episode_0034

Chapter 34 – Memories

The scenery rapidly vanished beyond my sight.

A strange silence hung within the carriage, so much so that it was odd to see young men and women, even betrothed ones, riding inside.

Looking out the window, I subtly turned my gaze to Skadia.

Currently, instead of her usual academy uniform, she was wearing a luxurious and elegant blue dress.

She was beautiful enough to make any man turn his head.

Suddenly, a phantom voice stimulated my ears.

-I’ll protect Ruan!

The girl who used to look at me with sky-blue eyes was no longer there.

Skadia’s eyes were as cold and chilling as the eternal snows that never melt on a snow-capped mountain.

She was expressionlessly scanning a magic book when, sensing my gaze, she opened her mouth.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“…No.”

“Then I’d appreciate it if you’d look away. I can’t concentrate on my reading.”

“I just looked for a moment. Read to your heart’s content.”

Perhaps because of the dream I had at dawn, I strangely couldn’t bring myself to speak harshly now.

Skadia, too, must have expected me to act like a ruffian, as she tilted her head in confusion at my subdued demeanor for a moment.

Of course, she quickly immersed herself in the magic book again, as if it didn’t matter.

‘By the way, has it been three years?’

Marquis Ainz Maryland had not visited the Friuli estate since his wife’s passing eight years ago.

Of course, as time passed, he gradually composed himself and began public activities, but by then, his relationship with Skadia was already strained.

Ruan Friuli also didn’t particularly want to meet him, so meetings were bound to be infrequent.

Even three years ago, they had only half-heartedly encountered each other due to the engagement ceremony between the Crown Prince and Remian Herana held at the imperial palace.

What reaction would he show when he saw me?

‘I hope nothing unusual happens.’

Along with my worries, the carriage sped on and soon arrived at its destination.

Upon passing through the main gate and reaching the mansion’s entrance, I noticed a line of servants and, standing in the center, a man with a gentle impression.

He looked so young that it was hard to believe he had a child in their twenties.

‘As expected, he’s a high-ranking mage.’

Potent mana even bypasses the power of time.

Feeling the magnificent mana through my senses, I dismounted the carriage with Skadia.

“Hahaha, Ruan. It’s been a long time. Welcome.”

“Thank you for the invitation, Your Excellency the Count.”

“Your title is too stiff. You can call me Uncle, like before.”

The hand patting my shoulder and his gaze contained goodwill towards me.

It was no different from three years ago.

Even though he must have known about all the vile acts Ruan Friuli had committed countless times, he still offered firm support.

As I quietly bowed my head, Skadia, standing beside me, interjected.

“Father. Let’s go inside first. It’s difficult to talk outside.”

“Alright. Come along. I’ve prepared a meal.”

“Then, please excuse me.”

Having bowed, I followed Count Ainz with Skadia.

The interior of the mansion was antique.

The floor was made of marble, and art pieces such as pottery and paintings were arranged at regular intervals, adding to its beauty.

While admiring the interior, the group soon entered the dining room.

Following the usher’s guidance, we sat down and put on our napkins, and as if on cue, maids brought in meals on trays.

The appetizer was mushroom soup.

“You must be hungry, so eat first. We can talk later.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

And so, the meal began.

Even with three people moving their cutlery, no sound was made inside.

It was suffocating, but this was noble etiquette. I had quite a hard time learning this when I was young.

Of course, since I was transmigrated, it was like I’d just stumbled into it.

‘It’s suffocating.’

Count Ainz wasn’t picking on me or anything, but just being in this place was an immense burden.

Fortunately, the food was extremely delicious, which helped distract me.

A moment later, when I had finished about half of the soup, Count Ainz began to speak.

“So. How’s academy life?”

“It’s quite good. Moderately enjoyable and moderately challenging. I can go out freely on weekends, so it’s not stifling. These days, I’m focusing on training every day.”

“Haha, really? I remember you quit swordsmanship, so that’s good. Your father will be pleased.”

“…He probably will.”

Honestly, I don’t know.

When I sifted through Ruan Friuli’s memories, Ian Friuli hadn’t been particularly favorable to his son learning swordsmanship.

It could simply be due to a lack of talent, but even so, he had expressed some concern from the very beginning.

