Chapter 138: Tug of War
Fiona dragged Bill Curtis to the place where he usually gathered people to preach. As usual, it was filled with his followers. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Fiona laughed. “Come on, Bill, say it yourself.”
“Mm… what…?”
“That you’re just an ordinary guy who’s useless and doesn’t have any special powers.”
Fiona whispered, “Playing with the hopes of the desperate… you should pay the price for it, impostor.”
“Do you think you can touch me and get away with it?”
“Don’t worry. Do you really think I wouldn’t take basic precautions?”
Fiona grabbed him and dragged him onto the podium. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Now it’s time for you to deny that you’re special.”
Bill was forced to stand on the podium, and everyone below focused on him.
“Count, please, will you give me the answer today?”
“Can my child ever come back?”
Fiona whispered softly from behind, “Do it faster.”
Bill closed his eyes tightly, his mouth stuttering. “Oh… oh, I have something to say today.”
“….”
“Actually… I… I can’t do anything.”
The buzzing crowd quickly fell silent. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“I… I can’t save the dead.”
The light of hope in people’s eyes dimmed one by one.
“Saying there is a God is all a lie. I did that so that idiots like you would offer me money and praise me!”
“….”
The eyes of countless spectators were filled with despair. However, it couldn’t be helped because that was the truth, the reality. Hundreds of lifeless gazes were fixed on Bill Curtis. As his story unfolded, the crowd grew confused and saddened in silence…
Soon after, their emotions exploded.
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!”
“WE’VE GIVEN YOU OUR MONEY!”
“YOU TOLD ME YOU COULD SAVE MY CHILD!”
The anger of those who had fallen back into desperation was fierce. Bill staggered back, and people reached out their hands toward the podium. He fumbled and looked at Fiona. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“I did what you said… So stop— aaaaaa—!”
Bill was dragged down from the podium by the hands of the enraged crowd. Fiona looked down at him expressionlessly. She vaguely understood why she had been feeling so angry lately.
Long ago, she had shuddered at the cruelty of the world she had created: a place where many people died, got hurt, and struggled to survive. The feeling that this world was unreal had slowly faded as she accepted Sigren wholeheartedly. However, that feeling still lingered, and the boundary between believing this world was real or not had become tense, like a tug-of-war.
Right now, the scene before her delivered a final blow. It was clear which side was winning this tug-of-war; there was no doubt anymore. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
There was no happy ending in this place where countless people lived. That was what reality looked like. The dirty, annoying, repulsive, and distressing things would always happen, no matter what. Everyone would have to stand firmly on their own two feet, hold on, and move forward, burdened by their struggles.
This was the harsh reality.
This was the reason a deep-seated hatred for Bill Curtis welled up inside her. He was a person who extorted the innocent for his own desires, without purpose, justification, or honor. He was like a pest—no, he was worse than that. He was someone who made this sad reality even more painful.
Fiona was angry at those people. Why did they make life even harder for those struggling in the world she had created? Why? She hoped they would pay the same price.
“Sa… save me! I did nothing wrong!”
“Keep an eye on him. If he’s about to pass out, take him out so he doesn’t die easily,” Fiona ordered calmly, turning away without hesitation.
***
After the situation was dealt with, Fiona went to see Sigren. She hugged him tightly. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Fiona?”
Sigren wrapped his arms around her and gently patted her back. He was confused—why did his usually composed and confident lover seem so unstable and vulnerable today?
“Are things not going well?”
“No.”
Fiona pursed her lips.
“But I need you.”
She nestled deeper into his arms, like a young animal seeking warmth in a snowstorm.
‘I think I need comfort,’ she thought.
Sigren had led her into a full understanding of reality. Whether it had been a great salvation for her or something else entirely, she didn’t know. But as she accepted this reality, a part of her emotional defense crumbled. What she needed now was someone to fill that void, and she hoped it would be him.
She sighed softly. “Sigren, hold me.”
***
I slept with Sigren, and when I woke up, I looked at him with worried eyes. “Sigren, are we okay?”
He yawned and opened his eyes. “What? Nothing happened.”
Yeah, nothing. Long story short, Sigren and I had slept together—holding hands, of course. Nothing more happened in that regard. It was me who clung to him first yesterday, whining to be with him. Honestly, when he agreed, I thought we’d go all the way. But surprisingly, Sigren just hugged me and fell asleep, leaving me wondering. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Sigren, do you have a problem with the important part—”
He immediately growled, “Just try to say more than that.”
Ehh, that can’t be the case…
Then Sigren pulled me halfway up. “Sleep more.”
“I’m wide awake.”
“And I’m sleepy. I couldn’t sleep properly because of you, so take responsibility and act as a pillow for me.”
“The servant may come soon—”
“Don’t worry. They left last night. They won’t come.”
“….”
It was ironic that nothing happened considering the atmosphere seemed to scream otherwise.
“Sigren, when I asked you to hug me, you didn’t take it literally, did you?” I stroked his hair. If he truly thought that, wouldn’t it be too naive?
“No way…”
Somehow, I found it amusing that I was the one asking this. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Then why didn’t you do anything?”
It was pure curiosity. After all, didn’t he once say he would accept anything I offered him?
“Are you really asking that?”
Maybe he was really sleepy. He pulled me closer while keeping his eyes closed, and a sweet, low voice filled my ear.
“No reason. It’s very pathetic to rush at you when you’re vulnerable.”
This time, he stroked my hair. “And yesterday, you really looked like you needed some innocent comfort. Although I’m not sure what your problem was.”
“Well, that’s not really a reason.”
“You’re really something,” Sigren said, sounding a bit annoyed.
I hugged Sigren’s neck tightly. Suddenly, his body stiffened, even though he had been touching me comfortably until now. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Sigren, let’s get married!”
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