[Vol. 8] Chapter 1: A Farewell Talk
Sainz, Seventh District, at Violet's residence.
“So... you're getting ready to go back, huh.”
Looking at the girl in front of her, who was sitting stiffly with her hands neatly on her lap like a nervous student reporting to a strict teacher, the priestess muttered back the girl's words and soon smiled, shaking her head.
“You could’ve just sent someone to let me know. There’s no need to come all the way here in person. And don’t make that ‘reporting to a superior officer’ face. You’re a princess of the Empire, you know.”
“Uh...”
Feeling too nervous, Carinvega scratched her head awkwardly. She sneaked a glance at the two maids busy in the far corner of the living room and gave a helpless, quiet laugh.
“Being a princess might sound amazing to others, but Miss Violet... you’re a super powerful person who could casually stomp anyone into the ground. You even released such a huge barrier last time, it covered the whole city! I heard people say that only the one worshipped by the Holy Empire could do that kind of—”
She suddenly stopped, seeming to realize she was touching on a sensitive topic. Though she didn’t finish her sentence, the nervous and respectful look in her eyes clearly showed what she thought.
“Hey, hey—what do you mean by ‘casually stomp anyone’? Don’t make it sound like I have some weird hobbies, okay? It was just a fight, nothing more...”
Violet sighed, holding her forehead with one hand. She resisted the urge to lecture or smack Carinvega and instead spoke in a more serious tone.
“First, about the being inside you, don’t tell anyone about it. Not your royal brothers, not your father, sisters, or your friends or party members. This is the third time I’ve reminded you. I really hope you’ll be more careful and not be tricked again.”
“The other ‘you’ used a lot of energy last time and should still be asleep now. That also means its hidden influence is weaker. If some scheming person finds out the truth about the [Agent of Fate], both you and I are going to be in trouble. Got it?”
“Uh… Don’t worry! I always remember what you taught me! I just tell people it’s a special condition that only activates when I’m near death. I’ve never told anyone the details!”
Watching the princess nod quickly like a pecking chicken, Violet wasn’t fully convinced. She looked at her for a few more seconds, then sighed and continued.
“One more thing, don’t share the details of our fight with anyone. That includes my real strength. Especially not with the Austre Empire’s troublemakers. If this causes problems for me…”
She raised her small fist in a pretend threat. It didn’t look very scary, but it made Carinvega, who still remembered how terrifying Violet had been in their fight, tremble. She quickly jumped up and waved her arms around, trying hard to show her loyalty.
“I-I-I-I understand! I totally understand! I won’t tell anyone about your identity or power!!! Uh, I mean…”
Seeing that Violet was just sitting across from her, watching her performance with a slight smile and no intention of interrupting, Carinvega finally began to calm down from her panic. After thinking for a moment, she didn’t sit down again. Instead, she bowed seriously to the black-haired girl, who was just lifting her teacup to sip from it gently.
“Um… I actually came to thank you properly, Miss Violet. The Empire's delegation is about to go to the Frederick City. After we say goodbye today, I don’t know when we’ll meet again.
“This whole trip to Sainz could have gone very badly if it weren’t for your help, along with Headmaster Lucine and our other friends. I really don’t know how things would have turned out without all of you.”
“I understand that Miss Violet is someone truly special. To you, someone like me, a princess, might just be a slightly unusual normal person. Words of thanks feel too weak. I thought about it for a long time, and I still don’t know how to properly express my gratitude…”
“If it weren’t for your help, I wouldn’t have gotten through this whole crisis or learned the truth about my own powers. You even healed many others afterwards without asking for anything in return, including Orluk. I will always remember your kindness, Miss Violet. If you ever need help, just send a letter to me... I promise I’ll do everything I can to repay you.”
Violet calmly accepted the bow from the princess. She waited until Carinvega sat back down and turned her head awkwardly to the side, clearly a little shy, trying to avoid Violet's teasing gaze. Then Violet smiled and finally replied.
“There’s no need to be so formal. Helping you also helped me. It was mutual. Even though you now understand the nature of your power, I still need to remind you. Don’t rely too much on this ‘fate’ power. It’s not all-powerful.”
“Fate doesn’t force anything to happen. For example, the 'Immortal Magician' who attacked and killed you. If a powerful person had figured out how your ability works in advance, they could’ve completely countered it. Even if fate tries to change the outcome at the last moment, it might still not turn out the way you want.”
She tapped her finger against her head.
“Abilities, in the end, are just tools. When you don’t need them, it’s still best to not use this more.”
Seeing the princess nod sincerely, Violet didn’t stay on the same topic too long. She quickly pulled out a silver ring shaped like a fierce lion from her bag and held it up in front of Carinvega.
“You know what this is, right?”
“Hmm… The memory of that moment is a little fuzzy, but I still remember most of the important parts. The other ‘me’ said something like, if I wear this ring, it’ll wake it up again. So… what are you suggesting, Miss Violet?”
The black-haired girl just smiled and answered with a question.
“Do you want to have that kind of powerful strength again?”
“Uh…?”
Carinvega blinked in surprise. She frowned and seemed to seriously think it over for a moment, then surprisingly shook her head.
“I really do wish I had some kind of cheat power, like in those stories about people who travel between worlds. But only if I can control that power myself.
“Last time, when I turned into the other ‘me,’ my mind was still there… but it didn’t feel like I was myself at all. I didn’t care about anything, and I even hurt Miss Yir without hesitation…”
“Thanks to your help, Miss Violet, she wasn’t badly hurt. And she didn’t blame me after finding out what happened. But I still have a hard time forgiving that cold version of myself.”
“I want strength so I can live more comfortably and protect the people around me. But if becoming stronger means I lose control and hurt others instead, then… maybe it’s better not to use that kind of power at all.”