Chapter 6: The Right Path is still not lost yet

" …So all the pieces have finally come together. This story of evil is finally coming to an end."

"Not yet. There are still a few things left that are out of place."

After the Freesis' return to Marlon, Yukina paid a visit to Kyle. Apparently, Kyle had surrendered his throne to one of his brothers. Afterwards, He took up painting again, just as he had done before.

Kyle looked up from his easel, "Do you really think that people will actually believe what really happened these last five years?"

Yukina thought for a while. Yukina did say that she is going to tell the world the truth. But how will the world respond to that?

"…No."

"Hm? Why is that?" Kyle looked quite surprised.

"It may take years or decades for everyone to accept the truth but for now, the 'Daughter of Evil' still stands. She will still take the blame for days to come…"

"…For now."

Kyle then started cleaning his paintbrushes. Yukina looked over Kyle's finished composition: a portrait of Kyle, Prim, and…Ney.

"Kyle? Why is your mother on this one?"

Kyle sighed, "Even though she had done horrible things to many people, she is still my mother. She gave birth to me. She raised me. I should be thankful."

Yukina nodded, "Yeah…same with my mom."

"Is your mother doing alright?"

"Yes. She's still feeling gloomy but she has started to brighten up a bit."

"I see. That's good to know."

Yukina looked at Ney in the painting. Kyle finished washing up and sat down with Yukina. He also looked over where Yukina is focused at.

"'If I could be reborn'…" Kyle muttered, "What does that even mean? Is there really another life beyond death?"

Yukina kept silent. She didn't know what to say about that. Ney is gone but even so, is there a chance that everyone will be reunited? Can any horrible person be truly forgiven? Neither of them knew the answers.

"…That demon."

"Excuse me?"

"She spoke to me…she said that I was a 'Soul of Adam'…and that we will meet again soon," Kyle murmured to no one in particular, "Who knows? Maybe I will meet Ney again someday…"

Yukina didn't know what Kyle is talking about. She only assumed that he is still going through a hard time. After all, he was manipulated by his own mother since childhood.

"Kyle?"

"Hm? Yes, Yukina?"

"Do you remember that day…?" Yukina sat upon Kyle's lap and looked at him in the eye, "…the day when you were about to leave to confront your mother and I told you that I didn't want you to go off alone?"

"…Vividly."

"I just wanted to let you know…I meant every word of it."

Kyle paused. He remembered that day, Yukina holding on to him and begging him to let her come with him. Kyle realized that even after it was all over, Yukina was still worried about his wellbeing. That sort of feeling…filled him with comfort.

Kyle gently stroked Yukina's hair, "…I know. I also remember that afterwards your father came in and beat the hell out of me."

"Huh? Why would he do that?"

"He thought that I was…making a move on you."

Yukina blushed. She then looked over Kyle's wide assortment of paints.

"Could you, maybe…consider making a portrait…of me?"

"…Say what?"

"Oh never mind! I'm kidding! Forget what I said!"

Kyle smiled, "I could."

Yukina turned sharply to Kyle in shock. Yet even at that, Yukina felt happy. Just then, someone entered the room.

"Kyle? Are you there? …Y, Yukina? What are you doing…here?"

…It was Keel.

"Oh! D, Daddy!" Yukina quickly hopped off of Kyle's lap but it is too late.

"…Kyle."

"Y, y, yeah…?"

"NOW YOU TWO ARE FLIRTING WITH EACH OTHER? YOU SON OF A…"

After a few "fatal beatings" and protests from Yukina, Keel finally stopped his roaring rampage of "revenge" and released Kyle.

"S, sorry about that! Ahaha…" Keel apologized.

"…And just for that…" Kyle picked up a big paintbrush and whacked Keel on the head.

"Agh! …Okay, I deserved that."

Yukina continued to watch her father and Kyle. Those two make a great duo…for some reason. Whatever the case, they'll manage somehow. Given that Keel had arrived to talk about business, Yukina decided to go outside in the backyard. Suddenly, a blinding flash of light erupted behind Yukina. Turning to the light, Yukina saw…another transparent figure, clothed in yellow.

"Hello again, Yukina."

"YEEKS! A, Allen! You scared me!" Yukina yelped.

"Yes. Sorry about that. I didn't mean to frighten you."

Allen Avadonia, the long lost prince of the d'Autriche family, Riliane's twin brother, the Servant of Evil, and the one who filled Yukina with hope that fateful night.

