# The memory of the previous night remained in a blackout state, as if a fuse had blown.

The phenomenon of mental strength being eroded as the density of pleasure intensified made the immortal’s traits seem rather pathetic.

The process of my consciousness being corroded by pleasure was etched as a kind of psychological trauma.

“Are you still upset?”

“I’m not upset.”

Only when the mansion had sunk into darkness and lost its vitality did we return to the bedroom. It would have been better if it had ended there, but the scene of Irefi’s eyes transforming into those of a beast when she entrusted her body to the bed was terribly frightening.

“You are upset.”

“How can you tell? I’m not at all.”

“Nepy is a narrow-minded person.”

Irefi smiled broadly while poking my cheek.

I should have held back then. The mouth has always been the root of all evil, a point of caution designated by sages.

Perhaps because the memory of being severely punished last night was creeping up, I made a verbal mistake that I wouldn’t normally dare utter.

“You’re more narrow-minded.”

“Oh, am I as bad as Nepy?”

“Anatomically speaking, I’m right.”

Clearly, I muttered that while stroking Irefi’s lower abdomen.

There was no way to stop the world’s strongest knight who quickly grasped the meaning.

“Ugh… ungh…!”

SMACK-!

On a peaceful morning as the sun climbed high into the sky, I fainted weakly, accepting the consequences of my impulse.

◇

The trait of immortality is so convenient that even fainting doesn’t go as intended. I woke up about 30 minutes after noon. Usually, I would wake up within seconds from a moderate shock, but the total amount of force Irefi possessed was still immeasurable.

The minor quarrel from the morning was erased from memory like an everyday occurrence. It would probably be something we’d experience often in the future. Clearing away any resentment and walking hand in hand was also the “normal” we would encounter until we grew tired of it.

We walked aimlessly. We turned corners simply according to our mood, and impulse functioned as an interesting signpost. It was a stroll where finding a destination was the purpose.

“It feels new to me.”

“In what way?”

“Just… it feels new that I’m walking hand in hand with Nepy. The merchants selling at the same spots, the busy residents, the clean streets and clear sky, everything…”

Irefi’s eyes narrowed as she gazed vaguely at something. At first, I thought she had spotted something unusual. Soon I realized that what she was looking at was a world rejected by twisted choices.

“It’s not a field of corpses with desperate screams leaking out, nor buildings that have lost their shape, nor a world where ash and fire fill the sky.”

“Certainly not.”

“I find myself relieved at the reality that I’ve parted ways with the lineage walking toward destruction.”

“I won’t stand by and watch you lose your way in the future either.”

Netionpis. The past life of the old man established one goal for me like a pillar.

He lived a contradictory life, decorating the alpha and omega of his existence with sacrifice solely for Lorian Feita. While he devoted everything hoping Lorian wouldn’t lose her way, he lacked the capacity to recognize that he himself was straying from the path.

Not knowing this, the old man took a detour. If he had only shortened the gap by half a day, the story of Netionpis and Lorian would have reached a happy ending.

That’s why I will walk the right path. As the old man advised, taking him as a negative example, I intend to hold Irefi’s hand. I will be the light so she doesn’t lose her way on the dark, steep path, and achieve a happy ending.

“I’ll guide you to the right future, no matter what.”

“Really?”

“What else did I cross dimensions for?”

“Hehe… hehehe…”

A modest laugh rode the warm breeze at my playful gesture of pounding my chest. I sensed the hand I was holding grip more firmly than before.

“I’m happy.”

“That’s rewarding.”

“All my happiness is a gift from Nepy. I’m satisfied as long as Nepy stays by my side. But…”

Irefi cut her words short, hiding a seemingly gloomy expression. It looked as if she was holding back, refining what she truly wanted to say in her vocal cords. Eventually, the simple question she posed triggered complex thoughts.

“Are you happy, Nepy?”

“Am I happy? Of course…”

“Can you really declare that without any room for reconsideration?”

“I don’t understand what you… ugh.”

