Chapter 182: Winter’s Moon (3)
“E-Enough with the bullshit, you fucking asshole!
Her curse echoed through the room like a lion’s roar. The whole house shook violently, and Epherene slammed into the ground.
“This son of a, ugh-!”
The wood steel gripped the back of her neck.
“Stay still.”
“Let go of me! Let go!”
Epherene fluttered like a fish on a hook, but the steel calmly restrained her.
“It is your dream. If you get shaken, it will be your loss.”
“…No!”
“Think of what you have learned so far. How long are you going to act immature?”
“…”
Those words certainly sounded like those of Deculein. Thanks to this, Epherene, calming, glared at Decalane. He was smiling.
─…Kid. You will find out someday. Your destiny started from the moment you were conceived…
At that moment, the metal fragments scattered by the wood steel resonated. They blocked the very air, drowning out Decalane’s voice.
“…”
Decalane’s mouth moved, but she couldn’t hear him. Epherene looked up at the wood steel, then stared back at Decalane.
—…
Soon, Decalane shook his head. But Epherene read the movement of his lips.
‘You are alone in this world. Trust no one.’
Decalane disappeared, leaving her drowning in silence. Epherene sat across the bed and took a deep breath.
“What’s with that guy…”
Epherene frowned. She looked up at the wood steel as she murmured, ‘that pig, damn skeleton….’
“Even his bullshit should make sense. Is that it?”
Then the wood steel looked down upon her. She was expressionless.
“…Right? How would dad hate me?”
“…”
“Pffft. He thought he could deceive me?”
“…”
Still, there was no answer.
“Gosh. That’s ridiculous…”
Epherene’s face, forming a tight grin, hardened a moment later. She looked back at the wood steel.
“…But you.”
The one who took the form of Deculein still kept his mouth shut.
“Why don’t you say anything?
Epherene didn’t know why. No, she thought she knew but tried to deny it.
“…”
The wood steel resembled Deculein. He had his memories, and he never spoke a lie. He’d rather be silent.
“You…”
Epherene stared with blank eyes. A fragment of emotion fluttered in his cold pupils: remorse.
“Why…?”
Snap—!
The wooden steel snapped his fingers. At that moment, the room in the mansion shrunk, and Epherene awoke with a start.
“Ugh!”
She raised her torso, looking around. But something was strange.
“…!”
She couldn’t see ahead. The world around her was submerged in darkness as if she had lost her sight…
“I-I can’t see!”
* * *
“Ugh!”
A strange voice came out. I glanced over.
“…”
Epherene, who had been sleeping on her face, appeared to have finally woken up, but perhaps because of her saliva, she had a piece of paper stuck to her face. A working document called [Reccordak Dissemination Survey]. She looked around in that state and flinched—! Then she screamed.
“I-I can’t see!”
“…”
“…No way, no way, that bastard!”
What bastard would she be talking about? I shook my head, and Epherene waved her arms in the air.
“I can’t see, no, why, I can’t see—!”
She was pathetic. As the days went by, her head seemed to be growing even emptier.
“I can’t see….”
I peeled off the paper sticking to her face with Psychokinesis.
“…”
Flutter-flutter-flutter-
“…”
The paper glided to the floor, and Epherene silently followed its descent.
“…”
As if she had finally grasped the situation, she looked back up at me.
“…Oh.”
Chijijik—
Steam raised from her ears, and her face burned red.
“S-Sorry. I fell asleep for a while and lost my mind…”
I handed her a piece of paper.
“It’s an apology. Write down the cause properly.”
“…Yes.”
I picked up my fountain pen again. However, I found no progress. This letter was to be sent to the Imperial Palace, taking the form of a battle memorial to some extent. It would be delivered to the Emperor and her ministers, but it was difficult to write because it wasn’t academic at all. The proportion of books I read in this world overwhelmingly leaned toward academics, humanities, and magic.
“Hmm…”
However, there was a very famous pre-battle-letter on Earth, the Ancient Sages Memorial. It was the record of Zhuge Liang that anyone interested in historical games should have read at least once, starting with the first line, ‘Shin Liang is calling—.’
