episode_0279

My vision slowly fades. Eve’s face contorts, her outstretched hand trembling.

Time is running out. I think I’ve lost too much blood. Eve, in her panic, sheathed the Muyeong Sword, leaving the hole in my chest to bleed freely.

I trace my fingers across my chest, frantically pouring in Aether. The recovery spell isn’t working well; I’m just trying to stop the bleeding.

Eve and Aspi caught me as I swayed. Their expressions are as if they’re about to cry. I pull their faces close and bury them in my embrace.

“I’m fi— *cough*”

I’m not sure if I’m really okay. Well, will I die? My body’s so tough, a couple of holes aren’t going to kill me.

I managed to stand, clinging to consciousness. I hear snippets of conversation around me, but it’s muffled, like I’m underwater.

Knights and soldiers advance slowly in formation. I want to stop them, but my hand won’t move.

“——Chance—, ——death—!!”

“————!!”

Their will reaches me, but my command doesn’t reach them. Did they take Eve’s despair as an opportunity? They begin their attack, prepared to face death.

*Thud— Thud thud—*

A hundred soldiers charge. Their momentum and might are impressive, ferocious even, but this is outright disobedience. I’ll definitely give them a good scolding and punishment later.

However, that ferocity only works against opponents of similar strength.

Eve doesn’t seem to plan on dying. Her head is bowed, obscuring her face, but she raises her hand, summoning an Aether barrier.

*Tspaang—!!*

“———!!”

“—— ——!!”

It’s a simple magic barrier, but its power is extraordinary. With a single gesture from Eve, dozens of soldiers are sent flying. Their formation collapses; they fall to the ground in an instant.

Eve’s lips move. I can’t hear her. I muster what little Aether I have left to enhance my hearing.

“…That’s enough. My fun’s over.”

“The criminal who harmed Her Highness…!! I will slay them, even if it costs me my life—!!”

“Arise, the sword and shield of Naifrantz—!!”

No matter how strong their will, their actions are limited. Eve is already on a different plane of existence. I, alone, could understand.

Just by deploying a magic barrier, the soldiers can’t reach Eve. They are completely helpless.

“…You’re persistent. You all seem to want a war here.”

“You were the one who started this—!!”

“War has already begun—!!”

“Get out of the way, you small fry…”

*Twkaaang—!!*

A blinding white explosion engulfs the soldiers. Those who fell unconscious don’t get back up. But they’re still alive.

Eve’s blue eyes pierce mine. She extends her magical energy from her feet.

“So… are you going to start a war now?”

“You, too, *cough*… didn’t you come here with that intention…?”

“Yes, I did. But I’m not sure anymore. War will happen eventually. But not now…”

Her eyes lose their intensity, gently trembling. She lowers her gaze to some distant corner.

The sky darkens. Long shadows stretch from the trees and spires throughout the park.

Those aren’t just shadows. I feel intensely concentrated magical energy. From within, a chilling aura emanates.

*Sssooo—*

A single black arm extends. Soon, the figure emerges from the shadows. One by one, the army of darkness reveals itself.

*Clang— Crack—*

Black armor imbued with thick magical energy. Hundreds of dark knights appear, enveloping the park in darkness. Their overwhelming presence terrifies the still-conscious knights, even Yuri and Aspi.

“I gave you this army to use freely… what a shame.”

“You… showed them off?”

“Yes. My new comrades.”

“It’s nice to have friends, Eve.”

Eve remains silent. While not passive or introverted, she didn’t enjoy socializing. At least, that’s how she was when I knew her.

But now, everything is shrouded in mystery. Why did Eve hide her identity? And why reveal it now? Why choose to become my enemy and so readily draw her sword?

Above all… why does she look so sad?

“I’m… going now. You should get treatment.”

“It’s too far to the Aither Temple… can’t you do it?”

“That’s a lie. Did you think I wouldn’t know you could teleport to the temple?”

“I’m kidding, Eve… *cough*—”

My limits have been reached. Hot blood surges from my chest, bursting from my mouth. I clutch my chest and collapse.

My vision blurs. I see Eve turn, but her gaze is fixed on me.

“…I almost missed the most important part. The next King of Naifrantz, Narita Floraine Naifrantz. I, Iberista von Ubiet, First Princess of the Ubiet Empire, declare—”

A smile touches her lips, tears welling up in her eyes. With an expression that’s neither fully sad nor happy, Eve calmly confesses:

“The Ubiet Empire will invade the Kingdom of Naifrantz in exactly one month… with an army of ten million.”

