Irel could read the rejection, the exclusiveness, and the crazy obsession in his dark eyes. But she didn't care much.
“After what happened last time, I also learned a lot about it
Receiver
. And I know the truth is that, although rare, the
Receiver
can help each other. Just like what Pessuss saw then.”
Of course, that was a lie. Most of the
Receiver
does not know how to voluntarily use his abilities. They just sat still, like a bank full of money, waiting
Masaka
to withdraw deposit. So, helping one
Receiver
other waste
Masaka
is impossible.
‘But I am different. I can do it.'
If I can do it, will you?
Receiver
Can others also do it? Irel looked down at his hand and thought. If you could show them how to do it.
“So, I want to create a group of you
Receiver
. So they can share information and help each other when in danger.”
“Create a group?”
Faced with the unexpected words, Pessuss asked back coldly.
“Your Majesty would never allow that.”
“Actually, Pessuss. He already agreed. He even said it was a good idea.”
This is not a lie. Varkan agreed immediately upon hearing her carefully crafted request.
‘Fine.’
Just like Irel said. It was Varkan who chose her and ruined the life of someone who was living peacefully. Yet Irel tries her best to become happy in her current situation. How could he refuse that pitiful attempt?
Even if Irel asked for something more, he would agree. It's just... he couldn't help it.
'That's strange. After arguing, why did the sympathy level increase?'
Irel shrugged, thinking that he was indeed a strange man. She couldn't understand that Varkan's sympathy not only did not decrease but also increased by 5 points after the argument, but what could she do. The man she chose was inherently unusual.
So now she has to focus more on the matter at hand. She was so fed up with being 'forced' to follow along.
‘Continue to increase the choices you can make in the future. That's what I have to do.'
Irel resolutely raised her slender chin. And began to persuade Pessuss with an attitude quite like that of a female master.
“Even though it's just an idea, I think this group can change your lives
Receiver
. Of course for the better. And I want Lane to be the first member of this group.”
“Lane won't like it.”
Pessuss gritted his teeth until his jaw turned white, uttering a protest.
"Lane is an introverted and sensitive girl. She doesn't like meeting strangers."
“But she likes to meet people
Receiver
different, right?”
Irel replied with a steady smile. She clearly remembered how excited Lane had been when he first met her in the mansion full of things
Masaka
hey.
"And I sent someone to ask Lane. She said she would be extremely happy to join my group."
Immediately after receiving Varkan's permission, Irel sent a maid to the western district. Before long, the maid returned with a reply from Lane. On a piece of paper that was slightly torn due to writing too hard, there were the words 'I like it very much!!!'.
Seeing this, Irel made up his mind. At any cost, she must win this war for Lane.
“You don't know anything about Lane.”
Pessuss, with still fierce eyes, vehemently objected.
"Someone who is so timid that it's difficult for him to meet others like Lane and wants to join the group? Huh! This is ridiculous. This is like seeing a fish in a lonely tank and picking it up on land."
The loud laughter made Irel's shoulders shake a bit. Although expected, Pessuss's opposition was not small.
"I'm not imprisoning Lane, but protecting her. Protecting her from the hurt that the world out there will cause. I'm sure, such a group will only make Lane more withdrawn, push her into a bad psychological state, and in the end will only leave terrible wounds. Make her hate herself and would rather die."
At the words that poured out without hesitation, Irel tilted her head. And after thinking for a moment, she asked again.
“What about you, Pessuss?”
“What did you say?”
"You're no different. You make Lane withdraw, you pressure her. You make her hate herself."
Making her rather die. Irel's small lips whispered softly. There was no malice in the tone, but that's why Pessuss felt like his heart was being pierced.
"Lane had a seizure. I helped her up and accidentally saw it. Traces of countless times of self-harm were still left on her wrist."
“……”
"Be honest. How many times has Lane tried to commit suicide? Five times? Ten times?"
“Stop. Stop right now!! If you say that again, even if you are the future female owner, I will……”
"No, Pessuss. You can't touch me anymore. Not just for Varkan's sake, but for Lane's too."
Irel propped her chin up and looked at him with clear eyes. Different from the agitated Pessuss, she was calm as if she was just telling the truth.
“If I die, the next time Lane has a seizure, who will help her?”
At those words, Pessuss' mouth stiffened. But this is just the beginning.
"It doesn't have to be to the point of death. What if I'm absent? What if I have to leave the mansion or go far away? Will you just stand there and watch Lane cough and choke and convulse until he can't breathe?"
Pessuss couldn't argue, he gritted his teeth. After a moment of panting, he suddenly blurted it out.
“Lane is not the only one in this world
Receiver
. I am one
Masaka
Strong, if you want I can find one
Receiver
other……”
"But none of them are like Lane, right? You're bragging childishly."
Irel interrupted Pessuss, gently teasing. In fact, men are like immature children. Everyone in this mansion knows Pessuss is crazy about Lane. Yet he loudly said that if Lane died, he would only need to give one
Receiver
Otherwise, it's done.
'I hope he doesn't die with her.'
It was because Pessuss was not mentally mature that Lane had to endure all the suffering. Even though she's not an expert, she quickly realized it. Severe depression and emotionlessness are eroding Lane's life.
This is another suffering of
Receiver
. The obsession and bossiness of
Masaka
pour down these
Receiver
Being physically weak is no different from mental violence. Thanks to that,
Receiver
suffer both physically and mentally, and life expectancy is shortened.
‘But if I create a group, I can help them in this aspect as well.’
The suffering of
Receiver
then there is only
Receiver
just understood. Just by sharing the concerns that have tormented their souls and comforting each other, one person can be saved.
Initially, this was an idea that came to her when she tried to think of a way to save Lane. But the more she thought about it, the more promising it became, so Irel decided to have bigger ambitions.
“Listen well, Pessuss Ha Marsh.”
Irel declared with the nobility of a future president.
"I call it protection. Protecting Lane from the bad things of the world, not letting her get hurt."
Pessuss looked at her with disapproving eyes instead of responding.
"Maybe what you said is right. Just part of it."
Looking into her eyes as if asking her what was wrong, Irel calmly affirmed.
"But by doing that, even good things cannot come to Lane. What you are doing is not protecting but isolating. Because of that, Lane is so bored with a boring life that he wants to feel something, even if it's just death. Do you really not understand?"
“……”
"A life that cannot feel anything, good or bad. Is that really living? I don't know."
Irel sighed softly, shaking his head vigorously. At those words, Pessuss opened his mouth as if to refute something, then closed his eyes tightly, and then took a deep breath. He replied in a tone that had softened somewhat but was still prickly.
“I was the one who saved the girl from the haunted village
Kitan
sweep. Without me, Lane would have become food
Kitan
right there.”
"So what? Saved her life, so her life belongs to you?"
Irel smiled, her face filled with disbelief, because she had spoken right to Pessuss's heart.
“My God. That's just a monster that's changed. From
Kitan
become you.”
“What the hell are you talking about!!”
Pessuss couldn't hold it in anymore, he slammed his hands on the table and stood up. His face was fierce as if he wanted to kill Irel immediately, but she was not afraid.
“You may think you are a savior, but in my eyes you are not.
Kitan
At least just eat the flesh and that's it. And you're gnawing away at Lane's body and soul?"
That's why Lane wants to die. Because she was trapped in his hands and slowly withering away.
Having been criticized on a point he had always avoided, Pessuss was completely stunned. Irel quietly looked at his stunned face. And finally, she declared.
"Choose, Pessuss. Give Lane to me, or continue to imprison her until she hits her head on the edge of the pool and dies."