Episode 14 – The Rose Falls.

*

A neatly organized study, a familiar space.

It was her office where I had a conversation with the headmaster on my first visit to the academy.

I sat comfortably on the seemingly cozy yellow sofa in the middle of the room, as if I were used to it.

Jennifer, sitting across from me, also seemed calmer than I had expected.

Only Headmaster Magier couldn’t hide her anxiety in this setting.

She asked me why I came alone without a maid, realized her mistake, apologized, and hurriedly prepared refreshments.

She slowly raised her trembling hand and snapped her fingers, causing refreshments, teacups, and a teapot to float slowly in the air.

As if representing her feelings, the teapot trembled, shakily landing on the table, and filled Jennifer’s cup with a shaky pour.

Before the teapot could fill my cup, I raised my hand to stop Headmaster Magier.

“Please don’t fill my cup.”

“Ah, why… why would you do that?”

It was amusing to see her barely calm her trembling voice, so I barely held back a laugh.

Even if it were Ed, Salvie-eo Namjak wouldn’t be someone to laugh in front of a mother who had just identified her son’s corpse this morning.

I adjusted my mask as if adjusting my glasses and replied.

“Having experienced something myself, I find it a bit difficult to even look at tea or refreshments.”

“Ah… aah, yes. Th-that’s understandable.”

“…”

Jennifer glared at me unpleasantly before clearing her throat.

Magier understood my somewhat rude remark that I didn’t trust the food she offered, but at the same time, she was fidgeting and watching Jennifer’s reaction.

Because my words were practically a direct jab at Jennifer sitting in front of me.

I brazenly pretended to be embarrassed.

“Ah, I apologize. Of course, I had no intention of blaming the Countess-nim at all.”

“… Yes, I understand. You must have witnessed a terrible sight. I understand.”

Jennifer, who had to admit the faults of her imprisoned daughter and dead son, grimaced and spat out the words.

Looking at her face, I felt honestly relieved.

She was the kind of person whose pride had solidified into a tangible form.

Even if I appeared as Edward and blamed her for betraying and killing me, she wouldn’t bat an eye.

It was incredibly satisfying to see her, who was now making a face as if she were chewing her own flesh, hiding her rotting insides and bending to me.

I continued, being overly polite.

“No matter how much I’ve been through, it can’t compare to the heart of a mother who has lost her son. Please don’t worry about me and take care of your own heart first.”

“Yes… I appreciate the Baron’s consideration.”

“Ah, and I would like to make it clear here that I have no intention of holding the Count’s family responsible in any way.”

Jennifer and the headmaster’s eyes widened at my words.

Headmaster Magier, in particular, looked at me in disbelief.

Well, then why did I bother to call the ‘Archmage’ and ‘Hero’s Wife’ who was locked in her room grieving, and bring her all the way here?

That seemed to be her expression.

Jennifer also asked, not hiding her displeasure.

“… Then what was the purpose of requesting today’s meeting? As you know, today was not a good day for conversation.”

“Yes, I know. Well, I requested it to discuss your son’s funeral.”

“…!”

At that moment, the teacups and teapot cracked with a clanging sound.

The dense magic that Jennifer emitted in an instant poured out like a wave, filling the room.

The teacups shattered first, and then the teapot broke and fell to the floor.

“… Baron, choose your next words carefully.”

“… I seem to have upset you.”

“…”

Truly a terrifying amount and concentration of magic.

My mask, a magical artifact, vibrated in response to the magic.

‘Is this thing gonna break?’

Anxious, I quickly continued.

“I am clearly a victim who has been harmed by the Countess-nim’s children. However, at the same time, I am also sincerely saddened by the misfortune that befell your son.”

“So?”

“I am a victim, but since I am also related to the cause of his death in some way, I feel responsible…”

“So?”

‘Ha, this bitch.’

Jennifer’s personality, which firmly oppresses others when she gets the chance, was still the same.

Even with her beloved son dead, that vile mind never rests for her own benefit.

I bit my tongue to avoid showing any displeasure.

Ah, right, I’m undead, so there’s no pain.

I was amused by my own foolishness, and at that moment, I was able to shake off the unpleasant feeling.

