The promised day arrived.
We sat across from each other in the rattling carriage, watching the scenery rush past the small window. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I knew what was coming, which only amplified my unease.
"If you're tired, you can sleep a little. We still have a day's journey ahead, anyway."
Lost in thought, I squeezed my eyes shut, and Kyle seemed to misunderstand. I shook my head.
"I can sleep properly later. It feels like a waste now."
"Hmm."
"Better..." I glanced at the papers he kept clutching even in the carriage. "Wizards," I prompted.
The word "wizard" made Kyle's face visibly cold. His instinctive reaction highlighted the deep chasm between the lawless territories and Blake's estate.
"Why do they attack Blake's territory like that? Is it because they desire this land? Or are they outcasts, banished due to their own transgressions?"
"Nope." Kyle replied in a cold voice, then looked at me and coughed heavily. "They fundamentally don't integrate into society. Even left alone, they cause problems, but fortunately, they harbor no desire to be subjugated by it. They cannot be confined by any law or ethic. They act solely according to their curiosity, their own rules, and the principles they adhere to."
"So, do they seek to conquer Blake's estate? Do they wish to deny the North's society and rule over it?" Otherwise, there would be no need to work with Lorenz to pressure the North.
"Well, I don't think so." Kyle thought for a moment and then said, "They are so insane that I can't truly understand them, but if they wanted to conquer, they would have invaded directly. They'd surely bring a proper army if they intended to play such a nasty trick on the territory."
"Unpleasant trick?" As I listened, something suddenly came to mind.
'Thanks to the 'gifts' sent from time to time, the people of my land died miserably, by the dozens, by the hundreds. Did you believe I would forgive you for not retaliating?' I recalled the wizard's chilling words. The "gift" Kyle spoke of earlier clearly didn't carry the benign meaning we usually associate with the word. His expression was terrifying—the kind of face that conveyed he was dealing with the most blasphemous and disgusting thing in the world.
I didn't want to bother him with his nightmare memories, but he needed to be aware of the chances of bumping into mages during the hunt. I offered a small, apologetic smile and asked, "Well, that... was it a 'gift'?"
"Yes." Kyle gritted his teeth. "It was a demon. Improved and enhanced by their magic, they weren't easily killed; sometimes, they even survived a heart-piercing stab... though I'm not sure you could call it a 'heart.' Everything I stabbed would simply freeze. They'd send them to the estates one by one, to test the completeness of their magic. This 'hunting' may merely be an extension of their research."
I muttered in a blank voice. "... The Heart of Winter."
"Yes. That's what they call their creation... Shu, how do you know that? Did you see it in your dreams?"
"No, that's not the case..." It may be related to something I haven't read. I shook my head and called out to the system.
'Why is the original name '
[Would you like to read the content later?]
Okay. I have to take a look. What happened after Kyle's death.
Of course, many fates have changed, so they won't continue as they are... At the very least, it will be useful for understanding the Wizards, an unknown organization.
"I think I might see it in my dreams. I'll check it out." I peeked out the window. I could see the forest's edge in the distance. We'd decided to camp nearby today, so we'd arrive soon. "If I seem to be in a daze, don't think it's strange; just give me a moment. I'll be back to myself as quickly as possible."
Kyle nodded in agreement, but smiled. "With that said, it sounds more like you're reading a book than dreaming."
"..."
"Just kidding. I'll wait, so take your time."
I crossed my arms and rested my head on the hard backrest. Actually, I didn't have to close my eyes, but I told him it was a dream. Fortunately, the system appeared in my mind even if I closed my eyes, if I wanted to see it. It was as if the images were being directly transmitted into my mind.
[ can be viewed as an attribute.]
The blue system window flashed with a pale glow, as if guiding me. Soon, a few lines of sentences that were supposed to be the contents of the original work appeared, and a blurry scene began to emerge as if dreaming.
[Archduke Blake, Kyle Jane Meinhardt is dead.]
Soon, I remembered him as he collapsed. It was a little blurry, but it was recognizable. Naturally, I felt sick to my stomach.
'No, even if you show it, why are you showing me this scene first?'
Even the clothes were the same as the ones I was wearing now. It dawned on him that he might or might not die in this hunt. Fortunately, the scene passed quickly.
I blinked. A new system window popped up.
