episode_0058

A late dawn when the sun has hidden itself in the deepest darkness.

A quiet area on the outskirts of the city, lined with noble mansions.

There was a family there that occupied a remarkably large amount of land.

The large mansion located in the middle of the vast grounds was a special structure built using sparkling crystal-like structures throughout.

The Elkonja family is a prestigious family comparable to the Brood family in aristocratic society.

Unlike the Bruards, who had built their position purely through the study of magic, the Elkonja family’s achievements in the magical world were not to be ignored, but their commercial success was also a factor in solidifying their position as a great noble family.

In the huge mansion of the Elkonza family, shining with golden crystals.

Seldianne Elkonja, who occupied the spacious room alone, was fast asleep on her bed decorated with a luxurious canopy.

The room was dark, with only a faint silhouette visible due to the moonlight streaming in from outside the window.

In that darkness, there was a shadow approaching Seldiane silently.

“… !”

At that moment, the crimson eyes of Celdianne, who was lying on her side and sleeping, flashed open.

hook!

“Who are you!”

She quickly raised her upper body and aimed the crystal rapier she had pulled out of the air at the approaching shadow.

The shadow that had the blade on its neck stopped moving and stared at her quietly.

Seldianne waved her empty hand and injected magic power into the light magic tool on the bedside table.

The room is dimly lit by orange lights that create a warm atmosphere.

“… Huh?”

Celdianne frowned as she checked the face of the shadow that had approached her.

“… Excuse me, Miss Elconza.”

There stood a silver-haired beauty who had managed to get past the mansion’s security and into this deep room, something that no one knew how.

No, actually, it was quite possible for her.

The one before your eyes was the most talented of all the wizards in existence.

“Brewed sheep… ”

Celdianne looked at the young lady of the same noble family as herself, standing blankly next to her bed.

“… What is that little thing?”

That was the first question out of her mouth.

The appearance of Tirisia standing in front was so pitiful that it was embarrassing to call her an ordinary citizen, let alone the dignity of a great noble.

Her whole body was soaked, as if she had been hit by the heavy rain pouring down outside the window, and the rainwater was dripping down onto the carpet.

The water stains continued even to the window through which she was believed to have broken in.

And what about the clothes you are wearing?

A cheap black short-sleeved T-shirt and baggy shorts that no noble would ever wear.

It was a frivolous and low-quality outfit that even Celdiane herself would refuse to wear in private.

It seemed as if he had been forced to wear someone else’s clothes rather than his own.

“… Can I talk to you for a moment, Miss Elconza? ”

“… Hmm.”

But more than anything, what felt strange about Tirisia was her expression and voice.

A face as if he had just returned from a brutal battlefield.

A hushed voice, barely holding on to its breath like a candle on the verge of going out.

My shoulders are shaking excessively, even though I’m told they’ve gotten cold from the rain.

Bare feet covered in mud, shoes thrown somewhere.

Seeing him acting like an abandoned puppy, not even doing the bare minimum to protect himself, Celdianne instinctively felt that something unusual had happened.

“Good.”

She got out of bed in her negligee and sat down at the tea table in her room.

After pouring two cups of warm tea that were always ready on the table, Celdianne placed one on the table opposite hers.

“As far as I know, you are currently prohibited from contacting other people… I won’t ask you about the details. Let’s leave the affairs of this place alone. Please take a seat.”

“… Thank you.”

Tirisia, who had walked across the carpet dripping with water, sat down in front of Seldianne.

But he never touched the car she gave him.

“You look cold. Have some tea. It will warm you up.”

Celdianne held out her hand to offer advice, but Tirisia quietly shook her head.

“I appreciate your kindness, but I’m not here to chat leisurely. I’ll get straight to the point.”

“… That’s right.”

As Celdianne put down her teacup and waited for words, Tirisia stared into her crimson eyes with pale, clouded eyes.

“By any chance… Did you hear the story about Kelg Durakal from Miss Isidel?”

“… ”

After hesitating for a moment, Celdiane nodded slowly.

“The Curse of Charm… Is that what you’re talking about?”

“If you knew, the story would be faster.”

“I see the curse has been lifted since you brought it up. That’s fortunate.”

“Yeah… and,”

With a ray of light in her jade-colored eyes, Tirisia looked at Seldianne with longing eyes.

“Help me. I need your strength.”

“… What do you want help with?”

Tirisia told Celdianne, who was crossing her arms and raising her eyebrows, about her plan.

“Your family’s vision, a mirror that reflects past memories… I will use that power to spread Kelg Durakal’s confession to the whole world.”

“… Hmm.”

Seldianne let out a small breath as if she was surprised.

Tirisia continued speaking, her face filled with boiling anger and determination.

“Today, he confessed to me that everything he had done up until now was all his own doing. Miss Elkonja, if you can prove that memory, I can expose the evil deeds of the Durakal family. Please help me.”

“… So, what are you going to do next?”

Thump.

At Seldianne’s question, Tirisia’s fist lightly landed on the table.

She revealed her meaning, her emerald eyes gleaming in the dim light.

