Love Letter From The Future

Shiene’s explanation was brief and clear.

After moving to the main figures of the Academy, just a few minutes had passed since the hearing of the circumstances. Most of the people present had swallowed their thick silence and closed their eyes.

There were no particular doubts brightening their faces.

Only a sense of lamentation seemed to linger, as if they were sighing, “How could this happen?”

I was the only exception.

“…Isn’t this a misunderstanding?”

In an instant, all eyes were on me.

It was just the moment that broke the long stillness. Naturally, it was a reaction I had been prepared for, but I found it hard to endure the emotions contained in those gazes.

Pity, or perhaps compassion.

Unable to suppress my rising emotions, I slammed my hand against the desk with a thud.

“Celine suddenly attacked Alphenhausen’s direct lineage! Doesn’t that seem strange?! It was just a short time ago that she was facing the Dark Cult head-on… Right, a deception! We can’t rule out the possibility of it being a deception…!”

“You’re still the same. Axe-brained fool.”

With a tap, she struck the ground with her cane.

Shiene spoke in a tone that felt neither mocking nor despairing. My heated gaze was directed straight at her, but eventually, I had no choice but to groan and turn my head away.

The bandages that covered half of her once-beautiful face were soaked with bright yellow pus.

A burn that would never heal.

It was a vicious curse. In terms of pain, the wound of a burn was among the highest tier of injuries.

Shiene had to continue to endure that pain.

Even while covering half of that face.

She was a woman in such a wretched state. No matter how much I was agitated, I found it hard to raise my voice recklessly.

Taking advantage of my silence, Shiene let out a low growl.

“That woman has brought forth the Haster Clan’s resentment. I don’t know how she obtained the information, but Celine Haster has every reason to betray humanity. She has had connections with the Dark Cult for a long time and we concluded that the force behind the abduction was leaning toward them, right?”

“That resentment is!”

With another thud, I slapped the desk again.

Struggling to control my emotions, one of the table’s legs cracked with a splintering sound. Despite that, there were no voices blaming me.

Only Professor Derek turned his head with a sigh.

I soon shouted with bloodshot eyes.

“It’s not Alphenhausen’s fault! How could they be so brazen…!”

“Brazen?”

Letting out a half-hearted laugh.

The woman’s silver gaze pierced my heart like a flash. That mournful expression was dropping ice into my boiling chest once more.

“Perhaps that could be true. It might be our Alphenhausen’s fault. There could have been a better resolution… But what does that matter?”

“Celine must have her circumstances…!”

“Circumstances that would lead her to turn against humanity and set the world ablaze? How very fitting.”

I wanted to argue again, but I soon had no choice but to helplessly sink back into my seat.

It was just as she said.

To betray humanity and to set the world ablaze.

Celine might indeed have circumstances warranting such actions. But that led to the conclusion of ‘the destruction of humanity.’

There was no place for my rebuttal. Shiene, knowing this very well, stabbed in again with her words.

“Fine, let’s say Alphenhausen has made a mistake. My sister is in a vegetative state, unable to open her eyes, and I am half-crippled, suffering for life from the pain of my flesh melting away, living with a hideous face… Fine, let’s say we’ve committed such a sin! But do you really think that woman would be satisfied burning only our Alphenhausen?”

She could do that, I supposed.

I wanted to at least defend Celine in empty words, but I couldn’t bring myself to act.

Because I knew.

What kind of beings the Dark Cult were.

If Celine had truly aligned herself with the Dark Cult, the outcome was already determined.

I simply did not want to believe it.

I clasped my hands around my own face.

“That woman has already made an irreversible choice. Therefore, it has become clear what we must do. Do you still not understand, axe-brained fool?”

With another tap, she struck the ground with her staff again.

Shiene spoke with a voice that did not fit at all with the playful title of ‘axe-brained fool.’

“Your childhood friend is now our enemy…”

“Stop!”

A shout burst from my lips, unable to endure any longer.

My feet stomped out of place, lifting my body. I pressed my forehead while staggering, trying to convey my intentions through my clenched teeth.

“It’s still, it might still not be too late.”

“Ian.”

There was no longer any need for Shiene to step in.

Everyone present was trying to dissuade me. Even Professor Derek called my name with a voice mixed with a sigh.

“If it’s really difficult, let’s talk later. I will summarize and let you know the contents discussed later…”

“I will!”

Shouting that, I swept my glaring gaze over the crowd. Shiene was gazing at me with an unreadable expression.

“I will go at least once… It might be better than doing nothing. So…”

“Ian.”

“Right now, deploy the Imperial Intelligence Department…!”

As I was about to take a step forward while piecing together that chaotic plan.

I suddenly lost my balance and swayed.

Huh? Why on earth?

Before I could even finish that thought.

Coughing, I spat out a mouthful of blood. Soon, bewildered voices began to resound in my ears.

“Ian? Ian!”

“No, what is happening…?”

“Call a priest immediately!”

With a clumsy thud, my body collapsed helplessly onto the floor.

Haah, haah.

