Chapter 227: A Fabricated Lie

“So, I’m asking what exactly those things you dreamed about — the ones regarding the Demon Race — were.”

Seeing that Liyakade was still being evasive, Field grew irritated.

She leaned in closer without thinking.

Pressing one arm against the carriage window, Field pinned Liyakade’s petite frame beneath her in a perfect wall-slam.

But this time, it didn’t feel like flirting.

Her expression was firm. Serious.

And for once, Liyakade didn’t react with her usual flustered embarrassment.

Even though her heart wasn’t racing, she still instinctively looked away, avoiding Field’s gaze.

She knew exactly what Field was asking.

And the more she avoided it, the more obvious it became — something was wrong.

Something very wrong.

Seeing this, Field’s tone suddenly softened.

It became gentle… almost pleading.

“Didn’t we already agree when you found out you might get pregnant?”

“No matter what happens, you have to talk to us. Aren’t we the people closest to you, Liyakade?”

“If you keep doing this… we’ll be sad too. Every time something happens, you hide it from us and go talk to someone else instead.”

She was referring to her sister, Sistem.

Even though Field no longer held any resentment toward her, it still bothered her that Liyakade had gone to Sistem first back then.

And now, she was doing the same thing again.

“You are the people I’m closest to in this world.”

Liyakade turned back and met Field’s eyes.

Her tone was serious.

There was no lie in her words.

But…

There were still things she couldn’t say.

Things that might hurt them.

So once again, she lowered her gaze.

“Everyone has things they don’t want to tell others…”

“…Liyakade.”

Field fell silent.

After a long pause, she let out a helpless sigh and lowered her arm.

She understood.

Even between the closest people, there would always be secrets.

Still… it didn’t stop the frustration.

On the other side, Alice felt as if a heavy weight had settled in her chest.

Even without considering her own suspicions, Liyakade’s reaction alone was enough to make them feel uneasy.

“Though… thinking about it now, it’s not that big of a deal.”

Suddenly, Liyakade changed her tone.

Her voice lightened, as if the heaviness from before had never existed.

“Since you both want to know so badly, I’ll tell you.”

“But once you hear it, don’t overthink it. Treat it as just a dream.”

“Re—really?”

Alice asked immediately.

Field frowned slightly.

“Why the sudden change?”

“Because you’re right,” Liyakade said with a small smile.

“It’s better to talk things through with you.”

Then she added:

“But I’ll warn you first — someone dies in that dream. Be prepared.”

“Of course I want to hear it!” Alice nodded without hesitation.

“Hmph. You just told us not to overthink it, and now you’re making it sound dramatic. Hurry up and tell us,” Field said casually.

To her, a dream was just a dream.

It didn’t matter.

“Wait… I think I get it.”

Suddenly, something clicked in Field’s mind.

“You reacted so strongly when you woke up… don’t tell me the one who died was one of us?”

“As expected of you,” Liyakade said, giving her a sidelong glance.

“You got the gist of it.”

Then, she began.

“I dreamed that a few years from now, we went to subjugate the Demon King.”

“We fought a fierce battle… and in the end, he went berserk.”

“You were seriously injured, Field. Even Alice couldn’t heal you.”

“And although we defeated the Demon King… we couldn’t save you.”

Her voice softened.

“That’s why I felt a little sad when I woke up.”

“I didn’t want to tell you… I was afraid you’d worry. And… I was afraid it might come true.”

She lowered her eyes.

Looking dejected.

But—

That wasn’t the real dream.

What she had truly seen…

Was herself.

Becoming something far worse.

After absorbing Minotauros’s power, she had turned into an even more terrifying Demon King.

And the ones hunting her down—

Were the three people she loved most.

In that nightmare, she had lost control under the overwhelming Light Element released by Alice.

She had attacked her.

And at the final moment…

Alice had lowered her guard.

Willingly.

As if accepting death.

That dream was too twisted.

Too unbearable.

There was no way she could ever tell them.

So instead—

She created a lie.

A dream that was heavy enough to be believable…

Yet far enough from the truth to stay hidden.

It had the same structure.

A Demon King.

A battle.

Someone dying.

And just like that, it perfectly explained her earlier reaction.

No one would question it.

No one would dig deeper.

Her secret remained safe.

Besides…

The scenario she described was something she believed would never happen.

With Alice’s current growth, defeating Minotauros in the future would be easy.

Even a solo victory wasn’t impossible.

“I’m sorry for hiding it…”

“Pfft— Is that all? Hahaha!”

To her surprise, Field burst out laughing.

“As expected of you, Liyakade. You care about me way too much.”

“Getting this sad just because I died in a dream? You really love me, huh?”

“Hey! I’m being serious, you know!”

Liyakade puffed her cheeks in protest—

But a faint smile still appeared on her face.

Relief.

Just as she expected—

Field didn’t take it seriously at all.

“See? Don’t overthink things. That would never happen,” Alice added, also relaxing.

Everything matched.

The explanation made sense.

She had simply worried too much.

“Still, dreaming something like that… are you looking down on me?”

Field clenched her fist and punched the air twice.

“I guess I need to train harder.”

Then she looked back at Liyakade.

“And you better protect me when the time comes. Since you like me so much, you can’t let me get hurt.”

“Hehe… of course.”

Liyakade smiled gently.

“I’ll protect you.”

“You’re the people I love the most.”

“Ugh, stop, that’s giving me goosebumps.”

Field rubbed her arms exaggeratedly, and the mood inside the carriage finally turned light again.

Warm.

Carefree.

Normal.

But deep inside—

Liyakade’s thoughts remained heavy.

I will protect you… even if it costs my life.

But…

What if the enemy I have to fight… is you?