“I will tell my parents everything, and I will use the power of my entire family to put Durakal in prison.”

“Is that so…?”

Seldianne stroked her cheek for a moment, lost in thought.

“Hmm… ”

After a while, she opened her mouth again and asked Tirisia a question.

“Miss Brewery, are you saying you are prepared to fight them?”

To that question, Tirisia nodded with a sad expression.

“I heard from Erto today that we should completely cut ties from now on… ”

“… I guess that makes sense.”

“But it can’t end like this. I must be punished, but so must Duracal. I absolutely cannot tolerate him living like this without paying any price. His evil deeds must be revealed to the world. So… ”

“I understand what you are saying.”

Celdianne raised her hand to stop Tirisia from speaking.

Horok-

Celdianne lifted her teacup with an elegant movement and took a sip. Then, she looked at Tirisia’s face with a strong gaze as if she had made up her mind.

“But the lady’s answer is, rejection.”

“What…? Why…?”

A look of confusion appeared on Tirisia’s face.

But Seldianne seemed to have anticipated this situation, as she gave her an answer that seemed to have been prepared in advance.

“Let’s say Kelg Durakal exposes the evil deeds he committed against you to the world. What do you think will happen then?”

“That’s… ”

Tirisia knew the answer to Celdianne’s question, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud.

In fact, it was something that caused damage to the Elconza family.

“The Durakal family will definitely seek revenge on the Elkonja family who pointed their swords at them. Do you understand? Your request now means that the entire Elkonja family declares war on Durakal.”

“… Yes, that would be right. But if not only you, but also the palace and the entire society found out about it, everyone would become my allies… !”

“That’s an uncertain possibility, Miss Broward.”

Although Tirisia appealed with enthusiasm, Celdianne shook her head heavily.

“… Why?”

In response to Tirisia’s question, who had lowered her shoulders, Celdianne began to point out the parts that she had missed while being caught up in her emotions.

“First of all, you know that the Curse of Attraction doesn’t take away the free will of the person involved. If that’s true, then you weren’t completely controlled by Kelg Durakal. In a situation where the responsibility is divided between both parties, if one side unilaterally claims to be the victim, it’s not enough to say that it’s a clear justification that everyone can sympathize with.”

“… !”

Tirisia’s eyes opened wide.

What she meant was, ultimately, how many people would be hostile to the Durakal family for the sake of Tyrisia, who was included among the perpetrators.

“In fact, if you look at this matter without the concept of a curse, it is a very personal affair between two men, a woman who betrayed her previous lover… You wouldn’t deny it, right?”

“… Yeah.”

To Tirisia, who readily accepted her position, Celdianne continued her story with a pitiful expression.

“I’m not denying that you were a victim. But can you honestly claim that you didn’t betray Erto’s army on your own will?”

“That’s… ”

“And why should our Elkonja family take such a big risk and antagonize the master of the academy for you? The Durakal family is too dangerous an opponent to take revenge on an outsider, not even someone within the family.”

“… ”

Tirisia, who was momentarily troubled by Celdianne’s remark, began to express her thoughts in a different way.

“If it’s a justification, there’s something else that’s certain! It’s not my revenge, but the fact that the Durakal family has been using the Curse of Attraction to control the powerful people of the country for a long time… You know that, right?”

At those words, Celdiane nodded slightly.

“I know about the long history of evil deeds of the Durakal family from Ms. Isidel.”

“I don’t know exactly how far that evil extends, but according to what he said, I think even the palace was under the influence of Durakal. Those people are victims more clearly than I am. That family exerted influence through a curse in a crucial position that could change the course of the country! Is the justification for correcting this really insufficient?”

Seldianne took a sip of her tea and nodded as if she understood what she said.

“That makes sense, but it’s not realistic, Miss Broward.”

“What is…?”

“Even if the Durakal family used the Curse of Attraction and was deeply involved in the leadership of this country, that was a long time ago. As time passed, the curse was lifted, or some of the parties involved died and disappeared, right?”

“That might be… right.”

“Those people and the group the victims belong to are not fools, so they must have realized that something was done to them by the Durakal family. But then, try to figure out why they haven’t taken any action until now.”

At Celdianne’s words, Tirisia lowered her head and tried to guess the situation.

Just as they were fascinated by Durakal, they too would have realized the filth on their own hands.

And, they would have realized too late that the ground they were standing on was tilted significantly towards Durakal.

We’re already too deeply involved to fight back.

Perhaps it was because of that judgment that no retaliation was possible.

“Duracal must have been building connections with people in high positions of power since then. Think about that man’s shameless and confident attitude. Isn’t it because he knows how much support he has that he can act like that?”

“If that’s true… does that mean the palace might not be on our side either?”

“That doesn’t mean we can say they’re enemies, but at least I don’t think they’re a solid group of justice that would support our Elkonja family when they’re against Durakal. They’re in an ambiguous position. Even if there was a clear justification for judging Durakal, it’s uncertain whether they would move. Especially if you’re the one causing social chaos, that’s even more so.”

“… ”

Tirisia’s fist on the table clenched even harder.