At that point, I realized I had made a big mistake. I unconsciously avoided her gaze when our eyes accidentally met. If I were confident and responsible for my words, there would be no reason to do so.

Only then could I admit it. I had thoroughly ignored the reason why I couldn’t look straight into Irefi’s eyes all this time. I had turned away from the cold truth underlying our pleasant daily life together.

I had foolishly forgotten that Irefi was being forced to endure one-sided patience.

“I like Nepy.”

“Irefi.”

“I like Nepy so much that I deliberately didn’t ask. I didn’t want to summon the Nepy who was agonizing and suffering in the carriage before. But lately, my thoughts have changed.”

“That’s not what I…”

“How long must I remain an object in Nepy’s happiness? Won’t you allow me to be actively involved? It’s natural to share heavy burdens…”

Irefi’s eyes were drooping like a sinner’s as she spoke these righteous words. Just as I wanted to cultivate her happiness, she too wanted to directly build mine. Perhaps she had discovered herself being shameless, enjoying the benefits of being a lover alone.

That was the kind of woman Irefi was.

“… You’re right, Irefi.”

“Nepy…!”

“I’m sorry for hiding it so frustratingly. I thought it was something only I needed to worry about…”

“No, no. I’m the one who got impatient for no reason…”

And so we exchanged awkward apologies for a while. It became amusing as we both kept yielding before determining whose fault it was, making us both embarrassed. As the atmosphere loosened, courage sprouted.

“I didn’t want to worry you.”

“How obtuse… aren’t we close enough now to worry each other?”

“Yes… everything you say is right.”

Indeed, I probably won’t be able to win against her in my lifetime. Who would have thought I’d so easily reveal a secret I had kept tightly wrapped with just a few words from her.

In the end, I honestly unfolded the truth I had been dragging out.

That I had inherited an immortal life.

The possibility that the inhuman power to live through eternal ages would be rejected.

The cursed fate of having to endlessly observe a world where precious things have withered away.

Finally… I spoke of the anxiety about how bitter or perhaps empty the void in a world without Irefi would be.

“I see.”

Irefi kept her ears open and focused silently while listening to the truth, even during the times I was searching for appropriate expressions. Simply walking and quietly looking at me provided great comfort.

“… That’s all.”

The empty space Netionpis felt when Lorian Feita died.

The sense of loss Netionpis experienced when he was certain Lorian Feita had met her death.

All of that lay like cold ice outside the model garden revolving around Irefi.

Having found the answer to her long patience, Irefi did not readily offer comfort. I chuckled at her characteristic caution, which I appreciated. We walked silently until the clock tower bell rang.

Dong. Dong. Dong.

Time flows like a river from top to bottom, according to principles. The present is constantly buried in the past, just as the minute hand of the clock tower moves at regular intervals. Netionpis was pessimistic that even Irefi would eventually be buried by time, but I clearly gave him the answer.

‘Creating enough happy memories to last for the hundreds or thousands of years ahead… is that it?’

I thought it was the right answer then, and that conviction hasn’t changed. But overlooking the possibility that what I knew as the right answer might be wrong was the same mistake the old man had made.

While random thoughts invaded my thinking and added to my distress, what saved me was the light weight resting on my shoulder.

“Nepy has taken on a painful fate.”

“I don’t regret it.”

“Is that so.”

Irefi spoke calmly after a pause of one breath.

“We will spend a long time together.”

“Yes.”

“I will grow old accepting the future. But Nepy might struggle in an unchanging present.”

“…”

“Will Nepy remain in that place even after I lose my life and my bones crumble away?”

“As long as you want me to.”

I will live by your side, reminiscing about the past.

This everyday life of walking hand in hand with you.

Events like the banter between Zikharun and Charle at the imperial palace.

The choices of the straightforward and kind-hearted Bartlant.

Memories of Miren, who is like a sister to me even though we’re not related by blood.

A person’s life increases in density by creating numerous connections, like branches spreading out. It seems like I could meet you again if I close my eyes and fall asleep while wandering through the forest of those dense times.

I even nodded, trying to convince myself of this dreamlike plan.

But immediately, a mace flew in and shattered the fantasy.

