"Uncle Manner..." Margaret also had some things she wanted to say to Manner. After leaving Kazimierz and experiencing so many things, she had already understood why her uncle had prevented her from participating in the knight competition, and she also understood that her uncle was not timid or afraid of trouble, nor had his spirit been worn away.
At that time, she was full of vigor, single-mindedly wanting to restore Kazimierz's glory, believing it was her generation's duty, and fully intending to revitalize the Lingguang Family.
But her uncle had seen that revitalizing the Lingguang Family was not important, and her actions would not truly change Kazimierz. She had only become a champion; everything she did was still just adding bricks to the foundation of capital. Kazimierz now was like a group of people in an iron box, sleeping soundly, but Margaret had woken them up, only for them to realize that this iron box was almost impossible to break.
Her actions were merely a reckless attempt to awaken a few people, without considering how despairing these people would become once they understood their predicament.
On the day Margaret was expelled, many even committed suicide by jumping from buildings. These people were Margaret's fans from beginning to end, some had even written letters to Margaret, supporting her actions, and even stating in their letters that because of Margaret, they had given up their suicidal intentions. But afterward, Manner sent her a copy of that child's suicide note, and the sorrow and pain in that note were something Margaret could never forget.
She had indeed awakened some people, but they were once again abandoned by this world. During the time Margaret was away—she experienced much and saw much, realizing that her experiences in Kazimierz were perhaps something many people had gone through, and there were even greater people.
Of course, what shook Margaret the most was also about the Integrated Movement, which they had personally defeated...
In their investigation of the Integrated Movement, their leader had also once been a great fighter, but through repeated betrayals and setbacks, she gradually became a madwoman.
Margaret did not believe she was Tarula, but Tarula's fate made her somewhat see her own naivety back then. It wasn't just having a passionate heart and sticking to one's beliefs that could achieve victory; she was not a savior—
It was precisely because she had seen countless people fall one after another that she had the courage to continue on her own path.
Now, she was no longer fighting alone; now, she had a group of trustworthy companions. That's why she had the confidence and courage to look Manner in the eyes.
Manner was also looking at her, but after a long while, he shifted his gaze. "You've grown up."
He reached out and patted Margaret's shoulder. "The path ahead, you must walk it yourself."
"I understand." Margaret nodded, watching Manner's back as he left. She felt Maria beside her looking at her face, and she suddenly became curious, "What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
"Nothing... It's just been a long time since I've seen you, and I didn't expect you to have grown so beautiful," Noah said. "Back then, you were just a little kid shorter than me... Now you're a head taller than me. That's really unfair. It's even a bit much, isn't it?"
"...Your tone?" At this moment, Margaret only slowly realized. These words clearly wouldn't have come from Maria's mouth, and she was very familiar with this tone. She was stunned. "You're Noah?"
"...Only just realizing now? That's a deduction." A smile finally appeared on Noah's face. "There was a small problem, and I'm currently using Maria's body, but precisely because of this, I can clearly see your face now. It's truly beautiful, much more beautiful than I imagined."
"...You..." Margaret originally wanted to ask more, but seeing the exhaustion in Noah's eyes, as if she could fall asleep at any moment, she closed her mouth. "You can look as long as you want later... I'll be right here, I won't leave."
"Really?" Noah's eyes were almost unable to stay open. After the battle ended, she felt a wave of sleepiness engulf her, as if something was pulling her down. There was a strange feeling, but she didn't want to sleep. She wanted to look a little longer, she wanted to look at her a little longer... at her, who, after several years apart, was still clinging to her foolish dream, at her, who had sworn to protect her by her sickbed, at her... who had, without her realizing it, filled her mind with thoughts of her.
But sleepiness enveloped her, and she had a feeling... that once she closed her eyes, she wouldn't be able to see her again.
So she pulled Margaret hard and whispered in her ear. "Margaret, have you forgotten me...?"
"...No."
"Really?"
"Never. From beginning to end, I've always missed you."
"Then do you remember our promise?"
"...Mhm, I always remember."
"That's good... that's good... I..." Noah wanted to say something, but finally, the sleepiness took her away. She closed her eyes and then fell into darkness. And when she woke up again, she was already in a hospital bed.
And before her eyes... darkness once again enveloped her.
She trembled as she touched her cheek, feeling her tears. She suddenly felt a sense of injustice—why were her eyes blind, yet she could still cry.
This was clearly the happiest moment she had experienced in years... yet she couldn't look at her a little longer.
However, since she had returned, then Maria should have returned to her own body, right?
Was this temporary body swap just so she could see Margaret grown up?
She tugged at the corner of her mouth, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Margaret had indeed, as she had imagined, grown into a knight who could even be called handsome. Unlike her earlier self, who was still somewhat childish, the current Margaret had become someone who could stand on her own.
She was practically like a superhero, suddenly appearing before her, saving her. Even a hero saving a damsel in distress in a knight's novel probably wasn't as... heart-pounding.
Perhaps Margaret truly was her fated nemesis.
Noah sighed, but it was truly wonderful to see her appearance again.
"Margaret..." Noah lowered her head, pressing her hand to her chest.
Fortunately, I realized my dream, the dream of fighting alongside you, the dream of seeing you again, and also...
However, this might truly be the last time.
Kuro stood at the doorway. When she noticed Noah getting up, she already realized that they had switched back.
After all, the two of them had distinctly different temperaments, but when Noah cried, she stopped... She didn't enter the room but stood at the doorway.
She knew it wasn't her time to appear.
Noah wouldn't want her to see her crying either...
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