Magier already looked like she was losing her mind, overwhelmed by the magic.

I had to continue the conversation for her sake.

“Are you still planning to hold your son’s funeral in the capital?”

“Yes, that child would want to be buried in the family tomb.”

“Then I will cover the funeral expenses and the cost of the carriage to transport the body.”

“Thank you.”

“And, I was also planning to head to the capital to find a craftsman to repair my ship. I will also visit on the day of the funeral.”

“Ah, my husband will be very grateful if the Baron-nim comes.”

Jennifer wore a faint smile.

Even so, to readily accept a complete stranger, someone related to the person’s death, to a family funeral,

Indeed, she must want to receive financial support from me.

And, she must be thinking that I’m scared of her magic and is pushing forward.

That’s what I planned from the beginning.

‘Lara, now!’

*

Rose, getting out of the carriage, slowly moved her feet without raising her head.

As soon as she got out of the carriage, she felt the gazes of the knight department students training in the training grounds, but Rose tried to ignore them.

She had already gotten used to the piercing gazes while riding in the escort carriage from the academy entrance, and now she didn’t have the time to pay attention to such things.

Her beloved older brother had been missing for two days and was found dead this morning.

This morning, Rose was also called to the morgue with Jennifer to identify the body that had surfaced in the harbor.

The swollen mass of flesh was hard to see as Daniel, let alone as a person, so Rose tried to deny her brother’s death,

But the blonde hair clinging pitifully to the end of that mass of flesh was terribly familiar.

Just three days ago, she vividly remembered the sensation of him holding her hair between his ten fingers as they shared their love,

She could still feel the warmth and reassurance of his strong arms embracing her,

His smile, which filled her inside and out, was still vivid.

Her lovely brother, who had promised to take care of everything and rescue her.

That giant, plaster-colored jelly-like mass was Daniel’s end.

And the responsibility was clearly Rose’s.

When a jewel, presumed to belong to the Baron, was found among the clothes buried in his flesh, Rose could no longer bear it.

She vomited on the spot and collapsed on top of it, wailing.

Even her mother, who would never have let her be in such a state, had lost strength in her legs and couldn’t even think of paying attention to her.

Rose wailed and then fainted.

When she woke up, Rose was able to leave the prison immediately.

The Baron had paid her bail, she was told.

At those words, Rose felt as if all the air had been sucked out of her body.

Emptiness and absurdity. And ridicule towards herself.

For that little bit of money, which meant nothing to the Baron, her brother risked and lost his life.

… Just to save someone like me.

Rose couldn’t think anymore.

She was simply dragged out of prison by the guard and put on a carriage.

And now she was at the academy.

Rose boarded the air lift leading to her dormitory room to change out of her clothes, which still had her vomit dried on them.

People’s gazes flew and pierced her, as if displaying a sinner to be stoned, on the slowly rising air lift.

Rose felt more comfortable on the air lift, which seemed to be rising even slower today.

She wanted to be in more pain.

She wanted to be ridiculed, cursed, and stoned to her heart’s content.

Every time Rose closed her eyes, Daniel’s face flashed by.

Each time, a huge lump seemed to be placed on her chest and throat, tightening her breath.

Her legs trembled, so Rose squatted down, hugged her knees, and buried her head in them.

As her vision was completely covered in darkness, her brother’s figure appeared even more clearly.

“Oppa… I’m sorry.”

“It’s me, Rose.”

“Oppa… Oppa… I’m really sorry. I love you.”

“Rose, what’s wrong? Why do you look so pale?”

“Ah, Oppa…”

Daniel’s figure gradually crumbled.

Daniel, who was melting into the floor, swelled up as he breathed, and soon turned into that terrible gray jelly mass.

“No, no! Oppa! Oppa, please, I’m sorry, it’s my fault. Please don’t go, please don’t change.”

“Rose… I’ll take… care of everything…”

“No, don’t! Don’t do it. Please, I beg you… please.”

“…”

“Please… don’t leave me.”

Rose slowly opened her eyes.

The air lift had risen quite high, but there was still half left to go.

The ground, far away under the invisible transparent platform, came into view.

