episode_0057

“──That’s how it happened.”

“… … … … … .”

The story of Duke Nicholas was truly disgusting.

Even though I was prepared to a certain extent, I found myself frowning at the story that was beyond my imagination.

‘Is this why you said you couldn’t tell outsiders?’

When I first received a letter from Duke Nicholas and came to see Lacia, the Duke said that he could not tell anyone outside the family about the reason why she was imprisoned in the spire.

Honestly, I didn’t understand. A man who would send a letter directly to a board game maker in order to get his youngest daughter out of the spire does not explain the most important thing, ‘why Lacia ended up in the spire.’

The fundamental cause of her entering the spire must be resolved to truly get Lacia out of the spire, so why didn’t she tell her?

Fortunately, he was able to open Lacia’s heart with Kyle Gali and the spirit poker, and she was able to exchange letters with the spirit, but in the end, Lacia did not take a single step outside the spire.

Why didn’t the Duke mention the most important reason?

I finally found out.

This is really… … … Because it was a story that could not possibly be told to someone who was not from the same family.

‘Same family… … ‘Ira.’

A fact that I found out somewhat late because I read the letter, which I had put off for a while because I was concentrating on board games at the academy, only when it came out urgently.

Duke Nicholas, or rather the Duke of Everts, sent an engagement letter to Viscount Byron.

Of course, in my name and Lacia’s name.

When I first read it, I wondered what this meant, but I also understood some parts.

To be honest, from the duke’s perspective, I probably wouldn’t be that bad.

‘He is the third son of Viscount Byron, with whom I am closely related, he is famous, and above all, he is the only man who can talk to Lacia.’

Even if there were parts that were not noticeable, he would have been the only person who could marry Lacia.

Of course, it was true that I was convinced, and it was absurd, but I put that aside for now.

… … … Because the water tiger’s condition was serious.

“The water spirit is.”

“The spirit is fine. but… … … .”

“Just?”

“… … Apparently, due to the spiritist’s influence, the Academy also showed strange reactions. That’s why I ran right away.”

It’s a lie.

Sally told me everything. The water tiger I have been with until now may not be a water tiger.

This is Lacia herself, who is in sync with the spirit.

‘Synchro… … ‘I only saw it in books.’

I remembered it because when I was young, after it was revealed that I had no talent for Auror or magic, I desperately delved into elemental arts.

Elemental magic that only experienced spiritists can perform. Of course, I never thought that Lacia could do it.

The fact that the water tiger that had been accompanying me from the time I first stopped by Duke Evert’s Castle and headed to Arche Tower was actually Lacia.

That’s the fortunate part.

‘I said we wouldn’t be able to maintain synchronization for long.’

At most, less than an hour a day.

I thought it was fortunate. There were many times when I took a bath or slept with a water tiger, but I couldn’t see her face the whole time, thinking it was Lacia.

Maybe it’s only synchronized when I’m casually looking around or playing a board game.

Anyway, because of that, I learned that the water tiger’s strange behavior was Lacia’s own problem.

If Sally hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have noticed until the end.

Then Lacia’s condition may have become more serious.

‘Stupid incompetent bastard.’

It is no excuse that I am incompetent and Sally is a wizard. I should have paid more attention to the water tiger and Lacia.

I was playing a board game with my brother while I was alone in my room screaming and having a seizure.

My heart became heavy when I thought of Lacia suffering while I was having fun.

“Kyle Byron, now… … What are you going to do? Is there any way?”

“First, we have to go to the spire.”

“What? Arthur. The tower is quiet right now, but it’s like a bomb about to explode. Last time it was in that state, the workers who tried to enter the spire were bombarded with elemental magic!”

Since it is not the spirit itself, but only uses its power to use magic, there is no identification of enemies.

An extreme method to exclude anyone who comes close to the spire.

I asked Adela, who came into the room after the Duke’s story was over.

“Adela, is it true?”

“I am not very skilled in elemental arts. But you can read the flow of mana. That’s exactly what His Excellency the Duke said.”

“… … … … .”

“If you get close to the spire now, you will be attacked, even if it is you.”

“… … are you okay. There is a way.”

“How do you mean? You won’t be able to borrow the power of me or the duchy’s wizards. If you do that, you may be able to break through with force, but the princess’s seizures may worsen when several people approach… … .”

“Sally.”

Let’s call the girl who didn’t come in outside the door.

Sally came into the room with something.

“This is.”

[Rung.]

That’s a strangely small water tiger.

[Whirl!]

[Shut up!]

[Meow.]

Likewise, they were spirits that had become smaller.

To be exact, spirits who lost much of their power while resisting Lacia’s will.

The water tiger, which was out of synchronization, became smaller and smaller as it came to Duke Evert’s Castle, but was desperately calling out to me.

