Chapter 73

If things continue like this, it will affect Lord Zain as well, so I desperately pour all my magic into it.

"Grace!"

The moment Lord Zain's hand touches my shoulder, a deafening explosion resounds, and shards of the mirror scatter.

The unpleasant sensation emanating from the magical artifact disappears, and I realize it has finally broken.

"…It's…over…"

I can no longer speak properly, and my body, relieved, leans towards the ground.

Lord Zain immediately supports me, his face filled with sorrow, taking up my entire field of vision.

"Why did you… do such a thing…"

I'm sure the perceptive Lord Zain immediately understood what I had done.

My vision gradually darkens, and I can no longer tell where it hurts, as my entire body feels hot and strained. I feel much worse than I imagined.

I must have taken on a role too heavy for me, I thought, mocking myself.

Lord Zain sends a signal high into the sky with magic and clutches my hand as if clinging to it.

He told me to hold on, as he had called a teleportation mage, but I know that only a holy maiden can purify the miasma, and I don't think it will be enough.

Still, instead of a reply, I gently squeeze his large hand with my fingertips.

His golden eyes waver, and eventually, he buries his face in my shoulder.

"…I can't even imagine a life without you…"

The moment his voice, barely audible, reaches my ears, tears quietly spill from my eyes.

– Lord Zain still likes me. The moment I realized this, I felt so happy and relieved that I couldn't hold on any longer.

I knew I loved Lord Zain so much that I couldn't pretend otherwise.

"What is this light…?"

At that moment, my vision is filled with blinding golden light, and I close my eyes tightly. Lord Zain's confused voice echoes in my ear.

I am enveloped in a warm and gentle sensation, and I can feel the strength leaving my body.

The soft light that covered me from my fingertips slowly fades away, and as I stand there in a daze, I eventually notice the change in my body.

"…Why…"

The black marks that spread across my hand are gone, and the pain and suffering have vanished as if they were a lie.

I don't understand what happened to me or what that light was, but still.

"It seems… I'm saved…"

I manage a weak smile, and Lord Zain, looking as if he might cry, tightly embraces me again.

His arms around my back and his body are trembling slightly, and I feel a tightness in my chest, realizing how much I must have worried him.

"…Please, don't do such things anymore…"

"I'm sorry."

Surrounded by Lord Zain's warm body and the scent I love, my vision gradually blurs.

As I feel relieved, my vision distorts. I realize I have used up all my magic and strength and have reached my limit.

"…Grace? Grace! Hold on –"

I want to tell Lord Zain, "I'm sorry, I'm fine, thank you," but my lips won't move.

And then, I let go of consciousness.