‘Should I just die?’

Rose couldn’t bear the thought of a future without Daniel.

She wouldn’t be able to withstand her mother’s oppression,

And the reactions of other family members who heard about the circumstances of Daniel’s death were painful to imagine.

Besides, that terrible mass of flesh would never disappear from her mind,

And her beloved brother would no longer exist in all that time.

Both Rose and Daniel had their marriage partners decided from a young age, against their will.

Rose didn’t even know the face of her partner.

Rose, who couldn’t imagine living in love with a man she didn’t even know, decided to experience her first time with Daniel instead.

Daniel accepted Rose’s wishes, and the siblings mingled their bodies.

And it was a fantastic experience.

Since that day, the two shared their love whenever they had the chance.

The more they overlapped their bodies, the more Rose developed deep romantic feelings for Daniel, who was just a kind older brother, and Daniel felt the same way.

They even giggled as they made unrealistic plans to run away and live as adventurers.

Rose had never imagined that Daniel wouldn’t be in her future, even though she didn’t know how this relationship would end,

“Oppa, can’t I go see you?”

That solid ground, so far away, looked more comfortable than the rest of her life.

As if a tired body was being pulled by an irresistible force of a cozy bed, the ground was tempting her.

If she threw herself into the air like throwing herself into bed, wouldn’t she fall into a pleasant sleep from which she would never have to wake up?

Wouldn’t she be able to live with Daniel in an eternal world?

Rose closed her eyes once more.

Even if it was Daniel in the form of a mass of flesh, if he said something to her,

If he said he wanted to be with her, Rose would jump off this lift without hesitation.

“No, Rose.”

But Daniel’s voice, which Rose heard in her ear, did not allow it.

Rose felt as if Daniel was protecting her even in death.

Rose also knew.

This wasn’t Daniel, but just a phantom of Daniel left in her heart.

However, if it was Daniel she knew, he would never want Rose’s death.

Besides, it would be an act of insulting Daniel, who had sacrificed his life to save her.

Rose slowly got up from her seat.

The air lift was almost there.

She wiped away the tears that had flowed enough to wet the collar of her clothes and steeled her heart.

“I’ll overcome it, Opp…”

At that moment, a huge amount of magic surged,

“…a?”

At the same time, Rose heard the sound of the air lift under her feet breaking.

*

Lara was reminiscing about the old days for a moment.

Those days when she adventured together with the hero party to save the world.

She felt it back then too, but Ed was a smart person.

Of course, Jennifer was the best at knowledge and calculation,

Lara, who had lived for a long time, had the most accurate history.

Mela was the most knowledgeable about human laws and rules,

And Robin was always in charge of tactics and strategies.

However, when the law became meaningless, knowledge became useless, history was not described, and all operations became useless,

It was Ed’s sparkling wit that saved us from the crisis.

Should I call it quick thinking, or should I say he had good ideas?

Ed had a strange talent for executing and succeeding in plans that he quickly made in limited situations.

When we fell into the enemy’s trap, when we were suddenly surrounded, and in many other moments of crisis, Ed always found unexpected solutions.

Lara was now staring straight at Rose, who looked like a dot in the distance.

As the air lift Rose was riding began to rise, Lara nimbly climbed up a tree, hid herself among the branches, and drew her bow.

Would Ed’s mysterious talent work again today?

Ed had said this before they left.

“It’s hard to explain, but I’m going to make a huge amount of magic burst out at the right time. If I time it right and Rose is riding on the air lift at that time, aim for that moment and shoot the air lift.”

“… What kind of plan is that? What if Rose doesn’t ride the air lift, or if the timing doesn’t work?”

“Then we’ll have to go the old way. Assassination is what I’m best at.”

“… Ha, I understand for now.”

Lara was aiming at Rose’s feet in the distance, with the bow drawn.

Even though the air lift was almost at its destination, the magic Ed had mentioned was not detected at all.

‘Could it be that I can’t feel the magic because it’s too far away?’

Lara wondered if she should just shoot Rose in the head right now.

Then,

Lara clearly felt a huge tremor of magic, even from far away.

