[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game":3,"chapter-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-707":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1218799,1604,"Chapter 706: Frozen Trials 13 Interlude","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-707",707,"\u003Cp>[High Grade Ice Magic]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Frost Nova]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SWOOOSHHH!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOMMM!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a descending comet of pure frost, the spell crashed into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of pale blue energy erupted outward, devouring everything in its path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air froze instantly, the earth cracked beneath layers of thick ice, and even the mana in the surroundings seemed to stiffen under its influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a single moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything within its range was sealed in deep frost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not blown away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just... frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right down to the core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t the fastest spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor was it the most destructive in appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But its true danger lay elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It ignored defenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Armor, barriers, resistance—none of it mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once caught within its range, the cold would reach you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So this is my limit for now...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestine lowered her hand slightly, exhaling a faint mist as she observed the frozen field in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wanted to reduce the damage area even more...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She frowned just a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...but I guess I can’t ask too much from my body.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even while holding back, the spell still covered a wide area. Fine control at this level was difficult—especially with the strain her body constantly endured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really are weird for a human.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside her, Anica crossed her arms, staring at the frozen aftermath with a slightly unimpressed look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think your magic is amazing as it is...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced at Celestine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...even more so if you didn’t suppress it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well,\" Celestine replied casually, brushing a bit of frost off her sleeve, \"complicated matters will arise if I don’t hold back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anica clearly wasn’t convinced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She narrowed her eyes slightly, tilting her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why are you even hiding it from Aunty in the first place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pointed toward the village direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you enjoying her teaching you basic elementary stuff? Well... in your case, very basic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestine paused for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No, not really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked away slightly before continuing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s just that... it seems Mother prefers it if I don’t have too much talent in ice magic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anica blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t think that’s the case though...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well,\" Celestine replied with a small shrug, \"that’s because you haven’t lived with us for that long.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced at her with a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know Mother the best.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anica immediately puffed her cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know Aunty the best!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestine couldn’t help it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it came to her mother, even the slightest provocation was enough to rattle Anica.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a dragon, she always seemed a bit too young... too simple... too innocent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somehow—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made her even more adorable in Celestine’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Years had passed since the two of them began secretly practicing high-level magic, far from Elea’s watchful eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What started as small experiments turned into routine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What started as curiosity turned into mastery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were no longer children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, in Celestine’s case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her figure had grown, her features more refined, her presence calmer. There was a quiet elegance to her now, something that naturally drew attention even when she wasn’t trying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anica had grown as well, though in a different way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was still... Anica.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Easily annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still wearing her emotions openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And through all those years...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not much had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from Anica’s sudden appearance back then—the day Celestine saved her—the trial itself remained almost completely the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The invisible boundaries still existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She still couldn’t go beyond the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still couldn’t enter the deeper parts of the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how strong she became...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those limits never loosened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if the world itself refused to let her move forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So day after day—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Year after year—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestine spent her time the same way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Practicing magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Searching for clues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And spending whatever time remained... with Anica.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a way, it made things easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The loneliness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The uncertainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slow, suffocating nature of the trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anica’s presence softened it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Made it bearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the same time...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something else had started to grow within her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A different kind of unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because no matter how much time passed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trial showed no signs of ending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No clear purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was the key to finishing it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She still didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as the days kept passing...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestine began to notice something subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something she couldn’t ignore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was changing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was becoming someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Becoming... Celestine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than she was Snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not something anyone else would notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she could feel it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the way she hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the way she thought things through instead of acting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the way her emotions surfaced more easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things she had never experienced as Snow—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indecisiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfiltered feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments where her heart reacted before her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfamiliar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost unsettling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like something was slowly eating away at who she originally was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But gradually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piece by piece.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the more time passed...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The harder it became to tell where Snow ended—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And where Celestine began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At some point she even questioned once upon who she really was....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just by looking at the mirror—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same mirror she always used to remind herself of her true name—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That slight... discomfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint sense of disconnection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the name Snow no longer felt natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt distant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like it belonged to someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone she used to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what made it worse—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was Riley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just thinking about his name...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying it in her mind...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No pull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No overflowing feeling that once felt endless and absolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only emptiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hollow space where something precious used to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Made her shiver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers tightened slightly as she stood there, staring at her reflection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is bad...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was worse than bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this continued...