* * *
I never imagined they’d resort to such a scheme.
That Carlyle truly possessed the power to control monsters—then the scene before their eyes was, without a doubt, a setup.
Of course, only those who were already aware of his abilities would recognize it as such.
To the nobles, who knew nothing, he was simply a hero who fought off the monsters to protect them.
And undoubtedly, that was what they were aiming for.
Each time Carlyle’s eerie sword slashed down diagonally, a gargoyle’s body split apart.
As he stepped back after a strike, Julius, who had been waiting for his moment, swung his sword without even a flicker of expression.
Anyone, even someone unfamiliar with swordsmanship, could see that the coordination between the two—honed on the battlefield—was impeccable.
Thanks to Carlyle and Julius, the monsters were taken down much faster than expected.
As if they had known all along the gargoyles would attack.
The ignorant nobles could only cheer at their swift reaction.
Even though those two were nobles from a former enemy nation, in this moment, to all the nobles of Trovien, they had become saviors.
Eren gritted his teeth.
He could almost grasp what it was that they wanted so badly, even at the cost of putting others in danger.
‘They’re trying to win the nobles’ trust.’
For those who came from the enemy nation, the one obstacle that remained—
It was the suspicion and resistance of Trovien’s noble class.
Especially that artifact, imbued with the powers of the Imperial Princess and Prince—
Their aim in orchestrating this insane charade must have been to escape from its influence.
Only then could they form a noble faction and cover up any misdeeds with political power.
Just like in the original story.
The twisted original story was reverting.
Even inventing new settings—like Carlyle’s power—to barely secure a semblance of peace… and now, even that was starting to crumble.
‘What do you want me to do, really?’
If the person who made him possess this body were here, Eren would ask them right now.
What is it you truly want?
Please, just tell me.
But he knew he couldn’t.
Because if he did, the answer would be something like “Follow the original story. Accept your fate.”
He only wanted to live.
To be happy with the one he loved.
But was that such an outrageous wish?
Was he not allowed to long for a hope that everyone else dreamed of?
The crushing sense of defeat never left him.
‘What am I supposed to do now?’
Even when he tried to run, it came back to him like a boomerang.
No matter how much he avoided it, all that effort would be for nothing.
Then… was trying to escape from their grasp even the right choice?
If he ran, how long could he keep running?
In the darkness that showed no sign of light, Eren despaired.
If that darkness were to swallow only him, he would’ve accepted it willingly.
But the shadows had long begun to creep toward those around him.
At first, when he saw the marks on Anasil’s corpse, He thought they were simply left to draw the monsters toward Ashard.
But no—
It was Carlyle blatantly telling him: “I was the one who killed Ashard.”
If Ashard really were to die, Eren would know exactly who did it, and yet still be helpless to stop it.
He wouldn’t be able to question it.
Wouldn’t be able to do anything but quietly accept it, shedding silent tears.
Even if he screamed, even if his face twisted in anguish for all to see, No one would reach out to him.
‘Eren Nefendis’ had to become that kind of person.
“Pull yourself together. Why are you spacing out like that? Are you badly hurt?”
If he were to be completely isolated in this world,
This was the one person who would still come running to his side.
“You’re bleeding a lot. Let’s get you treated right away.”
‘I’ll stay by your side. If I can protect you, I’ll gladly give my life for it.’
This man would make that vow—and follow through with it.
And Eren knew that now.
Because he felt the same.
No matter how hard he flailed, it only dragged him deeper.
He knew the original story.
He had promised himself he’d change the future.
And he had believed—truly believed—that it was possible.
But it wasn’t.
Everything had become uncertain, and in the end, events would flow as they were meant to.
And when that happened, Ashard would be in danger.
Even if he knew, Eren would be forced to stand there like a fool and watch it happen.
All he knew was the future that had been written—
And once that changed, he’d become no different from a marionette.
The only thing that had changed so far was Carlyle’s ability.
But if he kept trying to run from this, more things would change.
Even Julius and Helid might be altered.
And if that happened, he would get hurt.
This world’s main characters were those three—
Ashard was just an extra whose name barely got mentioned.
‘I can still protect Ashard.’
It hadn’t happened yet.
So he could still stop it.
Eren squeezed Ashard’s hand, which had been gently tending to his own.
Then, he looked him straight in the eyes.
Ah. That look.
It was the same as the day they first met.
The day he came into the tent and asked, “Are you Eren Nefendis?”
The day he declared he’d come to take him, invading from the enemy camp.
Even then, as he spoke with such confidence,
His gaze—oddly warm—had looked at Eren so kindly that without even realizing, he had answered:
‘I’ll go with you.’
If only he hadn’t followed him back then, None of this would’ve happened.
He wouldn’t have been the cause of Ashard’s pain.
Ashard looked worriedly at the blood dripping from Eren’s hand, But Eren’s gaze was on the deep red blood staining Ashard’s shoulder.
It had to be from just moments ago—when he shielded Eren from the gargoyle’s claws.
And yet he showed no sign of pain, Only concern as he looked at Eren.
They were the kind of people who felt each other’s wounds more deeply than their own.
That was what defined the relationship between Eren and Ashard.
Eren bit down hard on his lip.
As long as he stayed by Ashard’s side, the man would keep getting hurt.
So there was only one answer.
The only way to protect him.
If Eren said it, Ashard would surely reply that he’d bear it, that it was fine.
So Eren told himself—
It’s not because I’m worried about him.
It’s because this pain in my chest, caused by him, won’t go away.
“…Thank you, Ashard.”
Red blood beaded on his lips.
But it didn’t hurt.
Because the thing that hurt far more
Was knowing this was the only choice he had if he truly wanted to protect him.
* * *
