Chapter 50
Chapter 50
“That stubborn, stone-headed bastard…!”
Inside a tavern in Blisstone—
Ruen sat with a flushed face, clutching a bottle.
He wasn’t someone who handled alcohol well, nor did he like hangovers—
but tonight—
he couldn’t stay sober.
“Hey, Ruen, that’s enough. Go home before you regret it tomorrow.”
“Shut up. I’m drinking because I don’t want to go back to that house.”
“What happened this time?”
“…I’m always trying to say what’s best for Bern, but he never listens.”
“I’ve told you before—if you wait, the count will explain everything someday.”
“How long am I supposed to wait? It’s already been over ten years!”
Ruen groaned and buried his face in the table.
Even drunk—
he clung to consciousness.
He didn’t want Bern to come pick him up after their argument.
“That stubbornness of yours hasn’t changed.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You always come here to complain about him when you’re angry.”
“So I’m not allowed to complain?”
“I didn’t say that. I’m just impressed. Most people give up quickly, but you’ve kept at it for years—complaining and worrying at the same time.”
“….”
“Even if he’s not blood, you care about him more than family. Why?”
Ruen flicked the empty bottle with his finger.
“…Because even if Bern is a fool who couldn’t protect my sister and keeps sacrificing himself for others—he’s still someone worthy of respect.”
“People already respect him.”
“That’s not enough. He’s done as much as the king—yet people praise the king and condemn him.”
“That’s because his methods were… extreme.”
“That’s what pisses me off! Someone had to get their hands dirty to stop monsters and killers—and Bern chose to do it. That’s why the king looks like a clean hero!”
“That’s just how the world works.”
“…Damn this world.”
Ruen cursed—
staring at the ceiling.
Thinking—
but too drunk to find answers.
“…I’m heading out.”
“Can you even walk?”
“I’m not a kid.”
He stumbled outside.
Cold northern wind hit him.
Smoke from chimneys.
Children laughing inside homes.
The warmth he wanted—
was there.
But not for him.
His only sister was gone.
And the one person he could call family—
kept his distance.
“Ha…”
Was he asking for too much?
Then—
he saw someone.
“…That’s…”
A woman.
Face covered.
But—
pink hair.
Sherin.
‘What is she doing this late…?’
She looked around—
then entered an alley.
Suspicious.
Ruen followed.
Quietly.
At the end—
an abandoned church.
‘Praying? No… not here.’
He slipped inside.
Dust. Webs. Silence.
Then—
voices.
“Is the evidence prepared?”
“Of course.”
Ruen froze—
listening.
“The count won’t know, right?”
“He’s away. Don’t worry. Just proceed.”
“Yes.”
Plan.
Evidence.
Execution.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Ruen followed after they left—
but lost the man to invisibility magic.
With no proof—
he rushed back.
Burst into Bern’s office.
“Bern! Are you awake—”
“Cough! Cough!”
“…What?!”
Bern—
on the floor—
coughing blood.
“Stay back.”
“What nonsense is that?!”
“It’s not personal. You’ll be affected.”
“…Affected—?”
The blood—
turned black.
Poison?
“No. A curse.”
“…A curse?”
“One that has followed me all my life.”
“Then get a priest—!”
“It’s on my soul. It can’t be removed.”
“…What kind of curse is that?”
“No time. Why did you come?”
Ruen explained everything.
“…So it begins.”
“…You knew?”
“I suspected her.”
“Then we stop them!”
“No.”
“…What?”
“I’ll follow her plan.”
“Are you insane?!”
“…I don’t have much time left.”
Bern wiped his blood.
The cloth—
corroded.
“…Then all the more reason to fight back!”
“I’ve already gathered evidence. Those involved will fall with me.”
“Then why spare her?!”
“…Because she deserves happiness.”
“What?!”
“I lost to the king. She was meant to be his. But circumstances led her to marry me instead.”
“That’s not your fault!”
“She became unhappy because of me. I want her to have a chance.”
“That woman who wastes your money and insults you?!”
Ruen trembled.
Unable to accept it.
Bern gently embraced him.
“Don’t hate her too much. There were… happy times too.”
“That’s in the past! What do you gain from this sacrifice?!”
“…It was inevitable.”
“…Then live! Forget her! Be happy!”
“…I can’t.”
“WHY?!”
Bern pulled out—
a handkerchief.
Rin’s.
“I promised her… I’d be happy.”
“….”
“But I cannot be.”
“Why…?”
“…After the Demon King’s fall, I met the First Witch.”
Her words—
echoed.
“You are cursed by fate. Anyone you grow close to will become unhappy.”
“….”
“At first, I didn’t believe it. But everyone around me died. Including Rin.”
“…So that’s why…”
“I distanced myself to protect others. But even then… people suffered.”
“….”
“I can’t watch it anymore.”
That was his truth.
His isolation.
His sacrifice.
“Then why not tell people?!”
“I was going to take it to the grave. But… seeing you like Rin…”
“….”
“So please—live happily for me.”
He placed the handkerchief in Ruen’s hand.
And smiled.
For the first time.
Ruen broke down.
But—
before he could respond—
darkness.
Bern had put him to sleep.
“Sebastian.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Take him to his room. I’m heading to the capital.”
“…Understood.”
“Thank you.”
As Bern left—
the old butler spoke.
“You were the greatest master I ever had.”
“…You heard everything.”
“At my age, I don’t mind the risk.”
“…Then you, too, are precious to me.”
“Safe travels, my lord.”
The next day—
news spread.
Bern Culam—
charged with treason.
He went to the capital willingly—
and vanished from history.
“Ruen.”
“…Hmm?”
“You were crying.”
“…Ah.”
He woke.
In Rin’s arms.
On horseback.
“Bad dream?”
“…Yeah.”
“Sorry.”
“No—it’s fine.”
She smiled.
They rode through the forest.
Ruen remembered everything.
That past.
That ending.
The beginning of his regression.
‘I don’t know why I regress…’
Maybe—
because of Bern’s curse.
If so—
then there was only one thing to do.
‘You wanted me to be happy… but I want the same for you.’
Rin.
Bern.
Both deserved happiness.
In every timeline—
he failed.
But now—
things were different.
Rin was alive.
Bern had changed.
This—
was his chance.
‘This time… no matter what!’
He clenched his fist.
Then—
“Master!”
Rin jumped down—
running toward Bern.
She embraced him.
Watching—
Ruen smiled faintly.
The future—
was finally changing.