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〈 Chapter 323 〉 Turn the Table (1)
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“I hope the child doesn’t find out about this.”
Krenbel Elenoa.
“I’m afraid that the situation where the Braver would sacrifice herself in my stead is a concern, but that’s an earlier problem.”
The Elder of Ashen and Resti’s mentor.
“I hope she doesn’t feel guilty.”
He said to me.
“I mean, I hope she doesn’t think that I died because of her or feel responsible for my death. I simply wish that the child doesn’t collapse under guilt and responsibility.”
I listened to the Elder’s words in silence.
The Elder smiled bitterly and continued talking.
“She’s a child full of wounds.”
I know that.
“I only hope she won’t be hurt anymore. She will be scarred by my death, but I hope those wounds won’t fester.”
The Elder smiled sadly.
Seeing that smile made me think.
Resti was a child abandoned by her parents and had felt loneliness for a long time. Although the Elder wouldn’t know, during the few years he was bedridden, Resti must have been thoroughly isolated.
No one to support her.
No one to pay attention to her.
In the Tower, where my shadow loomed, she must have constantly been compared to me. Her self-esteem and confidence must have been completely eaten away.
‘She should finally be able to move forward now.’
I hope she doesn’t stop.
I wish she won’t break down again.
Though I have similar thoughts to the Elder, it wasn’t something I could easily decide.
“···Hoo.”
I let out a long sigh.
In the end, the situation can only get more complicated.
The Elder wishes for Resti not to know of his sacrifice. He hopes she won’t feel guilty. It’s not an incomprehensible choice. If I were in such a situation, I would likely make a similar choice.
‘But…’
I opened my mouth slowly.
“In the end, isn’t this also deception?”
It hit the mark.
Concealing the truth and deceiving with lies.
That cannot be considered the right path.
“···Perhaps.”
“Still, do you think it’s better to deceive?”
“Yes.”
“Even if the sacrifice goes unnoticed?”
The Elder laughed.
“I’m not doing this in hopes that anyone would know, so that doesn’t matter.”
Even if no one recognizes that sacrifice, the Elder smiled as if it didn’t matter.
“I am both her mentor and a father.”
The Elder said as if it were obvious.
“Parents willingly sacrifice for their children. No, this isn’t a sacrifice. It’s a parent’s responsibility.”
I have merely done my duty.
The Elder said that.
“I’m going to ask something difficult of you.”
A human waiting for the day he would die, aged and frail.
An old man wishing for his death to be beautiful looked at me. It was the gaze of someone who had already made a decision.
“Please accept my request.”
I couldn’t say a word.
—
Resti came out of the room with complicated feelings.
I thought it would be better after hearing the story, but it was actually the opposite. It felt like a weight was pressed upon my chest. Sighing, Resti pressed her palm against her heart.
Not far from the Tower, there’s a park.
Whenever she couldn’t organize her thoughts, or before an important task, Resti would often wander through that park aimlessly during her time as the next Master of the Tower. She was thinking of doing so again this time.
Resti walked through the park.
Stopping, she gazed at the sky.
The sun was setting, casting a glow. Yet it won’t last long. Soon the sky would darken, and the hidden stars would begin to shine.
Stars, and shadows.
Resti thought about the First Light who created shadows. Could she kill that Braver? Obviously, it’s impossible at the moment.
‘It was impossible.’
This was the truth she had experienced in Arcadia.
While mana connected to swallow the shadows, its effect was merely weak. If the noxious plant embedded in the Elder’s body fully bloomed, Resti couldn’t guarantee victory either.
So she must kill him before it blooms.
‘Didn’t he say he gained immortality?’
The Elder said.
The moment a contract was formed, he obtained a partial immortality. Not eternal life, but an immortality that’s still bound to death. Until the day he expires, the Elder cannot escape from life.
The only time she could kill the Elder would be in a month’s time, at the moment his life comes to an end.
The moment when the shadows are about to engulf him, she will kill the Elder. She will burn the sprouting shadows along with the Elder’s soul.
“Hoo…”
Resti let out a long sigh.
It’s not an easy task.
