Chapter 75: Cartethyia Wants Me to Live On
"Second time's the charm, huh?"
Aeron covered his stinging cheek, marveling at how Little Carte never held back in the slightest.
"...I'm sorry."
Faced with Aeron's usual teasing tone, Cartethyia could only weakly offer this apology for her earlier emotional outburst.
Cartethyia rested one hand on Aeron's leg, her fingertips still trembling slightly.
Why every time... every time it's like this... first making me feel at ease then saying such things...
She wanted to say more to express her remorse toward Aeron, but when those words echoed in her mind again, they stuck in her throat despite being right there.
Yet Cartethyia still wanted to say something. Whether an apology or their usual banter, she struggled to form words, just like so many times before.
After a moment, Cartethyia took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice, though she couldn't completely hide its tremor.
"You promised... in front of everyone earlier, didn't you?"
Cartethyia lifted her head to look at Aeron.
"On Carnevale day... you'd stay somewhere safe... we agreed."
Though she already knew the answer in her heart, Cartethyia asked the question anyway.
"I did promise, but clearly that's not enough, Little Carte."
Aeron lowered his hand from his cheek and smiled faintly, understanding exactly what worried Cartethyia.
He wasn't completely oblivious—as comrades who'd been through so much together, he fully grasped Cartethyia's feelings.
After all this time together, suddenly asking the other to kill you would naturally be difficult to accept, regardless of the reason.
But this time, Aeron had his own unyielding justification.
"I believe in all of you. Even without me, as long as you're there, this Carnevale will proceed without incident. You'll lead everyone in welcoming this long-awaited celebration that will be etched into history."
"When the time comes, the Rover will become the Laureate, Carlotta will represent Montelli in revitalizing Ragunna, Cantarella and Fisalia will emerge from their heavy burdens, Phoebe will lead the Order into a new era, Ciaccona will spread the truth borne by her family, and Brant and Roccia will guide the exiled members of the Fool's Troupe back to Ragunna."
As for Zani... well, maybe Aeron could arrange some extra vacation days for her?
"But unfortunately, merely becoming the Laureate isn't enough for me."
Aeron held nothing back, revealing his true purpose to Cartethyia.
"The Rover will become the Laureate, yes. People will adore her, revere her as the hero who shattered conspiracies and brought hope. But unfortunately, she can't just be a hero."
As he spoke, Aeron raised his hand to gently wipe away the tears at the corner of Cartethyia's eyes. She wanted to grasp that hand, but Aeron withdrew it quickly.
"Little Carte, you know what we're truly up against, don't you?"
"I... I know."
Clearly, Aeron was referring to the Threnodian matter. Cartethyia lowered her head, unable to continue. She understood better than anyone, yet right now her mind was completely occupied with the person before her.
"The Order's collapse and Fenrico's overthrow are just the beginning." Aeron looked into Cartethyia's eyes, his tone remarkably calm. "During Carnevale, the moment you expose the Order's truth, the moment everyone's faith begins to crumble, the Threnodians will seize the opportunity."
Hearing this, Cartethyia finally realized what Aeron truly intended to do. Her breathing gradually steadied.
"So she can't just be a 'laureate'," Aeron continued for her.
"She must become the one standing atop the ruins. She must become the new pillar the instant everything collapses. She must take Fenrico's place, becoming something more stable and real than he ever was. People will follow her not because she speaks of 'divine oracles', but because she actually delivers."
"She's strong enough, pure enough. She's the type who'd rush into a fire to save people, who'd draw her sword at the sight of injustice."
The room fell silent for a few seconds. As Cartethyia processed these words, she felt something tightening in her chest.
"Then why..." she finally asked, her voice dry.
"Why do such things...?"
"Because I'm not a good person, Little Carte."
But the answer Cartethyia received wasn't what she expected.
Aeron tugged at the corner of his mouth, forming a smile devoid of warmth.
"The Threnodians, the Dark Tide—they surge like tidal waves, shattering ordinary lives."
"And I don't even have Resonance Power. Compared to important figures like you, I'm just roadside debris, let alone facing those things."
His words carried self-mockery, reflecting Aeron's genuine thoughts over the years.
Yet Cartethyia found them deeply unsettling.
"But I lack your formidable power to confront crises, save others. Managing to live my own life decently is already the best outcome."
"Unfortunately, someone took issue with even that and came after me."
"As long as the Rover succeeds and the Order's hidden truths are exposed, I can seize this chance to settle blood debts. It's that simple."
What comes after? That no longer concerns Aeron. He has no interest in fighting Threnodians to save civilization—it was never his responsibility to begin with.
After explaining everything, Aeron gave Cartethyia that same twisted smile.
"Pretty selfish, right? But what can I do? I'm just an ordinary person, Little Carte."
Cartethyia watched him, her heart feeling constricted.
After sharing these heartfelt thoughts, Aeron felt considerably lighter—the first time since crossing over that he'd spoken his truth to someone.
"Anyway, what needs doing is simple. Preparations are complete. When the time comes, I'll play the villain while you play the heroes."
When he publicly dies before the Fractsidus, the Second Young Lady, Rover, and all those others, the rewards Aeron gains certainly won't be bad—a fine opportunity to boost his combat power.
Honestly, he really needs some stat upgrades now!
Cartethyia watched Aeron, who was still pondering DPS, her throat feeling as if blocked by something. She opened her mouth, wanting to say "It's not like that," wanting to say "There are other ways," but all the words choked in her throat, turning into a sour bitterness.
"...Then why me?"
"Didn't someone say that I shouldn't hide anything from her about what happens in the future? So I simply brought her along as an accomplice."
Of course, part of it was also because of Cartethyia's identity.
Just as Aeron was waiting for Cartethyia's reply, the girl beside him suddenly threw herself at him, pushing him down onto the bed and beginning to sob quietly. Tears soaked the front of Aeron's clothes, and her hands gripped his back tightly.
"I... I don't want you to hurt yourself... I don't want you to get hurt..."
"The pain is only temporary. Suffering alone is nothing to me."
"I... want you to live on properly..."
"No matter what, I won't die here, Little Carte."
"Can't you... cherish yourself a little..." Her voice grew softer, until it almost became a mumble, "Just a little... is that too much to ask..."
Cartethyia asked very softly, with a thick nasal tone and lingering sobs, as if she were being coquettish or making a final, powerless struggle.
"That's why I've planned everything so carefully and asked for your help."
She finally gave up. She gave up trying to persuade him, gave up trying to change his decision. She knew that once this stubborn stone made up his mind, no one could pull him back.
"...Idiot," she whispered, her voice thick with nasal tones.
Then, Cartethyia tightened her embrace around Aeron, burying her face in his chest.
"Just this once..." she mumbled, her voice still tinged with sobs.
"Don't ever do this again."
"As you wish, Blessed Maiden."
Hearing this, Cartethyia's sobs paused for a moment, and then... she cried even harder.
As for how Aeron was later forced by Phoebe to spend the entire day with her before Carnevale under the pretext of him smelling like someone else, that's another matter entirely.
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