Chapter 300

It was strange, truly strange.

I let it all go.

I had grasped the Seven Secrets and lived a painful life, struggling for a long time.

However, I realized it was a responsibility I couldn’t bear and let them go.

Then they returned to me.

As a gentle breeze, in a beautiful form.

The seventh one was found only after discarding all the preceding six.

The real me that didn’t exist originally but clearly exists here now.

Septem Arcana,

The seventh Ars that overturned everything,

‘Crown of Paradox’.

My Ars took the form of a crude wooden crown.

It lay alone on the floor, spiky and bare.

I picked up my crown and put it on my head.

“I still hate myself.”

Thorns sprouted on the ‘Crown of Paradox’.

No, they were horns.

The number was six.

Six horns pierced my forehead and blood flowed.

It was so spiky and sharp, but that’s why it was my crown that resembled me all the more.

“I can never again like this guy called me, this painful and filthy little life of mine.”

The confession was painful to the bone.

The filthy me was nowhere to be seen.

Because we are reconciling.

“There are things I realized only after getting stabbed in the heart.”

It hurt.

I ended up realizing a painfully true fact.

“My wretched state, the way I acted all high and mighty thinking only I was right without listening to others… I pretended to know everything, pretended to have mastered everything….”

I was sad, and because of that, I ended up laughing.

“…I resembled my father whom I hated so much.”

I remember the golden eyes of Continua the Great Emperor.

I admired those unwavering eyes regardless of what others said for a long time.

And I hated them for a long time.

But I had to confess that my blue eyes had come to resemble the Emperor’s.

This was a painful truth.

I was completely closed off.

I realized it only after Amethus died.

He was dogmatic, self-righteous, and even dictatorial.

Based on the things that went well according to his will, he continued to become arrogant alone.

I am right.

I am a regressor, so my words are right.

You don’t know anything.

The Empire must fall.

You can’t do without me.

But I will show generosity.

Since I understand your foolishness, I will guide you easily.

Although I didn’t live with such childish thoughts explicitly, the heart wasn’t much different.

It was truly shameful.

“…….”

It is painful because I have stabbed myself many times.

It is shameful because I have stabbed others many times too.

It was a filthy life.

There were truly many filthy things.

Others defiled me.

I defiled others. In the end, I strangled myself and made myself filthy.

I thought I could cover everything with a great cause.

Saying I would save many lives, saying I would overthrow the Empire, saying I was a regressor and living with pride, I didn’t know that such a life would produce so many wounds.

I pretended to know, but I didn’t know.

Only after a knife was stuck in my heart did I realize that I was nothing more than a single human.

So I had to realize how many wounds I had taken lightly until now, and at the same time, how I had looked down on their lives.

And I knew that I resembled the Empire more than anyone.

Because the blood of the Millennium Empire, which trampled on many lives while talking about the peace of the continent, flowed in me too.

Because I also lived trampling on my enemies like that.

“But, but….”

The eyes looking up still see nothing.

Only the fact that I was looking up was important.

“…I will submit to my life.”

I decided to try again.

Since reconciliation with myself is reconciliation with life, and further, it might be reconciliation with everything, it would be a truly difficult and arduous task.

Still, I decided to reconcile with myself.

Since I had tormented myself by ignoring it so much until now, and I felt sorry for that fact, extending a hand so easily felt shameless, but still.

“I am.”

Still.

“Shion Pollinglight.”

***

He was still Shion.

Finally, he was Shion.

***

I came out of the hole wearing the ‘Crown of Paradox’.

The Great Witch was waiting for me.

“What about the Seventh Secret?”

“I found it.”

“Where was it?”

“It was never gone.”

“Then when do you think you lost it?”

“From birth.”

The master smiled at me.

“Did you change?”

“Better than before.”

She asked again.

“Did you realize?”

“At least for now.”

I see.

We suddenly realized that our conversation had much room to appear somewhat pedantic.

