To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

“I believe in you, young lady. I will keep silent about the fact that you came here.”

Saying this, the shop owner handed her a money pouch.

“It’s the money I earned today. It’s not much… but please take this at least.”

“Ah, mister!”

“It’s my request.”

“…I will accept it gratefully.”

As there was no pride left to maintain, Hildegard bowed her head deeply while holding back tears. Then she left the slums with her face covered by the cloth obtained from the store.

“…Where should we go?”

Although he must have sensed his parents’ death, Walter’s face didn’t lose its rationality. Although his usually gently curved eyes had turned fierce, he looked strangely calm. Seeing this, Hildegard recalled that he had received divine punishment.

“If we go to the Merna Empire, we can get help from people I know. But the problem is how to get there… First, we need to move to the Miergrund region to board a ship. There’s a port in the capital too, but we can’t board a ship there without being discovered.”

“Miergrund? …Ah.”

At that moment, something flashed through Hildegard’s mind.

The Viscount Wolfe’s domain was in Miergrund.

Hildegard had heard from Liv that Viscount Wolfe was helping Hayden, and that Hayden was now hiding there. She didn’t know if he would help Hildegard and Walter too, but for now, that was the only place they could trust.

“Let’s go to Viscount Wolfe’s domain. I know someone there.”

“Is it someone trustworthy?”

“…Yes, it’s someone trustworthy.”

“I see, Viscount Wolfe probably wouldn’t be loyal to the current Emperor… Then let’s borrow horses and go there.”

“Yes.”

Although their legs felt like they would break from pain, they ran to a place where they could borrow horses. They had to act quickly before rumors of the Hamelsvoort family’s rebellion spread.

An opportunity comes to those who survive. Sometimes there are moments so painful that one wants to escape through death, but eventually, a chance to turn things around will come in life. Every time she felt she couldn’t sense the meaning of life, Hildegard begged to live. She had to survive somehow.

‘Sister Liv…’

Recalling perhaps the only person who could help them now, Hildegard held back her tears and ran.

* * *

A mountain overlooking the imperial palace. Liv stared blankly at the city gate. The heads of the Hamelsvoort couple were hanging on the gate. The whereabouts of Hildegard and Walter were unknown.

“Ah, aah…”

Words wouldn’t come out. She didn’t know what to say, and she couldn’t even remember how to pronounce words. It felt like the world around her was completely blocked off, just like when she was in Abgrund. Emmett just stood silently, supporting Liv in his arms.

Liv didn’t particularly like the Hamelsvoort couple. They suddenly started being nice to her when she married Emmett. Moreover, when it was revealed that Liv was loved by God, they completely reversed their attitude towards her. Even though they had despised Liv more than anyone when rumors circulated that she was a fake Saintess.

In fact, they probably didn’t consider Liv as their daughter. They probably thought it was just a relationship of mutual use out of necessity.

But there were times when they felt like a family. It was very brief and for a limited time, but Liv thought they were just like a real family then. There were times when she was immersed in that sweet sense of security that family gives.

Liv didn’t like them, but at the same time, she didn’t hate them either. They were just that kind of relationship. It would have been the same for the Hamelsvoort couple regarding Liv. But now…

“Aah!”

Liv finally felt something burst in her chest and cried out, weeping. Sorrowful sounds came out involuntarily and tears flowed continuously.

“It’s all because of me… It’s all my fault…”

If they hadn’t adopted Liv, they wouldn’t have died. They would have lived well with Hildegard, the real Saintess.

If Liv hadn’t existed, Laga would have lived well in the Lartman Duchy. The Lartman ducal family facing a crisis of downfall was also because of her. If he hadn’t married her, Emmett would have continued to be loyal to the Emperor and remained as his close aide.

Liv’s existence ruined everything. Everything turned to destruction. If only she could die, time would turn back and everyone could be saved. But no matter how desperately she called out to the gods, they only repeated that ‘everything is happening as it should’ and wouldn’t turn back time as Liv wanted.

After crying for a long time with reddened eyes, Liv finally raised her head.

“We can’t run away anymore…”

Now there really was nowhere to run. There was nothing left to lose.

Even if the gods had listened to Liv and turned back time, she couldn’t live like that forever. Choosing to go back to the past every time things went wrong is cowardly.

Yes, she can’t keep running away in fear of the Emperor forever. She can’t live avoiding her mission. Liv must fight him now. If she doesn’t fight him, Liv will eventually be imprisoned in Abgrund and those around her will be in danger.

Many people have already lost their lives due to her weakness. Liv couldn’t let anyone else sacrifice themselves anymore. So now…

* * *

Liv and Emmett were moving on horseback. They were heading to the Wünschen region in the western part of the capital.

Wünschen was a small village where people didn’t live well. This was because the land there was infertile and crops didn’t grow well. It didn’t have any sights worth seeing for tourists either. Moreover, Wünschen was even a low-lying area that often flooded when it rained, so people were reluctant to live in that area.

But even in such a Wünschen region, there was one famous thing, and that was the ‘Lake of Death’.

Liv stared blankly at the lake in front of her.

The reason this place was named ‘Lake of Death’ was simple. That lake really led creatures to death. Creatures that entered the Lake of Death died with their bodies hardened as if taxidermied. There was no exception for humans. People said this phenomenon occurred because of the Supreme God’s curse.

But in fact, this place was the territory of the Hyde tribe, a minority ethnic group. The Hyde tribe worshipped Staven, the god of death, and this place was Staven’s sanctuary. Although it’s said to be a disappeared religion now, Staven’s sanctuary still remained in this world. For the Hyde tribe, Staven was a being that announced death and warned of danger. If Liv entered this lake, she might be able to gain Staven’s power.

“Can you help me.”

When Liv asked in a calm voice, Staven’s voice was heard.

If you enter my sanctuary, you will surely gain that power, child.

It was a kind voice unlike that of a death god.

Liv looked at the lake where hardened animal corpses were scattered here and there. Owls, deer, squirrels, hawks. And even humans. Their corpses looked just like statues.

Of course, Liv knew she wouldn’t die, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t scared. Seeing the animals that had already met their death after stepping into this lake, she feared if that might be her future.

At the moment when fear was about to surge, Liv recalled the faces of the people who had sacrificed themselves for her. And she recalled what they had done for her until now.

Yes, Liv will not die.

Because the sanctuary would never harm Liv.

“Liv, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

At the moment she finally made her decision, Liv spread both arms and jumped into the lake.

Splash!

“Liv!”

Because water from the lake entered her nose and mouth, Liv couldn’t come to her senses. Strangely, the lake water tasted salty like seawater. The salt stung her eyes, repeatedly blocking Liv’s vision.

Things were flowing differently from when she touched the cliff, which was Lufasha’s sanctuary, in the past. Back then, she felt changes just by touching the sanctuary, but now Liv wasn’t feeling any changes.

The lake was deeper than she thought, and Liv’s body sank deeper and deeper. It felt as if the lake was swallowing Liv whole, leading her to the god of death…

‘Emmett.’

As death approached, the only thing that came to Liv’s mind was him.

The first person Liv met. The person who became her reason to live.

The only person Liv dared to say she loved.

At that moment, Liv opened her eyes.

She instinctively realized that she could move her body freely inside the lake. The salty water no longer stung her nose or eyes. Liv swam upwards and stuck her head out of the lake, and simultaneously realized.

“Ah.”

Staven’s power had been bestowed upon Liv’s body.