At the cemetery. Among the tombs and tombstones that were placed most in contact with nature.
—You know, Woojin.
A conversation from a distant day whispered in my ear.
—Woojin.
—…
—Hey, Kim Woojin. Why don’t you speak?
I was sitting in a cubicle. The one who arrived in the darkness where I was alone and lit up the world stood before me.
-What.
As soon as I answered, she smiled as if embarrassed.
—…You know.
Looking into my eyes, she repeated the words. Trembling lips, trembling breath.
—Should we get married?
…At that moment, I couldn’t give her an answer. Was it because I wasn’t ready? Or maybe it was because I misunderstood her feelings.
Ever since my younger sister passed away, I lived like a doll with a broken spring. I moved as if something was off, and I sometimes struggled with my fleeting emotions.
So, I thought you pitied me. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to move without you by my side. I was afraid I’d break like this. I mistakenly thought you wanted to be with me, finding that pitiful.
—…I’m joking. Why are you taking it so seriously?
I didn’t say anything to you. I hoped you weren’t wasted on someone like me who was broken. I wanted to show you that I could stand right on my own.
—What are you doing!
Another day, she tapped me on the shoulder and put something down on my desk.
—Here. Look.
It was a new tablet. Looking at it, I frowned.
—What is this?
—It’s yours.
—…Isn’t it expensive?
—Yeah. It was quite expensive.
—What… is your financial situation okay? Wasn’t there something you wanted to buy?
Then she laughed.
—Huhu. It was this. I wanted to buy this. I wanted to give it to you.
—…
I turned the tablet upside down without saying a word. It was expensive. Watching me, she put her chin atop my shoulder.
—You know. There are two types of happiness. The happiness of giving, the happiness of receiving.
—…Really?
—Yeah. The world wouldn’t turn if there were only happiness of receiving. That algorithm is well designed, just like our game.
Saying that as she hugged me.
—…So. I like giving things to Woojin.
Her embarrassing words tickled me, so I laughed.
—That’s fortunate. I like to receive gifts from you.
I opened my eyes again. The flashing memories were special, but the reality was still there. The reason the tablet suddenly came to mind was probably because I drew this game with it.
“…”
I looked down at her tombstone and knelt on one knee. I placed a flower on her grave.
[Yuli von Fairgis Mainnhit]
However, tears did not flow. Now, it was about time to forget. One year was enough time to bury her as a memory. At least, that was the case with Deculein.
…But.
“I still want to see you at least once.”
I took off my gloves and ran my hand over her name, feeling the cold and hard stone.
* * *
“…Whoa.”
Epherene was watching Deculein from nearby. Nothing special had happened, but she was sweating profusely.
“Did you just hear that?”
Of course, she wasn’t alone. The red-furred Munchkin, which had settled in her arms, was also there.
—I did.
The cat raised its tail upright. Her spiky hair tickled Epherene’s nose.
“Achoo.”
—Hmph. He still wants to see her.
The cat shook its head. She knew this kind of thinking was disrespectful, but to Epherene, it was too cute.
—Professor, that bastard is unexpectedly a guy who lives with regrets.
“…Are you disappointed?”
Pretending not to be interested, she carefully placed her hand on the cat’s back. It was soft.
—Well.
The cat said.
—I don’t know. I don’t have that kind of experience.
“Hmm… is that so? Hmm…”
Epherene mumbled, stroking their soft fur.
—However, such a life doesn’t look bad.
“…Such a life?”
—Right. After all, if it were the life of a lady who lived an ordinary life and died an ordinary death.
The cat touched its chin with its paw, and its eyes grew wet with emotion. Too adorable.
—Being a person who will forever be remembered by someone like Deculein…
To that, Epherene agreed. Among the living beings that Epherene knew, the person who seemed most likely to have no connection with love was, as expected, Deculein. It must be quite special to remain so deeply in his heart.
—Then, I’ll go. It’s the class’s start time. Also, next to me, the girl Yeriel or whatever keeps whispering something.
“Yes? Oh, yes.”
Yeriel was the reason Sophien came as a cat rather than with her body. On the way out of campus, they happened to meet Yeriel, and while she was thinking about what to do, she was dragged away with the words, ‘Now is time for the lecture.’ She was at a loss for words as Yeriel treated the disguised Sophien like that, but Epherene watched quietly since she thought she would get in bigger trouble if she told the truth.