Since it was a conversation between a thousand-year-old mage and her disciple, pretending to be scholarly to some extent would be acceptable.

However, now that I had realized, I didn’t want to continue the conversation in this way.

“You said the Seventh Secret overturns everything. Did you already know?”

“Of course.”

“How did you know?”

“Because I know your secrets. Saying you became inhuman, I guessed you wouldn’t trust… but I am your master, so I know you.”

“I see.”

I smiled back.

I still wore the crown on my head.

“I must leave.”

“Is it regrettable?”

“Of course! You haven’t spent time with me even once in this life!”

Even though it’s been 7 years since the regression!

The Great Witch said fussily.

I smiled gently.

Even a single smile used to take so much effort that I used to mimic laughter with a distortion.

It was truly painful and heavy to lift my cheek muscles to make a laughing face.

But how can I laugh so lightly now?

It must be because what I wear on my head bears the name of paradox.

“Come back when the work is done. Let’s have a glass of wine.”

“…I don’t drink alcohol.”

“Drink.”

“…Especially with the Master.”

Recalling the master’s nasty drinking habits from before the regression, I shook my head.

“Take Velgil with you. He says he wants to watch over you.”

“I will do so.”

“Bring the child you married too.”

“I will definitely introduce her.”

“By the way, what kind of child is she to have taken you?”

“I am very lacking.”

“Saying such things, you’re all grown up.”

“…Considering before the regression, I am forty.”

“In my eyes, you are always a child.”

“Well, Master has lived for a thousand years.”

“You don’t mean that, do you?”

“Ugh.”

The Great Witch, who pinched my forearm, giggled.

We talked while walking.

Sen Sorti was sad to part with her disciple.

Still, she had to let me go.

“Lastly, Shion.”

“Yes.”

“I left a sword with Velgil.”

“…….”

There is no need to say which sword she meant.

It must be the double-edged sword Amethus delivered, which contained Serena’s letter.

Recalling the jade eyes I would never see again, I smiled with sad eyes.

Even though the sadness was so deep, the gratitude was even greater, so I couldn’t help but smile.

Amethus Aretion, my grateful… friend.

“I glanced at it, and there was one more letter.”

“…Not Serena’s letter?”

“Yes. Inside the pommel.”

She continues.

“It seems he didn’t even have a chance to deliver it.”

……. I couldn’t say anything more.

“Go, Shion. To the place you must go.”

***

“I heard you said you wanted to watch over me.”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Your name is Velgil?”

“Yes.”

I looked at Velgil.

Long eyelashes stood out.

He was also lanky.

Somehow he reminded me of Amethus.

“I have no reason to refuse. Do as you please.”

“I will be of help.”

“It’s okay even if you are not helpful.”

“By the way, here….”

Velgil held out the sword he had been keeping.

“…Thank you for keeping it.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“I will depart soon. Can you prepare a carriage since we will go to the Imperial border by carriage?”

“Of course.”

At my words, Velgil was very obedient.

The reason was unknown, but he seemed to have decided to serve me.

It is strange since Yosef Haider had died.

“…….”

Velgil disappeared and I stared intently at the double-edged sword.

It must be the item Ferbias gave as a gift.

When I pulled it out of the scabbard, the blade flashed blue.

“…Saying it’s old and leaving it behind….”

I smirked.

The sword was perfectly fine.

I wondered how it was maintained to keep such a sharp edge for over 10 years.

There is an inscription engraved by Ferbias on the blade surface.

It was on the verge of being worn away from polishing the sword for a long time.

Still, it was legible enough to distinguish the content, but I didn’t bother to read it.

Instead, I tapped the bottom of the handle, the pommel.

It made a hollow sound.

“…Right. You also had something to say to me.”

Opening the pommel wasn’t difficult.

When I examined it consciously, a slight gap was visible.

When I opened it, there was a small click and a small note folded several times fell out.

I picked up the note very carefully and unfolded it.

