Chapter 56: Cry

Chapter 56: Cry

Thud.

The moment I returned to the room, my strength drained from me. I could barely stand.

As I sat down on the bed, struggling to compose myself, Dark Sage cautiously revealed herself.

Given that she had seen everything by my side, she must have empathized with the turmoil I now felt.

[......]

So, she didnt intrude with words amidst my confusion but waited in silence.

Until I found my own answer.

Surprisingly, it didnt take as long as I thought. As always, this cursed calmness followed me, making me contemplate the situation emotionlessly, untangling it slowly.

As I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose to clear my jumbled thoughts, the image of Eleanor, who kept approaching me, shimmered in my mind.

Sigh

Exhaling deeply, I stood up, noticing Dark Sages slightly surprised expression.

[You recovered so quickly?]

She remarked, implying not even five minutes had passed. But the disorientation I felt after such a long time seemed much longer than expected.

Yes, Im okay now.

That was it. The brief sting was fleeting, and I was back to my usual self.

[Alright. Just to make sure, the current Princess Eleanor...]

Yes, the being from her dreams has taken over her body.

[......]

We were both certain about that. There was no room for a different opinion between Dark Sage and me.

The fact that Eleanor didnt ask if this place was reality the moment she saw me

Also, the fact she didnt respond the way she had prepared when I initiated the code myself

These two were the reasons for our confidence.

Now, the issue arises here.

With her arms crossed, Dark Sage inquired with a hint of skepticism.

[Is there any chance that the monster you created, named Mack, didnt work as intended?]

No, it functioned precisely as intended. And, after fulfilling its role, it vanished.

Upon consuming the dream, Mack carried out its final duty I had asked mages to include and disappeared.

Dark Sage looked at me with a grimace, then responded somberly.

[Then, isnt the answer clear? The Eleanor we originally met was the very nightmare.]

......

[Honestly, its not that surprising. Among the evil spirits, there are often those who cannot accept their own demise, right?]

Yes, Ive encountered many.

Moreover, there were several spirits who indeed tried to possess bodies.

[She might not have been aware she was a nightmare. Ultimately, Mack did its job by consuming the nightmare. It seems, after a long period of being possessed, freedom has finally come to Princess Eleanor.]

......

[Since the rightful owner of the body has returned, we should celebrate.]

Dark Sage spoke as if urging me to acknowledge the truth.

I got up and headed back to the teapot.

I began to heat the tea I had prepared the day before, and then answered.

Thats impossible.

I too, initially wondered if the once-vivacious Eleanor was, in fact, a nightmare.

But that was impossible.

[Excuse me? Impossible, you say?]

The teapot spewed steam. Slowly pouring tea into the cup, I felt warmth seep into my hand as I held it.

Without formally sitting, I took a sip right there and responded.

If the Eleanor we met was some sort of imposter, we would have certainly noticed.

Right now, Dark Sage was thinking too much from the perspective of a necromancer.Rread latest chapters at novelhall.com

Sadly, the issue with Eleanor had little to do with necromancy.

For that to be possible, it presupposes that Eleanor was under some kind of spell. But we saw no such thing.

[Ah]

Dark Sage and I had discussed this before.

Nothing seemed off about Eleanor.

Even the Saintess couldnt properly identify the cause.

The situation surrounding Eleanor had no external interference.

What we should be focusing on is the nightmare.

[Nightmare?]

Mack consumed a nightmare. But what constitutes a nightmare? It doesnt understand that concept.

[...So, youre saying a nightmare isnt a fixed concept.]

Exactly. And in this case, the definition would likely depend on the intent of the one being consumed.

Again, Mack is akin to an AI made of mana. It can only act based on the logic weve provided.

We, who couldnt clearly define what a dream or a nightmare is, only gave Mack vague information about nightmares without a clear definition.

I sneaked a glance at him. Tyren smirked at me, and with a snort that seemed almost playful, remarked,

Next time, I wont lose.

[Ugh, I never want to fight him again.]

With the peculiar support of the burly man, I proceeded up the stairs.

With each step, I felt a refreshing clarity.

Lifes path isnt always straightforward. The original Deus always took the wrong path, and Kim Shin Woo also treaded more on the mistaken paths than the right ones.

But right now, inside me, there was an unwavering certainty.

I was undoubtedly on the right path.

I arrived at a dimly lit balcony. From below, the continuous laughter and bright lights could be heard, yet, strangely, they seemed distant and unreachable from here.

Above the dazzling scene below, brighter than a star-studded sky, was a golden-haired girl gazing at the unusually dark night sky.

I didnt really know what to call this place. They said its a balcony. Doesnt fit as well as I thought.

Eleanor Luden Griffin murmured serenely and then slowly turned her gaze to me.

I thought youd come, Deus. I tried to imitate the previous Eleanor in my own way, but it probably wont work on you.

A voice colder than I ever heard before.

She seemed to have abandoned the act of portraying the previous Princess Eleanor, assuming her true identity was known.

In her eyes, there was a blazing conviction, an intense belief in herself, and an ambition for power.

And that was the traitor of the kingdom I saw in the game.

The ambitious one who sought to kill her own brother, King Orpheus, and usurp the throne.

The Fallen Princess,

Eleanor Luden Griffin.

How does it feel? The Eleanor you knew is dead. Shes no longer inside here.

Eleanor declared with a confident smile. She then burst into laughter, spreading her arms wide.

Did you want to save her? But what can you do? In the end, I won! Me! I emerged victorious! How does it feel? The one you wanted to stop has now become the princess.

Step.

Step.

Its your defeat, Deus Verdi.

Step.

The princess who once hoped for your salvation is nowhere to be found.

Step.

Before I realized, I had reached her. Silently, I gazed at Eleanor.

With a smug curl of her lips, she looked up at me as if challenging me to say whatever I wished.

Theres no need to act.

I consoled her, signaling not to utter pointless words.

I know everything.

What are you talking about

Even if you want to grumble, to plead, to cry, or to collapse pitifully, you cant.

Because that is the form of the ideal being, bearing the rights and responsibilities youve shouldered since birth.

Dont talk nonsense.

Eleanor tried to push me away, gritting her teeth, but there was no strength in her hand.

You dont need to hide behind sharp words. If you cant say anything else, silence is okay.

Before coming here, Tyren Ol Velocus had said this:

Even going against orders for the sake of ones lord can be considered loyalty.

I cant fully agree with that sentiment.

At least, the action Im taking now for Eleanor, who cannot voice her true feelingsor rather, whos been made unable toisnt defined by loyalty.

This is just a clutch play to correct my own mistake.

Not a situation unfolding from the rigid stances of loyalty and nobility.

But as a professor, the time spent with a student.

Im sorry for not noticing.

Eleanor still looked at me as if she wanted to consume me in anger for degrading her.

Yet, a very faint tear welled up in her eyes.

I didnt miss it, reaching out gently to wipe it away.

The girls body subtly shivered.

Truth and falsehood. Perhaps there was no need to distinguish between them.

Not nightmares, spirits, goblins, riddles, demons, incidents, or ghost stories.

It was none of those.

It was just a cry.

Because you were still Eleanor Luden Griffin.

What the crying girl needed was just consolation and an embrace.

--- End of The Chapter ---

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