[Belial Serena Meinhardt became emperor. Lorenz, seemingly pushed aside due to his brother's superior power, had in fact feigned weakness. He never intended to be a puppet emperor and merely sought an opportunity to strike.]
Serena married Belial. As she faced him in the same gown she'd worn for their engagement ceremony, Serena was clearly smiling, yet her eyes remained cold. Her gaze was sharp, as if searching for his vital point.
Soon, the scene changed again.
When Serena learned the truth about her biological parents, the Lande Baroness, her heart seethed with hatred. She vowed to bring ruin upon Belial and the Klein family. Although she loved Belial, she couldn't forgive her mother.
[Serena said with a feeling of vomiting blood: "I killed my parents. So, this time I'm going to take your children with me."]
Serena's wish almost came true. When Lorenz brought in a group of wizards from the lawless zone, he joined forces with them to decimate Duke Klein's people. I couldn't see the entire process, but in any case, both Lorenz and the former Empress Serena were dead.
However, Belial did not die. He fell into a comatose state, and as he collapsed, Serena realized that she was in love with him. Now that her revenge was over, she could return to her original world, but Serena didn't. It wasn't merely a decision born from assimilating into Serena's original feelings.
[Serena embraced the dying Belial and headed north, determined to obtain the Heart of Winter, which overturned death and gave eternal life.]
[Even if it's not right.]
She colluded with the wizards. Pretending to help them with their research, she stole their last Winter Heart at the last moment and used it to revive Belial.
Heart of Winter.
A heart made of magic, frozen and sparkling blue. There was an indescribable light swirling within it.
[Winter's Heart wasn't a miracle that granted eternal life; it was merely a blue monster that devoured lives.]
Serena held her heart in both hands and looked closer. Her vision was transmitted to me. The blue light got closer. I felt like the shimmering light was going to swallow me. Just looking at it would make you lose your mind... It was someone's life. The lives of so many people who had been devoured for eternal life. A sinful light pierced my eyes. I felt nauseous.
"..."
So, did Serena take the light, or did she let it go? Just as she could do anything for revenge, could she do anything for love? The Heart of Winter was neither a miracle nor a gift. That's just...
"... Shu."
It's just a tragedy. Why is this story a tragedy for everyone? Can I make this tragedy happy with the power of miracles? Do I have the strength to do that?
"Shu!"
I gasped for breath, as if surfacing from deep water. I snorted. A large hand grabbed my shoulder and shook it. It was an urgent hand.
"Wake up!"
I opened my eyes, panting. My vision was blurry.
Rattle.
The carriage shook. Of course, it was Kyle who had grabbed and shaken me. His upper body was close to mine. He put his finger under my nose, then lowered his hand and pressed his thumb against my lips. It seemed that I had been biting my lip unconsciously.
"Breathe."
The unruly thumping of my heart subsided. I blinked slowly and looked up at Kyle. It was true that he was agitated. Every hair on my body stood on end, and I felt as if my limbs would stiffen with fear. But strangely, the moment I looked into his eyes, I felt the anxiety that had been crushing deep in my chest melt away.
"I'm sorry I couldn't wait. But..."
"..."
"Because you looked distressed."
Kyle frowned slightly and rubbed my cheek and forehead. "I was in a cold sweat, and I couldn't stand it still."
I laughed at that. Yes, there's nothing to be afraid of. After all, it was just one of the many futures that could come to them. And I came here to change that story.
"Are you okay?"
You can't save everyone. Because I'm not a god. But I can save the person who was most pathetic, the person I like the most, you.
That's why I came here.
"I was just dreaming."
If only I could prove that it was just a bad dream.
"It's okay."
Kyle pressed his forehead carefully against mine. His gentle breathing touched the tip of my nose.
"I suppose so."
"Did you just live a deceived life?" The speed of the wagon slowed. I kissed him briefly and smiled. "Why are you so worried?"
"Because I like you."
"Oh, stop exaggerating."
"Haha." He smiled, lowering his eyes, and gently rubbed my cheek, where the scuff mark had almost healed. "So, don't you like it?"
I pouted, and replied, "Okay."
"What?"
"I like it! Oh, pretend you didn't hear it!"
We looked at each other's faces and laughed until the carriage came to a complete stop, like protagonists of a happy fairy tale with a perfect ending.