Chapter 221
Chapter 221
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 221
Chapter Title: Shura Field
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I feel like an empty mayonnaise jar.
It's a weird comparison, I know, but it's the only thing that comes to mind right now.
I have no idea how much time has passed in this frozen world, but one thing's for sure—my mind and body are completely drained.
How many times in my life have I ever felt this utterly wrung out?
With that thought, I gaze up at the Gray Devil floating above my head, a satisfied smile playing on my lips.
"...Satisfied?"
[Yeah.]
Time is still frozen, but this guy's movements are brimming with life.
Every gesture radiates this overwhelming sense of bliss.
...
Just like always, he's got that innocent look.
It's worlds apart from the beastly way he grilled and tormented me not long ago.
[Oh.]
Suddenly, he lets out a little exclamation.
His form is starting to fade. Looks like the time he can manifest in the material world from Elnor's body is up.
'...That took pretty long, though.'
The first time I met him, we barely exchanged a few words before parting. But now, he can hold physical form in reality for quite a while.
[The seal evolved for real, that's why.]
It's like he read my mind—the answer comes right away.
[It means we can truly get involved with you now.]
...
Come to think of it, yeah...
[Skill Info]
[ Seal of the Otherworld – Modified ]
< !NEW! >
[ Thanks to your influence, direct communication with the 'vessels' is now smoother! ]
[ This unlocks special abilities for all vessels! ]
I remember this window popping up right after clearing Chapter 3.
The description made it sound like the vessels just get a bit stronger, but from what he's saying, there seem to be some hidden features.
[Anyway.]
As I stare up at the window, the Gray Devil pokes through it and floats right up close to me.
...
It's like he knows I'm looking at it.
Like he's deliberately interrupting.
[I took a liking to you on purpose, too.]
"...What do you mean by that?"
He makes it sound like there was some other motive behind wringing me dry like crazy just now.
I furrow my brow a little at the implication and ask.
[Something big's about to start for real.]
Another vague response.
"What are you talking about?"
[...]
Instead of answering, he flashes a grin.
It's the same affectionate smile as always.
But the words that follow carry a totally different vibe.
[You need to get stronger. You.]
With that, he drifts closer and presses his face against my chest.
Similar to how Elnor buried her face there earlier, talking about replenishing her Dawood fix.
But his gesture...
[This time.]
It feels...
Almost poignant.
Like it's infused with sorrow he's mulled over countless times.
[Don't die, okay?]
His expression as he vanishes with those words...
No doubt about it.
It looks like he's about to burst into tears any second.
●
Armin Campbell blinked in bewilderment.
Ever since entering Tristan ducal territory with Hermann, he hadn't gone a single moment without feeling flustered.
The locals welcoming him with bizarre enthusiasm, the ducal house assigning a servant to treat a mere viscount like him with utmost courtesy.
But even accounting for all that...
Nothing topped running into a face he never thought he'd see again.
"...Bogart?"
His shocked voice prompted the man across the table to grin back.
"Armin."
...
Armin stared at him, face frozen in shock.
When they were suddenly ushered into a drawing room right after entering the ducal residence, he'd wondered what this was all about.
Who in this grand duchy would want to meet someone like him?
But if it's this guy? Totally makes sense.
"Long time no see. Can't even remember how many years it's been."
Bogart Marquis said with a bright smile.
It's an expression etched in his memory.
They hadn't seen each other since school days, ages ago, but Armin had never forgotten that smile.
"...Not since we graduated Elpante. Haven't seen you at all since you inherited the marquisate."
Armin replied, still unable to shake his stunned look.
"Why show up out of nowhere after zero contact all these years? Do you know how hard I tried to see your face?"
...
"...I was just a bumpkin set to inherit a barony, while you were the golden boy inheriting a key elder council house. I knew our stations were worlds apart back in school. But."
Armin met Bogart's eyes squarely.
That hint of resentment in his voice probably isn't just his imagination.
"I thought we were friends. You and me."
"...We still are, Armin."
Bogart replied in a stiff voice.
Even the attendants nearby looked flustered.
Probably the first time they'd seen this side of him.