Instead, Isis had undergone equally rigorous training.

While I was lost in thought, the conversation shifted to Skadia.

“Skadia. How have you been lately? Have you made any progress in magic?”

“No. I’m currently hitting a wall. If I just get an epiphany, I’ll probably be able to ascend to the 5th Rank.”

“Haha! The 5th Rank at 20 years old… Then you’ll receive the same attention as the Magic Tower Masters as the youngest mage. That’s incredible.”

Count Ainz smiled with satisfaction.

Ascending to the 5th Rank at such a young age carries immense influence.

However, what he overlooked was that Skadia would not stop at the 5th Rank. Unless there’s an unforeseen variable, she will reach the 6th Rank before the year is out.

When that happens, it will probably cause quite a stir.

In the game, there were even whispers that she might achieve the transcendental realm, a level spoken of only in legends.

‘Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.’

Before Skadia could pioneer the transcendental realm, Abel caught the immortal magic beast Levios, bringing about the ending.

Here, who knows what will happen.

“Still, I have a long way to go. I can’t be satisfied with just the 6th Rank.”

“Indeed. It is said that the first head of the Maryland family manifested up to the 9th Rank. Keep striving.”

“Yes, Father.”

Was it thanks to the conversation?

The awkward atmosphere eased, and a little of the tension began to dissipate.

With that, a few more questions followed, and finally, the meal came to an end.

“Then, let’s get up. Ruan, will you show me around the mansion?”

“Of course. Then, please excuse me.”

Just as I was about to stand up, following Skadia.

“Wait. Ruan, can you stay?”

Count Ainz stopped me.

As Skadia and I exchanged puzzled glances, the Count continued.

“Skadia. Could you go out and wait first? Ruan and I have something to discuss.”

“Can’t I be here?”

“Haha! There are some things only men can discuss. I ask this of you.”

“…Alright. Please send him out quickly.”

“I will.”

Skadia left the dining room with a displeased expression, and only the two of us remained inside.

I quietly sat back down in the chair.

“Don’t be too nervous. It’s not that serious.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I just want to talk a little about the past.”

“The past, you mean…”

The content of the dream I had at dawn flashed through my mind again.

My heart stirred once.

“It’s about when Lukina died.”

“The Countess, you mean?”

“Yes. At the time, I was consumed by grief. So, I neglected Skadia somewhat. After that, I became obsessed with the compulsion to raise her excellently, fulfilling my wife’s part, and treated her harshly. Perhaps because of that, my daughter’s personality became even colder.”

“That’s…”

It’s not your fault.

Listening to his story, I wanted to tell him that.

Because the reason Skadia’s personality changed like this was entirely due to me.

But what would change if I revealed that now? The relationship was already irrevocably broken.

All I could do was listen silently.

A moment later, Count Ainz, who had been talking for a long time, suddenly seemed to think of Skadia and concluded his story.

“Haha! I’ve talked for too long. I have only one thing to say. Please take good care of Skadia. Even though she appears cold and stern on the outside, she’s a fragile child on the inside. It’s selfish of me, but can you grant my request?”

“……I will do my best.”

I intentionally gave a vague answer.

I didn’t want to make a false promise to the Count, and most importantly, as a third party, I couldn’t make such an arbitrary promise.

Fortunately, the Count seemed satisfied with that much of a response.

“Haha! Yes. That’s enough. Now, go quickly. Skadia must be waiting.”

“Yes. I’ll see you again later.”

Finishing the non-committal farewell, I exited the dining room.

Skadia, who had been waiting, approached.

“I don’t know what you talked about inside, but don’t mind it. Understand?”

“…Alright.”

“Then follow me. Let’s walk through the garden first to aid digestion.”

As if she wasn’t curious about the content of the conversation, Skadia turned her back and walked ahead.

Soon, they arrived at the garden.

It was full spring, and various kinds of flowers bloomed in the garden. It was also filled with insects attracted by their sweet fragrance.

Walking behind Skadia, I suddenly directed my gaze towards a blue butterfly.

It was clearly different from an Ice Flower Butterfly, but at first glance, it looked similar.

The dream I had at dawn came to mind again.