In this moment of facing an unknown enemy, one person came to her mind. The instant she thought of him, Resti’s expression crumpled.
“Damn…”
She felt displeased at the fact that he appeared in her mind, and she ruffled her hair.
‘Why is Kyle that bastard coming to mind?’
Kyle Toven, the Hero who ascended to the seat of the Superhuman.
During the previous confrontation with Ganikalt, Kyle had completely bloomed. Resti can’t forget the sight of him clashing with Ganikalt.
It was precisely what she had yearned for.
That Kyle would bloom.
That he would once again take up the sword.
That he would rise and be the Hero.
Resti wished and wished for it.
Even after being driven away by Kyle, she couldn’t let go of that attachment. She told Sara she had no regrets, but… that was a lie.
‘I was obsessed. Extremely.’
Ironically, after Galahal’s death, she had let go of that obsession, and Kyle changed as if he had been waiting for that moment. Resti let out a sigh at the absurdity of it all.
‘If he’s around, things might somehow work out.’
Thinking this, Resti muttered.
“What the hell is Kyle doing?”
Ever since he went with the Mage of Ancient Dragons, Kyle hasn’t returned yet. Some time had passed, but only one letter arrived from him.
“I’m thinking of recuperating.”
“I plan to devote myself to training for a while.”
“I need to accumulate power in preparation for my final trial. Don’t wait for me. I’ll come out when the time is right.”
That was the only letter that arrived.
Kyle never elaborated on what that trial was. Resti clicked her tongue in frustration.
“I need to make a choice…”
In the end, Resti returned to the mansion without having made a decision. That’s how she changed into her pajamas and was about to conclude her day.
Shimmer.
The magic tool on the table sparkled.
It was a letterhead connected to specific individuals.
At that moment, Resti kicked off her blanket and leaped out of bed. Thinking it might be a letter from Kyle, Resti snatched the letterhead.
“Professor, are you free tomorrow?”
It wasn’t a letter from Kyle.
Feeling disappointed, Resti checked the content.
“Let’s meet up and have a chat.”
It was a letter from the First Princess Lruiel.
—
On a summer afternoon with the sun high in the sky.
The languid afternoon sunlight illuminated the garden a little distance from the Royal Quarters. In one corner of the well-kept garden, a tea table was set.
There was only one person who could use the garden placed in the Royal Quarters. The owner of the garden brushed her hair aside.
Swish.
Her platinum hair, nearly silver, shone golden under the sunlight. Though it usually appeared silver, when bathed in sunlight, her hair radiated a golden hue.
Silver hair with a golden shine.
Arrogant golden eyes.
The First Princess Lruiel set her teacup down with a thunk.
“It’s been a while, Professor.”
Sitting across from her was Rania van Trias. Rania blinked and asked back.
“Didn’t we meet about a month ago?”
“Wasn’t that in an official setting? There were many eyes watching. It wasn’t a place suitable for a comfortable chat.”
While sipping her tea, Lruiel brought up the topic.
“By the way, a descendant of the Ashen Mage, huh? You certainly are extraordinary.”
“Really?”
“It’s hard to find someone who wouldn’t even flinch in front of a mad dog like me.”
That was the truth.
Most people desperately crawled on the floor in front of her, who was called a mad dog. They were just wild beasts hoping for a scrap if they grovel.
To Lruiel, who had grown weary of such creatures, Rania was quite an intriguing presence.
“Now it’s even worse. Ever since I sat in the highest position, a mountain of people come trying to get something from me. Every day is just exhausting.”
Is that why?
Muttering that, Lruiel let out a mischievous smile.
“I remember the hot summer day we spent together.”
A memory of a mad dog and a mad girl on a summer day.
Lruiel often recalled that day when she caught whatever caught her eye. It was an exceedingly joyful memory.
Rania chuckled lightly in response.
“You haven’t changed at all.”
“Sticking to what I know is my forte.”
Lruiel let out a short breath.
She narrowed her eyes and glanced at Rania, who seemed to be preoccupied with something else. If anyone else had displayed such a demeanor, they’d likely be kicked out immediately, but the Professor before her was an exception.
