episode_0291

I reviewed Eve’s memories from this episode, from the moment they pierced my heart and left their mark on my memory. Reading them again with the answers, the connection to Moriarty was quite blatant.

It came from Eve’s memories. My body was still recovering, and I was watching over her as she slept.

Setting aside the minor memories, I recall the most important facts.

Eve is a regressor. In my past life, in Acastos, I met Eve as the character Adam. And for some reason, I had forgotten that memory. As if it were cleanly cut away with a knife.

‘Someone tampered with my memories…? I have no idea who.’

Memories, the accumulation of life, are no different from the soul. As someone more sensitive than anyone else when it comes to the soul, I couldn’t have been so easily tricked by memory manipulation.

But what if it was before I fully awakened my powers, or if they succeeded in manipulating my memories by some means? There’s no way to know. They literally took my memories away.

Even while pondering the cause of my amnesia, I couldn’t properly concentrate. Because I had recalled my long-forgotten first love.

That’s not all. The tens of thousands of years Eve lived, the suffering she endured, the determination she showed for me, the hope she held in meeting me, and the despair that shattered into pieces. The ‘Adam’ storyline, which had been cut off after the first playthrough, was connected to me again, following Eve’s life.

I, too, lived her life once more. I saw all her memories. The empty spaces resonated with my soul, and we filled each other’s memories.

And I realized. Regression was a cruel hope. A curse that never grants either hope or despair, forever making one a puppet of fate.

Whoosh—

A white light streamed down from the bottom of my ethereal body. An unnamed emotion solidified within me.

It was a tiny snowflake. A peaceful, warm world where all beings live at ease. It began to snow in that world within my heart.

A quiet blizzard raged in my heart. A bone-chilling, freezing anger.

I wanted to destroy this world, this world that cursed the woman I love, to shatter it all.

. . .

Lost in numerous emotions, while trying to organize my thoughts, the morning sun rose.

The chirping of birds tickled my ears. Or rather, that’s how it felt. As an ethereal being, I have no sensory organs, and I receive all stimuli through the ether.

Tap tap tap—thump thump—

And this damned ether-friendly body could hear all the sounds within the palace. Even though I didn’t want to, I heard the footsteps of people bustling about since dawn.

I can’t stay idle like this. While others work hard to prepare for war, I must find a way to end it.

And I’m not alone. After some time, Yuri woke up, and soon the others started coming to my room one by one.

Nix and Aspi approached my bed and sat beside Yuri. Tier, seemingly uninterested, sat at a distant table, yawning widely.

Well, it’s understandable. The story I’m about to tell is about Eve, the center of all these events.

“You should listen too. Even if you haven’t met her, it’s quite important.”

“…Humph, I don’t need to. I can hear everything here anyway.”

“Are you sulking?”

“I’m not…!”

To facilitate the conversation, I quickly healed my body, which had been lying on the bed. I consumed some ether in the process, but it’s not a problem.

Tier’s been in this mood ever since she saw that. I wonder if she thinks she’s become useless. She’s not at all.

Well, she can hear, so that’s fine. The audience has gathered. Lulu said she’s a bit busy, so I’ll start the story now.

“First… as Yuri already heard, I briefly looked into Eve’s memories.”

“Did you find out anything…?”

“Yes. But there’s still a lot I don’t know. For every truth I uncover, another unknown story hides behind it.”

Nothing in this world is independent. Everything exists in relation to something else. Even the flowers blooming in that garden over there.

The same was true for Eve. I read all her memories and returned, but it was still just Eve’s memories. Even though they’re connected to the world’s truth, they weren’t the truth itself.

“So, I’ll just tell you what I know for sure.”

It’s a bit embarrassing to bring it up. I absentmindedly played with Yuri’s hair. When I offered my hand, she gently rested her cheek on it. She looked like a little puppy, and I felt even more sorry.

“I’ve actually known Eve for a very long time.”

“A very long time…!”

