Chapter 259

What about me?

The light reflecting on the lake’s surface stabbed my eyes with the ripples, then faded, repeating the cycle. My vision flickered white, making it feel like I was in a dream. I had pushed him, expecting to hear something like this. It’s true. But I couldn’t help the dizzying sensation that overwhelmed me.

“I’m sorry.”

I can’t accept it.

I looked into his eyes deliberately and said,

“For now, I can go along with your wishes. Like attending the engagement ceremony, for example. But I can’t say I’ll stay with you for long.”

What am I even saying?

But he didn’t question my words. His wavering eyes met mine, and he barely managed to speak.

“…I see.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, I just need to try harder. It’s okay.”

His words sent a chill down my spine. A cold feeling settled in my stomach.

I struggled to find my voice.

“…What do you mean, try harder?”

“Winning your heart.”

“So, how are you going to do that?”

“It’s a secret.”

He smiled brightly, as if he hadn’t just been rejected. He had a knack for sending my mind to another dimension. He continued with a gentle smile.

“So, you’re saying… for now, you can be with me. That intention is clear, right?”

“For now, yes.”

“If one day here were just one minute outside, how nice would that be?”

……

“Then I could hold onto your heart more securely.”

I shook my head. Putting aside his unsettling idea, I had to keep acting.

“It’s enough as it is now.”

“It’s not enough. I haven’t fully captured your heart.”

“You said time is the answer. I think so too.”

“We don’t have much time. Once the Bishop is dead, you’ll go back to your world, won’t you?”

……

“If only we were one.”

I looked down at him silently. He was looking at my hand, then slowly raised his head.

“I’ve dragged this out too long. Let’s go eat breakfast.”

*  *  *

“The house is full of flowers.”

“Pretty cool, right? You wouldn’t believe how much Magic Power went into this.”

Outside, it felt like spring.

The house was decked out with flowers, but the outside was even more striking, as if the season itself had changed.

He had decorated the mansion like spring for the engagement ceremony. After eating breakfast and reading a bit, I came out to find the world transformed like this.

The Archbishop looked around and said,

“I don’t really like plants, but symbols are the best, aren’t they?”

“Sure, do whatever you want.”

It’s not my house.

I mumbled absentmindedly,

“It’s peaceful.”

Right now, we were on a small boat on the lake.

He closed the book he was reading and stared at me. I was looking at him too, so an awkward silence followed. I spoke first.

“What?”

“Everything suits you so well, it’s hard to decide. Your hair down makes you look my age, which is nice, and up, it’s neat and nice.”

Out of nowhere?

He’s probably talking about how to do my hair for the engagement ceremony.

What a random thing to say.

“Then just leave it down. It’s better if we have a similar vibe.”

After saying that, I realized I’d naturally treated him as Luka’s age and asked,

“Come to think of it, how old are you?”

“I’m about your age~ My clothing style is a bit old-fashioned, so you didn’t notice, huh?”

……

He pointed to the purple corsage on his hat and laughed.

Is he saying the ‘body’ he’s wearing is around 18?

Not the thing inside, right?

Of course, I’m in no position to judge, being in a similar situation.

In fact, it’s a relief his inner and outer ages don’t match. If he were actually younger than Luka, I wouldn’t be doing this; I’d have to be his teacher instead.

Thinking of that possibility, which would’ve doubled my reality shock, sent another chill down my spine, so I changed the subject.

“Your attendant hasn’t been around for days.”

“Oh, don’t worry about him. He’s here because he can’t go back to where he came from.”

As I silently looked around, he asked with a face that showed complete confusion.

“This is the first time you’ve mentioned someone from this place. Do you like him? I thought Old Humans were your type?”

“It’s not exactly a matter of taste.”

As expected, ‘Lu Barre’ was a New Human. His voice was too refined for an Old Human, so I figured he was either a former actor or a New Human.

I pushed that thought aside, tilted my head, and smiled.

“Shouldn’t I be the one annoyed? You say you like me, yet you keep another New Human here. How am I supposed to take that?”

“Oh.”

The Archbishop’s face showed he finally realized something.

He was more flustered than I expected.

He made a bewildered expression, closed his book, and said,

“I didn’t know you’d take it that way… I was just hiding a fugitive.”

“Hm, sure.”

“I only love you.”

It was such a direct hit that I almost failed to manage my expression.

Then a mischievous glint returned to his face.

“Even if it takes a long time, I hope one day I can be with you. Where I become you, and you become me. How much longer would we need to spend together to love each other that much?”

“Poetic.”

The sunlight reflecting off the water made it feel hot. The light kept stabbing my eyes, and my vision blurred as if in a dream.

