Chapter 84

Enoch’s injuries were very serious. The pierced wound was bad, but the worst was the chunk of flesh bitten from his neck. He had lost so much blood. If Florence hadn’t teleported with Laila, Keith wouldn’t have been able to heal him.

Healing magic of the 7th class could save someone as long as they were still breathing, but it couldn’t instantly restore all the blood he had lost. It would take time for him to recover fully.

“You should have at least defended yourself a little, you fool.”

Enoch didn’t answer with words; he just looked up at Keith.

“It’s lucky I specialized in healing magic.”

In truth, there was no other way Keith could have handled it. It would have been impossible to defend and stop Jang Hyunji, who was recklessly injuring herself in Mari’s body.

“Rest. I need to go deal with the others.”
“…Sorry, Keith.”

Enoch’s voice was weak and low. Keith frowned.

Enoch had done his best. He had protected Mari. Even while his neck was bitten and his shoulder was pierced, he stopped Jang Hyunji from harming Mari’s body further.

It wasn’t his fault.

Everything was Jang Hyunji’s doing.

Still, Keith couldn’t deny that this wouldn’t have happened if they had never come to Mari in the first place. That thought crossed even his mind for a brief moment, though he quickly shook it away.

Enoch, who was strict with himself, likely thought the same. He always carried the heaviest sense of responsibility.

Normally, Keith would try to comfort him, but this time he couldn’t find the words. Nothing would help anyway, and Enoch wouldn’t accept it. Instead, Keith decided to give him time alone.

When Keith left the room, Florence and Laila were waiting.

“…How is Enoch?”
“He needs rest, but after a night’s sleep, he should be fine.”

Florence let out a sigh of relief. Laila then spoke.

“It was my mistake. I didn’t think she could separate her soul like that.”
“If that’s the case, then we’re all at fault….”

Keith slumped into a chair, exhausted.

After Laila had joined them, the fight had seemed possible. If Florence could just hold out, it would be hard, but there was a chance of winning.

While Florence was training, Enoch and Keith hadn’t just sat idly by. They had been investigating Linus Lindquist and “Florence Lindquist” thoroughly—their past actions and environment. Florence and Laila couldn’t be the only ones who held grudges against the couple, who had lived in their own world of love.

Enoch had said:

“If we can’t just rush in and cut off their heads, we should cut off all their limbs before we start the fight.”

Keith had been both shocked and reassured by how ruthless his cousin had become.

Everything had seemed to be going well. But they had underestimated the fact that the worst enemy was hiding inside Florence herself. Everything now felt like a sandcastle about to collapse.

Florence hadn’t been able to properly fight back even once. Just when she thought she could, she lost the child she loved the most. Jang Hyunji knew exactly how to break Florence’s heart.

Even bold Laila was now cautious around Florence. As Keith hesitated, exchanging glances with Laila, Florence spoke.

“Keith, we’re going to hold a funeral for Mari.”
“Okay. I’ll call a priest from the church…”
“No, it’s fine. We’ve never believed in God, and Mari wouldn’t want us to only turn to Him when she’s dead.”

While Keith was healing Enoch, Florence had washed Mari’s body and changed her clothes. Laila had offered to help, but Florence had politely refused and done it alone. Mari lay on the sofa, looking as though she were simply asleep.

“Then what will you do? You need church permission to bury her in a cemetery.”
“Mari liked Vi….”
“You mean burn her?”
“We can’t bury her in her hometown.”

The slum where Mari had grown up had already been burned to ashes by Linus.

“But.”
“If we turn her to ash, Laila can harden it and make it into a necklace. Later, when things are stable, we can make her a grave and place her there….”

Keith looked at Florence strangely. She was oddly calm. Florence, who had always been overly emotional, hadn’t shed a single tear since Mari’s death.

“Why? Keith.”
“Why aren’t you crying?”