“Have a good class.”
—Okay.
The laughing cat’s eyes widened and turned blank. It was free of possession.
“Phew. I barely-“
Meow—!
The cat cried out.
“Ouch! Come on, wait. Be still…”
Meow—! Meoooooow—!
Trying to get out of her arms, screaming, scratching here and there-
“Hey! Stop…?”
Then a long shadow loomed over them. Epherene swallowed, and her head creaked as she turned upward.
“…Ah.”
Deculein. The Professor had approached all of a sudden and was now looking down at her. As if the cat was scared of that face, it quietly stopped moving.
“Oh, um, Professor-“
“What are you doing here?”
His hostility was clear in that face and tone. Epherene calmed her pounding heart and hugged the cat tightly like a shield.
“I-I mean. I wasn’t taking a peep-“
“Glitheon.”
“…Eh?”
Epherene’s eyes widened. She spun around.
“…Oh.”
There, as Deculein said, was Glitheon, Sylvia’s father and one of the enemies of the Luna family. As soon as she saw him, her expression naturally turned harsh, but soon she tilted her head.
“…What’s wrong with-?”
Glitheon’s complexion was strange. No, his appearance was diminished. He had lost so much weight that there were only bones.
“Deculein.”
Glitheon spoke. Deculein frowned, and Epherene quickly matched his expression. However, Glitheon’s next words were very unexpected.
“Help me.”
…
—Supply and demand are very basic laws, but if you look at them in terms of business here, they are hardly practical by themselves. It should always be practical. Here are a few examples that go against this rule…
Emperor Sophien was taking a class. No, she was doing quite a few things. She took notes on the business and economics lectures she already knew, thought about Go, considered the Empire’s policies, and devised a plan to clear the Demon Blood hidden in the desert…
—I still want to see you at least once.
Deculein. That guy’s voice came to her mind on its own, ringing in her ears. He was a man who blamed all her cruel sins on himself and buried an eternal longing in the corner of his heart. Perhaps, Sophien felt jealous now of this unknown woman.
“…”
At present, the Imperial Palace was filled with the bloody wind led by Deculein. Sophien knew that too. However, since Deculein had experienced regression, Sophien believed in him. So, she gladly left it in his hands…
“Hey. Aren’t you taking notes?”
An elbow nudged her from the side. It was Deculein’s younger sister, Yeriel.
“Do it. Take notes.”
This one was rude, different from her brother. Sophien didn’t know how that mattered, but she started to move her pen again.
“Yeriel. There are a lot of rumors that the central political world is going crazy these days.”
“That your older brother-“
“You were sent from the Imperial family, right?”
Yeriel’s words almost pierced straight to her jugular. Sophien smiled inwardly.
“I knew it from the beginning. But you’re asking too blatantly.”
“…”
“How did I know? You have the Imperial Palace’s smell. Your formalities and etiquette are the same as those of the Imperial family.”
However, this one didn’t grasp the most important thing. No, she probably didn’t even think it was a possibility. Her disguise magic was excellent, and if she said that the Emperor was going to college, she would be treated as a madman.
Yeriel asked, chuckling.
“Are you a foreigner? I heard that Her Majesty has relatives.”
After all, she almost reached the right conclusion. Sophien nodded casually.
“Yes. So, what I want to ask is-“
“What will you get by asking me? It’s famous that we hate each other and quarrel.”
“…”
Sophien looked at Yeriel sternly. Yeriel met her eyes with a calm look. Then, she put on a smile.
—Let’s take a break.
Just in time, Yeriel leaned back in the chair. It was the same habit as her older brother.
“Still, if you need something to report… that guy isn’t doing this because of self-interest.”
Sophien listened silently.
“It’s all his way of serving Her Majesty. If Her Majesty tells him to stop, he will stop. If I tell him to stop, he won’t even listen to me. I don’t like taking this risk either. All the names of the people who are being imprisoned right now are being reported in real-time.”
Yeriel turned her head and tapped her left ear, where a small crystal earring hung. Sophien tested the waters once more.
“How does the Imperial Family believe that?”
“Well…”
Yeriel crossed her arms. She pretended to be thinking, but it was the script Yeriel had all expected. It was only natural that someone from the Imperial family would come to visit one day.