The Bogart Marquis, serious from start to finish without a trace of his usual clownish theatrics.
"So, I came to say hello."
"...Hello?"
"Yeah."
With that, Bogart Marquis held something out to Armin.
A small locket necklace. Inside the compartment is a photo.
...
Armin stared at it wordlessly.
No mistaking it—it's an item from his memories.
"The last thing I have left of Astrid."
Bogart continued in a calm voice.
"I want you to have it."
...
Armin still said nothing as he picked it up.
Inside was a photo of three people smiling brightly, arms around each other.
Armin, Bogart, and—
...
The moment he saw the last face.
What to call the emotion on Armin's face?
Sorrow, regret, remorse, longing, joy, grief, despair.
Maybe all of it mixed together.
...
After a long silence, Armin finally spoke.
"Why give this to me, Bogart?"
"I've met your son."
Instead of a direct answer, Bogart said it flatly.
"He looks like her. Astrid. Especially the eyes."
...
"The empire's about to change, Armin. No—the whole continent."
Bogart rose from his seat as he spoke.
"...What are you saying?"
"It means a lot's gonna happen. Mostly around your son."
Armin's expression hardened instantly.
"Bogart."
His trembling voice slipped through gritted teeth.
"If you're scheming something against Dawood—"
"Schemes or not, what's meant to happen will."
Bogart grinned at the quivering Armin.
"That's how the world's built. It's starting soon."
"What the hell does that—"
"So, one favor."
Instead of explaining.
Bogart reached out to Armin, who clutched the locket, and gripped his fist tighter.
"...Cherish your family, Armin. My friend."
...
"Like never before."
"That kid's gonna need it soon enough."
With that.
Bogart Marquis left the drawing room without another word.
As if that said it all.
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[Hey, morning! Get up!]
The voice pierces my hazy mind.
Sunlight streams through the window, birds chirping outside—yep, it's morning for real.
[What's with you? Dropped dead mid-conversation last night and slept it off. Sun's high in the sky and you're still out?]
"...Is that how it looked to you?"
[What?]
I got wrung dry by a devil all night. Cut me some slack.
I rub my eyes to shake off the fatigue.
On the bedside table is a water pitcher, no doubt left by a servant.
I chug some to clear my head, and that's when I spot a letter nearby.
[Come to my room if you cough. We have somewhere to go.]
...
Once he lets me into his territory, he won't let me out of his sight for a second.
Not risk-free, either.
Leopold and Bella both seem to dislike me, for some reason.
'...Me too, right now.'
Honestly, after last night, facing Elnor straight is awkward as hell.
But whatever.
No helping it.
'...Just hang out for a bit.'
Compared to recent events, this is downright peaceful.
What could go wrong—
[Idiot.]
...
Why the sudden insult?
I scowl at the Soul Linker, and a heavy sigh comes from it.
[I'm calling you that 'cause it's frustrating you still don't get it, idiot.]
"...What now?"
[Don't you get it yet? The moment you open your mouth, something bad happens.]
Right on cue.
Someone pounds on my door—bang, bang, bang.
Not a servant. Rage pouring through the wood.
Someone who knows me, probably.
...
[See?]
"...Yeah."
No choice but to admit it as I get up.
I shuffle over, and before I can touch the door, it flies open from outside.
...
And there, in front of me.
Stands Eliya Chrisanax, radiating murderous intent from every pore.
...
Yeah, Kaliban's words hit home again.
This ain't someone you chat with all friendly-like.
"...What are you doing here? Aren't you busy?"
She just got her official hero title—should be swamped. I steer the topic there.
No clue why she's here, but hoping to find some way to defuse her.
"Teacher."
"Hm?"
But.
"Did you?"
The question stabs straight to the gut.
I freeze up.
"...Huh?"
"Did you? This isn't your first time, right?"
...
Eliya.
What the hell?
I look down at her.
"I have great senses, you know. Good enough to get Truth's Eye."
...
"I could tell the second I saw you. You did it, teacher."
Before I can respond, she rattles it off, then her eyes flash viciously as she continues.
"...Where's the Student Council President right now?"
...
Kaliban.
Just how much did you see?
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