I wished this peace could last.

Not because I love him, but because I know what’s coming at the end of this. I know everything but want to cover my eyes and forget it all. No, it’s because I know everything that I think this way. Who in this world would wish for a storm to sweep them away, knowing it’s coming?

But I won’t shy away from what I must do.

I just think about it. If he had chosen a more normal approach, this relationship might look different by now.

Of course, he’s not that kind of person. We’re like water and oil. In some ways, we see the world similarly, but in most ways, we can never mix. His ‘normal’ and my ‘normal’ are worlds apart.

His opportunistic nature, utterly devoid of shame, his extreme lack of ethics, and his narcissism-driven egoism are beyond my comprehension. If I told him my analysis of him now, he wouldn’t understand why I reached these conclusions.

“Come to think of it, you look pretty tired.”

I said, looking at his smile.

After being gone for two days, he looked far more exhausted than before.

“A lot happened in a short time… It’ll take too long to heal.”

“You’re hurt. How?”

“During reconnaissance.”

He answered, stood up, and came toward me. The boat rocked heavily.

“…?! Hey, why are you coming?! You’re throwing off the balance!”

“It’s fine~ It won’t capsize.”

He pressed one side of the boat with Magic Power and sat next to me, muttering softly,

“Falling in together wouldn’t be so bad…”

“Is this water even clean?”

“Of course. But don’t people ever tell you your questions miss the point?”

“I don’t want to hear that from you.”

He laughed lightly and leaned against my shoulder.

“I wish this peace could last.”

……

“Even after attacking Ainsidel… I mean, even after our engagement ceremony.”

So he’s still planning to hold the engagement ceremony despite me essentially rejecting him.

For him, countless things must have gone wrong with his plans. Yet his refusal to give up is impressive.

“Just three hours from now, huh. I hope you come back alive.”

……

I looked into his eyes as he stared into the void. Even facing the possibility of death, his eyes were calm. No matter what crazy side he showed me, he was indeed the Archbishop.

*  *  *

Time passed like that.

He exceeded my request to stay for twelve hours, spending nearly two and a half days with me. Yes, two and a half days. The coordinate system was collapsing further. My one day was now one hour outside.

During that time, we recited poetry we weren’t particularly interested in, picked a few books to discuss, ate, went back to the lake, watched plays when bored, played poker and chess, danced to music, and asked each other questions.

And now, I’m on the verge of an engagement.

I’m in the room I’ve been staying in, being dressed up by servants.

It’s been two hours. Not even for a camera, so how can it take two hours to dress one person? And just for one person to see? I don’t know how to justify this inefficiency. It’s clearly a waste of resources.

Of course, it’s all so that one person will like it. I wouldn’t tolerate being the only one doing this, but since he’s probably wasting just as much time getting ready, I can bear it.

“It’s done.”

One servant said, adjusting my tie that had gotten twisted while dressing.

I picked up the wristwatch artifact and pendant artifact I’d set aside. The servant in charge of my outfit seemed displeased with my choice, as if they didn’t match the suit’s vibe, and spoke up.

“Uh, the watch…”

“I’ll do it.”

Before, during the cross terror incident, before turning back time, I mentioned opening a belongings box in the hospital and finding artifacts and elixirs commissioned from Wittelsbach, along with Pai’s stone.

This wristwatch looks like the artifact I made when I first came to this world, but its properties changed when I had Wittelsbach remake it.

I spent about 500 million won in Korean currency upgrading it. Leo told me that several new technologies were invented while modifying my artifacts, so it’s no surprise how extensively it was overhauled.

Of course, it’s less that new technology was invented and more that technologies that hadn’t been used or refined before were finally polished. But that’s beside the point.

Either way, I always carry artifacts, so I can’t leave them behind.

As I stubbornly tucked the pendant under my shirt and put on the wristwatch, the servant finished adjusting everything.

Then, the bell signaling noon rang out from outside.

It’s the appointed time.

Once this event is over, the Archbishop won’t be with me anymore.

‘The end is near.’

In every sense, the end.

The servants’ faces tensed. I’m the one going, so why are they nervous?

As I stood at the door, a waiting servant opened it.

“…….”

It’s definitely space magic again.

I wasn’t in the mansion’s hallway. The sound of the door closing came from behind, but there was no trace of the door anymore.

A grand Renaissance-style cathedral unfolded before me. The sunlight pouring through the tall windows made the marble and limestone interior glow a soft beige. The ceiling’s three-dimensional angel sculptures and reliefs seemed to come alive, descending from the heavens. The blue frescoes painted with ground lapis lazuli added to the vibrancy. The cathedral’s pipe organ played music on its own, without a player.