"Y, Yeah…It's good to see you again!"

Allen looked doubtful, "I guess…to be frank, I don't think I will be seeing you soon that much."

"Eh? W, Why not?"

"I am not too sure about that. I guess my being here will be over in the future."

"Allen…!"

Allen smiled, "Don't worry about me. Now that you know everything, it is time to put this story of evil to an end."

Yukina stared…and shook her head, "I have yet to ask one last person."

"Hm? Who might that be?"

"…You."

Allen shrugged, "I thought as much. I will tell you everything that I know. After all, I have enough time on my hands anyway."

Yukina couldn't help but feel bad for Allen. This guy has done much for a lot of people without expecting anything in return.

"Allen, I just wanted you to know how grateful I am. Thank you…for everything."

"…Alexiel."

"Huh?"

"Alexiel Lucifen d'Autriche. That's my true name. To be honest, I'm not that fond of it."

"Oh…"

"Now, shall we start?"

"Alrighty Germaine, shall we be off?"

"Hold on one second. I'm just finishing up a letter."

Chartette Langley took a peek at the letter Germaine is writing, "Eh? Who's it for?"

"Hey! Don't look!" Germaine hid the letter out of sight.

"Ooooooh…Is it a MAN?"

"NO WAY. Besides, does that name sound like it belongs to a man?" Germaine grumbled, "…It's for a family member of mine."

"Oh well I doubt anyone would have the right mind to marry you anyway! You're like a beast!" Chartette joked around, "But a family member? I thought you were adopted!"

"Yeah well, I found out that I have a sister…who has been missing for five years."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I have to admit I was surprised we have found each other again."

"Wow…How come you aren't with her now?"

Germaine paused and took a deep breath, "…We are in different worlds, if you know what I mean."

"Ah well…I'll let you finish up. You should value your family. Huh, maybe I should write a letter…" and leaving with that, Chartette went off. Germaine relaxed and started writing again.

Dear Rin,
I have made it back to Beelzenia. The brioche that you made was delicious. I wish that I could savor it more but I didn't want it to spoil. Anyway, I found Chartette at the camp and naturally she is glad that I returned safe and sound. Oh and guess what? We are going to be exploring the east together! That's right, the east which has never been explored yet. I don't know what might be in store for us but after that entire insane adventure before, I feel I can handle it. Also, I wonder if you are doing okay and I do hope that your wish does come true. If we could be all reborn, maybe we could set things right the way it is supposed to be.
Yours truly,
Germaine

Riliane held the letter firmly in her hands. It is good to hear that Germaine, her sister, is doing fine. Getting on her knees, Riliane began to pray, wishing her sister a safe journey. After she finished praying, Riliane got up and walked towards the kitchen.

"Clarith? Where are you…?" Riliane called. Instead, she only found a small note on the counter.

Off to visit a friend. Will be back soon.

Riliane gave off a faint smile. Although she is uncertain, Riliane can probably guess who…

Clarith walked through the forest. She is off to visit a friend, a very precious friend. Making her way towards the clearing, Clarith arrived at that spot, the spot with the largest tree in the forest. At its base is a tree sapling.

"…I'm back, Michaela."

Yukina had received a letter from her "number one fan", Chartette Langley. Other than looking forward to Yukina's next novel, Chartette is going to be traveling with Germaine to explore the eastern lands. That area has never been charted before so it could prove interesting. Yukina brought out a sheet of paper and started writing a letter to Riliane. Once the truth is published, Yukina wanted Riliane to be the first to receive the first copy in print.

"Yukina! Shou! Aile! Dinner is ready!" Mikina called.

"Oh shoot… C, coming!" Yukina rose from her seat and darted towards the dining room.

And so, Yukina's story ends here…or rather, my story ends here. Throughout these five years, I have learned much about humanity itself. What makes someone evil? What truly defines as evil? Is it killing someone? Is it manipulating others? Or is it a simple act of disobedience? Whatever the case, I think that it is safe to say that everybody is evil in one way or another, including me. No matter what, we are always filled with darkness. But even so, I have seen miracles happen with my own eyes and I do believe that deep down inside there is still good in us, a small flicker of light that keeps on shining in our hearts. The Right Path is still not lost yet. As long as that small light keeps burning, there is still hope for humanity.

-Yukina Freesis

Fin