Chapter 77

“Absolutely not. I can’t let you go alone.”

Declan said firmly, blocking the door.

How could such a strong man tremble? I was terrified to see it, too. He was afraid I would never come back… He feared that I would never see him.

‘…But, I want to live together as a person, not as a doll.’

I was too eager when I had come this far to give up without even trying.

I didn’t know if it was God’s trick or consideration, though even the title of the savior—Mazvin or Epist—because it was definitely a special opportunity. Then, I would have to trust the luck I have been given to the end.

…I wanted to be with Declan as myself, who had a reality.

“Your Majesty.”

As I called softly, the corners of his eyes contorted as if he had recognized my decision.

“I will do it all for you, so stay by my side.”

“…I guess I’m greedy.”

When I saw that I wanted more while already monopolizing his attention and affection, I slowly raised my hand and brought it to his cheek.

“I want to feel Your Majesty’s warmth when I touch you like this. I want to hold your hand and hold you in my arms.”

At the same time, the green eyes followed me as I shifted my gaze one after another towards his face, his hands, and his warm arms.

“…And, I want to eat delicious food together, smell the flowers and go for a walk. I also want to go horseback riding.”

The more I spoke, the more his eyebrows drooped downward.

“I want to see my reflection in these eyes, too. I just want to be included in it.”

As I revealed my innermost feelings, his green eyes fluttered slightly.

“Declan.”

I still didn’t take my eyes off him, calling out his name softly.

If, really if… What if this was the last time…?

The words that I had been hesitating over and over again barely came out of my mouth.

“I love you.”

Love must have no form. From the moment those words were uttered, they gradually swelled up, and then they leaked out of control. I couldn’t stand it without continuing to utter it out.

“I love you, Declan.”

“I love you, too.”

Ah.

An unspoken exclamation resounded in my throat.

“You are the reason I live.”

…Neither Chloe nor the doll, but me, I was the reason.

Tears seemed to flow out of my eyes.

“Don’t go. I said it wrong. It’s okay if you’re not human, just stay by my side.”

He said he was nervous about me being a soul. He wished I could be a person.

However, I couldn’t follow his intention. After hearing his confession, I had to go further. It was because I wanted to live as his companion, not his doll.

“I will definitely come back. So trust me and wait.”

“Erica…”

His mournful eyes kept catching my feet.

“There are a lot of things I want to do with Your Majesty, so I will definitely come back.”

As I tried to smile as brightly as possible, his eyes deepened. Declan, who had only been gazing at me, cautiously embraced me.

“You must come back… to my side.”

“Yes. When I come back, I’ll hug you first.”

“I’ll wait here without moving.”

Instead of answering, I closed my lips. Even if there was no feeling, I wanted to leave a mark like that.

“Jeriel, protect His Majesty while I am away.”

“I will obey the savior’s command.”

She knelt before me on her knees.

“Then, I will go.”

Finally, I smiled at Declan and turned around.

Faced with the blue wave of the door, fear swept over me again. However, I firmly gathered my heart and stepped through the door.

* * *

“Heup!”

At first, it felt like I was in the deep sea though I didn’t hate the feeling of being warmly wrapped up after I gave up my body. As I walked a few more steps forward, my eyes suddenly lit up.

“….!”

When I got used to the light, I was speechless when I saw the landscape unfolding before my eyes.

It had been in a barren desert where no grass could be seen, but now, I was standing in a beautiful garden where artists would be heralded. Brightly colored flowers and trees were showing off their vitality. Not only that, but also butterflies were flying here and there and the clear sound of birds chirping from somewhere.

“…Is this Perseum?”

It was beautiful even in the eyes of God, and it deserved it. It was impossible to describe it in terms of an earthly paradise. Falling in love with the scenery, I was mesmerized.

The next moment, I finally remembered my purpose and came to my senses.

“Where shall we go now?”

When I was glancing around the endless expanse in all directions, I felt someone calling me.