It was Amethus’s handwriting, familiar from seeing it for 7 years.

[Shion.]

[I wonder when you will read this writing.]

***

[It must be clear that it is after I am dead.]

[Since I didn’t give you any hint about this note, perhaps you might not read it. Then it can’t be helped.]

“Right. You should have told me in advance.”

I spat out without realizing it.

I felt as if I was conversing with Amethus.

Even though he was a man who had already died.

[I am writing this letter because I have a favor to ask you. Although it is a sorry thing.]

“Sorry, my foot.”

[Did Shadi wake up? It would be good if she did. If she didn’t… It’s a sad thing. Either way, please take care of Shadi. If you don’t take her in, she has nowhere to go.]

“I will give Shadi Shandor the best treatment. No less than Serena.”

I muttered.

“Just to ask a favor like this….”

I continued to read the letter.

Then the handwriting changed as if he had heard my words.

The top was scribbled, but below, it was evident that he had agonized over every single character.

The ink smudges here and there proved it.

[Shion.]

[Actually, I am cautious. I am about to ask a favor I dare not ask of you.]

“…What favor are you trying to ask?”

[I am your foremost confidant.]

“Right.”

[And you are my second-best close friend.]

“…….”

My brow furrowed.

I guessed Amethus’s favor from the expression ‘second-best close friend’.

I unconsciously glanced at the blade surface.

The pompous phrase stating that the future Emperor Ferbias grants this sword to his foremost close friend and future Ten Great Generals, Amethus.

[Ferbias Caseptus.]

[Even if he became an enemy, he is undeniably… my foremost close friend.]

[Wouldn’t you give him a chance just once.]

I silently read down the letter.

[I know. You will defeat Ferbias. It will surely happen. So just once, could you give Ferbias a chance. A chance to realize his stubbornness and mistakes.]

“…….”

[Of course, he must pay the proper price for his sins. And if he doesn’t change even then, what can I say? But if Ferbias, if Pel changes…….]

There is a gap in the letter.

Amethus’s agony was visible.

[…Please forgive him, even for my sake.]

[And deliver this sword.]

“…Ha.”

I laughed in disbelief.

“…You really ask for a preposterous favor.”

I looked at the sky.

“Amethus.”

I believed that jade-eyed bastard was listening.

“I am powerless.”

I declared nonchalantly.

I wore the ‘Crown of Paradox’, but this is different from ordinary power.

Because it is a symbol of my powerlessness.

“But there is still work to do. And there is your request too.”

Thinking about it this way, I continued.

“In the end, you were right. You were always like that. You only said the right things. I just had to live.”

My eyes took on a sad light.

“I’m sorry.”

I thought I had relieved all the sadness, but recalling Amethus brought up sadness again. Apology and gratitude mixed and filled my tear ducts.

“If I had stood up a little earlier. If I had listened to your words a little more. A little more….”

Right, this isn’t good either.

I cut off my regret sharply.

Instead of swallowing it, I blew it away lightly into the wind with a whoosh.

“Fine, Amethus. I will grant your request.”

I was looking at the sky.

My eyes were fixed above and not looking at the ground.

In that state, I continued.

“I was also one who couldn’t be clean. So I should give Ferbias a chance too. It won’t be easy, but I will try.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“!!!”

I turned my head in surprise.

But there was no one.

“…….”

It was a familiar voice.

I couldn’t have misheard.

Didn’t he say ‘Thank you, Your Highness’ with that incredibly familiar voice of that jade-eyed bastard?

However, still, I was alone.

I was bewildered, and soon raised my head again.

I couldn’t suppress a chuckling laugh.

“…Is that so?”

Only the sky was brilliantly blue.

“Were you watching too?”

I finally burst into laughter, Pa, haha.

Laughter burst out madly and I couldn’t help it.

I giggled and laughed for a long time.

I laughed until tears flowed.

I just enjoyed the laughter itself.

Then I murmured quietly.

“I’m going.”

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