Chapter 293
Yuria was walking through the darkness.
Through a pitch-black void where not even an inch ahead could be seen, she trudged silently.
'Where... is this?'
She had definitely been talking with Shuen, returned to the dormitory, and lain down on her bed. So why was she standing here?
As the bewildered Yuria wandered through the darkness, a voice echoed from a corner.
[Please…!]
A woman's sobbing voice, low and trembling.
[Pleeease! Please... just please...!]
It was desperate.
It was urgent.
A sorrowful voice, heavy with profound grief, reverberated through the dark space.
Rather than sorrow, it was closer to a scream. A voice so heart-wrenching that just hearing it felt suffocating.
'Who is that...?'
Startled, Yuria moved toward the source of the sound, feeling her way along the wall, and soon let out a sigh of relief as she spotted a small light seeping through.
'Is it here...?'
Reaching the place where the small light was leaking out, Yuria pressed her face to a hole barely big enough for a finger to fit through.
-Pleeease...!
She was curious about the identity of the person crying so sorrowfully. What kind of story could lead someone to weep like that? Or what kind of experience could drive someone to scream until their throat tore? Wanting to find out, Yuria cautiously peered through the hole, only to recoil in shock at the sight she hadn't anticipated.
'What...?!'
Beyond the hole, a woman clad in fancy clothes was holding someone in her arms—a man with a massive hole in his chest.
-Open your eyes...
The woman kept stroking the man's face with trembling hands, utterly unconcerned that her pink hair was soaked in blood.
-Please, okay...? I'm begging you like this... It's all my fault... Please...!
Beyond the hole, the woman was continuously caressing someone's cheek. Desperately so.
She was wearing white clothes, yet why did she look so dark? Yuria, unable to shake off the overwhelming sense of dissonance, kept watching with trembling eyes.
Why was she wearing such clothes?
And who was the man in her arms? Why was he in such pain? As these unanswered questions made her heart pound harder—
-...Who are you?
-Thud!
At the sound of the woman’s voice, filled with killing intent, Yuria turned her head and locked eyes with her. Yuria gasped, placing a hand over her chest.
From beyond the wall, the woman's voice grew faint, as if she had noticed Yuria's presence.
-Do you... know how to use healing magic?
-...
-I can't heal others anymore….
-...
-So... so...! This person isn't getting better...!
-...
-Even if I pour all my mana into it, he's not getting better….
-...
-Can you save him...?
The woman spoke to Yuria with a voice laced with killing intent.
-If you can, I'll let you live.
As soon as the woman's icy words ended, an overwhelming energy surged forth, causing cracks to form in the dark room.
-Crack.
As if intending to come inside, the trembling dark space began to shed small fragments, allowing light to seep through.
-Crrrack... Creeeak!!!
Just as the woman's hand began to emerge through the hole—
The dark space shattered, and Yuria's vision started to brighten.
"Hah... Hah..."
Soaked in sweat, Yuria sat up, gasping for breath.
"What... was that?"
It was a nightmare.
A nightmare so terrifying it chilled her to the bone.
***
Another peaceful day at the Young Lady's Estate.
After returning from the valley, I bathed the Young Lady, tucked her in with the blanket pulled up to her chin, and closed my eyes.
Because night had fallen.
I had originally planned to camp out in a cave, but since the rain stopped unexpectedly, I gave up and came back. Now, I sighed in disappointment.
-Ricardo.
-Yes.
-The rain stopped.
-...It did.
-Do you want to play more?
-It's midnight.
-Hmmph.
Camping under the night sky would have been fun.
But still, I decided it wouldn't do to let a noble sleep in a cave, so I pushed through the darkness to reach the estate and quickly prepared for bed.
There was just one special event tonight.
"Ricardo."
"Yes, Young Lady."
"There won't be any ghosts, right?"
"Who knows."
"Eeeek!"
Tonight, there was an event where I would sleep alongside the Young Lady. I didn't think it was a bad deal. In fact, it felt better than a romantic night of camping.
It wasn't because I was secretly happy about the chance to subtly touch the Young Lady's treasure pouch. After all, I had served her for 13 years as a gentleman.
Looking at the Young Lady lying beside me on the narrow bed, I smiled faintly.
"But, Young Lady."
"Yes?"
"Why is this my bed?"
"Just because. I felt like lying in your bed for the first time in a while."
