First Reunion (8)

The next morning.

Just as I finished my preparations and was about to go out for another bug hunt,

Archbishop Aidel urgently sought me out.

“Dragon-isiyeo, could you spare a moment?”

“Of course. Is something wrong?”

“Yes, it’s urgent news.”

Aidel bent down and whispered to me.

“A military coup has occurred in the Empire.”

“A military coup?”

Instantly, a face flashed through my mind.

No, it couldn’t be.

She was still too young.

A rebellion or whatever, wasn’t she just a snot-nosed kid?

“The First Prince was executed on charges of treason. We’re still trying to ascertain the full details, but…”

“The First Prince…”

The First Prince.

I remembered him clearly.

He was the strongest among the factions that threatened Vivian, who was a hostage at the time.

However, he pursued pro-Holy Dominion diplomacy, making him a figure the Holy Dominion greatly regretted losing.

And he started a rebellion…?

“Wasn’t the First Prince a central figure of power?”

“That’s right. You’re well-informed.”

Did he not expect me to know this much?

A peculiar glint appeared in Archbishop Aidel’s eyes.

“His death is not good news for our Holy Dominion either. The First Prince’s maternal family is from a noble house of the Holy Dominion.”

“I didn’t know that.”

No wonder.

If there’s a maternal connection, it’s only natural for one’s arm to bend inwards.

“However, there’s more than one strange thing. The Emperor had long ago designated the First Prince as the next Emperor. To execute him on absurd charges of treason…”

“So, something unbelievable happened.”

“Exactly. It’s something that shouldn’t happen logically.”

In fact, the answer to this situation was clear.

‘Vivian, already…’

Yes, if she regressed, she would also have knowledge of Geas and magical proficiency.

Vivian must have cast Geas on the Emperor, making him her puppet.

Otherwise, there was no way to explain this situation.

‘But wouldn’t that put an immense strain on her body…?’

It was certainly impressive to use Geas with the body of a mere ten-year-old child.

But such power always came with a price.

In her previous life, she didn’t even care about her own lifespan when she cast Geas on me…

A sigh escaped me at the sight of her repeating the same actions.

“Dragon-isiyeo, for now, I think we should postpone making contact with the Empire.”

“Yeah, you’re right, old man.”

Given how extreme Vivian was acting, avoiding her was the best course of action.

Hadn’t I shed a lot of blood in my previous life trying to have pointless conversations?

Vivian had already lost my trust.

I couldn’t believe anything she said, at least for now.

“That’s a relief. Then, Dragon-isiyeo. If I obtain any further information, I will report it immediately.”

“Mm, just let me know whenever.”

“Yes, then I shall take my leave…”

Just as Archbishop Aidel was about to withdraw, his eyes met Vilkes’s, who had been silently waiting behind him.

Their gazes crossed for a moment…

Vilkes didn’t hide his discomfort and spoke first.

“What is it, old man?”

“He is a noble person. You should not cause him any trouble.”

“There won’t be any trouble, so stop meddling and go.”

“Tsk.”

Despite the insolent attitude, Archbishop Aidel merely clicked his tongue.

He didn’t scold him further and left.

“Are you two acquainted?”

“Well. Everyone here knows each other through one connection or another.”

Vilkes hesitated for a moment, then spoke with a complex expression.

“He was Tia’s master.”

“…”

“Perhaps the old man’s particular interest in you is because you resemble Tia.”

I didn’t bother to answer.

I had no idea how to comfort someone who was seeing a dead person in me.

All I had to do was…

Exterminate those bugs so that such a thing would never happen again.

*****

Camille, Vilkes, and I went out into the streets again to search for bugs.

Today, we planned to thoroughly scour every deep alley and corner of the city to actively pursue them.

“Ugh… disgusting.”

The smelly, muddy streets, filled with sewage and filth.

No matter how armed with religious teachings the Holy Dominion was, the poor would always exist.

And these were vagrants, those who had lost everything and been cast out onto the streets.

‘Even so, this is relatively well-off…’

Surprisingly, it was true.

The Holy Dominion was a resource-rich country compared to any other on the entire continent.

Therefore, they often carried out many relief efforts for these poor people.

In the Empire, there was no such generosity at all.

It was routine for them to send police to clear out pauper dens whenever they felt like it.

Compared to that, the Holy Dominion might actually be a livable country.

“Don’t worry too much, Dragon-isiyeo.”

“I’m not worrying.”

“It’s absurd for you to take responsibility for every human affair.”

At his unexpected words, I looked at Vilkes for a moment.

Even under my gaze, Vilkes continued speaking indifferently.

“Aren’t you already fighting with an important mission?”

“Yeah, bug extermination.”

“Isn’t that enough?”

Right, I didn’t need to worry about those paupers.

However… what I was concerned about was…

‘There were humans who cooperated with the Termites.’

To those whose lives were already hell…

Even if hell unfolded, would they feel any different?

If we completely turned our eyes away from them, the price might someday be paid by us.

I was merely concerned about that.

“It seems we’re not being efficient by sticking together.”