“I got a lot of letters from that person. It’s all full of stories about Her Majesty. How he can help Her Majesty… well, those kinds of things.”
“…”
Did Deculein also send letters to his sister? Yeriel continued as Sophien thought quietly.
“Do you want me to show you? Well, it shows that he treats me like a gofer, ordering me to do this and that, but if you read it, you’ll understand. Deculein adores Her Majesty.”
“…”
Adore? Sophien nodded with a slight frown while Yeriel grinned.
“So you want it, right? Okay. I’ll give it to you after the lecture. First, let me go to the bathroom.”
“And.”
Sophien caught Yeriel as she was about to stand.
“I want to know Deculein’s hobbies, as well as everything related to his past.”
“…”
Yeriel’s expression hardened. Sophien continued in a stern tone.
“It would be advantageous for you to comply. Don’t you have a bad relationship anyway? Externally.”
“…Hmph.”
Yeriel narrowed her eyes as Sophien waited silently for her answer.
“Are you asking me to be a double spy now?”
“…”
It was a slightly wrong interpretation, but it was about the same, so Sophien nodded.
“Fine. I also need a connection to the Imperial Palace.”
Yeriel readily agreed.
* * *
Steam rose from three teacups.
“…”
“…”
“…”
Sylvia’s mansion was dark. Epherene didn’t quite understand the situation right now. But, without realizing it, she was swept up to this place.
“The mansion is empty.”
Deculein said. He didn’t even touch his tea.
Glitheon grinned.
“Of course, since the owner isn’t here.”
“Were you not satisfied with the news from the child who left the mansion?”
Sylvia was definitely a hot topic in the magic world. Her talent developed day by day. There were a lot of papers on the Floating Island that said that she could lead to divinity.
“…I didn’t know that she would go the other way.”
“The other way.”
“Yes.”
Glitheon grabbed the teacup with trembling hands.
“Sylvia is being devoured by the demon.”
“…You mean the Voice?”
Epherene asked. Glitheon responded while glancing at her.
“That’s right. The Voice. In it, Sylvia is with her mother.”
“What? Mother?!”
“Quiet.”
Deculein covered Epherene’s mouth. Glitheon smiled weakly.
“Yes. Her mother. The Voice brought Sierra back to life, and Sylvia was trapped inside. At this rate, instead of becoming an archmage, she’ll become fragments of a demon.”
Now, to Glitheon and his family, Sylvia was everything. Iliade’s last light and hope. That such a talent might be reduced to being the servant of a demon meant endless despair.
“So I’m asking for formal help. Aren’t demons Yukline’s business?”
“…”
Deculein met Glitheon’s sunken eyes.
“…So pitiful, Glitheon.”
“…”
“You are no longer you.”
Now, Glitheon had no self. Neither the family named Iliade nor the self-esteem of Glitheon existed in his heart anymore. He bet everything on his daughter.
“If you save Sylvia, I will gladly give you my life. That child is Iliade itself. So-“
“Glitheon.”
Deculein buried his body in the chair. He crossed his legs as he glared at him.
“Your life is no longer worth it. Who would want your pathetic head?”
“…Deculein.”
Glitheon glared back at Deculein. A faint flame blazed in his eyes.
“In the Voice, there is also the old love that you lost. Don’t think you won’t be swayed by that demon-“
“I won’t. I am not as fragile as your daughter.”
Deculein, interrupting him, stood. Epherene looked up at him with bewilderment before shaking her head.
“No, wait a minute. So, Glitheon, do you know? The way to save Sylvia.”
Glitheon grabbed his tea, the liquid boiling over with a sudden flash of heat.
“I know, Epherene. You must have heard it then.”
However, the answer came from Deculein. Epherene tilted her head, dazed.
“…What? What is it?”
“To kill the demon who took the form of her mother once again.”
“…”
Clank-!
Glitheon’s teacup exploded. Epherene’s mouth fell open, but Deculein continued calmly.
“I will gladly do it.”
“…”
“…”
For a moment, Glitheon’s face turned red.
Chijijik-!
Deculein’s radio buzzed.
[Professor! This is Betan! I am currently on my way to the islands after receiving an urgent notice!]
It was a sudden communication from Betan. Deculein put the radio to his ear.
[There has been a report that the Deputy Chief of Public Security, Primienne, is a Demon Blood!]
