Epherene opened her eyes and looked around.
“…”
Snow was falling thick over Reccordak as usual. She was laid out on the sofa in Knight Julie’s office.
“…Oh.”
Amid her despair, Epherene, hoping that it was only a dream, stood.
“…Are you awake?”
Delric was grinning at the table nearby. But, Epherene didn’t even have the strength to answer.
“Epherene, what happened?”
“…”
She clenched her teeth, her lower lip trembling like she was holding back tears. Delric spoke.
“It’s not very convincing to pretend to not be exhausted with that swollen face.”
“…It’s not swollen.”
“I heard you ate all the steamed potatoes by yourself?”
“…”
Epherene laid down on the sofa again. Looking up at the ceiling, she thought about what would happen next. Now, the Altar would ambush them. They would be dispersed, and with everyone dying, she would come back only after running away. It would repeat endlessly. There was no hope; less than a quarter of a day remained.
“Ah right. If you return, will it go back to the beginning of March?”
“…I have to go back to February, not March, to stop everything.”
February. When Deculein was around…
Munch—
Delric took a bite of something.
Nom nom— nom nom—
The sound bothered her. Epherene’s head slowly tilted up.
“…What’s that?”
“Sandwich.”
“Why does it smell like meat?”
“Because there’s meat in it.”
“…”
Epherene stood nimbly and moved to sit beside Delric.
“I heard that the Professor left a letter to you, Epherene.”
“…It’s nothing.”
“But you showed it to Julie.”
“…”
Epherene handed the letter to Delric and, in trade, took a piece of his sandwich. While Epherene took a big bite, Delric read the letter.
“…Epherene, I leave you this letter.”
Epherene thought while eating.
…She thought, but there was no way. Her will and resolve had already been broken.
“You will surely understand its meaning.”
Delric finished reading Deculein’s letter aloud. Epherene sighed.
“Haaa.”
“…I will also keep my promise.”
But, Delric’s words that followed were quite strange. Epherene pouted.
“What promise are you keeping?”
“…Hmm?”
Then, Delric raised a brow. Epherene asked again.
“I asked what promise are you keeping.”
“What are you talking about?”
Delric frowned, matching Epherene’s expression.
“You just said you would keep your promise.”
“…I read it.”
“What?”
“The letter.”
“?”
Epherene crumpled her brow and looked between Delric and the letter. Delric glanced between her and the letter in the mirror.
“…”
“…”
The two of them went silent as they didn’t know what the other meant. A fire crackled beside them in the fireplace.
Pajijik—
“…!”
A prickling current overtook Epherene’s mind. She realized something and stood straight.
“Wait a minute!”
She snatched the letter using Psychokinesis.
“Why? What’s going on? Is there a hidden meaning? It’s only three lines.”
Epherene’s heart pounded loudly. Deculein’s letter originally only had two.
“Epherene?”
“…”
Epherene’s hands were shaking as she held the letter. Her eyes grew red as she scanned over them yet again.
[Epherene, I leave you this letter.]
It was still a short letter, one that she had read a thousand times and more. A teardrop fell and smudged the paper.
[You will surely understand its meaning.]
She had no idea, thinking about it a thousand times but unable to figure it out. But now, added in smooth handwriting, was a single line that hadn’t existed before.
[…I will also keep my promise.]
Deculein’s voice rang softly in Epherene’s ear.
—Don’t worry.
What Deculein said when he saved her before.
— You are still young to bear this alone.
A strange smile pulled at Epherene’s mouth, but strangely, the tip of her nose stung.
—But I promise.
Epherene’s trembling heart was filled with hope again.
“Hey, Epherene, explain it to me too….”
Delric whined, but Epherene couldn’t see anything right now. There was nothing in her eyes. Right now, she could only hear someone’s voice.
—It will only be for a moment, Epherene. You might be lonely for a while.
…Only for a moment. At last, those words arrived and melted her heart. They erased the burden and responsibility that was weighing down on her body bit by bit.
—Even if it’s late, I will follow your time.
His last whispers.
—I will overcome this regression.
“…Oh.”
Epherene now knew what he meant. She realized the purpose of the letter. Just as Deculein said, she would surely realize it.
“…I see.”
Epherene looked out the window again, seeing a bird flying through the thick snow. Looking up at the bird’s beautiful and adamant flight, Epherene was sure of one thing. She repeated the words inside her head.
…Deculein would surely return alive.
*****
Underground Reccordak.
Epherene’s group was walking through a secret passage under Reccordak in an attempt to evacuate before the Altar arrived.
“When I regress, not everything changes.”
Epherene spoke.
“That is what I think. The world’s regression and my regression are different.”
“Hmm?”
The reactions were different for each of them. Sylvia nodded as she understood it to some extent, but Allen, Delric, and Julie wore vague expressions.
“So, the world’s regression and my regression have different standards. Once April 9th comes, I will regress with the world.”
The moment of the regression was the same, which was for April 9th. However, the times were different.
“But, the world may return to January or February. Or it could also start from the very beginning, way before the continent was created.”
“…But?”
“But my return continues in Reccordak during March.”
In other words, the world’s regression was much more extensive. Both regressed at the same time, but Epherene’s point of regression was later.
“Then, Deculein won’t come back to life.”
Sylvia’s legs stopped. She glared at Epherene.
“The point in time that you return to is already a time when the Professor is dead.”
“…”
Then, Delric swallowed anxiously. The air suddenly became chilly, but Epherene smiled and shook her head.
“No, it’s fine.”
“What do you mean fine, you idiot Epherene.”