“Then, should we split up for a bit?”

“I agree.”

Camille subtly interjected, seizing the opportunity.

It wasn’t that she held a grudge against Vilkes, but she was a bit shy around strangers.

“Hmm, with that fairy, it should be fine. Just don’t try to engage in combat recklessly.”

“Of course. How about we meet back here in three hours?”

“Good.”

And so, Camille and I decided to split up for a while.

Vilkes, as a Holy Knight, would be more capable in this area than us.

Perhaps if he went alone, he might achieve something.

“Helix.”

“Huh?”

“Did you hear? It seems Vivian has seized power. The Emperor, as if he’s gone mad, framed and killed the perfectly innocent First Prince. Only one person could do such a thing.”

As we walked separately, Camille subtly brought up the topic.

The story about Vivian.

I had heard it from the Archbishop too, but…

“I know, the Archbishop told me.”

“That woman, she’s planning something again. Otherwise, she wouldn’t move so quickly. Won’t she start another war or something?”

“Well, maybe not necessarily.”

“…”

“Vivian’s circumstances are harsh. Many are targeting her. Perhaps she’s become ruthless just to survive.”

Camille shook her head, as if she couldn’t accept it.

“Helix, you suffered so terribly because of that woman. It’s strange that you can still say such things.”

“Yeah, so I don’t trust her anymore. But I’m just trying to understand her situation.”

“Even if she exploits that again?”

“Yes, my intentions haven’t changed.”

However, I couldn’t deny that Vivian’s true nature was somewhat ruthless.

In the first life and the second life that I had personally witnessed,

Vivian had started wars both times.

And massive wars at that, enough to burn the world.

‘If I forgive Vivian, will a war not happen?’

In the first life, it was to take me away from Camille.

In the second life, it was under the pretext of dedicating the entire world to me, who had chosen her.

The world burned, and I could only witness the horrors firsthand.

“Helix, please, be a little more vigilant when dealing with that woman.”

“…”

“O-of course, I know I’m not in a position to say such things to you. I’m sorry about that, but…”

“Stop, Camille.”

I cut her off.

This conversation was meaningless now.

“I don’t want to hear it. Let’s stop.”

“I’m sorry…”

“If Vivian seizes power and tries to start another war, I won’t stand by.

Unlike in my previous life, there are many ways.

Though it comes with the huge drawback of needing help from my other wives…

If that’s what it takes to restrain Vivian, then I might have to do it.

“What are you planning to do…?”

“Do you want to know?”

Yes, it was about time I told Camille about my former wives.

I stared at Camille silently.

Seeing my eyes, Camille flinched.

Had she instinctively realized what I was about to say?

“No, I don’t want to know.”

“Okay.”

“I’m not ready yet. Please don’t tell me.”

Camille expressed her refusal with a bitter smile.

She must have somewhat anticipated it through her conversation with Undine.

That I had formed connections with other people in a life before my regression, a life she didn’t know.

Ironically, I was trying to tell her about the existence of my other wives, while Camille didn’t want to hear it-the exact opposite situation.

“If you don’t want to know, I won’t tell you.”

“Yes, please do that.”

“But someday… they might appear before me.”

“Besides Vivian…?”

“Yes, one of them already wants to appear before me. I refused for now, though.”

“Surely, the spirit from back then…?”

I nodded readily.

There was nothing left to hide at this point.

“That’s right, Undine’s master and I have a connection.”

“The master of a water spirit… that’s an incredible being…”

“Yes, not a transcendent being, but close to that level.”

As another person was mentioned from my lips, a shadow fell across Camille’s face.

But this wasn’t a problem to drag on forever.

I had to tell her eventually.

Unless I intended to deceive her for the rest of my life.

“Were you happy with that person…?”

“I was happy. At first.”

In the end, both she and Camille, though their paths differed, walked the same road.

The beginning was so happy.

But as time passed, everything crumbled to pieces.

“Someday… you’ll meet them too…”

“Can’t I just not meet them…?”

Camille squeezed her eyes shut and grabbed my arm.

Camille, once again revealing the jealousy she had tried so hard to hide.

But this time, she was so filled with desperation that I couldn’t say anything.

“I told you. It’s impossible to choose only you now. It’s too much to handle. Not for me, but for you, Camille.”

If that happened, my other wives would never leave Camille alone.

Either reach an agreement.

Or at least treat everyone equally.

Otherwise, the bloody events of the past will simply repeat themselves.

“Please… Helix… I was wrong.”

“If you truly can’t bear it… then you should disappear from my sight too. At least then, I won’t meet anyone.”

Camille, seemingly unable to accept it, shrieked.

“Then what’s the point?! What good is it if I can’t even meet you?!”

“Isn’t it at least better than your heart being in pain…?”

“Even if it’s painful, I want to be by your side, I do…”

I couldn’t give any answer to Camille’s words.

This wasn’t a proposal, but a notification.

The choice was given to her, not me.

But if she couldn’t make a decision…

Then the baton would simply pass to the other wives.