Epherene stared blankly at the paper in the drawer. All of a sudden, the countless letters she had sent to her supporter came to mind. She subconsciously fiddled with the handkerchief that she always carried with her.
“…What the hell?”
In that moment of confusion.
Swoooosh…
She stiffened in place as a chill swept over her from behind.
“!”
Epherene focused all her senses behind her. It was similar to last time. However, she wouldn’t be scared twice.
Kuuuuhhhh-
Epherene gathered mana in her hand, embodying a destructive spell, and turned!
“Epherene, are you okay?”
“Oh!”
It was Allen. Epherene lets the mana dissipate.
“Um, Assistant Professor. Just now, a ghost…”
“Yes. I saw it too.”
“Did you see it?!”
Allen nodded a little seriously but soon noticed the letter in Epherene’s hand.
“Oh.”
Allen already knew.
“…Epherene.”
Allen, face hardening, spoke in a slightly accusatory tone.
“You cannot enter a professor’s office without permission. You can be punished for touching his things recklessly.”
“Yes… I’m sorry…”
“You’re such a troublemaker.”
Epherene remained confused, however. Of course, it was wrong, but why was this letter with Deculein, and was it true that he was her sponsor? Allen let out a small sigh.
“Anyway. Now you know, right? Epherene. The Professor isn’t completely mean.”
Those words had many meanings. Epherene bit her lip and muttered.
“But why anonymously…”
“He heard that you would refuse if he used his real name.”
“…”
Epherene did not answer. He was correct. Her then, and her now. Her pride easily outpaced her abilities.
“However. For now, I think it would be better to run away.”
“Yes?”
Epherene tilted her head. Allen smiled and pointed out the window.
“The ghost is still here. Over there.”
The ghost, with red eyes, was clinging to the window pane.
* * *
…There was an autonomous investigative agency, the [Magic Investigation Department], in the Megiseon on the Floating Island. By nature, the Floating Island was an extraterritorial and independent district that didn’t belong to any country. Therefore, when a criminal case occurred there, the so-called M.I.D proceeded with their independent investigation.
As a magic investigation conducted by wizards, their arrest rate reached 95%. For the remaining 5%, they often confirmed the culprit, but due to a lack of ability to capture them — examples such as the Black Beast Rohakan, Authority Carla, and Recruit Rodran came to mind.
This M.I.D. had now selected Sylvia as their prime suspect in this case. As soon as Idnik moved to the Floating Island, she offered a brief overview of the situation.
“A ghost?”
“Yes. Sylvia’s subconscious created a terrible ghost who performed the murder. Therefore, second-degree magical murder.”
I frowned, but Idnik continued.
“Of course, this is just a part of the investigation process. Sylvia’s magic was detected at the scene of the incident, but the evidence that the ghost was Sylvia’s creation is still lacking.”
We reached the headquarters of the [Magic Investigation Department]. It was a geometrical structure as if cube-like boxes were stacked atop each other.
“Why did you call me?”
“Deculein. You have a Floating Island Bail Certificate.”
Me? Idnik knew many things I did not.
“Whether she is the murderer or not, Sylvia’s sheer talent is comparable to Adrienne’s. Sylvia shouldn’t be locked up right now.”
“Is she not well?”
“Very. She was exhausted by the time she spent imprisoned. It would be a disaster if her stress exploded like this. Her magic will run rampant, and her power source may be damaged.”
If a child were involved in an incident like this, wasn’t it normal for the parents to come first?
“What is Glitheon doing?”
“We will be watching him. Rather, he would consider this the right opportunity for magical progress. Though he wouldn’t be of any help even if he tried to assist, he doesn’t have a bail certificate.”
“Idnik.”
I called out to her. She turned, hand on the door to the headquarters building.
“Why did I kill Sierra? What was the promise?”
I just had to ask this. Even if she started to suspect something, I couldn’t help it.
“…”
Idnik looked at me with a strange expression. But, instead of questioning me, she laughed sadly.
“Indeed. You might be wondering why she didn’t run away. Sierra didn’t tell me about it.”
Idnik’s doubts quickly found their reasons. This was why information asymmetry was convenient. There were very few wizards in this world who could deduce the hypothesis that Kim Woojin was in Deculein’s shell in the first place.
“She was a terminally ill patient, and she hated the idea of dying slowly in front of her. Because she knew she was the only shelter Sylvia had.”
“…”
“I don’t know the details of what Sierra meant. If it was murder and not due to disease, did she think that Sylvia would be able to live with that vengeance even if she died? Or was it that she simply didn’t want to show her daughter how she was slowly dying?”
I closed my eyes without saying a word. There was a stabbing pain assaulting my temples as every word she spoke revived new dark memories.
“However, Deculein. It was you who killed Sierra. That doesn’t change. She knew you were going to kill her, and even though she knew, she didn’t run away. In return, you got everything you wanted.”
Everything I wanted… I thought I knew what it was. Probably, Decalane’s death. The murder of that damned old man who wasn’t satisfied with Deculein nor Yeriel.