"Your bed is bigger."
"I let Gomtangi have it today."
"...?"
The Young Lady buried her face in my chest and murmured a brief goodnight.
"Goodnight."
"..."
"Snorrrk! Snorrrk!"
It seemed like sleeping was out of the question tonight.
*
'What is this?'
When I closed my eyes, a strange scene unfolded before me. I had thought I wouldn’t be able to sleep because of the Young Lady's snoring...
'...Was it a lullaby?'
Contrary to my expectations, I fell asleep to the surprisingly rhythmic sound of her snoring and let out a wry smile as I lifted my head.
It had been a while since I last dreamed, so it felt nostalgic.
Was it since I became a Sword Master?
After reaching the level where sleep was no longer necessary, this was the first dream I’d had, and I found myself smiling with interest.
I had hoped for a more risqué dream.
Like bathing with the Young Lady.
Or the Young Lady in a bikini.
Or the Young Lady's under... Anyway.
The blue sky.
Flying birds.
And.
-Kill him!
A shout filled with killing intent.
I looked around awkwardly, scratching my head, disappointed that the first dream I had in ages turned out to be nonsense.
It was chaos.
Soldiers wielding swords were everywhere.
I stood in the middle of a battlefield drenched in blood.
And amidst it all, I was holding a sword.
'What is this?'
As I observed the situation.
The brown armor signified the Imperial Army.
The white armor, which didn’t fit the battlefield, belonged to the Heretics.
I let out a bitter smile as I watched the Imperial Army being overwhelmed, thinking how inappropriate this situation was for a dream I hadn’t had in so long.
'They’re being pushed back.'
At first glance, it seemed evenly matched, but upon closer inspection, the Imperial Army was clearly losing. I shook my head at the state of the battlefield.
'Even in a dream, I have to work?'
I shook my head at the absurdity of such an arrogant dream, wondering if this was the fate of a Possessor.
And to think, it’s a scene that wasn’t even in the novel.
'Sigh... How troublesome.'
The Imperial Army wasn’t losing due to poor quality; after all, it was a group of elites. It seemed more accurate to say they lacked individuals capable of countering the core forces of the Heretics.
Rowen must be guarding the Emperor.
The Tower Master must be protecting the Magic Tower.
On this battlefield, the strongest force must undoubtedly be that person.
-Kill him!!!
-...
The silver-haired boy—no, girl—Mikhail.
It felt like I was seeing a moment far in the future, perhaps when the full-scale war between the Heretics and the Empire had begun.
Mikhail’s sword radiated white aura as it cut down enemies. Even then, the way she avoided hitting vital spots was impressive.
-Leave this place to me and quickly move the wounded. I will join another formation.
-Understood!
-There’s no time...! Move quickly!
As expected, the protagonist is the protagonist.
I nodded at Mikhail’s calm command and shifted my gaze elsewhere. Not far away, I heard a loud "Boom!"
A massive flame pillar.
-Damn it! A sudden ambush, really?! One Archbishop is already too much!
-Aaargh!!! Kill that wizard first! In the name of God!
-What nonsense, what god? Go find your mother.
Ruin’s magic rained down on the battlefield.
It seemed everyone had grown remarkably.
As the protagonists of the novel.
As comrades I could trust to watch my back.
I couldn’t help but marvel at how dependable they had become.
And then.
-Ssshhh...
I couldn’t help but admire the Crown Prince’s concise swordsmanship. It seemed he hadn’t been idle either.
Seeing the protagonists doing their best to turn the tide of battle gave me some reassurance. At least in the dream, they were fulfilling their roles. I wished they could do the same in reality, but that might be asking too much.
'...Oh dear.'
On the side of the Heretics, I saw familiar faces.
-Oh my... Isn’t that Mikhail? Did you like the gift I sent from the capital?
-Damn it...
-My ultimate art...!
The Mantis was there.
So were the Archbishops I had once killed with my own hands.
And then.
-Disciple of the Spire, have you lost your way?
-Damn it.
-Pray to God. So you may go to a better place.
The Apostle of Mercy, Olaf, was also on the battlefield.
It was an absolute disaster.
This battlefield.
Numerically, it seemed even, but in terms of quality, the difference was insurmountable, as if.
'This is unwinnable.'
