episode_0057

Cl… Claudia?

Why is Claudia on my bed?

…Am I still dreaming?

A dream after a week.

It was a vivid dream about his past self with Claudia, which lingered due to its intensity, making him question if he was seeing things.

“I apologize for coming so suddenly.”

But a clear voice resounded in front of him.

Coupled with the faint scent emanating from Claudia.

Vistus had no choice but to acknowledge that the Claudia before him was indeed real.

“I wanted our meeting to take place where we first met… but Her Highness couldn’t wait any longer.”

Come to think of it, Claudia mentioned ascending to the throne.

Could she have seized the empire in such a short time, barely a few weeks?

Unimaginable.

“Vistus, do you retain memories from our previous lives together?”

“…!”

She knows I dream of my past life?

Indeed, Claudia’s information network.

“Cla… No, I apologize, Your Majesty.”

A bewildered Vistus spoke up.

‘Not Claudia but Your Majesty. The title I initially intended to use suits me better.’

Claudia, who felt some regret despite hoping Vistus would remember their shared memories from their past life, continued.

“Why… Why are you in my room, Your Majesty?”

“Didn’t you ask that first?”

“Yes? Th-that’s…”

“Haha. I jest. It’s actually you who should apologize for barging into your room uninvited. How cute.”

Claudia reached out and brushed Vistus’s disheveled bangs aside.

“Eek…!”

Caught off guard, Vistus couldn’t react.

‘Claudia….’

Through the dream he had all night, memories, affections, and special feelings he held for Claudia from his past self were now inherited.

Though Vistus remained silent, Claudia could tell from his flustered reaction.

That Vistus, too, retained memories from their past lives.

“It truly… was a long wait.”

Claudia beamed brightly, bringing her face close to Vistus’s.

“My Lady…”

“Do you know how eagerly I awaited this moment?”

Tears welled up in Claudia’s eyes.

“Every night, I wanted to cut off my useless arms. I wanted to tear apart my filthy mouth. I wanted to erase the vile forces that led you to death.”

‘I sacrificed myself for Claudia, leaving her alone afterwards…’

As Vistus pondered the immense suffering Claudia endured, he could only bite his lip.

“But I persevered with the single-minded determination to meet you again. If I could see you once more… I was willing to do anything.”

‘…Did I reject such a Claudia simply because I found her burdensome?’

Claudia, who had come looking for Vistus even in the men’s restroom a few weeks ago.

Vistus realized how patient Claudia had been for his sake back then.

Even though he knew nothing of Claudia’s past self at the time, he couldn’t fathom the extent of her suffering.

“I seek your forgiveness.”

No.

“I will dedicate everything I have for you. It may not be enough to repay the kindness you’ve shown me.”

Not at all.

“Foolishly, I abandoned you and brought about my own demise… Can I seek forgiveness?”

That wasn’t your fault…

Thud

“No.”

“…!”

Versed ascended to Claudia’s side.

“You, you!”

“Forgive my rudeness for a moment, Your Highness.”

As Versed ascended to Claudia’s side, he looked down at her.

Claudia’s face slightly reddened.

“You are merely a victim. It is I who should seek forgiveness. I broke my promise to protect you and left first.”

Seeing the uncharacteristically resolute Versed, Claudia shrank back like a young girl.

“So… please don’t blame yourself. Your Highness, you have done nothing wrong. Now, can’t we all return and live in peace?”

“Versed…”

Claudia gazed at Versed with moist eyes.

Crash

“Eh?”

Claudia’s legs and arms restrained Versed.

“Your, Your Highness?”

“If you say such things… won’t I end up not being able to let go?”

‘After taking everything from me already, now you want to steal my heart as well? Quite greedy.’

“Uh, Your Highness! This is—”

As Claudia pulled Versed closer, the two ended up facing each other on the bed.

‘Usually cute like a child, but showing a manly side when it matters. You’re quite fond of him, aren’t you, Versed.’

“Hehe.”

Claudia and Versed found themselves face to face, and Claudia smiled softly.

Claudia gently closed her eyes.

‘Th-this…!’

A man and a woman embracing in a dark room. In such a situation, even if Versed lacked awareness, he could not help but understand what the woman wanted and what he needed to do.

As Versed unknowingly moved his face towards Claudia’s…

Kwaaaang

The window in the room exploded with a bang.

“Ugh…!”

The fierce wind from the explosion engulfed the defenseless pair. As a result, Versed and Claudia, who were facing each other, were knocked apart.

“Shield!”

A protective barrier formed from Claudia’s hand enveloped them.

“What now?”

Already in a daze from dreaming about Claudia’s past lives, Versed was now faced with an attack, leaving him disoriented.

“Master…”

Enhancing his vision with magic, Versed peered through the dust caused by the explosion.

‘…A woman?’

In the dust, Versed spotted a female student wearing the academy uniform.

Thud

“You dare interrupt such a momentous event….”

In Versed’s sight, Claudia walking towards the girl was visible.

“It seems there’s more than one life at stake here.”

The ominous aura surrounding Claudia as she embraced Versed sent shivers down his spine.

‘…I’ve never seen Claudia this angry before.’

Wooong

“How dare a filthy wench defy my master?”

The attacker staring down Claudia was equally formidable.

‘What in the world is this…’

An unfamiliar female student with a unique appearance.

[Eclipse] couldn’t even figure out who the girl was, despite knowing all the characters.

However, there was something familiar about the energy emanating from the girl.

It felt like a déjà vu, as if they had met before.

‘Could this be another tie to my past life?’

What on earth did their past self do? Why do new people keep popping up?

“Hooh. Galbora?”

Kwoong

An immense pressure settled in the surroundings.

It was Claudia releasing the power of the 9 Circles within her body.

It surpassed the limits of mortals, even beyond what dragons could achieve.

“Where did this raggedy thing roll in from with just its mouth intact?”

The momentum between the two women began to escalate.

A fierce atmosphere that seemed ready to collide at any moment.

‘No!’

They couldn’t afford to let these two women fight here.

Especially with the room already in shambles.

It was clear that if the two incredibly strong women fought here, there would be nothing left but dust.

Vesrus grabbed his trembling legs and jumped between the two women.

“Stop!”

Vesrus extended his arms towards the two women.

“Vesrus?”

“Master?”

Then, the dreadful aura of annihilation emitted by the two women disappeared.

‘Phew….’

Only then could Vesrus breathe a sigh of relief.

‘I thought I was a goner.’

“Vesrus… What in the world have you been up to?”

Lucifer’s voice came from the bracelet, sounding unusually frightened.

Indeed, it makes one wonder.

I’m curious too.