Chapter 45
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: More Valuable Than Life
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In fact, wasn't it something of a compliment for the incompetent Cherry Sinclair to be compared to Duke Lancaster? What part of us was supposed to be the same?
“I had no choice but to distrust Cherry Sinclair. Besides, I saw it myself. Jose Cambron, an illegal arms expert from the Briwood Kingdom, secretly meeting with Harrison Howard.”
“…”
Only then did I understand why Ethan had come all the way down to Brunel, and why he had been watching me with such conviction.
He had no physical evidence, but the circumstantial case was damning.
‘Wait, Jose? Did he just say Jose?’
It couldn't be the Jose I knew, could it? Jose Cambron, the second male lead who was supposed to be by Aurora's side.
‘Still, his meeting with Harrison happened before the fall. He should be with Aurora now.’
Although, there was still a long time before Jose was supposed to meet Aurora.
In any case, I had nothing to say, so I kept my mouth shut.
“Besides, until just last month, the issue of the Sinclair family's unfair labor contracts was all the rage, wasn't it? And it's a well-known fact that the social club you ran was a gambling den.”
I had nothing to say about that, either. Damn it.
“I’m reflecting…”
I replied in a small voice.
“Frankly, I don't know why you built this strange mansion, nor why you knocked me out and kidnapped me. I have no idea what you're planning to do here, and everything about this is suspicious, but…”
Ethan continued, his tone suggesting he didn't care whether I was repentant or not.
“If you hadn't saved me, I might have become one of those monsters roaming the streets. That much is certain.”
That was true. Of course, Ethan was a man who absolutely could not be allowed to meet such an end.
To put it coldly, aside from the scientist male lead, the other main characters from the original story weren't really necessary. As long as Ethan was alive, a cure could be developed from his blood.
“What's the use of the past, with things as they are now? Even if you did commit crimes, it's doubtful there are any institutions left to punish you for them.”
But Ethan's next words were unexpected.
I thought he would continue to suspect and press me, but he was making it clear he wouldn't interrogate me any further.
“I told you, Miss Cherry. I'm repaying a debt.”
“It was a poor excuse, but I'll let it slide. That's not what's important right now.”
“Not that I believe you. Even setting aside the incident at 61 Notium Street, there are too many suspicious things about you. I don't trust people easily.”
Ah. So that's why he said that earlier. I was wondering why he, of all people, would just let it go…
“But even if I have no way of questioning you, Miss Cherry, that doesn't mean what happened in the past didn't happen.”
“…”
“Faith and trust are more valuable than life itself. So, just because you saved my life doesn't mean I have to trust you.”
“…Yes.”
When Ethan was serious, he was completely serious.
See? How is a man like this not a good cop?
I wanted to repeat what he'd said to me just a little while ago: ‘I'm not that conscientious. I think you're mistaken, Miss Cherry. I'm not that good of a cop.’
It was just hidden behind his rough speech and attitude, but to me, he was good and just. I don't know how others saw him, but at least, that's how he looked in my eyes.
To say that faith and trust are more valuable than life… His words resonated deeply with me.
He was the kind of man to whom I felt I could willingly entrust my life in this harsh world.
In a situation where no one besides the main characters could be sure they'd survive, I even found myself wanting to know what it would feel like to earn his faith and trust.
‘But that would still be reserved for Aurora, wouldn't it.’
As far as I knew, both in the novel and now, Ethan cared for Aurora the most.
“Still, don’t forget this. Who is it you owe your life to right now, Sir Ethan?”
I said, as if trying to brainwash him.
It might be a bit of a stretch, considering I'd kidnapped him, but I felt I had to drill this into him if I wanted to ensure my own survival later.
“I will repay you.”
“No, I didn't mean you actually have to repay me. Just be grateful.”
“Let me repay you, Miss Cherry. I'd rather we not have any debts between us.”
Ethan looked at me resolutely, his expression showing he wouldn't back down an inch. I fell silent for a moment and met his gaze.
A brief silence passed between us.
Honestly, I didn't need any kind of repayment from Ethan. But his words were, as he intended, like drawing a line between us. It meant he didn't want to be indebted to me.
But there was only one thing I truly wanted from him in return: the development of a cure.
“Then, please survive. No matter the situation, just survive. Don't think about anyone else; you have to live, no matter what. It's okay. You're a person worth that much.”
Of course. How precious is someone with antibodies to the virus? Besides, Ethan couldn't give me what I wanted right now anyway.
So I shrugged and answered dismissively. It was time to end this conversation.
But whatever he made of my words, Ethan's blue eyes slowly widened. Soon, his pupils trembled faintly.
Seeing that change, I realized why Ethan, so out of character, had started rambling about himself, something he'd never done before.
He must have been anxious deep down. Afraid that we might truly be the only two left in this world.
‘So Ethan was human, after all.’
I had this silly thought as I looked up at the sun rising in the sky.
While Ethan and I talked, the surroundings had brightened considerably. Thanks to that, the horrific state of the area was revealed in even starker detail.
The blood-stained town was a picture of despair and horror. But there was no time to sit cowering in fear.
It was our turn to move.