It whispered of the Empire’s defeat. The martial prowess of those here still couldn’t reach the Apostles.
No matter how strong one was, how could they win against an Apostle who could reattach severed limbs? Honestly, even I still couldn’t grasp how I had defeated an Apostle.
I nodded to myself as I passed by them.
Eventually, I stopped in front of a cluster surrounded by the Imperial Army.
They were launching an overwhelming offensive.
It was as if killing this one person would turn the tide of the war. Generals, wizards, and even Malik had joined the formation to pour out attacks.
But.
-Why.
The person enduring the offensive stood unfazed.
It was overwhelming martial prowess.
Malik’s desperate efforts to unleash sword energy were almost laughable in front of the man’s composure.
Though the man’s face was obscured by the relentless attacks, his strength seemed comparable to that of an Apostle.
And at that moment.
-Boom!
A woman broke through the formation, pouring all her strength into killing the man.
I let out a dry laugh at the sight of the woman visible through the gaps in the formation. I hadn’t known she had such determination.
-I will kill you...!
-...Why.
-I’ll tear you to shreds...
-Why do you hate me so much?
It was Yuria.
The woman, consumed by hatred and sorrow, was unleashing divine power. The signs of excessive use of divine power were evident on her body, yet she continued to pour out holy magic, driven by her loathing for the man before her. She looked so different from the Yuria I knew.
'Wow...'
Scary.
I thought to myself that I should never provoke Yuria again, trembling slightly at the shoulders.
And then. Through the gaps in the dissipating offensive, I caught a faint glimpse of the man’s face and momentarily held my breath.
'Wait.'
-Because of you, I’ve lost so much.
'Why am I there?'
-What did I do to deserve such anger from you?
The me in the dream, enduring the offensive, had slightly longer hair. With red hair and holding Tirbing, I stood alone, receiving Yuria’s attacks.
My expression was dark.
Though my face was handsome, it seemed like I was forcing a smile, pretending to be cheerful.
Looking at Yuria, I was smiling, but my expression appeared complex, full of thoughts.
Of course, Yuria couldn’t notice that.
-I will kill you.
-Why? Are you trying to kill me like the other Archbishops?
-I’ll make sure to kill you with my own hands.
-Ah… Is it because of Father? Or is it because of that… friend from the Academy, Kyla?
-Shut up… Don’t utter that name with your filthy mouth.
-Pfft… Puhaha…! Oh, this is driving me crazy. You’re such a complete fool….
-Ricardo!!!
'Wow…'
I looked like trash, even to myself. The me in the dream appeared so despicable, like a third-rate antagonist, that I wanted to punch him.
The me in the dream swung the sword widely and spoke to Yuria with a sneer.
-Still, don’t lose hope. Father isn’t dead yet.
-…Do you think I’d believe that?
-Oh… And what if you don’t? What could you possibly do?
-…
-He’s alive and well, so don’t worry. Oh, of course, I didn’t say he’s human, did I?
-You son of a b*!
The me in the dream, facing Yuria’s surging fury, hardened my expression coldly and spoke.
-Why? You took something precious from me too. Isn’t taking one thing fair?
-…Watch your words.
-Why act surprised now, when you already know how someone consumed by revenge changes?
-…You.
-Elixir.
-…
-Bring it to me immediately. Before I kill everyone.
My sword painted a pitch-black curtain, devouring space as it went. And Yuria, struck by the sword energy, was blown away in one hit.
With Yuria struggling to close her eyes, I pointed Tirbing’s blade at her neck and muttered something in a calm voice.
Though I couldn’t hear it.
It seemed like I was saying, 'I’m sorry.'
Yuria grabbed my ankle, glaring at me with eyes full of murderous intent.
-I’ll kill you.
I smiled and spoke to Yuria.
-I hope you do.
***
"Wow…"
"???"
As I woke from the dream, the Young Lady, picking her nose, extended her finger toward me and spoke.
"Want some?"
"What?"
"It’s tasty."
"…?"
Collapsing onto the bed at the sight of the innocent Young Lady, I thought to myself.
It felt like a ridiculous dream.
"Eeeek! Don’t ignore me!"
"Young Lady, please enjoy it yourself."
"Eeeek… Hmph."
"No! Seriously, don’t eat it."
"Eek…"
Honestly.
"Then give me Gomtang."
It really felt like a ridiculous dream.