“It’s like what I felt in Mazvin…”

Concentrating on that sensation, I slowly stepped forward. Suddenly, a calmly flowing river appeared. Crossing the arched bridge and going further inward, a wide field opened up.

And, in the midst of it, a tree emitting a sacred light was majestic.

Lacande tree.

I knew it by heart without anyone telling me. As if possessed by the refreshing energy emanating from the tree, I slowly walked in front of it.

“It’s nice to see you here.”

“Gasp!”

I was walking only looking at Lacande, so I turned my head at the sudden voice.

“How are you here…”

“Hoho, were you surprised?”

Theodore responded lightly with a polite, benevolent smile.

“They said other people couldn’t come in here.”

That was why Declan and Yeriel didn’t come in either. Still, how did Theodore get here…? No, it didn’t make sense at all.

“Now, can you see me?”

“Of course.”

“However, you didn’t see me last time. You didn’t even hear my voice.”

“I had no choice at that time. I had to lead you here.”

For a moment, it felt as if something had hit my head.

“What… At that time, you can see me? Besides, being here means you knew about Perseum, didn’t you?”

As soon as I approached him, wanting to question him immediately, he stepped back and smiled awkwardly.

“Calm down and listen to me.”

“Who are you? How did you get here?”

“I-I forgot to introduce myself.”

Theodore swung his hand once and turned into a young man in his twenties with long white hair hanging down.

“Hello again. My name is Tanael, the messenger of the Gods.”

Theodore, no, the young man who introduced himself as Tanael politely bowed his head.

…Messenger of God?

What the hell is going on with this? Looking at him bewilderedly, Tanael continued, softly curving his bright gold eyes.

“You seem very confused.”

“Messenger of God? you?”

“Yes, I was tasked with bringing the savior here.”

Savior…

In the meantime, I accepted this title even though I did not understand it because it seemed like an opportunity for me to become a person. Nevertheless, as I met the messenger of God, I had to ask.

“What is a savior…? Why am I a savior? Who decided that?”

“You asked a lot of questions. I will explain step by step.”

Tanael, who gently calmed me down, started talking.

When the early humans learned that the Laccande tree could bring the dead back to life, they began to disregard life. In the end, they constantly fought and killed each other to get Lacande.

God, who could not bear to see this, drove out the humans and hid Perseum.

Nonetheless, even when the Lacande tree disappeared, humans did not change. For a while, they cling to God, begging for forgiveness, but soon they kill and injure each other again. Eventually, they cursed God and either left or turn away.

Still, God did not forsake them.

Rather, he lowered his divine power and waited for humans to repent and return. However, as the days went by, the sins piled up, and in the end, they reached the worst situation in which even the divine power could not be lowered.

In the end, God had no choice but to use the last resort to heal this land.

A person who was not connected with the original humans… To find someone who had not inherited the sins of this land.

“….Is it God who called me here?”

“Yes. Do you remember this doll?”

Tanael beckoned lightly, and a doll appeared in his hand.

“Iris…”

It was the doll I had in my previous life.

“How do you do that?”

“Because I made it and sent it to that world.”

“You said you’re not a puppet master.”

“I mean, it’s not my job. Making dolls is just my little hobby.”

His words were so ridiculous that I just laughed out loud. Meanwhile, Tanael continued his explanation, “It takes too much power to bring the body from another dimension, so only the soul was chosen.”

“Don’t tell me you could bring mine and my family’s souls…”

When I sharply gazed at him in a moment of doubt, he hurriedly waved his hand.

“Absolutely not. I mean, I am a messenger of God.”

Seeing him in his true color, it didn’t seem like a lie.

“You have just reached the end of your life span in that world. Your wish to live was just the key to unlocking this door.”

‘…Come to think of it, I made a wish like that before I died.’

Still, I didn’t mean to ask to live in another world as a doll. The things I suffered from coming here passed by in a flash.

Then I thought of Chloe. Headache and black smoke.