Chapter 227: Return (3)
Drip— Drip—
In the VVIP section on the train returning to the Islands. It was raining outside the window, and occasionally lightning flashed. It was a strangely eerie atmosphere.
Epherene, sitting on the couch, asked.
“Then, did you realize the regression at that time, Professor?”
I nodded. When I was driving back from the Imperial Palace, the moment our pursuers attacked. I overcame the regression and smashed them with Allen’s assistance, who arrived a bit later.
“That was the turning point.”
“Aha… how amazing.”
I didn’t die, so I waited until March when the regressed Epherene would return.
“But why did I only return in March?”
“The god must have been involved in your regression. He has the power to intervene in the world.”
“…No wonder. He looked like someone who would do that. He pretended to be nice, but I wasn’t deceived.”
God, the final boss of this world. He was a remnant of the Holy Age of the past and the most dangerous impurity.
“Anyway, the priority is to save Her Majesty.”
“Hmm… was this power also Her Majesty’s?”
Epherene muttered.
“Right. It is Her Majesty’s power.”
Epherene shook her head.
“But why did it come to me?”
“Because such power is always constant in this world, like entropy, and you are the wizard most suited to the notion of time.”
“Ent… what?”
That was the setup of powers in the game. When someone with a power died or lost it for some reason, that power was always transferred to a new wielder. The criteria for selection was the talent most suited for that power.
“You don’t need to know. However, your regression is quite different from that of Her Majesty.”
Sophien’s death in the original game system meant game over. Perhaps it was because Sophien’s regression involved the creation of a new world by destroying the old one. On the other hand, Epherene’s regression was fake.
“Why?”
“It’s simple. What’s the difference between the level of your magic and a newly taught wizard?”
“That’s easy! Of course, with one fist, I… oh~, okay.”
Epherene smiled and nodded.
“Okay, okay. I got it. I understood right away.”
Sophien’s regression and Epherene’s regression. Considering the qualitative difference between them and the experience of implementing regression for hundreds of years, Sophien’s was inevitably stronger.
“Then should I wait now?”
“The rest is up to me.”
“Hmm… then. I think this should be with you…”
Epherene pulled something off her waist: a wooden pocket watch. I shook my head.
“It’s yours.”
“Huh? How do you know?”
“Every moment you have walked is buried in it.”
It could be seen with Vision. Her time was embedded in the pocket watch; every round Epherene went through shimmered over it with mana.
“Oh! So do you know where to use this? It was sent to me by Rohakan.”
Epherene asked with bright eyes.
“…If it’s something Rohakan gave you, it will be put to good use someday. You will know at the right moment.”
Epherene made a mysterious face.
“Just say you don’t know.”
“…”
“Anyway.”
Epherene hung the pocket watch on her waist again.
“…Thank you. For keeping your promise.”
* * *
…In the previous twenty episodes where Deculein and the Emperor had been dead, the Altar had tamed the Empire at their leisure. As the episodes went on, the continent beelined straight to annihilation and destruction, and there seemed to be no hope. However.
“I restrained myself from spreading unfounded rumors among the officials in the cities and villages of the empire, and I also broke the brushes of the noisy media.”
Only one survived.
“Activate a standing army to strengthen the border around the city but send a letter to the eight countries in advance to inform them that it is a military action to correct internal disturbances.”
The situation on the continent was frighteningly stable.
“Prohibit entry and exit from the Empire until the mastermind is executed, and with it, the top officials of the Eight Kingdoms, diplomats, ambassadors, and royalty… take them as hostages.”
Watching these new developments, Epherene understood why the Altar aimed at Professor Deculein right after Her Majesty.
“In the end, it seems right to force the entire continent to cooperate with the Empire.”
Deculein was the pillar of the Empire. Even without Her Majesty, they would unite around him. His natural political power and bold determination were enough to even replace the Emperor.
“…I think it is a reasonable opinion.”
They were at the Imperial Palace. However, it wasn’t Sophien who sat on the throne, but her brother Kreto.
“Other than that?”
In a cold sweat, Kreto sought Deculein’s opinion.