And…

“Impressive.”

A low voice came.

I looked at the altar adorned with flowers in front of the crucifix. The Archbishop stood there in a royal blue ball gown.

Normally, wouldn’t he come in after me? But this isn’t a wedding, and I don’t know if that’s standard in any country or era, so I didn’t bother pointing it out. What does it matter now?

He clearly spent as much time getting ready as I did. He was the most beautiful person I’d seen in this world.

Maybe it’s the effect of the drug.

He looked at me with a gentle face, his eyes shining.

I walked toward him slowly.

There was no priest to bless us. With the Archbishop here, why would we need one?

He turned toward me and continued.

“…More than I expected.”

“You too.”

I answered, looking into his shining eyes.

He mirrored my smile. The organ’s melody lingered softly in my ears. Soon, his calm voice echoed through the cathedral.

“If one fails, two shall withstand, for a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

……

“You said you still don’t know what position I hold in Pleroma.”

He took my hand and spoke.

“I’m a bishop.”

……

“The diocesan bishop of the Freiburg Archdiocese in the south of this country. Did Sir Nicolaus Ernst already know?”

Instead of answering, I said something else.

“What’s an Archbishop like you doing trying to get married?”

“Indeed.”

The Archbishop responded to my words with a playful smile, then recited another scripture.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.”

……

He said no more and looked at me. It was my turn. I smiled and recited a different verse.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

The Archbishop immediately followed my words.

“I respect your wishes. So, today is less our commitment and more my courtship.”

……

“I know you don’t quite love me yet. But I never thought you’d be easy, so this is enough for me. For now.”

I looked at him silently. I had no words. This was practically his solo declaration.

He stroked my hand with his fingers and said,

“I’ll come back after settling everything.”

……

“Will you wait for me?”

I didn’t answer.

Because for me, this isn’t a beginning but an end, so I won’t wait.

Instead, I took his hand and kissed the ring.

He smiled with a face that made it unclear whether he understood my intention.

I lowered his hand and looked into his eyes. Silence lingered. Then he smiled at me, snapped his fingers, and something appeared in his hand that wasn’t there before.

I looked at the ring case, the same color as his dress, then at his face.

Another ring when I already have one?

Before my question could settle, he opened the lid and held it out to me.

I saw two shining sapphires and fell silent.

Earring artifacts.

“Put them on for me.”

Change them.

I knew it would come to this. When he insisted on an engagement ceremony despite already giving me a ring, it wasn’t hard to guess he had something else planned. It wasn’t difficult to predict he’d add another symbolic gesture.

Changing them isn’t hard. He probably thinks so too on the surface. After all, the person who gave me the artifacts I’m wearing is just a friend.

The problem isn’t who gave them to me. It’s that these are the only tools connecting me to the outside.

‘Of course, with this much time…’

I’ll trust in my friend’s abilities. To be my superior, he should have that level of speed and skill.

I smiled and asked,

“Do my artifacts bother you?”

“I just want you to promise me one last time. Can you leave your old world for me?”

The old world.

To him, the Wittelsbach artifacts are my link to the world I came from. He must have figured it out. No, he didn’t just figure it out now—he’s known for a while.

I don’t know what functions these artifacts he’s offering have. But the symbolism hit me hard.

“You know how I feel right now? Like I’m staring at a pomegranate.”

“Oh, so I’m Hades? That’s harsh~”

I laughed and closed the lid of the box he was holding.

Then I removed one of the artifacts from my ear.

I felt the Magic Power wrapping my heart weaken. This was the tool that kept me fearless despite being in the heart of enemy territory. Only now did fear start to creep in, my heart racing. I tucked the artifact into my jacket and returned the box to his arms.

“This is as far as I go for now.”

……

“Before I accept your gift, there’s someone I want to meet right now.”

His eyes were on my bare ear. Then he slowly looked into my eyes and spoke, his voice slightly wary.

“Who?”

“I want to meet Lu Scheller. Right now.”

“Why that person…?”

When I didn’t answer, he frowned, smiled, and shook his head.

“No way. Why does an attendant need to be involved in this moment?”

“There’s a conversation I had with him last time. I want to ask him more about it.”

……

“Please let me meet him. Otherwise, I can’t accept your gift.”

The Archbishop stared at me silently for a long time.

Then he nodded.

“Just for a moment. Five minutes.”

“Alright.”

I pulled him by the waist and hugged him.

“Thank you.”

……

He looked at me expressionlessly, then gave a faint smile. An indescribable emotion flickered in his eyes.

Then he stomped his foot loudly.

Boom—!

Another space magic unfolded around me.

