Chapter 323
Chapter 323
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 323
Chapter Title: Overturn the Board (1)
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"I hope that child never finds out about this."
Krenbel Eleanor.
"I'm afraid of the situation where she might sacrifice herself in my place, just as the madman desires, but more than that, it's the prior issue."
The Ashen Elder and Resti's master.
"I don't want her to feel any guilt."
That's what he said to me.
"I mean, I hope she doesn't blame herself for my death or take responsibility for it. I just want her not to break under the weight of guilt and responsibility."
I listened to the elder's words in silence.
The elder continued with a bitter smile.
"She's a child with many wounds."
I know that too.
"I hope she doesn't get hurt any more. She'll be wounded by my death, but I just hope that wound doesn't fester."
The elder smiled bitterly again.
Watching that smile, I thought to myself.
Resti was a child abandoned by her parents, one who had felt loneliness for so long. Moreover, though the elder might not know it, during the years he lay bedridden, Resti had been thoroughly isolated.
No one to support her.
No one to even look at her.
In the Mage Tower overshadowed by my presence, she must have been constantly compared to me. Her self-esteem and confidence must have been completely eroded.
'She's finally starting to move forward.'
I hope she doesn't stop.
I hope she doesn't collapse again.
I shared similar thoughts with the elder, but that didn't make the decision any easier.
"...Hoo."
I let out a long sigh.
In the end, the situation only grew more complicated.
The elder wanted Resti to remain unaware of his sacrifice. He didn't want her to feel guilt. It wasn't an incomprehensible choice. I might make the same one in his position.
'But...'
I slowly opened my mouth.
"In the end, isn't this just deception?"
It struck at the heart of the matter.
Hiding the truth and deceiving with lies.
One could hardly call that the right path.
"...It is."
"Even so, do you think it's better to deceive her?"
"Yes."
"Even if no one ever knows of the sacrifice?"
The elder laughed.
"I didn't do it hoping for recognition, so it doesn't matter."
Even if no one acknowledged that sacrifice, the elder smiled as if it were of no consequence.
"I am her master and her father."
The elder spoke as if stating the obvious.
"Parents willingly sacrifice for their children. No, this isn't a sacrifice. It's just a parent's duty."
I've merely fulfilled my responsibility.
That's what the elder said.
"I've ended up asking something difficult of you."
An old, sickly man awaiting only his final days.
The old man, who wished for his death to be beautiful, looked at me. They were the eyes of one who had already made his decision.
"Will you please grant my request?"
I couldn't say a word.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 2.
Raniel pushed open the door with a heavy heart.
She had thought hearing the story would help, but it only made things worse. Her chest felt tight. She pressed on it absentmindedly and sighed.
There was a park not far from the Mage Tower.
When her thoughts were in disarray or before an important event, Raniel would often wander that park aimlessly during her time as the next Mage Tower Lord. She intended to do the same now.
Raniel walked through the park.
She stopped and looked up at the sky.
The sun was setting, the sky awash in twilight. Even that didn't last long. Soon, the sky darkened, and hidden stars began to shine.
Stars, and shadows.
Raniel thought about the original madman who had created those shadows. Could she kill him? Naturally, it was impossible right now.
'It was impossible.'
That was the lesson from Arcadia.
Mana that swallowed shadows worked, but its effect was minimal. If the filth planted in the elder's body fully bloomed, even Raniel couldn't guarantee victory.
So, she had to kill him before it bloomed.
'He said he gained immortality.'
The elder had said so.
The moment the contract was made, he had obtained half immortality. Not eternal life, but immunity to death. Until his allotted lifespan ended, the elder couldn't be free from life.
The only chance to kill the elder was in that fleeting moment, about a month from now, when his lifespan ran out.
The instant the shadow fully consumed him, Raniel would kill the elder. She would burn the sprouting shadow along with his soul.
"Hoo..."
Raniel let out a long sigh.
It wouldn't be easy.
In this moment, facing an unknown enemy, one person came to mind. The moment she thought of him, Raniel's face twisted in disgust.
"That damn..."
Irritated just by his image in her head, Raniel ruffled her hair.
'Why the hell am I thinking of Kyle?'
Kyle Toven, the hero who had ascended to superhuman ranks.
In the recent fierce battle with Ganikalt, Kyle had fully bloomed. Raniel couldn't forget his movements, clashing evenly with Ganikalt.
Because it was exactly what she had longed for.
For Kyle to bloom.
To pick up his sword again.
To stand with sword in hand and become the hero once more.
Raniel had hoped and hoped for it.
Even after being chased out by Kyle, she couldn't let go of that lingering attachment. She had told Sara she only regretted, not obsessed, but... that was a lie.
'I was obsessed. Terribly so.'
Ironically, after letting go due to Galahal's death, Kyle changed as if waiting for it. Raniel sighed at the absurd tale.
'If only that guy were here, maybe things could work out somehow.'
She muttered to herself.
"What the hell is that bastard Kyle doing?"
After leaving with the ancient dragon mage, Kyle still hadn't returned. Considerable time had passed, but only one letter had arrived from him.
"I'm thinking of recovering my body."
"I'll focus on training for a while."
"To prepare for my final trial, I need to build strength. Don't wait for me. I'll come when the time is right."
That was all.
Kyle never revealed what that trial was. Raniel clicked her tongue.
"I have to choose..."
Unable to decide either way, Raniel returned to her mansion. She changed into pajamas, about to end the day, when—
Flash.
The magic communication device on the table lit up.
A letter connected to specific people.
The moment she saw it, Raniel kicked off the covers and bolted upright in bed. Hoping it might be from Kyle, she snatched the letter.