“…”
I closed my eyes and began to trace the remaining sentences in my head with Understanding. Referring to his feelings at the time when he was writing it – although Epherene, who was squinting at me, was annoying – I wrote my lines down…
* * *
…These days, meetings were in full swing in the Imperial Palace. Meetings were held several times a day, and violent remarks came and went whether Sophien was present or not. The subject was their course of action.
This was because reports of monsters infesting the mountains and forests in the central region and on the borders of the continents, including the northern and western regions, were serious.
“Rohalak is perfectly defended, but the problem is the North.”
Sophien sat and looked down on her ministers.
“As a result of Reccordak’s reconnaissance, it is said that the number of beasts is near endless.”
The report from the North caused astonishment in the Imperial Palace, the description of millions of monsters gathered sending a shock through those gathered.
“It means that Deculein’s prediction was correct.”
“…Yes. For now, it was.”
Everyone in the hall bowed their heads for a moment. The servants who criticized him and ridiculed him as a prophet couldn’t raise their heads.
“You always attach something. ‘For now?’ Idiots.”
Sophien clenched her jaw and scolded them.
“We’re sorry…”
“I hate to hear that! Whatever you do, it’s always, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Don’t do anything for which you need to apologize for in the first place. Okay, tell me what you think! Would it be right to support the North?”
The ministers looked into each other’s eyes. They had something to say, but they were afraid of Sophien.
“…If Professor Deculein’s prediction is correct.”
Then the old Romellock stepped forward.
“It would be unrealistic to stop such a formidable horde in the North.”
“Then?”
Romellock continued resolutely.
“Currently, Professor Deculein is holding on to Reccordak intending to become the chairman, but I think it is right to summon him and defeat the demons in a safer place.”
“You mean abandoning the North?”
“…For now, it is considered to be the most efficient method. Also, we’d be only giving up half of it. The key point is the Getel Gate that runs from the North to the center.”
It was a reasonable plan. Indeed, if it were the most threatening monster wave in the history of the Empire, it would be beneficial in the long run to surrender about half of the North. In the first place, the North wasn’t bountiful land, so there would be little impact on the rest of the continent.
“The Getel Gate is a blessed and rugged terrain perfect for large-scale battles and sieges. If possible, if there is an all-out war with the beasts-“
Knock, knock-
Sophien and her ministers looked to the door.
“What is this?”
What kind of cheeky bastard dared to intervene during a National Assembly meeting? Romellock groaned.
“Who is it?!”
—A letter has arrived from Reccordak.
“…Reccordak?”
The ministers stiffened for a moment and looked at Sophien.
“Come in.”
—Thank you, Your Majesty.
Creak…
Opening the door, an adventurer trudged in. He held a scroll in one hand. Romellock frowned.
“Who sent it?”
“The sender is ‘Deculein von Grahan Yukline.’ It is the status directly from Reccordak.”
Romellock chuckled.
“Huh, what?”
Then Sophien crossed one leg. She nodded in that arrogant posture.
“If it came from the local area, it would be good to hear it. Come and read it.”
“Yes.”
The adventurer got down on his knees first, then opened the letter.
“Ahem.”
He coughed, mindful of the ministers’ watchful eyes. Soon, his loud voice reached the ceiling.
—I, Deculein, send a single statement to Her distant Majesty.
The ancestors died without living up to its splendid will and banner, and Your Majesty was willing to take on their sacred task at such an early age. I always wanted to be a help to Your Majesty.
I always tried not to be indolent to repay Your Majesty’s word, that undeserved generosity. All the knights and servants of the Imperial family will be no different from me, and each one will always devote himself to be a strength to Her Majesty…
Sophien listened without a change. The servants were embarrassed, and some were a little impressed. Deculein’s words defended the servants whom Sophien despised.
— I didn’t take a unique path as a professor of the Magic Tower; I was just a selfish man obsessed with my achievements. Your Majesty has made me a teaching magician, believing in the trivial words I uttered from time to time and laughing at my foolish remarks. I was so moved by that that I decided not to spare my body.
Did I ever? Sophien pondered over those words and traced back her memories.
