"But Raphiel told me to keep it secret." Milleia apologized with a sheepish smile, her pink-tinged blue eyes meeting mine with sincerity. Her appearance now resembled the transcendental beauty she possessed in the Third Game.
As I observed her, I couldn't help but notice the stark difference from the Milleia I had always known. Was she in the Game too?
A soft chuckle escaped my lips. "You hid so many things so well from me. I have to admit, it was an impressive act, Milleia."
'Did you know, Cleenah?'
"I-I didn't want to hide it, Edward!" Milleia quickly denied. "B-But it was dangerous! I could have put my mother, you, Jayden, and the others in danger…"
I can't freaking understand her thinking, damn it.
"You confessed to me back then, right?" I asked.
"Y-Yes!" Milleia stuttered timidly.
"But you don't love me." I stated.
"No, you don't. Otherwise, you wouldn't play with Jayden's and Alfred's feelings. Until now, you never rejected them directly but kept them in suspense because you find them as important as me, right?" I asked seriously.
"Yes…" Milleia finally admitted with a bitter smile. "B-but that's for the greater good, Edward! The world is threatened by Ante-Eden, and w-we have to save it. That's why I looked for Jayden's help first. I was so happy when he saved me back then from the bandits. He truly lives up to his title of Apostle. At first, I wanted to become his friend because Raphiel told me he was an Apostle, but he is genuinely kind, and he's important to me and all of us! His Highness was also very kind to me, and I admire his courage. I'm convinced he will help us defeat Ante-Eden as the future King. Lastly, you, Edward… I-I first met you the same day as Jayden, but I didn't even know that it was you. But y-you saved the children, and you looked like a Hero, it was amazing…! I felt like I was seeing something from the books, just like the ones my mother read to me!" Her eyes shimmered with a pink hue as she spoke. "Until the end, Raphiel never told me you were N-Nyrel, but I was s-so happy that you were so close to us, protecting us from the shadows! You even saved my mother! I'm… just sad that you didn't ask me for help. I would have helped you. That's why I decided that… we should be together, all of us! Jayden, me, you, and Alfred! We will protect the Kingdom and the whole world, Edward. Please don't go, Edward; if they catch you, I-I won't know what to do! I…I need all of you with me…" Milleia implored tearfully, holding my hands.
I don't know what to think of all this.
All the things she had done until now were to fight Ante-Eden and increase our chances of survival by working together?
She was on my side and shared the same goal as me, destroying that cursed organization.
Jayden was the Apostle of Lumen, Alfred was the future King, and I was a Falkrona. It was indeed a good plan, but...
"Unfortunately, Milleia," I gently removed her hands. "I won't work with Jayden."
"Because he left you alone inside the Dungeon against him?" Milleia asked, leaving me at a loss for words. Seeing my expression, Milleia smiled sadly. "Ceatha told me… but E-Edward, the essential thing is that you came back alive and everyone is fine, isn't it?!"
And I lost Mary, despite the fact that it was inevitable because of Hades.
"As for Alfred. He is already irredeemable…" I added staring at her.
Because of whom, I wonder…
The useless hope that fueled him at this point had been given and encouraged by Milleia herself.
"I-If you're talking about what His Highness said to Lady Layla at the birthday party… It wasn't his fault! He just spoke out of love for me… he wasn't in a good state, Edward. A-And Layla… she shouldn't have picked a fight…"
"...what?" I looked at her, utterly shocked by her statement.
"I-I mean… she was saying mean things…" Milleia explained, her lips trembling as she spoke. "Edward… L-Layla is a bad person! Raphiel gave her a bloodline, but she didn't accept Raphiel's advice and rejected her! Can you imagine, Edward? She rejected our Goddess."
"Milleia, I will only ask one question. Did you take part in Layla's sickness when she was a child?" I asked, needing to clarify this matter.
"Whaaa?!" Milleia's reaction was one of complete shock. "I-I didn't do anything! Please believe me, Edward…!"
"I believe you," I reassured her, as I genuinely thought she had not done anything. "But I need to go save my sister, and you should know that Jayden will die if he fights Brandon alone."
I said this, hoping she would understand the urgency of the situation and want to come with me to help Jayden.
