61 Already, it's too late...

Compared to the stiff and cold attitude of the Grand Duke of Silver Wing, Philia's letter appeared exceptionally human, with gentle and considerate phrasing.

Yet, Herbert found it inexplicably bizarre—a lingering sense of discord that felt like a fishbone stuck in his throat, elusive and vague.

He always felt something was off.

Yet he could not quite figure out what it actually was.

When all was said and done, trying to fathom someone else's true intentions based solely on a single letter was still far too difficult.

Hoo—

Amidst a momentary trance, Herbert seemed to feel a gentle breeze sweep through the room, causing the candlelight on the desk to flicker.

Then, the Evil God, who had remained silent for a long time, finally spoke slowly: "My ally, I can sense that you are feeling a bit lost."

"Are you struggling with something right now?"

"A little, perhaps?"

Herbert frowned slightly, but eventually smoothed out his brow and said calmly, "It's fine, really. Just a tiny bit."

"...Are you curious?"

"Of course! After all, you are my m-o-s-t important ally!" the Evil God giggled, showing not the slightest concern for Herbert's faint melancholy.

"So! What is your relationship with the person who wrote this letter?"

Pure gossip at work.

Herbert curled the corner of his lips and said helplessly, "How should I even put it? Relatives, acquaintances, friends, close friends... they're all pretty much the same, aren't they?"

"Is that it? Surely there's more? Don't hold back on me!"

The chaotic deity smelled a juicy scandal and pressed relentlessly: "Is she an old flame?"

Truly lacking any sense of boundaries.

Herbert raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and said somewhat uncertainly, "Let me think. I suppose I probably used to like her... at one point?"

He wasn't entirely certain.

"Why is that phrased as a question?"

"How is an innocent and ignorant youth supposed to fully understand his own heart back then?"

Herbert had originally thought that he truly didn't feel much for Philia anymore in this lifetime.

Especially after experiencing those events, his heart should have died to her long ago.

Yet, upon seeing that letter, the stir deep within his soul far exceeded his imagination.

It was only then that he suddenly realized his past self might genuinely have loved this woman once.

"That's why the Great Evil God told you long ago—love is a curse!"

The chaotic deity chimed in with gloating amusement: "Right? You're suffering this much precisely because you've been cursed by love!"

"Hmph, nonsense and heresy. Shut your heretical trap!"

Herbert let out an annoyed huff, rolled his eyes, and said, "Besides, why do you care so much? Are you going to listen or not?"

"If you interrupt again, I'm not telling you."

"Fine, fine, fine~ I won't say another word~ Hurry up and tell me!"

"I genuinely did like Philia. After all, whether in appearance or temperament, she was top-tier."

Beautiful, gentle, considerate, well-behaved... In his memory, Philia had always presented the image of the most perfect noble maiden.

One could say that facing a princess who was practically this flawless, no one would harbor unprovoked aversion toward her.

That was, assuming her exterior matched her interior.

"But that emotion wasn't pure romantic love; it was more like the affection and trust one feels for a cherished companion."

Herbert continually dissected his own heart, analyzing the mental journey of the first half of his current life.

"I simply grew accustomed to her presence and took it for granted that our futures would intertwine."

The naive young noble had never considered any other possibility, simply accepting that as the predetermined future.

"So, when that incident happened back then, do you know what my dominant emotion was?"

"Sadness?"

"It was anger."

Herbert's expression remained calm, but within his eyes flickered a scorching flame—the rage of suppressed fury burning for a long time.

"Why wouldn't you believe me? Why would you betray me like this? Why would you frame me?"

As the person who had suffered all of that, how could Herbert not feel angry at the time?

"So, what do you plan to do?"

The Evil God's voice was soft, carrying a seductive magic that plucked at the youth's inner wrath, pushing him steadily toward deeper madness...

However, just as the raging flames were about to reach their peak, Herbert's attitude abruptly shifted.

"Do what? Nothing."

"Huh!?"

Herbert's sudden change in attitude left Nienasa puzzled, and she asked incomprehensibly, "You're just going to forgive her like that? I didn't know you were such a magnanimous person."

"Forgive? With what am I supposed to forgive?"

"Of course I won't forgive her so easily."

Herbert let out a cold chuckle, brought the letter in his hand over to the candlelight, and began to slowly roast it.

"Regardless of whether she is truly as innocent as she claims, regardless of whether she was truly completely oblivious, and regardless of whether she participated in it, my stance remains unchanged."

"Things have already reached this point. Does she really think a single letter and a few flimsy, light explanations can erase everything?"

"Things have already come to this, how could it possibly be that easy!"

Sizzle—

Accompanied by a crisp sound, the flame crept onto the letter paper and began to slowly scorch it.

The rising firelight dyed Herbert's face red, illuminating the profound darkness within his eyes.

"Fractured wounds might eventually heal, but the scars and pain left behind in the process will remain forever."

The flames burned brighter and brighter, ultimately licking at Herbert's fingers.

Yet he did not flinch, slowly gathering the fire within his palm before clenching his fist completely.

Extinguished.

He opened his hand.

A scattering of crushed ashes fell from his palm.

"After the flames have burned through everything, what remains in the end are merely wisps of residual ash."

The youth lowered his gaze, staring at the ashes, and whispered calmly:

"It is already... far too late..."

Even if you genuinely wish to make amends now, it is already too late.

What were you doing earlier?

Nienasa fell silent for a moment before asking: "So, you plan to just leave her hanging like this?"

"That's not necessary. I'll write back."

Herbert pulled out a sheet of stationery, picked up his pen, and began to write swiftly. His handwriting was fluid and neat, without a single pause in the content.

Nienasa: ?

"Huh? But didn't you just say you wouldn't forgive her?"

Then why are you writing back to her?

And the letter looks completely normal, showing not the slightest trace of anger.

To this, Herbert responded as follows: "That's what I said. One thing is one thing, but Philia still has utility value."

"Eh?"

"She is very wealthy."

"Ah?"

"As the kingdom's most favored little princess, coupled with the fortune her mother left behind in the form of a mage tower in the North, her disposable personal wealth even exceeds the little treasury of His Majesty the King."

"In short, she's a little sugar mommy."

Under Nienasa's speechless gaze, Herbert stated quite matter-of-factly:

"We were friends for many years after all. Since she has already taken the initiative to reach out, how could I have the heart not to accept this goodwill?"

"Wouldn't refusing her kindness be showing her far too little face?"

"Well then, let her pay some interest first. Send me some good stuff, and not useless things like a collar..."

Why hesitate when you have the chance to get something for free!!?