Florence seemed startled. She hesitated, as though unsure what expression to make. Keith frowned and was about to say something when Florence spoke first.

“The tears won’t come, Keith.”
“What?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because it doesn’t feel real. I just… don’t know.”

Florence touched Mari’s cold body absentmindedly. It didn’t feel real that she was dead. It just felt like Mari was asleep and still nearby.

“I feel like I shouldn’t cry right now. Mari would scold me if I did.”
“You haven’t lost your mind, right?”
“…Do I look crazy?”
“No, you seem sane.”

Florence forced a small smile. That much, at least, she could do.

She wouldn’t let Jang Hyunji’s words control her.

But she did believe one thing Jang Hyunji had said: Mari’s death was her fault. It was also her fault Mari had lost her arm. That was undeniable truth. But self-blame wasn’t the way to atone. Mari wouldn’t want that.

Perhaps even crying felt fake to her now.

If this were before, Florence would have been different. She would have called Vi and screamed at Enoch and Keith for bringing her to Mari. She would have found someone to blame, to yell at and cry.

But now she couldn’t, and she didn’t want to.

There was no need to blame anyone. It was her fault.

Mari had once said they never knew when their time would come. That was true for everyone. Even the healthiest person could die suddenly in their sleep. That was why Mari had wanted to see her.

“Vi, please take care of Mari.”

Bii. Bii.

The wings of flame expanded, wrapping around Mari. Her body floated into the air, covered in fire. Florence stood still, not blinking as her spirit burned the child she loved the most.

The mysterious phoenix rubbed its head against Florence’s cheek, its black eyes shining brightly.

Enoch was sleeping. Florence stared at his tired face for a while.

His expression was deeply frowning.

“You must be dreaming about me again.”

At this rate, he’d get wrinkles. Such a handsome face—it would be a shame.

Florence pressed her finger against Enoch’s furrowed brow.

If it was so hard, he could have just ignored things. But since they were children, even when he said she was annoying and frustrating, Enoch had never left her alone.

That was why he was lying there like this now.

“…How much of a curse am I to the people around me?”

Florence thought bitterly.

“…Florence?”
“Ah, you’re awake? Sorry. I just came to see if you were okay.”

She hadn’t meant to wake him, but as she turned to leave, Enoch quickly grabbed her hand. Florence noticed the thick scar left on his neck where the skin had barely healed.

“If you came to blame me, then do it.”
“……”
“I’ll listen to whatever you want to say….”

Enoch was sweating, maybe from fever. Florence gave a faint, bitter smile.

She finally understood why Enoch had sometimes laughed like that when talking to her as kids. When you heard something so absurd, you couldn’t help but laugh.

“Why would I blame you?”
“……”
“I won’t do that.”

She didn’t even have the right to blame him. Florence spoke weakly and tried to free her hand, but Enoch didn’t let go. His hot hand gripped her wrist tightly.

“Am I not even worth blaming? Do you not even expect anything from me?”
“Enoch?”
“Blame me, Florence. Hit me, shout at me for bringing you to that girl. Just do something.”

Florence was silent for a moment, then asked:

“Will that make you feel better?”
“……”
“I still won’t blame you. That would mean Jang Hyunji was right.”

She didn’t want to do anything that would make Mari sad.

Florence turned her hand over and held Enoch’s wrist. He bit his lip, his voice trembling.

“I couldn’t protect you again….”
“You did protect me, Enoch.”
“……”
“I know. You’ve always protected me.”

Enoch’s face twisted. Florence could see something breaking inside him. She gently placed her hand on his cheek.

“Even if you’re unhappy because of me, don’t give up.”
“……”
“Stay with me until the end.”

She brushed back his sweat-soaked hair and rubbed his forehead. That was all, but Enoch’s face relaxed a little.

Florence gave a bitter smile.

“You’re too easy, Enoch.”

But she didn’t say it aloud. Instead, she stroked his hair a few more times. She felt sorry for him.