"Professor, you free tomorrow?"
It wasn't from Kyle.
Disappointed inwardly, Raniel read the contents.
"Let's catch up after so long."
It was a letter from the First Princess, Leryuel.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 3.
A summer afternoon with the sun high in the sky.
The languid afternoon sunlight illuminated a garden slightly removed from the annex palace. In one corner of the vibrant garden with its well-tended flowers and trees stood a tea table.
Only one person could use—or even access—this garden in the annex palace. Its owner brushed back her hair.
Swoosh.
Her platinum hair, nearly silver, gleamed golden in the sunlight. It usually looked silver, but in the sun, it shone gold.
Silver hair infused with gold.
Proud golden eyes.
The First Princess Leryuel set down her teacup with a clink.
"It's been a while, Professor."
Sitting across from her was Lania van Trias. Lania blinked and replied.
"Didn't we meet about a month ago?"
"That was at an official event. Too many eyes around. Not a place for a relaxed chat."
Leryuel, sipping her tea, tossed out a topic.
"By the way, heir to the Ashen Mage... You truly are extraordinary."
"Is that so?"
"Hard to find anyone who doesn't flinch before me, the mad dog."
It was true.
Before her, dubbed the mad dog, most people scrambled to grovel on the floor. Wild beasts thinking she'd toss them scraps if they crawled low.
Growing thoroughly sick of such people, Leryuel found the woman before her, Lania, quite stimulating.
"Even more so now. Sitting at the top, mountains of scum swarm to leech off me. Days are nothing but exhausting."
Perhaps that's why.
Muttering so, Leryuel flashed a mischievous smile.
"I remember that hot summer day with you."
Memories of summer with the mad dog and the madwoman.
Leryuel often recalled that day when she grabbed and interrogated whoever caught her eye. It had been immensely enjoyable.
Lania let out a hollow laugh in response.
"You're as lively as ever."
"Unchanging is my charm."
Leryuel exhaled shortly.
She narrowed her eyes and glanced at Lania across from her. The professor seemed lost in thought elsewhere. If it were anyone else, she'd end the meeting on the spot, but this professor was an exception.
Rather, seeing this impulsive professor, who seemed ready to act without thinking, actually troubled piqued Leryuel's curiosity.
"You look like you have a lot on your mind."
"...Do I?"
"You're not denying it."
Leryuel smirked and spoke.
"Having other thoughts while conversing with me—normally, I'd flip the table... but you're an exception, Professor. Actually, it makes me curious."
She leaned slightly toward Lania.
Leryuel's silver hair rippled over the table.
"Why don't you tell me?"
I'll counsel you personally.
To Leryuel, who said as much, Lania hesitated before speaking. Hoping this princess, with her unconventional mindset, might suggest something different.
"Well, it's a bit complicated..."
She omitted all specifics.
Piecing together only the rough context, Lania began her disjointed explanation.
"So."
After Lania finished, Leryuel tapped the table, summarizing.
"Some damn mongrel is forcing a choice between two paths?"
"Something like that."
"Can't just grab and beat the mongrel?"
"Unfortunately impossible."
Hmm, Leryuel stroked her chin.
After pondering, she eyed Lania suspiciously.
"Professor, have you gone... tamer while I wasn't looking?"
"Tamer? Me?"
Lania blinked.
Leryuel sighed, glancing at her.
"You're not like your old self. Related to someone important, right? Your judgment seems a bit clouded."
Judgment clouded?
As Lania failed to grasp Leryuel's words, the princess crossed her arms and leaned back.
"Professor. Lately, I've noticed many mongrels trying to force choices on me. Hiding info slyly, playing games to narrow my view."
An out-of-left-field story, but not unrelated.
Lania nodded slowly.
Leryuel smirked, arms crossed.
"Mongrels too slippery to grab. Old nobles with deep roots. They act bold because they're sure they won't die."
Such mongrels.
Trash she couldn't kill.
"Want to know how I screw them over?"
"No...?"
"Guess."
"...Water treatment?"
"Water's great. Answers come once they're drowning. I use it often, but not here."
Leryuel crossed her legs.
"Do what they'd hate most."
"What they hate?"
"Yes. Two ways to screw choice-forcers. Don't choose at all..."
Or else.
"Make a choice they never imagined. Forced two paths? Screw both. Wherever you go, regret awaits. Better to flip the board entirely."
Overturn all given paths.
And choose a completely new one.
"Picking from their options is what they want, right? Why play along with those bastards? I never do what suits others. Tell them all to fuck off."
Her red lips curved.
"If someone's rigging the game behind the scenes, why should I play on their board?"
Leryuel flicked her finger dramatically.
"Flip it all."
Trample the overturned board under your heel.
"If bastards act like bastards, isn't it fair to play dirty too?"
Leryuel laughed crudely.
Not the laugh befitting the kingdom's highest seat. Raw, unfiltered, without pretense.
A vulgar laugh.
But that's why Lania liked it. Looking at Leryuel, Lania brushed her eyes and smiled.
"It's not that simple, Your Highness."
"Even better. Flipping a hopeless board—that's where the thrill is."
Their mindsets differed.
Before that bold thinking, her own worries felt foolish. Lania, still smiling, exhaled shortly.
Either choice brings regret.
Flip the rigged board.
'Easier said than done.'
Not something to decide lightly.
She didn't even know what other paths existed beyond the given choices. Ultimately, Leryuel could say it because she didn't know the full situation.
But.
Leryuel's casual words lingered in Lania's mind. Chewing on them, Lania closed and opened her eyes.
Her narrowed vision suddenly cleared.
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