"Since you say this is your conviction, then fine. Shelly, I too have contracted a strange illness because of a demon's curse. Now I need the hearts of two fiery knights to cure my disease. Shelly, kill the two people behind you and offer me their hearts."
The coughing Queen spoke, and the Female Knight who had been kneeling on one knee rose to her feet. With a swift, decisive swing, she killed the other person who had been kneeling, then turned to Shade with her bloodstained sword in hand.
"Meow~"
The cat on his shoulder immediately let out a threatening cry at her, clearly worried that she might hurt Shade. As the cry rang out, not only did the cat's fur stand on end, even the little flame at the tip of its tail grew somewhat larger.
"Ms. Knight, you still recognize me, don't you?"
Shade soothed Little Mia, then frowned as he questioned the Female Knight holding the sword. The grayish-white-haired knight nodded gently.
"Yes. You are Mr. Shade Hamilton, the knight who helped me so much in the Gravel Gold Desert."
"So your choice is..."
Shade looked at her sword, and Ms. Knight nodded softly.
"This is my conviction, and it is also the last thing I can do in my life. I have traveled so far, sacrificed so many people, and experienced so much. Even if the ending is miserable, even if I ultimately fall into hell, even at this very moment, I will never regret any decision I have made. I have spent my entire life moving forward. I will never turn back."
She raised her sword. After giving Shade one final salute, she closed her eyes and plunged the blade into her own chest.
She tore out her own living heart, placed it together