If you wait a little longer, I will gather my friends.

Friends who will help me reach Lacia.

“There is no time to waste. His Excellency the Duke.”

“… … How can I help you?”

“Please make sure that no one approaches the area around the spire. and… … … .”

Looking at the infinitely quiet, ominous spire.

He clenched his fists and chanted.

“Even if I don’t come out.”

“Please send a letter to your father and brother.”

*

[Growl… … … .]

“I know, dude.”

[Whirl!]

“… … What does he say? Because I’m not close to him yet.”

[Shut up!]

“Oh, you mean that? Then of course I am sincere. I will meet Lacia somehow. Because then you can try anything.”

[Meow… … .]

It’s not difficult to talk to spirits. All you have to do is become familiar enough with the spirit to open its heart.

However, the only spirits that were that close to me were the Water Tiger and the Wind Horse, so I had to translate the words of the other spirits.

It was said that the qualifications of a spiritist begin with talking to spirits.

Of course, most people are only capable of conversation and have no qualifications at all. That included me.

So, I stood on the path to the spire with the spirits who were much smaller than before.

[Shut up!]

“Sally and Adella? Of course it would be nice to have it, but… … In Lacia’s current state, anyone but you or me who approaches it will only have the opposite effect.”

Even I might be rejected now.

After hearing what happened to Lacia, I was amazed that Lacia had been accompanying me even in sync.

Did I put that much trust in Lacia?

… … At least not now.

“Anyway, it’s quiet.”

The atmosphere of the spire was extremely naughty.

The day was clear and sunny, but it felt gloomy when I got around the spire.

Actually, it wasn’t just my mood. The magic of the various water spirits connected to Lacia was making the surrounding air thick.

Is it fortunate that the highest level water tiger among them is here?

Unlike before, where no one could approach, but there were always various spirits wandering around.

There was something about the current spire that made it difficult to approach.

[Urrung… … … .]

“I know, for now… … .”

There was also something from the Duke and Adela, so confirm it first.

The spire had a fairly large yard and garden surrounding it, but it was eventually blocked by a circular wall.

And the only entrance to the wall.

The very place that divides the inside and outside of the spire area.

Let’s take a step in.

Crumbling!!!!

“… … Wow, Mr.”

Lightning strikes at a speed that I can never react to.

Lightning suddenly appeared in the air and burned the place where I stepped to black.

[Rung!]

[Shut up!]

“I know… … Thank you.”

What would have happened if the water tiger had caught the lightning directly and the wind horse hadn’t pulled me back in a hurry?

If it were me, wouldn’t I be attacked? … The vague thought completely disappeared.

Even though the water tiger is small, it is still a spirit, so it seemed like there would be no problem if it was struck by lightning, but if an incompetent person like me was hit directly, it would go into shock.

It wasn’t for nothing that the Duke, Adella, and Sally stopped him.

‘The Duke said that at least the spire would sink before entering.’

Adela and Sally also said let’s go in after ensuring safety. The fact that I came here with the spirits was only half-made.

After seeing the lightning just now, I thought it would be a good idea to go back immediately and enter after the spire has returned to its original state, as the Duke said.

Why?

‘If not now.’

I had a vague feeling that I would never see Lacia again.

And for that purpose, I came here, despite the Duke, Adella, and Sally’s dissuasion.

For Lacia, who is probably struggling with trauma.

I will fake the pain even at this moment.

“Tiger, what about you?”

[Rung!]

“Good… … Well then, let’s go!!”

Tadat!

The core of the operation was simple.

Spirits made of pure elements are immune to various elemental attacks. To be honest, the water tiger would be fine as it is now if it weren’t for the flames that would evaporate its entire body.

So the spirits block the magic, and I break through in the meantime.

It was simple and ignorant, but it was also the fastest method.

The shortcomings were just as clear.

Qarring!!!

“Keuuuu… … !!”

[Rung!]

“Don’t hesitate! Run!”

It might have been the previous spirits, but now that they have become smaller due to resisting the traumatized Lacia, they are unable to withstand all attacks.

I had no choice but to just endure the attacks that came through between the spirits.

As it passes through the spirits, the infinitely smaller lightning, flames, and sharp winds hit my body and cause wounds.

Although the magic was obviously very weakened, it was enough to turn the mind of an incompetent person upside down.

The distance from the entrance to the spire is at most less than 100 meters.

This moment has been too long.

Quad deuk!!

‘Fuck you!’

As I blocked all the attacks coming at me with my left hand, my left arm was burned and tattered from the electric shock.

An exhilarating pain raced through my mind, but the more I felt it, the faster I ran.

At most 100 meters. A few seconds at most.

I ran desperately while the spirits blocked me.