It was rather concerning that this Professor, who would usually act recklessly, was actually thinking.
“You look like you have a lot on your mind.”
“···Do I?”
“I won’t deny it.”
Lruiel chuckled and spoke.
“If I were to chat with the Princess while thinking of something else, I would normally overturn this table… but you’re an exception, Professor. I’m even curious now.”
She leaned slightly toward Rania.
Lruiel’s silver hair waved across the table.
“Why don’t you tell me?”
The Princess offers a chat directly.
To Lruiel’s words, Rania thought for a moment before speaking. Perhaps this Princess, who lived life differently, might suggest a different approach.
“Well, it’s a bit complicated…”
She skipped over the details entirely.
Connecting the rough plot, Rania spoke somewhat incoherently.
“And so…”
After Rania finished explaining, Lruiel tapped the table, summarizing the situation.
“Are you saying some fucking bastard is forcing you to choose between two paths?”
“That’s about right.”
“And it’s impossible to catch that bastard?”
“Sadly, it is.”
Hmm, Lruiel pondered as she stroked her chin.
As Lruiel was deep in thought, she shot Rania a dubious glance.
“Professor, you seem more… collected than I’ve seen before.”
“Collected?”
Rania blinked.
Lruiel sighed, observing her.
“You don’t seem like the same person. You mentioned this was about an important person? Your judgment seems a bit blurred.”
Blurry judgment?
Rania didn’t understand Lruiel’s words, as Lruiel crossed her arms and leaned back.
“Professor. Recently I’ve been feeling that there are a lot of bastards trying to force choices upon me. They’re cunningly hiding information and trying to narrow my perspective.”
An unexpected topic, but not unrelated.
Rania nodded slowly.
Lruiel, with her arms crossed, smirked.
“They’re tricky bastards. They come from long-standing noble families that have deep roots, thinking they won’t get exterminated; that’s why they’re pulling tricks like this.”
Such bastards.
Trash that cannot be killed.
“How do you suppose the Princess can deal with those bastards?”
“I… don’t know?”
“Take a guess.”
“···The water knows the answer?”
“Water is indeed a good choice. Once it flows in, the answer comes out. I do enjoy it from time to time, but in this case, it’s impossible.”
Lruiel said with her legs crossed.
“The bastards would hate it.”
“Hate it?”
“Exactly. There are two main ways to screw over those who impose choices upon you. You can choose not to decide at all, or…”
If not that.
“You can make a choice they could never imagine. You were forced to choose between two paths? Just throw all of that away. You’ll regret it no matter where you go. Instead, let’s upend the table.”
To throw away all the given paths.
And pick a completely new one.
“Choosing from the options presented is precisely what they want, right? Why should I do what those shitty bastards want? I shall never do anything that benefits others. Just screw them all.”
Her red lips curved into a smile.
“If there’s someone pulling strings behind the scenes, why should I play by their rules?”
Lruiel waved her finger in a dramatic gesture.
“Just overturn everything.”
Step on the overturned table with your boot.
“If the bastard acts like a prick, shouldn’t we act like a prick in response?”
Lruiel laughed crudely.
The smile of the woman seated at the highest point of this nation is not something to be hidden or fabricated.
It was raw laughter without pretense.
Crude laughter, but.
In a way, that’s why Rania liked that laughter. Watching Lruiel, Rania wiped her eyes and chuckled.
“This isn’t as easy as you make it sound, Princess.”
“On the contrary, it’s enjoyable. There’s a thrill in overturning a table that seems devoid of answers.”
Their ways of thinking were different.
Faced with such an exhilarating mindset, Rania began to feel foolish for her prior worries. The laughter spilled from Rania as she took a short breath.
Either choice will lead to regret.
Overturn the structured table.
‘That sounds easy.’
But it’s not a decision that can be made so easily.
Right now, she wouldn’t even know what other options exist outside of the given choices. In the end, Lruiel, who also doesn’t grasp the whole situation, could only throw out such words.
However.
The words casually tossed out by Lruiel continued to echo in Rania’s mind. As she mulled over those words, Rania closed her eyes and opened them again.
The previously narrowed perspective felt liberating.
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