NOVEL FROG 032 – She, Who Contemplates
"Lady Euphemia... could you address everyone? We're trying to brace ourselves, but frankly, we're anxious," Montego said, his troubled expression contrasting with his demeanor during the wolf tribe attack.
"Do you understand why you're anxious?" I asked, hands on hips, puffing out my chest, and smiling.
Montego pondered for a moment before realizing he had no answer, glancing around at the others.
No one spoke; they awaited my words.
"Because you possess something," I said.
Of course, that wasn't enough. After a brief pause, I continued.
"Those who don't possess it don't fear losing it. It's simple logic. Fear of loss stems from ownership. Right now, we hold onto something we 'don't want to lose.' It's something I didn't have before. Something you all gave up. And—"
You could run away.
I had told Janus Yunofeliza in the demon realm.
But Janus didn't flee.
Because he had something he couldn't afford to lose.
I didn't deny that.
I believed it was sufficient.
Recalling memories from my past life while feeling the burn of my flesh under my feet, reflecting on my life, the 'me' that merged with myself, pondered this.
At this rate, it would happen.
If you thought rationally, this would be the outcome.
Logic dictated it.
There was cause and effect in all things, and the flow of life couldn't be altered.
――As if I knew.
I didn't understand why I ended up like this. I had no idea why my physical injuries were healing, or if there were limits to it, or if there was a time frame. But it didn't matter. Such matters weren't mine to know.
"Now, I refuse to give up. We may suffer losses. We may face moments of defeat. But that doesn't mean we surrender. I can't stand idly by and watch things being taken from me without a fight. I won't accept mere defeat."
Are you anxious? Are you scared? Undoubtedly.
The thought of everyone before me being slaughtered, leaving me as the lone survivor, rising from the ashes like a phoenix—it pained me, a pain even my immortality couldn't heal.
"If you want to prevent loss, there's only one path. You've already embarked on it. Preparation. We've done what we can. Now, all that's left is to strike with clenched fists. I'm not asking you to rely solely on me. After all, I'm just a cute little girl."
With a smirk, I felt my lips curling up.
Montego's anxiety had dissipated. Sparky from the Torus tribe brimmed with determination. Serena wore a wry smile, while Katarina and Kirina's eyes gleamed.
Junos nodded in satisfaction.
It seemed he had been awaiting those words.
"Now, let's fight. I trust all of you with it."