I slowly looked around. It was a room with a similar vibe to the cathedral. All it had was a table and a couple of chairs.

Breaking this space magic would reveal the cathedral.

As I turned toward the door, wondering if I should open it, I heard movement behind me.

“I heard you called for me.”

I turned to see the attendant I’d seen a few days ago warped in front of the table. He looked quite startled, probably because I summoned him so suddenly.

Looking at his face, I spoke.

“I’ve been thinking.”

“About what, sir?”

“You’re clearly the same person, yet ‘another me’ doesn’t know me, while ‘yet another me’ does… I was curious about the reason.”

It wasn’t what he expected, and a strange question appeared on Lu Barre’s stiff face.

“What do you mean? Didn’t you say you had something to discuss about our last conversation?”

Yes, I have something to say about that too. But not now.

I continued my earlier point and approached Lu Barre.

“It’s like a limiter switch. In some way, there had to be a need to restrict information from each body so it doesn’t automatically transfer to a single soul. Especially for someone in a high position like your master, they’d need to guard against the possibility of information being stolen by Divine Power, so they’d make information exchange between bodies difficult.”

“I don’t know what conversation you had with His Excellency. This doesn’t seem like something to discuss with me.”

“The problem is, such technology doesn’t exist in this world.”

……

“It makes sense that it wouldn’t. People usually have only one body. How could they develop a limiter artifact to prevent memories from transferring or to selectively transfer only desired information? That thought seemed pointless. After all, didn’t you all use this abundant time resource to achieve anything?”

“Anything?”

Lu Barre slightly furrowed his brow. As I stepped closer, he kept backing away until his body hit the table.

“Anything.”

I answered, grabbing his left hand.

And, just as I did with the Archbishop, I pulled him by the waist.

He looked at me like I was completely insane, but more than that, he seemed overwhelmingly shocked. He was slipping into panic.

I muttered to the New Human, whose eye level was close to mine.

“Now, the key is figuring out where it is.”

Click—Boom—!

I pushed Lu Barre hard, slamming his head onto the table.

“…! What are you…?!”

He looked at me in panic, then realized one of his hands wasn’t free and fell into shock. I looked at his wrist. My watch artifact had turned into a Magic Power restraint device, binding Lu Barre’s wrist to mine.

It felt like my heart was seizing. It was the strongest restraint I’d ever used.

Anyway, Wittelsbach’s technology is impressive. Even the Archbishop didn’t realize my watch was this kind of artifact. Of course, I ordered it that way from the start.

The Archbishop probably thought it was just a Magic Power regulation artifact I’d been using since the start of the semester.

“No, what are you…!”

Lu Barre was ridiculously strong. As expected of a New Human. I checked his ears first. Nothing. Too conspicuous, maybe. Since it’s a public setting, he could’ve just worn it. My hand moved to his wrist. Nothing there either. No trace of Magic Power.

Now, only one possibility remained.

I grabbed the necklace cord inside his collar and yanked it hard.

Snap—

“…!”

I threw the broken necklace to the floor.

His body jolted for a moment. His eyes went blank, then refocused.

“This is it.”

……

“Right? Say it yourself.”

I brushed the hair from his forehead with my right hand, pressing his head to the floor. His black eyes turned to me. His eyebrows crumpled, and his mouth twisted. I probably had the same expression. I pressed my knee harder to pin him down and asked,

“Alright. Do you recognize me now?”

“You’re mistaken…”

I shook my head.

That’s not the answer I wanted. It shouldn’t be the answer. All my deductions would be for nothing.

I brought my face close to his. My hair touched his forehead. His breath reached me. Noon sunlight filtered through the shadows. The shape of his iris was clear. I saw his pupils dilate. It wasn’t a familiar face. Definitely.

But the muscles of his face, freed from the limiter, moved like those of someone I knew…

And he was pouring emotions into my ears that only he would have.

My heartbeat was loud. I pressed down on his pulsing heart under my palm.

“Sorry for not living up to your expectations. You like me this much, but I don’t have much to give back.”

“Ha…”

Lu Barre turned his now-red face aside and exhaled.

“…Hahaha… Hahahahaha!”

He burst into maniacal laughter.

Then, exhaling heavily, he stared into the void.

“…I.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“I clearly said I only wanted to show you my best self.”

“You did. It’s fine.”

At my words, his eyes moved to me. I looked at him and shook my head.

“Sorry to say in this situation, but let’s call off the engagement.”

Lu Barre’s eyes now carried the same authority as the Archbishop’s.

I spoke to those eyes, gleaming as if they’d devour me, to the soul within.

“I don’t have a hobby of getting engaged to terrorists.”

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