“Sylvia, who is the Professor Deculein that you’re thinking of?”
“…”
Sylvia’s brow furrowed. Well, this girl didn’t like riddles. Epherene continued in a low voice.
“The Professor is always, always constant. He’s as constant as a tree, and he doesn’t bend. He doesn’t lose to anyone.”
*gulp*-
Then, Delric swallowed again. With big eyes, he looked at the pocket lining of Epherene’s robe.
“Epherene, don’t tell me.”
“Yes, this letter.”
Epherene showed them Deculein’s letter.
“I’ve already regressed twice. But, this last line.”
No matter who looked at it, it was Deculein’s handwriting.
“It’s a message that wasn’t here before.”
“Then…”
“The Professor is overcoming the world’s regression.”
Everyone kept their mouths shut for a moment. Overcome it? To regress in the first place was already in the realm of an Archmage, but to also overcome the world’s regression…
“…That’s why Professor Deculein will come back.”
Epherene spoke resolutely.
“As long as we continue.”
*****
Still underground but now in the warm cabin made using Sylvia’s skill, Julie stood as the night watch. Thanks to the chair that Sylvia made, it wasn’t that uncomfortable.
“…Do you believe it?”
The question came from her aide Reylie, who was also on night watch. Julie nodded.
“I have to. No matter how hard it is to believe it.”
“No, not the regression. The fact that Deculein loves you… it doesn’t make sense.”
“…”
Julie breathed in for a moment. She spoke while peering through the darkness around them.
“Would you hate someone that’s already dead?”
“…”
“Whether that is true or not, I don’t have time to dedicate myself to hatred. And also.”
She looked at the bracelet on her wrist. What did Deculein mean with this? Why did Deculein leave her with a bracelet?
“I’m not trying to save the Professor. I’m trying to save Her Majesty.”
“…”
Reylie nodded silently. Then, she stood.
“Just in time, they’re here again.”
“Go and wake them.”
They could feel traces of the Altar from far away. She didn’t know how they found them, but they were like leeches.
“Yes!”
As soon as Reylie entered the cabin, clang- clang- clang—! She beat against the lid of the pot. The four sleeping together wriggled and opened their eyes.
“It’s time to run away.”
“Oh, okay!”
Epherene stood first, feeling uncomfortable as the armor under her robe shifted. But, she had an obligation and determination. To never die. To survive and meet Deculein again…
******
…And so, it became April 9th for the third time. It became April 9th for the fourth time. It became April 9th for the fifth time. It became April 9th for the sixth time. It became April 9th for the seventh time.
And again, April 9th for the eighth time.
Epherene, slowly growing used to the regression, felt fine. Looking at the scenery of the North, she gathered everyone and explained the plan, then left Reccordak. She already knew the safest destination: the Kingdom of Yuren.
If she went there using Allen’s Stride, there would be no record of her entry, and Yuren was a nation undefiled by the Altar.
“I think we can use this place.”
The place where they arrived was a vacant lot that appeared to have been abandoned for a long time. It wasn’t far from the city, but there was no need to find a hotel or accommodations because Sylvia was right there.
“…But, this is shocking. I can’t believe you’re already the eighth Epherene.”
Delric fiddled with his mustache and spoke. Epherene narrowed her eyes.
“What do you mean, the eighth Epherene? Then, do you think that I am not me?”
“…Isn’t it too much for you?”
Julie was worried, but Epherene shook her head.
“No, I’m fine. More than that, Reok was completely taken over by the Altar… that was so shocking.”
The Kingdom of Reok. The seventh Epherene’s group stayed there, but Reok was already a hideout for the Altar. Right this moment, a new sanctuary for the Altar was being built under Reok.
“Yeah, it’s hard to believe.”
“But still, it’s good that we know this information. Later, when the Professor comes back….”
Then, she took out the letter again.
[Epherene,
I leave you this letter. Recently, moments of deja vu would suddenly come to me, some abstract ideas would come to mind, and unpredicted afterimages would flicker by my eyes. Still, it wouldn’t be very efficient to explain all that in a sentence.
However, you will surely realize the meaning of this letter. So, make sure to remember what I said.
I will also keep my promise, so wait for me.]
The letter was growing longer. She embraced it tightly. For the Epherene right now, each line was precious. It felt like she was having a conversation with the Professor beyond time.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
Sylvia smacked her.
“Agh!”
Epherene flinched and looked back.
“You’re not the only one special.”
“Seriously, this… it stings!”
“…I’m young.”
“Yeah, you’re young now. Younger than me.”
Epherene boasted and crossed her arms, but Sylvia shook her head.
“Your mental age is still of an idiot.”
“Shut up and build a house already.”
Then, Sylvia clicked her tongue and looked gently off somewhere. In moments, a very fine three-story residence apparated.
“It’s done; everyone go in.”
“Yes, thank you, Lady Sylvia.”
Everyone, including Julie, entered and unpacked, and Epherene laid down on the bed of her room. It was very fluffy.
“Sylvia’s skill is seriously a scam….”
Whenever she regressed, she felt that her magic was the best, regardless of origin or attribute.
“…Hwaaaaaaa.”
Anyway, she lied down like that. Sleep came to her like a gentle wind blowing.
Epherene closed her eyes.
“Should I sleep first today…?”
Just like that, as soon as she fell asleep, Epherene faced someone she had forgotten, someone who hadn’t appeared up until this time.
—…It’s been a while, Luna’s child.
The father of Deculein, and a ghost of the past, Decalane, appeared.