“So now, don’t even think about running away.”
“…”
…For now, I barely understood. Deculein’s evil deeds and traces existed everywhere. The Villain’s Fate would reach out to me at any time, from places I couldn’t even think of. Maybe it was just a normal thing to do.
Yukline, Iliade, and Deculein von Grahan Yukline. He was a character designed not to live in the first place.
“Sigh.”
However, there was a smile on my lips. Having already decided to go against fate, there was no reason to grieve over mere settings.
“…What’s so funny?”
This was what Deculein’s life was like. It was as if every day didn’t go smoothly; the whole world tried to assemble me into a villain, and, in the end, I couldn’t be loved by anyone.
“I feel it all over again. This world is not boring.”
I was willing to accept the challenge; I would overcome it again. My ego would not be destroyed by any waves the world sent. Even if the most devastating disasters destroyed everything around me, this damn world would find me standing alone in the middle of the carnage.
“I will use the bail certificate for Sylvia, and I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“…That easily?”
Idnik was surprised despite being the one who asked for it.
“Ah, of course, if afterward the investigation reveals she’s innocent, the bail certificate will be returned in most cases.”
“Whatever it is, you will also fulfill your promise to Sierra. I want Sylvia to live long and become an archmage.”
“What?”
Idnik’s expression distorted, but there was no need to wait. I immediately opened the door to the magic investigation headquarters.
* * *
…The magic investigator in the interrogation room wondered if the monster unconsciously manifested while she was sleeping and killed the wizard, saying that the possibility of such a case existed for everyone. So, she asked if Sylvia had experienced any stressful events lately.
“…”
Sylvia thought blankly with her head bowed, wondering if she was truly a murderer. She kept quiet as she pondered.
“If you don’t keep talking, I will have no choice but to call a magician.”
That was Investigator Lumiere Russell. Of course, Sylvia had things to be stressed about. But…
Brrrr—
“Hmm. Regello Sylvia, wait a minute, please.”
Someone had called her. She left after telling her men to watch Sylvia.
“…Hmmm? Monarch Deculein?”
Deculein was standing in the private interview room of the investigation headquarters. He was famous for preferring a suit over a robe, even on the Floating Island. As Russell approached, he glanced over her.
“I heard Sylvia is here.”
He was one of the few people who didn’t hesitate to throw away honorifics on the Floating Island.
“Yes. Yes, but.”
“Release her.”
“…Gosh. Monarch Deculein. We’re on the Floating Island; this isn’t the Empire-“
“I will use my bail certificate.”
“…Yes?”
Russell was momentarily shocked, thinking for a moment that she had heard him wrong. Despite working as an investigator on the Floating Island for seven years, Russell had yet to receive a request for bail once.
“The bail certificate.”
“The privilege… to Regello Sylvia?”
And he was using this privilege on someone else? Even worse, Yukline for Iliade?
“Yes.”
“…”
On the Floating Island, a bail certificate was a very special benefit that not even money could purchase. It was a right only given to those who had achieved a certain milestone level achievement on the Floating Island. It went beyond the meaning of its name, allowing even a murderer to attain immunity to legal reprisal. After that, it could be passed on to the earner’s official heir.
Deculein’s bail certificate probably belonged to Decalane. It was a privilege that was possible because magic and knowledge were more important than living in the cold society of the Floating Island.
“However, I will use it anonymously. That is possible, right?”
“…Yes. We will accept it.”
Nodding, Monarch Deculein left the office. That was that. One of the most expensive rights on the Floating Island was just used with more callous disregard than one might use a food stamp.
“No… why the hell would Deculein?”
Russell blankly fiddled with the detective badge on her robe’s chest.
••••••
Sylvia was released unharmed. Russell gave insufficient evidence and shuffled her out to Idnik, who was waiting outside the headquarters.
“Take it. It’s tofu.”
Sylvia looked at the tofu with much the same look a dead fish might give a fisherman.
“Are you going to stand there like a moron? Did you forget how you jumped off a cliff asking me to accept you as a disciple?”
“Did I kill him?”
Sylvia replied dryly. Idnik clicked her tongue.
“They’re investigating, but the evidence is insufficient. It isn’t your fault.”
“…”
Sylvia was collapsing from the inside as her heart to believe in Deculein and the truth conveyed by the people around her clashed wildly. Her emotions were slowly being worn out. Deculein and Sierra. Unless she abandoned one of them, this wear and tear would not stop.
“…Stupid.”
Looking at her, Idnik echoed Deculein’s words.
—I want Sylvia to live long and become an archmage.
Deculein, maybe that guy knew. What Sylvia needed now was the power of life. More precisely, fire.
“…Sylvia. Do you want to see the memories of that day?”
Then Sylvia lifted her head helplessly.
“Memories?”
“Yes. The day she died.”
Idnik tapped her eyes.
“This left eye is a prosthetic. Everything I see is recorded in them. And with these eyes, I witnessed the day Sierra died.”
“Ah.”
“I’m going to share this memory with you.”
At that moment, a small fire blazed in Sylvia’s eyes.
