She is not an investigator.

This is a gamble, a gamble of life or death.

"I disagree."

“I’m not going to my death. If I really felt there was no chance of gaining anything, I wouldn’t continue to move forward rashly. Besides… judging from the fact that the survivor took the initiative to talk to us, perhaps we do have a chance.”

Simia continued to try to persuade Vicatina, but Vicatina was unlikely to agree with her plan.

“Simia, at a time like this, you can no longer play the hero alone. There’s absolutely no need for us to continue taking risks. There must be other ways.”

“There is no other way. We can’t contact the outside world, our supplies are limited, and our only way out is blocked. Not to mention, those enemies are simply beyond our ability to deal with. Now we only have two choices: either a slow death or a gamble—Vicatina, I have made up my mind.”

"you……"

"I'll be back before dawn. Until then, I hope you can keep this a secret. I don't want anyone else to know; they won't agree. If I'm not back by dawn..."

She didn't continue speaking, but she expressed everything she wanted to say.

"Thank you for the gift. I will take it back if I have the chance. Until then, please keep it for me."

Simia handed the rapier back to Vicatina, then silently turned away.

"and many more…"

Vicatina called her again and stuffed the weapon back into her arms.

"...Take it. It was originally prepared for you. If there is any real danger, you can handle it."

"Thank you."

Simia smiled, then turned and slowly walked into the dark street.

She may be foolish, rude, or not strong.

Unlike most people, Simia is not a particularly noble person. Even though she seems to be doing things for others, she is actually just doing them to satisfy herself.

She helps others only because she is following in someone else's footsteps; she is always in danger, and it is never because she hopes to save everything.

She was simply trying to become the person she had always been chasing, wanting to become that great, that powerful person.

Although some people might tell her to be herself, she never listens to that advice.

Everyone has their own way of living, and everyone has their own philosophy.

She doesn't need grand reasons, nor does she need justice that everyone can understand. In fact, she might do countless things that others find hard to understand, or even ridicule and mock.

Just like now, she is heading alone to a place that is definitely very dangerous, hoping to find hope for survival and to save all the people trapped here.

Could there really be such wonderful things in the world? Things might not always turn out the way she wanted, but so what? She didn't care.

Someone always has to do something foolish; there will always be a knight who will charge at a stationary windmill.

She was indeed reckless and irrational.

But as I said before, when it comes to sheep, someone always needs to do something silly.

In her story, she is the fool.

…………

This night was destined to be anything but peaceful.

Whether it's Frostville at this moment, or Byanka thousands of miles away.

Isabella finally returned to her room. She had been very busy lately, and as a wanted criminal, she had even been seen at the window of the Supreme Commander of the United Army's office.

Although she could also use the door, as a thief, she still had her own principles that she had to adhere to.

In short, through her reasoned arguments, she and Igris successfully joined the northward-bound group with the support of the Somerset family.

This rapidly marching force was small, or rather, pitifully small, numbering only about a hundred people.

If a group of people of this size were to encounter any danger, it would likely be very difficult to deal with.

But that wasn't something she should worry about. After all, all she needed to do was stay by Igris's side and accompany her as she did what she wanted.

The Gods' Fool - Beyond the World: Chapter Sixty-Four, Isabella remained silent, simply locking the door.

"Hey, how's my bed? Is it comfortable?"

Isabella looked at Igris sitting on her bed, her expression suddenly becoming somewhat dazed, but she quickly recovered and gently sat down beside her.

She wasn't sure if she was showing it, but she was definitely quite happy right now.

"Isabella, um...would you mind talking to me?"

Unexpectedly, Igris took the initiative to invite her to talk.

She certainly wouldn't refuse, after all... what else could they possibly talk about now?

"Of course, what do you want to talk about? If it's just about thanking me, then forget it, you've already thanked me three times today."

"...What are you planning to do after this?"

"...?"

Isabella's smile slowly faded as she looked at Igris's expression.

That was a very strange expression.

She had never seen that expression on Igris's face before.

She seemed to be smiling, with the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, her eyes lowered, bright and gentle. Although her brows were slightly furrowed, she did not seem to be bothered.

She... seemed very happy.

"Why are you asking me this?"

"This is just a conversation between friends, it doesn't have any special meaning."

Isabella was silent for a moment, then sighed helplessly.

"To tell you the truth, before you came, my plan was to leave this place, anywhere would be fine, but I probably would never see you again. I would still try to find out about you, to make sure you were still alive, and then I would stay away from your city until the day you die. If I am still alive, I will attend your funeral. If I am dead, you will never find my tombstone."

"So, what about now?"

"Now……"

Isabella looked away and gently shook her head.

"I haven't decided yet."

"I see."

"Oh, is that so? Your reaction is too calm, isn't it?"

A smile played on Igris' lips, and her slightly furrowed brows gave her an exceptionally fragile beauty.

Isabella would no longer look her in the eye; she had learned her lesson.

"I never thought that I could live a relatively normal life, like an ordinary person, living in a decent city, gathering with my friends, having someone I love, and living happily until the end of my life."

At this point, Igris looked at Isabella, whose heart skipped a beat and whose breathing became lighter.

Do you think it's possible for me to live that kind of life?

"Why not? No one can bind you. You are free. You have friends, money, and... In short, you can live the life you want."

"Hmm... I think so too, but I'm a bit strange, I really believe in fate..."

As she spoke, Igris lifted her chin.

“I have always felt that I am a slave to fate, a pathetic person who cannot control my own life. My life has been full of struggle. Do you remember that rainstorm before?”

"Of course, when that wolf bit off half of your body, I thought you were dead."

"He branded me with His mark, and at that time, my fate was to be killed by Him... But later, things changed. I gained a new life and returned here, without those marks, without that fate..."

Isabella pursed her lips; she still didn't know what Igris wanted to say.

"What I mean is that fate has never put shackles on me. The one who has trapped me has always been myself. I am not a slave to fate, but a slave to myself. I am trapped in my past, trapped in the depths of that ocean, doing what I thought I wanted to do and had to do, and suffering for it."

She touched her cheek and gave a smile that was both relieved and empty.

"And now, I'm free. I can do what I really want to do without worrying about the price of fate and the cost I have to pay..."

“Igris…”

So, so!

Igris patted her face and said with a serious expression.

"After that, after all my friends have safely left that dangerous place, I will go and find my own happiness."

The smile on her face finally became genuine and warm, no longer concealed.

Her joy was heartfelt; her ease and relief were evident in her steps toward happiness.

Her shackles and chains were shattered and burned to ashes at this moment.

Chaos? Madness? Ubiquitous babbling? A conspiracy between gods?

So what?

She had nothing left to fear.

"Although I don't understand what you're saying."

Isabella looked at Igris's genuine smile and silently touched her chin.

"But it seems you've resolved your inner conflict. Congratulations on becoming the positive and optimistic Igris again... But I still have to ask a question."

"What's the problem?"

"That is, if you were given another chance, would you still refuse me?"

"..."

Igris opened her mouth, and the smile on her face slowly disappeared.

Isabella didn't speak or show any other expression; she simply crossed her arms and silently watched Igris's face turn deathly pale.

"I…"

"I advise you to think carefully before you answer."

"..."

Igris's face turned even paler, as if she were anemic.