Chapter 180

“Hmm…”

At the sound of Dahlia’s groan, I turned to look beside me.

My heart sank in an instant.

What if she had woken up and heard Monastrell’s revelations?

What if she had realized the sins Winter Winslet had committed?

But Dahlia was still unconscious, merely reacting to the pain in her sleep.

The fire plague that scorched the body from the extremities was tormenting her.

And just as Monastrell had said, that plague was the creation of Winter Winslet.

In his twenties, Winter Winslet had traveled the continent and carried out countless experiments…

On humans.

The unfortunate village in the southern lands where Dahlia once lived had also been a target of those filthy experiments.

Winter Winslet conducted human experiments, massacring civilians. And when there were survivors, he approached them pretending to be a savior just to collect data.

Dahlia had been one of those deceived victims.

That was the truth behind the death flag Dahlia bore toward me and the inescapable sin of Winter Winslet.

I already knew all this.

Back when I was the player of Judgment of Candela, this was the truth revealed to make Dahlia betray Winter Winslet.

But what I hadn’t known was that Winter Winslet’s goal had been to cure the cold in his heart.

Or that part of the experiment had actually succeeded.

And it was because of that success that I had been able to survive this time.

Monastrell glanced at my face and gagged mockingly.

“Ugh, what’s with that look? Don’t tell me you’re acting like you feel guilty now. Didn’t you do all that just to use her like this from the start?”

I glared at Monastrell, who was speaking so carelessly, and asked,

“Did you explain it to Dahlia before you used her to treat me?”

“Explain what?”

“That it would be painful.”

Monastrell frowned, as if wondering what nonsense I was talking about, but answered plainly.

“Well, I figured it’d be a hassle if she started thrashing around halfway through. So yeah, I gave her a heads-up. Told her it’d feel like her limbs were burning off while she was still alive. Said if she was lucky, she’d pass out from the pain, but if not, it’d be so agonizing she wouldn’t even be able to faint. And if she was really unlucky, she might end up a vegetable.”

“And even knowing that, Dahlia agreed to the treatment?”

“She did. Stepped up without hesitation. In fact, she probably understood better than anyone what kind of pain it would be, but she said if it meant saving you, she absolutely wanted to go through with it.”

“Did she suffer?”

“Of course she did. She screamed with tears and snot running down her face. But she never once said she wanted to stop. Impressive, isn’t it? How’d you get her wrapped around your finger like that? Been acting the part all along?”

“Shut up.”

“Come on, listen to the best part. While she was enduring it, she started praying and mumbling ….‘To think that I, who was saved by my master, can now save him… Maybe this is fate.’ Isn’t that hilarious?”

Monastrell chuckled.

“Pretty pathetic, huh? She desperately wants to save the very person who unleashed a cursed plague on her village. She thinks it’s fate, when it’s really just inevitability.”

“I said shut your mouth.”

“You’re the one who asked what happened.”

“That’s enough.”

“Then maybe don’t ask useless questions next time?”

Monastrell dusted off her hands and stood up.

“Well, emergency treatment’s done for now. I’ll be on my way. I’ve got to return this.”

She waved the dragon elder’s scale.

“Let’s hope this doesn’t happen again. You get it now, right? If you recklessly burn through your mana like before, that hole in your heart is going to tear open again. And there’s no guarantee we’ll be able to save you the same way next time. So if you want to live a long life, don’t use magic. Ever again.”

As I was thinking, “Like, is that even possible.” Monastrell added,

“Or just drop dead already.”

With that, she vanished.

Left alone in the hospital room, I turned to check on Dahlia’s condition.

To ease the burning heat of the plague, I carefully channeled a bit of cold mana into her magical tattoos.

Just a little so I wouldn’t provoke the demon nesting inside me.

[Notification]

[A death flag has been raised by this character.]

It wasn’t time for Dahlia’s death flag to be triggered yet.

As someone who knew the plot of the original game, I could predict when Dahlia would betray Winter Winslet.

Most likely, in the third year of the main story—

When the Candela Knights approach her just before the Winslet Subjugation arc.

If I preempted their move, I might be able to keep the truth from her.

But… could the truth really be hidden forever?

Or was it even right to do so?

There was no clear answer.

Tap, tap.

Rain began to fall outside the window—

The first of the rainy. season.

***

Karaf, Southern Defense Magic Tower, Tower Master’s Office.

Venizelos roared like a wounded beast.

“Winter Winslet. You failed to kill that bastard!”

As he gripped the armrest of the throne with a sharp crack, the entire tower trembled, and dust fell from the ceiling.

The mages inside the chamber lowered their heads in fear. They were afraid the dust might get into their eyes, but were more afraid of making eye contact with Venizelos.

“And you’re telling me Thayers was killed instead? Are you sure of this?”

Thayers Valdemar was the hunting dog Venizelos had unleashed to tear out Winter Winslet’s throat.

A high-level mage, not quite on Venizelos’s level, but among the most formidable fighters in the entire order.

That’s why Venizelos had let him live, even after he stole one of his secret spells.

But as of yesterday, the sealing spell tied to Thayers’s soul had faded and vanished.

Which could mean one of two things.

Either Thayers had somehow broken the seal and escaped…or he was dead.

The latter seemed unlikely.

“Thayers was a 7th-class mage. He shouldn’t have had any trouble handling Winter Winslet, who’s also 7th-class… Are you telling me Winslet is even stronger than that?”

Leaning back into the throne, Venizelos began to stroke his long beard.

His temperament was like a bronze cauldron. Quick to boil, but just as quick to cool.

The killing intent that had hung heavy in the chamber vanished in an instant.