Run, run, run again.

Finally.

“Break down the door!”

[Growl!!!]

bang!!

I was able to break through the tightly closed door by throwing myself at it with the power of the spirits.

As a result of the recoil of my body, I tumbled inside the spire, and the moment I came to my senses and tried to get up with shortness of breath.

“Ugh… … !!”

When I tried to move my left arm, I had a hard time even breathing because of the pain that made me curse.

If I was running in a trance like before, once I came back to my senses, it was difficult to escape the pain.

Fortunately, the attack did not reach the inside of the spire.

It was clear that if he stayed in the spire too long, the time for treatment would have passed.

“Hu… … … Now, all you have to do is go up… … … .”

[…] … Whirling.]

“Huh? I don’t understand what you’re saying… … .”

[…] … … growl.]

[Dag… … Shut up.]

“… … Why are you doing this? I ask that too quickly.”

[Whirl, Whirrick!!]

[Rung.]

“Are you, like your master, distrustful of humanity? Why and where is it? If you can help someone in need, help them.”

[Whispering!!!]

[Sigh.]

“… … … These guys are quick-witted.”

However, there is no person who would go to the extent of injuring their left arm.

It wasn’t wrong. There’s no reason.

“Well, I became quite close with Lacia. After hearing about the past, the situation is pitiful… … … I’m the only one who can help Lacia by meeting her in the first place.”

[Whirl.]

“From your perspective, isn’t it possible to go back to living with spirits without meeting people at all? Why are you blocking it?”

[Whiri… … … Rick.]

[Shut up!]

“Me too. Because I hope Lacia doesn’t suffer. On top of all that, since I went to an engagement, I was also looking for someone I could marry in the future… … … .”

More than anything.

“Playing board games with Lacia is fun.”

[…] … … Whilick.]

“The hardest thing is finding board game friends, right? If you succeed this time, you’ll have a board game friend for life. Wouldn’t you do it?”

It was nonsense and a meaningless conversation, but it eased the pain.

I stood up without moving my left arm as much as possible and looked at the stairs leading to the top floor.

“So let’s go up. Once we meet, we can do anything.”

[Whiri… … Rick!]

[Rung!]

[Meow.]

[Shut up!]

[Grrr… … … ]

“… … … Uh, who is the last voice?”

Surely there were four spirits?

Firebird, Water Tiger, Lightning Cat, Wind Horse.

and.

“… … Wolf?”

[Grrr!!!]

Before I knew it, I saw spirits filling the stairs going up.

I guess.

It seemed like getting to the top floor wouldn’t be easy.

*

Lacia was dreaming.

Sweet and beautiful dreams. A dream I always want to have and never want to wake up from.

Have fun playing board games. Lacia is smiling. There were times when I lost every time I turned over a card, but it was just fun.

And that opponent.

The opponent.

──Lacia.

──This is love.

Not Kyle Byron.

That face, that voice, that look that I want to forget.

uncle.

──Aaaah!!

Lacia threw the card and ran away. And then I desperately thought again.

Memories of playing board games with Kyle Byron, memories of playing board games with Kyle Byron, days of playing board games with Kyle Byron.

Even when I recall that image, the only person who does not overlap with my uncle.

my only friend.

──… … … uh?

But why?

At some point, Lacia stopped with a blank look on her face.

Even though my uncle was following behind me.

──Why on earth… … …

Why does my uncle come to mind when I think of Kyle Byron?

Just like I did when I saw other people.

Now, now.

Even Kyle.

──No, this is a dream. It’s because it’s a dream. It will be different in reality… … !!

Therefore, even though Lacia knew she was dreaming, she did not wake up.

Even though the uncle following behind her is her nightmare itself.

Even if it was a traumatic nightmare, I didn’t want to wake up.

What if my uncle comes to mind when I think of Kyle, not in a dream but in real life?

… … Because I felt like I couldn’t bear it.

I swim through the nightmare with the trivial thought that this is only a dream.

Uncle, uncle, uncle.

The uncles’ hands and their smiling faces turned towards her.

“… … … Princess, no.”

voice is.

I tried to remember, but it was overshadowed by my uncle.

Because I heard that voice.

“Lacia.”

Lacia opened her eyes.

On her messy bed.

With black-stained spirits everywhere.

Covered in a blanket.

I woke up from the dream, but it was still dark. The blanket she covered herself with made it impossible to see anything.

Because Lacia wanted it.

However.

“I came.”

“… … … .”

I couldn’t stop the ‘voice’ coming from outside the door.

Lacia slowly raised her head from under the blanket.

Outside the blanket, outside the bed, and outside the door.

Kyle Byron was there.

She had been looking for it so long.

… … At the same time, the man I didn’t want to meet.