna had created was to annihilate everyone, Kalion was more conflicted than happy. He did not want Erna to be named the most murderous wizard. She could accomplish more wonderful things than that. All this time, she had protected and nurtured her kingdom. Kalion wanted to her to remain as the greatest grand duchess rather than bear the name of murderer. For the sake of that, he was capable of bloodying his hands.
“I’ll do what you couldn’t do,” he said. “Give me a chance to do something for us.”
Erna felt tears forming in the corner of her eyes at his words. If she didn’t kill them all now, it would only be difficult in the future, but he was saying that he would bear all the troubles and hardships. She swallowed her tears and lowered her head.
“It’s nice to say you’re going to kill everyone for me,” she murmured.
“Is that what you’re thankful for?” Kalion inquired.
“I didn’t say thank you!”
Kalion laughed at her and they both smiled at each other longingly.
Suddenly, they could see the surroundings beyond the space filled with only light. People were moving at a slower pace than snails. At first glance, they thought time had stopped outside them, but soon realized time was passing differently in the strange space.
“All right.” Erna took a big breath as she stared at the magic, determined. “Really, you have to help me until the end,” she said to Kalion.
“Of course.” Kalion held the back of her head and planted a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll be with you until the day I can’t breathe.”
Erna smiled and waved her hand. The giant letter at the center of the magic circle slowly began to change its appearance. The magic that changed its nature was cast into being, and time regained its original pace. As she faced the brilliant light, her consciousness sank into the darkness.
