Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Gnawing Regret and Curse
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I was on the fence until just now, but now I'm certain. You're... not a soul of this world.
"...!!"
Roselia's eyes shook violently, as if struck by an earthquake, at Arkaios's utterly unexpected and shocking declaration.
And I, listening from the side, found myself holding my breath without realizing it.
Possessor.
The secret she had desperately tried to hide—the one only I knew—had been pierced at a glance by this ancient being.
"Uh, um. Wh-what...? What do you... mean by that...?"
Whether she was truly shocked or not, she couldn't even manage her expression properly.
Her eyes just darted around wildly, searching for some way to defuse the situation.
But Arkaios seemed even more amused by her reaction, grinning so widely it looked like his mouth might split as he pressed her further.
Why can't you explain properly? Your soul and body are somehow mismatched.
Yet not completely so.
He continued his interrogation with words even I couldn't fully grasp.
How is this even possible? Handling souls is a realm reserved for gods alone... Even I, only after transcending death, managed merely to anchor my soul here. Most fascinating.
"Th-that's, well... I, I don't really know either...?"
'Eyo?' What the hell is that, you dimwit possessor.
Good grief. She didn't panic that much even when we met the dragon hatchling or when Arkaios's soul first appeared.
Right now, Roselia looked like a condemned prisoner, unable to speak, just fidgeting with her fingers and trembling lips.
'Haa... What should I do?'
It seemed the first choice had arrived.
Should I play along with Arkaios here and become the tragic Northern Duke who learns his partner hails from another world?
Or feign divine inspiration, brain half-fried, babbling that I couldn't comprehend the situation at all?
Or spill everything completely and pledge full cooperation with Roselia from now on?
'... Okay, got my answer.'
After a moment's thought, I chose option one.
If I admitted knowing everything here, it'd be confessing I'd been deceiving her all this time despite knowing the truth.
My pride wouldn't allow that, and it could cost me the upper hand in our relationship going forward.
In the worst case, I'd lose her trust entirely.
So for now, pretending ignorance and probing her a bit was best.
"Lord Arkaios."
I stepped forward with the gravest expression I could muster.
"A soul from another world? What on earth do you mean? Are you saying my partner isn't of this world?"
[...That's right. It's subtle, but the wavelengths of body and soul are slightly off.]
Arkaios stroked his chin, explaining with evident fascination.
It's like wearing someone else's clothes—the soul's fit doesn't match the body perfectly. Clear proof that the soul wasn't settled from birth but entered from outside later.
"Hah..."
I let out a sigh of disbelief and glanced back at her.
Roselia's face had gone deathly pale.
She was probably thinking something like this:
'I'm screwed. Totally screwed. What if the Duke treats me like some monster that stole a human body? What if he calls me an evil spirit and exorcises me? No, before that, won't I be executed for deceiving the imperial family?'
Her trembling lips and lost eyes were perfect.
She probably thought she was being deadly serious, but sorry to say, she looked so cute I had to fight back laughter.
"I see..."
I stayed silent a moment to suppress the leaking smile, then steadied the mood with a solemn voice.
"The continent's mightiest wisdom, the dragon's eyes, cannot be fooled—a fact widely known. Your words must be true."
Indeed, quite so.
"Understood. On this grave matter... once back at the ducal estate, I'll interrogate Her Highness personally, most 'thoroughly.'"
I shot Roselia a meaningful, chilling glance.
"You'd best prepare yourself, Your Highness."
"Eek, eek...!"
Roselia shrank back like a startled chick.
... Sorry.
I didn't want to push this far, but I can't let this old coot hold us any longer or I'll really drop dead.
The pain in my broken left arm was intensifying, and any more delay might make me collapse for real.
I turned my gaze back to Arkaios's soul, staring straight at him.
"Then, Lord Arkaios. With the mystery resolved, may we truly depart now? As you see, my injury is severe. I need to return for treatment soon."
[...Hmm, very well. Your arm's a mangled mess. Impressive endurance for a human. I'd love to heal you with magic and chat more, but alas, no choice.]
Arkaios nodded, stepping aside to clear the path.
Go on. It was fun after so long. Use the treasures well.
"I won't forget your generosity."
I bowed politely in thanks, then nudged the dazed Roselia's back.
"Let's go, Your Highness. Pull yourself together."
"Ah, y-yes? Y-yeah... l-let's go..."
After that, we swept up all the treasures into the expanded subspatial pouch we'd brought from above, strapped it to our waists, and headed for the exit.
It's over now.
Treasures secured, broke through a level wall thanks to the dragon hatchling, met the dragon.
And above all, firmly grasped the initiative over Roselia's cute... er, reins.
Lately, with the contract marriage stuff, she'd been forgetting her place a bit, which irked me...
Now I could lead her properly again.
A perfect haul from this journey—nothing but satisfying gains.
Just as I thought that and neared the nest's exit.
[Wait.]
Arkaios's voice caught our ankles once more.
I halted, furrowing my brow.
What now?
No way he's changed his mind and wants the treasures back?
With a hint of irritation, I turned.
"Do you have more to say? My vision's really starting to blur...?"
But Arkaios's expression upon second glance was entirely different.
The playfulness gone, his face more serious than when grilling Roselia.
