Being too kind is itself a kind of evil

Once Kristine failed at something,it wasn’t the world’s criticism that broke her—it was her own unforgiving guilt for betraying their faith.

In the tavern incident,what shattered her wasn’t the widow’s curses—but the relentless “what-ifs” clawing her mind:

“If I’d been faster…”

“If I’d brought another healer…”

“If I’d arrived sooner…”

In the original game, Kristine was categorized as a “villainess”—but not out of malice.

Her “evil” sprang from perfectionism,from crushing herself under the weight of others’ expectations.

A single misstep?

She’d drown in self-loathing,let darkness fester,until Demeter’s soul slithered in—claiming her as the Dragon-Corrupted,dooming countless innocents.

Sometimes, excessive kindness is its own brand of cruelty.

But this time—thanks to Black’s intervention—

Kristine knew the truth.

She wouldn’t blame herself.

That fragile crack in her spirit? Sealed.

Black exhaled in relief—then frowned.

Wait…

How did Kristine, Irena, and Jianye even become a trio?

In the original plot, they barely knew each other!

He didn’t realize—this was all his doing.

His meddling had rewired fate itself.

By stealing the Dragonfang Blade and killing Yellow Dragon,he’d forced the Draconic Parliament to target young elites—including Kristine and Irena.

During the Jörmungandr battle,they’d fought back-to-back against assassins.

Before, Kristine was the untouchable Saintess,

Irena just a rising but obscure heroine—worlds apart in status.

But war forged bonds.

Irena’s warmth and honesty drew Kristine in—so she invited her into the volunteer corps.

And Jianye?

Dragged in by Irena’s relentless optimism.

After Jianye saved her from assassins,

Irena flooded her with homemade bento boxes,copied lecture notes when she was sick,pestered her daily with sunshine and sincerity.

Jianye—a pragmatic loner—had planned to avoid the “novel’s protagonist”.

But Irena’s final pitch sealed it:

“Join the volunteer group!

Earn credits!

Skip boring classes!

More time to TRAIN!”

Jianye—obsessed with power,needing every spare moment to prepare for dragon-slaying—couldn’t refuse.

Thus, three lone stars became a constellation.

And fate threw them straight into Demeter’s trap.

“Whatever. Not my problem now.”

Black shook his head, dropping the thought.

All that mattered:

Let Kristine convince the Empress……or I’m a dead man.

He leaned back, eyes closing—when bootsteps echoed outside.

A guard unlocked his cell, eyes wide with disbelief:

“Black—Her Majesty summons you to the palace!

Now!”

Me? See the Empress?!

Black’s blood ran cold.

He’d only wanted leniency—not a private audience with Elizabeth!

The guard ignored his panic:

“The Empress’s will is not for us to question.

Move—or die.”

Black staggered back.

Oh gods—she’s figured it out!

She knows I killed Jörmungandr!

This “summons” was interrogation.

Maybe execution.

“Y’know what?” he blurted, clutching the bars.

“This cell’s great! Sunlight! Fresh air!

I’ll just… stay here forever?”

The guard drew his blade.

“Resist—and I execute you on the spot.”

…Damn.

No escape.

Outside, two Dragon-Slaying Guards awaited—their nods of respect shocking the prison staff.

This criminal is important.

Black didn’t recognize them—but guessed they were Hodyr veterans.

The carriage ride to the palace took half an hour.

And when they arrived—

Black’s breath caught.

The Imperial Palace wasn’t just grand—it was a dreamscape carved in power.

White marble roads lined with twelve colossal statues—one for each core class.
Moonbloom Gardens—petals glowing silver by day,each bloom worth a hundred gold coins…here, they grew like weeds.
Lakes mirroring the sky,fountains singing through dolphin sculptures,rose hedges tended by silent gardeners.
As he walked the crimson-carpeted corridor,harp music drifted like starlight.

Ahead loomed the Grand Audience Hall—built of pearl-white crystal,roofed in glimmering tiles.

Inside waited Empress Elizabeth.

And her judgment.