She felt that what Celdiane said was right, but she couldn’t give up yet.

“But if the Elkonja family and our Brood family join forces, uniting nobles who are not influenced by Durakal, and building a large force… ”

“Brewed amount.”

Celdianne raised her hand, cutting off Tirisia.

“… Why.”

When Tirisia looked at her with a stuffy gaze, Celdianne took a deep breath and answered with an extremely serious expression.

“In fact, the things I mentioned earlier are just additional reasons. What I’m going to tell you now is the biggest reason why you can’t treat Durakal carelessly… It’s your final judgment.”

“Tell me.”

When Tirisia leaned forward and asked, Celdianne moistened her lips with tea before opening her mouth.

“Kelg Durakal… That man’s power has now surpassed even you, Miss Brood. If he, who was attacked by us, decides to cross the line and destroy all those who oppose him… Who will suffer the damage?”

“… !”

“The vision of the Durakal family… Because of the contract of predation, the man copied your magic power and made it his own. And the magic power of the top students of the academy who follow him. Now, the magic power of a super genius wizard and dozens of excellent wizards are gathered in that man’s body.”

Seldianne put down her teacup, leaned over the table, clasped her hands together in front of her face, and spoke.

“Your power has not disappeared anywhere, but do you really think you can stop him? What if Kelg Durakal were to attack your parents? What if he were to slaughter all of our Elkonja family? Can you really guarantee that you would be able to block all of his actions and subdue him without causing any casualties?”

“… ”

As Tirisia lowered her head and closed her mouth, Celdianne sighed.

“That can’t be. It’s too late to judge Kelg Durakal. And you’re the one who made him unstoppable. Because the greatest genius in the history of the Brood family gave all his talents to Durakal, who absorbs the power of others, and because he was blinded by love and gave everything to him. Was your words wrong?”

“… No, you’re all right, Miss Elconza.”

Tyrissia slowly got up from her seat and took a few steps back onto the carpet.

“But… ”

She bent down, knelt on the floor, and placed both palms on the ground.

The lowered forehead hit the floor with a thud.

Tirisia, who had fallen flat on her face, trembled all over and bowed her head toward Celdiane.

“Still, I beg you… Please…! It can’t end like this! In order to judge Durakal, Elkonja, your abilities are needed first…! We can only start with his confession as evidence. We can succeed…! If it’s a physical threat, I’ll do whatever it takes to resolve it, so please…! ”

“Brewed amount.”

“Elconja, please…! I’m begging you on my knees like this! Help me…!”

Although Tirisia cried out in desperation, Celdianne’s answer was cold.

“Be honest with me. Are you sure that the evil deeds committed by the Durakal family are not something you care about? Are you just desperate for revenge against that man because you were abandoned by the Erto Army?”

“That’s…!”

“You can’t deny it.”

“Elconja Miss… Still… Please… !”

“Please do not involve our Elkonja family in such personal feelings. Your lady’s answer will not change. It is a rejection. Please stop making a fool of yourself and go back.”

At the cold reaction, Tyrisia lifted her body and looked at her face.

“You… Are you okay with this? Is it okay for that Kelg Durakal human to run wild inside the academy?”

Seldianne took a sip of tea with her face calming down again.

“For your information, you dropped out of the academy to repay the sin you committed… for forcing Erto into dropping out.”

“What…?”

“Thanks to you, I have restored my friendship with Erto-kun and am now living happily. I may not be able to make his heart turn this way yet, but in the long run, I want to win Erto-kun’s love.”

“in…?”

Tirisia was dumbfounded by Celdianne’s sudden confession of feelings.

The girl with golden hair spoke confidently and shamelessly about the happiness she had found.

“So for now, I am content with this ordinary life. I am not saying that I don’t care what happens there since I dropped out of the academy. I am also secretly working on a plan for Kelg Durakal. However, I cannot join hands with you in your revenge. Because you want your current life to remain intact. I will tell you that protecting your days as friends with Erto-kun is the top priority.”

“… … ”

Tirisia bowed her head and took a long time to accept those words,

“I see… ”

He slowly got up from his seat and walked towards the window through which he had entered.

Thump-

Thump-

Celdianne said her last words to Tirisia, who was stepping on the water she had spilled when she came in and placing her hand on the closed window.

“The lady briefly incurred Erto’s hatred, but she dropped out of the academy and gave him a sincere apology, earning his forgiveness. Considering what she had done, she paid a relatively small price for it.”

“… ?”

As Tyrisia turned to look at herself with a blank stare, crimson eyes looked at her with pity.

“Miss Brouard, if you wish to restore your relationship with Erto, you should think carefully about what you must offer in return for the sins you have committed. Peace be with you.”

Horok-

“… ”

Knock knock!

After finishing her speech, leaving Celdianne behind to drink tea, Tirisia opened the window and threw herself outside into the pouring rain.

The price for atonement.

What on earth could he sacrifice to win back his heart?

Estimating the unimaginable size, Tirissia ran again through the darkness with pouring rain and thunder and lightning.

This time, to meet another friend whom he had cut ties with with his own hands.