Of course, she had the unique sensitive senses of an elf, but even so, the amount and quality of magic felt from this distance was definitely Jennifer’s magic.

‘Ed’s wit again…’

Lara stopped breathing and aimed her bow.

A unique arrow that was much thinner than a normal arrow.

This arrow, developed by Lara’s tribe, the Desert Elves, was a special arrow that was inaudible and invisible when shot at high speed.

If Lara shot this arrow, which was easy to use for assassination, with her main weapon, the giant longbow, it would reach even this distance.

Of course, Lara could see the target clearly even from this far away.

“Goodbye, Rose.”

When she released the bowstring, the bow, which had been bent with all her might, made a loud noise and shot out the arrow.

Unlike the bow, the arrow didn’t make even a small sound and disappeared.

Lara raised her head, tidying up her bangs that had been ruffled by the small whirlwind created by the bow.

She could see Rose’s red hair falling down.

Rose.

If Lara hadn’t left for the forest, could she have prevented Rose from changing like that?

Even if not, would she have become attached enough to her personality to overlook it?

A cute little girl who called her auntie, auntie, and followed her around.

She remembered her playing house with Lily.

Even though Ed and Lily had warned her, Lara made the mistake of only thinking of Rose as she was when she was young and didn’t pay attention.

But, she had changed.

She had become a villain who attempted to poison for her own purposes.

She didn’t realize that fact until after Lily collapsed.

She remembered Lily writhing in pain and spewing blood foam after eating the poison.

The guilt of killing a child she had seen since childhood was erased in front of her daughter’s painful appearance.

Lara wondered how all this had happened.

She didn’t want to resent Ed.

His revenge was so terrible, but she had also killed her half-sister out of revenge.

She couldn’t stop or criticize Ed’s revenge now.

Lara had now become a companion completely bound to the path of revenge that Ed was walking.

Lara was terrified, sad, and strangely happy about that fact.

Because she, not Mela, had become Ed’s companion.

“… Rose, wait. Robin will follow soon,”

Lara jumped down from the tree and turned her steps.

*

The conversation with Jennifer was coming to an end after leaving the headmaster’s office.

I didn’t think for a moment that Lara wouldn’t have hit Rose.

Her archery skills were more magical than Jennifer’s magic.

I recalled the day when I first witnessed her archery skills, I was so stunned that I forgot that I was fighting a monster and stared blankly at the scene.

I even had the foolish thought that every time Lara drew and released her bow, the arrow teleported into the target’s body and pierced it.

Jennifer felt that the conversation was coming to an end and tried to finish it.

“Then I will see you at the funeral.”

“Yes, then now…”

At that moment, the sound of something falling and breaking echoed in the academy’s garden.

And after a while, a chaotic murmur and screams reached the windows of the headmaster’s office.

Magier approached the window to find out what was going on.

When she opened the window, the chaotic sounds became clearer.

I tried not to laugh.

Magier was so surprised that she left us behind and flew out of the headmaster’s office towards the murmuring students.

Jennifer didn’t seem to know what was going on yet.

She wasn’t interested in others in the first place, and now her head must be full of her son’s affairs, so it was understandable.

I wondered if Jennifer, who had no interest in Rose in the first place, would be shocked if she knew what the commotion was about.

I hoped she would be.

I got up from my seat and said to her.

“It seems like something has happened, would you like to go see?”

“No, the conversation is over, so I will go back to rest.”

“Yes, please do.”

I turned my back on her, chuckled to myself, and left the headmaster’s office.

The outside was a mess.

The headmaster, who came to me with a pale face, hurriedly spoke to me.

“Wh… where is Jennifer-nim now?”

“She said she was going back to her room…? What’s wrong?”

“R… Rose-yang fell from the air lift.”

“… What did you say?”

I pretended to be shocked and continued.

“You said the air lift had fall prevention magic on it, didn’t you?”

“Th… that’s right, we’re speculating that something went wrong due to the influence of Jennifer-nim’s magic a little while ago.”

“Ah… could that be the cause of the fall?”

“Th… that’s probably not it.”

Magier grabbed her complicated head and muttered.

She had been suffering from so much stress from the continuous events over the past few days that white hair was starting to grow on her scalp.