—…Thus, I predicted that would be of some help to Her Majesty, considering the facts and figures scattered throughout the continent. I hoped this brief thought wasn’t right, but the sky was indifferent, and a cold and strong wind was about to blow over the continent.
But I will not let our enemies, both inside and outside, cause trouble in the Empire. Therefore, now is when the Imperial power and the priesthood should hold hands in unity, and a determined will is needed. When the harsh winter winds blow, the scholars and warriors of the Imperial Palace will surely become Your Majesty’s strength.
At that, the servants bowed their heads for a moment. Deculein’s words continued, speaking of the great loyalty of the harsh North, his worries about the continent, encouragement for her servants, and speaking of Her Majesty’s grace.
—…I always want to aid Her Majesty, as Her Majesty has always believed in me. I’m obligated to repay that belief.
Your Majesty. The north has always been in charge of the affairs here, but I will remain here to show Your Majesty’s will. Even in this winter, even if countless demons cross the borders, I, Deculein, will never turn my back. I will show Your Majesty’s will…
Sophien leaned back in her seat. Her body stretched out, and a small sigh left her parted lips.
—You’re a hero who will be the beacon of the Empire and the continent, Your Majesty, a quality that no other can match. I believe in Your Majesty and will stay here this winter.
I wish you all the best, peace, and happiness.
With that, the long letter was concluded. The adventurer, who was focused only on reading, put down the scroll and bowed his head.
“…”
The last sentence remained in Sophien’s chest.
—I wish you happiness.
‘Why is this guy so obsessed with my happiness? If I’m happy, will you benefit somehow?’
However, what was more unpleasant than that…
“…Someone who writes letters so well.”
Why did you send just one sentence before?
“Bring that letter here.”
Sophien clicked her tongue. She opened the letter again and read it with her own eyes, listening silently to the Professor’s thoughts.
“…I will keep this letter.”
She put the scroll in her pocket and pointed the tip of her chin at Romellock.
“Romellock, continue what you were saying.”
“…”
Romellock, who had insisted on abandoning the North before Deculein’s letter arrived, was struck temporarily dumb.
* * *
Reccordak, in the old-fashioned Yukline mansion built in the middle of a snowy forest.
“It can’t be helped that Decalane keeps appearing in your dreams….”
I entered Epherene’s room, speechless for a moment. Some pink things were sticking all over the place.
“…Oh. This. It’s not like I’m decorating it… no, I mean, why did you come all of a sudden…?”
Epherene was embarrassed. I threw away the rabbit doll that was on the bed with Psychokinesis, shaking my head.
“Anyway. Today we enter the Voice.”
“…Oh, okay.”
Epherene nodded and hugged the pillow in her arms a bit tighter.
“Go to sleep first. We will meet when the time is right.”
“Okay… well…”
Epherene hesitated and laid down on the bed. I sat in a rocking chair near the fireplace and opened a book.
“Um, Professor. Can I sleep like this?”
I nodded without a word and began to read.
“…Can I just sleep?”
I stared at her.
“If you ask me one more-“
“Gosh, I won’t, I won’t.”
“…”
Epherene finally shut her mouth, and I started reading again. Suddenly, I wondered what would happen to the letter sent to the Imperial Palace. I sent it in hopes of receiving support.
“You know, Professor.”
Epherene opened her mouth.
“I… we, ah-!”
I blocked her snout with Psychokinesis.
“Ugh- ugh!”
“Go to sleep.”
“…!”
Epherene looked at me and shook her head.
Swish—
Turning her back to me, she covered herself with the blanket. I wondered if she would sleep now.
“Snore— Snore— Snore—”
Epherene fell asleep in about three seconds.
“…”
It was an absurd talent, but it was rather convenient. I approached her and put my hand on her forehead.
“…Tsk.”
The feeling of bare skin touching bare skin was disgusting. However, there was nothing I could do about it. I forcibly closed my eyes and unleashed my mana. The magic to be implemented was from the harmony series, 「Dream Contact」.
With this, we would be able to enter the Voice World together.
[The rest of the chapters will be up at noon-1PM CST today.]