He stared into space a moment, then opened his mouth heavily, as if resolved.
[Truth be told, I'm not entirely sure, so I hesitated to mention it... but I must. It could get far more dangerous otherwise.]
"...?"
[What gnawing regret drove you to cast that forbidden curse on your ■■? Your ■■■ is so warped it's on the verge of completely breaking away from ■■.]
"... What do you mean?"
I couldn't make out what he'd said.
Words were garbled midway, like static noise.
And Arkaios himself seemed aware, frowning briefly as if pondering how to phrase it.
[I'll just lay it all out as is. No other way.]
He continued.
Your ■■ bears a curse so potent even dragons tremble. Four in total: first, the ■■ curse; second, the ■■ curse; third, the ■■■ malediction; and finally...
"..."
He wore a pained expression, then forced out the finish.
The ■■ malediction: fail to achieve ■■ within a year, and you'll die. Paying the price of ■■■■, never to set foot on the path of ■■ again.
"... Pardon?"
'What did he just say?'
His mouth moved clearly, voice audible.
But at key words, like a radio off-frequency or deliberately muted, eerie static assaulted my ears.
I smacked my ear with my palm to check for hearing issues, then asked again.
"Lord Arkaios, sorry, could you repeat that? I didn't catch the latter part at all."
[...As expected, you can't hear it?]
Yet he reacted as if he'd known I wouldn't.
"Yes. I see your lips move, but the sound is muffled. My hearing seems fine otherwise."
I could hear Roselia's breathing if I focused—my ears were sharp—yet specific words from him alone garbled. Bizarre.
Seeing my reaction, Arkaios clicked his tongue and shook his head.
Hah, look at that. Causality's at work strongly. The world itself interferes to keep the truth from your ears.
"The world interferes? What does that...?"
Since you can't hear, repeating won't help. In short: you're on a timer. Fail the conditions, and you die. Horribly.
"... I'm going to die?"
Out of nowhere—no reason, cause, or solution given—just die?
It was so absurd I couldn't even get mad.
"Wait, what the hell? I'm perfectly fine—"
Believe it or not, doesn't matter. My eyes don't lie. Your soul teeters on a precipice.
His gaze was deadly serious.
Seeing those eyes devoid of jest sent chills down my spine.
I didn't grasp the details, but something grave was happening to my body unbeknownst to me—that much was clear.
Confirming I was ready to listen seriously, Arkaios pressed on.
I'd explain, but your ears are sealed. Letting you go ignorant means death unawares.
He stroked his beard, deep in thought.
Then his blue eyes flashed, as if hit by inspiration.
On second thought, there is a way... of sorts.
"A way?"
I stay by your side and observe directly. Can't explain in words? Then become part of you and unravel that damned curse from within.
"... Pardon? Stay by my side—what...?"
Could I see that sword of yours again?
He pointed to Winter Fang at my waist.
Still clueless, I drew the sword as bidden and handed it over.
Hmm... Indeed, a famed blade with Kaltstein blood. More than ample vessel.
He examined Winter Fang briefly, then smiled in satisfaction.
I could be of help. Will take time to adjust, but... may I fuse with your sword?
"... Pardon?"
I doubted my ears.
Was he offering to bind his soul to my weapon?
To my knowledge, only one magic did that.
"Surely you don't mean... become an Ego Sword? A dragon lord called the continent's ruler, dwelling in a mere human blade?"
An absurd proposal.
For dragons, pride outweighed life.
Yet one volunteering to become a tool? Unthinkable.
But Arkaios replied without hesitation.
Dead already—face and pride mean nothing. Endure that humiliation, uncover the being behind this horror, solve it? A fine capstone.
His eyes burned with curiosity and battle-lust against the unknown.
I've been bored eons. Trapped here even in death. Then you appear, harboring a colossal secret the world hides—my blood boils. No finer final playmate.
"..."
You'll refuse? Your sole chance to unearth that unheard truth.
"I..."
Of course, no reason to refuse.
No— I'd beg on my knees for this.
Mysterious death sentence and its sole solver.
Plus, a dragon-empowered sword? Massive power boost.
Decision made, I cradled Winter Fang in both hands and bowed deeply.
"An honor. Please, join me."
Good. Let's begin.
With those words, his massive spirit shattered into blue light, swirling into Winter Fang's blade.
Woooong—!
The sword vibrated fiercely, emitting blinding radiance.
The cold silver blade etched with a blue dragon pattern, its pommel gem turning lustrous sapphire.
Moments later, light faded, vibrations ceased.
And then.
'Ahh, can you hear me? Telepathy test.'
A thick voice, not my own, echoed in my mind.
"... Lord Arkaios?"
'Aye. Bit cramped, but cozier than expected. Here's to us, partner.'
"Ah... Y-yeah. Likewise."
Huh, it actually worked?
I stared at the reborn Winter Fang, lost in thought.
A dragon Ego Sword.
"Um... Your Grace? Are you... talking to the sword?"
Amid this, Roselia—still reeling from her exposure—asked fearfully.
Me muttering to thin air must've looked insane.
I chuckled, sheathing the blade.
"Let's go, Your Highness. Truly done now."
With lighter steps, yet my heart harboring an unresolved colossal mystery, we exited the dragon's lair.