There was no way Jayden could defeat Brandon alone.
In the Game, he was accompanied by Miranda, Carla, Lyra, and Milleia while fighting Brandon. Only then was he barely able to defeat him.
"D-Don't worry, Edward!" Milleia exclaimed with a wide smile. "Jayden is stronger! I asked Raphiel to bless him, and Lord Lumen blessed him as well!"
"W-What?" I blurted out, dumbstruck by her revelation.
"Hm!" Milleia nodded fervently. "That's why let's leav-"
"No, I need to take my sister and Sylvia away from here," I interrupted her, attempting to walk ahead.
Before I could take a step forward, a shimmering thick blue barrier appeared in front of me, blocking my path.
"..." I was caught off guard, not by the barrier itself, but by the person responsible for it. "Milleia, what was that?" I questioned her.
Milleia looked at me with conflicted emotions and shook her head. "P-Please… Edward, don't go… it's dangerous…"
"Are you going to stop me, Milleia?"
I won't be a hypocrite.
You know what? It's not that I don't understand Milleia's plan to unite all of us - Jayden, Alfred, and myself - to save the world. But honestly, I'm not interested in being a part of some grand scheme cooked up by Eden or Raphiel.
"I'm not…I just want to protect you…"
Impatiently, I reminded Milleia about Elona's danger. "Elona is in trouble, Milleia. Are you aware?"
"I-I know, but J-Jayden will definitely save her-"
"I don't trust him," I replied firmly, no hesitation in my voice.
"T-Then do you trust me? You trust me, don't you?" Milleia asked, stammering a bit.
"...I don't know," I said, tapping the barrier in front of me.
Milleia's eyes widened at my answer. "W-Why…? I am on your side, Edward… The one you should be wary of is Layla... s-she is a bad person, and you are still speaking with her…"
"Oh my, am I a bad person?" Layla interjected in a shocked tone.
Milleia turned around and clenched her fists. "L-Lady Layla…"
" 'Lady'?" Layla tilted her head slightly. "Didn't you just call me informally, Layla, now? You can stop pretending, Milleia. We are fellow daughters of Raphiel, after all."
"Layla…" I sighed, feeling a bit perplexed. "What are you doing here?"
Layla smiled at me and touched her lips. "Actually… I wanted to give you the good news myself!"
"Good news?" I asked, puzzled.
"Indeed," Layla nodded and glanced at Milleia. "I…won Miss Eden!"
I'm not surprised, but Milleia seemed downcast.
"Well, as expected of you," I congratulated her, knowing there must be more to her visit.
But I was right. She probably learned that Carla, Sylvia, and Elona were kidnapped, and she came here to find them.
"Now, I want my promised kiss on my lips."
I don't remember promising anything like that!
"E-Edward! Please leave, I-I will-"
"You will do nothing, Milleia Sophren," Layla interrupted, walking toward me with confidence.
"Huh?" I turned around and saw a dark red fire burning Milleia's barrier.
"I-Impossible…!" Milleia was shocked for some reason.
"I will take care of that, honey. You can leave to save our friends, and eventually save the horny Apostle," Layla kissed my cheek like a wife bidding her husband farewell and then turned to face Milleia.
"Edward! S-She is dangerous! She is not a good person! She is a-"
"I'm a Villainess indeed," Layla yawned, drawing a red mana circle in front of her. "And you are the Heroine, I assume, in this boringly fluffy story of yours?"
I couldn't help but smile at Layla's demeanor. She fit the role perfectly—smart, elegant, charming, and always in control of any situation just like before.
I swiftly ran past the burning barrier and found Eric lying on the ground, hidden by grass.
"Ah…Edward?" Eric groaned, blood flowing from his head.
"Ugh, you alright?" I asked, concerned.
"Edward…Milleia is dangerous…she seems to have good intentions, but she will do anything to get things done her way…and she is way stronger than in the Game…"
"I know, but don't worry," I reassured him, my eyes locked on Layla.
She was the perfect match against Milleia.
"Can you take care of Miranda for me, Eric?"
Eric looked at me seriously. "Be careful, pal. Don't leave me alone with John as the only reincarnators."
I laughed at his concern. "I'm not a sadist, Eric," I replied and left.