episode_0020

My head was pounding.

No matter how severe the headache, could it really be this intense?

I let out a sigh once again, forgetting that my companions were looking at me with puzzled expressions.

“Damn.”

The situation left me no choice but to curse.

It had been barely three or four days since we departed from Daesurim towards the western continent. We still had a long way to go before leaving the south.

Even though I increased our marching speed in fear of elven pursuers, it would still take at least a month to set foot in the west.

What does this mean, you ask?

It means that the western episode suddenly began before the southern one had properly concluded.

In fact, when the leader of the bandits pulled out a vial, I had my doubts.

A potion that temporarily enhances the body by igniting vitality.

It was unbelievable that the potion, known to readers as ‘steroids,’ which should only appear in the west, was in the hands of the southern bandit leader.

However, the potion the leader used was indeed the one I had in mind, and I couldn’t help but ponder while watching Veldom subdue Royder.

Why did the western episode start before we even left the south?

Could it be that, like in Daesurim, events are coming to me on their own accord?

Still, I held onto hope.

Before the main villain recognized me as an ‘enemy,’ all I had to do was discard the vial and disappear quietly once we reached the west.

That way, I could live relatively peacefully in the west.

Thus, despite secretly disposing of the vial with my companions and planning to completely sever ties upon reaching the west to enjoy a carefree life in Anbinrakdo, things took an unexpected turn.

“I encountered a shrimp dressed in black priestly robes. Looking forward to our next meeting,” said the brash elf, Veldom.

Why on earth is the main villain organization from the west appearing here?

Didn’t they say it’s like overcoming one mountain after another?

Once I crossed a huge mountain, another one was waiting for me.

Clang!

Quietly taking out the vial hidden in my embrace, I unscrewed it and ground my teeth.

Is this the author’s way of forcing me into the episode no matter what?

Or is it the world’s will to always torment witches?

As I looked down at my hand, blood dripping silently, the priestess, who had been in a daze, finally regained her senses and hurried over to heal my hand.

“Are you crazy? Why would you break a glass bottle with your bare hands all of a sudden…!”

“Oh, my emotions got the best of me. Sorry.”

“Who breaks a glass bottle with their bare hands just because they’re emotional?!”

Well, right in front of you.

After giving a frivolous reply in my mind, I ignored the flustered priestess and gazed quietly at the sky.

So clear.

Completely contrary to my heavy and cloudy heart.

…Can I really not escape fate? Must I sever the thread of fate held by ‘Beatrice’ and live comfortably and quietly?

As I stared at the sky for a while, I shook my head slightly.

When I tried to escape in Daesurim, the original protagonist showed up and confronted me the day before. And now, when I successfully escaped and wanted to live quietly this time, the main villain I thought would stay put came looking for me first.

The first time was chance.

From the second time onwards, it’s destiny.

This likely means that no matter what nonsense I try, I will inevitably be dragged into the episode.

Unconsciously, I looked down at my hand, now perfectly healed by the priestess, and made a decision to change my thinking.

Fine, for now, I’ll willingly follow where destiny leads me.

However, I will find a way to break free from this damn fate.

If the world mocks me, I’ll defy that mockery even if I have to go beyond the limits.

“To do that, I’ll need strength.”

I glanced towards the west, subtly lifting the corners of my mouth.

A new goal had emerged.

—–

Tap, tap!

The stronghold of the bandits, cloaked in darkness.

Staring intently at the fire burning in the center, was I absentmindedly poking at the embers?

Amidst the sound of the wind, I slowly turned my head in the direction of approaching footsteps.

“Why aren’t you sleeping? It’s not your turn for watch duty.”

“What does it matter to you whether others sleep or not?”

“It matters. If a precious comrade is awake while others rest, who wouldn’t worry?”

With determined steps, Kal walked over and took a seat beside me.

Although I tried to move away as his annoyingly cheerful demeanor irked me, he cautiously held me back.

“Where are you off to now? Got some business elsewhere? Then go.”

“I’m going somewhere else because I don’t like you.”

“Hmm, have I done something so wrong that it makes you despise me?”

“…Not particularly? Just sit down for now. If I teased someone’s undergarments at a party, even if it was a joke, I’d apologize.”

Certainly, what Kal mentioned was quite serious.

Feeling intense guilt myself, I reluctantly took my seat again with a grim expression.

As we sat there, a brief awkward silence ensued.

