Chapter 56: Cry


    Thud.


    The moment I returned to the room, my strength drained from me. I could barely stand.


    As I sat down on the bed, struggling topose myself, Dark Sage cautiously revealed herself.


    Given that she had seen everything by my side, she must have empathized with the turmoil I now felt.


    [......]


    So, she didnt intrude with words amidst my confusion but waited in silence.


    Until I found my own answer.


    Surprisingly, it didnt take as long as I thought. As always, this cursed calmness followed me, making me contemte the situation emotionlessly, untangling it slowly.


    As I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose to clear my jumbled thoughts, the image of Eleanor, who kept approaching me, shimmered in my mind.


    Sigh


    Exhaling deeply, I stood up, noticing Dark Sages slightly surprised expression.


    [You recovered so quickly?]


    She remarked, implying not even five minutes had passed. But the disorientation I felt after such a long time seemed much longer than expected.


    Yes, Im okay now.


    That was it. The brief sting was fleeting, and I was back to my usual self.


    [Alright. Just to make sure, the current Princess Eleanor...]


    Yes, the being from her dreams has taken over her body.


    [......]


    We were both certain about that. There was no room for a different opinion between Dark Sage and me.


    The fact that Eleanor didnt ask if this ce was reality the moment she saw me


    Also, the fact she didnt respond the way she had prepared when I initiated the code myself


    These two were the reasons for our confidence.


    Now, the issue arises here.


    With her arms crossed, Dark Sage inquired with a hint of skepticism.


    [Is there any chance that the monster you created, named Mack, didnt work as intended?]


    No, it functioned precisely as intended. And, after fulfilling its role, it vanished.


    Upon consuming the dream, Mack carried out its final duty I had asked mages to include and disappeared.


    Dark Sage looked at me with a grimace, then responded somberly.


    [Then, isnt the answer clear? The Eleanor we originally met was the very nightmare.]


    ......


    [Honestly, its not that surprising. Among the evil spirits, there are often those who cannot ept their own demise, right?]


    Yes, Ive encountered many.


    Moreover, there were several spirits who indeed tried to possess bodies.


    [She might not have been aware she was a nightmare. Ultimately, Mack did its job by consuming the nightmare. It seems, after a long period of being possessed, freedom has finallye to Princess Eleanor.]


    ......


    [Since the rightful owner of the body has returned, we should celebrate.]


    Dark Sage spoke as if urging me to acknowledge the truth.


    I got up and headed back to the teapot.


    I began to heat the tea I had prepared the day before, and then answered.


    Thats impossible.


    I too, initially wondered if the once-vivacious Eleanor was, in fact, a nightmare.


    But that was impossible.


    [Excuse me? Impossible, you say?]


    The teapot spewed steam. Slowly pouring tea into the cup, I felt warmth seep into my hand as I held it.


    Without formally sitting, I took a sip right there and responded.


    If the Eleanor we met was some sort of imposter, we would have certainly noticed.


    Right now, Dark Sage was thinking too much from the perspective of a necromancer.


    Sadly, the issue with Eleanor had little to do with necromancy.


    For that to be possible, it presupposes that Eleanor was under some kind of spell. But we saw no such thing.


    [Ah]


    Dark Sage and I had discussed this before.


    Nothing seemed off about Eleanor.


    Even the Saintess couldnt properly identify the cause.


    The situation surrounding Eleanor had no external interference.


    What we should be focusing on is the nightmare.


    [Nightmare?]


    Mack consumed a nightmare. But what constitutes a nightmare? It doesnt understand that concept.


    [...So, youre saying a nightmare isnt a fixed concept.]


    Exactly. And in this case, the definition would likely depend on the intent of the one being consumed.


    Again, Mack is akin to an AI made of mana. It can only act based on the logic weve provided.


    We, who couldnt clearly define what a dream or a nightmare is, only gave Mack vague information about nightmares without a clear definition.


