Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Imperial Palace - 2
Crackle...
The flames in the fireplace flickered and died, plunging the room into darkness. Haruna tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
What kept Haruna awake was a single book. A tome detailing the Mana Deficiency Curse.
Case 1: Congenital Mana Circuit Disconnection Special Notes: Completely unable to sense mana, extremely vulnerable to external mana interference. Haruna clutched the blanket tightly. She could feel her nails digging into her skin.
'Aiman...'
She sifted through her memories.
From the moment they first met until now, Aiman had never once used magic or shown any sign of sensing mana.
'...'
Come to think of it, that was strange. He was extraordinarily perceptive at times, yet occasionally seemed utterly oblivious.
And that obliviousness was almost always related to mana.
'No, it can't be.'
Haruna tried to push the thought away. Hadn't he gone through everything without ever showing a hint of pain?
Yeah. So nothing was wrong. Haruna chewed on her anxiety, convincing herself otherwise.
Eventually, her exhausted body gave in to sleep.
Of course, it wasn't true rest—just more rumination on her growing unease.
In Haruna's dream, Aiman sat at the piano.
He smiled brightly as he played the keys. The music was beautiful. But somehow, it felt precarious.
Crash!
The piano keys shattered like glass fragments, shards flying into the air.
"Huh...?"
Aiman looked down at his hands. Cracks began to spiderweb from his fingertips.
Like a dried-up clay doll, his flesh crumbled into sand and scattered away.
'This is... a dream.'
Haruna knew it was a dream. That knowledge kept her from panicking.
The dream continued. Aiman's form dissolved into a whirlwind of sand and vanished. All that remained was an empty piano bench.
"...!"
Haruna bolted upright. Her body was drenched in cold sweat. Her heart pounded like it might burst.
"Hah... hah..."
She cupped her trembling face in her hands. Just a dream, after all.
A deeply unsettling dream that demanded no further attention.
Yet it clung to her skin like damp discomfort, forcing her to dwell on it.
Haruna had such a dream. Meanwhile, Aiman was lost in a strangely vivid and peculiar one of his own.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I opened my eyes to find fat snowflakes falling outside the window. Crackle. Crackle. The sound of logs burning in the fireplace filled the air.
A cozy, serene mountain cabin. It felt like a scene straight out of my ideal vision of paradise.
Beautiful and utterly peaceful.
'I was practicing piano and fell asleep, right?'
I blankly surveyed my surroundings. No sense of dissonance. It felt so natural that it was almost eerie.
'A dream?'
I bent my middle finger back toward my hand. It flexed like rubber and touched the back of my hand.
"Whoa."
Definitely a dream. A real one. Just to be sure, I checked for a clock—and there was one on the wall.
Of course, I couldn't make out the time. Real dream confirmed. A lucid dream, at that.
First lucid dream of my life. Stress from all this? Or maybe the palace vibes?
As I marveled and looked around, the cabin's wooden door creaked open.
A blast of fierce snowstorm accompanied someone stepping inside.
"... "
Snow-white hair. Golden eyes that seemed to pierce through all the world's truths.
A woman whose appearance was too ethereal to be human.
She walked in as naturally as if it were her own home and settled into the rocking chair opposite me.
Then she stared at me without a word.
'??? '
Dreams could feature other people, sure.
But could you perceive a stranger's face this vividly...?
Anyway, I met her gaze.
'This dream is insanely realistic.'
Every lash, every snowflake melting on her hem—it was crystal clear.
She exuded an air of nobility that made me feel like I should offer her something.
At that thought, two steaming mugs appeared on the table as if by magic.
Dream logic at work. Impressive.
"It's cold out. Have some. My special brew."
The woman lifted her mug. She brought it to her nose and inhaled deeply.
"The aroma... it's wonderful. A scent I've never encountered before."
"Glad you like it."
She took a sip and narrowed her eyes in satisfaction.
Silence fell. Only the crackle of the fire filled the space. It wasn't awkward.
A pleasant stillness, perhaps. After a long moment, she spoke first.
"You..."
Her voice rang like a clear bell.
"...have stronger faith in the gods than I do."
An out-of-left-field statement. I do believe gods exist, though—as transcendent beings, maybe.
"How... can you be so certain?"
She fiddled with her mug. Deep anguish shadowed her eyes.
"I'm... skeptical. The Goddess has never truly appeared to me. Even the source of this holy power I wield—I don't truly know it. I just use what's given."
She gave a self-deprecating laugh.
"Is it right to believe in and follow something that doesn't exist?"
Philosophy in a dream? Heavy stuff. Funny how my mouth opens to speak even when I hesitate.
"Of course the gods exist."
"...Why are you so sure? You can't see or hear them."
"Think about it this way."
I took a sip of my coffee.
"What would a primitive human from a thousand years ago think if they saw us now?"
"... "
"Could humans from a thousand years ago use magic? Hmm... not sure. Let's say ten thousand years ago."
"... "
"They'd probably call us gods."
Her eyes widened slightly at my words.
"Now imagine modern humanity meeting humans ten thousand years in the future. Can't even fathom the progress."
Really, how do they live? Full-dive VR gaming as standard, at least.
"Future humans will be far more advanced than us. Possessing technologies and abilities beyond our wildest dreams."
"... "
"Just my personal view, but I think gods are beings who've reached realms current humanity can't comprehend. Transcendent species... something like that."
The words tumbled out without passing through my brain first.
Something I'd never say in reality. Blasphemy could land me in hot water.
"And someday... with time, humanity will naturally reach that 'god' level. It's inevitable."
That's why I believe in gods. A view I've held even in my past life.
Debating their existence is pointless. We're just part of the process.
'Man, even I think that sounds like chuunibyou.'
She stared at me blankly. Her golden eyes shimmered.
"That perspective..."
She murmured softly.
"...I've never heard before. Not from any high priest in the Holy Kingdom, not even the Pope. No—they probably never even thought that way."
She rose and bowed deeply to me.
"Thank you for the lesson. It feels like a blocked wall has crumbled."
Her smile was warm, carrying a gentle fragrance.
"That faith... that's how you played such a beautiful piece. Your insight into time is extraordinary."
"Pardon?"
The cabin scene began to blur. The dream was ending.
"I'll take my leave."
The woman said.
"The hospitality was exquisite. The aroma unforgettable. I'll repay this debt... someday."
Space shattered like glass and collapsed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Mm..."
I opened my eyes to a familiar ceiling. The guest room chandelier.
Bright morning sunlight poured through the window.
My body felt light as a feather. Unusually refreshed.
Power of the imperial bed? I think I had some weird dream, but I can't recall it.
Just a faint impression of warm coffee aroma and golden eyes.
Stepping out, I found Haruna spaced out in a chair. She looked wrecked.
Dark circles down to her jaw, hair a mess.
"Rough night?"
She flinched at my greeting and averted her eyes.
"Yeah. Couldn't sleep. Had a nightmare... What about you? Any dreams?"
Her voice was drained of energy.
"I think I had some weird one. Maybe drank coffee with someone."
"...I see."
She asked but seemed disinterested in my answer. Lukewarm reaction.
In silence, we ate, cleaned up, and prepared.
Knock knock.
"Coming in."
Time passed, and Anna entered.
"Once you're finished with breakfast, it's time to move. The Imperial Orchestra is waiting."
She paused, glancing between me and Haruna.
"Are you ready?"
Anna asked. Honestly, I was pretty nervous. But I couldn't back out now.
"Of course. Let's go."