That was her last image. I collapsed before I could even bid Eve farewell.

. . .

『[Condition: Eve Ista’s Confession] Met.』 『[Interlude Scenario: Confession] Cleared.』 『Experience and rewards granted.』 『[Condition: Interlude Scenario Clear] Met.』 『[Main Story Chapter 6: The King’s Qualification] Cleared.』 『Experience and rewards granted.』

A status window appears in my quiet mind. The repeating notifications distract me. I can’t focus at all.

“At first, I thought it was really over… but as expected. Not dying even with fatal injuries, you’re a real monster.”

“You’ve worked hard, Tier.”

“…You worked harder. Why don’t you rest now?”

“I won’t move an inch until Her Highness wakes up.”

My unconscious body lies comfortably in my bedroom. Yuri sits beside the bed, holding my hand tightly.

Tier, sensing something was wrong, arrived at the scene of the battle beforehand and immediately healed my wounds.

“Yeah… who could change your mind? Just don’t overwork yourself. I need… just a little rest.”

“You look tired, Tier.”

“I’m fine, I’m fine… but I really wish this kind of thing wouldn’t happen. I can’t take any more… my heart can’t handle it.”

After casting the final regeneration spell on my body, Tier leaves the bedroom with a pale face. Her steps are weak and listless, as if she has exhausted all her energy.

I was watching all of this as a spirit.

The situation has deteriorated severely. The Empire’s royal family, shrouded in secrecy. Suddenly, the First Princess appears, driving me to the brink of death and declaring war.

The entire kingdom is on high alert. Thankfully, preparations for war had already begun; even slightly later, and we would have been unprepared.

The countdown has begun. In one month, blood and death will descend upon the central region of the continent. Sure enough, a certain future often causes more anxiety than an uncertain one.

Naturally, the royal castle was filled with a constant flow of people. Everyone in the royal family is burdened with an overwhelming amount of work.

Only my bedroom remains quiet. The sounds of footsteps and conversations from elsewhere create an even deeper silence.

*Kwaak—*

I feel pressure on my hand. Yuri was grasping my physical hand tightly. I was a little surprised; I hadn’t expected my senses to reach that far.

“Sister… I can hear you.”

A rasping, dry voice echoed. Yuri’s lips were chapped and parched. My heart ached watching her.

“I don’t know if I should say this… but I’ve understood, accepted, and come to terms with you being hurt.”

「Yes.」

“I believe you would never… leave me like that. I don’t doubt it. But… I can’t trust anyone but you, sister.”

This is quite unexpected of Yuri. She’s quite sociable. Interacting with people is one of her specialties. For her to say this, it’s a serious problem.

“I know for sure now. Unless we share our bodies and souls, I can’t understand a person’s heart. Words can’t even convey a fraction of someone’s feelings.”

「Because of Eve?」

“…Yes. She was almost like a second friend to me. I even imagined us living together someday, in the same house, in the same predicament… but…”

Yuri bites her lip. Tears fall from her bowed head. Her small body trembles as she pours out her unshed emotions.

“I truly… thought I wouldn’t forgive her…? I thought she had become our enemy, that we’d never be together again, that next time we met I would kill her… I tried to think that way…”

*Clunk—*

“I can’t do it…!! Eve is beyond a friend or comrade… even if I try to erase her, I completely cannot erase her from my heart…!!”

She looks up, pleading with me. As a spirit, I receive all of Yuri’s emotions fully. I’m more sensitive to the workings of the soul than when in the physical form.

My strength partially restored, I draw some Aether, materializing a part of my body. I embrace Yuri, gathering all the tears she sheds.

The Aether-made white clothes become damp and wet.

“Don’t worry. I feel the same way, that’s why this happened.”

“Isn’t there… any way? I don’t want everything to end like this…!!”

“Yes. I know.”

I leave all that I don’t know as not known. Even after realizing that I didn’t know.

I don’t want this more than anything. I want to know. I want to reclaim what has slipped through my grasp and reclaim it no matter the cost.

My gaze jumps to the status window. It seems I overlooked something critical.

『Scenario Delayed. [Side Story: Origin]』 『Scenario unlock conditions opened.』 -[Traces of Origin: Reincarnation] -[Traces of Origin: Administrator] -[Traces of Origin: Traveler] -[Seed of Memory]

It’s time to reread this story, which I’ve rushed through to the conclusion, again and carefully, from the beginning.