Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 173
Rumors seemed to spread quickly in such a small village.
“I have something I want to tell you.”
She was the saintess herself, but she felt she could no longer hide it.
“Really? What is it?”
“The saintess…”
“I am the saintess.”
As she revealed the truth, the child’s eyes sparkled. It was a glitter that felt somehow eerie. Then, the child ran up and hugged Irene. Feeling an ominous premonition, she tried to push the child away, but the child was more persistent than she had expected.
Suddenly, she felt dizzy, and the scenery changed. Everything melted, the small, tranquil village disappeared, and she found herself standing on a cliff. Looking back, she saw raging waters flowing fiercely below the sheer cliff.
If she fell, she wouldn’t survive. She tried to muster her strength just in case, but even that wasn’t possible.
“You can’t use your powers here. There’s a barrier like that.”
At that moment, a familiar person appeared from between the trees opposite her.
“Ramiel.”
“It’s been a while.”
Ramiel smiled with an angelic face. She didn’t look like someone who had committed terrible deeds up to now. Anyone seeing the two would think Ramiel was the true saintess, not Irene.
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
Irene decided to engage Ramiel to buy some time.
“When was the last time we saw each other?”
Ramiel tilted her head, pondering.
“Was it at the saintess’s inauguration?”
“I didn’t see you then.”
“Well, I didn’t officially participate.”
She spoke calmly, but it only heightened Irene’s fear. If Ramiel had been glowing or angry, it would have been easier to understand. But now, she seemed devoid of any particular thoughts.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. Why bring up that time? You’re a fake saintess anyway.”
“Ramiel.”
“Irene, how pitiful. You struggled so hard, but in the end, you’re just a fake. But it’s okay. Today, your suffering will end here. If you’re lucky, the goddess might take care of you.”
She clasped her hands together as if in prayer.
‘She’s not in her right mind.’
Ramiel genuinely believed she was righteous. Seeing her seemingly about to do something drastic, Irene hurriedly changed the subject.
“Is the child okay?”
“Who? Al? If you mean that child, he’s fine. I just switched places with him. Or… maybe not? Hmm?”
Suddenly, Ramiel began to stutter and shake her head. She muttered to herself several times and then looked up as if she understood.
“Luciel said that if Al and you came into contact, your positions would switch. But he said it wouldn’t be a perfect swap. It’s complicated, like a gamble. So where could Al be now?”
A chill ran down Irene’s spine as she watched Ramiel seriously ask the question. The one named Luciel must have intended to sacrifice the child named Al. Yet, Ramiel showed no doubt about such actions.
“You’ve changed.”
“Everyone changes.”
“You know that’s not what I mean! You’ve sacrificed someone else. It’s no different from killing him with your own hands.”
“It’s okay. Since he served the goddess, the child will be happy.”
There’s no reasoning with her. Irene cautiously surveyed her surroundings. Fortunately, there was no one else besides Ramiel. She clenched and unclenched her fists.
Maybe she could push Ramiel away and escape? As she considered this and looked ahead, Ramiel seemed odd.
“Yes. He’ll be happy. I’m happy, too. Hmm, am I happy? I must be, right?”
Like a broken music box, she repeated strange behaviors. Then she began approaching Irene.
“If you disappear, the goddess said I can become the perfect saintess.”
“Snap out of it! Ramiel.”
“I’m perfectly fine.”
“No, you’re not. Something’s wrong with you.”
“No.”
“There is something wrong.”
Irene slowly turned her body, the cliff behind her, trying to avoid Ramiel’s approach, but Ramiel quickly caught up. Considering the old Ramiel, her physical abilities were astonishing.
Ramiel grabbed Irene’s shoulders firmly.
“Why is someone with a mark of misfortune like you the saintess?”
As she poured out her resentment, Ramiel looked sane for the first time.
“You…”
She tried to say more, but Ramiel acted faster. Holding onto Irene, she began pushing her toward the cliff.
Irene desperately tried to resist, but she couldn’t overcome Ramiel’s strength.
‘No!’
A saintess cannot heal herself. And Irene knew her body wasn’t healthy—it was a lingering effect from past torture.
‘I’m going to die.’
In the past, she might have willingly accepted death. She had wanted to take revenge on the world through her death. But now things were different.
She had seen people smile with joy because of her help. She had made friends and even received a confession. The world she once thought was horrible had made room for her.
‘I can’t die like this!’