    Its highly likely Mack consumed what the subject, Eleanor, defined as a nightmare.


    Sigh


    A profound weight emanated from what I had done with my own hands.


    And when I epted my mistake, only then did the puzzle pieces snugly fit together.


    I admit to being blinded by the simplicity of resolving the problem, causing me to misstep.


    But,


    Theres still a way to reverse it.


    So, as much as it was twisted, I intended to steer this case back on track.


    I gulped thest remnants of the thick tea I made yesterday. Pouring fresh water, I began to brew a new pot as I gazed at the now-empty teacup.


    This wasnt about a nightmare.


    It wasnt an incident of evil spirits or monsters tormenting a girl.


    It wasnt a chilling, mysterious ghost story.


    It wasnt a convoluted riddle requiring the sharp mind of a detective; nor did it demand the unreal powers of necromancers or Saintesses.


    It wasnt some clichd melodrama about saving a young girl from the clutches of evil.


    It didnt demand the discernment of Solomons Judgment to differentiate between the genuine and the fake.


    This was...


    <strong>* * *</strong>


    The party in the royal gardens was more opulent than I could have ever imagined.


    All the nobles in Grayford were invited and congratted the princess on her recovery.


    I had wondered how the king would frame the story about the nightmare, but it was simply introduced as a recovery from a long-standing childhood illness.


    And it naturally became known among the nobles that I was the one who cured it.


    Before revealing my identity as a necromancer, the king had strategicallyid the groundwork.


    The final trial remains, but for tonight, lets set it aside and enjoy.


    The words from the king, smilingly directed at me from behind, were quite striking.


    It seemed I already had King Orpheuss trust.


    Also, recalling the games storyline, I had a rough idea of what he had prepared for thest trial, so I was confident.


    Nobles, clergy, knights.


    Today, they all set aside their usual rivalries and unanimouslyughed and celebrated the princesss recovery.


    A splendid achievement.


    Right now, I was with Grand Mage Rockfelicus. He seemed tipsy, repeatedly patting my shoulder and prodding me to consider bing his apprentice.


    Oh dear, Master!


    Goodness! Hes so drunk hes spouting nonsense!


    The apprentices hurriedly escorted him away, trying to downy his inebriated babbling. Their frantic attempts to make it seem like nothing was amusing, especially since I had no intention of bing an apprentice anyway.


    [Hes MY apprentice.]


    The irritated necromancer grumbled. Despite everyone wearing formal robes, her distinct look resembling that of an astrologer made her stand out, impossible to overlook.


    Fortunately, only I could see her.


    Wheres the princess?


    [Shes on the balcony. You need to enter the pce.]


    Thanks to my prior instructions to locate Princess Eleanor, I could avoid unnecessary detours.


    Despite the star of the party discreetly leaving her seat, no one seemed to notice.


    These events are typically busy at the start, but as the night progresses, everyone finds their own corner to enjoy.


    I headed towards the interior of the pce. Reserved for high-ranking nobles, stern knights blocked the entrance.


    You should recognize me.


    Considering the king had introduced me earlier, I naturally assumed Id be granted entry, but they stood firm.


    The princess ordered us. If Deus Verdi arrives, bar his entry.


    ...


    Quite a direct move on her part.


    I was dyed and just when I was contemting another approach...


    A heavy hand rested on my shoulder. Its firm grip was remarkable, especiallying from someone who was hospitalized just days ago.


    It was Chief Magistrate Tyren Ol Velocus, standing steadfastly behind me.


    Let him through.


    He demanded authoritatively.


    The knights were taken aback, both by Tyren defying the princesss orders and his audacious stance. Yet, Tyren thumped his chest, dering his intent.


    Ill take responsibility. And if necessary, I cany all of you out right here.


    ...


    ...


    As the knights hesitated, Tyren gave me a rough shove forward, cing himself between me and the knights.


    Lord Tyren!