“Yes. This isn’t her first life. She’s a regressor, who has repeated time countless times. I met her in a past life…”

Nix’s eyes sparkled. Gaining new knowledge is her greatest pleasure. Aspi was calm, and Tier seemed slightly interested.

Yuri just quietly looked at me.

“She was my first love in my past life.”

The first meeting, a fateful encounter. I recounted the curse of infinite regression on Eve without exaggeration.

I showed everyone how close I came to death. Eve was the one who stabbed me. She didn’t stop there. She declared war on Naifrantz. Yuri, Nix, Aspi, and everyone else were betrayed by Eve.

Just because there was a reason, does that justify everything she did? No. That’s why I tried to present things as objectively as possible.

If even a shred of sympathy arises, it’s an insult to Eve’s ancient soul. No one can understand her heart.

I’m the same. Just because I saw Eve’s memories doesn’t mean I pretend to understand. I just want to feel.

And… I just want to take responsibility.

“That’s all. I don’t have any excuses, and I don’t want your understanding.”

“…Everyone has their circumstances. I believe she should pay the just price… I’m sorry.”

“No. You’re right, Aspi. Eve should be ready for this too.”

Aspi bowed her head with a rather bitter expression. I understand. As an academy instructor who knew Eve, she probably has thoughts I’m unaware of.

Is it possible to be completely emotionless when passing judgment on a terrifying murderer who killed people, destroyed hearts, and ultimately destroyed herself to survive?

I will have to ultimately take her life, but the unpleasant and bitter aftertaste will linger.

Perhaps only Nix can overcome that feeling. Having lived with humans and learned many emotions, her essence is a spirit.

Spirits who live for a long time are usually quite indifferent to the instantaneous oxidation of souls. Even if I were to die in truth, she would probably grieve for a few days and then get up.

I gave Nix all of Eve’s memories I’d seen. As a master of information processing, she’ll be able to find the details I missed and neatly classify them into various categories.

Tier’s face wasn’t very satisfied.

“Why are you still sulking?”

“…It’s nothing.”

“It’s okay, tell me.”

“It wasn’t the story I wanted to hear.”

I tilted my head. I think Tier’s interest had been piqued for a moment. Did I tell that story?

“What did you want to hear?”

“About… your past life.”

“That’s not important right now. I’ll tell you later.”

“…That’s why I said it’s nothing!”

Why is she so prickly today? Her cycle is similar to mine. I extended my ether-made magical arm towards Tier and scooped her up. I hugged and stroked her; she resisted for a moment before giving in and leaning against me.

Swish—

While I was distracted, Yuri suddenly got up. She turned swiftly and left my room.

“Where are you going, Yuri?”

“Just… I need to clear my head.”

“Come back before lunch.”

The expression I saw when her head turned slightly was quite dark. She probably has many thoughts swirling in her heart, just like me.

We needed time.

. . .

『Scenario unlock condition [Origin’s Trace: Traveler] recognized.』 『Scenario unlock condition [Seed of Memory] recognized.』

Completing Eve’s fragmented memories, I obtained the first [Origin’s Trace]. The resonance of our souls brought back my memories as a bonus.

It’s good to have cleared two conditions at once. This brings me one step closer to the truth.

The title of this side story is ‘Origin’. The origin of this world has many meanings.

That email that first led me to this world. It said it was the beta test server for Acastos, but when I came to my senses, I was a young girl in this world.

Moreover, Eve of the 31998th playthrough exists in this world. The number itself has no meaning, but the fact that she met me again after so many regressions suggests a hidden secret.

I’m a reincarnator. But I’ve never even heard of [Fragment of Origin] until this scenario. As it doesn’t exist in Acastos, I seem to be lacking the qualifications of a proper reincarnator. There are many truths I don’t know and my memories are incomplete.

Therefore, I need to meet a reincarnator closer to the ‘Origin’.

I took out the scenario reward item, [Leah’s Gemstone].