“First of all, point one.”

“Irefi?”

“I like your answer about looking only at me forever. But everything else is a wrong answer I’d like to cut out.”

“…”

“And second, I have no intention of leaving Nepy in solitude. I will definitely find a solution.”

“A solution…”

“Finally, third. Nepy is not the only one who can twist the future.”

“But you…”

Unless you’re a possessor, you can’t twist the laws of the world…

She shattered my fixed notion like breaking a snack into pieces the next moment.

“Who do you think I am?”

“Ah…!”

That’s right.

Of course.

The white-haired, fair-skinned lady leaning on me was the world’s strongest—and most terrifying—knight. As a formidable being who treated dragons like mere lizards, she had crossed dimensions herself and even possessed her own self. How could the coexistence of her future and present selves in one body be explained by any law?

“Heh, haha.”

“Nepy?”

“No, really… I should apologize. I seem to have underestimated Irefi too much. Even after being treated like that last night…”

“Wha…!? What on earth are you saying out in public!”

“Thank you, Irefi.”

“Even if you try to smooth things over warmly now, I won’t accept it.”

“Really?”

I suddenly embraced Irefi, wrapping my arms around her body. Her petite frame, fitting perfectly in my arms, attempted a small rebellion before quieting down.

“Won’t you forgive me?”

“I don’t know…”

“That won’t do… we need to find a solution together, and if you don’t know even this, how can I rely on you?”

“Hmph…”

Irefi was busy avoiding me, pushing out her lips. If she truly didn’t know, that was fine. I could confidently move to the next step because I knew the solution for this one.

“Excuse me. Knock, knock, Ms. Irefi?”

“What… mmph?”

I quickly pressed my lips against her protruding mouth, which looked like a swollen duck’s bill.

The process of Irefi’s facial features changing after being ambushed was truly exquisite. From question to confusion, from confusion to embarrassment. The three stages of transformation were quite radical.

“Nepy always… always…! When someone is being serious, you’re just busy teasing…!!!”

“If I don’t get you back at times like this, then when?”

“Get me back… so you’re talking about revenge. Fine. That’s a very good idea, Nepy.”

“Uh… hmm…?”

Irefi, having composed her surprise, smiled slyly. The frozen lake in her blue eyes, pierced by the chill of winter wind, displayed coldness. I might not know what would happen to me in the distant future, but I could see the near future.

This was a fixed future that couldn’t be changed even as a possessor.

“Let’s start a chain of hatred from today. I’ll pay you back for what I suffered, and you’ll pay me back for that… if we repeat that, we’ll possess each other forever, won’t we?”

“… Is this a scam?”

“Regrettably, it’s perfectly normal.”

“Well…”

I hastily created distance, ending the embrace I thought would last a lifetime. With each step she took forward, I took one step back. When this series of actions solidified into a fixed state, she spread her arms to invite an embrace.

At that moment, I bolted, imagining a bowstring pulled to its limit.

“It’s a Venus flytrap!!!”

“Seriously, don’t you ever get tired of this kind of ending!?”

“What can I do, this is who we are!!!”

“If you know that, fix it!!!”

Our chase became the center of attention, establishing itself as part of the local gossip. I was certain that it wouldn’t be easy for those living in the present to forget Irefi and me.

“Heh, haha.”

“Hehe… hehehe…”

…

…..

The story that began with a meeting in the cool darkness of the Great Cavern, where a sword was extended with light, still had many narratives left to unfold.

Getting scolded for silly jokes in Citris Village.

The day I first met the Emperor and felt Netionpis for the first time.

The impressive evening of Charle’s one-sided visit, arrogant but hard to dislike.

The intense first encounter with Zikharun, the original protagonist.

Miren’s spirit, who awakened with golden eyes after years of endurance.

It’s already challenging to list the brief past, so I look forward to how many events I’ll be able to organize in the future.

And so we continue to live in the structure of space and time beyond the reach of eyes outside the chain.

Toward the end of happiness won outside the limits of observation.

That is simply our cherished wish.

Fin.