The smell of blood rose with my breath. I was feeling the warm heat soaking through the bandages that covered my injuries.

What is this?

I have to go.

Celine was waiting. She, who had been gently teary-eyed and tender-hearted since childhood. She might be crying now because I was gone.

Yes, I have to go.

Suddenly, memories from long ago flooded back. The promise I made with Celine during our childhood.

But my consciousness was fading.

I reached out, but my body wouldn’t listen at all. My blurred vision began to fade into darkness.

Voices floated through the gaps of my dimming consciousness.

“But remember.”

The warning of a man.

“Every choice comes with a price…”

A monster’s laughter.

“Aha, cough, cough… Aha! This is, this is the ‘price’ you must pay… Keaek, ke… Ahahahaha!”

There was a day when a man had annoyingly told me.

“It’s too late.”

And what did he say?

“You can’t stop now. You can only prepare yourself.”

“What preparation?”

“Be ready to pay the price.”

Right.

Memory, memory, memory.

The past images were jumbled together. Clues that had been dormant in my subconscious suddenly stretched lazily and spoke to me.

The dreamless warrior who has mastered all visions.

What did Princess Iris call the royal decree to create that monster?

“Commonly known as, the ‘Deus ex machina’ plan.”

Indeed.

Hadn’t I vehemently argued the absurdity of that plan? The outcome for those who recklessly learned visions was only one.

Doom.

I see. As I closed my eyes, I had no choice but to realize that.

This was the price I had to pay.

And blackout.

The past and future reversed.

*

“Ian, big brother? Ian, big brother!”

“Uh, huh?”

Rarely, I stammered a foolish reply.

In front of me stood a woman, as big as her axe, perched on her shoulder like it was a twig. Her black hair was roughly tied back, and her tawny eyes sparkled with suspicion.

My face went blank as I faced her.

Celine Haster.

Yes, I clearly…

Just then, with a jab, the girl’s elbow sharply poked my side.

I barely let out a small groan.

“What are you spacing out for? How long has it been since the battle ended… Hmph, or have you suddenly fallen for my beauty?”

Seeing Celine’s boastful grin, I ended up letting out a dry laugh.

“Is it the way you blast a monster’s skull apart like a firework with an axe?”

“Hmm, how was it? Cool, wasn’t it?”

Her tawny eyes squinted playfully as she teased me.

Then, memories rewound. In the hands of the mounted woman was a huge axe, and every time it flashed like lightning, blood would flow like rain.

Was it cool?

It was, but only if it wasn’t a scene of one-sided slaughter.

My subordinate, regarded as the best breacher among the ‘crows,’ was that kind of warrior.

Even while moving silently, Celine kept bouncing around.

“Ah, what a pity. So disappointing! If I’d discovered my talent a bit sooner, I might have surpassed Ian oppa…”

“It’s not too late now.”

“Puhuh… Me, could I?”

Celine began to laugh, holding her belly at my soulless banter.

What on earth is so funny?

As I shook my head, Celine burst into even louder laughter.

“You mean defeating ‘Ian Fercurus,’ the strongest among the crows of the Imperial Intelligence? No, no… I’m fine just being your subordinate.”

“If you wish, you could join a safer unit…”

“Oppa, I told you I’m fine.”

Cutting me off with determination, the girl shook her hands.

“Ian oppa was by my side when I was having the hardest time.”

I didn’t return the answer.

I had something to discuss, and the conversation with the girl wasn’t something light enough to share as we walked.

Nonetheless, Celine continued in a serious tone.

“I told you. From that day onward, my life is entrusted to Ian oppa… I can die for you.”

“Then you’ll get scolded by Reto.”

“Yeah, can’t hear you~”

While doing so, Celine pretended to cover her ears with her palms and stuck out her tongue.

Well, now as in the past.

I shook my head with a strange feeling. Come to think of it, hadn’t I forgotten to inform Celine of today’s business?

It was time to bring up a new topic.

Without any hesitation, my lips spouted the main point.

“I’m going to meet Lady Airen now.”

“Yeah, yeah. Of course, the results of the battle will be reported… What?”

Celine’s expression instantly stiffened.

I pretended to be nonchalant and continued speaking.

“This is protocol. Naturally, there are procedures to be followed before meeting with Her Highness.”

“No, no… No matter how much, that woman? I-I dislike her!”

“Please take good care of Lady Airen.”

Kyaaaaaaaaaaaah!

As Celine screamed behind me, I strode forth without hesitation. This way, I was minimizing elements that could waste time.

Deep down, I felt apologetic toward Celine. Hadn’t she disliked high-ranking nobles for a long time?

Lady Airen was also the same. A direct descendant of the Lupeumiun family, a genuine noble.

Still, I hoped Celine and Lady Airen would come to understand each other.

The target of Celine’s revenge had already disappeared.

They met an end as terrible as Celine had never even imagined. And in the midst of that, she encountered the last survivors who had lost their clan.

I hoped it would become a good connection.

I took a faint prayer with me as I walked the remaining path. At the end stood my lord, a woman so beautiful it could take my breath away, even for a moment.

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