* * *
As soon as I left the Floating Island, I made my way to the Imperial Palace. It was to work as a teaching wizard after a long hiatus.
…However.
“Your Majesty.”
I was looking at the Emperor, and the Emperor was also facing me. No, was she? Sophien, lying on the floor, was dozing off. She opened her eyes and closed them, then opened them and closed them again.
“Your Majesty, what are you doing?”
“…Hm? …Oh. Hmm… lately…”
Lazy voice, blurry blinking eyes.
“There are a lot of things… that bother me…”
“Is that so?
“Yes… I’m even thinking of… suicide…”
With that said, I straightened up. If it was enough for Sophien to mention suicide, the situation was a little more serious than I thought. Of course, the situation wasn’t good from the start if she were this bored.
“Your Majesty. Only when the body is strong can you achieve great results.”
“Great results… hmmm… that’s fucked up….”
I sighed.
“…I would like to enter your Majesty’s head.”
The quest The Darkness of the Imperial Palace was also the Emperor’s Past Exploration. The Emperor opened her eyes and stared at me.
“You won’t be able to stand it…”
“There is nothing I cannot stand.”
“How dare you… okay. If you were trying to upset me… you succeeded.”
Sophien opened her eyes sharply. Then she tried to get up, but…
Whoops-
She fell back down.
“…I’ll correct it. You did not upset me…”
“…”
The Emperor’s condition was very serious. A sloth beyond imagination.
“Your Majesty. Do you know what a sloth is?”
“You do not understand… this indolence of mine…”
The sloth remained idle in the luxurious Imperial Palace.
“Your Majesty. Didn’t you sign up for my lecture as well?”
“Oh… that wasn’t me… it was the cat…”
“Next Wednesday. It’s every two weeks.”
“…”
Sophien shut her mouth completely. I looked to Keiron. He always stood silently, like the Emperor’s shadow.
“Sir Keiron. Your Majesty today, it seems that she is not in a condition to conduct the class. Do you know why?”
I asked Keiron. Nodding, he took a step forward. However, the Keiron standing behind the Emperor remained the same. In other words, there were two Keirons.
“Come out.”
One stood behind the Emperor, and the other came over and opened the door.
“…Okay.”
I left the sloth, no, Sophien, and walked outside.
“It’s grown progressively worse, and lately, she’s been saying that even breathing is too bothersome. The reason is probably in the basement of the Imperial Palace. You must have heard from Jolang.”
“That’s right.”
“But, even a magician like you looks curious about my magical talent.”
I nodded. One had increased to two; how could I not be curious?
“This is why I was able to enter the Imperial Palace as an escort at the age of only ten. The more bodies, the better the escort.”
“I see.”
Keiron was also one of the strongest in this world. However, he was always attached to the Emperor, so I didn’t get a chance to see him often. It didn’t help that he was also a rather mysterious character.
“It’s here.”
The underground gate that Keiron led me to was not where Jolang had guided me before. Keiron felt my curious gaze on him.
“There are two doors to the basement.”
“Yes. It’s different from Jolang’s gate. Have you been watching Jolang?”
“Escorting comes not only with protecting my ward from an external force but also internal politics. When you’re not holding a sword, you have to keep your eyes wide open and listen carefully.”
“…I see.”
I looked at the rustic wooden door. As I put my hands on it-
Chizik-!
Sparks flew, and an unknown voice flowed out.
[…Sophien’s death is by no means ordinary. After dying dozens or perhaps even hundreds of times, repeating and returning, there is no way this world will be okay. There is no way this world line will not be affected.
Sophien is a person who is the proof of this world. She is the miracle of this world.
The resentment, sorrow, pain, anger, and hatred derived from that eternity of death flows down like a puddle and piles up in the basement of the imperial palace. It has formed a black, dark mud. So, exploring that hellish death.
Her death is a huge challenge for the player…]
It was the opening that signaled the start of an Independent Quest. I looked back to Keiron.
“Keiron. Would you like to go with me?”
Keiron held out his small sword. It was a complete refusal.
“I am a knight that only protects Her Majesty. I don’t go with anyone unless it’s Her Majesty. However, draw this sword when you are in danger. For a short time, help will be available.”
Keiron’s words were heavy. Even if I didn’t want to trust him, it was a voice one could rely on naturally. He was also a model for knights, similar to Julie.
“All right.”
As I nodded, Keiron waited by the door.
“Does it take a long time?”
“The first time will probably be over soon.”
“First time?”
“Yes.”
Put simply, this quest was to get into Sophien’s head and experience her regressions. Of course, that didn’t mean I was going into her head, but anyway. I could retry the same number of times Sophien died. I knew that it was more than a hundred, so I could consider this a replacement to today’s rune lessons.
“…I understand. Outside, you will be on guard.”
“Yes.”
Keiron turned into a statue again as I opened the door to the basement.
(T/N: In Korea, it’s tradition to give tofu for someone leaving prison, as it symbolizes purity and innocence, and it’s cheap and nutritious)