    This is an act of rebellion!


    You must have seen the young princesss distress. That man is trying to address it, even if it means defying orders.


    Tyren stated with chest puffed out in confidence.


    It can be seen as a twisted form of loyalty.


    I sneaked a nce at him. Tyren smirked at me, and with a snort that seemed almost yful, remarked,


    Next time, I wont lose.


    [Ugh, I never want to fight him again.]


    With the peculiar support of the burly man, I proceeded up the stairs.


    With each step, I felt a refreshing rity.


    Lifes path isnt always straightforward. The original Deus always took the wrong path, and Kim Shin Woo also treaded more on the mistaken paths than the right ones.


    But right now, inside me, there was an unwavering certainty.


    I was undoubtedly on the right path.


    I arrived at a dimly lit balcony. From below, the continuousughter and bright lights could be heard, yet, strangely, they seemed distant and unreachable from here.


    Above the dazzling scene below, brighter than a star-studded sky, was a golden-haired girl gazing at the unusually dark night sky.


    I didnt really know what to call this ce. They said its a balcony. Doesnt fit as well as I thought.


    Eleanor Luden Griffin murmured serenely and then slowly turned her gaze to me.


    I thought youde, Deus. I tried to imitate the previous Eleanor in my own way, but it probably wont work on you.


    A voice colder than I ever heard before.


    She seemed to have abandoned the act of portraying the previous Princess Eleanor, assuming her true identity was known.


    In her eyes, there was a zing conviction, an intense belief in herself, and an ambition for power.


    And that was the traitor of the kingdom I saw in the game.


    The ambitious one who sought to kill her own brother, King Orpheus, and usurp the throne.


    The Fallen Princess,


    Eleanor Luden Griffin.


    How does it feel? The Eleanor you knew is dead. Shes no longer inside here.


    Eleanor dered with a confident smile. She then burst intoughter, spreading her arms wide.


    Did you want to save her? But what can you do? In the end, I won! Me! I emerged victorious! How does it feel? The one you wanted to stop has now be the princess.


    Step.


    Step.


    Its your defeat, Deus Verdi.


    Step.


    The princess who once hoped for your salvation is nowhere to be found.


    Step.


    Before I realized, I had reached her. Silently, I gazed at Eleanor.


    With a smug curl of her lips, she looked up at me as if challenging me to say whatever I wished.


    Theres no need to act.


    I consoled her, signaling not to utter pointless words.


    I know everything.


    What are you talking about


    Even if you want to grumble, to plead, to cry, or to copse pitifully, you cant.


    Because that is the form of the ideal being, bearing the rights and responsibilities youve shouldered since birth.


    Dont talk nonsense.


    Eleanor tried to push me away, gritting her teeth, but there was no strength in her hand.


    You dont need to hide behind sharp words. If you cant say anything else, silence is okay.


    Beforeing here, Tyren Ol Velocus had said this:


    Even going against orders for the sake of ones lord can be considered loyalty.


    I cant fully agree with that sentiment.


    At least, the action Im taking now for Eleanor, who cannot voice her true feelingsor rather, whos been made unable toisnt defined by loyalty.


    This is just a clutch y to correct my own mistake.


    Not a situation unfolding from the rigid stances of loyalty and nobility.


    But as a professor, the time spent with a student.


    Im sorry for not noticing.


    Eleanor still looked at me as if she wanted to consume me in anger for degrading her.


    Yet, a very faint tear welled up in her eyes.


    I didnt miss it, reaching out gently to wipe it away.


    The girls body subtly shivered.


    Truth and falsehood. Perhaps there was no need to distinguish between them.


    Not nightmares, spirits, goblins, riddles, demons, incidents, or ghost stories.


    It was none of those.


    It was just a cry.


    Because you were still Eleanor Luden Griffin.


    What the crying girl needed was just constion and an embrace.


    <strong>--- End of The Chapter ---</strong>


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