Enduring the discomfort creeping up from the ground as I stared at the dirt floor, after a while, Kal slowly spoke up.

“You seem troubled.”

“Mind your own business.”

“You look too strained to be ignoring everything. Is something bothering you?”

“I told you to mind your own business.”

Grumbling softly, Kal sighed and shook his head slightly.

“This isn’t like handling a stray cat. Why are you so sharp today?”

“…Hmph.”

“Well, this aspect is somewhat charming too.”

“You’re insane.”

Seeing no other option but to chuckle at his absurdity, he looked at me and flashed a mischievous smile.

“See, you look much prettier when you smile.”

“Shut up.”

“Doesn’t laughing make the hardships fade a bit? Keep smiling.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Who laughs when they’re struggling? Not even crazy people.”

“I’m here, the guy who laughs even when things are tough.”

“You’re the crazy one.”

“I’ve never considered myself crazy.”

“Well, crazy people don’t realize they’re crazy.”

Engaged in a momentarily meaningless conversation, we burst into laughter simultaneously.

It was ridiculous that our late-night conversations were nothing more than this frivolous banter; it was baffling.

Yet, amidst it all, I felt a stirring emotion.

…I had never conversed so intimately with anyone before.

Neither before nor after possession.

After all, wasn’t it my role to play the role of the outcast?

Gazing quietly at the flickering flames, I fixed my gaze on Kal’s face, devoid of any negative emotions, and quietly spoke up.

“I have something I want to ask.”

“Oh, so you finally take an interest in me?”

“No, forget it. Why would I ask you anything?”

“…I was wrong, just ask.”

“Then.”

Glancing at our sleeping companion for a moment, I directed my question to him.

“How did you end up coming to Dae Soo Rim? There were plenty of other places to choose from.”

The question that intrigued me the most.

The protagonist should have visited the North first, so how did he end up in the South first?

After not having the chance to ask due to circumstances, I finally could inquire.

And Kal, after seeming to ponder the question briefly, calmly responded.

“Well, I’m not entirely sure… But before you and the priest arrived, the four of us formed a party to achieve our respective goals.”

“Right.”

“So we took turns suggesting destinations. This time, Kotaas, who’s drooling and fast asleep over there, suggested exploring new cuisine in Dae Soo Rim.”

“…He wanted to find new delicacies in Dae Soo Rim?”

“Correct. I initially planned to head north first, thinking it would be the most dangerous area in the Magic Realm, but I heard that the activities of the sect have become extremely active in the north recently.”

“It must have been awkward to move because of Stroheim.”

“Why do you know so much? It’s not like you’ve got a Dimensional Library in your head, as Belldam said, right?”

“No way. You saw it too, that unknown priestess giving off an almost hateful gaze, didn’t you?”

“Ah.”

He thinks while giving a plausible answer.

Many things have changed.

But many things have remained unchanged.

So, rather than forcibly inserting ‘Beatrice’ into the episode through contrivance, could it be that the story itself has changed as the setting becomes more detailed?

…That hypothesis could also be suggested. After all, a ‘remake’ is meant to address shortcomings and improve them.

“Sigh.”

Exhaling a sigh due to the new hypothesis needlessly complicating his thoughts, the sword suddenly began stroking my head.

Swoosh – Swoosh –

Against the rough hand with lots of calluses, a touch so delicate and soft.

For a moment, I felt relaxed and drowsy.

“Huh?”

Soon, I realized that this situation had gone terribly wrong.

What did I just feel? And what did I allow?

No, don’t be ridiculous.

Would I really feel that way from his touch?

Shaking myself out of it, chills ran down my body.

Simultaneously, I clenched my fist and forcefully punched the back of the sword’s hand.

Thud – !

“Argh…!”

Struggling to breathe, the perverted guy who was stroking my head writhed in pain on the floor.

Yet, his face still bore a wide smile.

“So gentle… *cough*! It was a sensation…!!! *cough cough*”

“You sick bastard.”

“To be punished by eyes filled with disgust… *cough*… This is the ultimate reward…!”

“Ugh… damn it.”

Feeling repulsed, I quickly left the spot and arrived far away from the outpost, catching my breath.

“Huff… huff…”

Then, gazing at the moonlight illuminating the pitch-black night sky, I vowed once again.

“I am… not a female…!”

I will definitely break free from this damn fate.