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wouldn’t just change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would be completely devoured by this trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Replaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for that not to happen—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something had to change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something she had avoided this whole time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something she kept pushing away... because of Celestine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her attachments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a truth she never tried to face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mother’s truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was an option—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An action—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never once dared to take.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To fail the trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet breath escaped her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her decision... was made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would choose it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding her white staff firmly in her hand, she turned toward Anica.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression wasn’t hesitant anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm? What?\" Anica tilted her head, noticing the change in her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anica...\" Celestine’s voice was calm. \"Can I ask you for a favor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Favor?\" Anica frowned a little. \"Do we really need something like that between us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I appreciate your trust,\" Celestine said softly. \"But what I’m about to ask... isn’t something you’ll like.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anica’s brows furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wouldn’t like?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you want me to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestine didn’t look away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want you to kill me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest itself seemed to freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leaves no longer moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the distant sounds of life disappeared, as if the world refused to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anica didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like time itself had come to a halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a beast of frost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A primordial existence born from the deepest, coldest parts of the abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something that should’ve never existed in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its very presence twisted the land, froze entire regions, and threatened to swallow the continent whole in an endless winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was slain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But by four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hero, Galahan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Saintess, Minerva.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Warrior, Cedric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Frost Witch... Elea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together, they fought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together, they endured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the end—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not without a price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hero died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Saintess lived... but broken, her body crippled and her soul tainted by a curse she could never cleanse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Warrior survived... but lost his mind, wandering like a hollow shell of what he once was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Elea—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lost everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The life she once knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Elea first held Celestine in her arms—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing she felt wasn’t joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t even fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was pity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did I choose this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t have an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, in that moment...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mind was blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All she could see—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the child in her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uwaahh...!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cradled against her chest, still stained with blood, born in the middle of a raging snowstorm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That small, fragile existence...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t a monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t a calamity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t the end of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was just—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A baby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the curse of that ancient frost beast had been carved into her soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Elea knew what she would one day become.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she understood—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better than anyone—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That this child could bring ruin to everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She still hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because in her hands—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no \"beast.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No \"threat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a child that had just been born into a cruel world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew what the right choice was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>End it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before it begins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the curse awakens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the world pays the price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Eternal Winter happens once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quick death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A painless one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was what had to be done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn’t do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hands didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers didn’t tighten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She held the child closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Protected her from the storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shielded her from the cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elea doesn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never tried to remember.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never tried to justify it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because deep down—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She already understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no logic behind that decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No righteousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a single, selfish thought—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was just a baby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All she could recall back then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was a promise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A desperate one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please... take care of Celestine... please, I beg you, Elea...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minerva’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clinging to something that no longer had any reason to exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did she accept it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elea knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The child Minerva carried wasn’t normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the very beginning, she knew the truth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That the baby was born with the soul of the very beast they had just slain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A calamity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reborn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she was the child of her dearest friend—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she was the daughter of Minerva—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Saintess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That didn’t change anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elea still had a choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could’ve ended it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before everything could begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why didn’t she?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it hope?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That maybe—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just maybe—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The child wouldn’t become that monster?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That fate could be changed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That fragile hope didn’t last long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Elea felt it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she saw it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That unnatural flow of frost energy inside the child...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That overwhelming affinity to ice...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth hadn’t changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The future was still there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why couldn’t she kill her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, mother, we’re back... uhm, you didn’t wait too long, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aunty! Let me tell you this—Celestine just asked me to—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now now... hush,\" Celestine leaned in slightly, whispering something into Anica’s ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young dragon immediately stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then went quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elea couldn’t help but chuckle softly at the usual sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t wait long,\" she said warmly. \"I’m sure you two had your own... personal time in town. Girls need that sometimes, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small teasing smile formed on her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyways, dinner is ready. Come, take a seat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really!? Let’s go, Celestine!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anica dashed off without hesitation, her energy filling the room as she ran toward the kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestine followed behind her, slower... calmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as she walked—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small, natural smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elea felt something settle in her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sense of comfort she didn’t question anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe that was it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That simple, selfish reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That life she chose to protect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The life of her daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>",2062,"2026-06-03T14:41:10.023Z",1,"novelbin.me","48366f47310b27c83d6a177da1b6d6db754749ca61e623f2e53076084a96843d","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-708","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-706",727,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-cover.jpg"]