Chapter 34 – ??

(T/N: This chapter is a bit unclear regarding the timeframe. It seems to depict the offscreen fight between Cariel and El mentioned in the previous chapter, but I’m not entirely sure.)

This wasn’t about resistance. The wall of white fire was absolute, like the world’s edge. But more than just a barrier, it was agony. Searing heat, unbearable pain.

This won’t break me!

He couldn’t succumb. Not to this. Not to her tyranny.

Elhermina. He understood her perspective, but acceptance was different. He wouldn’t bend to her will. He wouldn’t submit.

“……”

“Enough.”

Resistance was futile. His will, a flickering candle in a hurricane.

If this was the price of defiance… how cruel, how merciless was the world?

“Accept it. This is your destiny.”

“Your fate is mine.”

His spirit broke. His will crumbled. Resolve shattered, hope extinguished. A soulless doll. As if it had always been this way.

He returned to the capital with her. But not to his family.

She knew him too well. A hidden room deep within the palace, windowless. He waited for her.

“Don’t think about it if it hurts.”

Isn’t it just pain?

She guided him, questioned him, soothed him. Everything went according to her plan. Perhaps, for him, this was the best outcome.

“…How did it come to this? This isn’t what I wanted…”

Seras, when she visited, was a wreck. But he didn’t care. Thinking hurt. He’d stopped thinking. He was dead inside.

He closed his heart, locked it away, only opening it for her.

She loved him. Cherished him. If he tried to strangle her, she’d smile and accept it. She was his savior. His redeemer. He had nothing else, no other hope. Only her. Everything else was meaningless.

“So bothersome.”

A nagging voice scratched at his ears. His chest tightened, breath caught. But it was fine. He had her potion.

Don’t think. Thinking hurt. Obedience brought rewards.

He played his lute. The music soothed him, a substitute for the potion.

“You look much happier.”

No longer reliant on crutches, their relationship had improved. Or rather, it had always been perfect, hadn’t it? Warm, affectionate… ideal.

“Are you really okay with this?”

Seras asked. She alone visited, cleaning his prison before leaving. Only Elhermina and Seras.

He preferred solitude. His choice, not hers. He truly did.

He anticipated her visits. Only together, as one, were they complete. Like sun and moon, separated by agonizing loneliness.

Don’t think. Play the lute. Endlessly. Until he forgot himself. The music resonated.

–You’ve completely lost it.–

“…?”

A voice, from somewhere.

–This shouldn’t be happening.–

He didn’t understand. It felt important, but he couldn’t grasp it. Don’t remember. It hurt. He was tired. He didn’t want to try anymore.

Even breathing was a struggle. Waking each day was a torment. He feared sleep, feared tomorrow. He fought to stay awake, which only amplified the pain.

The words were gibberish. Scolding, reprimands. Pull yourself together. Are you kidding? Why are you living like this? Aren’t you ashamed? How long will you go on like this?

There was no escape.

Pray. Pray. Even the time locked away, praying, seemed peaceful now. Better than the sleepless nights, the forced training, the studies, the endless parade of insults, mockery, comparisons, lectures, scorn, derision.

He didn’t want to wake. He wanted to block his ears, to be deaf, blind, numb. Then, no pain. Even air felt like needles in his lungs.

Was the world itself malicious? Was he born not for blessing, not for love, but for a curse?

“It’s okay.”

I’m here. I’m all you need.

“…Yes.”

You’re enough.

“I wish time would stop. You’re so beautiful. My El. My Cariel. My Kal.”

Even if the world hated him… she, at least…

Don’t forget me. Don’t abandon me. Only you remember. So please, don’t forget. Like me. Remember. You will, won’t you? Come back. I’m waiting.

“……”

The voice in his head grew louder. Hallucination? Ghost?

–What a sight. Months, and no change. You’ve truly lost it.–

–What about our contract? I thought you were more responsible.–

He couldn’t hear.

–Are you autistic? This is infuriating. I don’t mind a broken toy, but it should be my doing. And you’re more beautiful unbroken, aren’t you? There are limits, even in this world.–

“……”

What was it lamenting? A distant voice, from another world.

–Or is this world truly hopeless? The hero reduced to this… what twisted causality? The others turned out fine…–

He didn’t know. He was tired. He closed his eyes. He feared sleep, but now, it was easy. Forgetting, even the will to forget, vanished.

–I’ve been watching your sibling. Quite impressive. A natural talent, perfect personality, humble, gracious, merciful. Even Luelde and Ermina can’t find fault, only ask for advice.–

How does that feel? Quite a contrast, isn’t it?

“……”

–Still no reaction. Not drugged, yet immune to trauma.–

“……”

Footsteps.

“Ah.”

He heard them.

–Huh? You react to that? Like a pet greeting its master.–

“……”

–Whatever. I’m done. Whether you can’t see me or are choosing to ignore me…–

Remember.

–The contract binds you, even in death. You’ll learn why we value contracts in hell, in the demon realm. Figure it out when you’re dead. For now, enjoy your princess… your empress. Your fleeting life.–

–Wait. Is this… right?–

A screech of metal. The first in a long time. He looked up, not at the ceiling, but beyond it, deeper…

–Huh? No… could it be?–

Yes. Deeper still. Someone… watching.

A massive finger reached down.

A tap.

The world shattered like a drop of water.

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