Hearing Letia’s words, Liz Erandel put down the blazing Knight Sword in her hand.
She sat down on the steps.
After resting for a while, she finally spoke.
“Letia… have you ever thought I was a failure?”
“My pride, my noble dignity, has always kept me from lowering my head to Red.”
“A friend I once shared everything with… because of me, we’re now like strangers.”
“I don’t have to say it for you to feel it—the atmosphere inside Dawnblade these days is so stifling.”
“I’m simply not a qualified leader. Maybe… Red is the one who should be.”
Liz slowly poured out what she’d been holding in her heart.
After seeing Red’s meticulous Notebook, the shame, unease, and self-blame completely drowned her.
She hadn’t noticed it before, but only after Red left, only after seeing the plans and strategies he’d left behind, did she finally realize something…
Compared to herself, Red had actually poured much more effort into Dawnblade.
In the beginning, the two of them chased their dreams together, sharing hardships and struggles.
But as the team grew, doubts and unease crept into her heart.
“To be honest, even when Red was still around, I was always afraid.”
Liz smiled bitterly and shook her head.
“I was afraid he’d surpass me bit by bit, become someone I could only look up to.”
At this point, Liz couldn’t help but sigh.
“Do you think I’m selfish?”
Letia absentmindedly nodded.
She was never one for comforting others, so no one should expect any kind words from her.
Seeing Letia’s reaction, Liz hugged her knees and fell silent.
Liz sheathed her Knight Sword and laid it flat across her thighs.
This was the weapon she always used.
And it was also a Knight Sword Red had forged especially for her.
Normally, during training, she’d never bring this sword out.
Unless it was a particularly tough battle, she’d only use the more ordinary Knight Swords.
That’s also why Liz bought every Knight Sword from Red’s weapon shop.
Residual flames would keep scorching the blade, and as high heat and fire assaulted the enemy, the blade would gradually melt with time. If she used this sword… she couldn’t bear it.
But this time, she still used it, and she knew better than anyone why.
“Letia, I miss Red.”
Liz hugged her legs tighter, her voice growing even more muffled.
“When I saw Litt resting her head on Red’s lap, it was the first time I understood what it means to only treasure something after losing it. The problem is… now I don’t even have the chance to cherish him anymore.”
She wanted so much to be like the other girls—at a time like this, to cry her heart out.
But… she couldn’t.
“I, Liz Erandel… am a noble, the pride and jewel of my family. Since I can remember, everyone’s always warned me: stand tall, always look down on others, never lower your head. If you do, the Crown will fall, and the Scepter will gather dust.”
Liz’s words were soft and quiet, making her seem like a helpless and lost girl.
Letia listened for a while before finally speaking.
“You saw Litt together with Red, and that’s why you lost it?”
Liz’s shoulder trembled almost imperceptibly.
She was long numb to Letia’s bluntness, didn’t even have the strength to retort, just buried her face deeper and let out a stifled nasal sound.
“…Hmm.”
“No wonder I thought you seemed off today. So this was it.”
Letia shrugged.
She herself had slept with her head on Red’s lap, drifting off straight away, and naturally hadn’t noticed Liz watching from the shadows.
If Liz hadn’t confessed, she’d still be clueless now.
But if just a lap pillow could get Liz like this, then if Red ever really slept with someone, wouldn’t Liz just cry herself to death?
“But honestly, I’m surprised you could be so frank about it,” Letia said as she sat down, scooting closer to Liz.
“If this were the old you, you’d have bottled it up inside for a lifetime.”
Liz didn’t reply, but that counted as agreeing with Letia’s words.
Letia brushed her hands off, her expression unreadable.
“So? What are you going to do? My noble Miss Erandel, will you go confess and apologize to Red, or just keep things the way they are?”
“I… I don’t know…”
When you’ve held your head high for so long, it’s so hard—so, so hard—to lower it.
So at this moment, all Liz could feel was confusion.
Even though her poor pride was already shattered, she still couldn’t bring herself to be honest with Red.
So what was she if not a loser?
“All right~”
Letia sighed helplessly.
“I can’t change your mind, but aren’t we going to challenge the Twenty-Fourth Floor tomorrow? Go get some sleep.”
Letia was about to leave, but just as her hand reached the door handle, she felt a faint tug at her sleeve.
She looked down and saw Liz’s fingers gripping tightly at the hem of her Priest Robe, knuckles white from the strain.
“Wait… Letia.”
“What is it?”
“For tomorrow’s Twenty-Fourth Floor… you don’t have to come.”
She pointed at the Notebook Red left behind.
“With this plan, the rest of us can handle it.”
“Huh?”
At those words, Letia finally understood.
“Then what am I supposed to do? You’re not just going to have me loaf around in Nightbright Town, are you?”
Liz nodded, taking a deep breath in, then letting it out slowly, as if steeling herself.
“Broken Mirror can’t be patched up, and relationships can’t be restored. I know there’s no way things can go back to the way they were between me and Red.”
“What are you trying to say?”
Before Letia could untangle her thoughts, Liz spoke again, looking Letia straight in the eye, her gaze filled with complex emotions—pain, unwillingness, resignation, and a desperate plea.
“Mason… was right. Maybe only you can bring Red back. I’m not asking him to return to Dawnblade, I… just want him to stay by my side, somewhere I can still see him.”
“I don’t trust Litt—that woman’s kindness from who knows where, her unknown origins. She got close to Red… maybe she’s been scheming something all along.”
“So Letia, could I ask you a favor?”
Liz said solemnly, eyes locked with Letia’s, as if entrusting her with something vitally important.
“If… I mean if… you have even the slightest bit of affection for Red, no matter what the relationship between you two is, please… bring him back.”
“…?”
Letia opened her mouth, unable to say a word.
Was this… considered a kind of Self-Greening?