"You think I would just give it back because it's originally yours? As if! To spit out power as sweet as a candy that's already been in my mouth! What a delusion!"
"..."
"This city is already claimed by Prince Ash!"
Evangeline, with an exasperated expression, froze in place, her mouth hanging open. Her eyes were wide with shock.
A chuckle escaped my lips. Perhaps it was time to tease her a bit.
"But! If you insist. If you insist on asserting your right as a successor."
I lightly tapped Evangeline's forehead with my fingertip.
"Under the condition that you, as a mere knight under my command, cooperate in defending this frontline."
"Damn..."
"When you become an adult, when you're mature enough to take responsibility for this city. If you keep assisting me diligently until then, and if your feelings don't change until then!"
I nodded emphatically.
"I'll give back the position of Margrave and the lordship. All of it."
"..."
Evangeline, unable to close her agape mouth, suddenly narrowed her eyes.
"Three years."
"Huh? What's in three years?"
"In three years! No, two and a half years, I'll be an adult. Let's see then."
Whether she was heated or happy to have a challenge, Evangeline passionately spoke to me with a subtly pleased expression.
"I'll earn your recognition! And I'll rightfully inherit both the title and the city."
Looking down at such a knightly girl, I curled one side of my lips into a smile.
"I'll look forward to it, Evangeline Cross."
Anyway, the strategy for this game takes about three years.
What does it matter if I return the city or not after that? I'll just throw a few more tickets at it.
We continued our staring contest for a moment, but eventually, both of us groaned in pain from our injuries and sat down on the bench.
After sitting silently for a while, basking in the sun,
"Can I ask you one more thing?"
Evangeline opened her mouth cautiously. I nodded in response.
"What is it?"
"When I was young, my mother told me."
Evangeline's face was distant as she brought up an old memory.
"That she knew living in this city, marrying my father, and giving birth to me would lead to sorrow and hardship."
"..."
"Even knowing this, she chose this path because of 'continuity'."
Evangeline gently shook her small head.
"What does 'continuity' mean? Why did she choose to live in this city, knowing she would face such an end... for the sake of 'continuity'."
"..."
"She said I would understand when I grew up, but even now, I still don't..."
"Is that so?"
I brought my fingertips together and placed them on the brow of the pensive Evangeline.
Pop!
I flicked her forehead.
With every ounce of sincerity, I poured all my available strength into my fingers.
"Arghhh!"
Evangeline, belting out a monstrous scream, clutched her searing red forehead and squealed.
"What, what is it?! Why are you hitting me?! What's going on! Why are you hitting me!"
"What's 'the thing that continues'?"
I lifted my index finger and pointed it straight at Evangeline.
Stupefied, she stared at me and hissed violently.
"Hey, what! You hit me and then quiz me! So what's this 'thing that continues'... huh..."
My finger, pointing at Evangeline, did not waver.
"...Huh?"
Only then did Evangeline's mouth slowly open as she realized the nature of 'the thing that continues'.
That's right.
"The 'path' your parents wished to continue, it's right here."
That's you, Evangeline.
"..."
Evangeline fell silent, frozen, as I gave her a sly smile and got up from my seat.
"Welcome back to the Monster Front, Evangeline Cross."
"..."
"Rest well for now. From now on, you'll be at my mercy."
Evangeline simply sat there, her hand on her forehead, with a blank expression on her face.
Leaving the child to gather her thoughts, I stepped out into the courtyard.
The sun was shining brightly. The weather was nice.
Looking over the sprouting plants in the courtyard garden, I murmured to myself.
"Spring is finally coming..."
***
"..."
Evangeline still sat in the courtyard pavilion, head bowed low.
'...I think I understand a bit now.'
Evangeline could faintly grasp her mother's intentions.
Her mother had made a resolute decision.
Despite knowing the pain of losing someone you love. Perhaps knowing that she might die a horrible death as a result.
Still, she chose to marry and give birth to a daughter. She loved with all her might.
To bridge the gap between people.
To pass on 'the thing that continues' to the next generation.
If there's a single reason humans fight against monsters, maybe that's it.
'Everyone in this city is living with the same resolution.'
Evangeline slowly raised her head and looked around.
Detecting the onset of spring, sprouts were blossoming from the ground frozen over the winter.
Though the stem might wither and the fruit might die, under the frost the flower will wilt and the leaves will decay beneath the permafrost.
But spring will come again, and the sprouts will bloom once more from the buried soil.
While everyone will die someday.
The 'thing that continues' is undoubtedly, right here.
'The Cross family didn't just leave death and dust behind.'
Evangeline clenched her fist in front of her chest.
Despite death and dust, in the end, the Cross family left their last heir - Evangeline Cross, here on this land.
'I think I understand a little, Mom. Dad.'
A faint smile crossed Evangeline's lips.
"I think I understand, just a little."
Because there was something to continue. People lived on this front line.
So, Evangeline will not stop either, she will pave the path behind her.
Because that is what the Cross family has been doing... No.
Because that's what everyone living here has done every day.
Evangeline, who had risen from her seat, left the courtyard, hobbling with the aid of her crutch.
Her whole body ached from the injuries, but her spirit was utterly invigorated.