“There is nothing to worry about, as we are already using all of the intelligence of Yukline to search for other internal enemies.”
“…Good. By the way, are there any who oppose Deculein’s opinion?”
Kreto looked around. There were a lot of servants gathered, but each kept quiet.
“Right. If so, today’s meeting will end here. Disperse.”
At that, the servants bowed their heads and hurriedly left as if they were running away. Only Deculein and the aristocrats following him walked with any dignity. Epherene quickly attached herself to Deculein.
“Professor. Do the meetings always end boringly like this?”
“Since no one opposes me.”
At Deculein’s words, Epherene tilted her head.
“Why not?”
“Because they are all dead.”
“…Eh?”
“I murdered them.”
Epherene was stunned.
“Uh…”
She was once more reminded of Deculein’s cruelty.
“They will come back to life anyway.”
“…Still.”
“Instead, you won’t be in any danger.”
“…”
Was this good or bad? Epherene swallowed hard.
“Now, everyone, go back and do your part.”
Deculein looked back to the nobles who followed him.
“Her Majesty is in critical condition, and now our tasks are heavy. There will be support from Yukline, so don’t spare yourselves and focus on defense and surveillance.”
“Yes.”
They left, and Deculein turned to Epherene.
“Epherene, get ready now.”
“Yes? Get ready for what?”
“I am going to teach you so that this time isn’t completely pointless.”
“…Oh.”
During repeated regression, the things that didn’t disappear were memories and knowledge. She still didn’t fully understand Deculein/Luna’s thesis.
“Yes, Professor.”
Epherene nodded resolutely.
* * *
…Pointless time was passing, the scraps to reach April 9th.
I taught Epherene. She edited her thesis, and I lectured the theory just for her and clearly defined its properties.
“Do not forget.”
So, more than a month passed, until we reached the night of April 8th. I arrived at the Imperial Palace’s lake.
-Yes. Professor, be careful. And don’t forget about me.
Just in case, I left Epherene in the Imperial Palace’s guest room. She was escorted by Delric and Julie and was having a conversation over a walkie-talkie.
-Oh, yeah. How about the list I gave you? It will be midnight soon.
“I read it.”
The list of spies and informants, which Epherene discovered after regressing twenty times. This was information that would be very useful in the future.
-Yes. If you forget, I’ll tell you again.
I nodded and looked over the surface of the lake, the lake where I fished with Sophien.
—How is it?
“It’s peaceful.”
Drip.
Raindrops fell at the moment I answered. They caused small ripples on the surface of the lake, and the mana inside gently bloomed.
Drip. Drip.
The rainwater that reached the lake formed a certain shape and reflected someone’s face.
“…”
I watched him without a word. His appearance was blurry, but somehow it was clear to me.
“…Are you the god?”
Drip. Drip. Drip.
However, perhaps it wasn’t the time yet. He disappeared again in the shaking rain, and I looked up at the sky.
Drip, drip. Drip, drip.
I blocked the raindrops that were growing stronger with Psychokinesis and thought quietly. I recalled memories that I shouldn’t forget and engraved them in my mind.
Drip, drip, drip, drip…
The most basic duty of a servant was to protect the emperor.
—It’s almost midnight. I’ll start the count. Five!
But now, this world without Sophien was nothing but a fake. It was like a game-over already.
—Four!
Therefore, as the proof of this world, she must live.
—Three!
And with this world.
—Two!
And, with me…
—One!
It was midnight. It was the starting point of the regression, April 9th.
* * *
…I woke up in the crystal cave under Yukline. I instinctively looked at my watch.
“…”
The time was exactly midnight. The memories that remained in my head were of almost everything. It wasn’t just the memories of the previous episode, but those of the remaining twenty or so episodes that I went through.
“Hmm.”
I let out a small breath and glanced over the sack of sand laid out before me. Then, I left into the garden after passing the task that now only made me laugh. I stood in the middle of the garden and looked around the entrance to the cave.
Tweet— Tweet, tweet—
Bird song and dawn that illuminated the underground cave in blue… there were no such things anymore. It was still night.
“Ren.”