‘Annoying.’

Perhaps it was assimilating with the body, but the more strongly I recalled those memories, a certain emotion towards Skadia surged within me.

It wasn’t a strong emotion like hatred or possessiveness, but a lingering regret that was hard to shake off.

Such a feeling was clinging tightly to a corner of my heart, refusing to let go.

Meanwhile, Skadia seemed to have seen the butterfly too.

She glanced at my face without a word, then casually blurted out as if passing by.

“Do you miss your hometown?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why are you looking at that butterfly? It’s nothing special.”

Did Skadia remember when we first met? I couldn’t help but be curious about something entirely unrelated to my current situation.

Knowing it was a useless act, I still ended up speaking.

“……It made me think of when we first met.”

At those words, Skadia’s body visibly flinched.

Rarely showing signs of embarrassment, she bit her lip firmly.

“What are you suddenly talking about? What’s the point of bringing up the past?”

“It just came to mind. What did you do with the butterfly you took back then?”

“I don’t know. I don’t even remember something like that now.”

“That makes sense. A lot of time has passed.”

When I agreed, Skadia’s expression seemed even more enraged.

The original Ruan Friuli would usually throw a tantrum in response to such an interaction, but today, he was unusually calm.

Reluctantly, she finally revealed the truth.

“…The butterfly died a long time ago. It couldn’t adapt when it went to a warm region.”

“As I thought. No wonder you never mentioned the butterfly after that.”

“I just forgot about it. A butterfly like that isn’t of great value anyway.”

This was a lie.

Because once, when she came to visit the Friuli estate, she, who always favored flower-shaped ornaments, came wearing a butterfly-shaped ornament and proudly showed it off.

It was proof that even for her, that memory was precious.

“Considering that, your memory is quite detailed.”

“Are you perhaps doubting me right now? I’ll say it again, I didn’t reveal the truth because there was no value in doing so. What meaning would it have to tell you? I don’t want your consolation.”

“Then let’s leave it at that.”

“It’s not ‘leaving it at that’! Hmph… Fine. Let’s go back now. I’ll explain to Father that we left a bit early.”

Perhaps thinking it would be her loss to deal with me further, Skadia barely managed to suppress her anger and turned her steps back towards the mansion.

Skadia was showing an incomparable range of emotions compared to usual.

Following her, I arrived at the mansion and immediately boarded the carriage I had called for.

Returning to the academy, I sighed.

‘Today yielded many gains.’

I had discovered Skadia’s sore spot, and also realized that my condition was more dangerous than I thought.

Ordinary people value their soul more than their body. This is because they believe the memories and ego contained within it are the greatest elements that define themselves.

In other words, people are greatly influenced by their memories.

Currently, Ruan Friuli’s memories were changing my ego.

I’m worried that I might be completely consumed, losing my ego as Lee Hyunwoo and even forgetting my will for revenge.

I need to be vigilant from now on.

‘I won’t be swayed by mere memories.’

I closed my eyes and repeated it several times.

***

“Alright, everyone, pass through the Warp Gate in order. Anyone who cuts in line dies!”

[Yessss!]

Time passed in an instant.

Currently, I was in front of the Warp Gate installed in the grand hall to move to the training camp location.

Around me, excited students were chatting with their friends in front and behind them.

“Since the academy chose it, it must be a high-class training center, right? I’m so excited!”

“The seniors say it’s better than a hotel. And they said the programs aren’t that tough? They told us to just think of it as a vacation.”

“Yeah, these days, if you treat students like the military, it makes headlines and causes a commotion. Of course, things have to change.”

Whether it was this world or Korea, the situation seemed similar, as training camps had gradually transformed from places to torment students and impose harsh discipline into places where students enjoyed various programs.

Academy students, in particular, spend every day training and studying, so it would be good to let them enjoy themselves for a few days.

It’s highly likely that this wasn’t just because it caused controversy, but because it was concluded to be more efficient.

Anyway, the important thing was that I could rest for the next few days without any complex thoughts.

Of course, I’d have to pay attention to a few things.

“Next entry!”

While observing the situation, the entire line in front of me had already disappeared.

Following Sara’s instructions, I jumped into the gate.

Finally, the training camp begins.