276 Sunrise

"Ugh... my head...." 

Rossweisse clutched her head as she felt an intense headache. She wasn't good with alcohol, but it didn't mean she didn't like it, as it could make her forget about many unpleasant things. Nevertheless, she felt weird. Usually, she would wake up late at noon when she was drunk, but somehow, she woke up—

"...is it night?" 

Yet, when Rossweisse saw Magari and Ravel's sleeping faces, she knew that it should be dawn. Moreover, she also checked the current time, which made her sigh in relief since she didn't use the entire day to sleep. Still, she couldn't go back to sleep for some reason, so she stood up and rubbed her temple, going to the bathroom to wash her face, and when she did all of that, she felt better. 

Only she realized something. 

"Riser-sama? Where are you?" 

While it was a bit embarrassing, Rossweisse realized that the four of them had slept in the same room the previous night. As she was drunk, she should have forgotten this matter, but the warmth of his body remained stuck as if they had been hugging each other for the entire night. When she thought of this, her face turned crimson and shy, happy by the close connection between them even if she knew it was forbidden. 

Still, he wasn't in the room, so she searched around for him until she noticed a presence near Lake Akimoto. 

"Riser-sama?" 

Due to the sun that started to rise on the horizon, the clear lake turned into a crimson color like her face, shy yet beautiful. Yet, she didn't care about the scenery. The moment she found him, she didn't hesitate and went after him as soon as she could. She didn't dress her best and only found something that she could, so her clothes were rather thin during the cold morning, yet for her, who was born in the Norse Myth, this temperature was like a summer in her country. 

"Riser-sama..." 

Rossweisse stopped when she called his name since his figure was just too... worn out. It was as if he had kept many things inside him and kept all of them inside without being able to express them, so she made an unexpected move that she had never thought she would do. 

Riser was startled, but he stopped his body from moving when he realized who had hugged him so suddenly. 

"Rossweisse?" 

"Are you okay, Riser-sama?" 

"....." 

Riser fell in silence and then smiled softly. "Of course, I am okay."

"...you are not forcing yourselves?" 

"I am not, but aren't you forcing yourself by hugging me like this?" 

"....." 

When Riser mentioned her bold actions, Rossweisse blushed and quickly lowered her head, hiding away from his gaze by pressing her face against his broad back. 

"Do-Do you hate it, Riser-sama?" 

"No." 

"Then, let's stay like this for a while." 

Riser wanted to say something, but in the end, he stopped. Everything he did, and done, everything, all of them, needed to be kept deep in his heart. No one else needed to know, as this sin was something that he needed to bear. He knew that his actions might be quite extreme for some people, but he knew he needed to do this. He didn't want to, but when he knew that someone wished to kill him, gathering together as they talked about their plan, would they think that he would let them go?

The time was near. 

Riser had a feeling that something major in his life would happen, and this would determine his life. 

If he succeeded, then his goal and ambition would be achieved. 

However, if he failed, then he would die and disappear. 

He knew that it might be better to erase all the threats as soon as possible, but being in this position was troublesome, and he wished to give away the position of Lucifer as soon as possible, especially when it had become a shackle for him. 

Still, at least, his peace was coming, right?

He tried to smile as best as he could, but he couldn't, and it made him confused as he was about to reach his peace. However, he didn't bother to think and focused on his ambition.

However, at this moment, he suddenly remembers his previous conversation with Azazel. 

"How about you forgive?" Azazel said those words with a relaxed smile. 

'Forgive...' 

It was for those who weren't involved in talking about forgiving others and whatnot, giving thoughtless advice as if they knew the best, but for him, who received many injustices after his transmigration into this new life, he needed to tense his body, like a hedgehog, protecting his life from the harms that came toward him. 

Yet, he knew that he was lucky, especially when he wasn't alone. There were many who supported him, loved him, and believed him. They would do their everything to be his strength, yet it was also due to this that he felt uncomfortable, especially when he thought his action would bring sadness to those who had stayed by his side. 

He glanced at Rossweisse, who hugged him tightly from behind. If it was before, he wouldn't hesitate to turn and hug her tightly in his arms, taking her lips that had never been tainted by anyone and making her into his woman. 

However, now, he didn't think that he was worthy of her, especially when he had used her to understand many things about the Norse Myth. 

Still, as a villain, this should be normal, right?

'As expected, I can't get used to the feeling of being a villain.' 

"Riser-sama." 

"Hmm?" 

"What are you doing here?" 

"Well, I heard the sunrise is beautiful, so I came out to watch." Riser then pulled Rossweisse to stand by his side and then pulled her onto a nearby bench so they could sit comfortably. "It's almost time. Let's watch it together." 

"Okay." 

Rossweisse followed his words obediently, never fought, and was docile as she kept stealing a glance in his direction. She knew that it was wrong, especially when she knew he was married, but while their meeting was short, she wished to be his strength and be by his side forever. 

"It's starting." 

His words reminded her of the sunrise, yet Rossweisse couldn't take her eyes away from him, especially when she saw his face shimmer in the gentle light of the sunlight. 

Subconsciously, she held his hand tighter as she watched the sunrise together without knowing the terror that happened in her hometown, and the sinner who caused that terror sat by her side.

Nevertheless, Rossweisse knew that she had fallen in love with this man.