Chapter 162: Northern Wall (1) (1/2)
…After some time passed, the wood steel on stand-by signaled the end of the situation, so I headed back down the rift.
Tap—
As soon as I touched down, I saw Sylvia lying exhausted near the crystal water. She was sleeping on the table I made alongside her ghost.
“…”
I took off my gloves and measured the temperature of the area. The body of the Iron Man was different from that of an ordinary human, and now that I had also acquired the secondary characteristic of cold resistance from the Snow Globe, I hardly felt the cold. But even if this body was fine, she might not be.
“…She must be cold.”
I walked over to Sylvia, made a blanket out of Ductility, and covered her with it. Just in case, Midas’ Hand level 2 reinforced the blanket.
“Good job.”
Strangely, I felt affection for her. No, maybe she was the only one who allowed me to feel this stupid feeling of guilt. I gently placed my hand against her small head and checked her condition. Then, I applied Duct Tape to her injuries. The healing would end while she slept, and she would just think she got better on her own.
“…Have a good rest.”
I looked back to the crystal water.
[Main Quest: Time]
Time, Demakan’s Sanctuary. On the surface of this mysterious tree, Epherene’s name had already disappeared. The magic expired, and the crystal water returned to normal.
Whoong-
I moved the wood steel to see a name engraved on the rough surface.
[Deculein]
At that moment, the quest called Time was completed.
“Hey. Do you know what that means? It means you want to join Time. Do you know what that is?”
I heard Idnik’s voice echoing around me.
“Isn’t it a death squad trying to destroy the Altar?”
“Ohh? It’s similar, but… anyway, isn’t it the kind of thing that you just hate?”
Idnik approached and sat across from Sylvia. Then she pulled out a tea set, including tea and a cup.
“It’s been a while since I returned here, though.”
“…”
“Huhu.”
Idnik grinned and gestured, pointing at Sylvia’s blanket.
“But it’s weird. You seem to cherish Sylvie a lot.”
I didn’t answer, instead of looking at Sylvia. Suddenly, Sierra came to mind, although she was someone I’d never met.
“She has the talent to be a great wizard; I just respect her potential.”
In clearing the main quest, not only the player but also the Named were important. It wasn’t a scenario a single player could clear.
“I will go.”
I straightened my clothes and wiped the dust off my sleeves.
“You do the rest.”
As I turned around, Idnik spoke bluntly.
“Are you sorry for killing her mother?”
“…”
I stopped. Fragments of memories flooded my mind: Deculein strangling Sierra, anger that poured out like blood, and Sierra apologizing. Each scene permeated my mind.
“…If I hadn’t killed Sierra, she would have died.”
Idnik stiffened. Sierra was dead; she had no more life given to her.
“So? You mean you killed someone who was going to die anyway?”
I shook my head. Deculein probably couldn’t bear his anger and killed her. There would be no other reason, no dignity to be found.
“It is different then and now. Just like now, we will keep Sierra’s disease a secret from Sylvia.”
“…What?”
Idnik frowned. I looked at Sylvia for a moment. Sleepy face, deep breath, slow heartbeat. There was no possibility that she was acting.
“Now, all that is left to this child is hate.”
Sylvia was now empty. She lacked the most important element as a human being. So, like a clockwork doll, she couldn’t move on her own.
“If only hating me could bring that talent to full bloom. If she can live.”
Then a strand of hair fell into her mouth, but I moved it with Psychokinesis. Idnik watched me carefully.
“That’s not bad either. I’m used to being hated, and I can easily accept it. I’ll watch her grow up and shine in it.”
Idnik sneered.
“…You’re just like Glitheon.”
I shook my head.
“At least I think of this child.”
“Ha. You?”
This wasn’t a lie, but one of the few proofs in this world that I am Kim Woojin. These were emotions I would never feel were I Deculein, though few brought them out. Sylvia was one of them.
“So, like she is now.”
I looked at Idnik.
“Let her hate me.”
“…”
Idnik quietly looked into my eyes until a small laugh leaked out.
“Now what? It’s not just hate that Sylvie has for you right now. You are still mistaken.”
I waited a moment for her to continue. What was I mistaken about? But Idnik shook her head.
“Go now. I fully understand what you mean.”
“…”
I nodded and dismantled the Duct Tape that had healed Sylvia’s body, removing any traces of my mana. Then, I began to climb out of the crevasse atop my wood steel. I could hear Idnik faintly calling from behind me.
“Bye. I don’t know why, but I don’t dislike you who’s changed so much…”
* * *
A horse strode through the northern fields carrying Sophien and Epherene.
“…”
The landscape of the future wasn’t much different from the present. It was no fun either, just sad.
“Your Majesty.”
Epherene cautiously called out to the Emperor.
“Speak.”
“…It’s been less than four years.”
“Do you mean this future?”
“Yes.”
It meant that Deculein had only three or four years left at the latest. It was too short a time; Epherene felt strangely heartbroken. Deculein was her father’s foe… Deculein’s enemy was also her father… because of her father, Deculein’s fiancée…
Her head was a mess.
“I see.”
Then Sophien nodded, glancing at Epherene behind her.
“Luna.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“…It’s nothing.”