I called Ren.
“…”
There was no answer since it was still night. Even Ren was sleeping. I moved alone to the car. I didn’t have the car key, but Psychokinesis was enough.
Vroom—
As soon as I started the engine, I pressed the accelerator. It wasn’t too late to find out what month or day it was now, whether Sophien was alive or dead, or something like that.
I just had to go and check.
* * *
Splash-
Her fishing line sank into the lake. Sophien rested her chin on her hand and watched.
“…It’s amazing.”
She was just looking, but she wasn’t bored. On the contrary, she was having fun. Was it because she couldn’t move the fish even with her status as the emperor? Was it because of simple interest in catching fish?
“…”
Sophien looked over the lakeshores and thought about various things. It was late at night, but it wasn’t dark, thanks to the moonlight reflected over the water.
“Can I catch a Mizo fish?”
Just then, the bait started to move. Sophien grabbed the fishing rod and checked the species. It was a Mizo.
Sophien grinned, put on a new bait, and threw the line back in.
Splash-
The line sank into the lake. Sophien rested her chin on her hand and watched silently. The next fish would probably be-
“Are you alone?”
Then suddenly, a voice called her. Sophien looked back slowly. Now, engulfed in fishing, she was completely defenseless…
“Hmm?”
The face reflected in the moonlight was Deculein’s. Sophien furrowed her brow.
“Why are you here?”
“I have come to see Your Majesty.”
Deculein answered and sat in the chair next to her. Sophien looked at him as if it were ridiculous.
“You came to see me.”
“Yes.”
“Did the guards allow you to enter the palace?”
“Yes.”
“…Have they all gone mad?”
Sophien felt disconcerted. Then, Deculein took out a royal guard medal from his pocket.
“This is a privilege bestowed upon me by Your Majesty. Freedom to enter the Imperial Palace.”
Sophien frowned, dissatisfied.
“At that time, I had dementia….”
“Whatever it was.”
Splash-
Deculein also threw a line. Their two fishing lines floated side by side in the middle of the lake.
“I mean, why are you…”
Why are you throwing it near mine out of all the places in this wide lake? Sophien was trying to dismiss him, but…
“I’m glad you’re here.”
She was speechless at Deculein’s words.
“…”
Sophien glanced at him. It was somehow a weird situation for her.
“…Did you come here to fish?”
“I have come to see Your Majesty.”
“…”
“Also, for at least a week from today, please allow me to be with Your Majesty.”
“Did you go nuts?”
Sophien’s expression distorted. She asked, twisting the corners of her mouth.
“Did you take drugs?”
“No.”
Deculein flatly denied it. Then he turned to regard Sophien. His blue eyes reflected Sophien to herself.
“Your Majesty.”
“…I see you did. I don’t know what kind, though.”
The way he was acting straightforward made Sophien uncomfortable. She cleared her throat and stood. It was then that her line started to move. Sophien quickly sat back down and raised the fishing rod.
Spaaaaaaaash-!
The fish breaching through the water was a type she had never seen. Sophien showed the catch to Deculein; there was nothing this guy didn’t know.
“What is this?”
Deculein didn’t betray expectation.
“It’s an Arangdung.”
“Arangdung?”
“Yes. Seeing how thick the belly is, it looks like it has an egg.”
“…”
Sophien threw it back into the lake. It didn’t feel right to catch a bastard with eggs.
Dusting off her hands, she stood again and strolled off with Deculein following her. With the Emperor’s stout gait and stride, Deculein perfectly matched her. The sound of their two steps was like a waltz-
“Professor, you bastard.”
Sophien turned upon him with narrow eyes.
“Why do you keep chasing me?”
“I will stay with Your Majesty for a little while.”
“I didn’t allow you.”
“I will have to disobey you.”
“…What? Ha.”
Deculein responded as Sophien stood perplexed.
“It is so that Your Majesty will not die anymore.”
“…Die?”
“Yes. Your Majesty.”
A cold wind blew through the dark and silent corridors. Facing the Emperor’s eyes flashing crimson, Deculein added:
“I have seen the future where Your Majesty has died.”