Ch.271Chapter 271: Somewhere Between Unfamiliarity and Familiarity (3)

As her gaze fell upon the sword, Imperfectio’s faint smile gradually deepened and softened with the passing of time.

And the more her smile deepened…

The “lingering attachment”—the most crucial element constituting her, who had lost her original form and been reborn this way due to the influence of twisted divinity—grew increasingly weaker and fainter.

She had no purpose, no goal; she simply existed.

She lived with the desire not to sadden him anymore—the one who had so easily sacrificed himself with only the wish that she might live.

Imperfectio—no, Liliansis Proxian—had barely managed to survive each day with the sole intention of apologizing to him when everything was over.

The “lingering attachment” that was both the greatest reason for her current form and her very reason for existence—how could it possibly deepen when she had confirmed that it now existed in a healthy and strong form right before her eyes? It could only fade.

Therefore, it was only natural that the attachment constituting her being would weaken.

To the point where there would no longer be any reason for her existence to remain in this world.

Even though the Cal sleeping on her lap looked identical to the precious person she remembered…

Even though he didn’t share the memories she cherished.

That’s how precious Cal Ranos was to her.

How could it be otherwise?

He had reached out to her without any conditions during her most difficult times.

How could she not cherish him when the one sleeping on her lap now was the same person as the one she remembered—the one who had so easily given up his life for her?

Imperfectio recalled.

When she crossed swords with herself in this world—a place identical to the one she had lived in, yet with significant changes due to subtle differences.

When she faced that other self who wielded a firm sword with strength, surpassing her in every aspect.

And when Cal rushed out to protect that other self when something happened to her—she remembered what she had felt then.

Having become skilled at “lying,”

She had directed false hatred toward her other self, and upon seeing his concerned expression for that other self, she had given herself a bitter smile.

She had even fantasized about what it would be like if his gaze, full of genuine concern and affection for her other self, were directed at her instead.

But Imperfectio was a discerning being.

No matter how real it was to her…

To him, who had already built different memories and experiences, she was nothing more than a falsehood.

How could she possibly approach him?

That’s why she felt relieved in a way.

Because even when he shattered her helmet with sword strikes no less powerful than those she remembered from her past, revealing her face, he showed only the slightest hesitation before continuing to press his attack.

She was naturally reassured.

It was comforting to know that Cal, living in this world different from the one she had lived in, was doing very well at this point in time.

And that he was getting along well with her other self without any discord—that alone was enough to put her mind at ease.

The fact that he and her other self, unlike herself, deeply cherished and loved each other in this world she had crossed over to, carrying her unresolved attachment and regret after abandoning everything.

To the extent that she could fade away like a handful of ashes after shedding all this lingering attachment that painfully sustained her, without any regrets.

But.

“Not yet…”

With a voice slightly wet with emotion, Imperfectio refused to completely shed her attachment, and a somewhat different form of emotion settled in her eyes.

It bore a striking resemblance to the determination she had shown when she fought as Liliansis, wielding the holy sword that drove away the darkness covering this land.

“Not until it becomes a world where he and my other self can live happily…”

As she muttered to herself as if having made some decision, the determination that had formed in her eyes rose up in her expression, which had previously shown only wistfulness.

And soon, even the dark red energy that had been rising from her body like a heat haze began to transform into a soft golden light.

It would have been an astonishing sight for anyone to witness her freely changing between twisted divinity and pure, pristine white fighting spirit.

But her golden fighting spirit, which could have continued to manifest, vanished in an instant as if it had never appeared.

“…Tch.”

Making a sound that didn’t match her determined expression, Imperfectio’s face returned to its original indifference.

Thud, thud—

She had detected clear and regular footsteps approaching this place—the only thing that could be perceived by the five senses in this obsidian palace where light was blocked, making it extremely dark.

The footsteps alone wouldn’t have been reason enough for her to stop everything she was doing.

But along with those footsteps, something very intense and ominous stimulated her senses…

“…Mother’s presence.”

It was the presence of the being she referred to as “mother” that had caused her to veil her previously unguarded demeanor once again.

Normally, when one calls someone “mother,” it implies family.

And regardless of the form, it would typically be spoken with some warmth.

But Imperfectio’s expression as she uttered the word was so indifferent that it would have been better described as inanimate.

No, it would have been fortunate if it were merely indifference.

She occasionally revealed a coldness that could almost be interpreted as a kind of anger beyond indifference.

“I’ve already shed almost all of my attachment.”

Imperfectio’s voice began to show some vitality.

Compared to the initial indifference and coldness in her voice, her eyes now revealed a certain firm resolve, a sparkle that showed she was clearly stating what she needed to do.

However.

“Then…”

Although Imperfectio’s expression remained indifferent as she murmured as if having made some decision,

Her eyes held a strange passion and determination completely at odds with her name, which meant “imperfection” in an ancient language.

What could be the identity of that passion revealed in her eyes, which were shrouded in questions?

It seemed that a little more time would be needed to figure it out.

“What I must do is…”

Judging by the unbreakable gentleness in her smile as she continued her quiet soliloquy,

It seemed there was no need to worry about that passion taking a strange turn.

#

My consciousness, which had unexpectedly sunk below the surface of sleep, rises again.

Unlike earlier when all my senses awakened as soon as I woke up,

This time, both my five senses and my spiritual sense were dulled.

But if nothing else, my sense of touch remained intact, feeling the indescribably soft cushioning that gently cradled the back of my head.

…Wait.

…Soft cushioning?

As my gradually awakening mind received both the refreshing shock of cold water being poured over it, I opened my eyes with a start.

“…”

I met Imperfectio’s gaze, which showed even more indifference than when I first encountered her.

The fact that she hadn’t harmed me despite my defenseless sleeping state—essentially being her prisoner—showed that she possessed a nobility incomparable to other beings of the demon realm.

But there were still things that needed to be questioned.

“…What is this?”

I asked in an intentionally lowered voice about why I was in this position.

No sooner had my question fallen than…

“The floor here… is very cold.”

Imperfectio gave her reason in an indifferent voice.

The coldness of the floor doesn’t seem to have much connection to why she placed me here.

Whether she knew this or not, her voice was indifferent as she gave such a reason.

But was it my imagination that her gaze, which should have matched her voice in indifference, seemed to be avoiding mine?

Although this strange question arose, maintaining this position was also a kind of ordeal.

“I know the floor here is cold. I’ve experienced it enough to be sick of it.”

I said in a nonchalant voice, making it clear that lying on this freezing obsidian floor was no big deal, and as I raised my body and met her eyes again,

I could see a strange bewilderment forming in Imperfectio’s eyes upon hearing my words.

It was clearly noticeable enough to feel her agitation, compared to her usual display of indifference and faint goodwill.

In any case, it wouldn’t be wrong to define it as bewilderment.

“…How do you know that so well? Isn’t this your first time here?”

Not only in her eyes, but even in her tone, there was a very subtle tremor in her voice.

I couldn’t understand why my answer would make her so flustered.

But it was necessary to respond appropriately to her question.

I pondered for a moment what would be the best response.

“…She’s here.”

Before I could formulate my answer, Imperfectio spoke softly and instantly increased the distance between us.

Creeeeak-!!

With the indifferent sound of the side room’s entrance door opening, my effort to think of an answer was cut short.

“Ah, this feels good.”

The discomfort that rose within me due to the unsettling voice coming through the open doorway was an added burden.