Just as the elders, spared by his change of mood, let out quiet sighs of relief, Venizelos nodded to himself and said,

“Hmm. Maybe it’s better to leave Shannon alone for now. If that man Winter Winslet really has advanced to 8th-class, there might be something worth learning from him. Don’t you agree?”

“A wise insight.”

The elders surrounding him spoke in unison.

Venizelos gave a soft snort and continued.

“And in the end, Shannon will have no choice but to return here. She left something precious behind, after all. Isn’t that right?”

“That girl was terribly fond of her parents. As long as they’re still in this tower, she’ll never be free of my grasp. If she dares defy me again, maybe I should give her a little scare to bring her to her senses.”

“Turning her parents’ souls into external magic circuits doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Blood ties improve efficiency, after all. I’ll use the mother’s circuit myself and give the father’s to my lovely great-granddaughter.”

Venizelos chuckled darkly.

“I can hardly wait for that day to come.”

***

Tak tak tak tak.

At the heart of the Winslet County, horses walked slowly across the ruins where a once-beautiful castle had stood.

There were three horses, and three riders upon them.

Count Edward of the Winslet family, his loyal knight Joseph, and the family’s heir Anna, all gazed at the wreckage with heavy expressions.

“It’s completely gone… Our home.”

“It was a fierce battle. Honestly, it’s a miracle there’s anything left at all.”

“I know. I just needed to say it out loud once. When does the reconstruction begin?”

“Because of the lava eruption, the ground has become too unstable. They say rebuilding on this site isn’t possible.”

“Then…”

“We’ll have to move somewhere new. For now, we’re searching for possible survivors and salvaging important documents or valuables.”

“Haag…”

Anna let out a deep sigh.

Seeing this, the Count brought his horse closer and gently patted her shoulder.

“Don’t be too heartbroken, my daughter. As long as our people are safe, the castle can be rebuilt as many times as needed.”

“I know. I can’t afford to show weakness as the heir of House Winslet.”

“Anna, like I told you yesterday… it’s time for you to stop being the heir. You should take over as head of the family—”

“I already said no.”

Anna cut in firmly.

“As long as you’re alive, Father, I don’t want that. And… when something this big has happened to our family, I don’t think it’s the right time to change who’s in charge.”

“You’re right about that.”

“And…”

“And?”

“There might be someone who comes back.”

“I see.”

As if they had made a silent promise, all three of them thought of the same person.

A man who had returned home after ten years only to leave again without saying a single word.

“Since we didn’t see him go… I wonder if he made it safely.”

“That’s what I’m saying. After everything that happened, would it have killed him to at least say goodbye?”

“I’m sure he had his reasons. It’s a bit complicated to explain, but…”

At that moment, Joseph remembered. He had seen it all. The unknown woman slamming him into the wall, Winter fighting her, talking to her, and in the end, vanishing with her.

But he couldn’t report any of that to the Count or Anna.

Because of the woman’s warning.

– From this moment on, you shouldn’t tell anyone what you’ve seen. If you do…”

Of course, Joseph wasn’t the kind of man to be intimidated by threats.

But what he saw afterward was more than enough to stir the caution and prudence that came with age.

Suddenly, Anna asked,

“By the way, do you think the rumors are true? About that giant dragon flying over the county skies?”

“Hmm. Hard to say. It’s a bit far-fetched to believe. The dragons supposedly disappeared ages ago… or so the books claim. But even that, I don’t fully believe.”

“Then what about the rumors spreading among the peasants?”

“Probably tales made up by those tired of farm work. Or maybe they mistook the shadow of a cloud.”

“I thought so too.”

Joseph quietly closed his mouth, smiling slightly, pretending to agree with the two.

Anna shrugged.

“Well, at least we’ve got a convenient excuse for why the castle was destroyed. Honestly, if my brother were here, I would’ve pinned the blame on him and made him pay for the reconstruction. Tsk.”

“You call him your brother so naturally now, young lady.”

“What? H-Huh? When did I say that?”

“You just did.”

“I heard it too.”

“Father!”

Count Winslet let out a hearty laugh.

“You’ve been talking about Winter so much since yesterday… It’s obvious you regret not getting the chance to thank him.”

“You’ve always been the type who can’t stand being in someone’s debt, young lady.”

“Who says I’m grateful? If anything, I’m furious that someone messed up our house this badly…”

“Anna, why don’t you take this opportunity to visit the capital?”

“What? What do you mean by that?”

The Count pulled a letter from his pocket and handed it to Anna.

“It’s an invitation from the royal family. Soon, there’ll be a ceremony in the capital to grant Prince Henry the title of Duke of Shenkenbury.”

“That title is…”

“It’s a position given to the heir to the throne. So it would be good for our family to show our presence and remind them that we’re still standing strong. But I’m too old for long travels now. That’s why I think you should go.”

“Father…”

“And with the castle destroyed, we’ve only just started putting together a temporary shelter. There’s really no proper place for a lady to stay. So stay in the capital until things are sorted out here.”

“Are you sure that’s okay?”

Anna’s eyes sparkled as she asked.

She couldn’t hide her joy.

“Now that I think about it, the young lady has never had the chance to travel since you’ve been busy with heir training all this time.”

“This is a good chance to broaden your horizons. But don’t get too carried away and lose your focus. Sir Joseph will be going with you.”

“Ugh, why does Sir Joseph have to go? He should just stay with you…”

“And don’t forget to say hello to your brother for us.”

“I told you, it’s not like that! Hmph!”

Anna kicked her horse into a gallop and rode ahead.

Count Winslet and Joseph looked at each other and burst into laughter.